A review by nikzbookcorner
House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

House of Bane and Blood takes the very fabric of the Peaky Blinders world and weaves a most intriguing magical essence through it, which makes the Peaky Blinders x Grishaverse descriptor very on point. But that comparison is completely on a surface level because it delves so much further than that. 

House of Bane and Blood follows two rival families, the Attanos and the Marcheses, in a twisted game of depravity, hidden schemes, magical intrigue, and forbidden love.

One family is broke and desperate to keep their family’s legacy and syndicate in a position of power. The other is looking for an opportunity to secure their station, take absolute control of the district, and keep other rivals at bay. So a marriage is brokered between Nicolai Attano and the Steam Princess, Camilla Marchese. Worlds collide when two people from opposite sides of the river Ada are brought together - both looking for a means to an end, and their freedom, but finding so much more than they ever bargained for. 

The world they must navigate is dark and teeming with unbridled magical influence and those who would oppose it. The magic systems, which are reminiscent of the Grishaverse, are very interesting and provide a undercurrent to an already sinister plot. It makes the scale seem so much grander and mysterious once the powers come into play because not only does it delve in magic, but there’s also elements of the mystical, science, and alchemy. A whole amalgamation of the best in fantasy.

Nico and Camilla are two very strong and determined characters that bring a lot of life to the page. On their own, they are forces to be reckoned with. But together? Lord have mercy. Neither one backing down from the other and rising to each and every challenge. Their hate banter and flirting created such a delectable tension that had me strangling my paperback book to its limits. I may have slapped it down on my bed once or twice. Probably more. The slow burn, rivals to lovers romance was done SO incredibly well. It was all I could’ve hoped for.


Which now brings me to the writing and it IS exceptional, creating such a vivid + expressive story with characters and a world that were easy to get lost in. And I WANTED to get lost in it. Honestly I wouldn’t have complained if this book was 800 pages. The plot twists and reveals really kept the pace flowing at consistent rate and provided more than a few HOLY SH*T moments. Book 2 cannot get here fast enough!!!!

God. Gaslamp fantasy is one of those niche genres I wish I saw more of. Alexis Manard, thank you for reminding me how much I love it. 

⟡ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
⟡ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 2/5
⟡ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: Dual POV, post-industrial age gaslamp setting, morally gray characters, gangster families, power play, marriage of convenience, rivals to lovers, slow burn romance, forced proximity, witty banter, found family, mystical + elemental magic systems, science + alchemy, secrets, betrayal, cliffhanger ending
⟡ 𝐂𝐖: profanity, tobacco/alcohol use, violence, death, kidnapping, guns and weaponry, gaslighting family members, mentions of suicide
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