Audio review: Narrator Jeanne Syquia delivered a great performance, and I enjoyed listening to their narration. I have to say that this book is best read with your eyes if you can, because there are stunning illustrations throughout - done by the author! I tandem read and listened, which is a great way to go if you're like me and audiobooks help you focus or you just enjoy them. The audiobook quality was excellent. Easy to listen to and follow.

Book review: I love dark fantasy and this book was stunningly atmospheric. The premise was unique, and it had the best somewhat toxic, codependent relationships without unnecessary romance. I was really interested in the beginning and the end, though the middle it dipped a bit. The book almost felt like an upper YA to me, rather than adult. It does have the darkness and some body horror, etc - but nothing in my opinion that was too much for upper YA. Pair that with the MC Alma's age, and that's how it felt. I don't mean that negatively at all, it's just something I've been thinking over since finishing it.

The illustrations in the book really take it over the top, they are simply amazing! The end totally broke me, some of it was expected, some of it wasn't, and all of it was heart wrenching. I am really excited to see what comes next from Michelle Wong!

Alma's been an outcast since childhood because of her background. But her aristocratic family drags her back, only to use her.

Even when everyone around her treats her badly and sneers at her with every word, she still chooses kindness above anything else. That's what got me drawn to her. Her stubborn goodness in a world that keeps kicking her down. At this point, you really can't stop rooting for her.

The world building was rich and the characters grew on me like ivy.

Don't even get started with the illustrations!! Michelle Wong is an amazing artist and those illustrations pulls you right into Alma's world.

But Alma and Aster...they are the heart of the story. Their relationship is a slow and aching thing, beautiful yet painful...the codependency and tension ...the devotion that could either save or destroy them.

Yeah. I'm obsessed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of the story was gripping, the part that is partly shared on the back of the book. But somewhere we start to lose the plot and the book drags on. If the book was shorter, the story could have flown a bit better but at points I wondered if we are making any progress and then suddenly it all ended and climax seemed very flat. I really wish I could say more but I will say it’s a “cute” story that could have been maybe a novella.

Thank you Harper Audio for the ALC!

This book was pure fantasy. I really enjoyed several key aspects to it and I appreciate that it finished the story but also left enough at the end for a second book. There were several points where I was very surprised of where the book went. I enjoyed the found family aspect and the characters in the story. I think the author spent just enough time on character development to where I felt like the characters were actual people. I'm very interested to see where a possible second book goes. The story line was overall enjoyable. Part of me however due to specific books l've been reading lately wish it had more of a dark Romance vibe to it and saw more in that genre and saw it go a little darker.

4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an ALC. All opinions are my own.

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Worldbuilding/lore: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Narration: 4/5

There’s just something about the toxic codependent relationship between a young, vengeful woman and her imaginary best friend/deity that has me in a chokehold. I am OBSESSED with Alma and Aster. I really loved that their relationship was super super toxic because they’re both unhinged. This might be a bit of a wild comp, but this kinda feels like a cross between the Cruel Prince and Baldur's Gate 3. Everyone has so much yearning and no healthy coping mechanisms <3

I enjoyed the narration but it did take some getting used to. The narrator enunciates all of the consonants pretty sharply. And that’s not inherently an issue, but for some reason it did not mix well with my auditory processing issues, and I ended up needing to re-listen to a couple of the early chapters. However, once I got used to it, I really enjoyed Syquia’s performance.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for allowing me this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't into this one. The first 50% - 60% was kind of tedious and boring, though I couldn't put my finger on it. I felt like a lot was happening, I just didn't care about any of what was happening. I think some of this is because the characters just felt awkward, or maybe it was just the writing felt awkward, like things were happening in a clunky way. I just didn't care what happened to the FMC & you could see the twist just waiting to happen. Something was off with the plot through the entire book which also carried me through the conclusion with the same sort of apathy.

