Incredible. I am obsessed. This story is so unique and interesting. It makes me want a book two. Such a unique magic system. Betrayal, enemies to lovers.

I want to begin, of course, by thanking Maxym M. Martineau + Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
 
Well, this is the fastest I have flown through a book in a long time. I could not put this one down! Martineau's descriptive writing and imagery make the story come to life in a way that kept me consistently wanting to know what came next. I loved following Edira on her journey from her home in Willowfell to Fernglove Manor. The magic of the Ferngloves and their ancestral home is captivating. It never felt like the story was dragging. I invested every step of the way.
 
Edira has become one of my favorite female protagonists! I have seen other FMCs who I just don't end up really rooting for, but I sincerely wanted Edira to succeed. She is so witty. She had me genuinely laughing out loud! She certainly has her slip-ups, but her actions are believable, and she learns from her mistakes. 
 
This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster! I reached a point where I KNEW what was going to happen, yet I still had this lingering hope that things could turn out differently. I went through a parallel emotional experience alongside Edira. It was a gripping reading experience! 
 
As someone who has read her fair share of stories centered around fair folk/aos sidhe/faeries/fae/etc., the Evers of this world are SO Fair Folk Coded™️ with their glamours, magical vows/contracts, immortality, and connection to nature. They are a fresh take on a trope seen so many times. I genuinely loved learning more about them.  
 
I loved the way threadmending magic was explored in the novel. You get a sense of Edira's power and how it comes naturally to her but causes her so much pain; it is truly a blessing and curse. The passages where Edira is threadmending are written beautifully. I loved seeing her learn to master her power. It was so satisfying to see her grow and learn how to use her power to both heal and fight back against those who have wronged her. 
 
The Blight virus was horrific. It was not just a rehash of a typical "plague." I appreciated how Martineau showed its impact on the characters and the world around them.
 
I honestly did not get a Gothic vibe from this novel. It was certainly fantasy/romance, but I did not perceive a particularly haunting atmosphere. This did not have a negative impact on me as I'm not a huge fan of hardcore gothic literature.
 
I personally don't love ACOTAR. Some of the elements I didn't really like in Sarah J. Maas' work did show up in this novel. However, this is a personal, subjective issue, and it did not significantly take away from my reading experience. I think I've just grown tired of a certain kind of relationship dynamic in the stories I read. If you love ACOTAR, I'm sure you will have a blast with House of Blight. Even if you aren't a fan of Maas' work, it is still absolutely worth checking out!
 
Some other drawbacks for me were that gods were constantly referenced, but their role in this world wasn't thoroughly explained. I wish we had more insight into how they interact with these characters. There is a chapter with a POV change that did not add much for me. I wish the romance and deeper feelings were a little more developed between our final main couple. I also felt that the major conflict was resolved a little too quickly, I think it would have been more effective to have it continue into the other installment in the series.
 
I thought House of Blight was a great addition to my October reads. I especially enjoyed the world-building and Edira's characterization. Certain elements did not land for me, but none of them had an immense impact on my enjoyment. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys female protagonists who come into their power, fair folk/faerie-like beings, Big+ Rich + F**ked Up Families, adorable but also kinda scary moths, as well as stories of learning what love is, and, most importantly, what it isn't. Go and check out House of Blight, April 2025!

I genuinely wanted to enjoy *House of Blight*, as the synopsis raised my expectations. The world-building and magic elements were intriguing, but the writing felt overly verbose, leaving me confused on almost every page. I eventually had to stop reading around 40% in because it just didn't suit my tastes.

My Goodreads review:
I really enjoyed this one! Devoured it in a few days. Love the concept of a threadmender (and the name). Decent amount of body horror in the book (expected), so this is your warning if you don’t like that. Curious to see what the second book holds!! Will be reading 🖤

I don't have any notes! Great work.

House of Blight is a masterclass in romantasy writing! The imagery, world building, magic system, and character arcs knocked it out of the park. A perfect 5/5 stars. If you like fantasy stories with Beauty and the Beast elements and/or ACOTAR, you'll devour House of Blight like I did.

Edira comes from a family of healers and has kept her powers a secret for her entire life. When her brothers fall ill with the blight, she is blackmailed by the elite magical family of her town into helping them find a cure in exchange for their lives.

This book was my ideal romantasy cocktail ratio: 70% word building, storytelling, mystery, and epic battle; 20% romance, yearning, and will they-won't they; 10% open-door spice.

I cannot WAIT for the next installment in this series and will be thinking about this book for a while! I also hope it gets picked up for a movie adaptation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC!

I was having a particularly difficult couple of weeks, so I got into this story slower than I normally would've, but I picked it back up today at the 30% mark and I am sitting here now having devoured the entirety of rest of this story in the span of an afternoon.

If you're a fan of the mythology of fae that are anything but etherially beautiful, this book is for you. Though my own start in reading this was slower (that was a me problem), the pacing in this book is divine. It's fast-paced without losing any elegance in terms of the prose. I do hope that the romance aspect expands in the next book. I don't want to say too much because I'll inadvertently share spoilers.

