This is a story of witches. Not kind witches, but evil, cruel, and heartless witches. The question is, does Alecto Black have a witch’s soul from her father or a mortal’s sense of wrong from her mother?

This book’s story pulls the reader forward as we’re thrust into the world of dark academia and the “Inner Circle” of one of the witch university’s most powerful houses. The main character, Alecto Black, is half mortal and finds herself constantly under scrutiny and judgment from the other witches, despite her father being one of the most powerful warlocks in the area. Our second POV comes from Blaze who is also a member of the Inner Circle and confused about…a lot.

The book does uphold its promise of steamy romance and Ninth House / Zodiac Academy vibes, but I wouldn’t truly reference Harry Potter or Gossip Girl as the publisher suggests.

While I really enjoyed the story, I felt like the book read a bit like fan fiction and needed some additional editing and review. The book has quite a few misspellings, grammatical errors and was choppy in a way that felt more like a second draft than a final product.

The author does include a list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, which I would highly recommend reviewing in detail before pursuing as this is a dark academia bully romance.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an E-Arc of this book to review.

I got an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for a review. This book has an interesting premise. I do see that a lot of the storyline is very similar to a Harry Potter fanfiction or Zodiac Academy. Enemies to lovers and paranormal romance is my favorite so I really enjoyed the tropes in this story. Blaze and Alecto are compelling characters and I really want to learn more about the houses and the magical world we are introduced to in this series. Was this book my favorite? No, but it is a fairly easy read and I enjoyed the story. I will read the sequel as I want to see Alecto and Blaise grow together despite the obstacles in their way. I also really liked Jolene!

Arc from netgalley.
This book was just okay for me. I felt like it was all something I read before. Borrowed themes and plot points from other books

- Dark academia
- Enemies to lovers, to enemies…lol
- Witchcraft
- Trauma and abuse

This book exceeded my expectations. Great world building, and I am always a sucker for any magic. Thought the characters were well rounded and likeable. Appreciated the trigger warning. Trauma discussed and seen in the book.
Definitely looking forward to the next installment.

4.5/5 stars

First of all, thanks Net Galley for the e-ARC!!
I have to admit I didn't really have any expectations about this book. I found it interesting in the description so I applied for it. I FREAKING LOVED IT!!!
I read the first sentence and was immediately hooked. I loved the characters, the world, the magic, and all the events. Except maybe for one or two things that happened to the protagonist, but I believe they were important for the plot.
THE SPICE OMG!!!!! It was so good! I reached a certain part and couldn't put the book down!!
I'm so glad I read House of Pain, I love witches and this book's premise was really great.
I actually need the next one, like ASAP.

I really wanted to love this book from the description of Harry Potter meets Gossip Girl but I got about 10 pages in and it was just too much. The characters seem too young for all the sex references

You'll know whether this book is right for you within the first chapter. It's heavy on the 18+ aspects, and you definitely want to read the trigger warnings!

That said, I really enjoyed this one. It's not my usual cup of tea, but I was in the mood for something dark and delicious. I think the biggests draw for me on House of Pain was that, unlike so many DNFed "dark" books on my shelf...this one was written well! It balanced a great line between colloquial and descriptive. The prose didn't make me cringe, the dialogue was realistic, and even the "Dark fantasy" elements seemed plausible in Wilde's world. I will put books down in a heartbeat if they're not well written, no matter how intriguing the concept is. Luckily this one delivered on both fronts, and was a unique spin on "magical house games".

If you enjoyed Zodiac Academy but wanted it to jump into those darker 18+ elements right away...give this one a shot.

There’s steam, then there STEAM.
Idk if I could classify this as a bully romance? A sex positive one?


I wished there was more background info. I didn’t understand exactly what houses were for, why some were elite, what the …. Purpose? Of the plot was?


I’m still gonna read the second but it was a lot of pent up sexual tension, smut, and little plot. If that’s your thing- great. I just wanted more.

I want more! I'm absolutely obsessed with this story and its characters. It's the first book since the ACOTAR series that has grabbed my attention in a similar way. Combine the heat of ACOTAR and the academia of Harry Potter, and you get House of Pain. Can't wait for the rest of the series!

The synopsis to this book had me clicking request real quick. I was so happy when I was approved and began reading it immediately. The book had a chokehold on me! I was engrossed and on the edge of my seat every chapter wondering what would happen to Alecto next or what would Blaze do. The tension, chemistry and spice between these two was top notch. I couldn't get enough of them. All of the side characters were just as intriguing as the main characters, the magical system and the world building needed a little bit more work as well as the grammar throughout the story but let me tell you it did not lack on the usage of magic and battles with creatures from their world. There are many Houses at the school the characters attend, and the Houses compete against each other because of a Game that the school requires the students to participate in. There are no limits to what you can do to a fellow student just don't get caught! There was an exceptional balance of fantasy and romance. Plot and character driven. I look forward to reading the next book in this trilogy!