The last 10% or so, I realized the world itself is actually pretty cool. At its core, this book is a cool idea, and the world building could have been excellent if we'd focused on each God and their factions or realm, etc. But in this novel, we're pigeonholed into this narrow frame of the worlds view and lose all the potential richness with it. I still think there's an issue with the character writing (there's a reason I wasn't connecting with anyone), but some aspects could have been easier to overlook if the plot wasn't so awkward. Side Note: The chemistry left a lot to be desired. Probably because the MMC was constantly so weird and untrustworthy.

We kept being told certain things, or characters would repeat certain things, over and over again without showing us/the FMC with their actions that they meant it. It got so old and 'see through' after a while. A ton of lip service from all these characters without delivering on their promises was taxingggggg.

I was also kinda disappointed at the ending too. It was like, flip floppy, but predictable. Some unnecessary things/aspects just felt like more to trudge through to get to the actual resolution at the end. Could also be because I just wanted to be finished with it, but I don't know.

I listened to the audiobook version of this. I didn't dislike the narrator but she was not my favorite either. Her inflections were odd sometimes but I was happy that her character voices weren't annoying or too much. I do think her tone could have added slightly to my disconnect with the characters, but when I envision listening to the phrases with my "inner reading voice" I realize it doesn't change how they're written/the story is written.

Overall, there is a lot of content here. It wasn't cringy or bad, it was just very 'meh' for me. I never really got into it and didn't like how obvious the twist(s) were. This felt like a YA without a YA tag. It just wasn't for me. But, the world of the novel has promise. It could be so interesting, if only it had all played out differently (broadened our scope - there are more factions in this world. How cool would it have been to team up with one of the Weeping Lady's chosen ones?). A lot of potential, but this one fell flat for me.

“You were the worst of the worst and I loved you anyway”

I was initially confused because I thought that book was a new adult book and we spend several chapters at the start with an 11 year old. For me, the start was slow but the pace started to pick up around chapter 8 or so. The pacing was great for then middle of the book, but the last 20% felt rushed. So much happens in the span of so little reading time and the majority of the side character arcs happen in this time making some of that change feel unbelievable.

Despite that, I enjoyed the book overall and would recommend it to fans of The Hunger Games, The Tournament of Heirs (Amilea Perez), and Crowns of Nyaxia.

Our FMC is motivated by revenge and feels very alone with the exception of her god. She works hard to be the best and distances herself from those around her while she plots to take power for herself.

The book had a strong ending and Wong wrapped things up well. The story feels complete to me with an air of hope for the future.

Tropes/Sub tropes
- Chosen One
- Power of the Gods
- Revenge
- Trials (but not really Games)
- Yearning
- Parent Loss
- Wicked Stepmother

As for the narration: I liked the narrator’s voice, but her pace was quite slow. I wouldn’t avoid listening to her in the future, but she wouldn’t be someone that I seek out intentionally to listen to in the future.

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong
US Release Date: 08.05.2025
Publisher: Harper Voyager

House of the Beast is a stand-alone, single-POV dark fantasy with very light romance and a lot of action. This book is dark, violent and emotionally charged, but has such tender, thoughtful moments throughout. The author does an excellent job creating a gothic, dark and twisted atmosphere to match an equally intriguing plot. The characters have immense depth: Alma is a dangerous, strong, and complicated heroine and her imaginary friend / love interest Aster is chaotic evil to the core. I loved their dynamic and couldn’t get enough of their interactions. The story is equally character and plot driven, and the pacing is medium.

I knew within the first five chapters of House of the Beast that it was going to be one of my favorites of the year, and by the end I wanted to scream its title from my rooftop. This is everything that I want in a coming-of-age, dark fantasy. It explores heavy themes of grief, sacrifice and loneliness with absolute grace, while also treating the reader to intense action, suspense and even a little forbidden love. I enjoyed every single minute of this.

Thank you Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC! Opinions are my own. As always, check trigger warnings before diving in!

5 ⭐️
🫑

It’s been a while since I’ve felt a profound sense of loss after finishing a book. “House of the Beast” by Michelle Wong transports you to a dark and captivating world of revengeful gods, political intrigue, toxic relationships, and a unique magic system.

