Marissa Meyer weaves magic, intrigue, and romance into a glittering new world in The House Saphir. Fans of The Lunar Chronicles will feel right at home with the lush storytelling and fierce heroine at the heart of this tale. It's a slow burn full of layered political games and emotional depth, perfect for readers who love fantasy with strong feminist undertones and court drama. Another triumph from Meyer!

✨ Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for my digital ARC of The House Saphir!✨

I read Cinder growing up and enjoyed it, and was thrilled to receive an advance copy of her newest novel, coming out November 4th. This is an atmospheric retelling of the French folktale, Bluebeard. The beginning of the book starts with a guide to the various creatures that will be encountered throughout the story, and it reminded me of Fantastic Beasts and where to find them. Overall, the characters were charming, however, I found that while I appreciated the main love interests separately, together there wasn’t as much of a strong love story to root for as I was anticipating.

I’m glad I read this and I look forward to future novels by Marissa Meyer! I would strongly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of T. Kingfisher or Rachel Gillig.

Marissa Meyer did it again! I have read all of her YA/adult novels, and she just gets better and better. "The House Saphir" was a little bit of a stretch for me; I've never enjoyed the tales of Bluebeard, but I love Ms. Meyer's books, so I jumped in and have zero regrets.

Sisters Mallory and Anais are relatable and so refreshingly honest with each other. Their characters were fun to listen to, and they grew as the book progressed. The plot moved along at a good clip. Descriptions of the locales are clear but not overly detailed; I was easily able to picture the rooms, homes, and woods.

I would love to have this stand-alone become a series; there are lots of characters whose lives I want to know more about!

Brittany Christenson <brittany.christenson@gmail.com>
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Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Marissa Meyer, and Netgalley for my digital ARC of this title.

My first encounter with the Legend of Bluebeard was upon exiting the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyworld for the first time (seriously). Basically, it is a story of a man who marries (and murders) a number of his wives, and his current wife trying to escape her predecessors' grim fate. It is... a pretty dark fairytale, to say the least.

The House Saphir is based on this myth, and does a nice job of covering a well--known fairytale while still giving the story a refreshing and magical spin.

Mallory is the daughter of a witch - not that you'd know it, because she possesses no magic of her own, except for the ability to see and converse with ghosts. While conducting a tour of a haunted house owned by the infamous Monsier le Bleu, Mallory runs into a young man named Armand who is more than he initially appears. He is, in fact, the current heir to the Saphir estate and hires Mallory to take care of his ghost problem: the spirit of le Bleu himself has returned and is wreaking havoc on the house and its occupants. Mallory sees this as an opportunity to solve her financial troubles once and for all, but is quickly roped into a centuries old ghost story that she may just be the key to solving.

This book is a cute and spooky YA paranormal mystery romance done very well. It has a bit of gruesomeness, but nothing egregious or especially disturbing. The romance is sweet and not explicit. Mallory is a sarcastic but likeable protagonist, and the mystery at the heart of the story is well-developed and compelling. I had fun reading this book and looked forward to the next opportunity to pick up my Kindle and read more.

It's not the most complex story but it's a fun read. This is a very solid 4/5 stars for me and I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy the paranormal YA genre.

This Bluebeard retelling is the perfect spooky season book- ghosts, witches, magic, haunted mansions, and a murder mystery. There are also monsters aplenty, like a giant man eating snail with tentacles, a murderous horse creature, and fire breathing salamanders.

Though this book is steeped in spooky, gothic vibes, it’s got the most fantastic witty humor throughout, which is a nice balance to the darker, scarier themes. The banter and the dialogue between nearly all the characters was so clever, full of dry and dark humor. The FMC and the side characters were all very likable and charming in their own ways. The romance was sweet and not overdone.

This book was just such a fun read and has all the makings for a great movie.

This book is a witchy, whimsical rollercoaster that left me both enchanted and slightly annoyed (like when your bestie borrows your favorite lip gloss and forgets to return it).

