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House of Monstrous Women
A young woman is drawn into a dangerous game after being invited to the mazelike home of her childhood friend, a rumored witch, in this gothic horror set in 1986 Philippines.
In this game, there’s one rule: survive.
Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is alone taking care of the family home while her older brother is off in Manila, where revolution brews. But an unexpected invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to her house offers an escape....
Why don’t you come visit, and we can play games like we used to?
If Josephine wins, she’ll get whatever her heart desires. Her brother is invited, too, and it’s time they had a talk. Josephine’s heard the dark whispers: Hiraya is a witch and her family spits curses. But still, she’s just desperate enough to seize this chance to change her destiny.
Except Ranoco house is strange—labyrinthine and dangerously close to a treacherous sea. A sickly-sweet smell clings to the dimly lit walls, and veiled eyes follow Josephine through endless connecting rooms. The air is tense with secrets and as the game continues it’s clear Josephine doesn’t have the whole truth.
To save herself, she will have to play to win. But in this house, victory is earned with blood.
A lush new voice in horror arises in this riveting gothic set against the upheaval of 1986 Philippines and the People Power Revolution.
In this game, there’s one rule: survive.
Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is alone taking care of the family home while her older brother is off in Manila, where revolution brews. But an unexpected invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to her house offers an escape....
Why don’t you come visit, and we can play games like we used to?
If Josephine wins, she’ll get whatever her heart desires. Her brother is invited, too, and it’s time they had a talk. Josephine’s heard the dark whispers: Hiraya is a witch and her family spits curses. But still, she’s just desperate enough to seize this chance to change her destiny.
Except Ranoco house is strange—labyrinthine and dangerously close to a treacherous sea. A sickly-sweet smell clings to the dimly lit walls, and veiled eyes follow Josephine through endless connecting rooms. The air is tense with secrets and as the game continues it’s clear Josephine doesn’t have the whole truth.
To save herself, she will have to play to win. But in this house, victory is earned with blood.
A lush new voice in horror arises in this riveting gothic set against the upheaval of 1986 Philippines and the People Power Revolution.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2025
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13442 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 5, 2025
So … wow. That was intense. This book is a slow burn right until right around the 60% mark, and then it throws everything at you all at once and doesn't let up until the final pages. It took me four days to read the first half and one all-night reading marathon to finish the second. It's dark and creepy and unsettling in the best sort of way, and I've decided that I definitely need more Filipino Gothic horror in my life.
When Josephine is invited to an old friend's house (along with her brother Alejandro and best friend Gabriella) to play a game of tagu-tagu, it turns out that things might not be as innocent as they initially seem. I mean, her friend Hiraya is rumored to be a witch and aswang (shapeshifter) and lives in a labyrinthine mansion filled with creepy servants, so this should have been a surprise to absolutely no one, but apparently Josephine doesn't read the same horror novels that I do. This game of tagu-tagu winds up being much more sinister than the version Josephine and her friends played as children, and once it begins everything gets kind of crazy … and not a normal crazy, but like “insect-people and and murderous insanity” crazy.
I adored all of the characters in this book, from Josephine to all of the very, very strange individuals who live in the Ranoco house. Well, except Hiraya. I think she's supposed to be a sympathetic character, but all I could think of was how pissed I'd be if one of my friends invited me to their supernaturally-fueled murder house to probably die without warning me beforehand. Hiraya can suck it. Josephine is perhaps loyal to a fault (because, girl, there is no way that she's worth it), but she's also brave and headstrong and clever.
The setting, too, is excellent. Not just the witch mansion surrounded by a unsettling forest on a remote island (seriously, how did Josephine not see this coming??), but the backdrop of 1986 Philippines. I know very little about the history of the Philippines or dictator Ferdinand Marcos, so all of the historical tidbits were quite eye-opening and informative.
There's not a ton of gore in this novel, but there is one chapter that's kind of 🤮. Other trigger warnings include suicide and murder and insects … so, so many insects. Like, all of the insects.
Overall, House of Monstrous Women is a creepy and atmospheric tale featuring a heavy dose of Filipino folklore. If you enjoy well-written Gothic novels set in exotic locales with fascinating characters, definitely consider giving this one a read. 4.4 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 12, 2025.
When Josephine is invited to an old friend's house (along with her brother Alejandro and best friend Gabriella) to play a game of tagu-tagu, it turns out that things might not be as innocent as they initially seem. I mean, her friend Hiraya is rumored to be a witch and aswang (shapeshifter) and lives in a labyrinthine mansion filled with creepy servants, so this should have been a surprise to absolutely no one, but apparently Josephine doesn't read the same horror novels that I do. This game of tagu-tagu winds up being much more sinister than the version Josephine and her friends played as children, and once it begins everything gets kind of crazy … and not a normal crazy, but like “insect-people and and murderous insanity” crazy.
I adored all of the characters in this book, from Josephine to all of the very, very strange individuals who live in the Ranoco house. Well, except Hiraya. I think she's supposed to be a sympathetic character, but all I could think of was how pissed I'd be if one of my friends invited me to their supernaturally-fueled murder house to probably die without warning me beforehand. Hiraya can suck it. Josephine is perhaps loyal to a fault (because, girl, there is no way that she's worth it), but she's also brave and headstrong and clever.
The setting, too, is excellent. Not just the witch mansion surrounded by a unsettling forest on a remote island (seriously, how did Josephine not see this coming??), but the backdrop of 1986 Philippines. I know very little about the history of the Philippines or dictator Ferdinand Marcos, so all of the historical tidbits were quite eye-opening and informative.
There's not a ton of gore in this novel, but there is one chapter that's kind of 🤮. Other trigger warnings include suicide and murder and insects … so, so many insects. Like, all of the insects.
Overall, House of Monstrous Women is a creepy and atmospheric tale featuring a heavy dose of Filipino folklore. If you enjoy well-written Gothic novels set in exotic locales with fascinating characters, definitely consider giving this one a read. 4.4 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 12, 2025.
August 18, 2025
A haunting and immersive gothic horror novel, House of Monstrous Women seamlessly blends Philippine folklore, supernatural suspense, and historical unrest into an unforgettable narrative. Set in 1986 against the backdrop of the People Power Revolution, the story follows Josephine, a young woman still reeling from the tragic loss of her parents. With her brother Alejandro forging his own path in Manila, she’s left to maintain their crumbling family home, struggling under the weight of loneliness and grief. When an invitation arrives from her childhood friend Hiraya—whose family is shrouded in dark rumors of witchcraft—Josephine sees an opportunity to escape. But this isn’t just a casual reunion. Hiraya extends an intriguing offer: a game, one with high stakes and the promise of granting the winner their heart’s deepest desire.
Desperate for change, Josephine takes the risk and steps into Ranoco House, a vast and eerie estate perched dangerously near the sea. The mansion itself feels alive, its endless corridors twisting in unnatural ways, dimly lit rooms steeped in a sickly-sweet scent, and shadowy figures lurking just out of sight. The deeper she delves into the game, the more she realizes that nothing is what it seems. The walls whisper secrets, the air is thick with tension, and Josephine can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched at every turn. As the sinister nature of the game unravels, she comes to a terrifying realization: this isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a battle for survival, and victory may come at a horrifying price.
What makes House of Monstrous Women stand out is its ability to merge traditional gothic horror elements with the rich, mythological roots of Filipino folklore. The novel masterfully builds tension, starting with a slow, creeping dread that escalates into full-blown terror. The setting is deeply atmospheric, the historical backdrop adding layers of real-world horror to the supernatural frights, and the exploration of feminine power and generational trauma gives the story an even sharper edge.
With its eerie, labyrinthine house, unsettling atmosphere, and a protagonist forced to navigate both political turmoil and supernatural horrors, this novel is a gripping and nightmarish descent into the unknown. A must-read for fans of gothic horror, folklore-infused thrillers, and stories that linger in your mind long after the final page.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this unique horror novel in exchange for my honest opinions.
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Desperate for change, Josephine takes the risk and steps into Ranoco House, a vast and eerie estate perched dangerously near the sea. The mansion itself feels alive, its endless corridors twisting in unnatural ways, dimly lit rooms steeped in a sickly-sweet scent, and shadowy figures lurking just out of sight. The deeper she delves into the game, the more she realizes that nothing is what it seems. The walls whisper secrets, the air is thick with tension, and Josephine can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched at every turn. As the sinister nature of the game unravels, she comes to a terrifying realization: this isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a battle for survival, and victory may come at a horrifying price.
What makes House of Monstrous Women stand out is its ability to merge traditional gothic horror elements with the rich, mythological roots of Filipino folklore. The novel masterfully builds tension, starting with a slow, creeping dread that escalates into full-blown terror. The setting is deeply atmospheric, the historical backdrop adding layers of real-world horror to the supernatural frights, and the exploration of feminine power and generational trauma gives the story an even sharper edge.
