Fun magical Gothic book for Halloween!

The FMC was a good POV, but her naivety was, at times, a little exasperating. By the end of the book, I understand broad strokes of the FMC, but there could have been some more characterization. The other characters also blended together sometimes, and I couldn't remember who was who.

The FMC's romance was pretty sudden, so it didn't hold my attention much, and the twist was a little predictable. The world and premise were unique, and I was invested in the story fairly easily. The prose was also descriptive without bogging down the flow.

I had a good time reading this and will be reading the next book in the series!

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, for the arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You Should Read “The House of Blight” by Maxym M. Martineau


If you like…
* ACOTAR Vibes
* Gut punches
* Sexy beasts
* Sassy & strong females
* A little spice

HER:🩷
Smart. Strong. Determined. Sassy. Will do whatever it takes to save her brothers.


HIM:💙
Powerful. Considerate. Attractive. Kind. Nothing like she was led to believe.


THEIR STORY:📖

Edira has a rare magic that heals, but every time she uses it she loses a little of her own life. So she’s kept her magic secret, never using it and hiding it from everyone she knows.

Until Edira’s brothers catch an incurable deadly illness and she is caught trying to heal them by the charming and powerful Orin Foxglove. When Edira finds she cannot heal her brothers alone, Orin offers to help.

Together at his estate they research a cure as an undeniable attraction builds between them. But when Edira discovers a terrifying secret, she must choose who she can save and at what cost…

Get yours now (out 4/8/25):

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And thank you to @maxymmckay and #NetGalley for letting me enjoy an advanced copy of The House of Blight.

If you like A Court of Thorns and Roses, you want The House of Blight to be your next read!

What I liked most about this was the unique plot. I could picture the threadmending in my mind and that concept is something I've never read or thought about before. A few points in the story were predictable, like a certain character actually being the villain. But that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I'm really interested to see what happens from here, especially with Rorik. I'm hoping for more romance in the future! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

"The House of Blight" captivated me from the start with its gothic blend of magic, heartache, and a hint of intrigue. The characters were compelling, drawing me into the narrative, and despite anticipating some plot twists, I was eager to see how they would unfold. Edira, a Threadminder, possesses the gift of instantaneous healing, but her magic comes with a cost: with each life she mends, she forfeits a part of her own. Thus, she conceals her power to safeguard her life. However, when an incurable blight strikes both her brothers, she faces the reality that she cannot save them both. Upon discovering her magic and dilemma, the influential Ferngloves, led by Orin, extend an offer of assistance. Edira is drawn to Orin's sincerity and benevolence, agreeing to a pact beneficial to both. But as the Ferngloves' veneer starts to crumble, she is forced to decide whom to rescue and at what price. This story, exquisitely woven, seizes the heart and prompts reflection on the lengths one would go to protect loved ones. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and eagerly anticipate the second book.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The worldbuilding and magic system were so unique and hooked me instantly. The mystery surrounding Edira's powers and the Fergloves kept me turning page after page, and wanting more. Definitely interested in exploring more from the author!

Thank you Harper Voyager, Avon Books and NetGalley! So happy I had the chance to check out House of Bligh before its release in April 2025!

We find our self in the world of following Edira as she tries 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 heal others through magic, but there is on caveyott. Each time she uses this magic she loses a little bit of her life. She can never be too sure how much she is losing so she rarely uses her powers.

Enter the Evers. I’m not totally sure if Evers are comparable to fae, but that’s how I imagined them. While they can heal themselves, they’ve been taking threadmenders for as long as Edira can remember. The most important being her aunt.

Edira finds herself on her journey to find a cure for the blight that is wreaking havoc on her small town. However, she teams up with an unlikely ally and one that makes her all too nervous!

This was a fast read with magic, deception, and slow burn romance. I’m so excited for Book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this Arc.

This is a hard one for me because I really had high expectations; especially after that amazing prologue. It hooked me in. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. After the few chapters, it just dragged. The characters were flat, with no depth, and I was so annoyed with the female main character. At every turn, I was like, D'Oh, she did it again?! I wanted her to be strong, and yes, she loved her family, but it wasn't enough. She wasn't this witty person; the author painted her out to be. For being 25, she was acting like a teenager with these horrible decisions. 

I think my favorite characters were Vora and Ywena. Sassy and loyal to a fault!

I should've DNFed this book, but I have a hard time stopping, in fear of missing out on a great ending.

2 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

I completely devoured this book. I could NOT put it down. The cover is what initially captured my attention, it's so stunning, but the thrill of the story if what kept me coming back for more. House of Blight is so beautifully gothic and eerie. The magic system and world building is unique yet easy to understand, and the plot is so mysterious and compelling, it kept me on my toes. Absolutely loved everything about it, especially the romance. Did not see that twist coming at the end....
So excited to come back to this world in the second book... I will patiently be waiting....

I DEVOURED this book in less than 24 hours. House of Blight is beautifully atmospheric and eerie, with a mystery aspect that keeps you guessing at what is going on. The characters, the world and magic system, the plot, everything was perfection - it's all I've been able to think about! There were several twists in this that I found predictable, but the twist at the end left me reeling and also sad because now I NEED to know what happens next. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Edira can mend illnesses, but with a devastating cost.

<i>House of Blight</i> contained lush world-building and an intriguing plot, as well as a love triangle between the main character and two brothers.

The author put a lot of effort into descriptive passages, which really built out the scene. But there was a definite lack to character building in contrast.

I was intrigue by the unique threadmending magic system and stayed for the mystery surrounding the Ferngloves! I adored this book and cannot wait for the next one. Edira is a threadmender, she can heal injuries and diseases but at a steep cost, She the thrust into the world of the Ferngloves, the immortal ruling elite and works closely with the head of that house, Orin. It was a little slow in the beginning but really picks up and is so wortb it. The ending of the book is phenomenal.

Edira has a rare gift known as thread mending. When her brothers become ill with Blight she turns to the Fernglove family, a magical family called Evers. They offer to help her tap into her powers in order to cure her brothers.

This book was so good! I will say it’s a little slow to start but it pays off in the end. It has gothic vibes, a little romance and a good twist at the end.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC! I found this tale to be fascinating. It was a new take on magic and healers in general. Maxym did an excellent job of describing the setting and the characters that really helps you envision what you are reading. The plot took many twists and turns as the young woman strives to save her family from the blight. I do feel like the romance was more of a subplot, but since this is the first in a series, I would imagine the romance will develop more. I’m eager to continue the series!!

I decided to stop reading this book at 56% after realizing I wasn't the right audience for it.

While it had an intriguing start and a promising premise, the story unfortunately began to drag, which made it difficult to stay engaged. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked the depth needed to make their interactions compelling—many of them were unnecessarily awful to one another, making it hard to connect with or root for anyone. The world-building, which had so much potential, also fell flat due to a lack of detailed explanation, leaving it feeling underdeveloped.

One of the major disappointments was the love triangle. Both relationships seemed driven purely by initial physical attraction, with no real chemistry between the characters, which made those dynamics feel forced and unconvincing.

That said, I did enjoy the gothic atmosphere and the concept of the threadmender, which added a unique element to the story. However, the pacing was too slow to keep my attention. Overall, this book didn’t work for me, though I can see it appealing to readers who prefer a more atmospheric story with insta-love.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I unfortunately did not finish this book. I was unable to get into it right from the start - there wasn’t anything pulling me in.

I absolutely devoured this book. I went into this book without having looked into it too much. It is my first book by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. This is a solid gothic fantasy romance.

If you liked Belladonna, you will like this. While not completely similar in plot, they both share the same gothic aesthetic with mystery lurking in every corner.

House of Blight is a delightful and addictive gothic fantasy romance. The magic system is unique. I generally enjoyed our main character (although she could be a little naive sometimes) and I couldn’t find out what was happening hast enough.

