This was a such a fever dream.

The beginning was slow at first, the main character was a bit too naïve in my opinion, but at the same time the story won't progress otherwise.
As soon as the story kicks in, the feelings of unease and concern start. The atmosphere here lingers. It’s beautiful, but it's dark. It offers comfort, but always with an unease at the back of your mind.

House of Idyll is a good, interesting read. You can read it in one sitting, it tackles dark themes and has some freaky moments.

Big thank you to Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this arc!

I didn't expect to read this so quickly and finished it in one sitting! I’ve seen many Delilah S. Dawson books on Instagram, and I was excited to read some of her work. I was thrilled when Titan provided me with the eARC to read. It was a quick and easy read, entertaining yet eerie and sinister. If you love cults, evil demons and rock bands this will be for you.

This book follows Angeline, a singer-songwriter. She's invited to a luxury compound run by Black Idyll, a rock and roll band that she's followed for years… but something isn’t quite right.

I enjoyed this work! I loved the horror imagery, dream sequences, and the bizarre, blurry reality where it’s hard to tell what is real. The ending left me with unanswered questions and what really happened. Felt very rushed to me maybe it could have been a bit longer and explained more to us. I’d still recommend this book!

This book releases September the 9th! Thank you to Titan Books for my ARC.

★★★ ½

I've wanted to read a Delilah S. Dawson story for such a long time, and I'm so glad that House of Idyll allowed me to finally take the plunge. I can absolutely agree with much of her received praise: writing that is lush, rich, and poetic without falling into being pointless or overwrought; characters that feel so real they allow you to suspend your disbelief, even through witnessing things that are not-quite-right over and over; and horror that feels genuinely original and takes the reader for a ride, even if it's built off a trope that's been done countless times before, as most horror has. There's a special uniqueness to her works—one that I can't say I experience often as an avid horror reader—that I can confidently say will make me pick up more of her writing in the future.

I also quite enjoyed the satire aspect of the novel. It felt like all of those Wattpad-esque "sold to One Direction" fanfiction pieces many of us grew up on in the best way possible—but with eerie twists and turns that began to creep in the longer I read, with just enough strangeness to keep me interested and make the snapshots of horror and violence feel that much more jarring.

That said, the ending, though fun, felt decently rushed—more like the climax to a campy, half-done slasher over the horror novel dripping in atmosphere that it is—and a disservice to the environment that the rest of the book had taken its sweet time to build up. Though I think that House of Idyll definitely shines best at the length it's at, I would have loved to see more in regard to the unicorn symbolism surrounding the band, as I feel like there just wasn't quite enough of it for what seemed hinted at in the cover, synopsis, and early chapters. That may just be me, though!

As a note, the Goodreads synopsis and tags (as of 7/24 when this review is written), in my opinion, spoil too much for the reader. I'd personally use that space to discuss Vivian's death that's stated in the first few pages, rather than the one that happens nearly 2/3 through the book.

Overall, a standout work and equal parts entertaining and bizarre. I can say confidently that despite the parts I wish were more fleshed out, I had a great time on this delightfully strange, 250-page ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

House Of Idyll by Delilah S. Dawson was incredibly hard to put down. I devoured it one day!
The story of a girl whisked away to an artists compound by her favourite rock band was definitely an interesting premise and it kept me turning the pages.
My only complaint is that the ending felt a little rushed for me and I didn't love the final reveal.
You can check out my more indepth spoiler free review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJYVTLj0xyk&t=303s

Let me start with the positives. There were elements I enjoyed in this book, mainly how the scene is set when Angelina arrives at the House of Idyll project, the descriptions of the setting, the rules, and daily routines felt like an interesting take on the cult trope, with the little houses, white clothing, group activities, The Well, the lake. I liked the idea of a community of creatives being given the freedom to produce art without worrying about paying the bills.