With its eerie, labyrinthine house, unsettling atmosphere, and a protagonist forced to navigate both political turmoil and supernatural horrors, this novel is a gripping and nightmarish descent into the unknown. A must-read for fans of gothic horror, folklore-infused thrillers, and stories that linger in your mind long after the final page.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this unique horror novel in exchange for my honest opinions.
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August 21, 2025
**Many thanks to Berkley and Daphne Fama for an ARC of this book!**
Part gothic horror, part historical fiction, AND part childhood friendship gone wrong...this genre-bending mashup puts our Filipino heroine, Josephine, in the line of fire as she attempts to recover from the horror of her father's dismal political campaign amidst the Peoples Power Revolution in 1986. It is her long-lost friend Hiraya who offers to host her, along with Josephine's bestie Gabriella and her brother Alejandro, who has been helping to parent her in her father's stead) at her mysterious seaside home. Josephine heard the rumors growing up about Hiraya - rumors claiming she is a witch, and the creepy house and legion of unsettling servants doesn't really help this image. Hiraya has also been called an aswang (shapeshifter) and Josephine doesn't quite know what to make of this information....but she takes a chance on her old friend and brings her compatriots with her to the remote island. ( Honestly, does ANYTHING go right on a remote island? EVER?!) 🤦♀️
But what starts as a visit to this odd home quickly 'shapeshifts' into something else entirely...and to survive, Josephine begins what she thinks is a simple game of 'tagu tagu' (or hide and seek)...but is actually a deadly game of survival. You see, this creepy house (known formally as Ranoco House) has an appetite of its own...and the only way to satiate it just MIGHT be human flesh. With her life hanging in the balance, Josephine doesn't have a choice - it's time to play, and play to WIN. But when she discovers even more horrifying truths about her friend AND just how the house keeps running in this remote locale, will it be too late for her to escape its horrifying clutches?
Historical gothic horror can be a LOT to handle...and I'll be honest, in this instance, I felt like I had my hands FULL from the jump. With absolutely zero (or perhaps, embarrassingly, LESS than zero) knowledge of the Peoples Power Revolution in the Philippines, I had absolutely no context of the political climate that set off the string of events at the start of this book...and I honestly wish that I had, because things only got more complicated from there. As much as I feel Fama tried to keep this character list fairly short, I STILL had trouble remembering who was who at times or what their individual histories were at any given moment. There seemed to be hints of a romance toward the beginning of the story, but I felt this dropped off after a certain point and I was left wondering why it had seemed important in the first place.
This is also a BONAFIDE slow burn, which is also a bit problematic for me in general...and with all of the muddled confusion in part one, it became even more difficult to remain patient until the bitter end. This is simply an instance where having a background in the subject matter (or at least an introduction, including exposure to Filipino words that were used often and I had never heard before) would just have helped the reading experience: there's no way around that fact. Once the premise IS finally set and The Game begins, THIS is where things start to get interesting...and also a bit grotesque. (I finished this while reading dinner - I STRONGLY recommend not reading this while you are attempting to eat. Unless the thought of nibbling on bugs somehow DOESN'T turn your stomach....in which case, you just might be a lizard. But I digress...😉) The stakes are high and I definitely was invested to an extent...but I ALSO was wishing that the book just dove a bit deeper into the game a bit sooner and left out some of the 'backstory' in the beginning.
The brightest part of this one, however, is an EXCELLENT author's note...you know, the kind where it makes you wish you could just listen to the author talk about their book for an hour. It was so heartfelt and moving and explained so much of the motivation behind the book so effortlessly that I wish I had either a) read it BEFORE starting this one for some perspective or B) wish I just connected with the text more because I just genuinely felt bad for not appreciating it the way others might. 😞
And let's just put it this way - if this is only Daphne Fama's DEBUT, then consider me hungry....or rather, 'Fama-shed', for MORE! 🍴
😉
3.5 stars
Part gothic horror, part historical fiction, AND part childhood friendship gone wrong...this genre-bending mashup puts our Filipino heroine, Josephine, in the line of fire as she attempts to recover from the horror of her father's dismal political campaign amidst the Peoples Power Revolution in 1986. It is her long-lost friend Hiraya who offers to host her, along with Josephine's bestie Gabriella and her brother Alejandro, who has been helping to parent her in her father's stead) at her mysterious seaside home. Josephine heard the rumors growing up about Hiraya - rumors claiming she is a witch, and the creepy house and legion of unsettling servants doesn't really help this image. Hiraya has also been called an aswang (shapeshifter) and Josephine doesn't quite know what to make of this information....but she takes a chance on her old friend and brings her compatriots with her to the remote island. ( Honestly, does ANYTHING go right on a remote island? EVER?!) 🤦♀️
But what starts as a visit to this odd home quickly 'shapeshifts' into something else entirely...and to survive, Josephine begins what she thinks is a simple game of 'tagu tagu' (or hide and seek)...but is actually a deadly game of survival. You see, this creepy house (known formally as Ranoco House) has an appetite of its own...and the only way to satiate it just MIGHT be human flesh. With her life hanging in the balance, Josephine doesn't have a choice - it's time to play, and play to WIN. But when she discovers even more horrifying truths about her friend AND just how the house keeps running in this remote locale, will it be too late for her to escape its horrifying clutches?
Historical gothic horror can be a LOT to handle...and I'll be honest, in this instance, I felt like I had my hands FULL from the jump. With absolutely zero (or perhaps, embarrassingly, LESS than zero) knowledge of the Peoples Power Revolution in the Philippines, I had absolutely no context of the political climate that set off the string of events at the start of this book...and I honestly wish that I had, because things only got more complicated from there. As much as I feel Fama tried to keep this character list fairly short, I STILL had trouble remembering who was who at times or what their individual histories were at any given moment. There seemed to be hints of a romance toward the beginning of the story, but I felt this dropped off after a certain point and I was left wondering why it had seemed important in the first place.
This is also a BONAFIDE slow burn, which is also a bit problematic for me in general...and with all of the muddled confusion in part one, it became even more difficult to remain patient until the bitter end. This is simply an instance where having a background in the subject matter (or at least an introduction, including exposure to Filipino words that were used often and I had never heard before) would just have helped the reading experience: there's no way around that fact. Once the premise IS finally set and The Game begins, THIS is where things start to get interesting...and also a bit grotesque. (I finished this while reading dinner - I STRONGLY recommend not reading this while you are attempting to eat. Unless the thought of nibbling on bugs somehow DOESN'T turn your stomach....in which case, you just might be a lizard. But I digress...😉) The stakes are high and I definitely was invested to an extent...but I ALSO was wishing that the book just dove a bit deeper into the game a bit sooner and left out some of the 'backstory' in the beginning.
The brightest part of this one, however, is an EXCELLENT author's note...you know, the kind where it makes you wish you could just listen to the author talk about their book for an hour. It was so heartfelt and moving and explained so much of the motivation behind the book so effortlessly that I wish I had either a) read it BEFORE starting this one for some perspective or B) wish I just connected with the text more because I just genuinely felt bad for not appreciating it the way others might. 😞
And let's just put it this way - if this is only Daphne Fama's DEBUT, then consider me hungry....or rather, 'Fama-shed', for MORE! 🍴
😉
3.5 stars
March 31, 2025
As someone born in the Philippines and raised in a household steeped in superstition, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 hit incredibly close to home. Daphne Fama weaves a tale rich in political and cultural history, exploring themes of womanhood, tradition, and monsters, both literal and figurative, that have haunted the Philippines for generations. From the aswang to the kapre, these creatures aren’t just scary bedtime stories; they are warnings, woven into the fabric of everyday life. Much like Latin America’s 𝙇𝙖 𝙇𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖 or China’s 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚, the aswang serves as both a boogeyman and a lesson, a specter used to keep children in line: 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
Growing up, I knew firsthand how powerful these stories could be. Folklore isn’t just entertainment in the Philippines, it’s a survival tool, a way to pass down history, values, and unspoken fears. No matter where you are, whether in the bustling streets of Manila or the quieter, more tradition-bound provinces, Filipino folklore is inescapable. Fama taps into this collective consciousness, bringing to life not just the supernatural horrors of the Philippines but also the political ones. Set against the backdrop of the Marcos dictatorship, the novel touches on the corruption, fear, and unrest that shaped the country during the People Power Revolution. While political intrigue isn’t usually my forte, I found myself deeply invested in the way Fama wove historical realities with gothic horror. The true terror in this novel isn’t just the ghosts and creatures, but the oppression, the manipulation, and the systemic attempts to control people, especially women. It’s a horror story that mirrors reality, where the most insidious monsters aren’t always the ones lurking in the dark but the ones pulling the strings in plain sight.