4.5/5 stars rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this ARC! This book was phenomenal -- I was completely hooked from the beginning. House of Blight is a gothic fantasy romance that follows Edira, a threadmender who is able to heal others at the cost of sacrificing part of her lifespan each time she uses her ability. She lives in a mortal village where she must keep her powers secret, especially from the magical, immortal Fernglove family, who preside over the territory and steal away threadmenders in search of a cure for the fatal and mysterious blight.

When Edira's two younger brothers fall ill with the blight, she makes a bargain with Orin Fernglove. She reluctantly agrees to go with him 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 even cruel: each of their true intentions are never clear, and hidden agendas and trickery run amok. Just when I thought I'd figured something out, there would be a captivating plot twist. This will undoubtedly keep readers on the edge of their seats, as it did for me!

I fell in love with Edira's character: she is kind, empathetic, and selfless-- willing to do anything to save her brothers. I loved following her journey as she navigates being plunged into the orbit of the Ferngloves. And, of course, Orin and his brother, Rorik. I cannot wait to see how the dynamics between Edira and each brother will play out in the sequel in the wake of all of the twists and turns in this book, and a crazy ending! I was so immersed in the fast-paced plot and the treacherously captivating world of the Ferngloves.

This story follows Edira. Edira has been in hiding since she was small. She dyes her hair, barely speaks to people, doesn't go out much except for work all to hide the secret that she's a threadmender. Threadmenders are rare. Everyone has life threads and she can cure almost anything. Only catch is everytime she uses her power she loses some of her life threads and can experience the pain of the injury. The only thing she can't cure is blight which is basically like a plague. Her brothers end up catching blight and Edira is desperate to save them. Orin, an Ever (basically an immortal with magic) makes a deal with her. Learn to cure blight and save his grandmother in exchange for keeping the blight from spreading in her brothers.

This book was so interesting and captivating. It aggravated me to no end that I had a life where I had to stop reading and go to work. Edira had cunning moments. I liked her character a lot but she was so naive too. There was so much sketchy things going on around her and she was so oblivious to it all. I wanted to shake her so bad and just tell her to open her eyes! It took her a while to get there but eventually she got it. She was pretty bad ass at the end.

Rorik, I fucking loved him. He was dark and mysterious and super dangerous and kind of a sarcastic smart ass but holy fuck he was perfection. I wanted Edira to be with him so bad it physically hurt. The rest of the family had things that annoyed me but they also had charm once you get farther into the story so it was hard to hate or even dislike them.

I never liked Orin. I don't know if it was how he was written but dude never fooled me. There was something off about him. I felt it and it bothered me so much that Edira fell for it and fell for it hard.

That ending though, I cannot wait for the second book. I need to know how this duology ends!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I recommend giving this book a read.

The House of Blight offers a blend of gothic horror and fantasy. While the beginning of the novel is a bit slow-paced, the story quickly picks up momentum, becoming a page-turner.

The main character is likable, the gothic atmosphere adds a nice layer to the novel, and the plot is well-crafted.
While the romantic relationships feel a bit forced in places, and the foreshadowing could have been more subtle, these flaws do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book. The House of Blight is a solid read that will appeal to fans of gothic fiction and fantasy alike.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

DNF

Ever read a book with an amazing prologue and the book fall short? This was it for me.

I was quite excited to read this book considering how it was compared to Rachel Gillig's One Dark Window duology. And it's a shame I just couldn't find myself to finish the book.

I read 89 pages and if something or someone was introduced, it was in full length paragraphs. The Fernglove manor, gardens, characters, and the town was just explained in paragraph after paragraph. I started skimming at that point because I didn't want to read about how the walls were decorated or how polished the floors were.

And the characters were so flat and had no depth to me. I knew the romance was a love triangle from reading other reviews and the fact it was introduced after 60ish pages just was the last straw for me.

I guess I can't really give the book a solid review because I dnf it and didn't see it to the end but the fact that it's compared to Rachel Gillig's books is crazy.

The gothic world was fun and I enjoyed seeing another book with those vibes. But everything felt too rushed and instant. There was so much potential for this book and it makes me sad to review books so low when authors spend so much time pouring everything into them.

*𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤*