I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

This was a great stand-alone fantasy for those who appreciate books with little, to no romance and an underdog main character. It had a good set-up and a fast-paced adventure. I especially enjoyed the found family aspect. I will look for other books from this author in the future.

House of the Beast is a dark, swift-moving fantasy that dives deep into revenge and the cost of power. In many ways it reminded me of The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, with gods interacting with mortals and all the messy consequences of that.

For me personally, this confirmed that the concept of gods in human form and entwining themselves romantically with people is a ick for me, However, this book managed it with a light touch- just enough to add tension without overwhelming the plot.

This was also a pretty dark story, so I think fans of something like The Gilded Ones would have a great time here. Overall, I had a fun time and flew through this. I’m really glad I decided to give it a shot despite the romantasy tag. It was a solid 3.5 stars for me (rounded up), and I think plenty of dark fantasy readers will absolutely love it.
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Special thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the audio ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was great! The character development was good. I really enjoy when a main character has an “Angel vs Devil” internal monologue. Throughout the whole book I just kept wondering what was going to happen next? And it was shocked multiple times! The narrator was also really good. Thank you for the arc!

Thank You NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced audio copy of this book.

This was an amazing book. I thought the story was well written and extremely immersive. All the characters, including the secondary ones, were multilayered. The plot was perfectly paced, and the twists were great. That ending was a haymaker to my emotional well being...I loved it.
I would highly recommend this to other fantasy readers!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ALC of the audio*

I first want to say that if you like YA (like younger YA) fantasy books then you’ll probably really like this. Unfortunately, I did see this marketed as a dark, gothic, romantasy for adults which it definitely isn’t. There’s some violence and a few curse words here and there, but in my opinion, this doesn’t read like an adult novel.

I’m not saying it’s not good, just that this book is marketed incorrectly. The premise is pretty good, plot is great, world building is so-so, and the chapters seemed a bit dragged out.

In the beginning we get the story of the FMC when she is younger. She basically makes a bargain with her estranged father that if he pays for her mother’s treatment, she will go with him. I’d love to tell you exactly what happens after that, but honestly, I was and still am quite confused as I didn’t feel it was explained as well as it should have been. There were a LOT of words, but mostly repeating the same thing instead of elaborating.

Basically her father’s family is cruel and hates her. She then starts conspiring with a god? To get revenge on her father and his family.

I did enjoy the narrator and I also appreciate getting the story of her actual childhood before the rest of the story began instead of simply being told about it, but this one just wasn’t for me. It was definitely for a younger audience and the writing seemed a little juvenile as well… not in the sense that the writing is bad, but in the sense that the writing seemed like a child’s story.

I don't fully know how to explain my feelings of this book. I didn't dislike it and I was never bored but also it never fully captured me. The Dread Beast/Aster felt weird to me the whole book. Alma is a very bland main character. Not particular likeable but not unlikeable. I don't know if the Weeping Angel was just a straight up copy or not. Her father is obviously very unlikeable. The narrator was great!!

Thank you so much to Michelle Wong, Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Harper Audio for and eARC and ALC of House of the Beast in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved being able to switch between the digital and audio versions—which is my favorite way to read. The audio narration was also excellent, bringing the tension and beauty of the story to life in a vivid way. I found myself completely swept up in the atmosphere, from the vividly described setting to the emotional undercurrents running between the characters.

The main character, Alma, was a standout for me. She’s strong, independent, and beautifully morally gray—driven by revenge but ultimately guided by a deeper desire to do what’s right. Watching her grow and find her strength to fight for the greater good was powerful and moving. Her arc was compelling, and I was rooting for her every step of the way.

The relationship between Alma and Aster was layered and deeply complex. Trauma-bonded and emotionally fraught, it included toxic elements, yet Wong wrote it in such a nuanced way that I could understand why Alma continued to see the good in him.

The side characters, though not always central to the plot, were still wonderfully developed and experienced their own growth. I genuinely enjoyed getting to know them and was impressed by how much depth they added to the world.

As for the plot twists—they kept me on my toes in the best way. I was constantly surprised (in a good way!) and loved that I couldn’t predict what was coming next for most of the story. I found myself pausing all my other reads because I simply had to finish this book and see how it all played out. The ending left me gutted. It didn’t feel like a traditional happily-ever-after, but it was hopeful, and that emotional ambiguity made it resonate even more.

House of the Beast is a dark, rich fantasy filled with heart, pain, strength, and transformation. I absolutely recommend it and truly hope it gets the attention it deserves.

Thank you to net galley for providing me with an audio ARC of house of the beast.

I’m not sure why this book was marketed as a dark romance. In my opinion the relationship was shown to be more like abused children who are codependent than romantic. I think this would be more accurately a fairytale, the original kind with dark endings. I honestly liked the world building and atmosphere and would have liked it a lot better if our MC’s internal monologue would have been less repetitive. I do not think this was a bad book but I think if you go into it with the expectations from the blurb you might feel like this was not the book you signed up for.