Despite the darkness woven throughout the novel, there’s an undeniable thread of familiarity for anyone who grew up surrounded by these stories. This book also transported me back to my childhood, to long afternoons playing 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶-𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶 (the Filipino version of hide and seek) with friends until the sun set and our families called us inside. It’s rare to find a horror novel that so seamlessly blends folklore, history, and deeply personal nostalgia.
At its heart, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 follows Josephine, a young woman drawn into a dangerous game when she’s invited to the sprawling, maze-like house of her childhood friend Hiraya, a girl whispered to be a witch. Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is left alone to tend to their family home while her brother is in Manila, where revolution brews. The invitation to Hiraya’s house offers both an escape and an opportunity: if Josephine wins the game, she can have whatever her heart desires. But as she navigates the eerie corridors of the Ranoco house, where walls seem to shift and unseen eyes follow her every move, it becomes clear that she doesn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. And in this house, the only way to survive is to win.
𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 is a gothic horror novel that lingers like a whispered testament in the dark. Daphne Fama doesn’t just tell a story, she conjures an experience. This book is a love letter to the myths that raised us, the ghosts that follow us, and those who went before us — people who have been silenced, underestimated, and caged, but never forgotten.
(𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬!)
Growing up, I knew firsthand how powerful these stories could be. Folklore isn’t just entertainment in the Philippines, it’s a survival tool, a way to pass down history, values, and unspoken fears. No matter where you are, whether in the bustling streets of Manila or the quieter, more tradition-bound provinces, Filipino folklore is inescapable. Fama taps into this collective consciousness, bringing to life not just the supernatural horrors of the Philippines but also the political ones. Set against the backdrop of the Marcos dictatorship, the novel touches on the corruption, fear, and unrest that shaped the country during the People Power Revolution. While political intrigue isn’t usually my forte, I found myself deeply invested in the way Fama wove historical realities with gothic horror. The true terror in this novel isn’t just the ghosts and creatures, but the oppression, the manipulation, and the systemic attempts to control people, especially women. It’s a horror story that mirrors reality, where the most insidious monsters aren’t always the ones lurking in the dark but the ones pulling the strings in plain sight.
Despite the darkness woven throughout the novel, there’s an undeniable thread of familiarity for anyone who grew up surrounded by these stories. This book also transported me back to my childhood, to long afternoons playing 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶-𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶 (the Filipino version of hide and seek) with friends until the sun set and our families called us inside. It’s rare to find a horror novel that so seamlessly blends folklore, history, and deeply personal nostalgia.
At its heart, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 follows Josephine, a young woman drawn into a dangerous game when she’s invited to the sprawling, maze-like house of her childhood friend Hiraya, a girl whispered to be a witch. Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is left alone to tend to their family home while her brother is in Manila, where revolution brews. The invitation to Hiraya’s house offers both an escape and an opportunity: if Josephine wins the game, she can have whatever her heart desires. But as she navigates the eerie corridors of the Ranoco house, where walls seem to shift and unseen eyes follow her every move, it becomes clear that she doesn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. And in this house, the only way to survive is to win.
𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 is a gothic horror novel that lingers like a whispered testament in the dark. Daphne Fama doesn’t just tell a story, she conjures an experience. This book is a love letter to the myths that raised us, the ghosts that follow us, and those who went before us — people who have been silenced, underestimated, and caged, but never forgotten.
(𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬!)
September 4, 2025
Wow, this slow burn definitely paid off in the end. This was moody, gruesome, intense and jaw-dropping. There were moments in the beginning when I wondered if it was going to pick-up...
I wasn't prepared for what I got. It was so good!
Full review to come...stay tuned!!!
I wasn't prepared for what I got. It was so good!
Full review to come...stay tuned!!!
August 7, 2025
3.75⭐️’s
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Daphne Fama’s House of Monstrous Women is a gothic, feminist reimagining that blends horror, mystery, and literary homage in a richly atmospheric tale. This book was a slow burn of Filipino mythology and ominous horror. Josephine accepts an invitation to her friend’s house, unaware that it is a death sentence. Her friend, Hiraya has been rumored to be a witch and aswang (a shape shifting creature). While there, Hiraya invites Josephine along with other childhood friends to play tagu-tagu. The game turns out to be much more sinister than she remembers.
If you are a fan of gothic horror, this book is it for you! House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama drops 8/12!
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Daphne Fama’s House of Monstrous Women is a gothic, feminist reimagining that blends horror, mystery, and literary homage in a richly atmospheric tale. This book was a slow burn of Filipino mythology and ominous horror. Josephine accepts an invitation to her friend’s house, unaware that it is a death sentence. Her friend, Hiraya has been rumored to be a witch and aswang (a shape shifting creature). While there, Hiraya invites Josephine along with other childhood friends to play tagu-tagu. The game turns out to be much more sinister than she remembers.
If you are a fan of gothic horror, this book is it for you! House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama drops 8/12!
March 26, 2025
Thank you Berkley pub & NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
3.25 stars - Publishes August 12 and follows a young woman named Josephine in 1980s Philippines who is lured into playing a dangerous game after visiting her old friend who is a rumored witch living in a maze like home.
This gothic historical fiction horror book was atmospherically dark and haunting. Throughout the story there’s a political revolution taking place, paired with the events of this game where the winner wins
their heart’s desire.
The story is a bit of a slow burn. The lead up to the game is filled with setting the scene and establishing the dynamics between the characters involved and I found myself waiting in anticipation for the action which took place around 60% in.
I really enjoyed that this book took place in the Philippines, I don’t think I’ve read any other books that do. I enjoyed the power struggles, the character dynamics, and once the action began I was locked in.
Overall, I thought this was a solid and unique gothic horror. I wasn’t obsessed with it, but it was worth the read.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT27fRvkU/
3.25 stars - Publishes August 12 and follows a young woman named Josephine in 1980s Philippines who is lured into playing a dangerous game after visiting her old friend who is a rumored witch living in a maze like home.
This gothic historical fiction horror book was atmospherically dark and haunting. Throughout the story there’s a political revolution taking place, paired with the events of this game where the winner wins
their heart’s desire.
The story is a bit of a slow burn. The lead up to the game is filled with setting the scene and establishing the dynamics between the characters involved and I found myself waiting in anticipation for the action which took place around 60% in.
I really enjoyed that this book took place in the Philippines, I don’t think I’ve read any other books that do. I enjoyed the power struggles, the character dynamics, and once the action began I was locked in.
Overall, I thought this was a solid and unique gothic horror. I wasn’t obsessed with it, but it was worth the read.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT27fRvkU/
August 11, 2025
3.5 stars
I’m definitely in my full-blown horror era this year and am eating up whichever horror novels that I can, so I was very excited to pick up Daphne Fama’s new novel, HOUSE OF MONSTROUS WOMEN. The synopsis of this gothic horror intrigued me the moment I read it and I was so excited to see some Filipino representation in mainstream horror publishing!
Set during the 1986 People Power Revolution, this gothic horror follows Josephine, who accepts an invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to play a deadly game in her labyrinthine seaside home. The prize is whatever she desires—but the house is steeped in whispers of witchcraft, and survival is the only rule.
The first half builds slowly, steeped in eerie atmosphere and political tension, before the true dangers of the game erupt. Once the action begins, the stakes are gripping and the pace relentless. The setting felt fresh and distinctive, blending folklore, history, and gothic dread. While I wasn’t completely obsessed, it was an atmospheric, worthwhile read. I alternated between audio via @prhaudio and the physical and definitely preferred the audio option.
I’m definitely in my full-blown horror era this year and am eating up whichever horror novels that I can, so I was very excited to pick up Daphne Fama’s new novel, HOUSE OF MONSTROUS WOMEN. The synopsis of this gothic horror intrigued me the moment I read it and I was so excited to see some Filipino representation in mainstream horror publishing!
Set during the 1986 People Power Revolution, this gothic horror follows Josephine, who accepts an invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to play a deadly game in her labyrinthine seaside home. The prize is whatever she desires—but the house is steeped in whispers of witchcraft, and survival is the only rule.
The first half builds slowly, steeped in eerie atmosphere and political tension, before the true dangers of the game erupt. Once the action begins, the stakes are gripping and the pace relentless. The setting felt fresh and distinctive, blending folklore, history, and gothic dread. While I wasn’t completely obsessed, it was an atmospheric, worthwhile read. I alternated between audio via @prhaudio and the physical and definitely preferred the audio option.