But, and this is a big but, a lot of the dialogue felt clunky, the lyrics were pretty cringey, and I could not accept that Angelina would go along with everything so far, so fast especially when women are disappearing (Van), being discarded (Maria), or dying (Megan) all over the place.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC, and to Delilah for her social media interactions with me via Instagram.

For those of us undead who were turned prior to Y2K...you will appreciate the cd tracks between chapters that list some of the song lyrics from the band Black Idyll.

I enjoyed the unicorn graphic that is featured on the cover, and continues throughout the novel at the beginning of each chapter. While reading this, you begin to think how strange is it to feature a unicorn, why does it keep being mentioned with no explanation...and then BAM! It hits you in the face like a ton of bricks.

This story is one highway to Hell! It is filled with music icon references (Even the first few sentences read like lines from Alanis Morisette's "Ironic".), a unique but sordid appreciation for artists/artistry of all kinds, characters that seem way more innocent, and predictably are not! That doesn't take away from the story. If only...it adds to the allure. The author doesn't bait you with anything, she lures you into the darkness with scenes very reminiscent of Cruel Intentions meets Eyes Wide Shut, and ok, a sprankle or two of Fifty Shades kinky fuckery.

Some critiques I have for this story are as follows:
*I would have like to have read more synonyms for the word "liminal", or simply reword it to omit "liminal" from overusage.
*There's a scene where it is implied that a character was drugged, which is inacurate as they made their choice. But right after it is explained they did make a choice. So this part just seems like it could have been rewritten for plot transparency purposes.
*Curious at the usage of "kakophony" instead of "cacophony"...
*Scene with mystery character on a balcony. Totally plays into the horror scene of many horror movies. Not that it's a bad thing, but a predictable thing. It also reminds me very much of the scene at the beginning of The Labyrinth with The Goblin King on Sarah's balcony.
*I was surprised at how short this book was, I wished it had been extended further.

There were a handful of quotes that I loved:

"Courtesy is not a command...But a gift."

"Sometimes art is ugly...Because the world is often ugly, and art can be a spotlight. It exposes what's there, forces it to the surface, makes people look at what they'd rather not see. But even in that ugliness, there is beauty." (This one blew me away! So deep, profound, philosophical, and 100% accurate!)

"It's so hard to remember what a storm feels like when every day is sunny."

"It is better to be yourself imperfectly, than to pretend to be anything else."

"Dreams are the mind's playground and even nightmares have stories to tell."

3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a quick read that kept me hooked. I enjoyed the descriptions and the writing style - detailed and vivid, but not tedious. I liked the protagonist, too - I know people are going to say "oohh she's so stupid, why didn't she see the red flags!" To which I say a) it's a horror story; if the protagonist sees the red flags in time and leaves, there's no horror story, is it? get a grip; and b) the story was told in such a way that the red flags were easy to brush off. I might have stayed, too. I liked that the chapters were separated by fragments of the band's lyrics. These are the devil-worshipping rockstars our parents warned us about! 🤪 (not mine, tbh)

At the same time, though, it was predictable where it was headed, and I don't think it added much of a twist to the premise. There's an unsettling atmosphere, and creepy things happen, but it didn't get horrifying until around the 90% mark. I thought the ending was good, but at the same time, there were too many unanswered questions. They weren't pressing questions, but they were there, and it feels like loose ends that were there just to make it creepy.

I'd still recommend reading it if you enjoy horror stories about cults and/or bands!

Never meet your idols... Delilah S Dawson once again delivers a punchy slice of rock'n'roll horror.
Reading a little like a dark romance novel but with a horrifying edge, it's the tale of a young woman with nothing to lose being swept away to a billionaire rock star's artists retreat and finding there may well be a price for true creative freedom.
It's an indulgent read - lavish surroundings, impossibly rich and beautiful people living their idyllic lives - but it has a nice edge to it. You know all cannot be right with the incredible offer Angelina has been given, and we are given flashes of the bloody ugliness behind the white washed facade as we hurtle to the climax.
I enjoyed my time with this book, though I felt the ending was too abrupt given the build up. I've rounded up to 4 stars as it was light, but juicy, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

After reading Bloom, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her next book and boom there it was!