Oh, darling readers, prepare your hearts for a journey into the exquisitely dark and tender embrace of Michelle Wong's House of the Beast! 📖🥀 This debut is not merely a book; it's a tapestry woven with moonbeams and shadows, a dance between despair and a burgeoning, fierce hope.

We meet Alma, a soul born into solitude, her world a quiet haven with her beloved mother. Lamented, when illness casts its pall, Alma's desperate plea unveils a lineage steeped in ancient power and chilling dread. She is a child of House Avera, bound to the most fearsome of gods, the Dread Beast himself.

In a moment of heart-wrenching sacrifice, Alma trades a piece of herself for a fleeting hope, only to find herself adrift in a gilded cage, scorned and alone. But from the ashes of her grief, a burning ember of vengeance ignites. 🔥 And oh, what a companion she finds in her darkness! The Beast, an eldritch entity, yet to her eyes, a prince with starlit hair, a cosmic confidant whispering promises of change. 🌟👑 Their connection is a strange, beautiful bloom in the desolate garden of her heart.

Michelle Wong, with her illustrator's eye, paints this world with strokes of both terror and breathtaking beauty. You'll feel the weight of Alma's resolve, the chill of divine rituals, and the pulse of intense combat. But at its core, this is a tale of resilience, of finding strength when all seems lost, and of a love so twisted and unique, it defies definition. 💖 It's a reminder that even in the deepest shadows, love, in its myriad forms, can be the guiding star.

For those who adore dark fantasy with a touch of the ethereal, a dash of divine intrigue, and a romance that defies all conventions, House of the Beast is an absolute must-read. It will haunt your dreams and stir your soul. Highly, highly recommended! 💫

Holy guacamole this was amazing! To top it off I learned this was Michelle Wong's debut dark fantasy novel. The story is centered around a girl named Alma whose mother is dying. Alma has never met her father, and she reaches out to him to help her mother. In return, she must become part of the House of the Beast, and that means she must offer her left arm as sacrifice to the Beast, who in turn accepts Alma's offer. The characters in this book are absolutely fabulous. Alma is not a typical FMC for most of the book because she does everything necessary in order to exact revenge on her father because her mother died regardless of her deal with her father. The story is fast paced, and the plot just keeps getting more interesting as the story builds. I was pleasantly surprised by the descriptions of the carnage that happened during the book. It was amazing! So many times, I feel fantasy doesn't quite capture the horrendous nature of the situations the characters are a part of. I will absolutely be watching out for more by Wong!

This was fun but just ok?

House of the Beast was enjoyable and it was a dark interesting tale. The problem I have was that, other than a few instances of language - this is a young adult book. I don’t believe it should have been classified as adult fantasy.

There is definitely dark moments and interesting lore in House of the Beast and it’s an easy, consumable read. I felt it was very easy to guess what was going to happen but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment.

⭐️? I honestly don't know....

I'm honestly not sure how to rate/review this ... especially without spoilers. The blurb about this book was rather missleading (There is NO romance, there were hints of a possibility, but I wouldn't even consider this a romantasy). That being said, if I had gone into this book without reading the blurb and subject markers I would have rated this story higher, but it was not what was described.

I received an ALC, and am planning on borrowing the ebook through the library to see the pictures the author included.

This part might be a little spoilery, but shouldn't be too much- I really wish that the hint of potential romance was NOT included and instead have their souls be bonded or something, because once you add the idea of romance to this it just gives ick: Old man god (who changes his appearance to look as a favorite story character of hers) befriends a child and then wants to kiss her as she gets into her teen years, just no). I feel like if they were just friends you could have reached the same awkwardness by offering a hug (especially as Alma doesn't have much physical contact and it's said she's awkward with the idea).

4.5 ⭐️

I went into this book mostly blind, and I was not disappointed at all. If you enjoy dark fantasy, and want something unlike a lot of the popular romantasy storylines going around right now, this is it!

The artwork throughout the book is absolutely gorgeous. I was fortunate enough to pair the book with the audio for a truly magical immersive reading experience.

There was a great blend of emotional balance, without making too much of the focal point about romance. The twists didn’t feel predictable. Overall super enjoyable!

Thank you so much to NetGalley / Avon and Harper for the ARC and ALC.

Ok wow, THIS BOOK!! Everything about this book worked for me. I had other books I was *supposed* to read before this one, but the comps (Full Metal Alchemist and The Poppy War) pushed me to pick it up and I was not disappointed. House of the Beast had me gripped from the very beginning and I was finding any excuse to sneak a few minutes of listening or a few pages of reading when I could.

