You know you've played a board game too much when every book that takes place in a creepy mansion feels like a Betrayal haunt or a Mansions of Madness scenario. (Seriously, though, I felt like I was attempting knowledge rolls for rituals and fending off creatures by resolving horror checks.)

The House Saphir is a retelling of the tale of Bluebeard in the form of a YA fantasy murder mystery featuring a grumpy wish and a sunshine heir. I know very little of the original Bluebeard lore aside from what I read on Wikipedia, so I don't know how faithful it is to the source material. Disregarding the retelling aspect, I enjoyed the story and, as I do with most murder mysteries, spent half the book hyperfixating on a detail that didn't end up being relevant. I believe this is a standalone, which I think was probably the best choice given how the plot and character arcs resolve. I could see the author expanding on this world more in the future, but I think I like this on its own.

Mallory Fontaine is a conwoman, surviving by tricking tourists into false tours of a mansion known for the death of the first of the Saphir wives. She can also see the dead, which comes in handy when the heir to the Saphir legacy appears on one of her tours and requests her assistance in removing the ghost of Le Bleu from the family estate. However, when murder strikes once more, Mallory is drawn into an investigation that may be more than she can handle, and her past only serves to further complicate the situation. Though the murder mystery aspect of the story doesn't come into play until later in the story, the first section feels very ghost-hunter-y in the sense that the protagonists are dealing with all sorts of other magical creatures. I enjoyed the second half of the book more when the murder mystery actually became relevant, though I do admit I don't think it was as much mystery as it was fantasy rituals. I guessed the plot twist/killer relatively early on (mostly because of prior experience with the genre; I still think it was an enjoyable twist, and I was almost convinced that I was wrong), but I did like that there was a bit more tension/action following the reveal. I have mixed feelings about the ending (a part of me thinks it was a bit anticlimactic), but I was overall satisfied with the conclusion. The pacing fell in the middle for me; I didn't find it too fast or too slow, and I think the reason it took me longer to finish than I wanted was due to life circumstances and not because I didn't want to read the book. As far as fantasy mysteries go, I enjoyed this book and its haunted mansion vibes.

I do wish the cast of characters had been just a bit wider for the sake of the mystery elements, but I still liked their dynamics. I've seen some complaints about Mallory as the FMC, but I liked her. I found her snark compelling and thought her curiosity and bravery made for an enjoyable protagonist. I didn't like Anaïs as much at first, but I grew to like her. Their sisterhood dynamics weren't super complex, though I understand that their relationship wasn't the focal point of the story. This is a weird comparison, but for some reason they reminded me of the Able Sisters from Animal Crossing... I really liked Armand, and everyone calling him a bit of a himbo is absolutely right, but we love him for it. Even though he did feel a bit flat compared to Mallory (I wish there was more time spent on his backstory), I still liked him and his dynamics with Mallory because they were so sweet. I don't have much of an opinion on the two monster hunters because they weren't as relevant as I was expecting, but I did think they were interesting and wouldn't be surprised if a spin-off book were to focus on them. Otherwise, I had beef with Julie for literally no reason, and I wanted to see more of Triphine. I also wish Le Bleu was a bit less of a caricature, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the story.

The House Saphir is a YA fantasy/mystery standalone for readers who love haunted mansions, witchcraft, ghosts, and loose retellings, or who just enjoy fun banter and satisfying standalones.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

4/5

Also, a quick note: I am now seeing that this is being partially marketed as a romantasy, and let me be clear that I disagree completely. As far as my understanding of romantasy goes, the romance must be an integral part of the plot, either equally weighted with or more relevant than the fantasy aspects of the plot. The romance in this novel does NOT occupy enough of the plot for it to be considered a romantasy in the sense of its apparent comp titles on the publisher's website (Divine Rivals and Fourth Wing).
If you go into this expecting a romantasy to the degree of either of these comps, you are going to be disappointed. This is a fantasy mystery with minor romantic elements; we don't need to label everything as a romantasy because it's the pop word and we think it will sell more. Enjoy this for what it is: an enticing fantasy murder mystery with hints of romance.

