In the House of Root and Rot

The Altered Planes #2

by Sam Weiss

Old Gramps always said the Deadmarsh family was cursed. Will never believed him—until now.

In a last-ditch effort to pay his grandfather’s mounting medical bills, Will signs up for a shady sleep study, ignoring the warning signs. But everything changes the night his grandfather vanishes. In his place, Will’s dead sister returns.

Convinced the sleep study is to blame, Will tracks down Spectre, the enigmatic research firm behind it, only to discover they’ve disappeared. His search leads him to a girl whose father vanished after her own harrowing encounter with Spectre. She also seems to know more about his family’s past than she’s letting on.

Desperate to stop seeing his dead sister and unsure of who to trust, Will forms an uneasy alliance with the girl to find out what Spectre wants with them. Together, they plummet down a rabbit-hole of secrets, discovering Spectre’s true purpose and what it planted in Will’s bloodline centuries ago. Something ancient, something not of this world, has been feeding off his family for generations, growing stronger, hungrier, and desperate to be set free.

The family curse is real. And it’s been waiting for Will to unleash it.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

About the author

Sam was named after a dog, a fact her mother disputes to this day.

While she’s terrible at writing “About Me”s about her, she’s been told she’s great at writing about what fictional people do. The more miserable she can make them, the better.

Her love of horror films from the 80s, sci-fi shows from the 90s, and alternative music from the 00s have inspired her to write what she’s calling “Weird Sci-fi Horror” although she’s kind of making that up as she goes along.

When she’s not ready to pull her hair out after discovering another plot hole she’s created, she goes camping with her husband as far away from society as possible. So far, this tactic has been mostly successful and she’s only had to physically converse with a grand total of nine people this year. Next year, she hopes to get that number down to six.

Reviews

[Tiffany aka Chai Tea And Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good sci fi book that has just enough possibilities that keeps you thinking.. what if. This is the second in a series, and while you would probably pick things up a bit quicker if you read it in order, it would still be enjoyable if you picked this one up first. Because let’s be honest, that cover is amazing! As this isn’t the last book, it leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

Will is tired. Of everything. Of his job, his ex girlfriend who happens to be the home nurse for his bed bound grandfather after a stroke. At least he can’t abuse him anymore. His seizures have started up again and he found a flyer for a medical study that will pay well. He sees all the reg flags when he goes to the clinic, but pushes forward because of the money. And now he sees a zombie version of his dead sister (and can smell her too). When he goes back to the clinic he helps a girl escape from there, after an apparent kidnapping. And that is the least crazy part of the story.

Thank you to Henry Roi PR for the copy, all thoughts are my own.

[☆ Cosmic's Library ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It slumbers. It feeds off of us. Do not let it wake."

⚠️CONTENT WARNING⚠️ Violence, Death, Gore, Suicidal Ideation, Depression, PTSD, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Death of a Parent and Sibling, and Psychological Domestic Abuse.

Thank you to Sam for giving me this ARC opportunity. After reading The Afterlife Experiment, I was so excited for this one! Not many books play out like a movie in my mind, but The Altered Planes do!🫶🏻

Once again, I was taken on a dark out of this world journey and slipping back into madness. We were introduced to Will, Lex in a new form, and the rest of the Deadmarsh family, and I love how their stories entwined with what we already know. I was gobbling up all the new information about the Other Side, Polaris, and the Deadmarsh family curse. THE👏🏻 PLOT👏🏻 THICKENS!👏🏻

Atra, at the start, seemed different. She definitely lost some of her spark after previous events. You could feel her emptiness and her want for normality. I just wanted to give her a big hug!😭 As the story went on, she found purpose, and I could start to see her little fire burning once again. I was having a super proud "there's my girl, this is what you were made for" moment.🥹

Tom's part of the story was a bit sad but a whole lot interesting. It's what gave us a deeper look into the Other Side. I wished we had spent more time down in the bunker with him to get a feel for what he was going through.🤔

The emotional rollercoaster Will was going through was written so well, I really felt every moment because... Me too, Will.😵‍💫 I really enjoyed the addition of his character to the story. It made me so happy that Atra had someone fighting by her side from the moment they met. Yes, at times, their developing relationship seemed rocky. Yes, at times, I kind of wanted to slap Will.😅 But it was all understandable. It's complete utter CRAZINESS, and you can't expect perfection through all this turmoil.

Book one led me into a false sense of security, and this one has left me feeling absolutely terrified at the end. 😬

[Milt Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In the House of Root and Rot" is the second book in The Altered Planes series, "The Afterlife Experiment" being the first. Though you'd be excused if you missed it when reading the synopsis, the book is a direct sequel to the first volume, and not at all a standalone: it continues Atra's story, bringing new persons into the cast, and revealing an entirely hidden part of the unethical medical experiments which played such a major role to her life (in fact, to her whole existence!). The new aspects focus on Will, a male main character this time, whose lineage proves to be crucial to the relation between our world and the Otherside, via a research firm called Spectre. Will, Atrea, Tom (her dad), a familiar character from the first book co-inhabiting his body (cringe), and Lex (Will's dead sister - don't ask!) embark on a mission to uncover the connection between a long-term project revolving around Will and the metaphysics of the Altered Planes.

I loved the first book, so the chance of a free ARC to review the second volume was more than welcome. However, Book 2 is a very different beast from "The Afterlife Experiment": sure, the writing style is pretty much the same, the book is equally strongly character-driven (almost all action conveyed through dialogue rather than description), but there's no sense of discovery in Will's case as there was in Atra's, nor does the book have a single focus to allow the reader an easy entry to the (very) complex plot. Is it confusing? Sometimes. Boring? Rarely. Unnecessary complicated? Well, I'd go as far as to say that Atra is rather superfluous to Will's story, and several times the tale gets dragged down by having to accomodate her tale somehow in Will's adventure. What's even worse, by the second half of the book both Will and Atra start sounding like kids, and the book feels very much a YA affair. This jars quite a bit with the complicated turns the story abruptly takes (to end on a cliffhanger!). Last but not least, in the last quarter of the book, when the story has finally reached its climax, everything feels cartoonish: the characters (the villain throws an infodump worse than any James Bond baddie, even forcing Will to say "please" a couple of times in order that he continues with his explanations), the plot (a complex, decades-old project is reduced to one man's sudden desire to be the only one to benefit from it), and the ending (so much information is given, yet nothing is resolved). Perhaps this is due to Book 2 being the middle part of a trilogy, essentially a fill-in for Book 3.

Themewise, most of the book is devoted to parent-children relationships, the SF elements rather on the backburner. That said, the story is interesting enough to keep my interest, so I will be coming back for volume 3.

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the House of Root and Rot (The Altered Planes Book 2)
By Sam Weiss
Publisher: Wise Cat Press
Publication date: October 3, 2025
ASIN: B0DQF885KT
400 Pages

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀 (gross-out horror meets creeping dread)
Triggers: Violence, gore, death, suicidal ideation, PTSD, family trauma, pregnancy, psychological abuse

What Did I Just Walk Into?
A family curse, a shady sleep study, and a dead sister who just waltzes back in like nothing happened. This is cosmic horror in a trench coat pretending to be family drama—and somehow, it works.

Here’s What Slapped:
Will’s messy, angry, grief-soaked spiral feels painfully real. Half the time I wanted to hug him, the other half I wanted to throw the book across the room because sir, get it together.

Atra continues to shine—broken but still fighting. Her “I just want to be normal” energy hits hard, and when she finally snaps back into her purpose, it’s fist-pump worthy.

The horror mix is top-shelf: creepy atmospherics, gore when you least expect it, and monsters that feel pulled straight out of a fever dream.

Mr. Weiss writes with restraint until—bam!—someone’s face caves in or the Other Side leaks through. It’s deliciously unsettling.

The Deadmarsh curse and Spectre’s experiments tie the threads together in a way that’s both terrifying and addictive.

What Could’ve Been Better:
Will tests patience. A lot. He’s complex, but at times he drags Atra down with his baggage. She deserved more spotlight.

Some sections (farm life, early sleep study bits) felt like filler before the chaos kicked back in. Not bad—just a little lull before the nightmare storm.

I could have used about 50 more pages in the bunker scenes with Tom. Don’t tease me with creepy world-building and then whisk me out.

Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Stranger Things vibes but bloodier and stranger
Nick Cutter–style “quiet horror” that suddenly gets very loud and very gross
Found family and fractured family, both at war with ancient curses
Cosmic horror wrapped in grief, trauma, and weird science

Book Series Order:
The Afterlife Experiment (The Altered Planes Book 1)
Book 1 of 2: The Altered Planes
In the House of Root and Rot (The Altered Planes Book 2)
Book 2 of 2: The Altered Planes


Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review

[VeroniCanReadIt · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅ For Fans of:
- Dual POV
- Ghosts
- Sci-Fi
- Alternate Planes of Reality

✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
I’m not a big sci-fi reader but this book felt more paranormal action in a way that I would compare to Stranger Things.

The writing was superb, really making you feel how human each character is through their emotions and by allowing the characters to fully feel their emotions instead of jumping to the next plot point. It made the characters feel real and gave the breathing space to connect with them.

While this is the second book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. The author does a wonderful job of explaining things in a natural way so you don’t feel like you’re missing anything.

HOWEVER, after finishing this book, I’m already itching for the next one! I have to know what happens next, and I want to read the first book and novella to fully understand how we got here!

Thank you to author Sam Weiss and publisher Wise Cat Press for the digital copy. As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!

[Trina 🌻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! While it is the second in a series, I read it as a stand alone and had no trouble following along. But I will be going back and reading The Afterlife Experiment, because this one was so good!!

The characters were well developed, the storyline was full of depth, there was so much going on that drew me in and kept me!

A psychological horror that is full of suspense and moves you {to keep turning the page!}

Thank you to Sam for a gifted ARC copy. All opinions are my own.

[Coffee Book Couch by Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Weiss’s In the House of Root and Rot is unique, not only because of its atmosphere, but because it explores family, memory, and the weight of legacies in a way that feels chilling and heartbreakingly human.

At its center is Will, a young man who’s been raised on stories of the Deadmarsh family curse. His grandfather, “Gramps,” always insisted their family carried a shadow in its bloodline, though Will dismissed it as superstition. He doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring it for long. With Gramps’s health failing and medical bills mounting, Will makes a desperate choice—signing up for a mysterious sleep study run by a company called Spectre. What seems like a quick fix for his financial struggles rapidly spirals into something terrifying, pulling him into a labyrinth of secrets, lies, and dark truths buried for generations.

Weiss’s writing draws the reader in with an intimacy that feels almost claustrophobic at times. You can practically hear the ticking of Gramps’s failing clock in the background of every decision Will makes. The dread builds slowly, as reality begins to warp and Will’s dead sister appears where she shouldn’t be. This is horror rooted not just in the supernatural but in grief, guilt, and the gnawing fear that maybe we can’t outrun the past.

