3.5-4⭐️

Overall, I did like this book however I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected to. To be fair, I think I went in expecting something a bit different. I knew the main relationship would be toxic, but I still hoped there’d be more of a romance between them. So, to help others manage expectations: this is not a romance. It’s a dark fantasy with twisted and toxic romantic elements, kind of like a problematic teenage first love that was never going to end well. If you’re reading this for the romance, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you’re looking for a dark fantasy where romance isn’t the focus, you might enjoy it more. I will also note that it is marketed as adult, but it read more like upper YA to me. That didn’t bother me personally since I like YA, but this may be something other readers might want to keep in mind.

At its heart, the story is about Alma embracing light, forgiveness, and mercy after being raised in darkness, bitterness, and hate. She and Aster were reflections of each other’s loneliness and need for vengeance and connected over this. When Alma moves away from being driven by revenge, it creates an unmendable divide between them. This change in Alma is clearly the main point of the story…I just personally wanted something different for the ending. I think I was hoping Aster would choose her over his revenge, but that’s just the hopeless romantic in me wanting a traditional happy ending whereas this book has a more bittersweet, non-traditional happy ending. I do think other readers may appreciate this even if I wasn’t personally a huge fan of how the story concluded.

Alma’s constant guilt and inner conflict got a little tiresome for me at times (I think if I were Aster, I would’ve been so fed up with her lol). I wanted her to be able to lean into her rage more and to stop feeling so guilty and ashamed for her violent urges and desire for revenge. I also was frustrated that she forgave people so easily and showed kindness to them when they were undeserving. But again, that was kind of the point of the book haha. I think I just wanted something fundamentally different than what the author was going for with this story and that’s not the author’s fault, that’s more about it just not being aligned with my personal preferences rather than an actual problem with the story.

All that said, I did really enjoy most of this story. There was a lot of things that worked well for me. I thought this book had really interesting world building and lore (though, I did find it a little confusing at times—like I did not entirely understand the significance of the big reveal when it happened, didn’t feel like I really understood much about the gods, etc.). I loved the grittiness, the atmosphere, the brutal fight scenes, the complex morally gray characters and nuanced relationships, the unexpected friendships and alliances, and I was definitely rooting for Alma and her monster. The Pilgrimage section was really interesting with all the action, twists, and reveals! Also, I thought it was really cool that the author included her own illustrations throughout the book! It’s a well-done standalone that I would recommend fans of dark fantasy who don’t necessarily seek a romance or a traditional happy ending.

Notes on the audiobook:
I thought the narrator did a very good job with Alma’s voice and portraying her personality and emotions through her pacing, tone, and inflection. I will say that she talked slowly and I had to speed it up to 1.25x speed for it to sound like a normal talking speed. I also felt like she could’ve done a better job with the male voices. I especially wish she had made a different choice for how she voiced Aster. She made him sound very boyish and nasal which would’ve worked for the sections that Alma was a kid and he came to her appearing a boy, but as she aged and he appeared to her more as a young man, I felt like his voice should’ve changed and become deeper yet she kept it very nasal and boyish and it felt a bit too annoying and childish for a character who was supposed to be an attractive male love interest.

Thank you to Michelle Wong, Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Harper Audio for providing me with an eARC and an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio Adult/ Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book!

Oooooh my goodie gumdrops!! This is a good one!!

This was just such a good story! Another one, where I knew VERY early on, I was going to love it here! Imagine you're a lonely child, so you create an imaginary best friend.. later in life your friend comes back & you learn the whole time, your friend was actually a God!? And that's such a hairline fracture of the story we have here! A must read for any fantasy lover!! I absolutely LOVED it!

And I will definitely be purchasing my hardcopy book trophy!

This is my review which as of today can be found on the following platforms:
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Fable

Woah! So many levels! Such an engaging story. I can’t read more from Michelle Wong! Both the plot and the characters were well rounded. What a great read!

What an epic dark goth fantasy debut !
If you love deadly trails , a slow burn, morally grey characters and an epic plot ! This one is for you!

Devoured House of the Beast and will definitely be stocking in my shop!

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I was hoping for a certain vibe and it didn't deliver. I think some people will love this book, just wasn't for me.

I don’t even know where to begin!?! This book is PHENOMENAL. This is the kind of fantasy you curl up in a dark corner and just vibe your way through morally gray characters.

I originally physically read this, but now I am adding in thoughts on the audiobook! I found the narrator to be the perfect fit for Alma. Her performance was heartfelt and passionate. With so many voices to balance, I think they did a good job at distinguishing different characters in tone.

Not only is this a well-written fantasy with politics budding out of every corner, but while reading there is BEAUTIFUL illustrations throughout the book!!! This dark tale reflects the emotional and physical impact depression can have on oneself.

