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House of Monstrous Women
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 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.
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 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.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2025
81 people are currently reading
15812 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
February 5, 2025
So … wow. That was intense. This book is a slow burn right until right around the 60% mark, and then it throws everything at you all at once and doesn't let up until the final pages. It took me four days to read the first half and one all-night reading marathon to finish the second. It's dark and creepy and unsettling in the best sort of way, and I've decided that I definitely need more Filipino Gothic horror in my life.
When Josephine is invited to an old friend's house (along with her brother Alejandro and best friend Gabriella) to play a game of tagu-tagu, it turns out that things might not be as innocent as they initially seem. I mean, her friend Hiraya is rumored to be a witch and aswang (shapeshifter) and lives in a labyrinthine mansion filled with creepy servants, so this should have been a surprise to absolutely no one, but apparently Josephine doesn't read the same horror novels that I do. This game of tagu-tagu winds up being much more sinister than the version Josephine and her friends played as children, and once it begins everything gets kind of crazy … and not a normal crazy, but like “insect-people and and murderous insanity” crazy.
I adored all of the characters in this book, from Josephine to all of the very, very strange individuals who live in the Ranoco house. Well, except Hiraya. I think she's supposed to be a sympathetic character, but all I could think of was how pissed I'd be if one of my friends invited me to their supernaturally-fueled murder house to probably die without warning me beforehand. Hiraya can suck it. Josephine is perhaps loyal to a fault (because, girl, there is no way that she's worth it), but she's also brave and headstrong and clever.
The setting, too, is excellent. Not just the witch mansion surrounded by a unsettling forest on a remote island (seriously, how did Josephine not see this coming??), but the backdrop of 1986 Philippines. I know very little about the history of the Philippines or dictator Ferdinand Marcos, so all of the historical tidbits were quite eye-opening and informative.
There's not a ton of gore in this novel, but there is one chapter that's kind of 🤮. Other trigger warnings include suicide and murder and insects … so, so many insects. Like, all of the insects.
Overall, House of Monstrous Women is a creepy and atmospheric tale featuring a heavy dose of Filipino folklore. If you enjoy well-written Gothic novels set in exotic locales with fascinating characters, definitely consider giving this one a read. 4.4 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 12, 2025.
When Josephine is invited to an old friend's house (along with her brother Alejandro and best friend Gabriella) to play a game of tagu-tagu, it turns out that things might not be as innocent as they initially seem. I mean, her friend Hiraya is rumored to be a witch and aswang (shapeshifter) and lives in a labyrinthine mansion filled with creepy servants, so this should have been a surprise to absolutely no one, but apparently Josephine doesn't read the same horror novels that I do. This game of tagu-tagu winds up being much more sinister than the version Josephine and her friends played as children, and once it begins everything gets kind of crazy … and not a normal crazy, but like “insect-people and and murderous insanity” crazy.
I adored all of the characters in this book, from Josephine to all of the very, very strange individuals who live in the Ranoco house. Well, except Hiraya. I think she's supposed to be a sympathetic character, but all I could think of was how pissed I'd be if one of my friends invited me to their supernaturally-fueled murder house to probably die without warning me beforehand. Hiraya can suck it. Josephine is perhaps loyal to a fault (because, girl, there is no way that she's worth it), but she's also brave and headstrong and clever.
The setting, too, is excellent. Not just the witch mansion surrounded by a unsettling forest on a remote island (seriously, how did Josephine not see this coming??), but the backdrop of 1986 Philippines. I know very little about the history of the Philippines or dictator Ferdinand Marcos, so all of the historical tidbits were quite eye-opening and informative.
There's not a ton of gore in this novel, but there is one chapter that's kind of 🤮. Other trigger warnings include suicide and murder and insects … so, so many insects. Like, all of the insects.
Overall, House of Monstrous Women is a creepy and atmospheric tale featuring a heavy dose of Filipino folklore. If you enjoy well-written Gothic novels set in exotic locales with fascinating characters, definitely consider giving this one a read. 4.4 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is August 12, 2025.
October 27, 2025
A haunting and immersive gothic horror novel, House of Monstrous Women seamlessly blends Philippine folklore, supernatural suspense, and historical unrest into an unforgettable narrative. Set in 1986 against the backdrop of the People Power Revolution, the story follows Josephine, a young woman still reeling from the tragic loss of her parents. With her brother Alejandro forging his own path in Manila, she’s left to maintain their crumbling family home, struggling under the weight of loneliness and grief. When an invitation arrives from her childhood friend Hiraya—whose family is shrouded in dark rumors of witchcraft—Josephine sees an opportunity to escape. But this isn’t just a casual reunion. Hiraya extends an intriguing offer: a game, one with high stakes and the promise of granting the winner their heart’s deepest desire.
Desperate for change, Josephine takes the risk and steps into Ranoco House, a vast and eerie estate perched dangerously near the sea. The mansion itself feels alive, its endless corridors twisting in unnatural ways, dimly lit rooms steeped in a sickly-sweet scent, and shadowy figures lurking just out of sight. The deeper she delves into the game, the more she realizes that nothing is what it seems. The walls whisper secrets, the air is thick with tension, and Josephine can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched at every turn. As the sinister nature of the game unravels, she comes to a terrifying realization: this isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a battle for survival, and victory may come at a horrifying price.
What makes House of Monstrous Women stand out is its ability to merge traditional gothic horror elements with the rich, mythological roots of Filipino folklore. The novel masterfully builds tension, starting with a slow, creeping dread that escalates into full-blown terror. The setting is deeply atmospheric, the historical backdrop adding layers of real-world horror to the supernatural frights, and the exploration of feminine power and generational trauma gives the story an even sharper edge.
With its eerie, labyrinthine house, unsettling atmosphere, and a protagonist forced to navigate both political turmoil and supernatural horrors, this novel is a gripping and nightmarish descent into the unknown. A must-read for fans of gothic horror, folklore-infused thrillers, and stories that linger in your mind long after the final page.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this unique horror novel in exchange for my honest opinions.
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Desperate for change, Josephine takes the risk and steps into Ranoco House, a vast and eerie estate perched dangerously near the sea. The mansion itself feels alive, its endless corridors twisting in unnatural ways, dimly lit rooms steeped in a sickly-sweet scent, and shadowy figures lurking just out of sight. The deeper she delves into the game, the more she realizes that nothing is what it seems. The walls whisper secrets, the air is thick with tension, and Josephine can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched at every turn. As the sinister nature of the game unravels, she comes to a terrifying realization: this isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a battle for survival, and victory may come at a horrifying price.
What makes House of Monstrous Women stand out is its ability to merge traditional gothic horror elements with the rich, mythological roots of Filipino folklore. The novel masterfully builds tension, starting with a slow, creeping dread that escalates into full-blown terror. The setting is deeply atmospheric, the historical backdrop adding layers of real-world horror to the supernatural frights, and the exploration of feminine power and generational trauma gives the story an even sharper edge.
With its eerie, labyrinthine house, unsettling atmosphere, and a protagonist forced to navigate both political turmoil and supernatural horrors, this novel is a gripping and nightmarish descent into the unknown. A must-read for fans of gothic horror, folklore-infused thrillers, and stories that linger in your mind long after the final page.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this unique horror novel in exchange for my honest opinions.