4.25 stars 🌟

Alright, I loved this book! It was a spooky good time. It reminded me a lot of Starling House by Alix E. Harrow with a dash of Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson and Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor. If any of that intrigues you, you’ll definitely want to check this book out. This book stands out on its own and it left me wanting more! It has a great plot, amazing well-written characters, and a blooming romance as well! I did guess the plot twist BUT it was in a way where I was shocked that I was right! I wish we got a little bit more of the romance… maybe a novella or sequel perhaps? Yes, please!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Marissa Meyer returns to fairy tale retellings with “The House of Saphir,” a moody, ghost-riddled reimagining of Bluebeard, set in the same gothic-tinged world as her Gilded duology. This standalone book delivers a haunting story of magic, murder, sisterhood, and slow-burning romance.

The story follows Mallory Fontaine, a snarky, sharp-tongued young woman who makes a living conning tourists with fake witchy paraphernalia and haunted mansion tours. But there’s one catch: Mallory can see ghosts. After losing her magic in a childhood ritual gone wrong, she’s been stuck with the ability to communicate with the dead, including the ghost of Triphine, the dramatic and endlessly talkative first wife of infamous wife-killer Count Bastien Saphir, aka the legend of Bluebeard. Mallory and her sister Anaiis hustle to get by until Armand Saphir, the last living heir of the cursed family, shows up with an offer they can’t refuse: rid his ancestral home of the murderous ghost of his ancestor, and he’ll pay handsomely and clear their legal troubles.

It’s a setup ripe with eerie atmosphere, and Meyer nails it. The titular House Saphir is a decaying, decadent mansion that oozes with secrets and screams (sometimes literally). Ghostly wives whisper in corridors, magical beasts stalk the estate grounds, and the shadow of Bluebeard’s legend looms large.

Mallory is both the book’s greatest strength and occasional frustration. Her sarcastic, fake-it-till-you-make-it vibe is endearing, and her interactions with ghosts (especially Triphine) often bring laugh-out-loud moments. I did find her relentless scheming and occasional over-the-top theatrics to wear thin at times, especially in slower stretches of the story. Her character arc does evolve, thankfully; by the end, Mallory feels more grounded, vulnerable, and emotionally resonant, especially as her relationship with Armand deepens and the stakes grow bloodier.

Speaking of Armand, he’s classic Meyer: brooding, noble, emotionally closed-off, and vaguely tragic. The chemistry between him and Mallory simmers, even if it never quite boils. The romance subplot delivers enough tension and sweetness to satisfy fans of slow-burn love, but I did wish for more development and higher emotional payoff.

For those familiar with Meyer’s writing, “The House of Saphir” seems to recycle several elements from Gilded like a magical heroine with a dark past, a cursed love interest, ghosts that guide and haunt, and even the overall structure of the “haunted estate + dangerous pact” plotline. While the Bluebeard myth provides a new lens, there’s no denying this feels like Gilded 2.0, dressed up in French-inspired names and motifs.

Overall, “The House of Saphir” is a gorgeously atmospheric, cleverly crafted ghost story that’s part dark fantasy, part romantic thriller, and part feminist fairy tale. It boasts excellent world-building, compelling sister dynamics, and the kind of sharp, occasionally silly wit that Meyer excels at. If you loved “Heartless” or “Gilded,” you’ll probably enjoy the ride even if the ghosts feel a little familiar. For newcomers to Meyer’s work, this is an accessible and enjoyable entry point. Just don’t expect it to rewrite the fairy tale canon.

I was lucky enough to receive a physical copy of this book, so I'll be reading and evaluating that instead!

I will never be one to hesitate to admit that I am not a fan of retellings. I find them to be a little boring and I would usually rather read a story that I know nothing about. However, Marissa Meyer's retellings are in a league of their own. I have been a Marissa Meyer stan since the beginning. I discovered The Lunar Chronicles series back when it was first published and never looked back. I have yet to meet a Marissa Meyer book that I have not loved and this book was no different.

The House Saphir is a perfect read for spooky season. Meyer's did a fantastic job creating an ambience that this book thrived in and the vibes were immaculate. The characters were all interesting and engaging and there was plenty of witty banter. There were many twists and turns that kept me guessing up until the end. This is the perfect read if you are looking for a haunting story about betrayal and love. We have a strong FMC who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. There was nothing I didn't love about this book.

The description of this book is what caught my interest. I immediately requested a copy to review. For me, the book redeemed itself in the end, but I did have to push through a bit to finish it. Ideally, this was a 3.5 star read for me.

This story is a retelling of ‘Bluebeard’, though I wasn’t really familiar with that tale. I enjoyed the story that Meyer wrote, even without the other story for comparison. The main character, Mallory, and her sister, Anais are sisters who con people. Mallory offers tours and trinkets for sale under the guise of a tour guide. It’s during one of these tour guides that our story takes place, and we are given much more information as to the background of these characters.

Soon, Mallory and Anais have the biggest con of their lives: help Armand with a bit of a problem when they really aren’t witches. This is their chance to have a better life and be able to travel.

Things take a few turns, and there are some neat side characters. Ultimately, it’s up to Mallory and Anas to decide what they’ll do to help Armand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for this ARC copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5
I absolutely adored this book. Everything really hit home for me: the characters, the plot, the setting. I’ve read and enjoyed many of Marissa Meyer’s books before now, so I had high expectations. I was not disappointed.
First off, I loved how the author trickled information to the reader. You start out learning that Mallory is a fraud, that the only magic she has is seeing and speaking to the dead. Then, there are hints that there was a reason that she gained these powers… and something she lost along the way. It was great storytelling, and it foreshadowed a good deal of the plot. Seeing it slowly unfold, connecting the dots with what was going on was awesome.
Mallory was captivating as a POV character. I love her snark, her prickliness, her reluctant bravery. She starts the book as a fraudster who seems to care only for her and her sister’s welfare (which is fair). She ends the book having risked her life for people she could have easily abandoned, because she decided that it was her responsibility to make things right. I would argue that it was the only decision she could have made there and remain sympathetic, but it was a big character moment for her.
I did guess the plot twist with the love interest- the reveal of Armand being Julie’s murderer/secret husband came too early in the page count for me to think that it was the full truth. I figured it was either possession or some sort of replacement by magic, but I didn’t feel cheated for having realized it. It simply felt like the author had simply foreshadowed things well.
My only real complaint is the “the magic was in you all along!” plot point. I think it was a bit anti-climactic to have her simply be able to force the magic out of her after trying everything over the years. It would have been better in my view to have Gabrielle Savoy be able to help her in some way, or even to have Mallory need to do something to access her magic. As a complaint, it’s a small one.

Marissa Meyer is always a go-to author of mine and as I dove into <i> The House Saphir </i>, I found how refreshing it was for me as I was not completely familiar with the stories of Bluebeard.

The novel is a wonderful YA take on gothic romance, complete with haunted house, magical creatures, and rich story telling. Our heroine, Mallory Fontaine, is a con-artist and very much a 'more than meets the eye' type of character as it feels as if she's running from her past. I found her to be a solidly written protagonist and she has many delightful interactions with the dazzling array of supporting characters like her sister Anaïs, the charming Armand, the ghostly wives of Bluebeard, and even Le Bleu himself.

This is a solid 4/5 stars for me. The premise and story is delightfully gothic and witchy and a perfect read during Autumn or rainy day. The majority of the characters were so well written with the exception of Le Bleu; this is my only pain point as I felt that his presence and haunting could have been a bit more spooky or menacing. The storytelling in general is well written and fast paced enough to keep me engrossed. I also wouldn't mind another novel set in the same world as it did leave me with questions and wanting more.

Meyer returns with a rich blend of fantasy, intrigue, and royal secrets. It’s a magical world with sharp edges and irresistible drama.

** Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!**

I love Marissa Meyer books, but I was underwhelmed. I found the characters to be stereotypical, and the MMC was underdeveloped in my opinion. The plot was fine, but the pacing was rough. I was hooked for the first quarter of the book, but then it slowed down a lot, and I got bored. The magic system was also not explained as much as I wanted.

The vibes were great, though, and the parts that were good (especially the beginning) were really good. I just wish it was consistently good.

Ahhh! I can’t believe how amazing this was! I haven’t read a Marissa Meyer in so long, and I devoured this one. It’s pure perfection. I genuinely don’t know too much about the legend it’s based on so I can’t say either way but it was also says liberties were taken, of course! Mallory and her sister are con artists and then suddenly they’re asked to banish a ghost by the actual Saphir heir! What else I loved about this book was finding out how Mallory got her death magic, that part was super shocking to me! Mallory also has a great relationship with her sister. I don’t know if I like Armand or not, even after being done with the book! It’s something I’ll still need to think about. Seriously, this is such a good book and makes me want more from the author.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the review copy.


Review will be posted live closer to publication date.

3.5 out of 5 stars. Mallory is giving tours of a haunted house to earn money when the heir to the house shows up for one of her tours. Armand needs her to banish the cost of his murderous ancestor and is willing to pay her to help. Mallory and her sister desperately need the money, and they feel they can fake their way through the process in order to keep a roof over their heads for a while. However once they arrive at the house, nothing is as it seems.

this plays out like a gothic ghost story. good story, I did enjoy the read, but I think I expected a little bit more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the EArc!

This book was everything I was hoping it would be! With a hauntingly dark and gothic setting, this Bluebeard retelling gripped me from the very first page. Meyer creating such a rich world for this story, and I’m hoping there’s more books coming set in this world because she put so much detail into it and I feel like we barely scratched the surface of what it can be! I loved the many monsters (and the monster glossary in the front) and how they were sprinkled throughout the book. And I loved our monster hunting duo Fitcher and Constantino. Their plotline was left very open ended, so I’m hoping for more about them and the world of monsters in a future book!

While a bit predictable, I loved the plot of this book. Mallory and her sister make a living as con artists, she doing haunted house tours and selling fake memorabilia and her sister giving fake card readings. But one day the real heir of the House Saphir shows up, and he wants to hire them to perform an exorcism on the ghost of Bastien Saphir, who has been haunting his estate for 7 years. The girls quickly agree, and we follow Mallory as she fakes her way through every tactic she can think of to get the ghost out. He’s not the only ghost haunting the manor, and Mallory’s ability to see and talk to them is both a gift and curse at times.

I love a morally grey heroine, and Mallory absolutely delivers on that front. The only people she cares about are herself and her sister, and she can’t imagine anyone actually caring about her, especially not the heir of the house Saphir. Armand was doing his best to try to woo her, and she was not seeing it at all. She’s too focused on continuing to con him into thinking she’s a talented witch.

I loved the characters of the wives. Triphine especially was such a funny and snarky character. They added humour throughout the book, and I spent the whole story waiting for them to go full feminine rage mode on Bastien because they absolutely deserved to.

If you love haunting gothic retellings, this one is for you! I already love Marissa’s writing, and this just added more to my love. The vibes were very similar to Erin A Craig, another gothic retelling author I love, so I was hooked from start to finish. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

A new Marissa Meyer book was not on my 2025 bucket list but i am so glad that i got the chance to read it!!!
I lovedlovedlovedlovedloved this book so much!
I was thinking four star read but when I was trying to think of why it wouldn't be five stars, I literally couldn't think of one thing i would've changed.
An undead serial killer? Check.
His (great?) great-grandson who wants his ghost out of the house where (most of) the murders happened?
Check.
Two sisters eking out a living giving tours at the house where the murders began? Check.
A Bluebeard retelling?? Check!!
FR*NCH MYTHOLOGY AND MONSTERS????
Checkcheckcheckcheck!!!!!
I literally have never read anything like this, but I will always read Marissa Meyer because her retellings are
TOP
Also, the Fr*nch monsters?? Super cool and unique, and really, just lots of fun altogether. I 100% recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Ghostly Delight with a Killer Twist

Mallory Fontaine is a fraud—but in the most lovable, chaotic, and clever way. In this witchy, gothic mystery, the reader is swept into a world where magic is more illusion than spellwork, ghosts are chatty but unhelpful, and murder has a nasty habit of repeating itself.