The novel cleverly balances personal stakes with broader mythological undertones. The Deadmarsh family history isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the beating heart of the book. Generational curses in fiction can sometimes feel like a convenient excuse for bad luck, but here it feels alive, parasitic, and terrifyingly intentional. The entity Spectre has been cultivating across centuries is revealed in layers, so that each revelation carries both a shock and a sense of inevitability.

One of the novel’s strongest achievements is its exploration of grief through horror. Will isn’t just haunted by the literal return of his sister; he’s also haunted by what she represents—the unfinished conversations, the fractures in his family, the impossible weight of trying to protect people who are already gone. The appearance of his sister is both terrifying and achingly sad. Weiss uses her presence to unsettle the reader in more than one way, forcing us to question what ghosts really are: echoes of the past, manifestations of guilt, or something ancient wearing familiar faces.

The pacing is another aspect worth highlighting. This is not a story that rushes its scares. Instead, Weiss sets a simmering tempo, each chapter tightening the net around Will until you feel as trapped as he does. By the time Spectre’s true motives begin to surface, the reader is as desperate for answers as Will, which makes the discoveries hit even harder.

The supporting characters, particularly the girl who joins Will in his search for Spectre, add complexity without distracting from his arc. She’s not just a sidekick or a love interest; her own history with Spectre and her missing father create parallel lines of pain that underscore the universality of the novel’s themes. Everyone touched by Spectre has lost something, and those losses bind them together in fragile, uneasy ways.

Stylistically, Weiss has a knack for crafting sentences that feel both lyrical and unsettling. The language often mirrors the themes of decay and rot—roots twisting underground, shadows growing in places unseen, hunger that can’t be satisfied. The metaphors don’t just decorate the prose; they deepen the reader’s understanding of what’s at stake.

The climax deserves its own praise. Without giving away spoilers, it’s a masterclass in escalation. The horror moves from personal hallucinations and whispered suspicions into a full confrontation with the monstrous truth that has been festering beneath the Deadmarsh family tree. It’s grotesque, tragic, and inevitable all at once. Weiss doesn’t settle for cheap thrills—he delivers something that feels earned and devastating.

Ultimately, In the House of Root and Rot isn’t just a horror novel—it’s a story about inheritance. About the burdens passed down through generations, whether in the form of family legends, unresolved grief, or something far darker and more supernatural. It’s about the choices we make when backed into a corner, and whether we can break patterns that seem carved into our blood.

For fans of modern gothic horror with an emotional core, Weiss’s book offers exactly that blend. It’s atmospheric without being indulgent, frightening without being hollow, and heartfelt without sacrificing its darker edge.

Final Thoughts:
In the House of Root and Rot is a powerful novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy horror with substance—stories where the monsters on the page reflect the wounds inside the characters. It’s the kind of book that not only scares you, but also asks you to think about the weight of your own family history, the ghosts you carry, and what might be hiding in the roots of your own life.

[Naomi Tiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The veils are thin. And we are ready."

Massive thank you to Sam for giving me this ARC opportunity!

It feels like I’ve been waiting for this book for about a million years—that’s how excited I was to get my hands on it! To dive back into the Altered Planes, be reunited with beloved (or infuriating) characters, meet new ones, and go on a wild, offbeat fever dream of an adventure was an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up.

ITHORAR is the second installment to the Altered Planes series. However, I really liked that despite being part of a series, ITHORAR held up really well on its own; you don’t necessarily need to read book one to understand book two (though I highly recommend that you do, indeed, read book one—it was a gem!).

ITHORAR drops you off several months after the first book. We see Atra, trying to navigate a world she’s only seen through a barred window with a dad who appears to want nothing to do with her. And we meet Will, a guy with anger issues who is chronically stuck between a rock and a hard place. When the pair meet, worlds start to collide—quite literally. It is up to Will and Atra to find a way to stop the planes from meeting. But can they? And what is the cost?

A couple of my favourite things about ITHORAR:

1) Sam’s writing is like a breath of fresh air. The reader doesn’t feel weighed down by wordy sentences, over-descriptions, and over-explanations. Sam balances showing vs. telling nicely. There wasn’t an overuse of tropes, either. Things felt unique and new. Her style is *chef’s kiss*.

2) Every single time I felt like Sam’s book was considered a “quiet horror”, suddenly someone’s face would cave in, pointy teeth would erupt from too-large mouths, and blood would be everywhere. Something would happen that had me grimacing at the pages, and then re-reading it because the scene was so deliciously gross.

3) Sam does a fantastic job with character development. Atra and Will feel so unbelievably realistic. From their faults, to their reactions, to their awkward interactions. I really enjoyed how infuriating they could be at times. One moment I was gripping my book a smidge too tightly out of anger, and the next, I was rooting for them! Every single thing they did in the book was 100% on par with their characters, which was insanely refreshing to read. There is nothing more frustrating than a character doing something that is, well, completely OUT of character.

4) Sam clearly did her research. Whether it was something medical, or pertaining to grief, or even trauma, I am incredibly appreciative that Sam took the time to learn how to appropriately articulate certain scenarios. I never felt pulled out of a book due to lazy writing. Everything was incredibly thought out.

5) The world Sam created within the Altered Planes is simply divine. It is chaotic, atmospheric, and wildly unpredictable. But, having said all that, it isn’t hard to follow. Whenever I found myself getting a smidge lost or confused, Sam was there to provide a reminder to keep me on track.

