4.5/5 stars

This was amazing and beautifully done. The world building and characters were great. Wish there had been more explanation between Kaim and Fion power situation or maybe I didn’t understand it well.

Overall brilliant! Hope there’s more to come!

Calling it now — this might very well end up being my favorite read of 2025 (and I only read it in March!). Michelle Wong's debut is a fun and feeling romp through a deeply original fantasy world, featuring my favorite trope of all time: Girl Has Codependent Romance-Adjacent Bond With A Charming Eldritch Being. Seriously, if you know of more books that have this relationship dynamic, PLEASE send them my way.

Beyond the central relationship, Wong does a great job of fleshing out the other characters and the world. The setting of this book draws elements from across the fantasy sphere, with the result being somewhat steampunk-feeling to me? Loved it. Loved the mythology, loved the world.

No book is perfect, of course, and especially not debuts. There were moments in this where I felt the pacing could use some work, as there were times where it felt like worldbuilding was being delivered via infodump (this hit me most near the end). But that wasn't enough to detract from my overall enjoyment of this book, and if anything it only made me excited to see how Wong grows and matures as a novelist over time.

4.5 gleaming, emotional stars! Loveddddd this one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC; I am definitely going to be buying a physical copy of this one once it hits shelves (the illustrations alone are worth it imo).

Thank you to netgalley for granting me access to this arc!
I cannot stop thinking about Michelle Wong’s “House of the Beast”! I have so much stuff I need to get done and I can't because this book is all I can think about! This is an absolute masterpiece and I can’t wait to see what Michelle Wong writes next. Michelle is a graphic novelist so her debut book has amazing illustrations throughout!

This book follows the story of Alma, the bastard child of a member of one of the noble families of this world that Wong has created. She befriends a god, who she refers to as “her god”, seeing as she is the only one who can see him. We see Alma’s journey from her early childhood with her mother, to her going to live with her father and his unwelcoming family at his estate. Her father and his family all worship a god called the dreadbeast.Which she is then forced to dedicate her self to upon her arival to his home. Throughout her ordeal and as she grows up at the estate as her father bastard she is not warmly recieved by his wife and the rest of his family. She is isolated from them and her only companion is her invisible friend she named Aster. As you read this book you get sucked into the magical world that Wong has so wonderfully created

No spice, graphic violence is described. Overall, devoured and loved this book. If could rate it more than 5 stars a would.

Some really cool world building, but it did take a while for the plot to really grab me. Michelle Wong tells an interesting story, and I liked the many morally gray characters. Aster in particular was a very complex and intriguing character. I was constantly unsure which characters I could trust (including Alma), and I think that is a result of Wong’s thoughtful storytelling. I was guessing right up until the end.

I loved Wong’s illustrations throughout, but her eye for artistic details shown through in her writing as well, particularly once the characters entered the umbral plane (a sort of in-between place connecting the mortal realm and the realm of the Gods). The monsters and general look of the space were simultaneously so creative and beautiful while also being incredibly dark and terrifying. She definitely captured the idea of a space that is terrible beyond human comprehension. I’m excited to see what Wong does next (especially knowing it will be a graphic novel that will more heavily feature her beautiful artwork!)

So, so good. Alma is a fantastic book lead and while I detested how much she had to struggle, her character development is on point. There where points I wish she wasn't such a good person, but it is what it is. Ten out of ten, would rec.

To start with something positive, I highly enjoyed the use of graphic illustrations throughout the novel. I understand this author is an illustrator herself so this was a forte for her. I wish more authors would partner with illustrators to include more illustrations throughout their books!

Unfortunately the relationships, including the lead romantic relationship, was far too toxic and codependent for me. And I felt like the beginning half of this book was quite slow.

4.5 stars

Alma was an outcast. She had her mother but always felt alone. She harbored within her dark, violent feelings and thoughts that she struggled to suppress. When her mother takes ill, she contacts her estranged father for help. He is an aloof stranger who gives her no choice. He would take care of her mother and Alma would be initiated into House Avera - House of the Beast as his illegitimate daughter. It would come with a violent sacrifice... her arm.

Then she finds that her mother has passed away. Now Alma is further isolated, her new family despises her, and her father just wants to use her in his quest for power. Through her dispair and the ghosts lurking in the shadows, an old friend resurfaces. The ethereal imaginary friend from her childhood -- a steadfast companion and incorrigible trickster, but he's more than that now. Aster has manifested into something real and tangible... at least to her, as no one else can see him.

