Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!

House of Dusk follows two alternating POVs against a backdrop of mythology, prophecy, and an ancient scheming evil. Sephre, a flame-wielding nun trying to forget a horrific war crime she helped commit, is thwarted by rising corpses and a mysterious man who accompanies a trail of death across the country. Meanwhile Yeneris, an undercover agent orphaned by the same war and tasked with recovering the stolen bones of her people's saint, is waylaid by the charismatic princess and a much darker secret within her enemies' palace. Each of the two women follows her own path toward preventing a cataclysmic event that would destroy the world.

I went into this with high expectations, and while I enjoyed elements of the story, overall I think it lacked the emotional punch suggested in its premise. The worldbuilding is fun and inventive, if not particularly original (though I did really like the nuns' powers, both the flame wielding (windup nunzilla, anyone?) and a second, in my opinion even cooler power introduced later on that I won't spoil!) The romance between Yeneris and the princess Sinoe was probably my favorite part, as it was well-developed throughout. Sinoe in particular had layers of characterization that made it easy to sympathize with her and root for her the whole way through. Actually, I wish the novel could have spent more time with Yeneris and Sinoe working together to uncover the villainous plot. Sephre's romantic subplot felt a little more forced, though I had warmed up to it by the end. I think the problem was that even though this book is quite long, there wasn't time to develop both romances fully because this is essentially two separate stories disguised as one book.

Which is why the dual POV aspect of this novel didn't work as well for me, even though I'm usually a sucker for unusual story structure. The two main characters are separate for the entire story, but as they move along their individual narratives, they're each uncovering the same information, and frequently by putting two and two together the same way the reader does (so rather than taking some sort of action or making a discovery in-scene, they basically think about what they've learned already and make a conclusion). So the reader is already doing that, and then you watch the first character figure it out, and then the second character. This really slows down the pacing and sort of kills any anticipation of what's going to happen next, so the second half in particular dragged quite a bit as I waited for the characters to figure it all out. That said, the finale had some good action and the ending was satisfying.

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Is it queer? Yes! This book has both a sapphic and a hetero relationship.

Is it diverse? It's kind of fantasy diverse, but no, not really.

How long did it take? I spent around 12 hours reading this and that was spread across 11 days because I was struggling to keep my attention on it for long stretches at a time.

This was an incredible read. I can't believe this is Deva Fagan's first adult fantasy book. This is an epic story with romantic subplots, and it felt very indicative of stories like Blood Over Bright Haven, Priory of the Orange Tree, or She Who Became the Sun. I find stories like these are so relevant to current day. I kept thinking about how government, religion, and the winners in conflict write the history we all tend to follow and believe. And how blind belief can lead to horrible consequences. House of Dusk felt like a reminder to listen to your heart, but always think critically about everything you hear and see.

I loved the characters in this story. We have dual POV from two very powerful, strong, independent women who are navigating an intricate plot, a complex world, and very high-stakes.

10/10 highly recommend. And all of this in a standalone? AMAZING.

This story absolutely swept me off my feet. The emotional depth, the gorgeous world building, the aching pull between duty and desire all made this a book I did not want to put down. Every moment felt charged with both magic and meaning. This is a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time and I am absolutely in awe of how much beauty and heartbreak it held.

This book had me at fire wielding nun. I was all in by page three, and it was such an enjoyable read. I was also surprised to find out this is the author’s debut novel. Needless to say, I will absolutely be reading anything she publishes in the future.

I’m always looking for stories with well written female heroes who don’t play the communication? never heard of her card. The story focuses on Sephre and Yeneris through their dual POVs. The book flowed seamlessly as we follow their individual journeys until they eventually cross paths. While the romance isn’t necessarily swoon worthy, it also wasn’t painful insta love. There were moments where it didn’t feel entirely organic. But it’s far from the worst I’ve read.

Here’s where I felt a little let down, this is a standalone. Up until today I thought this was the start of a series. Because of that, I do think some of the background lore and details, like the war or catalytic, could have been fleshed out more. Still, the writing is immersive and beautifully descriptive. It was incredible easy to get lost in the world.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and DAW for the advanced reader copy!

This book is perfect for anyone who loved Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night. The world building is very similar to Samantha Shannon's, with an ancient cataclysm caused by a mighty beast. I love that Sephre was in her 40s and had her own unique history as a warrior. I felt like she was a beautiful antithesis to Yeneris and Sinoe, who are young and full of hope. Sephre believes in a better world, but she is experienced enough to know it doesn't come without a cost.

My only complaint is that I feel like in the romance area, the author did a lot of "telling not showing". We're told that Sephre and her lover talked a lot on their journey, but I think it would've added a lot if we had gotten to actually see those conversations at least a little bit.

I'm actually kind of upset I got this as an ARC because now I'll have to wait a long time to read book 2, but I also feel like this could be an excellent stand alone.