6) THAT. ENDING. 😱

Essentially the love-child of Nick Cutter and Stranger Things, Sam’s ITHORAR is a dark fairytale that you will not be able to put down. I’m easily giving it 5 stars, and cannot wait for book three!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 Stars!
In the House of Root and Rot by Sam Weiss is a brilliant sequel to The Afterlife Experiment. The atmosphere of creepy meets gory is a dream, or rather, a nightmare, for the Halloween and horror lovers. The themes of found family and family trauma make for complex character development and deep emotions for the reader.
There are several things I enjoyed about this book, though I will start with the writing style itself. Sam gives us a third person point of view with a look into the minds of the specific characters the chapters follow, allowing a nonbiased view of the surrounding world, though with input from the character of whose situation we are following at a given moment. It is clear that research was done in this book, especially surrounding the sleep study. Proper use of medical terms are important, even in works of fiction and Sam delivers. Sam does world building like I have never seen it. There is clear attention to detail, and as a graduated writing and English student, I pay attention to that. Sam shows us the story, she does not tell us. That immersion into the story is the sign of a talented author whose work needs to be recognized. Telling is simple, its a recollection of a memory. Showing is different. To show the story, the author must throw the reader into the story with fine details that describe even the smallest thing.
The nature of the unknown in the book is unsettling. It is simple to describe the look and feel of something that is physical and touchable. Sam challenges herself by giving such horror to the unknown. How can you fear what is not directly in front of you? You need to give the uncertain some certainty, make it a definitive thing that promises dread and horror. These things that you make certain of will be how they are perceived by the readers.
Will and Atra are complicated characters who have faced heartbreak, hardship and just shit in general. They are almost a breath of fresh air for those readers who do not see themselves in the comfortable or the happy-go-lucky.
Will has always been surrounded by loss of family. Desperate and drained, Will agrees to a sleep study with the sinister SPECTRA group who holds ulterior motives for such study.
Atra is back. and now, she has Will by her side to battle monsters consisting of family secrets, corrupt corporations and the Deadmarsch curse which has led us here. Together.

Sam's brilliance as a writer shines through yet again in In The House Of Root And Rot, giving us the creeps and the chills as we navigate the curses and secrets alongside Will and Atra.

#indigoemployee
*My thoughts and views are my own and do not reflect those of the Indigo book company.

[Harper Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Deadmarsh is one of those characters who feels painfully human. You can sense the weight on his shoulders from page one—his guilt over his sister’s death, his grandfather’s failing health, the quiet desperation that drives him to sign up for that sketchy sleep study. The choice seems small at first, but Weiss knows how to make small decisions feel like turning points that reshape entire lives.

When Will’s sister returns from the dead and Spectre—the mysterious research company behind the experiment—disappears without a trace, the story stops being about science and starts becoming something far older, almost mythic. I loved how Weiss played with that duality: cold, clinical research on one side and primal horror on the other. The connection to Will’s bloodline gave the book a sense of ancient inevitability, as if his family had been walking toward this darkness for centuries.

Sam Weiss’s writing is sharp, visual, and unflinchingly emotional. The settings feel damp and heavy, like every room in the Deadmarsh house still remembers the grief that soaked through it. You can practically smell the mildew and feel the roots pressing through the floorboards. And yet, there’s beauty in all that rot—this strange, decaying poetry that makes the horror more intimate rather than distant.

The relationship between Will and the girl he meets—the one with her own missing father and a strange knowledge of his family’s past—is one of my favorite parts. Their alliance feels uneasy, built on shared trauma and suspicion rather than trust. Every time I thought I knew where Weiss was leading them, the ground shifted. By the final chapters, their search for truth becomes a descent—emotional as much as supernatural—and it’s both heartbreaking and deeply satisfying.

This isn’t a book that relies on jump scares or cheap shocks. The horror here is generational, psychological, and spiritual. It’s about inheritance, not just of blood but of burden. The sense that something dark has been passed down and that maybe we carry our ancestors’ mistakes in our bones.

By the end, In the House of Root and Rot feels like watching a curse fulfill itself in slow motion—beautiful, tragic, and impossible to look away from. Sam Weiss has written something that feels timeless, a ghost story for anyone who’s ever wondered what their family left behind in the shadows.

[Bethany Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to be honest: I didn't realise this book was the middle of a trilogy. I haven't read The Afterlife Experiment, the first book in the series. In truth, I didn't really need to; aside from some background neatly explained in the first few chapters, this story is both a continuation of the first book and the beginning of a standalone. In the House of Root and Rot follows Atra, introduced in the first novel, and Will, a new character, as they try to investigate the mysterious corporation intent on abducting and torturing them, albeit in different ways and for different reasons.

I loved how Atra and Will's relationship developed. Often when characters have to pair up and it's obvious they'll end up together, they like each other from the start. There's almost nothing before they get to the kissing. In this case, Atra and Will borderline despise each other. They separate, they yell at each other, they don't communicate properly (because why would you tell a guy you've teamed up with out of pure necessity that you think you like-like him and you're jealous of some other woman touching him?), and even after they admit their feelings to each other, they still feel anger towards one another. I am 100% rooting for them.

The horror in this book is a mix of body horror and cosmic horror, though the narrative focuses mostly on the thriller side of the story. We're talking multiple planes of existence and getting lost within them, sharing control of your body with someone, killing the same person repeatedly, watching the corruption of your enemy right in front of you, and the classic secret organisation that's been behind everything all along. Romance may have the most well-known tropes, but horror has them too, and this is an eclectic and brilliantly done mix. It's the kind of horror that doesn't lean into jumpscares or gore, but rather leaves you lying awake at night, imagining the consequences and itching to pick the book back up again to find out what happens.