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August 21, 2025
**Many thanks to Berkley and Daphne Fama for an ARC of this book!**
Part gothic horror, part historical fiction, AND part childhood friendship gone wrong...this genre-bending mashup puts our Filipino heroine, Josephine, in the line of fire as she attempts to recover from the horror of her father's dismal political campaign amidst the Peoples Power Revolution in 1986. It is her long-lost friend Hiraya who offers to host her, along with Josephine's bestie Gabriella and her brother Alejandro, who has been helping to parent her in her father's stead) at her mysterious seaside home. Josephine heard the rumors growing up about Hiraya - rumors claiming she is a witch, and the creepy house and legion of unsettling servants doesn't really help this image. Hiraya has also been called an aswang (shapeshifter) and Josephine doesn't quite know what to make of this information....but she takes a chance on her old friend and brings her compatriots with her to the remote island. ( Honestly, does ANYTHING go right on a remote island? EVER?!) 🤦♀️
But what starts as a visit to this odd home quickly 'shapeshifts' into something else entirely...and to survive, Josephine begins what she thinks is a simple game of 'tagu tagu' (or hide and seek)...but is actually a deadly game of survival. You see, this creepy house (known formally as Ranoco House) has an appetite of its own...and the only way to satiate it just MIGHT be human flesh. With her life hanging in the balance, Josephine doesn't have a choice - it's time to play, and play to WIN. But when she discovers even more horrifying truths about her friend AND just how the house keeps running in this remote locale, will it be too late for her to escape its horrifying clutches?
Historical gothic horror can be a LOT to handle...and I'll be honest, in this instance, I felt like I had my hands FULL from the jump. With absolutely zero (or perhaps, embarrassingly, LESS than zero) knowledge of the Peoples Power Revolution in the Philippines, I had absolutely no context of the political climate that set off the string of events at the start of this book...and I honestly wish that I had, because things only got more complicated from there. As much as I feel Fama tried to keep this character list fairly short, I STILL had trouble remembering who was who at times or what their individual histories were at any given moment. There seemed to be hints of a romance toward the beginning of the story, but I felt this dropped off after a certain point and I was left wondering why it had seemed important in the first place.
This is also a BONAFIDE slow burn, which is also a bit problematic for me in general...and with all of the muddled confusion in part one, it became even more difficult to remain patient until the bitter end. This is simply an instance where having a background in the subject matter (or at least an introduction, including exposure to Filipino words that were used often and I had never heard before) would just have helped the reading experience: there's no way around that fact. Once the premise IS finally set and The Game begins, THIS is where things start to get interesting...and also a bit grotesque. (I finished this while reading dinner - I STRONGLY recommend not reading this while you are attempting to eat. Unless the thought of nibbling on bugs somehow DOESN'T turn your stomach....in which case, you just might be a lizard. But I digress...😉) The stakes are high and I definitely was invested to an extent...but I ALSO was wishing that the book just dove a bit deeper into the game a bit sooner and left out some of the 'backstory' in the beginning.
The brightest part of this one, however, is an EXCELLENT author's note...you know, the kind where it makes you wish you could just listen to the author talk about their book for an hour. It was so heartfelt and moving and explained so much of the motivation behind the book so effortlessly that I wish I had either a) read it BEFORE starting this one for some perspective or B) wish I just connected with the text more because I just genuinely felt bad for not appreciating it the way others might. 😞
And let's just put it this way - if this is only Daphne Fama's DEBUT, then consider me hungry....or rather, 'Fama-shed', for MORE! 🍴
😉
3.5 stars
Part gothic horror, part historical fiction, AND part childhood friendship gone wrong...this genre-bending mashup puts our Filipino heroine, Josephine, in the line of fire as she attempts to recover from the horror of her father's dismal political campaign amidst the Peoples Power Revolution in 1986. It is her long-lost friend Hiraya who offers to host her, along with Josephine's bestie Gabriella and her brother Alejandro, who has been helping to parent her in her father's stead) at her mysterious seaside home. Josephine heard the rumors growing up about Hiraya - rumors claiming she is a witch, and the creepy house and legion of unsettling servants doesn't really help this image. Hiraya has also been called an aswang (shapeshifter) and Josephine doesn't quite know what to make of this information....but she takes a chance on her old friend and brings her compatriots with her to the remote island. ( Honestly, does ANYTHING go right on a remote island? EVER?!) 🤦♀️
But what starts as a visit to this odd home quickly 'shapeshifts' into something else entirely...and to survive, Josephine begins what she thinks is a simple game of 'tagu tagu' (or hide and seek)...but is actually a deadly game of survival. You see, this creepy house (known formally as Ranoco House) has an appetite of its own...and the only way to satiate it just MIGHT be human flesh. With her life hanging in the balance, Josephine doesn't have a choice - it's time to play, and play to WIN. But when she discovers even more horrifying truths about her friend AND just how the house keeps running in this remote locale, will it be too late for her to escape its horrifying clutches?
Historical gothic horror can be a LOT to handle...and I'll be honest, in this instance, I felt like I had my hands FULL from the jump. With absolutely zero (or perhaps, embarrassingly, LESS than zero) knowledge of the Peoples Power Revolution in the Philippines, I had absolutely no context of the political climate that set off the string of events at the start of this book...and I honestly wish that I had, because things only got more complicated from there. As much as I feel Fama tried to keep this character list fairly short, I STILL had trouble remembering who was who at times or what their individual histories were at any given moment. There seemed to be hints of a romance toward the beginning of the story, but I felt this dropped off after a certain point and I was left wondering why it had seemed important in the first place.
This is also a BONAFIDE slow burn, which is also a bit problematic for me in general...and with all of the muddled confusion in part one, it became even more difficult to remain patient until the bitter end. This is simply an instance where having a background in the subject matter (or at least an introduction, including exposure to Filipino words that were used often and I had never heard before) would just have helped the reading experience: there's no way around that fact. Once the premise IS finally set and The Game begins, THIS is where things start to get interesting...and also a bit grotesque. (I finished this while reading dinner - I STRONGLY recommend not reading this while you are attempting to eat. Unless the thought of nibbling on bugs somehow DOESN'T turn your stomach....in which case, you just might be a lizard. But I digress...😉) The stakes are high and I definitely was invested to an extent...but I ALSO was wishing that the book just dove a bit deeper into the game a bit sooner and left out some of the 'backstory' in the beginning.
The brightest part of this one, however, is an EXCELLENT author's note...you know, the kind where it makes you wish you could just listen to the author talk about their book for an hour. It was so heartfelt and moving and explained so much of the motivation behind the book so effortlessly that I wish I had either a) read it BEFORE starting this one for some perspective or B) wish I just connected with the text more because I just genuinely felt bad for not appreciating it the way others might. 😞
And let's just put it this way - if this is only Daphne Fama's DEBUT, then consider me hungry....or rather, 'Fama-shed', for MORE! 🍴
😉
3.5 stars
October 15, 2025
House of Monstrous Women is a slow burn Gothic Horror story set in the Philippines in 1986. We follow Josephine, who is living a fairly secluded life, seeing to her family's property, del Rosario house.
Her parents were killed due to political strife within the country, and her older brother has since moved to Manila to try to make a name for himself. This leaves just Josephine to try to manage what's left of their estate.
When she receives an invitation from her childhood best friend, Hiraya, to visit her, Josephine is surprised and excited. Of course she accepts. She's missed Hiraya so much since Hiraya and her sister were forced to flee their village in the dead of night.
Hiraya's family's property is the infamous Ranoco house. There are many stories whispered about this island home, all of them involving Hiraya's supposed family of witches.
Josephine has heard the stories, but she's not afraid. She knows Hiraya too well to believe she would put her in danger. Josephine is anxious to reconnect with her, as well as her brother, Alejandro and his girlfriend, Gabriella, who Hiraya also invited to Ranoco.
Hiraya proposes they all play a game like they used to as kids. The winner of this game though, will be granted whatever their heart desires. Each person has something they deeply want, and they all agree it's worth whatever risk to try to make those dreams reality, but how dangerous is this going to get?
With the house featuring as the ultimate playing board, the contestants settle in to try to seal their fates. As the rules are explained though, it soon becomes clear that they may have gotten in over their heads.
Will any of them be able to survive the game, let alone get what their heart truly desires, or is the house just going to seize them in their desperation?