For my fellow emotional damage lovers, this book is for YOU. Also, if you're in the mood for dark fantasy, political intrigue, communing with gods, dysfunctional family dynamics (to put it VERY lightly lol), in love with your imaginary (?) best friend, REVENGE vibes -- READ THIS! I loved all of the relationships in this book, even though we didn't spend a ton of time with some of these characters I ended up caring about them so much. I especially loved Alma and Aster, and I will be thinking about their dynamic for a while.

I combo read this and the narrator did a great job, Jeanne Syquia's voice was perfect for Alma. I loved the emotions she brought and also the sass and attitude she gave to some of my favorite side characters! Such a fun listen!

This world was so cool, and I'm begging for more stories in it! I'd love to a sequel, a prequel, ANYTHING.

Also?? There's illustrations in the book too! I can't wait to rifle through the finished copy and look at all of them in their final form!

Thank you Harper Voyager for the advanced copies (audio + e-ARC) and finished copy!!!

5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Audio for providing me with an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!


Are you a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? Do you love The Poppy War with an emphasis on Rin and her power? Do you love bittersweet endings, gut-wrenching character journeys, thrilling trials, court politics, and gothic atmospheres? Then I EMPLORE YOU to read this book the first moment you can!!

It is very rare that a standalone book can be so expansive and detailed, and find a way to wrap itself up perfectly at the end. I was so enamored with our main character, Alma. She was so very raw. I could feel her emotions spilling off the page. Her heartbreak was my heartbreak, her pain my pain, her moments of pure (deserved) joy we my own. Her journey was simply incredible, and every relationship she had was so unique. I truly cannot express how real and riveting this world and its characters felt to me. It was one of those rare books that I could so easily visualize as if I were watching it happen right before my eyes. Michelle has such an incredible skill and talent in her character and world-building, to the point that it left me in awe.

If you were hoping for love and romance, know that it is here, but maybe just not in the way you were expecting. This book will take you on twists and turns through Alma's journey as she traverses the trials of her unexpected life.

Not only is this the best ARC I've read this year, but it is also one of the best books I have read...like ever. This is one I will surely read more than once, even knowing the pain it will put me through.

This had an amazing audio narration that truly brought Alam's character to life even further. I would highly recommend it!! Big shoutout to Jeanne Syquia for your incredible work!

Okay, that was SO good!? Summer 2025 has been the season of fantastic fantasy reads for me, and this one absolutely continued that trend!

First, the plot. I was HOOKED. I literally did not stop reading for hours. The world was intriguing, the revenge plot was captivating, and the characters’ choices kept me guessing. The pacing wasn’t always 100% perfect, but honestly even those moments didn’t bother me because I was having so much fun reading it. There were a few twists that I saw coming, but the execution of them still made for an incredibly enjoyable read.

Alma was definitely a little bit of darker FMC than I’ve read in a while, but I thought that made her so intriguing! I also thought her internal battle worked beautifully and made her feel more fleshed out. Her relationship with her mysterious companion Aster was a huge part of the story, and I loved that it wasn’t what I expected.

All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I highly recommend!

House of the Beast is a lush, gothic dark fantasy that drips with atmosphere and revenge fueled tension. Alma’s journey from outcast to reckoning force is both heartbreaking and empowering, guided by a dangerously alluring god whose presence haunts and tempts. With morally gray characters, twisted romance, courtly betrayals, and divine bargains, this story pulls you into a nightmare realm where nothing is safe and everything has a price. The audiobook adds an immersive layer with chilling narration and a supplemental PDF that deepens the experience. Perfect for fans of dark fairy tales, cosmic horror, and slow burning vengeance.

A girl with an elder god as an imaginary best friend seeks revenge by entering the trials to become the First Hand of the Beast.

I really enjoyed this fantasy and its D+D elements. I felt the world, lore, and characters were well developed, but the writing way was more YA than I would’ve liked.

I found the audiobook narrator great, but they made the writing sound even more YA.

Thank you HarperAudio and NetGalley for the audio ARC!

House of the Beast was everything I expected and more, I would have never expected this to be a debut but it is a very strong one!
Jeanne was the perfect VA for this title, I can't imagine anyone else who would fit it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great fantasy book, that's just strictly that, fantasy! This book had such an intricate plot that kept me thoroughly engaged, and it was so hard to have to put it down to do other things! This is a debut book by Michelle Wong, who did the artwork for The Legend of Korra series, so I can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy to see the beautiful illustrations!

In this story, we encounter family/court politics and drama, magical creatures of different kinds, trials to the death, a romance with many complications, and a lot of action! The main characters, Alma and Aster, were great. You have a strong fmc that comes into her own as the book goes on. The world building is phenomenal throughout the book and the author does a great job of explaining everything as you go so as not to feel overwhelmed with this new world we're put in like some fantasy books do.

If you're looking for a dark/Gothic horror fantasy, then run, don't walk to pick this up!