I'm going to go back and read The Afterlife Experiment, and I'll definitely be picking up Beyond Dreams Into Dark, the third book in the series, when it's published, and I recommend you do the same.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is, in fact, a downward spiral into madness, not only for the main character, Will, but also for the reader. In true psychological horror fashion, this story zeroes in on the mental and emotional states of Will Deadmarsh and Atra Hart, which, spoiler alert, they’re far from stable. The author does an excellent job of pulling the reader into the mindset of these two characters, leaving the reader, specifically me, feeling uneasy as the characters battle with their internal struggles and anxieties. Honestly, it took me more than a month to finish this book because it left me with such a rotten and anxious feeling that I couldn’t read it for extended periods. Which is a psychological horror, perfection, but if you are looking for a quick read, look away. Will’s paranoia had me in the front row of a roller coaster. I was questioning his every thought, recollection, and action. Sir, are you delusional? I really can’t tell, and you’re making me second-guess everything this book has to offer.

The atmosphere added to the unsettling feeling that would absolutely take over my body while I was reading this. It was so eerie and so unpleasant. The way the author describes the locations allowed my brain to conjure up some dark imagery. I marinated in a sense of discomfort from the first book, The Afterlife Experiment, all the way to the end of The House of Root and Rot. Just thinking about this book makes me feel uneasy. I read this at a time when I was also reading a lot of light, cozy stories, so transitioning between those settings and this one was quite a shock. If you are a psychological horror fanatic, this story probably won’t feel intense to you, but it nearly sent me to therapy.

There was so much unknown, and it heightened the suspense to an entirely new level. It kept me engaged until I had to put the book down, but I was on the edge of my seat as soon as I was reading again. This series is definitely not for everyone, but if you love a good psychological horror or horror in general, I highly recommend picking up this book. It will have you staring at your ceiling, contemplating your reading choices for hours.

[pastiesandpages - Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The House of Root and Rot by Sam Weiss

Altered Planes book 2

Thank you @booktoktours for the eARC.

In The House of Root and Rot is a psychological horror with a dose of weird fiction & sci-fi sensibilities.

There's mystery & a family curse along with other realities.

It's very intriguing and to start with highly confusing as to who everyone is and what is happening. Some of this is deliberate so that the reader discovers secrets along with the characters and I have to admit that some of the confusion was because I haven't read book 1.
As I got further into the story there was enough explained that I knew what was happening but for a long time I did feel like I was playing catch-up as some of the characters obviously play a big part in events in the first book. Atra and her father, who are both very mysterious, will be familiar to readers of book 1. I was gradually getting to understand who Atra was as she's both dead and alive (I think) and filled with Dread and able to cross the planes to the Otherworld despite the closure of a Rift, and Spectre (an evil organisation) are hunting her.
I understand wanting to call it Spectre due to the ghostly and supernatural elements but it just made me think of SPECTRE (an evil organisation!) in Fleming's Bond novels. Would have been nice to have a different name.

Anyway, while Atra is one main character, the other is Will and I believe he's new in this book. He's troubled, feeling suicidal, suffering from strange seizures, left to care for his nasty grandfather after his mum died in childbirth, his dad and sister died in a car crash (his sister having been in a coma for years prior to her end) and now his sister's decomposing corpse is following him around, but only Will can see her or smell her. Is she there or is he going mad?
Oh, and he volunteered for a sleep study and there's something very shady about that and is it a coincidence his sister only appeared to him after the study started?

How are Will's & Atra's stories linked and why are they both on Spectre's radar? And what exactly is the titular House?
A compelling read with great characters.

[Julia Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following The Afterlife Experiment's mind melting showdown and deaths, Atra and her estranged father Tom are on the run from the authorities and the shadowy organisation, Polaris, still trying to obtain Atra's powers of traversing the planes of the afterlife. Tom thinks it's best to stay hidden and move on, until he starts turning into someone else, someone familiar and impossible.

Atra is done running. She wants answers for how she was made, why she was given these powers, and what Polaris plan to do with the afterlife plane. The only way she'll get these answers is to go back to the place that was once her prison and her haven - the Otherside. Only, Atra is not the only one with power in the afterlife, but can she trust a stranger to close the Otherside rift or will she be destroyed.

Expanding on the story and themes from The Afterlife Experiment, In The House of Root and Rot packs more punches, more high stakes, and more character building, to create a riveting and mind altering narrative. Atra was already shown to be someone who doesn't take things lying down, and her character grows throughout as a confident, intelligent fighter, determined to find the truths she needs. Tom starts much the same as he was, unreliable and burying his head in the sand, a great display that not all characters get their development immediately, and making Atra's frustration all the more relatable as she's forced to leave him behind for her own growth.

The pace was quick and consistent, and the use of flashbacks was spread out enough to not cause confusion but add another layer to the mysterious backstory. The answers Atra seeks are doled out throughout the story to keep the reader engaged, whilst still throwing more questions and plot twists into the mix. Sam Weiss writes in a way that creates intense intrigue while feeding in just enough exposition to keep you engaged and guessing. The world building is intelligent and meticulous, and the writing respects the reader to understand without being spoon fed, making this an incredibly enjoyable read and a fantastic continuation of TAE.

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher.