'Josephine felt stupid for thinking this place was like the del Rosario house at all. Its outer facade was just a mask of normalcy, hiding what lay within.'
As mentioned above, House of Monstrous Women is a slow burn, but one that I definitely feel paid off in the end. The beginning features a lot of character work, but also some genuinely spooky imagery. Once it gets to the game though, it really takes off.
I loved the setting. Ranoco house truly feels like a main character in this story. It was described so well, and even though it's got some trippy vibes throughout, I still felt like I could picture everything vividly.
I would describe this story as being moody, gruesome, intense and jaw-dropping. There were moments in the beginning when I wondered if it was going to pick-up, and you might too, but trust me, just stick with it. It gets wild as it races toward the unpredictable conclusion.
I wasn't prepared for the final scenes of this. It was just so good. I loved the themes Fama explored, and feel like she nailed the build-to-action ratio. It lulled me into a false sense of security, then ripped the rug out from under me and tried to smother me with it.
I would highly recommend this to Horror Readers of all varieties, but particularly to those who enjoy atmospheric, familial, or historical horror, with strong eco-elements, who don't mind a slow burn.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was really impressed with this and cannot wait to read more from Daphne Fama!!
Her parents were killed due to political strife within the country, and her older brother has since moved to Manila to try to make a name for himself. This leaves just Josephine to try to manage what's left of their estate.
When she receives an invitation from her childhood best friend, Hiraya, to visit her, Josephine is surprised and excited. Of course she accepts. She's missed Hiraya so much since Hiraya and her sister were forced to flee their village in the dead of night.
Hiraya's family's property is the infamous Ranoco house. There are many stories whispered about this island home, all of them involving Hiraya's supposed family of witches.
Josephine has heard the stories, but she's not afraid. She knows Hiraya too well to believe she would put her in danger. Josephine is anxious to reconnect with her, as well as her brother, Alejandro and his girlfriend, Gabriella, who Hiraya also invited to Ranoco.
Hiraya proposes they all play a game like they used to as kids. The winner of this game though, will be granted whatever their heart desires. Each person has something they deeply want, and they all agree it's worth whatever risk to try to make those dreams reality, but how dangerous is this going to get?
With the house featuring as the ultimate playing board, the contestants settle in to try to seal their fates. As the rules are explained though, it soon becomes clear that they may have gotten in over their heads.
Will any of them be able to survive the game, let alone get what their heart truly desires, or is the house just going to seize them in their desperation?
'Josephine felt stupid for thinking this place was like the del Rosario house at all. Its outer facade was just a mask of normalcy, hiding what lay within.'
As mentioned above, House of Monstrous Women is a slow burn, but one that I definitely feel paid off in the end. The beginning features a lot of character work, but also some genuinely spooky imagery. Once it gets to the game though, it really takes off.
I loved the setting. Ranoco house truly feels like a main character in this story. It was described so well, and even though it's got some trippy vibes throughout, I still felt like I could picture everything vividly.
I would describe this story as being moody, gruesome, intense and jaw-dropping. There were moments in the beginning when I wondered if it was going to pick-up, and you might too, but trust me, just stick with it. It gets wild as it races toward the unpredictable conclusion.
I wasn't prepared for the final scenes of this. It was just so good. I loved the themes Fama explored, and feel like she nailed the build-to-action ratio. It lulled me into a false sense of security, then ripped the rug out from under me and tried to smother me with it.
I would highly recommend this to Horror Readers of all varieties, but particularly to those who enjoy atmospheric, familial, or historical horror, with strong eco-elements, who don't mind a slow burn.
Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was really impressed with this and cannot wait to read more from Daphne Fama!!
March 31, 2025
As someone born in the Philippines and raised in a household steeped in superstition, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 hit incredibly close to home. Daphne Fama weaves a tale rich in political and cultural history, exploring themes of womanhood, tradition, and monsters, both literal and figurative, that have haunted the Philippines for generations. From the aswang to the kapre, these creatures aren’t just scary bedtime stories; they are warnings, woven into the fabric of everyday life. Much like Latin America’s 𝙇𝙖 𝙇𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖 or China’s 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚, the aswang serves as both a boogeyman and a lesson, a specter used to keep children in line: 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.
Growing up, I knew firsthand how powerful these stories could be. Folklore isn’t just entertainment in the Philippines, it’s a survival tool, a way to pass down history, values, and unspoken fears. No matter where you are, whether in the bustling streets of Manila or the quieter, more tradition-bound provinces, Filipino folklore is inescapable. Fama taps into this collective consciousness, bringing to life not just the supernatural horrors of the Philippines but also the political ones. Set against the backdrop of the Marcos dictatorship, the novel touches on the corruption, fear, and unrest that shaped the country during the People Power Revolution. While political intrigue isn’t usually my forte, I found myself deeply invested in the way Fama wove historical realities with gothic horror. The true terror in this novel isn’t just the ghosts and creatures, but the oppression, the manipulation, and the systemic attempts to control people, especially women. It’s a horror story that mirrors reality, where the most insidious monsters aren’t always the ones lurking in the dark but the ones pulling the strings in plain sight.
Despite the darkness woven throughout the novel, there’s an undeniable thread of familiarity for anyone who grew up surrounded by these stories. This book also transported me back to my childhood, to long afternoons playing 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶-𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶 (the Filipino version of hide and seek) with friends until the sun set and our families called us inside. It’s rare to find a horror novel that so seamlessly blends folklore, history, and deeply personal nostalgia.
At its heart, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 follows Josephine, a young woman drawn into a dangerous game when she’s invited to the sprawling, maze-like house of her childhood friend Hiraya, a girl whispered to be a witch. Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is left alone to tend to their family home while her brother is in Manila, where revolution brews. The invitation to Hiraya’s house offers both an escape and an opportunity: if Josephine wins the game, she can have whatever her heart desires. But as she navigates the eerie corridors of the Ranoco house, where walls seem to shift and unseen eyes follow her every move, it becomes clear that she doesn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. And in this house, the only way to survive is to win.
𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 is a gothic horror novel that lingers like a whispered testament in the dark. Daphne Fama doesn’t just tell a story, she conjures an experience. This book is a love letter to the myths that raised us, the ghosts that follow us, and those who went before us — people who have been silenced, underestimated, and caged, but never forgotten.
(𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬!)
Growing up, I knew firsthand how powerful these stories could be. Folklore isn’t just entertainment in the Philippines, it’s a survival tool, a way to pass down history, values, and unspoken fears. No matter where you are, whether in the bustling streets of Manila or the quieter, more tradition-bound provinces, Filipino folklore is inescapable. Fama taps into this collective consciousness, bringing to life not just the supernatural horrors of the Philippines but also the political ones. Set against the backdrop of the Marcos dictatorship, the novel touches on the corruption, fear, and unrest that shaped the country during the People Power Revolution. While political intrigue isn’t usually my forte, I found myself deeply invested in the way Fama wove historical realities with gothic horror. The true terror in this novel isn’t just the ghosts and creatures, but the oppression, the manipulation, and the systemic attempts to control people, especially women. It’s a horror story that mirrors reality, where the most insidious monsters aren’t always the ones lurking in the dark but the ones pulling the strings in plain sight.
Despite the darkness woven throughout the novel, there’s an undeniable thread of familiarity for anyone who grew up surrounded by these stories. This book also transported me back to my childhood, to long afternoons playing 𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶-𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶 (the Filipino version of hide and seek) with friends until the sun set and our families called us inside. It’s rare to find a horror novel that so seamlessly blends folklore, history, and deeply personal nostalgia.