First off, let’s talk about Mallory Fontaine, our leading lady who’s basically a fraud in the witch world but can see ghosts. Like, girl, same—I’d also fake it ‘til I make it if my only magical talent was chatting with Casper’s cousins. Where can I find some dead rich ghosts who have no heirs? Anyway. Meyer paints Mallory with such relatable charm; she’s got this snarky, self-deprecating vibe that had me cackling. There’s this one scene where she’s trying to convince a client she’s a legit witch, and she’s internally panicking while a ghost is literally photobombed in the background, whispering unsolicited advice. I was dying—it’s like Meyer peeked into my own chaotic life and said, “Let’s make this a fantasy.”

The world-building is where Meyer flexes her fairy-tale-retelling muscles, and I’m obsessed. The House Saphir itself is this creepy, gorgeous mansion that feels like it auditioned for a Tim Burton movie and got the part.

The supporting cast? Yes. Triphine, the snarky sidekick, stole my heart faster than a book sale. Who knew hypochondriac ghosts existed?

The romance, though? Okay, it’s swoony enough to make my heart flutter like a butterfly in a rom-com, but it’s not quite the epic love story I was hoping for. I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but there was so much potential for scenes Meyer could've incorporated that also would move plot and just... Didn't. I was waiting for Triphine to be able to chat with Armand and that never happened.

Now, for the snark: the pacing. Oh, honey, it’s like Meyer decided to take a leisurely stroll through a haunted forest when I was ready to sprint. The middle sags a bit, like my attempts at exercise. I kept waiting for the stakes to skyrocket, and while the climax delivers some serious action (think magical showdowns and ghost drama), I wanted a tad more oomph in the buildup.

But let’s be real: I was still hooked. Meyer’s storytelling is like a cozy blanket with just enough thorns to keep you awake. It’s fun, it’s action-packed, and it’s got that Marissa Meyer magic that makes you want to preorder her next book while wearing a witch hat.

Four stars because, while I’m gushing like a fangirl at a book signing, I know Meyer’s got even more epicness up her sleeve. If you love fairy tales with a dark twist, snarky heroines, and a house that’s basically a character, The House Saphir is your next obsession. Now, excuse me while I go light some sage and pretend I’m a witch too while I have myself a Midnight Margarita (iykyk).

This book is well written and was a fast read--hard to put down! While gothic horror, I can't say that I found it particularly scary, per se, which is good because I don't like scary. I think Meyer did a good job of lightening the tone to make the story more accessible. That said, it is still dark in terms of the themes, so will not be for all readers. For me when it comes to books with magic, I like there to be a difference in the magic used between the "good and bad" sorcerers and witches. I'm not a big fan of children in stories dabbling in dark magic or the heroine saving the day through pentagrams and other dark magic devices. So while I enjoyed the book, I will probably hesitate to recommend it to my followers. In terms of romance, as always, Meyer does a great job of creating the chemistry between the leads. I would have liked to have see a bit more build-up interaction between the two lead characters though. There was a lot of focus in the book on Mallory puttering around the mansion, trying to pretend that she knew what she was doing that felt a bit slow. I would have liked a bit more of this content devoted to building her relationship with her love interest. But despite that, it still moved fast! Also, in terms of the two traveling magicians (blanking on their names right now), this felt a little bit random. They didn't really do that much to advance the story and yet there was a lot of effort put into describing them and making them interesting characters. But they seemed on the side, so I left the book a bit confused as to why they were included at all, given that we didn't really see much meaningful relationship building between them and Mallory or Mallory's sister.

Marissa Meyer’s Bluebeard inspired story captures the reader’s attention immediately! Mallory, a feisty witch, and her loyal sister keep you entertained as they navigate how best to get rid of a murderous ghost.