[Josh White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure if it’s because of my religious upbringing, but there’s something fascinating to me about the collision between science and superstition. Revival by Stephen King captured this unnerving blending terrifically, as did the excellent Korean film, The Wailing. Sam Weiss’s In the House of Root and Rot thrives in the same uneasy space. The clinical rubs elbows with the mythic. Horror becomes a study in both biology and belief. It’s the second entry in her Altered Planes saga, and while I didn’t love it as fiercely as the excellent The Afterlife Experiment, I was still hooked immediately.

At its center is Will, a young man who is trapped between debt and duty, he tries to save his ailing grandfather by signing up for a mysterious sleep study. But soon his life unravels into a labyrinth of inherited curses, scientific manipulation, and phantoms. Weiss’s writing feels intimate even as the mythology expands. You could read this as a standalone work, independent of The Afterlife Experiment (but seriously don’t rob yourself of more time with Atra).

I appreciated the development of the familial curse from the first book. Weiss really sharpened this into something more original and terrifying than I’ve seen elsewhere. Family becomes both infection and experiment; grief turns clinical, measured in data points and sleepless nights. And when Will’s dead sister starts appearing, it’s hard to tell whether she’s a symptom or a warning.

I’ve recently wondered if constant stimulation is cooking our ability to pay attention to slow paced art, but this book has convinced me otherwise. The story takes its time, favoring atmosphere over jump scares, but it pays off. But that restraint pays off. The climax hits that sweet spot of grotesque and tragic—a reminder that Weiss isn’t chasing cheap shocks but devastation.

In the House of Root and Rot may not have resonated with me quite as hard as its predecessor, but honestly that says more about how much I truly loved the first book and isn’t an indictment of this one. Weiss doesn’t just scare you—she makes you think about what’s festering in your own roots.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book in the Altered Planes series last year and absolutely loved it and so I was very excited to get an early copy of book 2 and a spot on the book tour! Although I couldn’t remember too much about what happened in book 1, the start of this novel does a good job of recapping the most important events to catch the reader up. I loved being back in this world of multiple dimensions and planes as well as revisiting the characters that made book 1 so great.

Atra is back and with her father, Tom, as they figure out how to survive in a world that thinks she is dead. I loved Atra in book 1 and this stays the same in this story as her character is developed even further as she tries to navigate the outside world after being locked up for most of her childhood. Will is another important character who turns out to be the brother of Lex and I loved this connection that brings Will and Atra together in the real world on a mission to save both their lives and close the rift into the Otherside for good. Will is a complex character who is quick to anger and denial but he soon grows on me as he learns more about Atra and the planes and his character develops.

The second novel in this series has yet another intriguing plot involving an organisation called Spectre who are also researching the planes and need to be stopped. I really loved Will’s back story and the exploration into his father’s and grandfather’s past as Will and Atra find out more and more information which turns Will’s world upside down as he discovers the truth about his family. I also really enjoyed the flashback chapters from the POV of Scarlett, Will’s mother while she is pregnant with the twins which provided a vital insight into the evil being that his grandfather, Houl, truly is.

The story is told with alternating chapters and POVs between Atra, Will and Tom which helps the reader to connect the dots and understand the flow of the plot throughout and it was fascinating to see various sides to the story and the individuals feelings about what was going on. I really liked the growing friendship and dynamic between Will and Atra as they started to work together but it did take a long time for the trust to grow especially as they were always keeping secrets!

I was very intrigued about the introduction of the untethered creatures in this novel and I loved learning more about their lore which Weiss does a very good job of creating and describing in stunning detail. I didn’t really understand the ‘curse’ that was apparently part of Will’s family and I think that could have been explained a bit more but overall this is a brilliant sequel to book 1 and it had some great plot twists that I didn’t see coming! I will be waiting to get my hands on the final book in the series and I can’t wait to see how it all ends.

[The ARC Bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏚️ BRO vs. IN THE HOUSE OF ROOT AND ROT 🏚️

⸻

🥊 The Book: Will just wanted to cover his grandfather’s medical bills. Instead, he signs up for a shady sleep study, his grandfather vanishes, and his dead sister walks back into his life like it’s the most natural thing in the world. The culprit? A shadowy research firm called Spectre, with ties to his bloodline that stretch centuries deep.

💪 The Bro: Full disclosure: I didn’t realize this was book two of a series when I jumped in. Didn’t matter—Weiss doesn’t leave you hanging in the dark. The prose is sharp and easy to sink into, never weighed down by fluff or overwriting. The pacing hits that sweet spot: fast enough to keep me flipping, slow enough to let the dread sink in.

⸻

🥊 ROUND 1: First Impressions
• Starts strong. Shady sleep studies? Vanishing family members? I’m hooked.
• The writing is clean, direct, and welcoming, even if you didn’t read The Afterlife Experiment.
• Not your cookie-cutter horror setup—there’s freshness here.

⸻

🥊 ROUND 2: In the Thick of It
• Horror variety pack: atmospheric dread, gore, uncanny returns from the dead. Two scenes in particular? Straight-up gross in the best way.
• Characters like Will and Atra are flawed, frustrating, and lovable all at once.
• The world-building is wild and immersive. It’s got a surreal, atmospheric punch that you typically only see in the most accomplished of writers.
• It dodges clichés—you can’t just set your watch by the plot beats.

⸻

🥊 ROUND 3: The Home Stretch
• The family curse thread ties it all together with a creeping inevitability.
• The finale? Easily one of my favorite endings of the year. Big swing, big payoff.

