The first novel in an eerie, darkly creative, and romantic new gothic fantasy duology from Maxym M. Martineau, for readers of Sarah J. Maas and Rachel Gillig.
HOUSE OF BLIGHT
The Threadmender Chronicles, Book 1
by Maxym M. Martineau
Harper Voyager, April 2025
(via The Whalen Agency)
Edira Brillwyn is a threadmender. She holds a rare, lifesaving power that can cure disease and heal injuries in the blink of an eye. But magic always comes with a cost, and saving anyone sacrifices a sliver of her own life. She’s always kept her abilities hidden…until the powerful Fernglove family discovers her secret.
The Ferngloves are charming and beautiful, possess powerful magic, and don’t take no for an answer—especially Orin, the head of these ruling elites. When Edira’s brothers unexpectedly contract blight—an incurable virus killing people throughout the town, and an illness too strong for her to heal them both—Orin offers to help. Together at his estate they’ll research a cure while Orin slows their sickness and Edira hones her magic. His kindness and honesty surprises Edira, as does her undeniable attraction to him.
But the other Ferngloves are suspicious of her power and may be more dangerous than the ever-present disease. The longer Edira stays within the confines of the Manor, the more the family’s pristine exterior begins to crack—until Edira discovers a terrifying secret and must choose who she can save and at what cost…
« [E]nthralling…With court intrigue, a dash of romance, and betrayal galore, this promises good things to come. » — Publishers Weekly
« Wrenching, thrilling, and wildly imaginative…The kind of story that you just can’t put down. » —Thea Guanzon, New York Times and international bestselling author
« [A] gorgeous fae gothic… I’m excited to see what [Martineau] does next. » —Illona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Maxym M. Martineau is an associate creative director by day and a fantasy author by night. When she’s not getting heated over broken hearts, she enjoys playing video games, binge-watching television shows, competing in just about any sport, and of course, reading.
When Charmers begin falling beneath the thrall of a powerful spell, the Council devises a plan to find the two people in all the realm who might be able to save them: Kaori’s parents, long thought lost…but not, it seems, dead. As fate would have it, they’ve spent years trapped inside Galvanhold, a magical prison designed to incapacitate the worst of the worst—and once you enter Galvanhold, there’s no escape.
Leena Edenfrell never dreamed of igniting a war, and her pair bond, Noc Feyreigner, never wanted to set foot on a battlefield again. But when their enemies combine forces, they have no choice but to fight. While Noc makes moves to reclaim his throne, Leena acts as the new Crown of the Charmer’s Council, searching for a way to stop the enemy from raising an ancient dragon destined to burn their world to ash. But no matter how hard Noc and Leena fight, the odds are stacked against them, and soon a winged shadow reigns over Lendria. It’s then they learn the true price of victory: in order to tame the terrifying beast, Leena will have to sacrifice her own heart…and perhaps lose herself in the process.