At its heart, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 follows Josephine, a young woman drawn into a dangerous game when she’s invited to the sprawling, maze-like house of her childhood friend Hiraya, a girl whispered to be a witch. Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is left alone to tend to their family home while her brother is in Manila, where revolution brews. The invitation to Hiraya’s house offers both an escape and an opportunity: if Josephine wins the game, she can have whatever her heart desires. But as she navigates the eerie corridors of the Ranoco house, where walls seem to shift and unseen eyes follow her every move, it becomes clear that she doesn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. And in this house, the only way to survive is to win.
𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 is a gothic horror novel that lingers like a whispered testament in the dark. Daphne Fama doesn’t just tell a story, she conjures an experience. This book is a love letter to the myths that raised us, the ghosts that follow us, and those who went before us — people who have been silenced, underestimated, and caged, but never forgotten.
(𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬!)
September 11, 2025
took about 60% of the way through for me to be fully interested/invested, but once i hit that point it was a rush of cannibalism, human-eating insects, and twisted family lore.
August 7, 2025
3.75⭐️’s
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Daphne Fama’s House of Monstrous Women is a gothic, feminist reimagining that blends horror, mystery, and literary homage in a richly atmospheric tale. This book was a slow burn of Filipino mythology and ominous horror. Josephine accepts an invitation to her friend’s house, unaware that it is a death sentence. Her friend, Hiraya has been rumored to be a witch and aswang (a shape shifting creature). While there, Hiraya invites Josephine along with other childhood friends to play tagu-tagu. The game turns out to be much more sinister than she remembers.
If you are a fan of gothic horror, this book is it for you! House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama drops 8/12!
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Daphne Fama’s House of Monstrous Women is a gothic, feminist reimagining that blends horror, mystery, and literary homage in a richly atmospheric tale. This book was a slow burn of Filipino mythology and ominous horror. Josephine accepts an invitation to her friend’s house, unaware that it is a death sentence. Her friend, Hiraya has been rumored to be a witch and aswang (a shape shifting creature). While there, Hiraya invites Josephine along with other childhood friends to play tagu-tagu. The game turns out to be much more sinister than she remembers.
If you are a fan of gothic horror, this book is it for you! House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama drops 8/12!
March 26, 2025
Thank you Berkley pub & NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback
3.25 stars - Publishes August 12 and follows a young woman named Josephine in 1980s Philippines who is lured into playing a dangerous game after visiting her old friend who is a rumored witch living in a maze like home.
This gothic historical fiction horror book was atmospherically dark and haunting. Throughout the story there’s a political revolution taking place, paired with the events of this game where the winner wins
their heart’s desire.
The story is a bit of a slow burn. The lead up to the game is filled with setting the scene and establishing the dynamics between the characters involved and I found myself waiting in anticipation for the action which took place around 60% in.
I really enjoyed that this book took place in the Philippines, I don’t think I’ve read any other books that do. I enjoyed the power struggles, the character dynamics, and once the action began I was locked in.
Overall, I thought this was a solid and unique gothic horror. I wasn’t obsessed with it, but it was worth the read.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT27fRvkU/
3.25 stars - Publishes August 12 and follows a young woman named Josephine in 1980s Philippines who is lured into playing a dangerous game after visiting her old friend who is a rumored witch living in a maze like home.
This gothic historical fiction horror book was atmospherically dark and haunting. Throughout the story there’s a political revolution taking place, paired with the events of this game where the winner wins
their heart’s desire.
The story is a bit of a slow burn. The lead up to the game is filled with setting the scene and establishing the dynamics between the characters involved and I found myself waiting in anticipation for the action which took place around 60% in.
I really enjoyed that this book took place in the Philippines, I don’t think I’ve read any other books that do. I enjoyed the power struggles, the character dynamics, and once the action began I was locked in.
Overall, I thought this was a solid and unique gothic horror. I wasn’t obsessed with it, but it was worth the read.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT27fRvkU/
November 20, 2025
This was a tale, set in the 1980s Philippines. I found it chilling and harrowing by virtue of some of the casual cruelty inflicted upon characters. I often find that sort of petty exercise of power over the powerless a compelling horror storytelling technique.
The audio production was pretty good too.
The audio production was pretty good too.
August 11, 2025
3.5 stars
I’m definitely in my full-blown horror era this year and am eating up whichever horror novels that I can, so I was very excited to pick up Daphne Fama’s new novel, HOUSE OF MONSTROUS WOMEN. The synopsis of this gothic horror intrigued me the moment I read it and I was so excited to see some Filipino representation in mainstream horror publishing!
Set during the 1986 People Power Revolution, this gothic horror follows Josephine, who accepts an invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to play a deadly game in her labyrinthine seaside home. The prize is whatever she desires—but the house is steeped in whispers of witchcraft, and survival is the only rule.
The first half builds slowly, steeped in eerie atmosphere and political tension, before the true dangers of the game erupt. Once the action begins, the stakes are gripping and the pace relentless. The setting felt fresh and distinctive, blending folklore, history, and gothic dread. While I wasn’t completely obsessed, it was an atmospheric, worthwhile read. I alternated between audio via @prhaudio and the physical and definitely preferred the audio option.
I’m definitely in my full-blown horror era this year and am eating up whichever horror novels that I can, so I was very excited to pick up Daphne Fama’s new novel, HOUSE OF MONSTROUS WOMEN. The synopsis of this gothic horror intrigued me the moment I read it and I was so excited to see some Filipino representation in mainstream horror publishing!
Set during the 1986 People Power Revolution, this gothic horror follows Josephine, who accepts an invitation from her childhood friend Hiraya to play a deadly game in her labyrinthine seaside home. The prize is whatever she desires—but the house is steeped in whispers of witchcraft, and survival is the only rule.
The first half builds slowly, steeped in eerie atmosphere and political tension, before the true dangers of the game erupt. Once the action begins, the stakes are gripping and the pace relentless. The setting felt fresh and distinctive, blending folklore, history, and gothic dread. While I wasn’t completely obsessed, it was an atmospheric, worthwhile read. I alternated between audio via @prhaudio and the physical and definitely preferred the audio option.
March 13, 2025
I wasn't sure what to expect when requesting this ARC, the title and cover caught my attention, and I was very pleasantly surprised! House of Monstrous Women takes place in the Philippines in the 1980's during a time of political turmoil and the start of the People Power Revolution. The story that we follow is rooted in Filipino folklore, which I don't know too much about but would love to learn more now! The story isn't directly political, but it mirrors the political climate that is going on simultaneously. Jospehine, her brother Alejandro and his girlfriend (also her old friend) Gabriella are invited to visit the house of Hiraya--isolated on an island. Hiraya and her family have long been rumored to be aswang. Aswang seems to be a term in Filipino lore that is kind of a catch-all phrase for witch, shapeshifter, vampire and the like. They are feared and reviled. Hiraya and Jospehine have been friends since childhood though and they are invited to come visit and play a game. The winner of the game is promised the future they dream of. What unfolds is atmospheric, creepy and disturbing! I don't want to give it away, but if you're afraid of bugs or have an aversion to meat, this will really gross you out! It's a bit of a slow build up, wondering where it's going to go. When it picks up, it does not relent! I love the creepy atmosphere of the house and the servants. I loved learning about Filipino lore. I loved the feminine angle of the book and the exploration of how females are always expected to play their "roles". And I loved the Afterword from the author, which makes the book even more special. I definitely would recommend this for a creepy, gothic, atmospheric story!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC! The book is set to release August 12, 2025.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC! The book is set to release August 12, 2025.
April 10, 2025
this was so good! thank you to net galley for the ARC, i got super invested once i had time to sit down and read this and really take it in. a horror novel that really takes you by surprise as it nears the end. great writing, the right amount of violence and unease. if you’re looking for a gothic historical fiction this is it! releases in august :)
April 16, 2025
This was such a creative book. I’ve never read anything quite like it. The ambiance of the jungle teeming with life stays with you after reading. I loved the characters themselves and the relationships between the women. I definitely could have had more romance between the two leads. Their energy was sizzling. The mystery pulls the story forward and is resolved in a satisfying way. I’d highly recommend checking this book out.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin in describing this book. It’s part thriller/horror, part fantasy-lore, but all amazing.