They go on to grow and train together, their connection and awareness of each other deepening. Until it's time to exact revenge. But there are things unseen, and her world is about to explode and be filled with nightmarish otherworldly monsters, political agendas, vengeful deities, diabolical and malicious plots and twists. Will Alma have strength enough to survive? Can her world withstand it?

This is a macabre fantasy world deftly filled with terrifying beasts and monsters, boundless cruelties, and chilling horrors. Written masterfully with deep, well-crafted characters. I wanted to both love and hate Aster. In reading this, felt just as trapped and incapacitated as Alma, but there is a level of understanding and a silent outcry for all the injustices. I did not end the book without feeling a little shattered.

I was rather disappointed in this book; I rounded up to 3 as this is a debut and I was being kind.

This book is being marketed as a dark adult fantasy, but the tone and style of writing was more YA. Upper YA but still YA.

I found the plot to be rather repetitive and all around meh. I found that the author had thinly altered items from other works of fantasy, most obviously the statue that can’t move when you’re looking at it and then attacks when you blink.

The FMC was not memorable, and the MMC is just a lukewarm typical controlling fantasy love interest. It’s giving toxic high school drama.

A revenge story that’s unlike any other!

Trials?!?
Romance ??!
Politics?!?
Dripping in gothic atmosphere?!?!?
Beautiful deluxe edition?!?!?!

Your not going to want to miss this one!

Unique story that I genuinely would never have been able to guess the plot of. Dynamic characters that seemed real. Beautiful art scattered throughout the entire book. No overdone tropes. This was a fantastic debut novel. I hope Michelle Wong continues to write more!

In this slow paced fantasy horror book young Alma is a lonely girl, raised alone by her mother and ostracized by her peers, she invents a best friend who is not all he seems to be. When her mother falls ill Alma writes to her father for help and unknowingly sets off a chain of events that include death, dismemberment, betrayal, fallen stars and eldritch gods.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 3.5⭐️.
While I did enjoy this book, particularly the friendship between Alma and Aster and the guessing game of just who Aster really is, ultimately this book was too long for its own good. Around the 60-70% mark it started to feel way too bloated.
Another issue I had was that other than Alma and Aster almost no other character in this book was interesting or likable at all. This definitely had me “rooting for the bad guy.” While I understand why it ended the way it did I was honestly kind of disappointed, but at least this was contained to one standalone book and not drug out even longer into a duology.
I would be interesting in reading more books by this author and will post about this book on my social media (TikTok and YouTube) closer to its release date.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of Michelle Wong's debut novel, The House of The Beast. To start, Wong adds sketches throughout the book in this edition. They are stunning and are a wonderful addition to the detailed and creative world she has created!

I could not put this gothic fantasy novel down! The story was out of my comfort zone of romantasy and historical fiction but I still found it to be intriguing and engaging. The main character Alma has a rough start to life, living with her mother in a poor area, her mother gets sick and she ends up becoming her father's "heir" to the house of Avera. Wong creates a society with four main gods, and the aristocrats that are either blessed by the gods or are lucky to be associated. Alma is fierce and is stubborn, her father's is cold and dismissive of her. She also has a friend/somewhat love interest Aster, he is only seen by her and descends from the gods. Aster adds a layer of humor to the dark story and he is the one who prepares Alma for her destiny.

One warning for those that are not used to reading gothic or horror, there are a lot of creepy creatures in the second half of the novel. There is some gore through out the story as well, if you are squeamish or want to avoid nightmarish creatures in your reading then this might not be the book for you.

I really enjoyed escaping into this world- and going on this journey that kept me on the edge of my seat. Really well done, unique and original.

*The House of the Beast* was a novel that, unfortunately, wasn't for me. Throughout the story, I would have liked more action or perhaps to connect more with the characters. Despite the promising premise, I feel like I was never fully engaged, and at times it was hard to keep up with the pacing. I was going to rate it lower, but I have to admit that what I liked the most was the ending. That was the only moment when I really felt something, which made me appreciate the experience a bit more. However, it never fully captured my interest.