Haunted houses, evil spirits, murdered wives, and a witch who is actually a fraud. The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer has all this and more. Part humorous, part thrilling and 💯% fun to read. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

The House Saphir offers a rich, gothic atmosphere and an intriguing mystery, but ultimately falls short in character depth and pacing. While the setting is beautifully eerie and the premise promising, the story sometimes leans too heavily on tropes, and the emotional arcs feel underdeveloped. A solid read for fans of atmospheric mysteries, though it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

Marissa Meyer’s new book is a delightfully dark ghost story. Rather than retelling the Bluebeard fairytale from the beginning, The House Saphir begins a few generations later with its own fresh spin. Mallory is a protagonist who is spunky, determined, and not nearly as good of a liar as she thinks she is. She and her sister Anaïs scrape by their living by pretending they have the same kind of magic their late mother was known for (they don’t, but they’d like for no one to find out, so shhhh). With local law enforcement on their trail and a lucrative job prospect from the latest of the Saphir (Bluebeard) line, Mallory and Anaïs set off for a job they are not at all qualified for.

I loved the humor in this book- even the index of monsters at the very beginning of the book had me giggling. It adds a nice counterbalance to the creepy descriptions of oozing blood and hauntings.

There are a lot of vibrant characters as well- some whom I hope have upcoming future books featuring them because they are captivating enough for their own book/books.

Perfect for YA and younger YA readers. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

-arc review-

As usual I was sucked into Marissa Meyer’s world and could hardly put this book down. The House of Saphir had the mood of Guild with a less memorable male MC.
I took off a star because the love story felt rushed and almost like a second thought. I didn’t feel the connection the way I have with Meyers other books and characters.
The main story itself was paced well with enough twists and turns to entice the reader to say “one more chapter”. I was able to predict some of the plot twists but not all.
While this wasn’t my favorite book by this author, I still enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who likes a ghost story!

I enjoyed The House Saphir! The characters were enticing and the plot was mysterious. I love a good gothic ghost story.

I recommend The House Saphir to all readers.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for this ARC!

The House Saphir is a fun, romantic, and magical start to what promises to be an exciting new trilogy from Marissa Meyer. Set in a richly imagined world of powerful Houses and intricate magical rules, the story pulled me in right away with its blend of courtly drama, slow-burn romance, and family tension.
Iphigenia is a refreshingly grounded protagonist—quiet but strong, and easy to root for. Her dynamic with Letho was a highlight for me: thoughtful, emotionally layered, and full of tension. Their romance develops slowly but meaningfully, giving weight to every glance and conversation.
The worldbuilding is lush without being overwhelming, and I appreciated how Meyer balanced the politics of the Houses with more intimate character moments. While the pace is a bit more character-driven than action-packed, it worked well for setting up the stakes and laying the groundwork for future books. Overall, The House Saphir is a charming and promising beginning filled with magic, secrets, and heart. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

I was excited to see a new book by this author. I have loved everything I’ve read by her and this was no exception even though it was very different than I was expecting..

This book was so many things! Part Romance, ghost story, horror, fairytale, and fantasy. I really enjoyed the setting and the use of French folklore, especially when it comes to the monsters. I really appreciated the front load of background information at the beginning without awkwardly shoving it into the story somewhere.

I adored the main character. She feels timeless in a way that is refreshing. This book feels like it has the vibes of the Brontë sisters mixed with Bluebeard, witches, and ghosts. I love how this author can take something so well known and turn it into something exciting and new.

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer was unexpected and enjoyable. We meet Mallory who is a little bit of a con artist and a lot of bit able to see and communicate with ghosts. Her favorite ghost story is of The House Saphir. The journey that we go on with Mallory and her sister is a mystery, romance, and a bit of a thriller. I am really hoping this book has a sequel.

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer is a wonderfully entertaining blend of mystery, magic, and family secrets that kept me hooked from start to finish. Mallory Fontaine’s world of fake spells and ghost tours is charming and a bit cheeky, especially when she unexpectedly encounters the real deal — Count Bastien Saphir’s great-great grandson, Armand. His offer of a lucrative job to rid his ancestral home of its ghostly presence sets the stage for a fun, atmospheric haunted house mystery. Meyer thoughtfully balances suspense and humor, creating an immersive setting full of haunted mansions, secret passageways, and a haunting past that still lingers. Mallory’s earnest attempts to bluff her way through her “expertise” lead to plenty of amusing moments, but as the murders start stacking up, darker currents emerge. I loved how the story kept me guessing—are the deaths the work of a mortal killer, or something supernatural? The twists come at just the right moments, building tension without feeling forced. What really elevates the novel is its emotional core—Mallory’s journey to trust herself and her heart adds depth and relatability. The chemistry between Mallory and Armand, tinged with suspicion and undeniable attraction, keeps the romantic tension alive throughout. By the end, Meyer has crafted a story that’s as cozy as it is suspenseful, with enough atmospheric creepiness and heartfelt moments to satisfy every mood. If you're looking for a fun, atmospheric mystery wrapped in a charming ghost story with a dash of romance, The House Saphir is a delightful read that I highly recommend. It’s a spooky good time with a little heart, a lot of mystery, and plenty of Meyer’s signature clever storytelling.

I was hooked on this from the first chapter!

I'm not super familiar with the Bluebeard fairy tale that Marissa Meyer is retelling this story from, but I think that my have added to my overall enjoyment of it. I didn't fully know what to expect and I had a blast figuring out where this story was going! Not to mention I adored our two main characters Mallory and Armand and how they interacted with each other! The setting of the book really drew me in and kept my attention the whole way through. I think my favorite part of the book was Triphine and the other ghost wives, they added lots of fun banter to the story.

Fingers crossed that Meyer continues this world with two other characters and their next adventure!

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the eARC!

I was so excited to receive an ARC of The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer as it was one of my most anticipated new releases of the year. I was so sure i was going to love it because I have loved all of her previous books I read in the past, but I have to say, this one was a bit of a let down for me. I think the biggest components of the book that make me feel this way is the main character of the story (Mallory) being fairly annoying as well as the flow of the story. The book is a retelling of the legend of Bluebeard, who murdered many of his new wives except for the last woman he married who was able to escape his wrath. I really loved the inclusion of the wives’ spirits in this book as I thought they added humor to the story and it was interesting that Mallory could communicate with them. I also liked the main setting of the story, which is the house that is being haunted by the malevolent spirit of Monsier Le Bleu, who murdered many of his wives as a part of a magical ritual he was attempting to complete. However, I felt like the world building in this book was seriously lacking. The reader doesn’t know much about the world in which the book takes place, only that a veil that was in place fell and this resulted in some people having certain powers or gifts from the gods of the world, who we also don’t know much about. I would have liked to know more about the world in which the story takes place as I felt like a huge piece of the puzzle throughout the story was missing. I enjoyed the other characters besides Mallory like Mallory’s sister and Armand, who I thought was charming. I liked the romance aspect of the book and how it was a slow burn romance. The ending was a bit predictable but I still enjoyed the last part of the book and how the final events played out to resolve the conflict. Overall, this book was just okay for me!



Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer was a slow burn for me, but once it picked up, I found myself increasingly drawn into the story. The bond between Mallory and her sister Anais added a heartfelt layer to the mystery, and their determination to break the spell haunting The House Saphir was engaging.

The suspense and mystery were well balanced for a YA audience. I would say, not too intense, but just enough to keep the pages turning. While the beginning felt a bit sluggish, the plot gained momentum as the story unfolded, and by the midpoint, I was eager to see how things would resolve.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with strong sibling dynamics and a satisfying blend of the eerie and magical. It didn’t fully blow me away, but it was definitely worth the read for fans of YA mystery with a supernatural twist.

A 3.5* read for me!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for the ARC.