⸻

🔥 FINAL BELL: The ARC Bro Scorecard 🔥
🥊 Total Knockout – In the House of Root and Rot is fresh, unsettling, and damn near impossible to put down. If you’re craving horror that’s creepy, gross, and oddly beautiful all at once—step inside this house.

[Kim Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, does the pain and trauma hit hard in this book.

Atra is back, and she is trying to have some semblance of a life. Her dad is still dodgy, and not forthcoming about anything. She’s pretty much alone, and still dealing with all she experienced at the asylum.

And now there’s Will, who had lived with his grandfather long enough to know he’s a piece of crap. But one day, he disappears, and Will is left to find some way to pay off his grandfather’s medical bills. He volunteers to participate in a sleep study for some money, but ends up only being plagued by his dead sister. Could it get any worse?

What happens when two incredibly broken people find their way to each other? Initially more pain and hurt, but slowly, a kinship and understanding. But it doesn’t start there. Weiss steps on the gas from the start, and throws us back into Atra’s world, and brings Will along for the ride. And not only are they connected because of their tortured upbringing, they find out that the company Spectre-the company Atra’s dad worked for-has a plan for them both.

I’ll be honest and say that it was hard at times to be in a front row seat to Atra and Will’s destructive behavior towards one another. But when you have never been given a chance for true healing, hurt and lashing out may be all you have. But as stated above, they do eventually form a bond, and Weiss brings that about slowly and intentionally-letting them both accept that they no longer have to be alone. They can tackle the dangerous journey they have in front of them together. Spectre is dangerous, and the secrets it keeps at bay will start to be revealed. They are not alone. And Will’s sister? You find out why she’s attached to her brother, and what she represents for both him and Atra.

This was another great read by Sam Weiss, and let off on a cliffhanger! I can’t want to read the continuation of Atra and Will’s story. 4.5 stars.

Thank you to the author for my arc. My opinion is my own.

[BookboundandBlushed · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4-Star Review: In the House of Root and Rot by Sam Weiss
Dark, Twisting, and Beautifully Written: A Haunting Family Curse Tale
This was a really solid read, dark, eerie, and full of tension from start to finish. It’s one of those stories where every time you think you understand what’s happening, another layer of secrets and horror peels back. Between the ghostly sister, the cursed bloodline, and the shifting realities, it constantly kept me guessing and flipping pages.

The atmosphere is wonderfully creepy. Weiss does a fantastic job blending dread with beauty in the writing. The prose feels poetic but sharp, filled with haunting imagery that makes every scene vivid and unsettling. It’s got that perfect mix of supernatural and psychological horror that lingers even after you close the book.

I really liked Atra’s character, she had such potential and a quiet strength that stood out, but I wish we got a bit more of her, maybe a deeper look into her motivations or history. The exploration of Will and Lex’s parents’ backstory was one of my favorite parts; it gave the curse real depth and added an emotional layer that balanced the creep factor nicely.

I also would’ve loved more travel through the planes of reality, those sections were so fascinating and atmospheric, and I think expanding them would have made the story even more immersive.

Overall, though, In the House of Root and Rot is an intense, vividly written story with a chilling premise and strong worldbuilding. It’s strange, haunting, and full of dread in the best possible way.

BookBound and Blushed
Sonya

[Ari Meghlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the Altered Planes series; however, it can be read as a standalone. However, I do recommend reading The Afterlife Experiment first. It gives you great insight into the characters of Atra and Tom.

The story again follows Atra, the female protagonist, now living outside of the asylum and trying to come to terms with a world that feels unfamiliar and so different from what she's used to. I liked how she was portrayed trying to learn things we often take for granted.

The other main POV is Will, the male protagonist, who has a connection to a character we met in book 1. His storyline was a great addition to the series, and watching him deal with his turbulent home life and a serious issue that has him seeking help from a sleep study ramped up the creepiness.

This book moved at a nice clip, with lots going on at each chapter. Similar to the first book, things unravelled slowly at times, but that helped to build up the tension.

I really enjoyed Scarlett's scenes, even though there were only a few, and I loved the concepts of the Untethered. Sam Weiss has a wonderful ability to write creepy beings that you can picture real well... especially at night.

I thought the dynamic between the FMC and the MMC was believable and touching in parts. I liked how two somewhat broken people were able to come together. Their clashes didn't feel contrived or unnecessary, and the way they developed together was great.

I'm looking forward to the third book in the series.

[Caoilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was granted a copy of this book for an honest review.

In the second instalment of The Altered Planes we follow three main characters.

Astra who just wants to be a normal teenage girl but is really a science experiment that "went wrong" had has part of another detention trapped inside her.

Will, who after submitting to a sketchy sleep trial now sees the rotting ghost of his dead sister Lex.

Tom Astra's "dad" who is currently possessed by the ghost of his murder victim Glasser.

Weiss uses themes of abandonment and found family. Thought there is disability rep in this I wouldn't necessarily say it is done well. As a disabled person the turn of phrase that Will's Granddad H had as much mobility as "A potted plant" was extremely annoying to say the least.

Something Weiss does well is atmospheric description. It is quite easy to believe you are there. However there is room for some clarification as on occasion I was confused as to whether the seen had moved to past, present or future.

The only things that took me out of the story from time to time was the repetition in either the words in a sentence or the repetitiveness of the plot. Sadly by the time we started to get coded clues I wasn't feeling the story. I felt like Weiss had to many strings on their bow and I felt some what over whelmed.

I definitely think this would appeal to fans of shows such as Supernatural and The Walking Dead. And I strongly suggest reading book one first.

