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!

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):

https://amzn.to/4eoTVr2

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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....