In the beginning, the books follows our FMC, Alma, at the early age of 11 and what brought her to where the majority of book’s time line takes place. Eight years later, an invisible to everyone but her physical manifestation of the Elder God, and plot of revenge, this is an absolutely wild ride.

This book has extremely dark moments and certain times random violence would catch me off guard. I absolutely loved it.

With high fantasy can sometimes feel rushed, but this is not something House of the Beast deals with. It’s fast-past with moments of peace and the next moment chaos has sounded. The characters were entertaining and kept me hooked. Certain characters surprised me by the ending and I love having moments like that. Everything wrapped up so well and the satisfaction felt by the ending was delicious, I will savor it for a while.

Pub Date August 5 2025

ARC provided by Avon, Harper Voyager publishing and NetGalley. Thank you.

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

The plot dragged a bit too long for me. I kept wanting something to happen and when it did, the plot stalled again, making it a bit frustrating to get through.

An absolutely beautiful and adventurous story that kept me guessing and gasping the whole time. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy and see the beautiful illustrations I keep hearing about.

House of the Beast was such an interesting ride. The tragedies that fall on our main character Alma are heartbreaking. And to be saved from that heartache by her "little monster", who is the embodiment of the very Dread Beast she is now a vessel for. Only she can see the Dread Beast and wants to help her get revenge on her father.

I loved this world. The 4 gods and the way they blessed their vessels with specific powers depending on the god was really cool. This was a dark and gritty story that kept me hooked.

Narrator is so amazing. I was captivated at first sound. What a freaking story! I loved every second of it. I was gripping my pillow and clenching my teeth to know what would happen. The twists. The turns. I did not expect. I cannot recommend this enough.

Book: House of the Beast by Michelle Wong
Genre: Fantasy (maybe a bit of romantasy, but more fantasy than anything)
Rating: 4 stars!
Audio Narration: 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperAudio Adult and Harper Voyager for an advanced listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I didn’t quite know what to expect when diving into this book. As a lover of both traditional fantasy and romantasy, the vibes early on left me confused about the direction we were going with things. However, this did not hamper my enjoyment.

This was a book that feels fresh and different. I read a lot of fantasy and romantasy, and this really stood out. Our main character, Alma, lives in a brutal world she did not grow up in. She learns quickly that she must do what she needs to in order to survive. Her monster, or rather the connection she carries with her god, is by her side through it all. He is there to support her, to push her out of her comfort zone, to be a friend, and to help her obtain her goals. Alma and her monster, however, do not always see eye to eye on how this should be done.

This world was interesting. I wanted to learn more, but unfortunately there is a lot that was never fully discovered in Wong’s world. The plot of this felt like it could be an amazing video game - I could vividly picture so many of the scenes in my head.

This book wasn’t perfect. While it is listed in the adult genre, sometimes it felt like it should be sandwiched more in new adult territory, or even YA. The voice of the characters, their relationships, and the overall writing style rode the line more in the NA/YA territory, in my opinion. Also, we spend 400+ pages with our main character and her monster, but I still did not find myself as invested in their relationship as I’d like. They were interesting individually, but their relationship as a couple didn’t have my buy-in in the way I think the author hoped for.

I am shocked that this is a debut author. It was very well-written, and the story was unique and entertaining. The action scenes, which are not always easy to do, were engaging and so very brutal. I love imperfect characters and I feel as though Michelle Wong did a great job capturing this.

AUDIOBOOK NOTES: The audiobook was very well done. The narrator did a great job of keeping the voices distinct. The narration was emotional and engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC!

Alma grows up with her single mother, and as her mother gets more and more sick she makes a desperate attempt to save her by reaching out to her father for help. Little does she know that reuniting with her father will change her path completely. She finds out that she is of House Avera, who serves the God the Dread Beast, and she must sacrifice both her left arm and seeing her mother in order to save her. Her relationship with her father is strained at best, and only becomes worse when she learns that her sacrifice was for nothing when he informs her of her mother's passing. The only things she has to keep her company in the lonely Avera estate is her vengeance, and her beautiful monster that is constantly by her side but only she can see him. He is her God, her monster, and taken form of a beautiful prince with starlit hair and he has chosen her to go on a journey to destroy the House that took everything from her.

House of the Beast had me hooked immediately. Michelle Wong has such a gravitating writing style that does so well for world building but also for allowing you to understand her characters and what drives them. It was so easy to feel for Alma when she was dealing with a conflict or missing her mother. The plot never lacked for me, and it was such an exciting adventure with twists and turns that always left me wanting to keep listening. The mimics had me squealing because all I could think of was the weeping angels from Doctor Who! Such great action and imagery from her too. I absolutely would recommend this book!

However. I knew about the connection between Alma and Aster because it was told to me many, many times. But I don't think I would call it a romance like the description says. I did not feel much of that type of connection between them, and thought there was more of a connection between Alma and Sevelie. It was obvious that Aster cared for her, and maybe because I listened to it and Jeanne Syquia (who did a wonderful job narrating) gave him a younger voice, it was harder for me to feel like anything besides a platonic friendship was happening. I would've loved to have feel that undeniable connection rather than just be told about it. But for what I thought was a lack of romance, I still loved the story overall.

Thank you Michelle Wong, Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC!

House of the Beast is the debut of writer Michelle Wong and, dear god! What a debut.

I knew very little of the plot, I only knew it was a fantasy with a splash of body horror, so every turn of page was a surprise for me. Alma, our protagonist, is usually the type of main character that I have some trouble liking/connecting, but I loved her from the get go.

To be completely honest, I only disliked one character, and if you read the book you’ll know in an instant.

I was not expecting those little twists at the end, and I’m a very good plot-twist guesser. I also loved that House of the Beast seems to be a standalone, as following never-ending book sagas is becoming a bit tiring, BUT, I wound’t be mad if Michelle one day decided to write a little bit more about these characters and world.

Major props to Jeanne Syquia; I loved their voice.

This is a dark atmospheric fantasy, but not a romance. I was pulled into the story at first but it then began to slow down for me. I did feel like i was pushing through the story until toward the ending. Overall, it was an okay read.

I feel the narrator did a good job and was a good choice for this character.

Thank you for the opportunity to review House of the Beast

Narration: I did like the narrator generally; I felt like she did a good job with the emotional climaxes of the book. However, I also felt like the intonation felt... young? I don't know, there is a certain way that YA books tend to be read by narrators, with a little more animation, and this did feel YA. Possibly it was just that the source material also felt YA, with the book starting when the main character was a young girl and then turning into a coming of age story. I also missed the illustrations alongside the text. I think, in general, this might be a book I recommend that people read in physical copy rather than audio, though I would absolutely pick up another audiobook by the same narrator.

Content: The world building in this was really interesting. I don't think it was explained enough, when it comes to the mechanics of it, but I do feel like if this were a general horror novel, there would be some really great material to work with. The body horror, the transformations, the nightmare realm concept with the brain worms. It's all gruesome and delightful, and I would have loved to see the story lean into it.

As it was, I didn't feel super connected with the characters. I think Alma's relationship with Aster is intentionally toxic, but I found myself asking repeatedly, to what end? What is the point here? The "big reveal," I thought was relatively obvious earlier on, and all of the story beats that felt more like romantasy left me feeling conflicted. Him yearning for a kiss? The forbidden romance aspect? Just to have the book be like, surprise, this isn't a romance? To me, the payoff was not worth the time spent traveling down that wrong road. I wish this spent a little more time on the non-Alma characters vs keeping everything mysterious for more of a surprise payoff at the end.

I also felt like, generally speaking, Alma had very little agency throughout the book. Most of the plot just happens to her until near the very end, which left the ending itself feeling unrealistic, a little unsatisfying.

Overall an interesting book that I will definitely continue to think about, but would not read a sequel to.

This book is dark, but in the best possible way. Too often, fantasy heroines stumble into alliances where others do the heavy lifting. Not Alma. She’s endured cruelty and loss, and she savors the chance to return it tenfold. Her fuel is vengeance, its flames fanned by her Beast, Aster—a mysterious, ever-present figure only she can see and hear. Beneath all that rage, though, smolders something unexpected: a stubborn desire to be good. That longing conflicts with her noble house’s ruthless values and her Beast’s darker whispers.

While romance flickers at the edges, the real heartbeat here is the bond between Alma and Aster—intense, complicated, and unshakable—and Alma’s struggle to accept herself. Marked by her father’s scandalous affair and treated as an unwelcome burden by her family, she spends her childhood in forced solitude and is convinced she’s unworthy of love. Her journey is about clawing back her self-worth and her sense of purpose.

Visually, this story is a treat. Jeanne Syquia’s audiobook narration is superb, but the print and digital editions have illustrations that drape the tale in a gothic, Grimm-style fairytale veneer. I even flipped through chapters I’d already listened to just to glimpse the artwork.

Fair warning: there’s no neat happily-ever-after here in the traditional sense. I didn’t see the ending coming, and I adored it. It’s been far too long since a book pulverized my heart.

Dark, gritty, and emotionally charged, House of the Beast doesn’t just give us a heroine. It gives us a monster.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult, Avon, Harper Voyager, and Michelle Wong for this ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

⚔️alc review: house of the beast ⚔️

“You are the worst thing that has ever happened to me”

🌟🌟🌟🌟.💫

This was so much fun!! GUYS the concepts these days of books are just reheated nachos in my opinion. HOWEVER, this one?! Nope, this was unique, adrenaline racing, and just a good time. I honestly could not get enough!