When Josephine receives a letter from her childhood best friend, calling her to her family’s home estate on an isolated island, Josephine is excited not only to reunite with her friend, but to see her brother and try to convince him to come home and settle down. But once at the estate, the rumors that her friend’s family is involved in witchcraft don’t seem so far fetched. Asked to play a game to cement her friend, Hiyara’s, place in her family, Josephine quickly learns there’s more than just a title on the line.
This book was atmospheric and delightfully detailed from the very beginning. Taking place in the Philippines in 1986, during the turmoil of the end of the Marcos reign, I loved not only the story itself, but this glimpse into Filipino culture and history. The also story incorporates different Filipino legends and myths that were super interesting. Add to that the creepy house and family lore, and you’ve got yourself a great book.
And really: buckle up, because this book is one wild ride from beginning to end. I did not at all see where this was going, but I just went along with it, and I’m so glad I did! Because it was a great story, full of twists and turns.
Just make sure you have a solid stomach for some of this stuff. That’s all I’ll say.
This is one of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve read all this year so far. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller with some depth and intensity.
When Josephine receives a letter from her childhood best friend, calling her to her family’s home estate on an isolated island, Josephine is excited not only to reunite with her friend, but to see her brother and try to convince him to come home and settle down. But once at the estate, the rumors that her friend’s family is involved in witchcraft don’t seem so far fetched. Asked to play a game to cement her friend, Hiyara’s, place in her family, Josephine quickly learns there’s more than just a title on the line.
This book was atmospheric and delightfully detailed from the very beginning. Taking place in the Philippines in 1986, during the turmoil of the end of the Marcos reign, I loved not only the story itself, but this glimpse into Filipino culture and history. The also story incorporates different Filipino legends and myths that were super interesting. Add to that the creepy house and family lore, and you’ve got yourself a great book.
And really: buckle up, because this book is one wild ride from beginning to end. I did not at all see where this was going, but I just went along with it, and I’m so glad I did! Because it was a great story, full of twists and turns.
Just make sure you have a solid stomach for some of this stuff. That’s all I’ll say.
This is one of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve read all this year so far. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller with some depth and intensity.
October 19, 2025
3.5⭐️ the second half of this book (when the game begins) worked much better than the first half. The beginning just had too many repeated conversations.
Also if bugs freak you out steer clear. There is a LOT of bugs
Overall cool creepy imagery 👍🪳🕷️
Also if bugs freak you out steer clear. There is a LOT of bugs
Overall cool creepy imagery 👍🪳🕷️
February 3, 2025
Well this was an unexpected pleasure!
First of all, the world needs more Filipino Gothic novels. This is lush, violent, atmospheric and I was fascinated by it all.
There are so many choice bits of culture and history and I wanted so very much for one particular character to lose the game!
Definitely a sapphic touch, set against a culture and historical context making it all the more rare and dangerous.
Note to the author: You had me absolutely craving Filipino food...until you didn't. I didn't want to eat anything anywhere after reading this!
Great book. Hope the author brings us more from her unique perspective!
First of all, the world needs more Filipino Gothic novels. This is lush, violent, atmospheric and I was fascinated by it all.
There are so many choice bits of culture and history and I wanted so very much for one particular character to lose the game!
Definitely a sapphic touch, set against a culture and historical context making it all the more rare and dangerous.
Note to the author: You had me absolutely craving Filipino food...until you didn't. I didn't want to eat anything anywhere after reading this!
Great book. Hope the author brings us more from her unique perspective!
August 7, 2025
The family of women that the town whispers about. But Josephine never cared about the rumors, she just loved their family like her mother did. Himaya is her best friend. It's been a while since she's seen her since because they moved away after some political violence and unrest in their city. However, Josephine has finally been invited to see her friend again.
When Josephine arrives, her brother Alejandro is also there along with his girlfriend (and Josephine's other close friend) Gabriella. They explain that they have been brought there to play a game - one that, whoever is the winner, gets to ask one wish to be granted.
This is a wild, fast moving story. Josephine is an interesting character and I liked being with her through the story. The creep factor was well done, the house felt both claustrophobic and like a sprawling maze. The added race, stalking servants and nightmares were a great addition to keep the story feeling eerie and keeping the reader on their toes. The political violence added an interesting layer and I liked that it was kept in the background as a reminder at what was at stake. Such a good read!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
When Josephine arrives, her brother Alejandro is also there along with his girlfriend (and Josephine's other close friend) Gabriella. They explain that they have been brought there to play a game - one that, whoever is the winner, gets to ask one wish to be granted.
This is a wild, fast moving story. Josephine is an interesting character and I liked being with her through the story. The creep factor was well done, the house felt both claustrophobic and like a sprawling maze. The added race, stalking servants and nightmares were a great addition to keep the story feeling eerie and keeping the reader on their toes. The political violence added an interesting layer and I liked that it was kept in the background as a reminder at what was at stake. Such a good read!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 31, 2025
An incredible story - the characters were so well developed, the scenery alive and wriggling, with threads of history, mythology and queerness. It is a glowing piece of fruit in a stretched and broken rib case.
thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)
thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)
August 12, 2025
This book was wayyyyy more than 6 stars!! Thank you Berkley Publishing for the eARC of this book because this book and everything that I went through is absolutely the reason why I read!
Josephine’s journey was nothing short of revelatory and the writing is a feast for the senses!!
Daphne Fama sets the scene for the political strife, cultural depredation and individual distress that accompanied the late 1980s in The Philippines during the end of Marcos’s dictatorship. Everything was so vividly outlined and perfectly told from the eyes of a woman suffering from the anxiety of upholding societal mores and familial obligations not to mention the uneasiness one might feel from unwanted attention of any kind (from political rivals, predatory eyes and just plain gossips).
With an entire nation and its people suffering but fighting (long live the People Power Revolution of 1986) as the backdrop, we see that Josephine has her own rebellion to lead. Reuniting with her brother and their childhood friends, she has to fight the loneliness, fear and naïveté that her life experience has left her to grapple with. Not only that, but she has to physically fight for her life during a game of tagu-tagu (hide and seek).
During her entire journey I was in constant awe of how brave Josephine is despite the fear and anxiety that is absolutely palpable from the way Daphne Fama writes! Everything is so beautifully detailed I can almost feel, see, hear, smell and taste it all! I also love the way she interweaved Filipino folklore within the book! I never thought it was easy to describe the manananggal, aswang and the Engkanto to others but Fama made it digestible and easy to understand.
Overall this gothic horror-atmospheric-tropical island-haunted house-deadly games vibe is such a triumph!
And I highly recommend!
Josephine’s journey was nothing short of revelatory and the writing is a feast for the senses!!
Daphne Fama sets the scene for the political strife, cultural depredation and individual distress that accompanied the late 1980s in The Philippines during the end of Marcos’s dictatorship. Everything was so vividly outlined and perfectly told from the eyes of a woman suffering from the anxiety of upholding societal mores and familial obligations not to mention the uneasiness one might feel from unwanted attention of any kind (from political rivals, predatory eyes and just plain gossips).
With an entire nation and its people suffering but fighting (long live the People Power Revolution of 1986) as the backdrop, we see that Josephine has her own rebellion to lead. Reuniting with her brother and their childhood friends, she has to fight the loneliness, fear and naïveté that her life experience has left her to grapple with. Not only that, but she has to physically fight for her life during a game of tagu-tagu (hide and seek).