March 13, 2025
I wasn't sure what to expect when requesting this ARC, the title and cover caught my attention, and I was very pleasantly surprised! House of Monstrous Women takes place in the Philippines in the 1980's during a time of political turmoil and the start of the People Power Revolution. The story that we follow is rooted in Filipino folklore, which I don't know too much about but would love to learn more now! The story isn't directly political, but it mirrors the political climate that is going on simultaneously. Jospehine, her brother Alejandro and his girlfriend (also her old friend) Gabriella are invited to visit the house of Hiraya--isolated on an island. Hiraya and her family have long been rumored to be aswang. Aswang seems to be a term in Filipino lore that is kind of a catch-all phrase for witch, shapeshifter, vampire and the like. They are feared and reviled. Hiraya and Jospehine have been friends since childhood though and they are invited to come visit and play a game. The winner of the game is promised the future they dream of. What unfolds is atmospheric, creepy and disturbing! I don't want to give it away, but if you're afraid of bugs or have an aversion to meat, this will really gross you out! It's a bit of a slow build up, wondering where it's going to go. When it picks up, it does not relent! I love the creepy atmosphere of the house and the servants. I loved learning about Filipino lore. I loved the feminine angle of the book and the exploration of how females are always expected to play their "roles". And I loved the Afterword from the author, which makes the book even more special. I definitely would recommend this for a creepy, gothic, atmospheric story!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC! The book is set to release August 12, 2025.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC! The book is set to release August 12, 2025.
April 10, 2025
this was so good! thank you to net galley for the ARC, i got super invested once i had time to sit down and read this and really take it in. a horror novel that really takes you by surprise as it nears the end. great writing, the right amount of violence and unease. if you’re looking for a gothic historical fiction this is it! releases in august :)
April 16, 2025
This was such a creative book. I’ve never read anything quite like it. The ambiance of the jungle teeming with life stays with you after reading. I loved the characters themselves and the relationships between the women. I definitely could have had more romance between the two leads. Their energy was sizzling. The mystery pulls the story forward and is resolved in a satisfying way. I’d highly recommend checking this book out.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin in describing this book. It’s part thriller/horror, part fantasy-lore, but all amazing.
When Josephine receives a letter from her childhood best friend, calling her to her family’s home estate on an isolated island, Josephine is excited not only to reunite with her friend, but to see her brother and try to convince him to come home and settle down. But once at the estate, the rumors that her friend’s family is involved in witchcraft don’t seem so far fetched. Asked to play a game to cement her friend, Hiyara’s, place in her family, Josephine quickly learns there’s more than just a title on the line.
This book was atmospheric and delightfully detailed from the very beginning. Taking place in the Philippines in 1986, during the turmoil of the end of the Marcos reign, I loved not only the story itself, but this glimpse into Filipino culture and history. The also story incorporates different Filipino legends and myths that were super interesting. Add to that the creepy house and family lore, and you’ve got yourself a great book.
And really: buckle up, because this book is one wild ride from beginning to end. I did not at all see where this was going, but I just went along with it, and I’m so glad I did! Because it was a great story, full of twists and turns.
Just make sure you have a solid stomach for some of this stuff. That’s all I’ll say.
This is one of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve read all this year so far. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller with some depth and intensity.
When Josephine receives a letter from her childhood best friend, calling her to her family’s home estate on an isolated island, Josephine is excited not only to reunite with her friend, but to see her brother and try to convince him to come home and settle down. But once at the estate, the rumors that her friend’s family is involved in witchcraft don’t seem so far fetched. Asked to play a game to cement her friend, Hiyara’s, place in her family, Josephine quickly learns there’s more than just a title on the line.
This book was atmospheric and delightfully detailed from the very beginning. Taking place in the Philippines in 1986, during the turmoil of the end of the Marcos reign, I loved not only the story itself, but this glimpse into Filipino culture and history. The also story incorporates different Filipino legends and myths that were super interesting. Add to that the creepy house and family lore, and you’ve got yourself a great book.
And really: buckle up, because this book is one wild ride from beginning to end. I did not at all see where this was going, but I just went along with it, and I’m so glad I did! Because it was a great story, full of twists and turns.
Just make sure you have a solid stomach for some of this stuff. That’s all I’ll say.
This is one of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve read all this year so far. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller with some depth and intensity.
February 3, 2025
Well this was an unexpected pleasure!
First of all, the world needs more Filipino Gothic novels. This is lush, violent, atmospheric and I was fascinated by it all.
There are so many choice bits of culture and history and I wanted so very much for one particular character to lose the game!
Definitely a sapphic touch, set against a culture and historical context making it all the more rare and dangerous.
Note to the author: You had me absolutely craving Filipino food...until you didn't. I didn't want to eat anything anywhere after reading this!
Great book. Hope the author brings us more from her unique perspective!
First of all, the world needs more Filipino Gothic novels. This is lush, violent, atmospheric and I was fascinated by it all.
There are so many choice bits of culture and history and I wanted so very much for one particular character to lose the game!
Definitely a sapphic touch, set against a culture and historical context making it all the more rare and dangerous.
Note to the author: You had me absolutely craving Filipino food...until you didn't. I didn't want to eat anything anywhere after reading this!
Great book. Hope the author brings us more from her unique perspective!
August 7, 2025
The family of women that the town whispers about. But Josephine never cared about the rumors, she just loved their family like her mother did. Himaya is her best friend. It's been a while since she's seen her since because they moved away after some political violence and unrest in their city. However, Josephine has finally been invited to see her friend again.
When Josephine arrives, her brother Alejandro is also there along with his girlfriend (and Josephine's other close friend) Gabriella. They explain that they have been brought there to play a game - one that, whoever is the winner, gets to ask one wish to be granted.
This is a wild, fast moving story. Josephine is an interesting character and I liked being with her through the story. The creep factor was well done, the house felt both claustrophobic and like a sprawling maze. The added race, stalking servants and nightmares were a great addition to keep the story feeling eerie and keeping the reader on their toes. The political violence added an interesting layer and I liked that it was kept in the background as a reminder at what was at stake. Such a good read!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
When Josephine arrives, her brother Alejandro is also there along with his girlfriend (and Josephine's other close friend) Gabriella. They explain that they have been brought there to play a game - one that, whoever is the winner, gets to ask one wish to be granted.
This is a wild, fast moving story. Josephine is an interesting character and I liked being with her through the story. The creep factor was well done, the house felt both claustrophobic and like a sprawling maze. The added race, stalking servants and nightmares were a great addition to keep the story feeling eerie and keeping the reader on their toes. The political violence added an interesting layer and I liked that it was kept in the background as a reminder at what was at stake. Such a good read!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 31, 2025
An incredible story - the characters were so well developed, the scenery alive and wriggling, with threads of history, mythology and queerness. It is a glowing piece of fruit in a stretched and broken rib case.
thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)
thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)
August 12, 2025
This book was wayyyyy more than 6 stars!! Thank you Berkley Publishing for the eARC of this book because this book and everything that I went through is absolutely the reason why I read!
Josephine’s journey was nothing short of revelatory and the writing is a feast for the senses!!
Daphne Fama sets the scene for the political strife, cultural depredation and individual distress that accompanied the late 1980s in The Philippines during the end of Marcos’s dictatorship. Everything was so vividly outlined and perfectly told from the eyes of a woman suffering from the anxiety of upholding societal mores and familial obligations not to mention the uneasiness one might feel from unwanted attention of any kind (from political rivals, predatory eyes and just plain gossips).
With an entire nation and its people suffering but fighting (long live the People Power Revolution of 1986) as the backdrop, we see that Josephine has her own rebellion to lead. Reuniting with her brother and their childhood friends, she has to fight the loneliness, fear and naïveté that her life experience has left her to grapple with. Not only that, but she has to physically fight for her life during a game of tagu-tagu (hide and seek).
During her entire journey I was in constant awe of how brave Josephine is despite the fear and anxiety that is absolutely palpable from the way Daphne Fama writes! Everything is so beautifully detailed I can almost feel, see, hear, smell and taste it all! I also love the way she interweaved Filipino folklore within the book! I never thought it was easy to describe the manananggal, aswang and the Engkanto to others but Fama made it digestible and easy to understand.
Overall this gothic horror-atmospheric-tropical island-haunted house-deadly games vibe is such a triumph!
And I highly recommend!
Josephine’s journey was nothing short of revelatory and the writing is a feast for the senses!!
Daphne Fama sets the scene for the political strife, cultural depredation and individual distress that accompanied the late 1980s in The Philippines during the end of Marcos’s dictatorship. Everything was so vividly outlined and perfectly told from the eyes of a woman suffering from the anxiety of upholding societal mores and familial obligations not to mention the uneasiness one might feel from unwanted attention of any kind (from political rivals, predatory eyes and just plain gossips).
With an entire nation and its people suffering but fighting (long live the People Power Revolution of 1986) as the backdrop, we see that Josephine has her own rebellion to lead. Reuniting with her brother and their childhood friends, she has to fight the loneliness, fear and naïveté that her life experience has left her to grapple with. Not only that, but she has to physically fight for her life during a game of tagu-tagu (hide and seek).
