Monday, July 14, 2025

Review: It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest

It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: July 22nd, 2025
Paperback. 352 pages.

About It Was Her House First:

"Ronnie doesn't know it yet, but her fate rests in the hands of the dead.

Silent film star Venita Rost's malevolent spirit lurks spider-like in her cliffside mansion, a once-beautiful home that's claimed countless unlucky souls. And she's not alone. Snared in her terrible web, Inspector Bartholomew Sloan—her eternal nemesis—watches her wreak havoc in helpless horror, shackled by his own guilt and Venita's unrelenting wrath.

Now the house has yet another new owner. This time it's Ronnie Mitchell, a grieving woman who buys the run-down place sight unseen. She arrives armed with an unexpected inheritance, a strong background in renovation, and a blissful ignorance regarding the house's blood-soaked history. But her arrival has stirred up more than just dust and decay. In the shadows, unseen eyes watch. Then, a man comes knocking. He brings wild stories and a thinly veiled jealousy, as well as a secret connection to the house that can only lead to violence.

Venita's fury awakens, and a deadly game unfolds.

Caught between a vengeful ghost and a ruthless living threat, Ronnie's skepticism crumbles. The line between living and dead isn't as sharp as it seems, and she realizes too late that in Venita's house, survival might be just an illusion."

If you can't wait for October to start reading about some delightfully haunted mansions, then look no further because It Was Her House First is here! I didn't expect to become as invested as I did in this book, but Cherie Priest's dry wit, haunting atmosphere, and delightfully character-driven horror story grabbed me from page and didn't let go (much like Venita Rost can't seem to let go of the mansion...)

It Was Her House First follows Ronnie Mitchell as she purchases a crumbling old mansion that she quickly finds out has a more tumultuous--and deadly--past than she knew about. The mansion once belonged to Venita Rost, a silent film star, who is now one of the many spirits that reside within it's deteriorating walls.

I really liked this one! I had good hopes for it, but, as mentioned, I didn't expect to fall into this story and become as invested as I was. I think it's largely due to Ronnie's narrative voice that I have to thank for that, as she made it so easy to become invested in both her own story and that of the mansion's. Ronnie is very much a highly competent protagonist, which I always find refreshing in any haunted house type of story since it makes everything feel just a bit more believable and like a situation I can really put myself into without feeling overly frustrated by excessive dumb decisions.

The story mainly follows the perspective of Ronnie, but we also get some chapters intermixed that feature some ghostly characters and I think I ultimately appreciated getting the extra backstory and intrigue that the ghost chapters provided. Everything worked together well, and I think Priest did a great job of slowly allowing our ghastly and murderous tale unfold as we learn more and more about each character and some of the causes of the dastardly deeds that occurred in the house.

I loved the tone of this book--it's got a very dry wit and self-awareness to it (largely due to our narrator, Ronnie) and it worked so well. I love this type of horror and how it's very straight to the point with things and somehow manages to incorporate very eerie and questionable occurrences with a subtlety that translates into a strong sense of uncertainty. I wouldn't say the atmosphere was overly dark or terrifying, but it definitely had a strong sense of foreboding as an overtone that made me feel like constantly looking over my shoulder. I appreciated that this book didn't feel overly descriptive, but still managed to incorporate absolutely everything I needed to feel invested and understand what was going on. And I truly enjoyed getting to hear about Ronnie's plans to restore the house, I love a good project! If you like T. Kingfisher's horror, then you will probably like this one, and vice versa.

I'd definitely say It Was Her House First moves on the slower side of pacing, but I never found it boring. I feel like everything that occurred in the first half and build-up to more intense moments was perfectly executed and paced and worked perfectly for the story Priest was telling. I will say that I think I kept expecting a little bit more to happen on the way to the climactic moment, but I wasn't upset with the plotting that was there. 

Overall, It Was Her House First is a wonderfully eerie, clever, and satisfying haunted house novel that balances horror, drama, and wit beautifully. Cherie Priest does an excellent job of slowly revealing a dark, terrible past while keeping readers invested in her clever and relatable protagonist. If you like your horror to be complete with sharp writing and compelling characters, then be sure to add this one to your summer TBR. 

*I received a copy of It Was Her House First in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my opinions.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Friday, July 4, 2025

Month in Review: June 2025


I started June off so strong, and then things got rough and I totally fell off of keeping up with anything, haha. Extra time has just been a very rare commodity lately, and my mental health has not been at its best, so therefore focus and productivity has gone down a bit as well. That being said, I'm trying to relieve some pressure on myself to get some things done, and usually I end up being more productive when that happens, so hopefully July means I can get back on track with reviews and blogging. Fingers crossed!

In personal news...
there's not too much more to share than I already did above, actually! I officially turned thirty in June, which feels wild, haha. I'm also taking a couple classes through my local community college to explore a few areas in more depth, so that's also been keeping me busy. 

In reading news, I read a lot more than I expected, but I fell incredibly behind on posting! I feel a bit bad that I only got around to four reviews this month, but I also realized while making this post that I read a decent number of backlist and non-review books, so that's possibly part of it (though I'd like to return to reviewing more backlist sometime!). Highlights from my reading this past month include finally re-reading the first two books from the Vita Nostra trilogy and I can't wait to finally read the conclusion now. I also really enjoyed Blood Over Bright Haven, and I finally managed to pick up some graphic novels again from my library so I've been having a lot of fun with those, too. 

How was your June and what books have you been reading?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!
   

# books read: 15


Vita Nostra by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This was a re-read because it's one of my favorite books and the third book just released in June and I wanted to re-read the first two in preparation, which is something I rarely do. But, knowing how weird and complicated this series is, I figured it would benefit me to do so. I loved Vita Nostra just as much as the first time!

Assassin of Reality (Vita Nostra #2) by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I also did a re-read of the sequel, which was honestly perhaps weirder than I recall, haha, but still fantastic.  I'm so curious to see how this story is going to wrap up with the third book!

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang ★★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I'm so glad I finally picked this one up because I really liked it! I fully agree with everyone who says this book lacks subtlety and does hit you over the head a bit with its themes. However, this book does it really well and still manages to have interesting characters, character arcs, world-building, and a magic system, so I really didn't mind it and thought it was really well done.

She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I read Clark's Boy Parts a couple years ago, and from that book I've come to expect some fairly unhinged stories from her, and this collection proved that that is true! I enjoyed most of these and am eager to read even more from Clark now. 

The Marvels by Brian Selznick ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I've been wanting to read Brian Selznick's work for so long because they just always sound so interesting and the artwork is just gorgeous. I don't htink this was quite what I expected, but I really enjoyed it and definitely plan to read his other work now, too. 

Coyote Songs by Gabino Iglesias ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: Iglesias' writing is captivating and this made really curious to read more from him!

The Golden Age, Bk. 1 by Roxanne Moreil ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: The art in this graphic novel is absolutely beautiful. The story itself is pretty solid--nothing groundbreaking, but I'm intrigued enough--and I'm looking forward to reading the second volume. 

The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: I always have a great time with Rowenna Miller's work, and I also really enjoyed this one!

The Night Eaters, Vol. 1: She Eats the Night by Marjorie M. Liu ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: I've had Monstress by these authors on my TBR for ages, and I stumbled across this one at the library so picked it up and had a great time with it. I'll definitely continue with it and see where the story goes. 

The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: Jane Yang is definitely a new historical fiction author to keep an eye one! I liked this dive into the lives of two women living in nineteenth century China and their many different experiences.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone ★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I had such high hopes for this one, but it just didn't quite work for me. I felt like blurb and atmosphere promised a lot, but didn't deliver as much as I'd have hoped. 

Briar, Vol. 1: Sleep No More by Christopher Cantwell ★★
Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: This was another graphic novel I picked up, and unfortunately this one just didn't really work for me. 

Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recoveryby Mallary Tenore Tarpley ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: This was an incredibly informative and educational book about eating disorders and the current research around them (which, spoiler: there's not nearly enough done on them!) and I think it's a must-read for anyone interested in knowing more about a disease that affects an incredibly large portion of the population. Though please note that if you are or were currently struggling with an eating disorder, this could be a difficult read at times, so just keep that in mind going in. 

The Gift of Not Belonging: How Outsiders Thrive in a World of Joiners by Rami Kaminski ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: This book is all about 'otroverts,' which are sort of pitched as something between an introvert and extrovert--somewhat, anyway--and I found it fairly interesting. I'm not sure I'm completely on board with all of it, but an interesting read about human behavior and psychology, nonetheless. 

The Book Smugglers (Pages & Co., #4) by Anna James ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I genuinely don't why I'm still reading this series! I just see it recommended when I go on Libby to continue the series and I just think, "well, why not?" and there we go. This one was also fine. I don't feel the need to read the next (and I think final?) book in this series, but also, should I just read it to finish the series?? Time will tell. 

To-Be-Finished:
Galaxy Grifter: A Snarky, High-Stakes Space Opera (Blackjack Interstellar Book 1)
The Last Vigilant by Mark A. Latham
I definitely plan to revisit this one, but I just wasn't connecting with it at the time I picked it up, so I decided to set it down and wait for when I was more in the mood for it. But it seems very promising!

Galaxy Grifter by A. Zaykova
I received the audiobook of this one from the publisher and struggled to really get into. I will probably give this one another shot, but it's not one that I'm really gravitating towards it right now. 
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Monday, June 30, 2025

Anticipated July 2025 Releases


 Is there a word for when something is overwhelming, but in a generally positive way? Because that's how I feel about all of these new releases, haha. There are so many, and there's also such a variety--I think there's definitely something for everyone on here! I also love how varied and incredible so many of these covers are. What July releases are you most looking forward to? And be sure to let me know if I left out any of your most anticipated releases!


Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado || July 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Red Rabbit Ghost by Jen Julian || July 22nd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford || July 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Beasts of Carnaval by Rosalia Rodrigo || July 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Climate of Chaos by Cassandra Newbould || July 15th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Volatile Memory by Seth Haddon || July 22nd -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J.R. Dawson || July 29th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Predatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith || July 8th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman || July 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Jules Verne and the Invention of the Future by Laurence Bergreen || July 22nd -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Arcana Academy by Elise Kova || July 22nd -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Beasts in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda by Nathalia Holt || July 1st -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Pan by Michael Clune || July 22nd -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Grave Birds by Dana Elmendorf || July 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

An Oral History of Atlantis: Stories by Ed Park || July 29th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Nothing More of This Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity by Joseph Lee || July 15th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem || July 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Tenderly, I am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone || July 1st -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Nightshade God by Hannah Whitten || July 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida || July 15th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

A Year with the Seals: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sea's Most Charismatic and Controversial Creatures by Alix Morris || July 15th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Strata: Stories from Deep Time by Laura Poppick || July 15th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon by Laurie Gwen Shapiro || July 15th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

The Memory Hunters Mia Tsai || July 29th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie || July 29th -- Amazon Bookshop.org

My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie || July 1st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

What are your anticipated July releases?