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Cover of HOUSE OF THE BEAST
3.98

Based on 2,117 Goodreads ratings

HOUSE OF THE BEAST

by her outcast single mother in the countryside, doesn’t know of her station, and has a lonely and isolating childhood, often conjuring an imaginary friend for comfort. When her mother falls terminally ill, Alma manages to send word to her unknown father begging for help, and is met with a powerful vessel of the Dread Beast—the god of death. In exchange for her mother’s healing, Alma agrees to serve House Avera in support of her father’s ascension to First Hand of the Beast, and the girl is whisked away by her father while her mother lies dying. Unaware of nearly everything about the gods and the families bound to them, she discovers the first step in service to the House and its deity is severing her arm in sacrifice to the Beast. Despite her actions, her mother dies, but Alma is forced to continue serving her father’s ambitions anyway. As her grief rages and her father’s betrayal is palpable everywhere in the Avera estate, the flames of revenge are fanned by her once\u002Dimaginary friend, Aster, who reveals himself to be so much more—a spirit that’s taken on human form. With Aster as proof of her strong connection to the Dread Beast, together they devise a plan to prove her worthiness as a vessel of the Beast and challenge her father’s rank. All that’s required is that she train for a Pilgrimage to the umbral plane—a twisted alternate dimension filled with monsters and terror—to kill a star and rise in rank to become the First Hand of the Beast herself. From the opening pages, with Alma’s arm strapped to a fountain and her father standing overhead with a sword ready to give her limb as an offering, the prose strikes hardest when Wong writes visceral body horror. This page\u002Dturning epic continually exposes the monster within each character, pushing them to confront it head\u002Don and fight relentlessly for the good they possess deep within."

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:464
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780063446

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This chilling horror novel plunges readers into a decrepit mansion where ancient evil awakens, delivering a masterclass in atmospheric dread and supernatural suspense. The narrative expertly builds t...

Our Review

This chilling horror novel plunges readers into a decrepit mansion where ancient evil awakens, delivering a masterclass in atmospheric dread and supernatural suspense. The narrative expertly builds tension through eerie sounds in the walls and shifting shadows, creating a genuinely unsettling experience that will have young adults checking over their shoulders. The author’s vivid descriptions make the titular house feel like a living, breathing antagonist, a character in its own right whose malevolent presence is palpable on every page. This is a story that gets under your skin, perfect for fans of haunted house tales and psychological terror.

What sets this story apart is its sharp, modern protagonist who uses logic and resourcefulness to confront the unnatural, providing a compelling anchor in the surreal nightmare. The plot cleverly subverts classic horror tropes while delivering the spine-tingling scares and chilling moments that genre enthusiasts crave. Teen readers seeking a sophisticated, character-driven ghost story will find this a deeply satisfying and memorable read. The final, breathless confrontation leaves a lasting impression, ensuring the creaks and whispers of this beastly abode will linger long after the last page is turned.

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