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That’s you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. The narrator was a perfect choice for the setting of this book.
She’s a scientist trying to find a cure for vampirism and gets caught and imprisoned by the vampires, but something happens and she looses all memories. Slowly falling for her captor but fighting the attraction cause she loathes all things vampires. While I do love vampires stories I feel like the writing could have been better.

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Georgia is a scientist that is working on the cure for the Sierra Virus that is killing people world wide. Juno, Georgia's older sister and President of the United States is working closely with the vampires to try and stop the spread of the virus. Now Georgia is trapped in an upside down castle that is home to all sorts of dangerous creatures. Valen is Georgia's warden as he is trying to keep her safe form the vampires that want her dead. Georgia is the only one that knows who actually killed Valen's half brother Theo and despite everything that the vampires have tried Georgia can't remember. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to get my hands on the other two in the series. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

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Wow! How to begin. Celia did a wonderful job with describing the world these characters live in however this did not translate into character building. We know who the FL is as far as her being a doctor looking for a cure to a plague or virus. We understand that the ML is involved from seemingly the beginning I am guessing he is the miracle or that his blood is the key but the flashbacks and journal entries along with the FL memory suppression makes this a frustrating read. I do want to read book 2 because of how book one ended but if I had to read this again I’d listen to it again I would not want to. The narrator was great however I have a peeve when it comes to females voicing names and trying to evoke smooth masculinity , anger , seduction, etc.

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While I do want to give all the props to the narrator, she was amazing… I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to people when it feels like blatant plagiarism of Manacled/Alchemized.

There are too many similarities for me to comfortably review this book properly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

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The voice actor and the production was great!

That being said the overall story and so many details are exactly like Manacled the soon coming Alchemised.
How she has no memories from a certain point, that she was a doctor, that she lives at his manner(castle), that they continue to try to pry her memories from her, that the MMC takes her out for walks in his garden.
Honestly the only thing missing is him trying to get her pregnant. (Manacled has a heavy handmaidens tale theme).
All of this made me a bit uncomfortable, it’s too alike to not have been copied.
I’m so sorry to say that I can’t with a good conscience recommend this book.

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Step into the shadows with me, and let's talk about "House of Night" by Celia Aaron. 🥀 Based on the haunting whispers of the synopsis and the allure of a four-star rating, this book promises a descent into a world where darkness reigns supreme, and romance is as thorny as a blood-red rose. 🥀🦇

Imagine being trapped within an upside-down castle, a place where reality twists and turns like forgotten vines. That's where we find Georgia, a captive in a gilded cage of shadows. And her guardian? Valen. He's no Prince Charming, my dears. He's a cursed lord, a creature of the night, a monstrous minotaur lurking in the heart of this gothic labyrinth. His presence is a constant, a predator's gaze that follows her every step as she desperately seeks a way out. 🦇🥀

His desire is singular, a thirst not for her touch, but for her memories – memories that are as elusive to her as freedom itself. He sees her as a means to an end, a key to unlocking the vampire throne, a tool to be broken and discarded once her secrets are extracted. He vows he wants nothing more than her truths, not her "entrancing eyes, her soft skin, her coursing blood." But oh, the delicious tension of those unspoken desires, the unspoken pull between captor and captive! 🥀🦇

Yet, fate, they say, looks different in the light of day. And night, no matter how deep, cannot forever obscure the truth that lies beneath the surface. This is a dark gothic romance, the kind that wraps around you like a shroud and refuses to let go. It's for souls who crave atmosphere as thick as mist, who delight in the dance between horror and romance, the "horrormance" that leaves you breathless.

The promise of an "engrossing plot that drags you in and refuses to let you claw your way out" speaks volumes. This isn't just a story; it's an experience. It's a descent into a world of vampires, secrets, and a love story that blooms in the most unlikely and dangerous of places. 🥀🦇

So, if you're drawn to the allure of the dark, to characters who live in the gray, and to stories that sink their fangs into you and demand your attention, then "House of Night" beckons. Prepare to be consumed. 🦇🥀

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Dark, seductive, and full of secrets (and yes, I was hooked)

House of Night by Celia Aaron pulled me in pretty quickly with its moody atmosphere and gothic vibes. It’s one of those stories where you know something isn’t quite right, but you want to get lost in it anyway. There’s an addictive tension running through everything, and the mystery unravels in a way that keeps you guessing (and occasionally yelling at the characters).

Pros:
• The atmosphere is rich and immersive—dark academia meets southern gothic, with just the right amount of eerie.
• The romantic tension is very well done—slow burn with sharp edges.
• Emilia Bauer’s narration brings a sultry, almost hypnotic tone to the story that works perfectly with the setting and the main character’s voice.
• The plot has layers—secrets, betrayals, and some deliciously dark twists.

Cons:
• Some of the pacing felt uneven—moments of intense suspense sometimes gave way to scenes that dragged a little too long.
• There were a few tropes (especially around the romantic dynamic) that felt a little too familiar or leaned a bit heavy into cliché.
• I wanted just a bit more depth from some of the supporting characters—there’s so much potential in this world, but a few people felt like window dressing.

Still, overall, this was the kind of dark, mysterious audiobook that’s perfect for a cloudy day when you want to feel a little haunted and a little hot under the collar. Not flawless, but definitely entertaining.

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House of Night is a dark fantasy, so be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in.

I absolutely loved the setting— post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and vampire-infused. It carries a similar atmosphere to Rose in Chains or The Coven, making it a great pick for fans of that vibe.

The narrator was fantastic, conveying the protagonist's confusion and emotions beautifully. She really helped bring the character’s struggles to life.

However, I did find the pacing somewhat slow. There was an abundance of dialogue but not enough action to maintain momentum, and certain sections felt repetitive.

I could see where the author was heading with the dynamic between the two main characters, but the romantic connection didn’t fully land for me—it felt somewhat forced.

I do note other reviewers' comments in reference to Manacled/Alchemised. I haven't had a chance to read that yet, but it is on preorder, so I can't personally comment on any similarities at this time.

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Thank you for the ALC. I liked the narrator. The story feels like a copycat of Manacled. I can’t in good faith recommend it to anyone.

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Wow, that was such a fun book. 🎧 Emilia Bauer was perfect narrator casting.

I don't normally like the 'I don't remember what's going on' memory wipe trope to start out a series, but this was done so well. Plus I'm also hit and miss with vampires but this was fantastic, I didn't want to put it down.

I keep trying to figure out how to talk about the basic plot of the book without giving away spoilers that you don't find out in chapter 1, but I can't. It was just a fun, thriller/mystery, vampire - human, captor, have no idea who to trust, wtf is going on kinda book.

I'm going to be eagerly anticipating the 2nd audiobook (haven't seen a date yet) and applying for an ALC as soon as it's available.

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Thank you Dreamscape media for the ALC!

Omg this was a 6 star read for me. The vibes are apocalyptic but with vampires instead of zombies. The memory loss that Georgia was suffering from just added another layer of mystery to this book. Overall the vibes and plot were AMAZING! I loved Georgias character, she’s smart but quiet so she’s subtly trying to learn all of the secrets that are in Valens home without drawing too much attention to herself. Meanwhile Valen is everywhere Georgia is, even if she doesn’t realize it, and I love him. This book was set up perfectly where we’re learning as much as Georgia is but are still left with so many questions!
I will be reading book 2 as soon as it releases!

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This audiobook book was so well done. The story is amazing and horrifying, in the best way possible. I love the take on vampires in this books, and slowly learning more and more as Georgia does as well.
Emilia Bauer did such amazing work on this, she is a phenomenal narrator.

I can't wait for book two!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Dreamscape for letting me listen to this free!

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This is the first in a series and I can not wait for book #2! This is a really good vampire book. Read it! 4 stars


Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I absolutely loved this audiobook! I know the Manacled-style plot isn’t for everyone, but for me, it completely hit the mark. House of Night is dark, twisted, and totally immersive. It’s like if Manacled, A Discovery of Witches, and a vampire apocalypse had a baby. It's gory and filled with tension from the very first page (or minute, if you’re listening like I did!)

Georgia is gifted to Valen, the vampire king’s son, and locked away in a buried castle. He wants answers about his brother’s death, answers buried deep in her missing memories. The slow burn between them is intense, and the world-building is rich and eerie. You’re constantly guessing, desperate to understand how she ended up in this nightmare. Valen is cold, cursed, and captivating. Their dynamic is dark and the mystery behind Georgia’s memories kept me listening nonstop.

Also, major props to the narrator who did an amazing job bringing the story to life! The ending left me reeling, and I’m already dying for the next book. Highly recommend for fans of dark romance and gothic horror!

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🌟
Yes, unfortunately, I had to DNF at 50%. I really wanted to like and enjoy this book, but I just couldn't stop comparing it to *Manacled*. The other difference between the two books is that one is about wizards and this book is about vampires.

The narrator did a good job and was easy to listen to and understand. No fault to the narrator; she did a good job.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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This was a fantastic vampire/ dystopian novel with an ending that makes you want to throw your device when it ends because you need to know what happens next.
The narration was great and brought the story to life and made the ending that much more tantalizing.

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House of Night by Celia Aaron is a fast-paced, delectable dark paranormal romance that will have you hooked from the very first page. With its intoxicating blend of mystery, danger, and undeniable chemistry, this book delivers a compelling story filled with twists and turns. If morally gray characters and possessive, brooding vampires are your jam, then this book is an absolute must-read. Perfect for fans who enjoy their romance with a darker edge, House of Night will leave you craving more.

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Let’s call a spade a spade… House of Night is just vampire Manacled. Despite the blatant rip off, it actually wasn’t that bad? The narration was great, but I just couldn’t get over how similar it was to Manacled.

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This book is good. I mean, really good. It sucked me right into the story, and it never stopped. I read half of this book in one sitting without realizing it. This is a dark, horror romance. Gore. Blood. Violence. Please check triggers. There's so much going on but are never sure just want it is. You just feel like there's something big going on below the surface waiting for the right moment to jump out at you. This book actually felt like a horror movie to me.

You can feel Valen's torment, she was my favorite. Valen and enigma thought out most of the book. . It's well written and laid out the only part I hated was that it ended? How dare it end? I need more please.

And the narration was excellent.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC

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DNF

I have to say that this has nothing to do with the audiobook quality or narrator.
From as much as I listened, Emilia Bauer does a good job making you feel the character’s pain and confusion caused by lack of memories.

From the blurb, the plot seems interesting, but the book is darker and more graphic than I expected.
This made me decide not to continue reading it.

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