The House Where Death Lives

by Alex Brown, Nova Ren Suma, Gina Chen

A dance to the death. A girl who’s just as monstrous as H.H. Holmes. A hallway that’s constantly changing—and hungry. All of these stories exist in the same place—within the frame of a particular house that isn’t bound by the laws of time and space.

Following in the footsteps of dark/horror-filled YA anthologies like His Hideous Heart and Slasher Girls and Monster Boys, and Netflix’s ground-breaking adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, this YA speculative fiction anthology explores how the permanence of a home can become a space of transition and change for both the inhabitants and the creatures who haunt them.

Each story in the anthology will focus on a different room in the house and feature unique takes on monsters from a wide array of cultural traditions. Whether it’s a demonic Trickster, a water-loving Rusalka, or a horrifying, baby-imitating Tiyanak, there’s bound to be something sinister lurking in the shadows.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Young Adult, Anthologies, Fantasy, Audiobook, Queer

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2024

About the author

Alex Brown (she/her) is a Locus nominated queer biracial Filipino American writer who loves to root for the final girl--especially if she's a monster. Alex's YA Comedy-Horror debut, DAMNED IF YOU DO was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and was also selected for Taysha's Reading List.

Alex's YA Horror anthology, THE HOUSE WHERE DEATH LIVES, will be out on August 2024 and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Alex's sophmore YA Horror-Comedy, REST IN PEACHES, will be out October 2024.

Alex co-edited the YA Horror anthology NIGHT OF THE LIVING QUEERS. Alex has a short story in the instant Indie Besteller, THE GATHERING DARK.

Alex is also the co-creator of The Bridge, a sci-fi/horror narrative fiction podcast that's had over 1,000,000 downloads to date!

Alex lives in the San Francisco with her partner and three extremely chaotic cats.

Reviews

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Page Street Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This creepy and emotional anthology, brings together so many incredibly talented authors. My yaw dropped when I saw the list!! This resulted in an anthology with not a single bad or even mediocre story. Every story immediately sucked me in and didn’t let me go until it was over.

The first stories even made me cry, something that rarely happens. The final story was so gripping (pun intended xd) and scary, I wanted to look away but couldn’t.

Every story was spooky but also a journey through the mind of the main characters, uncovering emotions like loneliness and/or grief for example. That made this so good and unique in a way.

I cannot recommend this book enough. A new favorite I will not easily forget!

[alysbookclub · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent YA horror anthology. I really enjoyed the idea that each story was a room in a house. There were some absolute standouts, such as Good Morning, Georgia, Cradle and All, and After Midnight. There were no truly bad stories, but I was a bit disappointed in some of the quality of writing for a couple. Overall a good intro for young readers who are interested in horror! 

[Mai H.]

Halloween TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street YA

[bie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a few i really loved, most were kinda meh, and a couple i straight up disliked. but i think i had very different expectations, so i disappointed myself.

and making a spooky house themed anthology but not adding a basement chapter? that’s a decision i’ll be disagreeing with!

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving this 4 stars but it was probably closer to a high 3 for me overall. I did really like some of the stories but unfortunately the first one was my favorite and it kinda dipped after. It gets bonus points though for being overwhelmingly saphic and having a great concept.

[rachel x]

this cover is fantastic

[Michelle Graf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC.

It's a cool YA horror anthology. I liked how it's structured around the layout of a house from the top down. It covers a wide variety of folklore and styles of horror, as well as tone. Vanishing Point by Traci Chee was my favorite. The grief and guilt that Viv feels over her mother dying, how she feared watching her waste away, it's immediately familiar to me from when my grandmother passed away. The months leading up to her death, I couldn't bring myself to visit because I didn't want to see her change. Even though I was a child then, the guilt from that choice still bothers me, so this story hit hard.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

[Rozanne Visagie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The House Where Death Lives is a great collection of 16 short stories. Each story focuses on a different part of the house. This is something I found very unique and enjoyable, and I feel it adds to the building tension and creates a curiosity of what comes next. It's like watching a creepy movie and feeling your heart beat in anticipation when the main character walks up the stairs to investigate a weird sound.

This YA horror is the perfect read to add to your spooky season TBR. It has monsters, ghosts, and an eerie atmosphere, and the interior design adds to the spookiness.