During her entire journey I was in constant awe of how brave Josephine is despite the fear and anxiety that is absolutely palpable from the way Daphne Fama writes! Everything is so beautifully detailed I can almost feel, see, hear, smell and taste it all! I also love the way she interweaved Filipino folklore within the book! I never thought it was easy to describe the manananggal, aswang and the Engkanto to others but Fama made it digestible and easy to understand.
Overall this gothic horror-atmospheric-tropical island-haunted house-deadly games vibe is such a triumph!
And I highly recommend!
August 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, especially the setting of the creepy, labyrinthine mansion on an island filled with insects. The mansion itself is dark, twisting, full of secrets, and dripping with atmosphere. I appreciated the Filipino history woven into the story as well as the folklore that shapes the deadly game the characters are forced to play. The political climate serves as a strong motivation for why they risk everything, making the stakes feel real and urgent.
The folklore is intrinsic to the narrative, constantly reminding you that not everything is as it seems and the house itself carries a disturbing legacy of tragedy. Once the game begins in the second half, things turn gruesome and I found myself sympathizing with the characters as more got revealed. Overall, this was a haunting gothic story that blended history, folklore, and horror in a way I found both compelling and chilling.
The folklore is intrinsic to the narrative, constantly reminding you that not everything is as it seems and the house itself carries a disturbing legacy of tragedy. Once the game begins in the second half, things turn gruesome and I found myself sympathizing with the characters as more got revealed. Overall, this was a haunting gothic story that blended history, folklore, and horror in a way I found both compelling and chilling.
November 16, 2025
4.25 rounded up
This was really cool and more horror fans should read it.
I loved everything from the Filipino culture to the creepy Gothic vibes and especially the life or death let's-play-a-game in a bug-infested mansion bit.
The only thing I didn't like was the political drama part of this narrative. It was done well, but I just don't care about that kind of thing.
But overall, this was a compelling, girl-powered wild ride that felt new and fresh despite being full of horror tropes.
I loved it.
This was really cool and more horror fans should read it.
I loved everything from the Filipino culture to the creepy Gothic vibes and especially the life or death let's-play-a-game in a bug-infested mansion bit.
The only thing I didn't like was the political drama part of this narrative. It was done well, but I just don't care about that kind of thing.
But overall, this was a compelling, girl-powered wild ride that felt new and fresh despite being full of horror tropes.
I loved it.
February 1, 2025
Wow. This book is a roller coaster ride of horror. I didn’t know what to expect when I requested this ARC on NetGalley, but this book delivered and more. It’s as if Mexican Gothic met something like the Hunger Games? But even darker somehow. It asks: what would you do to escape the destiny laid out by society and your family?
The story follows Josephine, a young woman who was orphaned when her parents were killed by political enemies. When she gets an invitation to play a game at the house of one of her oldest friend’s - along with her brother and his partner - she quickly accepts, eager to escape her life caring for her family’s crumbling estate. But from the moment she steps foot in the house, something seems off and she feels like people are watching her at every turn. When the rules of the game are finally revealed, she realizes she must fight to survive.
The story is set in the Philippines in the 1980s during the beginning of the People Power Revolution. I didn’t know anything about the history of the Philippines, but this book hints at the extreme violence happening during that time, as well as the hope of the nation as the people’s movement fought back against its dictator. The terror and violence within the main story mirrors the terror and violence that was occurring during that time, and I appreciated the insight into that history.
I know this book will stick with me for a long time - for its feminist messages, its twisted game, and yes, the images that may creep into my nightmares. Please read trigger warnings, and if you have a deep fear of insects… know that this book is full of them.
The story follows Josephine, a young woman who was orphaned when her parents were killed by political enemies. When she gets an invitation to play a game at the house of one of her oldest friend’s - along with her brother and his partner - she quickly accepts, eager to escape her life caring for her family’s crumbling estate. But from the moment she steps foot in the house, something seems off and she feels like people are watching her at every turn. When the rules of the game are finally revealed, she realizes she must fight to survive.
The story is set in the Philippines in the 1980s during the beginning of the People Power Revolution. I didn’t know anything about the history of the Philippines, but this book hints at the extreme violence happening during that time, as well as the hope of the nation as the people’s movement fought back against its dictator. The terror and violence within the main story mirrors the terror and violence that was occurring during that time, and I appreciated the insight into that history.
I know this book will stick with me for a long time - for its feminist messages, its twisted game, and yes, the images that may creep into my nightmares. Please read trigger warnings, and if you have a deep fear of insects… know that this book is full of them.
July 28, 2025
This may have just become one of my favorite horror books of the year, if not of all times.
House of Monstrous Women follows Josephine as she is called to her childhood's friends home, along with her brother and his partner, for a reunion and to play tagu-tagu, a hide and seek game from their childhood. Set in the 80's in the Philippines under the dictatorship of President Marcos, Daphne Fama uses the political climate to mirror the horrors and obligations of the Ranoco family's house of horrrors.
First and foremost, even as a Filipino American who has never been back to the homeland, so much of this story resonated with me from the family dynamics to the stories of the Aswang, to the mention of the bisayan dialect. I grew up with stories of not going to certain areas unless you wanted the aswang and the moomoos to get you. To say please and thank you when walking through nature to respect the spirits that live there. And to see those practices in a book made me feel SO seen. But even more so, the disconnect between your family obligations and your sense of self was what really tugged at me. How a horror book flayed me open and made me evaluate what I consider my self worth, I have no idea.
The mix between horror and the lore of the Philippines was so immersive you felt like you were in the house with Josephine. If you aren't a fan of bugs, this is your warning that this book is crawling with them (pun intended). The description of the setting is so well done, I had to look over my shoulder or close my book a couple of times to remind myself this game wasn't happening to me.
Thank you so much to netgalley, Berkley Publishing and Ace Books Publishing for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
House of Monstrous Women follows Josephine as she is called to her childhood's friends home, along with her brother and his partner, for a reunion and to play tagu-tagu, a hide and seek game from their childhood. Set in the 80's in the Philippines under the dictatorship of President Marcos, Daphne Fama uses the political climate to mirror the horrors and obligations of the Ranoco family's house of horrrors.
First and foremost, even as a Filipino American who has never been back to the homeland, so much of this story resonated with me from the family dynamics to the stories of the Aswang, to the mention of the bisayan dialect. I grew up with stories of not going to certain areas unless you wanted the aswang and the moomoos to get you. To say please and thank you when walking through nature to respect the spirits that live there. And to see those practices in a book made me feel SO seen. But even more so, the disconnect between your family obligations and your sense of self was what really tugged at me. How a horror book flayed me open and made me evaluate what I consider my self worth, I have no idea.
The mix between horror and the lore of the Philippines was so immersive you felt like you were in the house with Josephine. If you aren't a fan of bugs, this is your warning that this book is crawling with them (pun intended). The description of the setting is so well done, I had to look over my shoulder or close my book a couple of times to remind myself this game wasn't happening to me.
Thank you so much to netgalley, Berkley Publishing and Ace Books Publishing for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
September 20, 2025
Book Title: House of Monstrous Women
Author(s): Daphne Fama
Publisher(s): Berkley/Penguin Random House Audio
Publication Date: August 12, 2025
Currently Available on KU? 🙅🏼♀️
Audiobook? ✅
🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I actually (because I never do) scanned the synopsis for House of Monstrous Women, and it sounded so fantastic that I decided I needed to read it. It didn’t live up to all of my expectations, but I’m giving it props for originality.
🤩 𝚃͏𝚑͏𝚎͏ 𝙱͏𝚎͏𝚜͏𝚝͏ 𝙱͏𝚒͏𝚝͏𝚜͏: I think this might be Fama’s debut novel, and if it is, I am impressed. This was a very clever story, and the gothic horror vibes were spot on. This is also rooted in history that I am not familiar with but was very much setting the tone for the entire storyline. The characters were unforgettable, and the author’s note is a must read (and thankfully included in the audiobook). The last ~35% of the book is where things really pick up, and I loved all the creepy and ghastly delightfulness the author gave us at that point.
🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: Jensen Olaya is a fantastic narrator and I can tell why she has been nominated for an Audie Award. Her narration for not only Josephine but all of the other characters blew me away. She made her voice unique for each and every single one and it allowed me to become fully immersed in the book.
💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: The first 50-60% of the book moved at a pretty slow pace, and I definitely liked it best once we got to Ranoco House. Since I wasn’t familiar with the history being discussed I did feel a little lost and I didn’t fully grasp the importance of how it impacted the story. So, I do wish Fama had woven the People Power Revolution into the beginning more and explained it to the reader. I do not recommend eating while reading this because 🤮😂 and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🪳🔥🔪📻😵
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author(s): Daphne Fama
Publisher(s): Berkley/Penguin Random House Audio
Publication Date: August 12, 2025
Currently Available on KU? 🙅🏼♀️
Audiobook? ✅
🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I actually (because I never do) scanned the synopsis for House of Monstrous Women, and it sounded so fantastic that I decided I needed to read it. It didn’t live up to all of my expectations, but I’m giving it props for originality.
🤩 𝚃͏𝚑͏𝚎͏ 𝙱͏𝚎͏𝚜͏𝚝͏ 𝙱͏𝚒͏𝚝͏𝚜͏: I think this might be Fama’s debut novel, and if it is, I am impressed. This was a very clever story, and the gothic horror vibes were spot on. This is also rooted in history that I am not familiar with but was very much setting the tone for the entire storyline. The characters were unforgettable, and the author’s note is a must read (and thankfully included in the audiobook). The last ~35% of the book is where things really pick up, and I loved all the creepy and ghastly delightfulness the author gave us at that point.
🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: Jensen Olaya is a fantastic narrator and I can tell why she has been nominated for an Audie Award. Her narration for not only Josephine but all of the other characters blew me away. She made her voice unique for each and every single one and it allowed me to become fully immersed in the book.
💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: The first 50-60% of the book moved at a pretty slow pace, and I definitely liked it best once we got to Ranoco House. Since I wasn’t familiar with the history being discussed I did feel a little lost and I didn’t fully grasp the importance of how it impacted the story. So, I do wish Fama had woven the People Power Revolution into the beginning more and explained it to the reader. I do not recommend eating while reading this because 🤮😂 and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🪳🔥🔪📻😵
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 11, 2025
4.5 stars
The nitty-gritty: A dangerous game of cat and mouse, a maze-like house, and a family curse—all these elements and more make up House of Monstrous Women, an excellent horror story rooted in Filipino folklore.
“The Ranoco house wasn’t a normal house, by anyone’s definition. It sprawled on the outside. But inside? She felt like she was in the stomach of a monster.”
Color me surprised—House of Monstrous Women was not what I expected at all, and that’s a very good thing. This is an extremely creepy gothic horror story set the in Philippines in 1986 during the uprising of the People Power Revolution, and the story takes place in one of the weirdest, most unsettling houses I’ve ever read about. Daphne Fama combines political upheaval, body horror, family obligations, Filipino folklore and personal sacrifice into a thrilling tale that revolves around a game of life and death.
Josephine del Rosario has been invited to the house of her childhood friend Hiraya Ranoco to participate in a game they used to play as children. Joining them is Josephine’s brother Alejandro and his girlfriend Gabriella, who live in Manila while Alejandro chases his dream of becoming a powerful politician. Josephine has always had a special place in her heart for Hiraya, and she’s thrilled to see her again after many years apart, but she’s angry at her brother for leaving her alone in their ancestral home and foolishly spending their inheritance money trying to achieve his dream.
As the four gather together in Hiraya’s huge, crumbling mansion, she explains the reason she’s brought them together. Beginning at sunset, they will play a favorite game from their childhood called tagu-tagu, but this time the stakes are much higher. Two of them will be the hunters, or aswang, and the other two will be the prey. Whoever survives the night will get their heart’s desire, but Ranoco House demands a terrible sacrifice from the winner.
As Josephine makes her way through the twisting, ever changing rooms and corridors, trying to stay one step ahead of her hunter, the house and the undead servants who live there do their best to slow her down. For the house is hiding terrible secrets, and Josephine is about to discover them.
Fama has written a tense, fast-paced horror story that gets more and more horrific the longer you read. Just like Hiraya’s impossible house, there’s a fresh terror behind every door. Ranoco House is almost a character itself, a gloomy, candlelit mansion (there is no electricity) where each woman in the Ranoco family has added additional rooms (although we're never told how they accomplished such a feat)/ The result is a house full of never-ending rooms, corridors that twist and change, underground passageways, and even one room with a monstrous tree growing out of the floor. The house is populated with dozens of servants who linger against the walls, hide their faces behind masks and veils, and serve up feasts of freshly slaughtered meat. The servants turned out to be one of the creepiest elements of the story for me, especially since the reader isn’t sure whether they’re alive or dead or what their real purpose is.
Then there are the insects, which play a horrific part in the story. Unfortunately I can’t go into detail due to spoilers, but I will say "body horror + insects = very bad stuff indeed" and leave the rest to your imagination. The generations of Ranoco women are tied to the house in a very disturbing way, and the author describes these horrors without flinching. Josephine, Alejandro and Gabriella are thrust into this nightmare when they’re forced to play Hiraya’s deadly game, and Josephine takes on the burden of trying to break the cycle, hoping to save her friend. Many of the horror elements are pulled from Filipino folklore, like the aswang, who are monster-like creatures who eat the dead.
I loved the setting and time period, and it was so interesting to learn about a time and place in history that was new to me. Fama goes into detail about the awful political situation at the time, when President Marcos ruled the country with an iron fist. It felt eerily familiar to what’s going on in politics in the United States right now, and I couldn’t help but think that history is repeating itself. She also explores how Marcos’s rule has affected the characters, especially Josephine and Alejandro, who bear emotional scars from the loss of their parents and extended family due to political reasons. There’s a finally a glimmer of hope, though, as people are beginning to stand up to Marcos’s regime and fight back.
Fama’s evocative writing is perfect for this story, full of vivid imagery that brings every terrible detail to life. The gothic vibe is so strong in this book, and if you enjoyed Mexican Gothic, you’ll probably love this too. The author uses tried and true gothic tropes like stormy weather, dangerous cliffs and hidden caverns, but she twists these tropes into something unique.
I also loved the way the characters interact with each other, and these relationships added even more tension to the story. Josephine loves her brother, but she’s upset that he’s cut her off from her inheritance and left her alone in the family house. Alejandro is an awful brother with old fashioned attitudes about women, but luckily Josephine isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. I also loved the tension between Hiraya and the others. No one really likes her, especially since her family is rumored to be witches—or even aswang. But she has a way of drawing the others into her game, whether they like it or not, and even though I knew things were only going to get worse, I could not stop reading. I also want to mention Hiraya’s sister Sidapa, who ended up being one of my favorite characters, although she’s sort of a mystery for most of the story.
The ending did not disappoint, and I loved the Epilogue, which jumps ahead a few years to show where everyone ended up. Over all, House of Monstrous Women is a fresh take on the gothic subgenre, perfectly written and paced, and is a must read for all horror fans. I can’t wait to read Daphne Fama’s next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The nitty-gritty: A dangerous game of cat and mouse, a maze-like house, and a family curse—all these elements and more make up House of Monstrous Women, an excellent horror story rooted in Filipino folklore.
“The Ranoco house wasn’t a normal house, by anyone’s definition. It sprawled on the outside. But inside? She felt like she was in the stomach of a monster.”