The story follows Alma, a bastard child of one of the four powerful and god-blessed families, House Avera. Her early years were filled with happiness yet loneliness, as she was ONLY loved and cared for by her mother until her illness. Desperate to save her mother, Alma agrees to live with her stoic, cruel father and becomes a vessel for their god, the Dreaded Beast. However, she soon discovers that her father didn’t fulfill his end of their deal, and her mother passes away. As Alma grieves, the “beast” presents himself to her, appearing as her childhood imaginary friend. She names him Aster and he promises her everything she never had—safety, power, freedom, and love—and offers her revenge against her father. This is where the story truly takes off and draws you in.

The relationship between Alma and Aster is toxic, very toxic. Both characters are flawed and co-dependent, but their love for each other is undeniable. Alma reminds me of Katara, a strong and compassionate character. While her upbringing left her isolated and lonely, it didn’t diminish her humanity. Which led Alma’s battle with cognitive dissonance. Similarly, Aster’s character is reminiscent of Peter Pan + Zuko, a childlike and possessive individual who is also vengeful, powerful, and incredibly swoon-worthy 😍 It’s hard to hate him, especially during their tender moments together and given the fact, he would have no qualms about burning the world down for her.
Am I the drama?!

*side note: Zuko & Katara will forever go down as the #1 couple we all deserved **

However, while Alma and Aster share a deep bond and love for each other, the romance is subtle, and there’s ZERO spice. Not even a hint of it. But that’s okay. Trust me, it doesn’t diminish their connection. Oh but, the yearning and tension between them had me kicking and screaming.

The rest of the story is equally dark and complex, featuring other equally flawed and intricate side characters. The gods and characters are cruel, unforgiving, and driven by power. The creatures and trials are horrifying and gruesome, and the pacing is fast-paced, full of action and bloodlust. I highly recommend checking out the TW/CW.

Now, let’s talk about the illustrations. Michelle did them herself! 💕

As for the ending, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. I finally settled on grief. You knew it was coming, but it didn’t make the emotional turmoil and heartbreak any easier. Not only it was the ending, but how Michelle wrote it. Her descriptive and lyrical writing ensured that you felt the heartbreak and grief of her characters, which only intensified my own feelings.

And on top of that, Jeanne Syquia’s narration and the heartbreak in her own voice had me spiraling. She did an incredible job.

Her narration easily earns a 5⭐️.

If you’re seeking a riveting, action-packed, dark fantasy with morally flawed characters that will challenge your own moral compass, then I highly recommend this book.

“Alma,” he said, coming to take my hand again. “Nothing inside can hurt you. It’s just me. I’ll make sure you don’t have to be afraid of anything else, ever again.”

“We always knew that this path would be paved in blood, and we set out on it anyway. Remember why you’re here. If you give up now, all those deaths would have been for nothing. We can’t cower from it. We can’t stop until everything is finished.”

“…..You were the worst of the worst, Alma, and I loved you anyway.”

“We don’t kill anyone unless we have no other choice. A strange request to make of the god of death, but I will accept your terms, only because you’re the one asking me.”

It was too hard for me to pick one favorite quote, too hard to pick two…so I narrowed it down to four and even then, I feel like I’m gatekeeping Michelle’s beautiful words.

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager & HarperAudio
& NetGalley for my gifted advanced book and audio copy 💕

All my reviews are my own opinion.

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong is a standalone. This book is the pilar of books like One dark window or The night and the moth, way more elevated and so much more. As much as I would say this could fit in a romantasy in the same time it doesn't. This book is a shrine to strong FMCs, and amazing storytelling, with brilliant world building. The story doesn't shy away from blood and gore. I feel that if fantasy, romance and manga had a dark baby it would be this book.

The world is lush, addictive with an amazing culture, religion, and society. We get to see how the poor lives as well the aristocracy. We get to experience how each character in this book is either morally grey or straight up evil. Michell is brilliant with the amount of detail she pored into this book from the world, to the lore and in each of her characters.