CW for some body horror

It’s feeling like it could be another Serpent Summer! 🐍

House of Dusk is a story focused on two badass, feminine heroes: Sephre, who became a fire-wielding nun through an effort to make amends for actions in her past, and Yeneris, who is working undercover to return something precious to her homeland. Both women are driven by a desire to see things righted in a world that is being upended by men who will destroy everything for their own glory and personal gain. These women are focused on different aspects of the same incredible mission from two entirely different places, without having ever met one another. All the while, an old and mysterious god seems to be returning and both women find themselves unexpectedly tangled in their own webs of longing and distrust.
I especially appreciated the diversity of characters we meet in House of Dusk. From a young man eager to begin his work and make his place in this world to a woman well into her 40s recreating and shaping herself without apology. As paths collided, I felt eager to meet each new and unfamiliar face, as they quickly became integral parts of the story.
Deva Fagan made wonderful use of storytelling throughout, as well, and I loved each opportunity to learn a little more of the lore. Even in cases they chose to tell me rather than show me, I was able to get a great visualization of the story that I thought was really vivid. The world building was incredible and I felt deposited into Ancient Greece, surrounded by olive trees and with a bowl of figs in my hands. And, while romance wasn’t the primary focus of this book, there was plenty of longing and tension, two of my favorite ingredients in a slow burn romance.
Low spice, but high stakes, this book was a solid read that I would definitely recommend and I will for sure pick up any continuation in the future! Get your copy when it releases August 26th. Thank you to NetGalley & DAW Books for this ARC. This is my honest review. ♥️

I absolutely adore a complex FMC, let alone two of them. Plus, with my own fascination with religious themes, nuns, and magic, this book checked every box for me! An absolutely stunning standalone that I will recommend endlessly to my friends.

House of Dusk is a magical, heartfelt fantasy that completely drew me in. This dual POV follows Sephre, a sister of the House of Dawn and a former soldier, as she tries to make sense of the unusual murders happening across the land. Across the realm, Yeneris is a spy protecting the princess, while trying to bring justice to her fallen people,

What I Loved:

The magic system
The unique world building
Lovable and complex characters
Strong FMCs
Dual POV

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the arc!

House of Dusk is a book filled with incredible world building, an in depth magic system, romance, and intrigue. Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading this book. The plot was captivating and exciting, and the characters were written in depth, which I always appreciate. The one part that pulled me out of the story a bit was how the dialogue from characters could feel a bit young and urban fantasy instead of high fantasy at times. This pulled me from from the setting and vibe of the story quite a few times.

House of Dusk by Deva Fagan is a sapphic fantasy that delivers on all fronts—magic, romance, and high-stakes drama. Sephre, a fire-wielding nun with a haunted past, and Yeneris, a spy torn between duty and desire, are compelling leads whose intertwining journeys kept me hooked. The world-building is rich and immersive, with gods stirring, corpses rising, and serpents creeping from the underworld. If you’re into morally complex heroines, forbidden love, and mythic adventures, this standalone is a must-read.

When it often takes a fair amount of pages to establish a magic system, carve out a world, and familiarize readers with central characters, I can appreciate a standalone fantasy. In House of Dusk, well-paced action is intertwined with world-building exposition, gifting readers with a story that is both exciting and interesting. Though there are two characters whose points of view guide the journey through this world, all of the central characters are fleshed out to add depth to the story. There is romance, intrigue, magic, and a plot that leads all the players up to a high stakes showdown. This is a fantastic fantasy tale and I don't even have to wait for the publication of a sequel to find out how it ends.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, DAW) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

engaging and immersive fantasy novel that combines elements of magic, mystery, and political intrigue.

I found House of Dusk to be an easy, entertaining read. The setting was the highlight for me, I always found myself enjoying the lore drops and figuring out more about the world. Partially because it was well-crafted, and partially because you don’t see settings based on bronze-aged Greece all that often.

The plot and characters were pretty solid overall. I didn’t find the twists that hard to predict, and it wasn’t necessarily the most gripping romance. But neither did it give in to any of the clichés or extreme tropiness that can be prevalent in romantasy these days. I feel this one was very much a fantasy with romantic elements, as opposed to a romance with fantasy trappings. And I’d probably pick up the second book, when it comes out, to see where things go from here.

I recently had the privilege of reading an advance reader copy (ARC) of House of Dusk by Deva Fagan, and it was an absolutely captivating experience. The novel masterfully intertwines themes of redemption, espionage, and forbidden love within a richly constructed fantasy world.

The story follows two compelling protagonists: Sephre, a fire-wielding nun seeking atonement for her past as a war hero, and Yeneris, a spy embedded as a bodyguard to Princess Sinoe, whose prophetic tears add layers of intrigue. Sephre’s internal conflict and Yeneris’s struggle between duty and burgeoning affection for Sinoe are portrayed with depth and authenticity.  