The cover and the blurb go perfectly together. That’s exactly what caught my eye (well… that, and the author. hehe).

The story doesn’t start off super intense, but you still get pulled in right away because you just need to know what’s going on. And honestly, it picks up pace just a few chapters in!

For me, it was a solid thriller, with a few elements I don’t usually go for, but they were done so well! A great little read for in between heavier books!

I absolutely love Dawson's horror books, but this one was a big miss for me. The pacing was off, the characters were dull, and the mystery and suspense just weren't there - it felt like a bit of a mess. I absolutely love the concept, just not the execution. I'm still a big fan of hers and will eagerly await her next horror book, but this one just didn't do it for me.

2.5 out of 5 stars

I've said this before but I'll say it again Delilah S. Dawson can do no wrong! Every single I've read by her has been a hit. My absolute favorite is still Bloom but this one is a very very close 2nd. I love the whole sell your soul for art idea and this was a fun way of doing it. I read this whole thing in one night. I can also see this book having the most mass appeal.

3.5⭐

This book we follow Angeline a singer song writer. She's invited to a Luxury Compound run by Black Idyll a Rock and Roll band that's she's followed for years.

I did like the tension building throughout the story, it was creepy, dark and slightly unhinged at times 🦄
The characters emotional development watching the doubt really set in and how cult behaviour really had a hold over Angeline was my favourite thing in this book.

I thought the pacing of this book was ok, I would've loved more exploration in to what the cult was trying to do. if the book was a little longer I think that would've helped.

Oh my god. From the description, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in but wow… just wow.

I absolutely devoured this book! It was fast-paced, fun, gore-filled and deliciously horrible from start to finish 💀 I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting!

As an elder emo, I related to the main character so much. Her obsession with her teenage band crush and her total devotion to them? Yeah… I would’ve absolutely signed up at 14 cult or not 😅

Add this one to your TBR right now! It’s a quick horror hit you won’t want to miss 🖤 Releasing September 9th!

I’ve been fascinated by Delilah S Dawson’s work since reading the unsettling Bloom and the wild ride of Guillotine where the writing contained so much in such a small amount of pages, exploring female rage, power imbalance and a cathartic writing (and subsequent reading) experience whereby pain is whittled into a weapon. With that in mind, I was incredibly excited when I saw the author was releasing another novel and another small numbered one at that! I think a lot of books these days are just too long, I don’t say that as a lazy reader , I just feel like some writing is over indulgent, the charm of Dawson’s writing is that the excess feels trimmed without taking anything from the plot or characters, you still know who they are, what motivates them and form a connection.

With The House of Idyll I will admit, with that in mind, that *for me* it didn’t work as well. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the book, because I did, it was a quick and captivating read about a band (Black Idyll) of rockstar notoriety, who offer residence and a community to struggling artists, including our main character Angelina. Free board, food, laptop and a chance to work with Jesper Idyll, the god-like lead singer of the band, it looks too good to be true, and maybe it is. When Angelina’s friend mysteriously leaves without a goodbye and another girl is found dead Angelina may just find out the true price of fame.

Like I said this is a concise, well written book that is easy to read and I do enjoy Dawson’s way of writing and writing women in particular and their not their struggle per say but their survival. There are some elements that did score it lower, for me, than Bloom and Guillotine though. Firstly I understand this book involves a famous band but I’m not a huge fan of pop culture references in books, in this case I can understand why but I think it can age a book and distance a reader. For example, one character is written as looking “a lot like Kate Hudson in Almost Famous”, I love the film and I understand the reference, however if you don’t, then it means nothing or you have to stop and google it, there’s also a reference to Mean Girls that doesn’t really settle into the page as it should. I do get the application of it, you are seeing this world through Angelina’s eyes and she’s blurring reality with this celebrity idea, but as a reader it doesn’t always sit well.
My other issue is just that the pacing feels very rushed come the end. I actually enjoyed the ending, up until the last few pages and then I really wanted more to fully explain or wrap things up. This could be a deliberate choice to leave you a little unsure, a little on edge, but you’re left with a lot of answers and you were reading in the hope of getting them.
Lastly there are invariably some difficult topics raised in this author’s books and I always respect how they are approached, issues such as abuse, domestic violence etc. With House of Idyll, there are definitely uncomfortable and important topics raised again, however there is also a moment of questionable consent that is never really treated as such. Again, the main character doesn’t question the ethics of what has happened while she was intoxicated, neither a relationship of great power imbalance, so would we as a reader seeing it through her eyes? I just wish it was called out for what it really was.