I love anthologies, and while it's difficult to rate them, I usually give an overall rating instead of a rating per story. For me all the stories added to the ultimate enjoyment of the book and Ioved it. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for having me on the tour and for gifting me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[seasalted.citrus (Topaz, Oliver) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up, because the Goodreads avg is pretty low and as okay as I think most of this collection is, I don’t really think it deserves that??

Unfortunately, the standouts were basically kept at the beginning. Even though one of my favorites was in the second floor(?) section, I still think that the anthology overall lost its momentum after the stair section. The first and second floor sections had a lot of stories that were super mediocre if not terrible. (There was a lot of predictability. Some of it fun, most of it not.) However, this was still a mostly enjoyable collection, and I can see it getting a couple readers into horror.

My personal favorites were “Good Morning, Georgia”(4.5⭐️), “Cradle And All”(5⭐️), and “The Phantom’s Waltz”(4⭐️). “Good Morning Georgia” was super predictable but I still enjoyed the story itself, it was sweet—the same can mostly be said about “The Phantom’s Waltz”(the ending was a slight subversion). I’m not that familiar with Filipino folklore and monsters, but “Cradle And All” was a creative and emotional use of the tiyanak.

Honorable mentions: “The Grey Library”(3.75⭐️), for having the ending twist and the overall writing style of a Goosebumps novel; “After Midnight”(probably 3.75⭐️?) for having a gripping narrative, but the modern references were a little grating; and “What Lies In Silence”(rating unsure, lol) for being a Justine Pucella Winans story about grief… if you know anything about my Bianca Torre lore this is a historical moment for me. (Also, it was a great palette cleanser after the stories in my “Dishonorable Mentions” section⬇️)

Dishonorable Mentions: “Let’s Play A Game” (2.5⭐️) and “Smartmonster”(2⭐️) for being stories I hated so much they were literally pissing me off. (“Let’s Play A Game” was anticlimactic and barely horror, “Smartmonster” was a YA dystopia snuck into this collection and I actively detested my reading experience.) I read a lot of this anthology in a night, though, so I was tired enough that I couldn’t read on and had to go to sleep with that simmering☠️

The organization of the stories was super creative, though, and I loved the art included throughout. I think I should’ve read this during the Halloween season! It would have been more fun.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of short stories of hauntings/paranormal events the occur in a house. I liked the first story, predictable as it was and really didn't connect with the rest. I also think as someone who reads this stuff a lot, the theme/ narrative that each event happened in the same house seems silly and takes me out of it bit. Imagine if all of season 1 supernatural all occurred in the same house, each week they would go into a room instead of a different state. Granted it is over a huge period of time, but I gotta think someone would have taken care of the problem after the first demonic presence or haunting.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The House Where Death Lives is an interesting anthology based around a house. I appreciate the diversity of authors and stories. Each tale featured different creatures from varying mythologies. Some stories were creepier than others, but there was an overwhelming theme of the horrors that lie within. I like that the stories moved from the attic and down towards the grounds. I would recommend this to people who enjoy horror and short stories.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Reasons to Read The House Where Death Lives

1. If you love short and spooky stories, pick this up immediately!
2. Would you do anything for your dead sister? Then you can relate to one person’s sad tale.
3. Ever wonder why you should read with the lights on late at night? Now you will.
4. What would you do if you could communicate with a ghost via a magic mirror? Read to find out!
5. Each story takes place in a different part of the house. Which will you start with?

[Ashlie Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories are not typically my cup of tea, and YA queer horror books are far from what I typically read. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology! I loved how each story was loosely connected to the next. This would make a perfect fall read!

[Andrea Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of truly creepy short stories -- some pure horror, some a blend of genres -- is framed as a tour through the many rooms of a haunted house. The anthology features 16 stories with diverse protagonists exploring themes of love, loss, jealousy, and revenge. The collection leans toward creepy rather than bloody/body horror, though several manage to be both. Most stories are chilling, and a few spectacularly so (I'm looking at you, Nova Ren Suma and Linsey Miller). Highly recommended for horror fans.

[chronicobsessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology truly brings out the best of stories in the themes of death, loss, love and sadness, with a sprinkle of paranormal elements in each one. A pleasure to read!

[Jaylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The House Where Death Lives is an anthology of short stories from different authors starting from the attic and working down to the grounds of the house. These short stories touches on different themes like grief, acceptance, death and more with horror elements that adds to the theme. Each author brought their own uniqueness to this book with different cultures and folklore integrated into each of the stories. There is also lots of queer representation in this book. I love how the authors took a piece from the previous authors story to give that remembrance and show that it is still the same place of the house though each author gave the house a different feel to it.

Thank you to tbrbeyondtours, the author, and publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Crowinator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite stories:
After midnight / Liz Hull
The grey library / Nova Ren Suma
Mirror, mirror / Nora Elghazzawi
Like mother / Gina Chen
A helping hand / Linsey Miller.

[Roberta R. (Offbeat YA) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mini blurb: Sixteen YA stories from a female POV, often with queer and diverse girls at the forefront, framed by the same house and dealing with all types of hauntings - including the ones we bring upon ourselves.

***

A good batch of stories, mostly of the supernatural kind - some incorporating mythical creatures, from tiyanak to manananggal to djinn, some centering on demons or ghosts - more often than not dealing with grief, guilt, isolation, resentment, which sometimes cause the protagonists to fall prey to the creatures in question...though a handful get a good bargain out of it, and/or ultimately become the villain in their own story. A number of twists, overall good/excellent writing (Tori Bovalino's Bloom 😃), lots of (sometimes intersectional) rep. The only story I genuinely disliked was What Lies in Silence, due to the old-fashioned vibe and outdated/cliche references (seriously, Italian music is so much more than O Sole Mio, just saying...plus no one of Italian heritage would ever dream of addressing a loved one as "L'uccellino" - that is, "The bird" - with the determinative article 😖. I mean, the author in question has two surnames, one of them Italian-sounding, but I have trouble believing that anyone ever talked to her that way). I wish that the premise had been more cohesive - most of the stories don't give the impression to be set in the same house, except for the random detail mentioned in passing. Also, the tales are clearly contemporary in nature, so one is left wondering how all these different families managed to live in the same place long enough to have history with it in the same century or less...is the house an interdimensional nexus? and why do all kinds of weird things happen in/around it, for that matter? Regardless, a satisfying collection of scares for teens that will appeal to the more mature crowd as well.

Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later; also, due to time commitments, I've decided not to write full-length reviews anymore for short stories, novellas and anthologies, except in special cases or unless they're part of a series).

[Kim Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of creepy horror stories. Some stories deal with guilt, sadness, and regret. Some deal with desire and desperation. But all have monsters and ghosts who understand what has been ignored, misunderstood, or longed for. The monster we meet, and sometimes create, become the outlet for what we most desire and fear. These stories hit the mark in that regard, while providing a chilling reminder that sometimes what we get is not what we expected, for good or for ill.

Thank you NetGalley and Page Street YA for the ARC. My opinion is my own.

[Peyton Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bloom by Tori Bovalino was my #1 favorite in this anthology! Everything she writes has my heart racing and goosebumps raising on my arms! Love her work!

Other favorites were:
- After Midnight
- Mirror, Mirror
- What Lies In Silence
- me, i’m not

[DB (DB's Guide to the Galaxy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always a bit difficult to rate a short story anthology as they’re different stories with different characters (usually) written by different authors. But essentially, yes, I’ll give the anthology an overall 4 stars – because I did like most of the stories a lot. I’ve only read from two authors here – Tori Bovalino (loved her other book) and Rosiee Thor (dnfed that book so not actually read?). I like anthologies because they introduce you to new authors, which I always like.

I was confused as I thought it would be connected stories. It’s said to be in the same house so I guess I thought that meant they’d all be in the same – as in physically – house. That wasn’t the case as they were all vastly different – so different that it did feel like 16 different houses instead of supposedly the same house. Apparently there were some links between the stories – like let’s say the same mirror from the 2nd story was in the 3rd story? I did not pick up on that at all. I think if it had all been in the actual same house – but just different years, families, alternative universes – I would’ve really enjoyed this.

As you’ll see when reading my separate thoughts – I just wanted more. I know they’re short stories, but I would’ve liked most of the stories to have gone on for longer. I found most of the endings to be abrupt so I would’ve liked the authors to be able to wrap everything up easily.

Good Morning, Georgia – Courtney Gould. 3⭐ Good start. Reminded me of a good horror movie. Thought it was going another way and then I thought of the movie.

Vanishing Point – Traci Chee. 3.5⭐. Started out really good and then the ending was a bit weird? I did like it for the most part of the story.

Cradle and All – Kay Costales. 4⭐. Sad but written really well.

After Midnight – Liz Hull. 3.5⭐. It was going so well and then the ending just… ended so abruptly.

The Grey Library – Nova Ren Suma. 3⭐. It was very confusing – which is fine, but it was difficult for me to like it.

The Phantom’s Waltz – Rosiee Thor 2⭐. This had potential and I could see it but we didn’t get it and I’m sad.

Mirror, Mirror – Nora Elghazzawi. 4.5⭐. Spooky and good!

Smartmonster – Sandra Proudman 1⭐. This made no sense and I wasn’t a fan of the characters.

Let’s Play a Game – Shelly Page. 3.5⭐. Another one of “really cool and then fizzled out”

What Lies in Silence – Justine Pucella Winans 3.5⭐. I liked it and then it got too confusing for me.

me i’m not – g. haron davis. 1.5⭐. Could’ve been better.

Like Mother – Gina Chen. 5⭐. LOVED this one throughout. Knew early on it would be a 5 star read for me. I need to read more of Chen’s books.

In Deep – C. L. McCollum. 2⭐. Listen, they said the house would be the main feature and most of this happened in/around a pond. That may have affected my rating but I felt like this could’ve been better.

Bloom – Tori Bovalino. 5⭐. After reading My Throat an Open Grave I think I’ll give anything Bovalino 5 stars.
The Shoe – Alex Brown. 4.5⭐. Very creepy! Really liked this one.

A Helping Hand – Linsey Miller. 5⭐. Always up for this creepy type of story.

[piper monarchsandmyths · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to Page Street YA and TBR & Beyond Tours for providing me with an eARC!

I love a good horror anthology, and this one had several authors that I’ve loved in previous horror anthologies, so I was really interested in this. As a whole, I think it was pretty solid, even if there weren’t a lot of standout stories for me, I appreciated the ways in which the common theme of a house came together and how there weren’t any stories that stood out as bad. I definitely enjoyed some more than others, but I think that was more personal preference than anything. There are some solidly scary moments, but honestly nothing too terrifying, probably more akin to a creeping dread. I loved the ways in which authors incorporated cultural traditions and folklore into the stories, somehow making them feel even more connected despite differing lore behind them. Overall, I’d say that my favourites were the stories that felt like they took place in the same house, even if the authors weren’t actually writing about the same house.

Overall, I think this was a really solid anthology, and while I think it would have been even better with some really breakout stories, I enjoyed reading it and I think that it’s worth picking up for horror fans!

[Alea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology took my favorite type of ghost stories (creepy and mysterious, yet short and sweet) and added a pleasantly surprising amount of depth. They encapsulate the feeling of being freaked out by something everyone else sees as normal when you’re a kid while also showing that the scariest things can be the emotions we don’t understand.

I also loved how the stories are organized as if you are making your way through a haunted house.

I would recommend for anyone who loves:
👻 paranormal podcasts (such as And That’s Why We Drink and Scared To Death)
🏕️ campfire stories
🌎 folklore from different cultures

thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[Joey's deathly tomes of death · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Rounded up.
Some of the stories were excellent, and some were meh.
I feel like the 1st half of the book had the best stories and a few towards the end.
I would recommend checking it out for sure.

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed my time reading this anthology. I love how this was laid out as each story being a room in a house. I liked some stories more than others, but the collection as a whole was well done. I would pick up longer works by each of these authors in the future.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a strange collection of stories. Some really unsettled me, while others were so dark and beautiful. I liked that each chapter was written by a different author but all about the same house. It was an interesting writing style.

[Ann Fraistat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eerie and poignant, THE HOUSE WHERE DEATH LIVES is a bewitching collection—a striking, shivery tribute to warm hands, cold claws, and broken hearts.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will basically read anything Alex Brown is involved in.

[Megan Musick]

DNF at 33%