4.5/5 (will round up to 5/5)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I regret reading this book.
Because I can’t stop thinking about it now. 😭

I could not put this book down for anything during the four days I spent reading it, it entirely consumed me.

Plot summary (keeping it as vague as possible): “House of the Beast” tells the story of a girl who, in a bid to save her ill mother, promises her father to join his prestigious family in their role as vessels for their house deity - the Dread Beast. However, upon her mother’s passing, there is nothing left for her besides being a pawn in her father’s schemes. That is until her god appears to her in the form of her secret companion and friend. Together, they start a journey towards revenge and victory over her father and family.

Everything in this book held me in its grip. From the very start, I was fully invested in the depth and conflicting layers of Alma’s character arc, fascinated and full of questions about the enigmatic Aster, and intrigued by their strange bond. And with every new character introduced into Alma’s story, I found more reason to love the book!

Beyond just the characters, there is never a dull moment. Every event or conversation held an intensity or excitement I couldn’t look away from - from the build up in the first part to the action and danger in the second part when they enter the Umbral Plane to seek their victory. By the last ten percent, I was pacing while reading because it had me in a heart-racing and emotional chokehold.

And did I not mention? This book has wonderfully drawn illustrations throughout! They give it the feel of a dark and lovely manga!

If you’re looking for a fantasy book that is both atmospheric and exciting, beautifully character driven yet full of suspense and wonder, and with surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat and your heart in your throat… add this book to your TBR for when it releases on July 17th!

Thank you Avon Books, Harper Voyager US, and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

I had a ton of fun with this. Alma was a great protagonist, and I enjoyed the mystery of Aster’s motives and their relationship. I liked how driven Alma was by her goals, and the struggles she ran into as the world opened up to her after years of relative isolation–the conflict of that was great! The world was dark and atmospheric with gods, monsters, and creations like the Tinkerer’s Things. The side characters were likeable and allowed to go through their own arcs. I especially enjoyed Sevelie! It was a slow burn that delivered, and the ending fit the vibes of this story perfectly.

I loved all the illustrations as well; they were wonderful! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

I enjoyed this more than I thought and it’s definitely worth checking out. I would describe it as a dark fantasy about a girl hoping to enact revenge against her father with the help of her ‘imaginary’ friend. It gave One Dark Window vibes and I was here for it. It was a little slow at first but things very much pick up and are worth the wait (IMO). I’ve seen this described as having romantic elements and I mean… maybe? I wouldn’t describe it as a romance by any means (that or I missed it). Again, really enjoyed this one and I’m only knocking off one star because I thought the beginning was slow.

I read this book as an arc given to me by Harper voyage and Avon. I’m extremely thankful to have read this book. It is a fiction sci-fi book and I ate it up. I’m giving this book a five star review. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. This is her debut book and can’t wait to see more read that she puts out.
The book is about a young woman, Alma, who was taken from her mom, who was ill. Her dad who she never met, who serves the beast. Her dad served the beast. She was taken to meet the beast and her arm was severed off. Anybody that serves, the beast loses their arm. Her Dad has her fend for herself. Because nobody likes her. She is a child born out of wedlock. She lives in a cottage on her own, defending for herself. Her dad checking up on her every now and then. She develops a friendship with an imaginary monster. The boy that is a monster is very mysterious. They developed a close friendship and come with schemes on how to take out down her dad when serving the beast. She has to challenge her dad for the position with the beast. Her monster/God helps her find her way. There’s a few twists and turns in this book. I don’t wanna give too much away. I will say this book was phenomenal.

I did not know what to expect when I started this book. The story sucks you in and keeps you needing to read just one more chapter to know! Although the very end had me a bit frustrated because it was not the end I realllllly wanted but man, there was so much happening! I had so many emotions the whole time and am glad to have read this as something different than my usual.

I cannot get over how much I love this book. I knew I would like it but WOW. I’m also not happy with the author for that ending.

Thank you for an arc of this book, truly!

This gripping, dark, emotional and rage inducing debut fantasy novel hit all the boxes. The world building along with the “magic” system was done spectacularly and explained well throughout the book. The character development and emotion incited by not only the main character but supporting characters as well makes this truly amazing. You can feel the rage, hurt and anger from Alma beginning to end.

The book truly hits on how easy it is to let yourself sink into dark emotions and how hard it is sometimes to remember the good in not only others but yourself.