House of Monstrous Women

De: Daphne Fama

Narrado por: Jensen Olaya

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 the 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.

Gothic Horror for the win

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

House of Monstrous Women completely pulled me in with its eerie atmosphere and gothic horror edge. Daphne Fama creates a world that feels both unsettling and mesmerizing, where folklore and fear weave together in ways that left me chilled.

What stood out the most was the infusion of Filipino myths and legends. Not only did it add a fresh layer to the gothic tradition, but it also gave me the chance to learn about cultural stories I’d never encountered before. Each twist felt steeped in history, yet the writing made it come alive in the most haunting way.

The atmosphere was perfectly crafted dark, moody, and dripping with dread. It’s one of those books where the setting almost becomes a character of its own, and I loved every second of it.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was excellent. It enhanced the eerie tone and gave the story an extra edge that made me feel like I was walking through shadowed halls or listening to whispers in the dark.

This is gothic horror done right layered with myth, beautifully unsettling, and hard to forget. Definitely one of those books I’ll be recommending to readers who crave something atmospheric, spine-tingling, and unique.