Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC, and to Delilah for her social media interactions with me via Instagram.

For those of us undead who were turned prior to Y2K...you will appreciate the cd tracks between chapters that list some of the song lyrics from the band Black Idyll.

I enjoyed the unicorn graphic that is featured on the cover, and continues throughout the novel at the beginning of each chapter. While reading this, you begin to think how strange is it to feature a unicorn, why does it keep being mentioned with no explanation...and then BAM! It hits you in the face like a ton of bricks.

This story is one highway to Hell! It is filled with music icon references (Even the first few sentences read like lines from Alanis Morisette's "Ironic".), a unique but sordid appreciation for artists/artistry of all kinds, characters that seem way more innocent, and predictably are not! That doesn't take away from the story. If only...it adds to the allure. The author doesn't bait you with anything, she lures you into the darkness with scenes very reminiscent of Cruel Intentions meets Eyes Wide Shut, and ok, a sprankle or two of Fifty Shades kinky fuckery.

Some critiques I have for this story are as follows:
*I would have like to have read more synonyms for the word "liminal", or simply reword it to omit "liminal" from overusage.
*There's a scene where it is implied that a character was drugged, which is inacurate as they made their choice. But right after it is explained they did make a choice. So this part just seems like it could have been rewritten for plot transparency purposes.
*Curious at the usage of "kakophony" instead of "cacophony"...
*Scene with mystery character on a balcony. Totally plays into the horror scene of many horror movies. Not that it's a bad thing, but a predictable thing. It also reminds me very much of the scene at the beginning of The Labyrinth with The Goblin King on Sarah's balcony.
*I was surprised at how short this book was, I wished it had been extended further.

There were a handful of quotes that I loved:

"Courtesy is not a command...But a gift."

"Sometimes art is ugly...Because the world is often ugly, and art can be a spotlight. It exposes what's there, forces it to the surface, makes people look at what they'd rather not see. But even in that ugliness, there is beauty." (This one blew me away! So deep, profound, philosophical, and 100% accurate!)

"It's so hard to remember what a storm feels like when every day is sunny."

"It is better to be yourself imperfectly, than to pretend to be anything else."

"Dreams are the mind's playground and even nightmares have stories to tell."

3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a quick read that kept me hooked. I enjoyed the descriptions and the writing style - detailed and vivid, but not tedious. I liked the protagonist, too - I know people are going to say "oohh she's so stupid, why didn't she see the red flags!" To which I say a) it's a horror story; if the protagonist sees the red flags in time and leaves, there's no horror story, is it? get a grip; and b) the story was told in such a way that the red flags were easy to brush off. I might have stayed, too. I liked that the chapters were separated by fragments of the band's lyrics. These are the devil-worshipping rockstars our parents warned us about! 🤪 (not mine, tbh)

At the same time, though, it was predictable where it was headed, and I don't think it added much of a twist to the premise. There's an unsettling atmosphere, and creepy things happen, but it didn't get horrifying until around the 90% mark. I thought the ending was good, but at the same time, there were too many unanswered questions. They weren't pressing questions, but they were there, and it feels like loose ends that were there just to make it creepy.

I'd still recommend reading it if you enjoy horror stories about cults and/or bands!

Never meet your idols... Delilah S Dawson once again delivers a punchy slice of rock'n'roll horror.
Reading a little like a dark romance novel but with a horrifying edge, it's the tale of a young woman with nothing to lose being swept away to a billionaire rock star's artists retreat and finding there may well be a price for true creative freedom.
It's an indulgent read - lavish surroundings, impossibly rich and beautiful people living their idyllic lives - but it has a nice edge to it. You know all cannot be right with the incredible offer Angelina has been given, and we are given flashes of the bloody ugliness behind the white washed facade as we hurtle to the climax.
I enjoyed my time with this book, though I felt the ending was too abrupt given the build up. I've rounded up to 4 stars as it was light, but juicy, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

After reading Bloom, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her next book and boom there it was!

The cover and the blurb go perfectly together. That’s exactly what caught my eye (well… that, and the author. hehe).

The story doesn’t start off super intense, but you still get pulled in right away because you just need to know what’s going on. And honestly, it picks up pace just a few chapters in!

For me, it was a solid thriller, with a few elements I don’t usually go for, but they were done so well! A great little read for in between heavier books!

I absolutely love Dawson's horror books, but this one was a big miss for me. The pacing was off, the characters were dull, and the mystery and suspense just weren't there - it felt like a bit of a mess. I absolutely love the concept, just not the execution. I'm still a big fan of hers and will eagerly await her next horror book, but this one just didn't do it for me.

2.5 out of 5 stars

I've said this before but I'll say it again Delilah S. Dawson can do no wrong! Every single I've read by her has been a hit. My absolute favorite is still Bloom but this one is a very very close 2nd. I love the whole sell your soul for art idea and this was a fun way of doing it. I read this whole thing in one night. I can also see this book having the most mass appeal.

3.5⭐

This book we follow Angeline a singer song writer. She's invited to a Luxury Compound run by Black Idyll a Rock and Roll band that's she's followed for years.

I did like the tension building throughout the story, it was creepy, dark and slightly unhinged at times 🦄
The characters emotional development watching the doubt really set in and how cult behaviour really had a hold over Angeline was my favourite thing in this book.

I thought the pacing of this book was ok, I would've loved more exploration in to what the cult was trying to do. if the book was a little longer I think that would've helped.

Oh my god. From the description, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in but wow… just wow.

I absolutely devoured this book! It was fast-paced, fun, gore-filled and deliciously horrible from start to finish 💀 I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting!

As an elder emo, I related to the main character so much. Her obsession with her teenage band crush and her total devotion to them? Yeah… I would’ve absolutely signed up at 14 cult or not 😅

Add this one to your TBR right now! It’s a quick horror hit you won’t want to miss 🖤 Releasing September 9th!

I’ve been fascinated by Delilah S Dawson’s work since reading the unsettling Bloom and the wild ride of Guillotine where the writing contained so much in such a small amount of pages, exploring female rage, power imbalance and a cathartic writing (and subsequent reading) experience whereby pain is whittled into a weapon. With that in mind, I was incredibly excited when I saw the author was releasing another novel and another small numbered one at that! I think a lot of books these days are just too long, I don’t say that as a lazy reader , I just feel like some writing is over indulgent, the charm of Dawson’s writing is that the excess feels trimmed without taking anything from the plot or characters, you still know who they are, what motivates them and form a connection.

With The House of Idyll I will admit, with that in mind, that *for me* it didn’t work as well. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the book, because I did, it was a quick and captivating read about a band (Black Idyll) of rockstar notoriety, who offer residence and a community to struggling artists, including our main character Angelina. Free board, food, laptop and a chance to work with Jesper Idyll, the god-like lead singer of the band, it looks too good to be true, and maybe it is. When Angelina’s friend mysteriously leaves without a goodbye and another girl is found dead Angelina may just find out the true price of fame.

Like I said this is a concise, well written book that is easy to read and I do enjoy Dawson’s way of writing and writing women in particular and their not their struggle per say but their survival. There are some elements that did score it lower, for me, than Bloom and Guillotine though. Firstly I understand this book involves a famous band but I’m not a huge fan of pop culture references in books, in this case I can understand why but I think it can age a book and distance a reader. For example, one character is written as looking “a lot like Kate Hudson in Almost Famous”, I love the film and I understand the reference, however if you don’t, then it means nothing or you have to stop and google it, there’s also a reference to Mean Girls that doesn’t really settle into the page as it should. I do get the application of it, you are seeing this world through Angelina’s eyes and she’s blurring reality with this celebrity idea, but as a reader it doesn’t always sit well.
My other issue is just that the pacing feels very rushed come the end. I actually enjoyed the ending, up until the last few pages and then I really wanted more to fully explain or wrap things up. This could be a deliberate choice to leave you a little unsure, a little on edge, but you’re left with a lot of answers and you were reading in the hope of getting them.
Lastly there are invariably some difficult topics raised in this author’s books and I always respect how they are approached, issues such as abuse, domestic violence etc. With House of Idyll, there are definitely uncomfortable and important topics raised again, however there is also a moment of questionable consent that is never really treated as such. Again, the main character doesn’t question the ethics of what has happened while she was intoxicated, neither a relationship of great power imbalance, so would we as a reader seeing it through her eyes? I just wish it was called out for what it really was.

To wrap up, House of Idyll is a good, interesting read you can literally sit down and digest in one sitting, it tackles dark themes, has some seriously freaky moments and has a main character you root for. I can’t give 5 stars though because it did leave me wanting just a little more. I will though still continue to read anything this author publishes, they’re incredibly talented.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

This is the second time I've read Delilah S Dawson. I read Bloom last year and I found it boring but maybe it was my mindset. I loved House of Idyll. I found it so intriguing and the writing was impeccable. The word choice Dawson chooses is almost poetic and her metaphors are subtle but impactful.

Angelina is going through a tough time, trying to make ends meet while making it big in LA. She is presented with an opportunity of a lifetime and it seems too good to be true. It feels like she's joining a cult even though they claim it's not. Things spiral out of control and turn into a fever dream.

The writing was amazing and the characters were fleshed out when needed. Some weren't as developed but I think that was to add mystery. Where it kind of lost me was the ending. It was very abrupt and a little cliché. I loved it until then but I'm only taking a half star for the ending. I strongly recommend this and I want to try more of Dawson's books

DELILAH S DAWSON DOES ANOTHER GREAT READ. i devoured this book. Every aspect of wanting to become famous and how you should not meet your Idyll's. This gave me cult vibes and i was blown away.

Totally ate this up!! I love that her stories are short and get straight to the point! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc

There's nothing better than picking up a book from an author you've read before and falling straight back into their consistent writing style, and after reading other Delilah S. Dawson books, this is how I felt reading House of Idyll.

It's Dawson at her best. Her writing isn't over the top or flowery, and it doesn't need to be. This story was a bit grotesque, a bit absurd but very gripping. It's not a 5 star for me because although I enjoyed the ending, it was really rushed and I would've loved the 200 page build-up to have more than 2 pages of climax. Another chapter to slow down the ending and let us appreciate it in its glory a bit more would've been perfect. If you enjoyed Guillotine, I'm sure you'll like this!

House of Idyll is what happens when rockstar fantasy meets cult horror and asks: what would you trade for fame, and would you even notice until it’s too late? Angelina Yves is down bad—no job, no prospects—when she gets an invite to live rent-free at Black Idyll’s luxury compound. It’s giving "dream come true," until her dreams start literally screaming back.

Dawson builds the tension slowly, with eerie little things: screaming horses at night, guests who vanish without explanation, and lyrics at the end of each chapter that feel more like warnings than poetry. The vibes are immaculate. If you’ve ever fallen too hard for a celebrity crush or spent too much time online, this hits a little too close to home.

I do wish Angelina had slightly more self-preservation early on (girl… the red flags were crimson), and the ending felt a bit rushed. Still, the cult dynamic, the seductive atmosphere, and yes, the actual unicorn made this a standout.

This is perfect for readers who like their horror stylish, a little surreal, and rooted in feminine rage. If Daisy Jones joined Midsommar, this would be the result!

thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! ✨

i read this book in one setting and y’all 😳😳😳😳

i love the way Delilah writes and she creates such an un-comfy world and sense of dread that i absolutely eat upppppp. there was this unsettling tension lurking throughout this story, and i was convinced big twists were going to happen at every page,

quick, dark, creepy, twisty, perfect 🤘

Delilah Dawson is becoming an author that I love to read!
I absolutely loved Bloom and Guillotine which I read earlier in the year. When I got an advanced reader copy of her new book, I jumped on it.

I do think House of Idyll is okay but it’s not as strong or scary as her older books.

I’ll go into what worked and didn’t work below.

PROS:
1. The writing is great in this, and I finished it in record time. The suspense is excellent and I wanted to know what was up with this luxury compound!

2. The song lyrics after each chapter is a great touch. I loved the immersion into the plot that she does with this.

CONS:
1. I think what I struggled the most was the plot. It’s too beautiful and unrealistic.
I needed more strangeness, odd behavior and sketchiness to really get the horror juices going with this cult.

2. The characters are okay, but I struggled with the main character of Angelina the most.
Without going into spoilers, she felt naïve until the ending. When her character does a 180, it’s too much and I didn't buy it.

3. The Black Idyll band members were interesting, but I felt like something was missing on the “rock god image”.
Maybe it’s the whole white clothing bit? White clothes don’t scream rock and roll to me.

Horror is subjective and what scares one person will not necessarily scare another.

At no time in House of Idyll did a feel terror or fear.
I felt a sense of unease and suspense as the book progresses, but I wasn’t horrified, disgusted or reading with the lights on.
I will say that there’s some good moments in the book with decent creepy vibes, but I wished for more.

I’m still glad that I read this one and I’ll always pick up a new book by Delilah Dawson!
I would still recommend this one if you love cult-like settings. Maybe it will unnerve you more than me?!

House of Idyll by Delilah S Dawson

Release date November 11

Angelina an aspiring singer/songwriter is having the worst day ever. She gets fired from both of her jobs and even loses her place to live. Enter a man who takes her to a compound owned by Jesper Idyll her teenage crush and frontman of the band Black Idyll. Angelina decides to take him up on the offer of living at the compound and making her music dreams a reality. But is it to good to be true???

This was a wild ride of a book. I wouldn’t call it horror I would call it a thriller because the crazy stuff doesn’t happen until the book is well over half over. It was basically a girl entering a cult until that point.

I enjoyed Angelina as a character. I kinda wish the author would release a short novella prequel set 10 years before the events in this book.
The ending is so damn good.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for this arc.

I am now a Delilah S Dawson fan for life.

Perfect book no notes. All the stars.

House of Idyll by Delilah S. Dawson follows Angelina, a young musician living in LA barely making ends meet. When she gets fired from both of her jobs at the same time, she doesn’t know how she will make it but then she is whisked away to House of Idyll, a compound owned by a world famous band. It seems like a dream situation, live for free and make art but not everything is as it seems.

I loved this. I’m such a huge fan of this author and I had high expectations and this lived up to it! I love the way this novella was plotted. The slow moving plot built up to a great finale. I do think this book was a bit predictable but in a way that I really enjoyed. There is something about knowing what is going to happen and having no way of stopping it.

I thought the ending of this was great. I know it won’t work for a lot of people but I thought it was the perfect way for this to end.

If you are like me and you love a short horror book that is compulsively readable (I read this in one sitting) that fits the vibe of sex, drugs, and rock n roll with a smidge of cult thrown in, check this one out!

What happens if you can make your own destiny? Sexy cult horror with a splash of corrupted paradise thrown in.
What's really going on at the House of Idyll? Every artist's dreams come true there, or do they? Great for readers who want a little bit of sexiness with their cults.

Delilah S Dawson never fails to take some beautiful setting and make it creepy AF. The super cult-y band was beautiful and welcoming and had so many red flags - our FMC ran towards it like a carnival. What would she have to lose?
For real though - if someone offered me the chance to join a creepy commune, pay no bills, and just create all day, I'd sign up, too.
Thank you to the author, Titan books, and Netgalley for the chance to read this early!