During her entire journey I was in constant awe of how brave Josephine is despite the fear and anxiety that is absolutely palpable from the way Daphne Fama writes! Everything is so beautifully detailed I can almost feel, see, hear, smell and taste it all! I also love the way she interweaved Filipino folklore within the book! I never thought it was easy to describe the manananggal, aswang and the Engkanto to others but Fama made it digestible and easy to understand.
Overall this gothic horror-atmospheric-tropical island-haunted house-deadly games vibe is such a triumph!
And I highly recommend!
August 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, especially the setting of the creepy, labyrinthine mansion on an island filled with insects. The mansion itself is dark, twisting, full of secrets, and dripping with atmosphere. I appreciated the Filipino history woven into the story as well as the folklore that shapes the deadly game the characters are forced to play. The political climate serves as a strong motivation for why they risk everything, making the stakes feel real and urgent.
The folklore is intrinsic to the narrative, constantly reminding you that not everything is as it seems and the house itself carries a disturbing legacy of tragedy. Once the game begins in the second half, things turn gruesome and I found myself sympathizing with the characters as more got revealed. Overall, this was a haunting gothic story that blended history, folklore, and horror in a way I found both compelling and chilling.
The folklore is intrinsic to the narrative, constantly reminding you that not everything is as it seems and the house itself carries a disturbing legacy of tragedy. Once the game begins in the second half, things turn gruesome and I found myself sympathizing with the characters as more got revealed. Overall, this was a haunting gothic story that blended history, folklore, and horror in a way I found both compelling and chilling.
February 1, 2025
Wow. This book is a roller coaster ride of horror. I didn’t know what to expect when I requested this ARC on NetGalley, but this book delivered and more. It’s as if Mexican Gothic met something like the Hunger Games? But even darker somehow. It asks: what would you do to escape the destiny laid out by society and your family?
The story follows Josephine, a young woman who was orphaned when her parents were killed by political enemies. When she gets an invitation to play a game at the house of one of her oldest friend’s - along with her brother and his partner - she quickly accepts, eager to escape her life caring for her family’s crumbling estate. But from the moment she steps foot in the house, something seems off and she feels like people are watching her at every turn. When the rules of the game are finally revealed, she realizes she must fight to survive.
The story is set in the Philippines in the 1980s during the beginning of the People Power Revolution. I didn’t know anything about the history of the Philippines, but this book hints at the extreme violence happening during that time, as well as the hope of the nation as the people’s movement fought back against its dictator. The terror and violence within the main story mirrors the terror and violence that was occurring during that time, and I appreciated the insight into that history.
I know this book will stick with me for a long time - for its feminist messages, its twisted game, and yes, the images that may creep into my nightmares. Please read trigger warnings, and if you have a deep fear of insects… know that this book is full of them.
The story follows Josephine, a young woman who was orphaned when her parents were killed by political enemies. When she gets an invitation to play a game at the house of one of her oldest friend’s - along with her brother and his partner - she quickly accepts, eager to escape her life caring for her family’s crumbling estate. But from the moment she steps foot in the house, something seems off and she feels like people are watching her at every turn. When the rules of the game are finally revealed, she realizes she must fight to survive.
The story is set in the Philippines in the 1980s during the beginning of the People Power Revolution. I didn’t know anything about the history of the Philippines, but this book hints at the extreme violence happening during that time, as well as the hope of the nation as the people’s movement fought back against its dictator. The terror and violence within the main story mirrors the terror and violence that was occurring during that time, and I appreciated the insight into that history.
I know this book will stick with me for a long time - for its feminist messages, its twisted game, and yes, the images that may creep into my nightmares. Please read trigger warnings, and if you have a deep fear of insects… know that this book is full of them.
July 28, 2025
This may have just become one of my favorite horror books of the year, if not of all times.
House of Monstrous Women follows Josephine as she is called to her childhood's friends home, along with her brother and his partner, for a reunion and to play tagu-tagu, a hide and seek game from their childhood. Set in the 80's in the Philippines under the dictatorship of President Marcos, Daphne Fama uses the political climate to mirror the horrors and obligations of the Ranoco family's house of horrrors.
First and foremost, even as a Filipino American who has never been back to the homeland, so much of this story resonated with me from the family dynamics to the stories of the Aswang, to the mention of the bisayan dialect. I grew up with stories of not going to certain areas unless you wanted the aswang and the moomoos to get you. To say please and thank you when walking through nature to respect the spirits that live there. And to see those practices in a book made me feel SO seen. But even more so, the disconnect between your family obligations and your sense of self was what really tugged at me. How a horror book flayed me open and made me evaluate what I consider my self worth, I have no idea.
The mix between horror and the lore of the Philippines was so immersive you felt like you were in the house with Josephine. If you aren't a fan of bugs, this is your warning that this book is crawling with them (pun intended). The description of the setting is so well done, I had to look over my shoulder or close my book a couple of times to remind myself this game wasn't happening to me.
Thank you so much to netgalley, Berkley Publishing and Ace Books Publishing for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
House of Monstrous Women follows Josephine as she is called to her childhood's friends home, along with her brother and his partner, for a reunion and to play tagu-tagu, a hide and seek game from their childhood. Set in the 80's in the Philippines under the dictatorship of President Marcos, Daphne Fama uses the political climate to mirror the horrors and obligations of the Ranoco family's house of horrrors.
First and foremost, even as a Filipino American who has never been back to the homeland, so much of this story resonated with me from the family dynamics to the stories of the Aswang, to the mention of the bisayan dialect. I grew up with stories of not going to certain areas unless you wanted the aswang and the moomoos to get you. To say please and thank you when walking through nature to respect the spirits that live there. And to see those practices in a book made me feel SO seen. But even more so, the disconnect between your family obligations and your sense of self was what really tugged at me. How a horror book flayed me open and made me evaluate what I consider my self worth, I have no idea.
The mix between horror and the lore of the Philippines was so immersive you felt like you were in the house with Josephine. If you aren't a fan of bugs, this is your warning that this book is crawling with them (pun intended). The description of the setting is so well done, I had to look over my shoulder or close my book a couple of times to remind myself this game wasn't happening to me.
Thank you so much to netgalley, Berkley Publishing and Ace Books Publishing for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
March 21, 2025
Loved how this weaved Filipino folk horror, sapphic romance, history, and the author's personal experience into an innovative and awesome creature to behold. Did not know what to expect and had me on edge until the very end. (Via a free Net galley copy)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
This book was so atmospheric. I am not usually one for a lot of descriptors, it usually makes me feel like it slows down the story but these were SO GOOD. The way the woods and the house were described was just so compelling and chilling! 😘👌 The Philippine lore was also so interesting and I really enjoyed learning about it! There were a lot of layers to this story and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I loved all the messages this book sent, hope when you’re hopeless and fighting for your happiness. Everyone deserves their own happiness. I am loving all the new horror stories coming out and being popular, it’s just such an amazing and entertaining genre! I loved this book!!!!
February 15, 2025
This book had me in a chokehold the whole time … full of suspense!!! A mix of hunger games set in a creepy house and some other horror movie. It threw so much at you throughout the whole story. It was intense!! Such a crazy concept of being invited to an old friends house to play a game that may not be what it seems….
All I know is that if I get invited to a creepy witchy paranormal mansion… I will not be attending… EVER …
Very interesting intense read…
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this amazingly creepy Filipino gothic horror story.
All I know is that if I get invited to a creepy witchy paranormal mansion… I will not be attending… EVER …
Very interesting intense read…
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this amazingly creepy Filipino gothic horror story.
February 8, 2025
I absolutely loved this book, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read an advance copy. Honestly - I read it entirely in a 24 hour period, I was gripped.
The story is set in the climax of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, a moment of hope, uncertainty and anger, and these themes are mirrored perfectly in the storyline of this novel. The backdrop is a strange and unsettling house full of secrets and horrors, and follows the story of Josephine and her attempts to break away from her fate.
I loved the build up towards the twisted version of the game of Tagu-Tagu as the characters initially visit in the house, with plenty of foreshadowing to the true horror of the place, with a host of unsettling events giving clues to its mysteries. The tension truly builds up throughout the first half of the book, and I found myself immersed and reading for hours in order to learn more. There are definitely some creepy and atmospheric scenes that jolted me into the world.
However, my favorite part has to be the characters, they are wonderfully complex, interesting and 3-dimensional, and the conversations and interactions between them really immerse you in the story, and I found myself able to relate and connect with them and was fully invested in each of their fates.
The story is set in the climax of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, a moment of hope, uncertainty and anger, and these themes are mirrored perfectly in the storyline of this novel. The backdrop is a strange and unsettling house full of secrets and horrors, and follows the story of Josephine and her attempts to break away from her fate.
I loved the build up towards the twisted version of the game of Tagu-Tagu as the characters initially visit in the house, with plenty of foreshadowing to the true horror of the place, with a host of unsettling events giving clues to its mysteries. The tension truly builds up throughout the first half of the book, and I found myself immersed and reading for hours in order to learn more. There are definitely some creepy and atmospheric scenes that jolted me into the world.
