This is right. up. my. alley. and I am so happy that I finally got an ARC of a Tor book, since I love their stuff. This was an incredibly fast read because of how I never wanted to put it down, so I read it in two gulps (appropriate for a book with so much focus on devouring!). The premise and bits of world building were truly unique, and fleshed out without being overly explained or justified, which I liked. Everything just was, and it felt natural within the world of the book even in all of its strangeness. The author did a wonderful job of humanizing Anatema and her emotions while also leaning into and embracing the non-human aspects; you never forget that she is something other, which could be disturbing or delightful. And yet, despite all of the strangeness, the story still touches on a keenly human experience: the fearful joy of being seen.

A wonderful book for fans of Someone You Can Build a Nest In, or anyone who is charmed by weirdness, delighted by interspecies sapphic romance, not afraid of spiders, and open to a little devouring.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘬𝘦𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳, 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳, 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳:
𝘏𝘐𝘙𝘌 𝘈 𝘕𝘌𝘞 𝘒𝘌𝘌𝘗𝘌𝘙 𝘖𝘍 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘒𝘌𝘠𝘚; 𝘜𝘙𝘎𝘌𝘕𝘛; 𝘉𝘌𝘍𝘖𝘙𝘌 𝘋𝘈𝘞𝘕.”

This was my first monster romance and I am obsessed. I was already a tarantula lover (having many in the past) and to see their beauty depicted in such a fun and whimsical yet terrifying way was so refreshing. The imagery and character development provided in the short 119 pages is extremely impressive. I felt like I was right there with the main character and adored her view on life and people.

The underlying message in this book is such an important reminder to us all and I won’t spoil it because the journey to get there can only be found in reading this beautiful book. Overall, I adored this book so much and can't wait to read more from this author.

“𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓂𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝓇𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉.”

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, NetGalley and the author for providing this ARC in return for my honest review.

Your mileage is going to vary a bit with this one. If the deepest you’ve ever delved into the realm of monsterfucking is, I don’t know, Twilight, then you’re likely to be a little icked out by parts of this delightfully oddball novella about a poorly socialised young woman falling for her spider-monster boss. On the other hand, if you’re familiar with the kind of self-pubbed queer SFF that gave us the Machine Mandate series, you’re likely to look over the rim of your glasses at this one, unimpressed. ‘Not too bold’, indeed!

Which is to say: Pueyo coyly goes close enough to the line to make the pearl-clutchers pearl-clutch, but does not actually give us sapphic spider-monster sex, presumably because trad publishing space is full of cowards. Pfft!

That aside, But Not Too Bold is – I’m going to call it pastel goth with teeth: kind of sweet and adorable, if you can get past the fact that the spider-monster boss eats her brides and sometimes her staff. The tone is weirdly cute; the bright pink cover is very appropriate, for all that our main character is vaguely investigating a murder while eating deep-fried tarantulas.

Pueyo has crafted a mythology around the Archaic Ones, ancient monsters with strange, magical abilities. The Lady of Capricious House, Anatema, is one such, an enormous spider-like creature who regularly marries human women, but always ends up eating them in a very Bluebeard-esque setup. Dália, raised from childhood to be the Lady’s next Keeper of the Keys, is more fascinated than afraid or horrified by Anatema’s monstrousness. SOMEONE was dumb enough to steal from the Lady, and Dália’s investigation reminded me of a young kid with a new game – it’s not taken terribly seriously, and felt like it was there to give the novella a framework, not because the story is actually about that.

It’s fun. It’s cosy horror! It’s as boundary-pushing as trad-pub generally gets. But the only thing likely to stay with me is how apt the title is – this book simply isn’t bold enough.

3.5 stars

This book was weird but I think it could have been weirder.

This story follows Dalia who is the new keeper of the keys in a strange estate own by a giant spider woman. The estate is run almost like a hotel but the third floor is off limits and Madam Anathema hides her face from her staff. Only occasionally exposing her true form to her brides who she is known to eat after they shy from her in terror. She treasures the memory of these brides and has keepsakes for each one, when an item from her last bride is stolen she blames the previous keeper of keys and Dalia steps into the position. The main plot involves a brief mystery to solve the theft and a growing closeness between Dalia and the Madam. I really enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere really reminded me of a stop motion picture directed by Tim Burton or Henry Selick. It was weird but I think it should have been a little weirder, it almost shied away from the craziness when it could have been leaning in a touch more. Regardless, a quick, compulsive read that I would recommend if you're in the mood for something odd and sapphic.

Do not recommend if you have arachnophobia!

Publishing: February 11, 2025
Length: 112 pages
Genre: Monster romance
Translated from the original Portuguese by the author

I want to thank @tordotcompub and @torbooks for providing an ARC via NetGalley. It was my very first approved request so I'm quite chuffed.

This is a novella about a servant in Capricious House, a mansion ruled by the enigmatic Anatema, a giant humanoid spider (this is not the book for arachnophobes!). I was under the (mistaken) impression that this was Gothic horror. There are elements of that, but I agree with reviewers who label this as Monster Romance. There is a definite Bluebeard vibe - Anatema always eats her brides - but here the arachnid Bluebeard is the love interest. And, yes, there is a giant spider-human woman smut scene.

The things I liked: a Wes Anderson Meets Guillermo Del Toro setting of a spotlessly run mansion crawling with tarantulas; tantalizing hints of a wider mythology about the Archaic Ones (like Anatema), monstrous creatures "as old as the world itself"; the mystery surrounding who stole Anatema's precious object; the theme about the craving to be seen (not just looked at) and being accepted completely by another.

Unfortunately, it turns out that I'm not a fan of Monster Romance. Not because Anatema is a giant spider - that does not bother me - but because she is a literal monster; a serial killer, eating bride after bride for years - probably for even decades or centuries. For the same reason, I never got onboard with Damon Salvatore as a love interest in Vampire Diaries. But if that doesn't bother you, this is worth a read - it can easily be devoured in one sitting.

The Shape of Water with a touch of Mexican Gothic in this gothic sapphic monster romance. There is a house where an archaic humanoid spider god lives... she has a taste for laudanum and eating her human brides. The house has servants, but specifically a keeper of keys, the one person who's sole duty is to attend to Anatema, the humanoid spider, and to make sure that all the memories are locked and unlocked whenever Anatema needs them to be. When the old keeper dies and Anatema has eaten her, its up to the keeper's protégée, Dália, must step up and fill the position. Dália has to figure out who was behind the stolen memories that lead to her mentor's death... all the while trying to survive long enough in her position under Anatema. Anatema is an old god prone to eating people if they displease her... and she has a taste for beautiful woman... constantly devouring every single bride she has. Dália and Anatema begin a unique relationship as they see each other truly all the while trying to find out who has stolen memories from Anatema.... but will Dália live long enough to find the truth? This was such a fantastic gothic sapphic monster romance with a murder mystery at the heart of it. I found myself completely drawn into the world and the unique house that Dália worked in. The relationship between Dália and Anatema was so well done and despite this being a short novella, it fully fleshes out the relationship and grabs your attention and ends in a perfect way. Truly, I had so much fun reading this and would absolutely recommend it!

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Tordotcom for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you NetGalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
My review is my true and honest thoughts and opinions with no outside influence.

When my partner asked me to describe what I was reading I said “lesbian spider lady owns a hotel and eats her lovers”. This is a true and accurate summery.
This was a super fun journey that felt very surreal, very gothic, very strange, very weird. There’s some thriller, some mystery, some romance. It’s a nice sampler of things. Some could say it’s a sample of monster erotica. If the almost spicy scenes excite you, and you find yourself disappointed there’s not more detail, then monster erotica may be for you.
However to be clear this is NOT monster erotica. This is a sapphic novella about a spider lady. It’s a super cute, quick, and fun read. I really enjoyed this one.

