Celia Aaron offers an amazing premise in House of Night, unfortunately, it didn't deliver for me. A novel with so much promise reads more like a very long prologue. There was little plot, and the repetition annoyed me. Not to mention the "cliffhanger" at the end. I found it hard to care about any of the characters because there was no movement in the story. Basically, a drawn-out girl explores with no memory, and a boy saves her while being a jerk is what we get.

I see where Aaron was trying to go with this tale, but it doesn't hit the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to audiobook of House of Night by Celia Aaron. Narrated by Emilia Bauer.

I felt the narrator did a good job voicing the different characters as well as matching the emotions with the different events.

The plot is intriguing and I was curious how the story unfolds. I feel this story is marketed incorrectly. It has gothic vibes and more of paranormal not fantasy. Dystopian vibes as well. There’s a hint of romance but it feels confusing. I don’t want to give spoilers but this felt insta love with rage at the world in the mix. Just not in a passionate manner.

There wasn’t enough world building for me. The angst is immediate, which can work but I need to know why I’m rooting for the main character. It feels as if we’re dropped in the middle of a conversation, trying to understand why certain people and situations are significant.

I think this story needed more time to flush out the characters, transitions and story in general.

Due to the alarming about of comments regarding this story and the author responding as well. I feel rating this would be lumped in with the escalation.

This was very slow-paced and the book ended on a cliffhanger right when things were getting interesting! I didn't know about the plagiarism accusations when I requested this ARC, and while I don't feel comfortable commenting on it as I haven't read Manacled yet, I will say that it does read like Dramione fanfiction where the Death Eaters win the war.

The story follows Dr. Georgia Clarke who was working on a cure for the plague before waking in a dungeon with fragments of her memory missing. Her sister--the president of the United States--is dead, and humans are on the losing side of a deadly war against vampires. Though she has no memory of it, Georgia was witness to the death of the beloved son of Gregor, the ruler of the vampires. In an effort to learn who was responsible for his death, Gregor hands her over to his other son, Valen, the vampire general responsible for wiping out entire cities of humans.

This book's greatest strength is its dark, gothic atmosphere. Georgia is trapped in an underground vampire mansion and spends her days exploring every dark corridor throughout the story. The vampires here are truly monstrous beings--evil, sadistic, and a touch insane. They were so fun to read and Celia Aaron did not hold back during the horrific and gruesome bits. However, there was an issue with the pacing. The majority of the book consists of Georgia exploring the mansion and her memories before capture. They do give a bit of insight on what life was life before the world fell, but overall they don't deliver any revelatory information or forward momentum to the plot.

My biggest gripe though was that I kept waiting for the romance! For the first 50% of the book, the interactions between Georgia and Valen were pretty much a repeat of: Georgia getting caught exploring somewhere she shouldn't be, Valen sneaking up behind her, and then some non-consensual groping/biting, and “little rabbit”/"you're mine"/etc. It wasn't until 60% through that Valen did something I felt was halfway likeable. There was an attempt at diversity, but some of it falls into problematic trope territory (ex: "evil gays").

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's performance was excellent, especially her seductive vampire voices, which really brought the characters to life. However, there were occasional inconsistences in the character voices, which sometimes made it difficult to tell who was speaking.

Overall, this book started slow but finished strong, though I'm not sure it hooked me enough to continue the series.

TW: graphic violence, murder, gore. dub-con/non-con. attempted SA.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook for review!

The gothic romance and intriguing vampire lore in *House of Night* immediately pulled me into its dark world. Celia Aaron paints a desolate landscape where vampires have almost eradicated humanity, forcing the remaining humans into a desperate game against each other, all lured by the false promise of immortality.

Our main character, Georgia, is at the center of this power struggle. She holds a crucial memory that could elevate the High Lord to even greater global dominion, but frustratingly, these memories are locked away. She finds herself trapped in a manor with Valen, its cursed lord. His constant taunting creates a fascinating push-and-pull, leading to a truly conflicting dynamic as Georgia begins to develop feelings for him, yearning for his touch and, yes, even his bite.

As the first book in an upcoming trilogy, it's expectedly a bit unresolved at the end, which leaves you eager for more. I really enjoyed learning about this richly imagined world, though I do still have some burning questions. I'm hoping future books will delve into details like the nature of the pandemic that wiped out humans and how the vampires ultimately took control. Overall, if you're a fan of dark gothic romance with unique vampire lore and a compelling, intense dynamic, you'll want to pick this one up!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 3/2/25.

Georgia is captured and trapped in an upside down castle run by the half blood vampire prince Valen. She was once a doctor tasked with finding a cure to the plague whipping out humanity and beloved sister to the president of the United States but now she is just a prisoner in a world under siege. And no matter how much she’s torchered and questioned on what happened to the full blooded vampire prince she just can’t remember. Now she must find a way out of this castle and away from the vampires. Which would be easier if they didn’t keep surprising her with their kindness and protection.

To be honest I wasn’t sure how well I was going to like this book when starting it since I’ve never read a modern apocalyptic vampire total take over story before. But I’m so glad I stuck with it and finished it because know I’m hooked. The dark romance, slow burn, tension mixed with mystery had me struggling to put this book down. There is a bit of gore and S/A warning but the main characters have a dark and witty banter that makes the moments of affection even sweeter. I could start to piece together the plot as the story went but there is still so much mystery I need to read the next book asap!

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The narrator was great and easy to! This was a unique post apocalyptic tale where vampires are trying to eradicate all humankind and rule instead. It was dark and intriguing with surprising twists! I look forward to the next book in this series!

Wow! This was my first Celia Aaron book and I really enjoyed it!

First up, the narrator was great! She really got me into the world of the book.

Next, I loved the unique spin on vampires and a plague leading the world into a dystopian present. Having this only be in a single POV was very effective, in that the tension and stakes continued to rise, and with the little flashbacks of her journal it helped set the tone of the world. And it also provided a way for us to learn more about the world as it unfolded in front of us, without being given too much info to understand how it worked.

Georgia and Valen are it! The tension, the menace, the care, it's all there. I cannot wait to see what happens with them in future books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for the opportunity to review the ALC!

This book was able to suck me in and kept me engaged the entire time. I saw the reviews stating this book was plagiarized along with the author’s response. Until I read the other book in question, I am solely basing my review off what I read. Personally, I’ve never read a book quite like this! I don’t always love vampire books. However, I loved this one and the post-apocalyptic setting (which also isn’t my thing). I enjoyed the characters and the tension between them. This is a very slow burn with little spice. The plot was interesting and suspenseful. I enjoyed the writing style. The narration by Emilia Bauer was fantastic! If you like audiobooks, this was a good one. The ending left me needing more. This book did a nice job setting the ground work, but I still have so many questions! I’m ready for the next in the series! If you like dark gothic romance, check this book out! Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a ALC in exchange for an honest review.

House of Night took a bit to snare me, but once it did I had not hope of escaping its clutches. The darker themes and constant peril that Georgia found herself in were at once riveting and immersive. I greatly enjoyed the notes from her past that acted almost as a dual timeline to explain the plot, while keeping so many details vague. Georgias lack of memory regarding anything prior to finding herself alone in the clutches of vampires had me on the edge of my seat trying to fill in the blanks of her mind. The way that Celia Aaron writes only heightens the feelings of urgency and despair that Georgia felt as she tried to piece together the events of the past and determine what had become of everyone she cared about. The things that she discovered along the way and the connections that she made only made the ending that much more explosive. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.
The audio for House of Night was exceptional and perfectly captured all the undertones of despair and frustration that the characters experienced. Emilia Bauer brought Georgia to life in such a real and powerful way that it only increased my enjoyment of the plot.

House of Night was a spooky and engaging take on the amnesia and vampire trope. So many of the vampire books that have come out recently really romanticize vampires, and while this is fun, this book was an interesting change of pace. I liked that this was a post-apocalyptic book, but rather than focusing on the world, we focused on the interpersonal relationships and memories of the key players. This along with the amnesia aspects made the dual timelines unravel in a very satisfying and mysterious way. I did think that the pacing felt odd and slow at times but the overall storytelling method was engaging. I also wished the characters would have been more fleshed out but this is only the first book in the series so I am excited to see where they go from here.

The audiobook of House of Night was very well produced and I thought the narrator fit the gothic and moody vibe of the story. The narrator also had great voices for each character and the book was easy to follow in scenes with multiple characters. I thought this was a great audio experience.

