First thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the arc.

Edira lives a life in disguise, she is threadmender, with the power to heal others but at the cost of her own life. But with "Blight" infecting the land and people, staying hidden is no longer an option for Edira. Found out by the most powerful and head of the Fernglove family, Orin. Orin is as kind as he is handsome (and he's really handsome). But can Edira trust him? Or the rest of the hostile Fernglove family?

Martineau has written a feast for the imagination, this book has such beautiful imagery that its easy to feel immersed in this new fantasy world. She painted with words so vividly, its beautiful to read. Not mention the twisting and turning dark plot.

From the very first page we are thrown into a Edira's life and her desperate situation. At first it seems to a be leading us down standard formula in fantasy books, but Martineau has tricks hidden up her sleeve, behind all the dark glamour of the Ferngloves so many secrets await to be revealed.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7453037753

This was such a surprising read and I enjoyed it so much! This story follows our main character, Edira, who has magical powers — she can heal people but each time she uses this incredible magic, it takes a bit from her own life. If you like a strong and determined female main character then Edira is your girl! There is a blight that has no cure and it has taken away so much from Edira. When her brothers catch the blight she is prepared to use her magic to heal them. But the Fernglove family finds out about her power and convinces her to (under certain circumstances) work for them, at their home, to research and find a cure for the blight. The Ferngloves are what we would normally call faeries but this author puts her own little spin on things. The magic system is very interesting but I felt like it needed a bit of work, which I’m assuming will happen in the books that follow this one. Up until this point I felt that the book was a little slow but it does pick up the pace once she is at the Fernglove house. This family is very dysfunctional and intense. The story starts developing more and more and we see some interesting happenings and come across some individuals with motives to uncover. There is a bit of a romantic subplot which adds a tiny bit of depth to the story but I hope we see more of this in coming books. There was a twist that I did kind of see coming but I was enjoying the story enough that it didn’t bother me. The ending wasn’t a super crazy cliffhanger which I consider a good thing! It was just enough to keep the reader interested in future books! Overall, I definitely recommend giving this book a chance!

Thank you so much to Harper Voyager & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

House of Blight is a dark, atmospheric, and utterly immersive read that pulls you into a world where power is a dangerous game and secrets lurk in every shadow. Maxym M. Martineau delivers a story that blends gothic horror with fantasy, crafting a tale that’s as haunting as it is compelling.

The worldbuilding is rich and eerie, with a setting that feels alive—twisting corridors, cursed bloodlines, and a creeping sense of dread that never fully fades. The protagonist is complex and flawed, struggling against forces both external and internal, and the side characters are just as layered, each with their own motives and mysteries.

The pacing is deliberate, with the first half leaning heavily on tension-building and intrigue before things really kick into gear. While this slow burn pays off in emotional depth, there are moments where it feels like the plot could move just a touch faster. However, the payoff is worth it, with a climax that delivers both thrills and gut punches.

If you love dark fantasy with morally gray characters, eerie family legacies, and just the right amount of gothic horror, House of Blight is absolutely worth the read. It’s not a light book, but it is a beautifully written, immersive one that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

This book was an absolute page-turner!

Our FMC, Edira, is a Threadmender—gifted with the ability to heal others, though at the cost of her own life threads. When her brothers contract the blight—a horrific flesh-eating disease—she has no choice but to strike a deal with the powerful Fernglove family. And so, her journey begins.

Set in a hauntingly gothic castle where nothing is as it seems, the story weaves together tension, forced proximity, betrayal, and long-buried secrets threatening to tear families apart. The prettiest faces? Not so pretty once the magic fades.

Bottom line: Trust no one.

Thank you @uplitreads @netgalley @harpervoyagerus #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

House of Blight was such a splendid surprise by this first time for me author Maxym M. Martineau. I absolutely loved this one! I am always amazed at how unique and fascinating some authors stories are and this one was one of those! This is set in a magical land where our main character Edira has special abilities that heal people quickly. That sounds like a great thing however when she uses her powers to heal people she herself loses time off her own life. Eek! 😬 There is a virus called Blight that is sweeping the land and Edira is on the job to save people since she’s a threadmender. Edira is invited to the Fernglove family’s manor to learn how to tame her skills and also to try and help her brother who has caught blight. This is where the drama and tension starts to develop because naturally there are two brothers Orin and Rorik and things aren’t a walk in the park. 👀

I love finding new authors that knock it out of the park and this one made my heart so happy! I have been on a romantasy hunt lately and this one definitely satisfied my itch! I loved how high the stakes were with her healing and losing herself each time and of course the fact that she needed to save her brothers! The sense of urgency made this book that much more intense and kept me flipping pages as quickly as I could. The romance was definitely stabby at the start but ended up being incredible. I am super pumped this is a duology and will definitely be looking for the next book. If you’re looking for a gothic fantasy in an atmospheric and magical environment this one is not to be missed. I cannot say enough positive things about this book!

The writing in this was incredible, the author created the best atmosphere in this novel. However I disliked being in the head of the frustratingly naive main character.

I finished this book and immediately wanted to reread, so aka a five star read for me!
House of Blight is going to be part of a duology and with the way this book left me hanging, I’m going to need the next one soon! The world building and magic system was easy to follow and learn and the book as a whole had such good gothic romantasy vibes. The way the author described the blight was too good, I could visualize and smell how truly awful it was. Edira(fmc) was smart and fierce and I can’t imagine having the ability to heal but it costs you bits of your life. Like Edira, I couldn’t figure out which character to trust and who to choose! The slow burn between certain characters was so fun to read and the last few chapters of the book I couldn’t stop reading!!
I need a Ywena and insect daddy!!

Thank you to the Nerdfam, Harper Voyager US and Maxym M. Martineau for the eARC

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau is a first person dual-POV dark fantasy romance. Edira is a threadmender, a healer who sacrifices part of her life when she uses her powers. When her powers are discovered and her brothers contact the blight, a deadly illness spreading through the land, the powerful Fernglove family take her in and promise to help her find a cure. But they have their own agenda.

The Fernglove family who descended from the very first Ever were a glamor that hides their magic and less human qualities. There is a vague monsterlover aspect though it’s something that probably could be ignored for the most part if a reader isn’t into that. The non-human characteristics don’t show up very often in this book (I hope they show up more in the next book) and it’s mostly in tails and horns rather than scales or fur. I think if a reader isn’t super into monsterlover romance but is into werewolves and vampires, this veers closer to the latter than the former.

There is a love triangle of sorts between Orin, who brings Erida into the manor and offers to help her, and Rorik, who is Orin’s brother. Orin is sweet and kind and seems to genuinely want to help Erida while Rorik is a bit of a jerk who very openly flirts with Erida and is more overtly sexual. While Erida is quite charmed by Orin and pushes herself to keep choosing him, she can’t push Rorik from her thoughts entirely. A lot of the romance language is centered around Rorik and he definitely fits the ‘jerk with a heart of gold’ trope while Orin is a bit of a walking red flag.

I’m a big fan of interesting magic systems and I liked this magic system a lot. The original Ever who could wield fire bathed in flames until its magic became part of her and the first Ever basically interested magical artifacts into her skin. I hope the second book explores this even more because I want to know the limitations of Erida’s powers as a threadmender/healer vs the powers of the Evers, because I feel like there must be at least some overlap.

I would recommend this to fans of darker fantasy with a romance plot and readers who love Romantasy with love triangles and brothers competing for the main character

I love a good gothic read and House of Blight was atmospheric in the best way. I also found the magic system that Martineau built to be fascinating especially, Edira’s powers. Edira is a threadmender and can “mend” the soul threads of those in need. However, this magic comes at a price. It’s an even bigger price when she gets caught by the Fernglove family and has to work for them. The good news for readers is that the Fernglove family is fascinating. I loved seeing how Edira interacted with each individual member. There’s also romance in this story, but it’s not as straightforward as it initially seems. This was great for me because I was rooting for a certain character the whole time. I will say, though, an “insect daddy” is a first for me. As someone who really hates bugs, it took me a bit to adjust to that. Ywena, though, was the real winner for me. I love an adorable sidekick, and Ywena definitely meets that. In terms of plot, the story started a little slow for me. However, it quickly picks up with twists and turns. Some of the twists were more predictable than others, but it was still enjoyable to see how Martineau carried out the twist. I combo read this via ebook and audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Alexandra Hunter and Stephen Dexter. Hunter definitely carries the bulk of the narration in this installment, but I’m hoping we get more of Dexter in book two. They both did so well. There was plenty of energy and emotion. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the ebook or audiobook. I’m excited to see where book two goes.

Such a lovely little surprise of a novel. I genuinely enjoyed the world through Edira's eyes. She's a little clueless sometimes, but she doesn't constantly underestimate herself (I've recently been battered by an onslaught of low self esteem female POVs). The characters are interesting and mysterious. The magic being held together by these not quite so immortal beings is enchanting and the world building doesn't go too large or too small. I'm excited to see where the chronicles take us. I might even go read her Beast Charmer series.

Also can we talk about how sexy and romantasy coded the authors name Maxym M Martineau feels?

Appreciation to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for access to this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

I’m not even sure how to start this review except to say holy wow, oh my goodness. I loved this! I was first sucked in by the cover for this story. It’s a piece of literal art and strikes that eerie, gothic, darkly beautiful vibe to perfection. Once I read the synopsis, I knew I needed to get this in my hands sooner rather than later and let me tell you, it delivered on all my expectations!

As for the story itself, it’s lush with all the elements of Romantasy that we love, and has a depth of plot that pulls you in and holds tight! I liked Edira from the start, as she’s honestly just a good human. She loves her family and does what she can to help her neighbors, even when they sorta kinda don’t really deserve it. As for our love interest(s), the way these characters were written had me highlighting all over the place in my kindle because I was really not sure who the “good guy” was. I also really loved how the various family members are woven in and that again, we don’t really know who Edira can trust.

It is dark and twisty almost from the start with incredible descriptions that really let you “see” the world. The reveals towards the end of the story are beautifully done and were so eloquently written that I found myself having to reread what I had already read to be sure I actually read it right. An author that can catch me off guard or unveil “gotchas” that have actually been staring me in the face since the beginning, but were so perfectly done that I never thought twice about them is automatically added to the “auto read” portion of my TBR.

I cannot thank the team at HarperCollins and the Nerd Fam enough for granting me the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I’ll be anxiously watching for news about the sequel!!

Thank you to the author and to Net Galley for allowing me to read this novel early.
House of Blight is not your average fantasy. It reminded me of an historical fiction novel, just with immortal beings: the Evers (think fae). When our FMC, Edira, loses most of her family to a deadly blight that her healing abilities cannot cure, she agrees to help the Evers find a cure. I enjoyed the development of her character and the nuances of the Ever family. The prologue to this novel hooked me immediately, but at times the rest of the novel moved slowly. I would really have liked more time to see the relationship between Edira and the MMC develop, but hopefully that comes in the future. The ending set up for a sequel, and I will be checking that out when it’s released.

THIS! This is it! Maxym Martineau has single handedly brought back a unique fantasy plot line with a slow burn romance that is going to follow across multiple books. This is what I have been WAITING FOR.

I have absolutely No Notes, nothing negative to say, House of Blight was five stars. I don’t know why I am surprised, considering I fell in love with the Beast Charmer series years ago (dare I say it was ahead of its time).

Maxym Martineau’s writing is captivating, magical, and emotional. I kid you not my heartbeat went OFF with some of the scenes in this book because I was so stressed and invested.

The plot line was perfectly crafted, all of the pieces slowly falling together until the climax. It’s so so hard to find a good adult fantasy/romantasy these days that’s well plotted out, has great characterization and development, AND chemistry between the intended love interest.

I cannot wait to see where this story goes. I’m both grateful for receiving an arc early and devastated now that I have to wait so long for the sequel. I WILL be running to the bookstore to grab a physical copy on release day as this will be placed on my favorites shelf.

Full review to be posted to my socials in the coming days before release. Thank you Harper Voyager!

Maxym's writing was incredibly beautiful, and the story told was just exquisite. I was whisked away to such a whimsical and magical world with a tinge of spookiness. This story was incredibly descriptive, and I loved the vivid images displayed in my mind.
Edira is a threadmender, but that's a secret she's forced to keep to herself. If anyone found out, she'd live the rest of her life working for the Evers, immortal beings. Being a threamender, she has the capability to heal but loses strands of her own life in doing so. Edira's identity is revealed, and she soon faces the sharp tongues of the Evers, and not everything is as it seems.
I was completely enthralled with this story and the secrets that slowly began to unfold. The ending of this had me in a chokehold, and I literally couldn't put this book down until I finished. I knew something fishy was going on, but I didn't expect that kind of betrayal! This was such a unique and refreshing read, and I fell so in love with it. It had all the elements I like in a fantasy and a little slow burn romance. It even may have made me into insect daddy's now.

DNF'd at 28%

I was initially drawn to House of Blight by its intriguing premise—a gothic romantasy with eerie undertones and a unique magic system. However, despite my enthusiasm, I found myself disengaged from the story. While the novel is well-written, it leans heavily on familiar tropes without offering a fresh perspective or a compelling hook to keep me invested.

The atmosphere, which promised a dark and eerie gothic tone, instead felt more like a standard romantasy. The narrative’s progression, particularly Edira’s training sequences, felt predictable, and I struggled to find the tension or originality I had hoped for. Though the book will likely resonate with readers who enjoy traditional romantasy elements, it ultimately didn’t offer enough distinctiveness to hold my interest.