Again thank you to NetGalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I loved this short little book. It reminded me a bit of Gormenghast: gothic, strange, compelling.

Daria is the Keeper of the Keys in an isolated and beautiful estate. The owner of the estate is an Archiac One, which is an old monster/creature from when the world began. It sounds bizarre, but everything fits together in a way that makes sense.

I really liked the message of the story, and I loved the setting and the characters.

I had heard interesting buzz about this title and it piqued my interest. It's about a girl, Dália, who is kind of 'in training' as a new keeper of the keys because her predecessor is gone. The house where she is has a creature, a kind of spider woman who is dangerous. I liked the Guillermo del Toro vibes that this novel started off with, most like "Pan's Labyrinth." The spider woman creature has these drawers that contain memories of all the brides she has consumed before, and Dália has to be very careful with them to make sure she doesn't end up as the next victim. When the spider woman communicates, it's in text that seems like someone is reading from a Ouija board, which makes the exchanges with her more interesting. The author definitely keeps the reader guessing until the final reveal.

Spooky, quirky and deliciously strange in the best way! Hache Pueyo writes with such detail and elegance, not a word is wasted.
Gothic horror, meets sapphic monster romance, making this novella a captivating fun and fast read.

Read this if you liked: The Shape of Water, James and the Giant Peach, Mexican Gothic.

🕷 Am I glad I read it? I had so much fun with this book. The story kicks off with the theft of a memory of Anatema’s last bride, and solving that mystery makes up the main plot beats. But it’s the delightfully weird, creepy world of strict rules, lush food, and wild riches of Capricious House—and its monstrous owner—where the book shines. It reads like a fever dream of the acid drop variety.

It’s got something of a Bluebeard set-up, with Anatema eating a long line of brides, who only last a few weeks at best, when they break her one inviolable rule: do not look at her. To that end, this is really a story about the terror of being perceived and the satisfaction of unexpectedly finding someone who sees you.

A macabre, almost charming quick lil treat about the most monstrous of women and her new—ahem—wife.

Between Lee Mandelo’s The Woods All Black and this one, I’m eager for more monster lovin’ books from Tordotcom.

🕷 Rating: 👍🏼👍🏼 (really liked)

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor for the advance copy of this title!

But Not Too Bold is a sapphic monster novella following Dalia, the newest Keeper of the Keys. Dalia serves Anatema, an Archaic One with a body that resembles a giant humanoid spider . She has roamed the Earth for centuries before settling down at the Capricious House- where she dines on laudanum and brides. Dalia holds the keys to Anatema’s drawers full of memories. The last Keeper had been eaten due to a stolen memory and Dalia must solve the crime before she, too, is another meal for the monster.

I would have easily devoured another 300 pages of this story if it had been there. However, the story did feel complete. It was rich with detail and easily conveyed each moment so succinctly. I instantly loved Dalia and was incredibly intrigued with her story, her life, and how she found herself in such a position.

The small downfall of the shortness of this novella is that it was fairly easy to predict who the culprit was and why. However, this did not hinder the joy of reading through this beautifully woven story. I would have loved to have known more about Anatema’s life and the other Archaic Ones. There is some mention of it, but I would have loved to hear the world this book hints at. This has opened a door to Mexican Gothic books and I am so excited to read more in this genre and more by Hache Pueyo.

Anyone that loves a non spicy, sapphic monster novella, with a Mexican Gothic setting will absolutely love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read this early!

Our library doesn't tend to acquire novellas, but this was so unique. The descriptions were lush and vivid. It balanced the horror and the romance so well, as we watch our protagonist and her employer - a giant spider woman who keeps eating her brides - fall in love. The brief tryst with the majordomo seems to come out of nowhere and felt completely unnecessary, but other than that one brief scene, I really liked this.