Did I mention the ARTWORK?! Because that must be mentioned! It was absolutely stunning!

P.S. This is a dark fantasy, and you need to check TW!

I guess you are here because you've read the blurb that compares this book to a Gothic Harry Potter, the Ninth House, and Zodiac Academy.

I hate to burst the bubble, but you're in the wrong place: House of Pain has nothing to do with them.

I won't indulge in the first two comparisons because there's no comparison at all.
Let's just say that it's actually a poor version of ZA with insufferable characters, more sex&drugs, a paper-thin plot, and non-existent worldbuilding.

Extensive trigger warnings laid out before you begin reading. LOOK AT THIS LIST. There’s too many for me to warn you 😅

“Life is always about choice… Everything has a cost.”

Think Harry Potter is actually a Slytherin and rebels when he goes to college 😅Karolina is a very talented writer. I was intrigued throughout the entirety of the book. Reality meets dark fantasy meets romantasy… smut, magic, friendship. A range of tropes takes you on a complete roller coaster from start to finish. The characters are well built, the story and scenes are all very thought out. I loved everything about this book! I am dying for book 2 already!

•SPIIIIIICE 🥵🥵
•LGBTQ+ rep
•enemies to lovers
•found family
•bully romance
•frienemies/toxic friendships

Out December 6, 2022

Thank you to @netgalley and @karolinawilde for the ARC in exchange for my review! I canNOT wait for more!

🩸House of Pain ARC Review🩸


Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️


I'm just going to start of by saying how much I love this book. It's definitely near the top of the books I've read so far this year, which is saying a lot🙌

I fell in love with the characters (well, most of them) and their unique personalities. I adored our fmc, Alecto, and her strength, how she overcomes any obstacles in her way, and doesn't let anyone push her around.

The tension between the main love interests was amazing, and written so well. But their miscommunication was so frustrating😤 it irked me so much how their feelings were so clear but they said the exact opposite!! ughh!! but, having said that, it was worth it, and made everything else so much sweeter.

If you're looking for a book with:
- witches
- enemies to lovers
- academic setting
- academic heists
- smut
- calling eachother by their surnames (god these characters make me swoon)
- petty revenge on one another
- queer rep
- possessive love interest
- strong fmc
- betrayal
then you are in the perfect place.

House of Pain has all of that and more!
And oh my god, don't even get me started on the absolutely STUNNING character art in the book🙌 literal perfection.

If it wasn't already obvious, this book is my new obsession and I cannot wait for the second one to come out😩

I'm going to share a few of my favourite quotes because why not

' "I would tie you to my bed with a silk tie I keep only for special occasions." '

' it didn't take Alecto long to learn that revenge did taste better than peace. '

' "She's mine to fuck with, and I don't like other messing with what's mine." '

' "You're out of your fucking mind. I love it." '

and the final quote,
' "Words, words, words. Another ocean of meaningless words." '
- I'm not sure why I love this quote so much, but it suck out to me, and has been in my head ever since.

there are so many absolutely brilliant quotes, it was hard to pick just a few!

House of Pain comes out December 6th so definitely have it marked in your calendars!!

also, definitely make sure you check the trigger warnings

(thank you netgalley for sending me this arc)

4/5⭐️ thank you netgalley for this arc!


Thoughts

Whenever I started this book, I wasn’t sure if i was going to enjoy it. I was proved wrong. From about 15% till the end, I was glued to my seat.

Plot

I was really getting Harry Potter vibes the whole time I was reading this. Houses, Witches, forests. From the moment I read the synopsis, I was intrigued.

Characters

• Alecto is our main character, she is a half witch but that doesn’t make her any weaker than any full blooded witch. I loved her fire and determination the entire book.

• Blaze is so interesting, he is apart of the inner circle, his relationship with Alecto was my favorite thing about the book. Bully trope go insane.

you’ll have to read the book for the other characters *wink*

Romance

This book has enemies to lovers, bully trope, “you prank me, i’ll retaliate 10x worse”, they’re in the same house and i was here for it the whole time.

Final Thoughts

If the synopsis is something you think you’ll enjoy, I highly recommend checking this book out whenever it releases. I cannot wait for the next book.

1.5 ⭐ - This book was not for me.

House of Pain is a Harry Potter x Dark Academia bully romance, and when I read the comparison to Dramione in the blurb I jumped at the chance to read this. I should have corralled my excitement.

Here we have Alecto, a half-blood witch, as the FMC. She’s discriminated against because of it, and his biggest bully happens to be part of the same inner circle she’s in as part of the House of Snakes. Blaze - the MMC - is as fucked up as the rest of the characters in the story, if not more, and he’s conviction that Alecto is inferior to him was hard to read because it happens throughout the entire book. I’m all for morally grey characters, truly, I think they’re far more interesting to read about, but I was rooting for exactly zero characters by the end of this… Well, I liked Jolene and Andro. And I suppose Alecto is not the absolute worst, but she’s pretty close - worst, she looks up to them.

The obvious borrowed themes and plot points from other books didn’t really bother me, but I’ll be honest, this read like a fanfiction, and not the good kind. That being said, I’ve been known for loving trashy fanfics in the past - this was not one of those instances. Also, I feel like there should be a TW about the fact that the physical, psychological, and emotional violence - and specially the molestation - happen at the hands of the characters’ fathers. [*spoiler* I was convinced Alecto’s father had raped her in that scene at the studio, even though the content warnings said that there’s no rapes in the book. *spoiler*]

It was an overly long book with an unsatisfying ending – so, like I said, not for me.

1.5/5⭐

Readers who loved Zodiac Academy, this is the book for you! This book is very similar where there are houses in the school who compete against each other. The main difference is that this competition is the main focus of this book.

DNF’d at 3%. So graphic and unnecessarily so? The word “cock” was gratuitous. there are so many more artful ways to convey these kind of compulsions.

''You like to hurt me, don't you baby?'' His hot breath was against her neck again. ''With your nails, teeth, your soft little hands?'' And her words. Her sharp glances. Her tongue. Alecto nodded frantically because the tension building inside her was about to erupt. ''So cruel.'' He chuckled, his breathing ragged now.' ''It's a good thing I love it.''

The story starts with a ritual, where Legacies from The Venefica Academy, are trying to summon a Guardian, who will help them win an annual and brutal game between rival Houses. They succeed and are rewarded with Rogue Smolder (I can't.. that last name haha) Dangers and heat is rising, trials are happening and secrets are being slowly unraveled.

''Let his smile be as charming as Heath Ledger's, with a dimple in one cheek.''
''Let his hair be as dark as night itself, eyes deeper than the f*cking Mariana Trench, and let his c*ck be long and beautiful and capable, just like every fucking bitch deserves."
''Let him have lean, strong muscles over his dark skin and let his touch be as intoxicating as the taste of any drug. Let his body be painted in the history of the whole witchkind and his dark past.''
''Let him be smart enough to hold a conversation that doesn't include boobs or sports. Let him be charming as one of the demons from Hel. And let him know exactly where the f*ck the clit is and what to do with it.''

What a description, bravo! Every reader would swoon over this. Great job Karolina! 👌 My only wish about Rogue is this - he could have been used more. Creating conflict between Alecto and Blaze, or just causing havoc. There was so much potential for him. I hope we will see it play out in the next book.

House of Pain is many things - over the top, bloody, sexy, drama-loving, and ruthless. You will indeed find some traits inspired by Zodiac Academy, Harry Potter and Manacled. Occasionally I felt that story was rushed and lacked depth or execution. The idea was there, but it was not fully explored. You will get some twists and turns, some revelations, betrayals, and heavy bullying. Students who are attending this school are unhinged and wicked. It's a game of survival there for sure.

The first book was pretty much centered around Alecto, who is half witch and Blaze, who is pureblood. I will not describe what happens between these two, but it's self-destructing. There's a lot of biting, harsh words, swearing and f*cking. They have their own dark secrets and trauma to deal with, but we only get a glimpse of it.

The rest of the characters were there and that's it. Doing their own thing, being sketchy, being helpful, being loyal and crazy. And they sure do love alcohol and parties.

I wish that we got more background for their first year, or more information about their parents. It could have been developed more - especially how long this book was. But if you like gothic setting, drama, witchcraft, magic, monsters and gods, just give this a go!

Thank you to Karolina Wilde, publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this story. It was a combination of Harry Potter meets Cruel Intentions. I felt the character development was nice and the world building, while minimal, was enough to help tell the story. In a saturated genre like fantasy romance, I felt that this story stood out and didn't really feel like a retelling of another story. There was one thing that didn't work for me though. I was unsure who the antagonist was. There wasn't a clear group or individual that was the enemy. It kind of felt like almost everyone could have been the enemy. There were also some editing errors that could be fixed like missing or repetitive words in places.

Thank you for sending me this ARC, all opinions are my own

This book has a lot of potential and definitely would be a hit for the lovers of Zodiac Academy. I think I struggled to understand where this book was going for the majority of it, and thats why the rating is low. I could not get over how forced the writing felt and it would leave me with a headache after.

There is potential in the plot and the story, but I would definitely say that it need better editing and maybe less of "assumed we'll understand" info dump at the start, like I still don't really know/care who is who in this book.

I had such high hopes after reading the blurb but its just a no for me personally.