I absolutely adored Edira. She is not a fighter in terms of physical prowess, but she is sharp, witty, and smart. It was refreshing to see an FMC that doesn't need to be "taught" to be physically strong to prevail upon the forces that seek to cause her harm. The stakes for Edira couldn't have been higher, and though I guessed at some of what ended up happening, the story was still incredibly satisfying. I can see why others have made comparisons to Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window. The vibes are definitely similar and I found the story almost as enjoyable.

I will be thrilled to read the rest of this series in the future.

3.5 stars

House of Blight is a gothic romantasy set in a world where there are “threadmenders” who can heal people and a “blight”—an incurable disease –that has taken over the world. Immortal beings called “Evers” rule society. The main character is a threadmender named Edira who is forced to join forces with a family of Evers to help try to find a cure for her two brothers and the grandmother of the Evers family, who have all fallen victim to the blight. She goes to live at the Evers’ old gothic house and discovers that not everything is as it seems.

This is the first in a new series. Overall, I thought it was okay. It had a very YA vibe, although I am not sure it is actually classified as YA. It reminded me a lot of the first half of Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns in Roses. Like in A Court of Thorns and Roses, the main character has been taken somewhat against her will to live at the house of immortal beings in the hopes of finding a cure to a disease overtaking the land. I absolutely love Sarah J. Maas, though, and this felt like a lesser version. I wasn’t tempted to stop reading it or anything, so I wouldn’t call it bad, but I didn’t really get attached to any of the characters, and I only felt mild interest in finding out how the story resolved. The “twists” were also fairly predictable. I do think I will still give the second book a try, though, because I can see how the plot might become more engaging. But I don’t think this is one I will necessarily run out and recommend to others.

4.5 stars - absolutely loved this book and it had me yelling when the plot twist happened…I was cheering for Edira but also wanted her to make better choices and listen to people! My only complaints about this book were that I wanted a slower burn with the romance and more details on the psychology of the characters since they are so layered and interesting! I am sure this will come in the next book too, which I am sooooo excited for! Absolutely stunning work with beautiful world building and characters that you love and hate at the same time.

Thank you so much for this ARC!! I am definitely bought into this series 😍

House of Blight was a fun, albeit gross, read. I loved the take on magic in this world. While the Evers were not directly named as Fae/Faerie/Elf, they were an otherworldly magic being who needed the help of a magical human. I can directly see the influence ACOTAR has on this novel. Shadow guy vs Garden guy, love triangle, protect her at all costs, Bonded, etc. I'm sure fans of ACOTAR will love this book. There were parts that absolutely jolted me out of the story, specifically the descriptions of Blight on humans and Evers. I'm excited to see what the next course of action will be for our FMC in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-ARC of House of Blight! Note: ARC is based on an uncorrected proof so the published copy may differ.

CWs for the book: death, plague, body horror (around the magical plague specifically)

Easily one of the most engaging books I’ve read in 2024, House of Blight is darkly, richly evocative with engaging characters and an urgent plot that still grants us time to explore the world of the Evers. Our story centers around Edira, a threadmender - a magical healer whose gift, or curse, costs the use of her own lifespan in unknown increments. She gets thrown into the world of the Evers, this setting’s version of what we would typically consider fae, where a mysterious plague has entered their home and Edira might be the only one who can vanquish it.

But she’s never cured the blight before; no threadmender ever has, and time is running out for those she cares about, both new and old. But is the blight the only curse on the Evers? Is there more to it than a mortal disease? Can she survive saving those she cares for, or will she run out of her own threads before she’s done? And who can she trust in a world where magic promises are strong, but magic lies are stronger?

Easily a 5 star read, and I can’t wait for more! I’m glad this series is set to be a duology, because it’ll be hard enough waiting for a sequel once. Please note that this is a darker, gothic setting with plague, deceit, and death. This is a faerie tale in the vein of magic promises, glamours, and the fickle cruelty of those who live for too long and want for too little; this is not a romp through an enchanted forest. It is delightful at what it is, but please go in knowing what to expect. Happy reading!

House of Blight by Maxym M. Martineau

The book follows Edira’s story, which is both dark and heartbreakingly tragic. She is a threadmender and has the power to heal people, but at the cost of time off of her life whenever she uses it. A sickness known as Blight is sweeping through her village and eventually Edira makes a bargain with an Ever, a wealthy patron to her village, to help find a cure.

I finished this book in about two days because I couldn’t put it down! The prologue really set up the story and you can’t help but get drawn in to Edira’s world when the stakes are so high. I was constantly kept on my toes throughout the book with the cast of characters and what I thought my expectations of them were. I didn’t realize this book was a first and would have an unfinished ending, but I do highly recommend this book if you like dark fantasy with twists and knowing there will be more to come. Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I have not read anything as wonderful and amazing and incredible since ACOTAR, and I still rated this one higher.
The story line is phenomenal, as is character development. The love triangle: ugh yessssss please.
I can not wait for more of Martineau, especially if it involves Edira.

House of Blight is the first book in Maxym M. Martineau’s fantasy duology, and I had such a great time with it! The world-building was spot-on, with a cozy yet eerie gothic manor that instantly pulled me in. There’s this constant sense of unease that really adds to the magic of the story.

I’m thrilled that there’s more to come because, let’s be honest, I totally fell for the love interest. But now I’m frustrated—I devoured this book in one night, and the wait for Book 2 is going to feel like forever!

For my first read from this author, I was seriously impressed. The story struck the perfect balance between being familiar enough to feel comforting, while still delivering twists and tension that kept me guessing. I was completely immersed, trying to figure out who to trust and loving the way everything unraveled.

Edira was smart, determined, and super relatable—though she could be a little too naive at times. I laughed, I worried, and I fully connected with her journey. Her fierce determination to save her brothers made her even more lovable, and I was hooked as we uncovered the secrets of Fernglove Manor together. The villain? Obvious from the start and a total jerk. The love interest? Perfection. I’m definitely hoping for more of him in the next book! He’s got that ideal blend of broody with great banter.

The pacing was great, though the ending felt a touch rushed. Still, it left me eager for more! Overall, House of Bligh* is a refreshing fantasy with lush world-building and characters that leap off the page. The magic and healing elements were enchanting, and I can’t wait to see what Maxym M. Martineau does next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Maxym M. Martineau, and the Avon and Harper Voyager team for the ARC opportunity.

4.5 stars ⭐

Thank you Netgalley for an E-ARC! House of Blight had an interesting synopsis - though when I first started reading, I wasn't sure how to feel at first. As the story progressed, I found myself sucked into the story and wholly unable to put my kindle down. Though I felt certain plot twists were predictable, I still enjoyed the turns the story took and the style of the author's writing. I will be purchasing my own copy with its release, and plan on continuing this series in the future.

Dive into a unique world full of magic and heartache. I had a hard time putting this book down. I wanted to know more about the characters and narrative. The plot twists had me eager to see where the story would go. I highly recommend House of Blight and Edira’s story.

First of all, thank you sincerely to NetGalley and Maxym M. Martineau for the ARC read!

This book stole my heart from the beginning. I love reading about a family that does all they can to survive in a harsh world. Edira holds so much love in her heart for her family, and she would do anything for them, even if it means sacrificing her own life. The magic system of this book is incredibly interesting. The world building is well done without being too overwhelming. Fair warning that there is a love triangle in this one! I have a love/hate relationship with this trope, but it was well done in the book. I docked it one star for predictability, but I do not think it took away from the enjoyment of the story. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series in the future.

House of Blight ticks all the boxes for a great first installment of a romantasy series. Our main character Edira has been dealt a seriously rough hand, and matters are only made worse when she is taken to Fernglove Estate.

I really enjoyed the romantic tension between Edira and both Orin and Rorik. I absolutely ate up the banter and suggestive talk. I thought the twists and events at the end were great and high stakes.

I have a couple questions conceptually. If the blight is in the land, can’t the Evers and mortals just get sick again? Does being healed make them immune?

All in all, it was an easy fun read, and I am looking forward to where the series goes.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hpuse of Blight! I fpund the magic system to be different and very interesting. We meet Edira, a threaminder, who conceals her magic to safeguard her life. The use of her magic cones at a cost, so it is used sparingly. And she knows little about it. I enjoyed the journey we followed Edora through once she arrives to the Ferngloves.
The beginning was catching and I immediately intrigued me. The middle had some points that seemed to lull, but eventually picked back up. Over all a good read that I enjoyed. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC!

5/5 10/10 no notes. Impeccable. Impossible to put down. Will scream about it from the rooftops. Amazing. Unique plot unique characters unique magic. LOVED IT.

“The House of Blight” by Maxym M. Martineau is an eerie and atmospheric romantic fantasy.

The main female character Edira, is trying to support herself and brothers. However, Edira has a secret she’s been keeping since childhood. She is a coveted threadmender.

Edira has the ability to instantly heal others through magic, but it comes at a steep cost. With each life Edira mends, she forfeits a part of her own. To safeguard her life, she keeps her magic a secret. But when both of Edira’s brothers fall ill and faced with the reality that she unfortunately cannot save them both, her secret is revealed to the influential Fernglove family.

Edira reluctantly agrees to go with Orin to the Fernglove Estate to work on a cure in exchange for buying precious time for her brothers, whom Orin places in a temporary coma to halt the illness's spread. As a threadmender, Edira is believed to be the key to finding a way to cure the disease.

Nothing at the eerie Fernglove manor is as it seems. The Ferngloves are mysterious, deceptive, and some might say even cruel: each of their true intentions are never clear, and hidden agendas and trickery run wild at the estate.

I found the unique magic system of this book to be quite fascinating and also found the world building to be beautiful and complex. I found the pace of the book to be good and though some plot twists I did see coming, there were others that I did not which kept me in my toes. I’m very excited for book 2 and would highly recommend this book!