To wrap up, House of Idyll is a good, interesting read you can literally sit down and digest in one sitting, it tackles dark themes, has some seriously freaky moments and has a main character you root for. I can’t give 5 stars though because it did leave me wanting just a little more. I will though still continue to read anything this author publishes, they’re incredibly talented.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

This is the second time I've read Delilah S Dawson. I read Bloom last year and I found it boring but maybe it was my mindset. I loved House of Idyll. I found it so intriguing and the writing was impeccable. The word choice Dawson chooses is almost poetic and her metaphors are subtle but impactful.

Angelina is going through a tough time, trying to make ends meet while making it big in LA. She is presented with an opportunity of a lifetime and it seems too good to be true. It feels like she's joining a cult even though they claim it's not. Things spiral out of control and turn into a fever dream.

The writing was amazing and the characters were fleshed out when needed. Some weren't as developed but I think that was to add mystery. Where it kind of lost me was the ending. It was very abrupt and a little cliché. I loved it until then but I'm only taking a half star for the ending. I strongly recommend this and I want to try more of Dawson's books

DELILAH S DAWSON DOES ANOTHER GREAT READ. i devoured this book. Every aspect of wanting to become famous and how you should not meet your Idyll's. This gave me cult vibes and i was blown away.

Totally ate this up!! I love that her stories are short and get straight to the point! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc

There's nothing better than picking up a book from an author you've read before and falling straight back into their consistent writing style, and after reading other Delilah S. Dawson books, this is how I felt reading House of Idyll.

It's Dawson at her best. Her writing isn't over the top or flowery, and it doesn't need to be. This story was a bit grotesque, a bit absurd but very gripping. It's not a 5 star for me because although I enjoyed the ending, it was really rushed and I would've loved the 200 page build-up to have more than 2 pages of climax. Another chapter to slow down the ending and let us appreciate it in its glory a bit more would've been perfect. If you enjoyed Guillotine, I'm sure you'll like this!

House of Idyll is what happens when rockstar fantasy meets cult horror and asks: what would you trade for fame, and would you even notice until it’s too late? Angelina Yves is down bad—no job, no prospects—when she gets an invite to live rent-free at Black Idyll’s luxury compound. It’s giving "dream come true," until her dreams start literally screaming back.

Dawson builds the tension slowly, with eerie little things: screaming horses at night, guests who vanish without explanation, and lyrics at the end of each chapter that feel more like warnings than poetry. The vibes are immaculate. If you’ve ever fallen too hard for a celebrity crush or spent too much time online, this hits a little too close to home.

I do wish Angelina had slightly more self-preservation early on (girl… the red flags were crimson), and the ending felt a bit rushed. Still, the cult dynamic, the seductive atmosphere, and yes, the actual unicorn made this a standout.

This is perfect for readers who like their horror stylish, a little surreal, and rooted in feminine rage. If Daisy Jones joined Midsommar, this would be the result!

thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! ✨

i read this book in one setting and y’all 😳😳😳😳

i love the way Delilah writes and she creates such an un-comfy world and sense of dread that i absolutely eat upppppp. there was this unsettling tension lurking throughout this story, and i was convinced big twists were going to happen at every page,

quick, dark, creepy, twisty, perfect 🤘