Fagan’s world-building is both immersive and intricate, featuring resurrected deities, creeping underworld serpents, and a society on the brink of upheaval. The narrative’s pacing is brisk, seamlessly balancing action with emotional resonance. The sapphic romance is tenderly and realistically developed, adding a poignant dimension to the tale.

In conclusion, House of Dusk is a standout fantasy novel that delves into complex relationships and moral dilemmas against a backdrop of mythic grandeur. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of epic fantasy and diverse narratives. This is a book that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

This is a well written tale that may start a bit slow but the atmosphere and character development are enough to keep the reader engaged. Once it really gets going, it really gets going. Easy 4 star.

Magic, Betrayal,& a Sapphic Romance You Won't Want To Put Down!

This book is an absolute adventure! Baddie heroines, ancient magic, forbidden romance, and a world on the brink of chaos (I mean what else could one need for an epic fantasy, right!?). We get to meet Sephre, a fire wielding nun trying to escape her past (and trauma),and then Yeneris, a spy falling for the princess she’s meant to betray. Both of their stories are full of tension, tough choices, and some seriously emotional moments.

The world building is rich and immersive, packed with "dead" gods and high stakes intrigue. While the pacing keeps things moving fast, there were a few moments where I wished for just a little more... detail, especially when it came to character relationships.

That said, the romance is chef’s kiss! We have all the forbidden, slow burn love and feels. If you love sapphic fantasy with complex characters and epic stakes, this one is definitely worth picking up!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to embark on this adventure!

“ Priory of the Orange Tree” fans, of which I am one, rejoice! Here is another epic fantasy with a phenomenal and inclusive cast of characters, an intricate plot, supernatural happenings, immersive world building, and sapphic yearning. Bonus point for having one of the main characters be a mid 40’s, fire wielding woman with a past she can’t outrun. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW books for an ARC!

House of Dusk by Deva Fagan is a masterpiece of a book! It's pure art! It's amazing! I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't give it more stars. I wanted to give it 10 stars! It's perfect! The story is really perfect!

*ARC Review!* Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5 stars, a phenomenal read, everything that a high fantasy should be and an incredible addition to Fagan’s bibliography.

The Plot: 5/5
The book follows two main characters. Sister Sephre, a war veteran hoping to spend the rest of her retirement peacefully gardening in a temple and Yeneris, the bodyguard to a Princess Sinoe and prophesier as they try to deal with the aftermaths of an ugly religious war and, possibly, the apocalypse. But also, it is a story about finding and accepting yourself in its entirety. There are zombies, there is magic, there is political and religious intrigue, and not a single boring story beat.

The Worldbuilding: 4/5
The world of HoD was well thought out, and more importantly, well executed. Important information were scattered into digestible chunks, almost always after a particularly anxiety-inducing scene and served as a welcomed breather. It is easy to follow the history and you will be able to understand the bare bones of the lore to keep up. I was not given a map or a glossary (which would be necessary for lesser authors) but the world still felt real and lived in.

I particularly enjoyed the slight variations in theology between different kingdoms. It gives the world just that much more realism. The Gods being animals represented by different times of the day and different elements sounds like too much but it works and I’m into it.

However, the timeline of events could have been better elaborated, particularly the cataclysm and the war, and what exactly they were. And I’d love to know more about the city, which appears only as a shapeless void in my head with the lack of description.

This is a standalone, which is quite disappointing as we didn’t really get to know as much as I’d like and I do hope Fagan decides to write more books set in this world. I need to know the lore behind the other houses and kingdoms.

The Characters: 4/5
Perfect, 10/10, no notes.

We need more older female characters with a ton of baggage, still insecure, needs therapy and kicks ass, but also just wants to garden. Sephre, I will die for you. I do not suffer from PTSD so I cannot comment on the portrayal of that in Sephre but it succeeded in hurting me.

Yeneris is the typical trained-to-be-a-weapon fmc and she’s perfect, don’t ever change. Think Inej and Ead Duryan had a swoony, headstrong lovechild. Honestly, can’t blame her.

Sinoe is everything a princess should be. She’s kind, she’s smart, she’s friendly, she’s slightly sarcastic, ugh I love her too. The tragedy in her life was well portrayed and my heart was constantly aching for her, despite her not even being a pov character.

The side characters were a treat and a half. Each one of them were so distinct and it was obvious how much love and thought the author gave them.

On second thought, one note. The antagonists were mediocre. I prefer villains that occupy a larger bandwidth in a story and the antagonists in HoD fell flat for me.

The Prose: 5/5
One thing that really stood out to me throughout my reading were the gorgeous descriptions of the setting. Every change in scenery was accompanied by prose that stole my breath away.

House of Dusk by Deva Fagan will be published on 26 August 2025! I genuinely cannot wait to talk about it jsagfhsgfdkjggh