The book follows Mallory, a charmingly sarcastic ghost-seer who—along with her no-nonsense sister—runs a phony witch business and haunted mansion tour. But things take a sharp turn when Armand Saphir, the beguiling heir to a notorious killer, hires Mallory to exorcise the ghost of his murderous ancestor. She thinks it’s a con she can coast through—until someone ends up actually dead.

What makes this story shine is its genre-blending finesse. It's equal parts ghost story, murder mystery, and slow-burn romance, all wrapped in a darkly whimsical tone. Mallory’s voice is wry and smart, grounding the supernatural chaos with heart and humor. The setting—an eerie estate crawling with secrets and restless spirits—adds a deliciously atmospheric backdrop.

The romance simmers nicely without overshadowing the central mystery, which unfolds with enough twists to keep you guessing. And while some plot points tread familiar territory, the execution is sharp and stylish, with just enough grit and charm to keep the pages turning.

A few pacing hiccups in the middle and some underused secondary characters prevent it from being a full five stars, but overall, this is a fun, witchy whodunit with enough heart to haunt you after the final page.

I was given an advanced copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley, so thank you to them for this opportunity. My review is my honest unbiased opinion. Unfortunately I decided to not finish this book 70% in because I realized it doesn't suit my reading preferences. This book is geared towards people who want a slower paced mystery plot with a smallest touch of horror. I am usually a bigger fan of more action and faster paced books. But I will acknowledge Marissa Meyers' ability to build intricate worlds and rich characters. If you're a fan of her Gilded duology, this book is geared towards you. If you're a fan of her Lunar Chronicles like myself, just be warned the pacing is slower and the action isn't as prominent

The House Saphir was so much fun! I knew it was a Bluebeard retelling going in, but otherwise had no expectations—and I was quickly hooked. As a fan of Marissa Meyer’s work, I had high hopes, and this book absolutely delivered! It’s fast-paced, engaging, a little spooky, and full of characters I grew to love. At a few points, I worried the plot might rely on convenient twists, but each time, the story circled back and filled things in really well.

The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts—a vivid, imaginative setting full of creatures from French folklore that made the story feel unique and magical.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the e-ARC! I can't wait to buy my own copy when it releases!

Marissa Meyer’s deliciously gothic retelling of Bluebeard will ENCHANT YOU with its ghosts, swindles, and eerie winery estate. Mallory, a snarky medium/failed witch, makes money giving haunted tours—until the very real descendant of a ghostly killer asks for her help. The mystery unfolds with SUCH wit and charm, balancing its spectral danger with a hint of romance. Meyer excels at crafting lush, original fairy tale worlds, and this one is no exception! A slow start (which I don't mind because it helps the story breathe, but you should know if that's not your jam!) gives way to a fast-paced ghost story with heart and humor. Perfect for fans of spooky fun and morally gray heroines.

I loved this book. It was good. I was entertained and I absolutely loved the characters. Great job to the author.

I spent some time debating on 3 stars or 4, so I feel it's more a 3.5. This was, undeniably, a good read but I didn't find myself hooked as I have with Marissa Meyer's other books, specifically, Heartless. I wonder if it's due to not reading the inspiration behind the story, Bluebeard. However, there were a lot of positives! I loved our side characters and wished those characters were more focal points of the story; they were so fun. I liked Mallory and thought she was very thoughtfully written—so fleshed out, it was great. Also, the wit was *chef's kiss*.