Color me surprised—House of Monstrous Women was not what I expected at all, and that’s a very good thing. This is an extremely creepy gothic horror story set the in Philippines in 1986 during the uprising of the People Power Revolution, and the story takes place in one of the weirdest, most unsettling houses I’ve ever read about. Daphne Fama combines political upheaval, body horror, family obligations, Filipino folklore and personal sacrifice into a thrilling tale that revolves around a game of life and death.
Josephine del Rosario has been invited to the house of her childhood friend Hiraya Ranoco to participate in a game they used to play as children. Joining them is Josephine’s brother Alejandro and his girlfriend Gabriella, who live in Manila while Alejandro chases his dream of becoming a powerful politician. Josephine has always had a special place in her heart for Hiraya, and she’s thrilled to see her again after many years apart, but she’s angry at her brother for leaving her alone in their ancestral home and foolishly spending their inheritance money trying to achieve his dream.
As the four gather together in Hiraya’s huge, crumbling mansion, she explains the reason she’s brought them together. Beginning at sunset, they will play a favorite game from their childhood called tagu-tagu, but this time the stakes are much higher. Two of them will be the hunters, or aswang, and the other two will be the prey. Whoever survives the night will get their heart’s desire, but Ranoco House demands a terrible sacrifice from the winner.
As Josephine makes her way through the twisting, ever changing rooms and corridors, trying to stay one step ahead of her hunter, the house and the undead servants who live there do their best to slow her down. For the house is hiding terrible secrets, and Josephine is about to discover them.
Fama has written a tense, fast-paced horror story that gets more and more horrific the longer you read. Just like Hiraya’s impossible house, there’s a fresh terror behind every door. Ranoco House is almost a character itself, a gloomy, candlelit mansion (there is no electricity) where each woman in the Ranoco family has added additional rooms (although we're never told how they accomplished such a feat)/ The result is a house full of never-ending rooms, corridors that twist and change, underground passageways, and even one room with a monstrous tree growing out of the floor. The house is populated with dozens of servants who linger against the walls, hide their faces behind masks and veils, and serve up feasts of freshly slaughtered meat. The servants turned out to be one of the creepiest elements of the story for me, especially since the reader isn’t sure whether they’re alive or dead or what their real purpose is.
Then there are the insects, which play a horrific part in the story. Unfortunately I can’t go into detail due to spoilers, but I will say "body horror + insects = very bad stuff indeed" and leave the rest to your imagination. The generations of Ranoco women are tied to the house in a very disturbing way, and the author describes these horrors without flinching. Josephine, Alejandro and Gabriella are thrust into this nightmare when they’re forced to play Hiraya’s deadly game, and Josephine takes on the burden of trying to break the cycle, hoping to save her friend. Many of the horror elements are pulled from Filipino folklore, like the aswang, who are monster-like creatures who eat the dead.
I loved the setting and time period, and it was so interesting to learn about a time and place in history that was new to me. Fama goes into detail about the awful political situation at the time, when President Marcos ruled the country with an iron fist. It felt eerily familiar to what’s going on in politics in the United States right now, and I couldn’t help but think that history is repeating itself. She also explores how Marcos’s rule has affected the characters, especially Josephine and Alejandro, who bear emotional scars from the loss of their parents and extended family due to political reasons. There’s a finally a glimmer of hope, though, as people are beginning to stand up to Marcos’s regime and fight back.
Fama’s evocative writing is perfect for this story, full of vivid imagery that brings every terrible detail to life. The gothic vibe is so strong in this book, and if you enjoyed Mexican Gothic, you’ll probably love this too. The author uses tried and true gothic tropes like stormy weather, dangerous cliffs and hidden caverns, but she twists these tropes into something unique.
I also loved the way the characters interact with each other, and these relationships added even more tension to the story. Josephine loves her brother, but she’s upset that he’s cut her off from her inheritance and left her alone in the family house. Alejandro is an awful brother with old fashioned attitudes about women, but luckily Josephine isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. I also loved the tension between Hiraya and the others. No one really likes her, especially since her family is rumored to be witches—or even aswang. But she has a way of drawing the others into her game, whether they like it or not, and even though I knew things were only going to get worse, I could not stop reading. I also want to mention Hiraya’s sister Sidapa, who ended up being one of my favorite characters, although she’s sort of a mystery for most of the story.
The ending did not disappoint, and I loved the Epilogue, which jumps ahead a few years to show where everyone ended up. Over all, House of Monstrous Women is a fresh take on the gothic subgenre, perfectly written and paced, and is a must read for all horror fans. I can’t wait to read Daphne Fama’s next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
October 23, 2025
Dripping with a descriptive gothic setting. An ominous warning cry of the 80s Philippines dictatorship to what Trump is doing today.
March 21, 2025
Loved how this weaved Filipino folk horror, sapphic romance, history, and the author's personal experience into an innovative and awesome creature to behold. Did not know what to expect and had me on edge until the very end. (Via a free Net galley copy)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
This book was so atmospheric. I am not usually one for a lot of descriptors, it usually makes me feel like it slows down the story but these were SO GOOD. The way the woods and the house were described was just so compelling and chilling! 😘👌 The Philippine lore was also so interesting and I really enjoyed learning about it! There were a lot of layers to this story and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I loved all the messages this book sent, hope when you’re hopeless and fighting for your happiness. Everyone deserves their own happiness. I am loving all the new horror stories coming out and being popular, it’s just such an amazing and entertaining genre! I loved this book!!!!
February 15, 2025
This book had me in a chokehold the whole time … full of suspense!!! A mix of hunger games set in a creepy house and some other horror movie. It threw so much at you throughout the whole story. It was intense!! Such a crazy concept of being invited to an old friends house to play a game that may not be what it seems….
All I know is that if I get invited to a creepy witchy paranormal mansion… I will not be attending… EVER …
Very interesting intense read…
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this amazingly creepy Filipino gothic horror story.
All I know is that if I get invited to a creepy witchy paranormal mansion… I will not be attending… EVER …
Very interesting intense read…
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this amazingly creepy Filipino gothic horror story.
February 8, 2025
I absolutely loved this book, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read an advance copy. Honestly - I read it entirely in a 24 hour period, I was gripped.
The story is set in the climax of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, a moment of hope, uncertainty and anger, and these themes are mirrored perfectly in the storyline of this novel. The backdrop is a strange and unsettling house full of secrets and horrors, and follows the story of Josephine and her attempts to break away from her fate.
I loved the build up towards the twisted version of the game of Tagu-Tagu as the characters initially visit in the house, with plenty of foreshadowing to the true horror of the place, with a host of unsettling events giving clues to its mysteries. The tension truly builds up throughout the first half of the book, and I found myself immersed and reading for hours in order to learn more. There are definitely some creepy and atmospheric scenes that jolted me into the world.
However, my favorite part has to be the characters, they are wonderfully complex, interesting and 3-dimensional, and the conversations and interactions between them really immerse you in the story, and I found myself able to relate and connect with them and was fully invested in each of their fates.
The story is set in the climax of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, a moment of hope, uncertainty and anger, and these themes are mirrored perfectly in the storyline of this novel. The backdrop is a strange and unsettling house full of secrets and horrors, and follows the story of Josephine and her attempts to break away from her fate.
I loved the build up towards the twisted version of the game of Tagu-Tagu as the characters initially visit in the house, with plenty of foreshadowing to the true horror of the place, with a host of unsettling events giving clues to its mysteries. The tension truly builds up throughout the first half of the book, and I found myself immersed and reading for hours in order to learn more. There are definitely some creepy and atmospheric scenes that jolted me into the world.
However, my favorite part has to be the characters, they are wonderfully complex, interesting and 3-dimensional, and the conversations and interactions between them really immerse you in the story, and I found myself able to relate and connect with them and was fully invested in each of their fates.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews