House of the Beast: A Novel

By Michelle Wong

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Order now to receive the gorgeous DELUXE LIMITED EDITION—only available on the first printing while supplies last! The collector’s hardcover features a reversible jacket, stenciled edges, illustrated endpapers, a printed case, and beautiful black-and-white interior illustrations throughout. “As darkly whimsical as the most beloved fairy tales and soaked in gothic atmosphere. The gorgeous and evocative illustrations bring to life an unforgettably lush and hypnotically romantic story.” —Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning Step into the dark coming-of-age fantasy debut from The Legend of Korra illustrator Michelle Wong, where a young woman bound to a mysterious god seeks revenge on her aristocratic family in a story of divine rituals, brutal magic, and twisted love—featuring illustrations throughout by the author. Born out of wedlock and shunned by society, Alma found solace in solitude—so long as her mother was by her side. But when illness strikes, Alma reaches out to the father she’s never known and uncovers a dark truth: she’s a bastard of House Avera, one of the four noble families that serve the gods, and her father is a vessel of the Dread Beast, a harbinger of death. To save her mother, Alma agrees to sacrifice her arm in a blood-soaked ceremony that binds her to the Beast. But the cure never comes, leaving her trapped in a hostile, gothic estate—despised by her relatives and used as a pawn in her father’s schemes. Now vengeance drives her, guided by the god who shadows her every step. He appears only to her—a beautiful, monstrous prince—whispering that she’s destined to reshape the world. With his dark magic fueling her, Alma sets out to destroy the House that took everything from her. But as their bond deepens and their plans grow more perilous, she must decide if her god’s honeyed words—and her forbidden feelings for him—are leading her to victory, or dragging the mortal world to ruin. “A beguiling tale of strange gods, cosmic horrors, and ruinous revenge, House of the Beast dazzled me. With compelling characters and masterful world building, Wong’s debut is sure to become a celebrated classic.”— Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child If you enter the House of the Beast, prepare to find: - Morally grey characters with toxic, codependent relationships (M/F, M/M) - Vengeful heroine and her chaotic-evil trickster god - Slow-burn yearning and forbidden attraction - Family rivalries and court intrigue - Deadly trials and divine bargains - Nightmare realm full of monsters and secrets - Magic, violence, and madness - Stunning black-and-white art by the author woven through the text - For fans of One Dark Window, Blood Over Bright Haven, and A Study in Drowning

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Published Aug 5, 2025

464 pages

Average rating: 7.4

5 RATINGS

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BOOK TALK

Community Reviews

Janice
10/10 stars
I received this DRC from NetGalley.

Possible content warning: This involves an older god-like figure attaching himself to a very young girl - I'm not sure if this counts as a form of grooming or not, considering how their relationship evolves.

I really enjoyed this one. It was fast-paced and kept me intrigued. I think the author did a really good job with both the world building and with making the characters easy to connect with. Even the side characters didn't feel flat.

I appreciated that even though the story was about a young girl, she wasn't annoying or making incomprehensible decisions like what happens in a lot of YA. She also wasn't just inexplicably the best at everything all the time. I liked her dynamic with Aster. Some of the reveals with him weren't surprises, but it still played out in a satisfying way.

Also, the illustrations were a nice touch. I think I'll have to get a physical copy at some point.

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