However, my favorite part has to be the characters, they are wonderfully complex, interesting and 3-dimensional, and the conversations and interactions between them really immerse you in the story, and I found myself able to relate and connect with them and was fully invested in each of their fates.
August 11, 2025
4.5 stars
The nitty-gritty: A dangerous game of cat and mouse, a maze-like house, and a family curse—all these elements and more make up House of Monstrous Women, an excellent horror story rooted in Filipino folklore.
“The Ranoco house wasn’t a normal house, by anyone’s definition. It sprawled on the outside. But inside? She felt like she was in the stomach of a monster.”
Color me surprised—House of Monstrous Women was not what I expected at all, and that’s a very good thing. This is an extremely creepy gothic horror story set the in Philippines in 1986 during the uprising of the People Power Revolution, and the story takes place in one of the weirdest, most unsettling houses I’ve ever read about. Daphne Fama combines political upheaval, body horror, family obligations, Filipino folklore and personal sacrifice into a thrilling tale that revolves around a game of life and death.
Josephine del Rosario has been invited to the house of her childhood friend Hiraya Ranoco to participate in a game they used to play as children. Joining them is Josephine’s brother Alejandro and his girlfriend Gabriella, who live in Manila while Alejandro chases his dream of becoming a powerful politician. Josephine has always had a special place in her heart for Hiraya, and she’s thrilled to see her again after many years apart, but she’s angry at her brother for leaving her alone in their ancestral home and foolishly spending their inheritance money trying to achieve his dream.
As the four gather together in Hiraya’s huge, crumbling mansion, she explains the reason she’s brought them together. Beginning at sunset, they will play a favorite game from their childhood called tagu-tagu, but this time the stakes are much higher. Two of them will be the hunters, or aswang, and the other two will be the prey. Whoever survives the night will get their heart’s desire, but Ranoco House demands a terrible sacrifice from the winner.
As Josephine makes her way through the twisting, ever changing rooms and corridors, trying to stay one step ahead of her hunter, the house and the undead servants who live there do their best to slow her down. For the house is hiding terrible secrets, and Josephine is about to discover them.
Fama has written a tense, fast-paced horror story that gets more and more horrific the longer you read. Just like Hiraya’s impossible house, there’s a fresh terror behind every door. Ranoco House is almost a character itself, a gloomy, candlelit mansion (there is no electricity) where each woman in the Ranoco family has added additional rooms (although we're never told how they accomplished such a feat)/ The result is a house full of never-ending rooms, corridors that twist and change, underground passageways, and even one room with a monstrous tree growing out of the floor. The house is populated with dozens of servants who linger against the walls, hide their faces behind masks and veils, and serve up feasts of freshly slaughtered meat. The servants turned out to be one of the creepiest elements of the story for me, especially since the reader isn’t sure whether they’re alive or dead or what their real purpose is.
Then there are the insects, which play a horrific part in the story. Unfortunately I can’t go into detail due to spoilers, but I will say "body horror + insects = very bad stuff indeed" and leave the rest to your imagination. The generations of Ranoco women are tied to the house in a very disturbing way, and the author describes these horrors without flinching. Josephine, Alejandro and Gabriella are thrust into this nightmare when they’re forced to play Hiraya’s deadly game, and Josephine takes on the burden of trying to break the cycle, hoping to save her friend. Many of the horror elements are pulled from Filipino folklore, like the aswang, who are monster-like creatures who eat the dead.
I loved the setting and time period, and it was so interesting to learn about a time and place in history that was new to me. Fama goes into detail about the awful political situation at the time, when President Marcos ruled the country with an iron fist. It felt eerily familiar to what’s going on in politics in the United States right now, and I couldn’t help but think that history is repeating itself. She also explores how Marcos’s rule has affected the characters, especially Josephine and Alejandro, who bear emotional scars from the loss of their parents and extended family due to political reasons. There’s a finally a glimmer of hope, though, as people are beginning to stand up to Marcos’s regime and fight back.
Fama’s evocative writing is perfect for this story, full of vivid imagery that brings every terrible detail to life. The gothic vibe is so strong in this book, and if you enjoyed Mexican Gothic, you’ll probably love this too. The author uses tried and true gothic tropes like stormy weather, dangerous cliffs and hidden caverns, but she twists these tropes into something unique.
I also loved the way the characters interact with each other, and these relationships added even more tension to the story. Josephine loves her brother, but she’s upset that he’s cut her off from her inheritance and left her alone in the family house. Alejandro is an awful brother with old fashioned attitudes about women, but luckily Josephine isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. I also loved the tension between Hiraya and the others. No one really likes her, especially since her family is rumored to be witches—or even aswang. But she has a way of drawing the others into her game, whether they like it or not, and even though I knew things were only going to get worse, I could not stop reading. I also want to mention Hiraya’s sister Sidapa, who ended up being one of my favorite characters, although she’s sort of a mystery for most of the story.
The ending did not disappoint, and I loved the Epilogue, which jumps ahead a few years to show where everyone ended up. Over all, House of Monstrous Women is a fresh take on the gothic subgenre, perfectly written and paced, and is a must read for all horror fans. I can’t wait to read Daphne Fama’s next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The nitty-gritty: A dangerous game of cat and mouse, a maze-like house, and a family curse—all these elements and more make up House of Monstrous Women, an excellent horror story rooted in Filipino folklore.
“The Ranoco house wasn’t a normal house, by anyone’s definition. It sprawled on the outside. But inside? She felt like she was in the stomach of a monster.”
Color me surprised—House of Monstrous Women was not what I expected at all, and that’s a very good thing. This is an extremely creepy gothic horror story set the in Philippines in 1986 during the uprising of the People Power Revolution, and the story takes place in one of the weirdest, most unsettling houses I’ve ever read about. Daphne Fama combines political upheaval, body horror, family obligations, Filipino folklore and personal sacrifice into a thrilling tale that revolves around a game of life and death.
Josephine del Rosario has been invited to the house of her childhood friend Hiraya Ranoco to participate in a game they used to play as children. Joining them is Josephine’s brother Alejandro and his girlfriend Gabriella, who live in Manila while Alejandro chases his dream of becoming a powerful politician. Josephine has always had a special place in her heart for Hiraya, and she’s thrilled to see her again after many years apart, but she’s angry at her brother for leaving her alone in their ancestral home and foolishly spending their inheritance money trying to achieve his dream.
As the four gather together in Hiraya’s huge, crumbling mansion, she explains the reason she’s brought them together. Beginning at sunset, they will play a favorite game from their childhood called tagu-tagu, but this time the stakes are much higher. Two of them will be the hunters, or aswang, and the other two will be the prey. Whoever survives the night will get their heart’s desire, but Ranoco House demands a terrible sacrifice from the winner.
As Josephine makes her way through the twisting, ever changing rooms and corridors, trying to stay one step ahead of her hunter, the house and the undead servants who live there do their best to slow her down. For the house is hiding terrible secrets, and Josephine is about to discover them.
Fama has written a tense, fast-paced horror story that gets more and more horrific the longer you read. Just like Hiraya’s impossible house, there’s a fresh terror behind every door. Ranoco House is almost a character itself, a gloomy, candlelit mansion (there is no electricity) where each woman in the Ranoco family has added additional rooms (although we're never told how they accomplished such a feat)/ The result is a house full of never-ending rooms, corridors that twist and change, underground passageways, and even one room with a monstrous tree growing out of the floor. The house is populated with dozens of servants who linger against the walls, hide their faces behind masks and veils, and serve up feasts of freshly slaughtered meat. The servants turned out to be one of the creepiest elements of the story for me, especially since the reader isn’t sure whether they’re alive or dead or what their real purpose is.
Then there are the insects, which play a horrific part in the story. Unfortunately I can’t go into detail due to spoilers, but I will say "body horror + insects = very bad stuff indeed" and leave the rest to your imagination. The generations of Ranoco women are tied to the house in a very disturbing way, and the author describes these horrors without flinching. Josephine, Alejandro and Gabriella are thrust into this nightmare when they’re forced to play Hiraya’s deadly game, and Josephine takes on the burden of trying to break the cycle, hoping to save her friend. Many of the horror elements are pulled from Filipino folklore, like the aswang, who are monster-like creatures who eat the dead.
I loved the setting and time period, and it was so interesting to learn about a time and place in history that was new to me. Fama goes into detail about the awful political situation at the time, when President Marcos ruled the country with an iron fist. It felt eerily familiar to what’s going on in politics in the United States right now, and I couldn’t help but think that history is repeating itself. She also explores how Marcos’s rule has affected the characters, especially Josephine and Alejandro, who bear emotional scars from the loss of their parents and extended family due to political reasons. There’s a finally a glimmer of hope, though, as people are beginning to stand up to Marcos’s regime and fight back.