While this wasn’t the right fit for me, I know many readers will appreciate its blend of magic, romance, and intrigue. Fans of Sarah J. Maas who enjoy familiar fantasy beats may find this an enjoyable read.

DNF at 10%. The premise of this book sounded awesome, but I just wasn’t pulled in or invested in the characters or writing style.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️

Wow, just wow. This fairytale esque story is rich in prose, character development and heart wrenching plot lines. I’m not lying when I said this had me by the throat and could not stop reading it.

We follow our FMC as she navigates the complex and often dangerous world of the “Evers.” Coerced into figuring out how to cure the incurable Blight, she rushes against time to save not only her Ever employees but also her brothers. The only family she has left.

In the world of the Evers, all that glitters is absolutely not gold and we watch in real time as Edria figures that out. There are so many reveals (some comfortingly predictable, some so surprising it made me gasp!)

This is absolutely a recommendation. And while I wouldn’t say that it ends on a cliffhanger, it’s definitely unfinished so I am looking forward to the next in the series.

10/10 do your self the absolute favor of reading this

Just finished House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau, and wow… my heart needs a minute. Or maybe a week. This book is dark, magical, and absolutely unrelenting—in the best way. The worldbuilding? Immaculate. It is eerie, and full of that “I-trust-no-one” energy that keeps you on edge. Imagine a world where magic is as beautiful as it is deadly, where every step you take could be your last, and where trusting the wrong person isn’t just a mistake—it’s a death sentence. The Blight is as eerie and dangerous as it sounds, and you can feel the tension crackling through every page. It is a nightmare wrapped in beautiful, deadly magic. The FMC Edira (who I simultaneously want to protect and shake by the shoulders) is thrown into a web of secrets, power plays, and magic that’s as beautiful as it is deadly. And the love interest? Yeah, I’m not okay. The push-and-pull dynamic had me whispering, “just kiss already!” while also being low-key terrified of what would happen if they did. Martineau doesn’t hold back. The betrayals hit like a gut punch, the stakes are sky-high, and the twists? I swear, she wrote them just to watch readers suffer. (I loved every second.).

If you love morally gray chaos, plot twists that punch you in the gut, and characters who make terrible but understandable decisions, pick this up immediately. Just prepare to lose sleep over it. This book is dark, immersive, and absolutely ruthless.

I absolutely adored House of Blight! It sucked me in right from the beginning. Maxym M. Martineau paints such a vivid picture of this fantasy world overrun with a disease called blight. It destroys everything it touches in a rather horrific way, and Martineau does not shy away from the all the disgusting details. I found it really helped immerse me in the story, and it was easy to picture this world, the characters, and the horror that is blight. The magic system was incredibly interesting as well, particularly when it comes to Threadmenders. The idea that healing others comes at a steep price, cutting your own life short by an unknown amount every time, really raises the stakes.

I really enjoyed these characters, even the less savory ones. Edira, Orin, and Rorik were, of course, my favorites, though I’m giving honorable mention to a certain important stag and moth. I really loved the description of the estate, Fernglove, as well. The manor and its grounds were instrumental in crafting the gothic atmosphere of this book.

In short, the vibes of House of Blight are simply immaculate. Think Crimson Peak. I’m so excited for this duology and would highly recommend House of Blight to gothic fantasy lovers everywhere!

Thank you Harper Voyager for the early copy of House of Blight. All opinions are my own!

I think that the marketing for this book is completely correct and people that enjoyed ACOTAR and Fourth Wing will enjoy this book, but I didn't enjoy those series, so this novel didn't work for me.

First what I liked. I like the magic system. I think that it is interesting and that it has enough mystery to hold some surprises in the next book. I like that human use of magic has serious consequences. I liked Edira's relationship with her brothers. We didn't get a lot of it for obvious reasons, but they had a great family dynamic from the very beginning. I truly love the idea that "heartbonds" are a choice and permanent. Again something that could be explored in the next book more deeply.

What I didn't like. The relationships between Edira and all the Evers. I never got any real sense for why she would like Orin. Their flirtation seemed to come out of nowhere and kept going even though they spent very little time together. I thought the chemistry with Rorik was much more fleshed out, but again, they never spent enough time together for me to buy their inevitable coupling. Amalyss and Tasia are flat and uninteresting.

I found the ending predictable which cut the tension out of the entire book. I assumed that the Evers had poisoned her brothers with blight. I knew the gold beetle belonged to Rorik from the moment we met Ywena and there wasn't enough character development to make up for the generic plot.

This book wasn't for me, but I know several people who would love it. I recommend it to those looking for something to fill the gap while they wait for the next SJM or Fourth Wing book.