The FMC is a delight, from a child who will do anything to save her mom to an amazing revenge path that will take her to the highest places. She is strong, smart and brave. The MMC I will leave that for you to discover.

This book is on the dark side, it doesn't fit the mold and it doesn't compromise for the sake of romance! This is a book I will recommend if you are a dark fantasy reader and you love to live in your villain era!

Audiobook: this book is performed by Jeanne Syquia, who has not only nailed the challenge but brings so much to the table and brilliantly single handed each character with prediction and accuracy!
This is a book that I won't stop recommending and it will live rent free in my head 24/7! Thank you so much for the opportunity to have access to this ALC!

House of the Beast Review
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Production: Jeanne Syquia did an amazing job with her narration of this story. Her tone, inflections, depth of her voice made every character haunting and mysterious. I felt the cold, dampness of the environment and felt connected to the story in a new way.
Story: Dark, atmospheric, gothic. The images in my mind of the monster, Xander, Alma, every character feels very Tim Burton. I could hear the metal creaks of the robotic limbs, the laughs and snickers of Alma’s classmates - SO well written. The story itself was fantastical and creepy. Nightmares and ghosts, Alma’s unlikable but also with an underdog story arc. Ah!! I had whiplash over how often my feelings for her changed throughout the story. I would love to know more of the marriage and demise of the relationship between Xander and Alma’s mother. Finally, THAT ENDING!!!! I was shocked and devastated then hopeful and then sad-ALL the emotions. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

Michelle Wong’s debut novel, House of the Beast, is a dark fantasy tour de force that translates beautifully into audio. Narrated by Jeanne Syquia, the audiobook captures the haunting intimacy and gothic atmosphere of Wong’s prose with chilling precision.

Alma, a bastard daughter of the aristocratic House Avera, sacrifices her arm to the Dread Beast in a desperate bid to save her dying mother. Her mother dies anyway, leaving Alma bound to a god of death and vengeance. The story follows Alma’s journey through divine politics, psychological torment, and a twisted relationship with Aster—a beautiful, eldritch being who may be her god, her hallucination, or both.

The narrator, Jeanne Syquia delivers a performance that’s both lyrical and unsettling, perfectly matching the novel’s eerie tone. The audio format enhances the novel’s horror elements—especially scenes involving divine rituals, body horror, and Alma’s descent into madness. While the print edition features Wong’s own artwork, the audiobook compensates with immersive sound design and pacing that evoke those visuals in the listener’s mind.

Wong doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. Her portrayal of Alma’s relationship with Aster is disturbingly intimate, challenging the romantic tropes often found in fantasy. The gods in this world are not benevolent—they’re petty, cruel, and terrifyingly human.

If you’re drawn to morally complex fantasy with emotional depth and a touch of horror, this audiobook is a must-listen. Think The Poppy War meets Mexican Gothic, with a dash of The Legend of Korra’s visual flair—only darker.

Publication date August 4, 2025

Thank you Harper Audio, Michelle Wong and NetGalley for this ALC.

Alma has spent a lonely life where she created a boy to be her friend. When her mother falls ill she reaches out to her father for help. After striking a deal with him to get her mother's care she leaves and her life is forever changed. After a betrayal Alma finds out that the imaginary boy is in fact a God and real. She strikes a deal with him for vengeance.

This plot was really good! I loved that even though Alma seeks vengeance along the way she doesn't want to hurt anyone and finds herself capable of finding trust. However, there's twists and moments I felt a little shook. I thought the ending was perfect.

The narration was also fantastic.

Thank you Harper voyager and Hachett audio for the gifted copies.

4.5!! ngl I’d already read this book but decided to give the audiobook a shot for a reread and I’ve gotta say, zero regrets. I actually ended up loving it even more the second time around. The narrators were great and the whole immersive vibe made the story feel even more atmospheric.

House of the Beast by Michelle Wong was a deliciously eerie read that kept me turning pages late into the night. With gothic vibes, morally gray characters, and a haunting mansion setting, this book delivered on atmosphere and suspense.

The writing was immersive, the tension palpable, and while a few plot points left me with lingering questions, I was hooked from start to finish. 10/10 recommend!

4.5 🌟 rounded up
🫑 0 on the spice scale

Thank you, Harper Voyager & NetGalley for the advance reader audiobook! This was my first book from this auther, and it did not disappoint.

What did I love about this book? Deadly trials, feuding families, monsters, alternate parallel universe. The writing was well paced & easy to follow. The world was well-built & characters well-developed. The storyline felt like nothing I had read before & made me feel all the feels for our fmc.

This is a great story all by itself, no need of a continuation. Alma the protagonist has to seek her father’s help in order to save her mother. However, this brings a series of events that will mark her forever! Her father takes her away to a new city, he takes away her arm, begins training as one of the beasts chosen, and then discovers her mother died. Nothing she had sacrificed could bring her mother back, however the beast talks to her and encourages her revenge against her father. Years later and after a lot of training she not only has to face her father in the ultimate trail, but she will have to face the monster she let fester inside of her. This was a refreshing story that not only tells about the path Alma took for revenge and how the beast advantage of her hate, however love of her mother and friends help bring her to the light. Loved the way Michelle Wong build a world that was similar to our world but still different. However there was a part I did not understand and that was the mention of TV and Radio, it did not matched the world building that this story had created in my head.

𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
Now this book had my attention from the first chapter. In chapter 1, I knew this was going to be a good book to me! But, most importantly, I love how the author did not attempt to drag this story out and make it into multiple books! I applaud you, dear author Michelle Wong, for that! Because I just felt in my spirit that this book would end on a cliffhanger, while it doesn't!
This isn't your convenience romance, the chemistry between Alma and Aster. If you enjoy anime and watched Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, this book will give you those vibes!

The audiobook is narrated by Jeanne Syquia. She did a good job telling the story and giving the characters depth! She was easy to listen to and also understand. I listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Harper Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was an absolutely stellar debut! House of the Beast definitely delivered on the dark, atmospheric fantasy novel that was promised!

The book was dark and broody and had definite Full Metal Alchemist vibes. Alma, a bastard taken in my her father and his family, is roughly initiated into the family when her arm is sacrificed to the Dread Beast. She is shunned and kept cloistered away from everyone except her imaginary friend, Aster. He’s been there her whole life. So imagine her surprise when she discovers that HE is the Dread Beast and he pushes her to seek revenge on her family! She spends the next 8 years training for the day when she can venture to the Umbral Gate and take revenge on her father.

I loved the journey Alma took from shunned bastard could to bad-ass in her own right. While having Aster at her side probably helped in some capacity it was satisfying to read that she knew how to fight on her own without him. Her character was so interesting - an orphan who wanted to make her late mum proud but also a vessel who wanted to please their elder god. Alma grappled between appeasing her his and her conscience and it made for a delightfully well rounded character.

I kinda appreciated that there was basically no romance to this book. Alma and Aster’s relationship, while super codependent, was good how it was and I think not adding a romance subplot was definitely the move.

I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic. The narrator does such a great job of reading the various scenes and characters. I’d definitely listen to her narration again!

If you want an FMA fantasy where the main character is bent on revenge then pick up this book!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, HarperAudio and HarperVoyager for providing me with an eARC and advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

This is your debut novel?!?!?! I can't wait to see what else you come up with.

I received an audio copy to review (shout out to NetGalley). This is a 17 hour audiobook and yet somehow I was locked in throughout the whole thing. The descriptions in this story had me easily painting the scenes in my head. I feel like the narrators voice fits the main character really well. During the prologue I was like wait the character is 11 why does she sound like a grown woman? Fast foward to 'part one' and she's 19 and it makes more sense.

Other than the imagery I enjoyed the character development, the found family, the queer inclusivity, the 'fuck the man' vibes. I also really appreciate that it was all in one book and now broken up into a duology. Like yes it's a long book but it's totally worth it.