Fama’s evocative writing is perfect for this story, full of vivid imagery that brings every terrible detail to life. The gothic vibe is so strong in this book, and if you enjoyed Mexican Gothic, you’ll probably love this too. The author uses tried and true gothic tropes like stormy weather, dangerous cliffs and hidden caverns, but she twists these tropes into something unique.
I also loved the way the characters interact with each other, and these relationships added even more tension to the story. Josephine loves her brother, but she’s upset that he’s cut her off from her inheritance and left her alone in the family house. Alejandro is an awful brother with old fashioned attitudes about women, but luckily Josephine isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. I also loved the tension between Hiraya and the others. No one really likes her, especially since her family is rumored to be witches—or even aswang. But she has a way of drawing the others into her game, whether they like it or not, and even though I knew things were only going to get worse, I could not stop reading. I also want to mention Hiraya’s sister Sidapa, who ended up being one of my favorite characters, although she’s sort of a mystery for most of the story.
The ending did not disappoint, and I loved the Epilogue, which jumps ahead a few years to show where everyone ended up. Over all, House of Monstrous Women is a fresh take on the gothic subgenre, perfectly written and paced, and is a must read for all horror fans. I can’t wait to read Daphne Fama’s next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
August 7, 2025
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
A house of horrors that is also a metaphor for standing up against oppression, The House of Monstrous Women is a creepy and lush novel of generational trauma and resistance.
You don’t need to know anything about the People Power Revolution before going into this, as I'll admit I didn't but how Josephine thinks of what’s going on in her country explained it enough for me to get the gist. I requested this book on NetGalley so long ago I had no idea what it was when I went into it (which is how I prefer ot anyway) and I found myself intrigued by what was clearly a real-life event and looked it up later. If you are curious, it was a non-violent revolution which ended the 20-year dictatorship of a man, Ferdinand Marcos, who had been growing increasingly violent and undemocratic.
Josephine's parents are also killed for political reasons that resonate through the text, so these aspects served to make this a gothic horror with layers of meaning. While it’s full of creepy hallways, body horror, and dark magic, it’s also about more than just the surface layer horror.
I wouldn’t say it was terrifying, as it’s a very slow-burn horror, but it definitely has parts that are high adreneline, and if you’re freaked out by bugs, well, this one has a lot of them. There is some body horror, but it’s not overly graphic - I was never really grossed out, but that’s subjective.
The setting is very cool. An island off the Philippines with a huge, twisty mansion with labyrinthine halls, freakish servants, and very odd decor. It was hard to picture, but I think that’s the point - it’s meant to be confusing and almost eldritch in its immensity and creepiness. And the descriptions we do get are lush and very specific. I could tell what all the rooms she entered looked like, just not how the house was laid out. This gave it a very mimetic feel as we’re just as turned around as Josephine.
She’s a great character. She has clear motivations, and while she is much too loyal and giving to her friends and family, she’s also tough, brave, and smart. She felt well-rounded and human. The few side characters we get are good, but I think we could have used some more flashbacks to really cement their relationship with Josephine. A certain plotline would have been harder hitting emotionally if we’d seen her and a certain person’s relationship when they were younger, and we’d also see why Josephine has such a hard-on for her friend Hiraya. I mean, I just don’t see why; she was a little annoying.
I have no real background in Filipino myths, so what was based on that and what was purely the author’s imagination, I can’t tell you, but this story has so much cool, interesting lore, specifically the monstrous elements - the aswang and Engkanto - part of the fun for me was being introduced to these new-to-me things.
The book is just so thematically rich. The entire thing is about oppression, as I said before, weaving in the real-life political aspects of the late 1980s, but also women’s oppression and the oppressive nature of generational trauma. But also how oppression is often parasitic, something that is shown again and again in the novel through imagery like the balete trees. Even Josephine’s own acceptance of her life, to a certain extent, is parasitic.
And the book is also beautifully written with visceral, descriptive language that is both lovely and disturbing.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent example of a modern gothic horror - great mansion, foreboding setting, woman main character, deeper themes, and some creepy-ass scenes. And we also get queer rep too!
A house of horrors that is also a metaphor for standing up against oppression, The House of Monstrous Women is a creepy and lush novel of generational trauma and resistance.
You don’t need to know anything about the People Power Revolution before going into this, as I'll admit I didn't but how Josephine thinks of what’s going on in her country explained it enough for me to get the gist. I requested this book on NetGalley so long ago I had no idea what it was when I went into it (which is how I prefer ot anyway) and I found myself intrigued by what was clearly a real-life event and looked it up later. If you are curious, it was a non-violent revolution which ended the 20-year dictatorship of a man, Ferdinand Marcos, who had been growing increasingly violent and undemocratic.
Josephine's parents are also killed for political reasons that resonate through the text, so these aspects served to make this a gothic horror with layers of meaning. While it’s full of creepy hallways, body horror, and dark magic, it’s also about more than just the surface layer horror.
I wouldn’t say it was terrifying, as it’s a very slow-burn horror, but it definitely has parts that are high adreneline, and if you’re freaked out by bugs, well, this one has a lot of them. There is some body horror, but it’s not overly graphic - I was never really grossed out, but that’s subjective.
The setting is very cool. An island off the Philippines with a huge, twisty mansion with labyrinthine halls, freakish servants, and very odd decor. It was hard to picture, but I think that’s the point - it’s meant to be confusing and almost eldritch in its immensity and creepiness. And the descriptions we do get are lush and very specific. I could tell what all the rooms she entered looked like, just not how the house was laid out. This gave it a very mimetic feel as we’re just as turned around as Josephine.
She’s a great character. She has clear motivations, and while she is much too loyal and giving to her friends and family, she’s also tough, brave, and smart. She felt well-rounded and human. The few side characters we get are good, but I think we could have used some more flashbacks to really cement their relationship with Josephine. A certain plotline would have been harder hitting emotionally if we’d seen her and a certain person’s relationship when they were younger, and we’d also see why Josephine has such a hard-on for her friend Hiraya. I mean, I just don’t see why; she was a little annoying.
I have no real background in Filipino myths, so what was based on that and what was purely the author’s imagination, I can’t tell you, but this story has so much cool, interesting lore, specifically the monstrous elements - the aswang and Engkanto - part of the fun for me was being introduced to these new-to-me things.
The book is just so thematically rich. The entire thing is about oppression, as I said before, weaving in the real-life political aspects of the late 1980s, but also women’s oppression and the oppressive nature of generational trauma. But also how oppression is often parasitic, something that is shown again and again in the novel through imagery like the balete trees. Even Josephine’s own acceptance of her life, to a certain extent, is parasitic.
And the book is also beautifully written with visceral, descriptive language that is both lovely and disturbing.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent example of a modern gothic horror - great mansion, foreboding setting, woman main character, deeper themes, and some creepy-ass scenes. And we also get queer rep too!
August 19, 2025
House Of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama, set in 1980s Philippines we meet Josephine her parents were killed by the Ferdinand Marcos regime after her father ran for public office.. this is why her brother has been staying in Manila after their father‘s death it seems Alejandro has taken up the plight for the family. when her childhood friend Herrera invites her to her family home Josephine is happy to go not only does she really like her and her sister but secretly has a crush on Herrera. not only does Josephine go but so does her brother Alejandro and Josephine’s ex friend Gabriella, something that is totally shocking to Josephine. Josephine has always loved being at the sister‘s house despite the rumors of them being a witch because she loved the games they played as children and little does she know but they’re going to play games again only these have more serious implications. also staying at the home brings up lots of questions for Josephine because she learns her mom also stayed there years before and after having a tour of the home Josephine feels freaked out in her dreams doesn’t help the situation it seems there’s a Suwanee that haunts the Homestead and this includes the visiting Josephine also where is Herrera sister Sitipa? just know this is a horrible review about a book that is so awesome it really should be made into a movie I mean just those crawling servants freaked me out and I was just reading the book I couldn’t imagine seeing that in a movie. If you love books that give you a creepy feeling while reading it with Gothic overtones and a likable protagonist then you’ll absolutely enjoy this book. It is written about a Filipino folk tale called the swami who takes fetuses from pregnant women but not all in one night it is overtime but it seems this swami has long-term goals. Such a great great book it is just so good there’s so much more I want to say just know do not take this review verbatim because while my review is all over the place it’s basically what the book is about just with way more detail and better writing.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #DaphneFama, #HouseOfMonstrousWomen,
April 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an early copy of House of Monstrous Women!
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
When I was really getting into the horror genre, I watched Ready or Not (Gillett & Bettinelli, 2019), a movie about a newlywed couple and the groom’s cult-ish family with a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Daphne Fama’s debut novel House of Monstrous Women follows a similar plot, yet remains unique and bakes its own delicious horror into the plot. It is a very quick read, and you will feel terrified as you learn about the truth behind the Ranoco family.
Fama provides some really interesting information in her author’s note, saying that this story is based on her experience with the aswang and generational trauma and suffering. I know next to nothing about Phillippine folklore, so I was thrown into this novel completely clueless. Fama does an excellent job creating a story based on this unique folklore, culture, and familial suffering that radiates with beauty.
Where I was a little lost, however, was the pacing. With just under 300 pages in the eGalley edition and the insanely long chapters at the beginning, I struggled to motivate myself to read more and dive into the story because nothing was really pulling me in, and I put this down a few more times than I’d like to admit in my reading time. The pace picks up when the game starts, which made it much easier to read the rest of the book, but I really do wish that a similar pace could be kept throughout the entire novel.
I do think that this is a great horror novel that follows an interesting premise and strong characters that breathe life into the story. The additional sapphic romance was an added bonus and yet didn’t take away from the book’s themes and main plot. Elements of House of Monstrous Women are entwined together perfectly to capture an intriguing premise that will make you question your own fears.
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
When I was really getting into the horror genre, I watched Ready or Not (Gillett & Bettinelli, 2019), a movie about a newlywed couple and the groom’s cult-ish family with a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Daphne Fama’s debut novel House of Monstrous Women follows a similar plot, yet remains unique and bakes its own delicious horror into the plot. It is a very quick read, and you will feel terrified as you learn about the truth behind the Ranoco family.
Fama provides some really interesting information in her author’s note, saying that this story is based on her experience with the aswang and generational trauma and suffering. I know next to nothing about Phillippine folklore, so I was thrown into this novel completely clueless. Fama does an excellent job creating a story based on this unique folklore, culture, and familial suffering that radiates with beauty.
Where I was a little lost, however, was the pacing. With just under 300 pages in the eGalley edition and the insanely long chapters at the beginning, I struggled to motivate myself to read more and dive into the story because nothing was really pulling me in, and I put this down a few more times than I’d like to admit in my reading time. The pace picks up when the game starts, which made it much easier to read the rest of the book, but I really do wish that a similar pace could be kept throughout the entire novel.
I do think that this is a great horror novel that follows an interesting premise and strong characters that breathe life into the story. The additional sapphic romance was an added bonus and yet didn’t take away from the book’s themes and main plot. Elements of House of Monstrous Women are entwined together perfectly to capture an intriguing premise that will make you question your own fears.
June 9, 2025
What an incredible story! The beginning starts at a slow simmer, with tension and intrigue steadily building until suddenly the visceral horror of the House boils over and nothing is safe anymore. While there are many aspects of this book that I adore, I really love the parallels between the Ranoco family’s curse and the political backdrop of the story.
[Minor Spoilers]
When I first started reading, I found myself constantly looking up political figures, historical events, and cultural touchstones mentioned in the story. I hadn’t realized the book was so rooted in Filipino history, and was happy to explore outside the confines of the story to learn more about traditional foods, native wildlife, and the very real dictatorship I hadn’t been previously aware of. I thought the political backdrop of the story was a cool choice and didn’t think much more of it at first. But it was more than that- the fight to survive and destroy the Engkanto plaguing the Ranoco family directly parallels the people’s rise against a dictator and his corrupt regime. Just as Sidapa, Josephine and Hiraya are fighting to end the curse, the radios in the house tell the readers of the protestors fighting in the streets of Manila, with radio hosts blatantly going against orders and mandates by playing music after dark and public figures calling for the army to lay down their arms in the face of a corrupt dictator.
Reading this book now, in the face of another would-be dictator currently being protested by the people in the streets across the United States, is timely and powerful. An excellent book.
[Minor Spoilers]
When I first started reading, I found myself constantly looking up political figures, historical events, and cultural touchstones mentioned in the story. I hadn’t realized the book was so rooted in Filipino history, and was happy to explore outside the confines of the story to learn more about traditional foods, native wildlife, and the very real dictatorship I hadn’t been previously aware of. I thought the political backdrop of the story was a cool choice and didn’t think much more of it at first. But it was more than that- the fight to survive and destroy the Engkanto plaguing the Ranoco family directly parallels the people’s rise against a dictator and his corrupt regime. Just as Sidapa, Josephine and Hiraya are fighting to end the curse, the radios in the house tell the readers of the protestors fighting in the streets of Manila, with radio hosts blatantly going against orders and mandates by playing music after dark and public figures calling for the army to lay down their arms in the face of a corrupt dictator.
Reading this book now, in the face of another would-be dictator currently being protested by the people in the streets across the United States, is timely and powerful. An excellent book.
August 4, 2025
3.75⭐
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for an e-ARC of this book.
This book will haunt me for a while. I was so excited to read this book as it was embedded in Filipino folklore and history, but I didn't know what I expected from this book. Thank you, Daphne Fama, for ruining lechon for me and giving me serious high blood pressure!
I loved being able to read more about my culture, and this story seamlessly braided itself within it. As a child, I've been told of stories of aswangs (vampiric monsters), but I didn't know too much about it. It was interesting to see innocent things that I was familiar with as a child like tagu-tagu (hide and seek) be manipulated into something so terrifying. It added a chilling layer to the story, because it demonstrated that anything could get to you.
It was so interesting because I didn't like any of these characters (and not in a bad way). Actually, never mind, I did like Sidapa. Anyways, the way the story was written, it was as if the characters were meant to be unlikable because since the story was all about winning a game, they were all in it for themselves. For example, one of the characters, Hiraya, orchestrated the event and brought people she cared about to peril, which was an act of desperation, but I think many of us still can't agree that they'd put their loved ones in danger to benefit ourselves.
This was a bone-chilling horror that I never knew I needed. I can't wait to read more of Daphne Fama's work!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for an e-ARC of this book.
This book will haunt me for a while. I was so excited to read this book as it was embedded in Filipino folklore and history, but I didn't know what I expected from this book. Thank you, Daphne Fama, for ruining lechon for me and giving me serious high blood pressure!
I loved being able to read more about my culture, and this story seamlessly braided itself within it. As a child, I've been told of stories of aswangs (vampiric monsters), but I didn't know too much about it. It was interesting to see innocent things that I was familiar with as a child like tagu-tagu (hide and seek) be manipulated into something so terrifying. It added a chilling layer to the story, because it demonstrated that anything could get to you.
It was so interesting because I didn't like any of these characters (and not in a bad way). Actually, never mind, I did like Sidapa. Anyways, the way the story was written, it was as if the characters were meant to be unlikable because since the story was all about winning a game, they were all in it for themselves. For example, one of the characters, Hiraya, orchestrated the event and brought people she cared about to peril, which was an act of desperation, but I think many of us still can't agree that they'd put their loved ones in danger to benefit ourselves.
This was a bone-chilling horror that I never knew I needed. I can't wait to read more of Daphne Fama's work!
August 20, 2025
4.5 ✨
Josephine is the only member of her family to still live in their family home, and every day she is haunted by the memory of her parents and their deaths. When a childhood friend (and crush) reaches out to her to come visit and play a game from their childhood, Josephine sees this as a chance to reconnect with her friends and her brother who lives his life away from her in the city. Whoever wins the game gets whatever their heart desires…but at what cost?
While this book did have a bit of a slow start, I enjoyed reading about the Filipino folklore and history. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in the Philippines and liked how the story tied into the political movement that was happening during the time period. Once the game begins - wow! It does not let up until the very end. The Ranoco House felt like a living, breathing character itself and this book gets bonus points for making my skin crawl on more than one occasion. There are so many truly grotesque moments between the body horror and all of the bugs. The author’s writing really invokes all of your senses - it felt like I could smell the sweet rot Josephine describes and I’m not even ashamed to admit I checked to make sure there weren’t any bugs on my arms (there weren’t 😂).
I was really impressed by this debut and I can see it being one of my favorite horrors of the year. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for a review copy.
Josephine is the only member of her family to still live in their family home, and every day she is haunted by the memory of her parents and their deaths. When a childhood friend (and crush) reaches out to her to come visit and play a game from their childhood, Josephine sees this as a chance to reconnect with her friends and her brother who lives his life away from her in the city. Whoever wins the game gets whatever their heart desires…but at what cost?
While this book did have a bit of a slow start, I enjoyed reading about the Filipino folklore and history. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book set in the Philippines and liked how the story tied into the political movement that was happening during the time period. Once the game begins - wow! It does not let up until the very end. The Ranoco House felt like a living, breathing character itself and this book gets bonus points for making my skin crawl on more than one occasion. There are so many truly grotesque moments between the body horror and all of the bugs. The author’s writing really invokes all of your senses - it felt like I could smell the sweet rot Josephine describes and I’m not even ashamed to admit I checked to make sure there weren’t any bugs on my arms (there weren’t 😂).
I was really impressed by this debut and I can see it being one of my favorite horrors of the year. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for a review copy.
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