My biggest complaint with this book is the shocking comparisons to the fanfic, Manacled, that is being traditionally published this year. I do understand that it is a different work and has some differences, but the overall story and plot details are strikingly similar. As someone who has read both works, the similarities are very hard to deny. These connections have been made by other reviewers as well, showing the widespread thought that this book is copying a popular work. I also would like to say that the fanfic itself takes inspiration from many popular works, mainly The Handmaid's Tale, but I think that this being one of the most popular fanfics being traditionally published at the moment is not a coincidence. I think that there was enough of a great premise to this story that I wish that the author would have gone a more original route. This is my reasoning for the lack of stars here. I am hoping in further installments that the author fleshes out the world in a more unique way.

Rating 4⭐
Spice 0.5🌶️

ALC REVIEW

Okay... Definitely check the TW because its pretty gnarly. Like gore wise. Which somehow I love how bloody and macabre everything was. Like literally chunks of flesh is like ripped apart...or you know an earlobe.

Also to my big big BIG HP fans, this is literally a fanfic of the popular fanfic by SenLinYu, Manacled; but with vampires instead. I didn't finish the fanfic but I read it enough where I can see the resemblance.

I throughly enjoyed it, mainly because I like the horror Gothic vibes. The FMC? Was okay lol. She wasn't the greatest narrative, but then again, similar to Hermione in Manacled, her memories are just as bad. I hope the next book will gives us more answers and ummmm more spice please. I know we only got literally fragments, FRAGMENTS, but I know Valen has a dirty mouth

House of Night by Celia Aaron is an action-packed thrill ride from start to finish. Right from the first chapter, the story grips you with intense momentum and doesn’t let go. The fast pace, high stakes, and constant twists kept me listening late into the night.

What I really enjoyed about this book was how seamlessly the action blended with the dark, mysterious atmosphere. The characters are compelling, and the tension between them adds another layer to the already suspenseful plot. Celia Aaron knows how to build suspense and deliver surprises that hit hard.

If you’re looking for a story that keeps your heart racing and your curiosity piqued, House of Night is absolutely worth the read. I liked it a lot and would recommend it to anyone who loves high-octane stories with a dark edge.

Thank you to Celia Aaron, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Georgia wakes up in this creepy house with no memory. Vampires are ruling the world and a virus is killing humans.

I’m going to be completely honest. I wasn’t sure about this book at first. I’m a huge romance reader and this did not feel like a romance. However, I decided to trust the author’s process. I’m so glad I did!!! Once I got into it, I was hooked. There was such good conflict in this story. The backstory as sprinkled in throughout that kept me listening. I was dying to know the whole story! This book was well written. I loved the storyline. This book was incredibly dark but that made it all the more intriguing to me. No spice yet but it’s coming!! I thought the narrator did an amazing job of bringing this story to life. I can’t WAIT for the next book! I received this book from Dreamscape Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of House of Night through NetGalley, and I was instantly pulled into its eerie, immersive world. Some reviewers have compared it to Manacled—I haven’t read that one, so I can’t speak to the similarities—but I can say this book definitely delivers on the dark gothic romance promised in the description.

The story is unsettling in the best way, full of haunting atmosphere, disturbing moments, and a tension that keeps you on edge. Georgia and Valen’s dynamic is intense, and there’s clearly a deeper mystery unfolding—one I found myself trying to piece together right alongside Georgia as she navigates her fragmented memories. The writing does a great job of creating that sense of disorientation and dread, which made the reading experience all the more engaging.

This book ends on a major cliffhanger, and I’m definitely intrigued to see where the rest of the series goes. If you’re into horror-tinged romance with a strong gothic vibe, this one’s worth checking out.

Sadly I’ve been hearing and did see a lot of similarities with other works and don’t feel comfortable reviewing this work.

When I requested this book, I skimmed through some reviews and saw many people saying it was practically the same book as Manacled/ Alchemised. I still decided to give it a shot because sometimes inspired books can be better. Unfortunately, this was not the case. This book feels the exact same as Manacled, only less intriguing. Unfortunately, I wouldn not recommend.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Celia Aaron for this read.

House of Night had everything I love—vampires, mystery, and that signature dark, addictive storytelling Celia Aaron is known for. As a fan of her backlist, I knew I was in for something intense, and this story didn’t disappoint. The plot was compelling, especially with the amnesia element. Following the FMC as she pieces her life back together kept me fully engaged, and the slow unraveling of the truth was really well done.

The audiobook was a standout experience. Emilia Bauer absolutely nailed both the female and male perspectives. Her range, raw emotion, and the immersive quality of her performance made this an incredibly enjoyable listen. She brought the characters to life and elevated the entire story.

That said, I do feel it’s important to address the elephant in the room. I haven’t read Manacled, the fanfic that many readers are drawing comparisons to, so I can’t speak directly to the alleged similarities. But from what I’ve seen in the side-by-side breakdowns, the overlap does appear concerning. Plagiarism is a serious issue, and I don’t take those claims lightly.

While I really did enjoy House of Night as a reading experience, I’m not comfortable giving it a starred rating at this time. I don’t support plagiarism or anything that might harm the original creator’s work. I’ll leave my thoughts here and let others make their own judgments based on what they know or choose to research.

Emilia Bauer’s narration is a standout. She brings a haunting emotional weight to the story that makes the darkness feel visceral. Her delivery enhances the eerie tension and made it easy to get lost in the brutal world Celia Aaron has created. Honestly, I might have enjoyed this more in audio than I would have in print because of her performance. The tone is perfectly bleak and cinematic, with brutal depictions of a society dominated by vampires who view humans as expendable. It’s gory, intense, and unrelenting—definitely not your romanticized version of vampires. There’s mind control, torture, and survival instincts that kick in hard. If you’re squeamish, this may not be for you.

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: dark gothic romance
Themes: vampires, hostile takeover, speculative

This was a refreshing tale of vampires. There was no romantic notion of their ethereal beauty and ensnaring allure. This was a story of violence and death. The true nature of these deadly creatures residing on top of the food chain. Ones that view humans as no more than cattle for the slaughter, who kill at whim and whose cruelty knows no bounds. It was horrific and had my skin crawling. There was a gothic element that verged on a romance hidden beneath the lies, but this is by no means a central focus of this book of horrors.

The premise is of a world overrun my these deadly creature. One in which logic and kindness are replaced by a ruthless dictator who only know violence and control. So a little bit of fantasy mirroring real life! Georgia is a doctor and sister of the former President of the United States. She was tasked with finding a cure for the plague, but she seems to have no memories of her former life, nor how the humans were overrun. Beaten, drained and imprisoned in the bowels of the keep, her only instinct is survival. When she is unexpectedly given to the vicious general Valen who is tasked with unearthing her memories on the death of the vampire heir, she will make a few discoveries of her own.

Told through journal entries and real time experiences, this story unfolds in two parts. There is a mystery that slowly unfolds, but many questions are left unanswered. It was a completely immersive story line that had me drawn in with equal parts gore and palpable tension. It had an almost cinematic quality to it with a super slow burn romance. You can feel the bond, but you are not quite sure what the history is there. In the meantime there is torture, mind control and death all around. It is violent and full of danger and trauma, and I found I simply could not look away. I don’t normally read a lot of dark apocalyptic future type narratives, but with such a huge cliffhanger this is one I am very much looking forward to continuing.

I know there is a lot of contention with this novel and its similarities to Manacled, but I haven’t read that book yet so it hasn’t altered my perception of this one. I also want to point out that there never any true original ideas or forms of art anymore. You can find a niche or stitch together existing ideas in a unique way, but most novels and authors are influenced by what they see and read and their imagination will always have elements that are recognizable. That being said, everyone is entitled to an opinion on whether or not they like a book so I think that all the reviews are valid. I liked it, but I can see why some found it problematic.

🎧 Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook. It had just the right level of anticipation and dread in the narration to make it difficult for me to stop listening. I think there were some holes in the plot with the plague and vampires, but this did not deter me from this rather gruesome story.

"House of Night" is one of those rare books that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go. It offers a perfect blend of horror and romance that left me completely obsessed. The story is haunting, seductive, and utterly unforgettable. I devoured the print version and loved it so much that I had to experience it again through the audiobook. Honestly, I might love it even more this way!

Emilia Bauer’s narration is phenomenal. Her voice captured the tension, emotion, and atmosphere of the story so perfectly — every character felt alive, every chilling moment hit harder, and the romance? Even more intense with her delivery. She added an entirely new layer of depth to an already immersive read.

If you’re into gothic vibes, slow-burning romance with teeth, and stories that linger long after you finish them, this is your next obsession. I have no doubt this will be one of my top reads of 2025. I strongly recommend both the book and the audiobook — you won’t regret either choice. Thank you Netgalley, Dreamscape Audio, and Celia Aaron for the ALC.