PSA: THIS IS NOT A HAPPY ENDING. I REPEAT THIS IS NOT A HAPPY ENDING. With that being said, this book is not really about the romance but I think it’s important to note for those who have come to expect that. This book has so much more than just a romance storyline, it’s about a girl who is out for revenge, dedication to religion and impact on society, and how toxic love can impact your actions.

As a romantasy first girlie, sue me I was rooting for aster (MMC) and Alma (FMC) love to work out. But, I think it’s a great example of how you can love someone but love may not be enough to save them from a tragic ending.

Michelle Wong really killed it with this being her debut. I am absolutely going to read what she writes next because this was original and a good time.

Narration review- this was the one struggle for me to be honest, the narrator was SLOW. Like I mean snails pace. I usually listen 1.4-1.5 speed, I had to up it 1.75 and even tried 2x but it was a tad too fast. She does a great job of telling the story and bringing the emotions off the page but the pacing really impacted the vibe for me.

Read if you love:
⚔️ epic fantasy
⚔️ revengeful FMC x MMC
⚔️ trickster god
⚔️ non HEA
⚔️ epic side quests
⚔️ toxic love story (kinda)
⚔️ side character queer rep

Thank you to Harper Voyager for an ALC of The House of the Beast by Michelle Wong!

A haunting tale that misses the mark, House of the Beast by Michelle Wong sets out to deliver a dark, gothic narrative layered with psychological complexity and emotional tension—but despite its atmospheric setting and initial intrigue, it stumbles in both tone and execution.

The story introduces a twisted relationship dynamic between a vulnerable protagonist and an older, enigmatic figure. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that one of the central themes is grooming—a bold choice that could have served as powerful commentary on manipulation and control. However, the way it’s handled often feels romanticized rather than critically explored. This blurring of lines between horror and desire can be unsettling, and not in a way that feels intentional or thought-provoking.

Wong’s writing style is compelling in parts, with lush descriptions and a palpable sense of unease, but the pacing drags and the character development is uneven. Key moments lack emotional depth, making it hard to fully invest in the protagonist’s journey. Readers looking for clear ethical reflection or a satisfying arc of empowerment may come away frustrated.

House of the Beast has potential—it’s moody, atmospheric, and unafraid to wade into dark territory. But its handling of sensitive subject matter is too murky to resonate fully, leaving a story that feels more disturbing than meaningful.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC. This is my true and honest opinion and review of House of the Beast.

If you enjoy dark fantasy that will make your stomach churn and your heart hurt with an unhealthy dose of rage, look no further than House of the Beast!! This was horrifying in all of the best ways and has some really eerie artwork to back it up.

I did struggle with a section in the middle but the beginning and back half were phenomenal. I read from 70% on to the end in one sitting. It definitely tore my heart out and grossed me out in equal measure. The ending made me cryyy even though I was expecting it to.

Alma was such an unreliable narrator based on her connection to Aster, but I LOVED her. I really enjoyed following her revenge journey and utilizing her as the moral heart of the story was so intriguing. We have great side characters as well, who may not have been the most fleshed out but I felt for them every time and I had a special place in my heart for them.

Thankful to Harper Voyager for the eARC and ALC, as well as my amazing buddy read group (who let me lag way behind lol)! I recommend checking this one out if you love a dark and tragic fantasy!

😩 What the what?!
How do I even leave a review for this book?!
I loved it. I’m obsessed with it. I highly recommend it.

This book was so good. I never knew where it was going and I constantly found myself smiling when it took a turn because it was amazinggg! There’s some unlikely friendships created, there’s some crazy revenge actions, there’s betrayals, there’s lots of action and different creatures. There’s also really beautiful artwork by the author throughout the book!

Let’s talk about the the FMC for a minute. Alma was incredibly interesting. She's full of rage, but she wants to be good. Her character growth is honestly one of my favorite I’ve ever seen.
Aster did terrible things but it was hard not to love him too. I really enjoyed everything about this book. The artwork, the world building, the characters, the lore, and I really loved the ending. I found it refreshingly different than anything I’ve read in quite some time. Also, it’s a standalone 🙌🥰
If you enjoy reading a fantasy villain story then check this out! Be warned that this isn’t a typical romantasy. It’s dark, it’s toxic, and it’s violent.
🎧
Jeanne Syquia did an amazing job with this audiobook. I was fully engaged and invested in the story due to the narration. I would recommend listening while reading along so you can still see the beautiful artwork throughout. 💜