Title/Author: But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

Page Count: 128

Publisher: Tor Dot Com

Format: ARC/Netgalley/ebook

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: First time reading

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9781250376633

Release Date: Feb 11th, 2025

General Genre: BISAC Categories: Fantasy - Dark Fantasy - Romantic - Gothic - LGBT - Lesbian

Sub-Genre/Themes: sapphic monster romance novella/gothic fantasy/spiders/humanoids/brides-marriage

Writing Style: Speculative

What You Need to Know: The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House⁠--Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides. Dália, the old keeper's protégée, must take up her duties. But there's a gaping hole in Dália's plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.

My Reading Experience: This was very strange, borderline bizarre. I thought about not finishing a few times, it just didn't feel like I was the audience but there was a little nugget of interest that kept me invested. I couldn't let go. The spider stuff, all the tarantulas...I skimmed over. Characters are eating them or handling them, I don't know. I didn't want those visuals floating around in my brain before bedtime--I have enough spider nightmares.
The monster, Anatema, is a spider-like human. The author describes her features and movements in detail, it's quite alarming and fascinating. There is a bit of fantasy and whimsy that reminds me of Coraline/James and the Giant Peach...I could see this book in the same stop-motion animation. The ending was great.

Final Recommendation: I would recommend this to readers who enjoy reading something different and peculiar. I liked imagining this in stop-motion animation, vibrant and colorful. It's the only way to imagine the spider lady! There's an audience for this book so I hope it finds its people!

Comps: The Ocean at the End of the Lane/Coraline (not recommending Neil Gaiman right now, but it's great to know we have some alternatives to that kind of storytelling) James and the Giant Peach, The Shape of Water. Eric LaRocca's We Will Never Leave This Place

I can't believe I chose this for my first (sapphic AND gothic) monster romance - there is a sex dream about a tarantula that will hunt me till my last day - but, spiders aside, Hache Pueyo’s narration is so effortless and captivating I’d likely read it again.

Thanks to Tor Publishing Group, Tordotcom and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Dália has been summoned to assume the role of keeper of the keys of Capricious House. She knows this can only mean that her mentor Matilde is dead. Now, it’s Dália’s duty to ascend to the eerie third floor and serve Lady Anatema—a colossal humanoid spider with a reputation for devouring her brides... and, it seems, her previous keeper of the keys.

Anatema believes there is a thief in her house. Someone has stolen one of the precious memories she wove of one of her brides. Dália, as the only one with access to the locked cabinet where they’re stored, must find the culprit. If she fails, Anatema will likely eat her too. But her mistress cannot resist a beautiful woman such as Dália. Unfortunately, those women also meet the same fate...

But Not Too Bold is a lush, gothic, sapphic monster romance novella with a dash of investigative legwork and plenty of macabre charm. Its extravagant, weirdly wonderful world—complete with a tarantula-filled estate and decadently creepy vibes—is perfect for readers seeking something delightfully offbeat. At novella length, it’s a quick, satisfying read that lingers in your imagination long after the final page

Highly recommended for fans of monster romances that dare to be both gorgeously strange and extravagantly beautiful.

Wow. This is not a book I would have picked up on my own but I am SO grateful to the publisher for sending it to me because I LOVED it. WOW. The interactions and relationship between Anatema and Dalia are probably my favorite romance I’ve ever read and I don’t say that lightly.

A fun, weird mystery. Loved Anatema!

Thanks to Tor for providing an advanced digital copy through NetGalley for me to review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Giving this a 4.5

Saying I loved this is weird. But I did. This book was so odd and I had so much fun reading it. I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go and it threw me for a loop there near the end. How much romance can we get with a woman being seduced by a giant spider? You’d be surprised. Also this whole world was so odd. They’d say things in such a serious way and I’d be confused. I didn’t clock this as a novella until I started reading but there is just enough story to make it feel like a full novel.

This is one of the cutest monster romances I've ever read. Creepy, gothic and vibey, we follow the keeper of the keys, as she tries to stay alive in a house full of spiders, while doing the mistress of the house's bidding, and solving the crime of a stolen memory.