[Sandy & the Munchkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will’s life has always been marked by loss. His mom died when he was born, his dad and sister in a car crash he barely survived, and his grandfather, controlling and cruel, made every day a living hell. Now grown, drained, and without a future, Will only wants out. When his grandfather suddenly vanishes, Will stumbles into a sleep study that promises money… but instead leaves him haunted by his dead little sister and chased by Spectra, a company that wants to tear open rifts between worlds.

The story ties back to Atra from book one, bringing her and Will together against monsters, family secrets, and Spectra’s twisted plans. We dive into the past, learn about the Deadmarsch curse and how deep the roots of this nightmare really go. It’s dark, fast-paced, and unique, with twists that kept me hooked.

I have to be honest, I didn’t really like Will. He feels weak, is mostly angry, and lashes out, while Atra, who felt so strong in book one, keeps running after him. She deserves better. Still, I loved how the book wove grief, family curses, and the horror of inheritance into something both eerie and addictive. Sam Weiss might be an indie author, but she writes with the weight and creativity of Joe Hill or Neil Gaiman.

Even if I liked the first book a bit more, this was still a great read and another 5 stars from me!

[Raccoon.reader_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

I absolutely devoured this book it had all the darker elements I was missing from book 1 and surprisingly opened up the characters more than I was expecting which was a really nice surprise.

The story continues Atras movements after the first book but brings in Will and his family which does connect to The Afterlife Experiment however you can read this as a standalone or read this first then the other book as they are interchangeable. This book gives a different side of the history to one of the characters you meet in book one.

You also get a cult side to the scientific processes which for me made the story! The flashbacks, the reasons and the execution of it all was done perfectly and I'm blown away by how thought out and hauntingly creepy it all is.

Unravelling the family secrets, the scientific projects and the emotions the characters go through to try and stop an evil they don't understand. All while grieving losses they haven't fully processed is an emotional rollercoaster that makes the book so haunting when everything goes down.

And that last page all I'm going to say is I need the next book like yesterday because WHAT DO YOU MEAN THATS HOW IT ENDED!

As always check the trigger warnings before going in and this is another great start to the spooky season 🏚️🥀🕸️

[Sandra M Choi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be gifted an early copy of this book by the talented Sam Weiss, and I’m so glad I got to dive back into this world before release.

Sam Weiss delivers a strong sequel to The Afterlife Experiment with In the House of Root and Rot. If you’re a fan of eerie, supernatural suspense with a Stranger Things-style twist, this series is worth diving into.

The first few chapters take some time to settle in, reintroducing characters and rebuilding the plot before the story truly gains momentum. However, once it does, the pacing picks up and the payoff is satisfying. Weiss skillfully weaves connections from the first book into this installment, leaving no noticeable plot gaps—something I deeply appreciated.

The highlight for me was the character development. The growth of Will and Atra feels authentic and engaging, with relationships and personal struggles taking center stage. While the world-building is consistent and atmospheric, it’s the characters who truly drive the story forward.

That said, certain sections—such as the prolonged focus on the farm or Will’s mother’s backstory—dragged a bit too long, breaking the tension and slightly dulling the impact. These slower passages prevented the book from being a perfect read for me.

Overall, it’s a compelling continuation of the series, and I’m eager to see where Weiss takes the story next.

[Chelsea is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series. It begins with a new character we didn't meet in the first book, Will. Will signs up for a shady, sleep study to payoff his grandfather's medical bills. Shortly after, Will's grandfather disappears and his deceased sister's ghost starts haunting him. Will blames the sleep study and when he goes to confront Spectre, the company is no longer in operation. But he does come across Atra, our FMC from book one. They form an alliance to find out what Spectre is up to. Down the rabbit hole they go to find purpose, family bloodlines, and century old secrets.

Just like the first book I felt this leans more towards sci-fi and horror than fantasy. Unlike the first book, this one does end in a cliffhanger. So if you are going to want a ending you will have to read book three. Atra is also not the only character from book one that is in book two. So its fun to see those players again. Personally I didn't find this one as good as the first though. It started very strong for me but it bogged down in the middle and I found it got repetitive. This one had a very Stranger Things feel to it. There is also a spark of a possible full fledge romance in book three.

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I want to thank Sam, the author for gifting me this ARC and the opportunity to enjoy her creation and review it.

As I was reading this, it felt like a few mixtures of different blends of horror and family drama, give and take. It is about a cursed family. An experiment. And a dead sibling that made it entertaining.
Will, one of the main characters, goes through some serious grief and emotional breakdowns. Sometimes to comfort him, and other times you want to slap him to snap out of it. Atra, the other key character has her issues. She, to me is the stronger developed person in the story as you see her path.
To me, this novel wasn't too cooked. It held me. I want to know more. Some minor parts didn't need my pages, like the early stages of the experiment. The horror creeps and builds on you. Family curses is a topic with endless entries and exits. The wits of sifting through. No offense but why are the guys always the fools that can't get their **** together. The story brings you full circle. Enjoy it.

[Nicole Dunton · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Title: In The House of Root and Rot
✍️ Author: Sam Weiss
⭐️ Rating: (3.5 out of 5)
📅 Date Finished: October 8th, 2025
—————————————————————————
🧵 Quick Summary:

To help cover his grandfather’s mounting medical bills, Will volunteers for a mysterious sleep study — despite warnings. But when his grandfather disappears and his dead sister inexplicably returns in his place, everything unravels. Will chases answers to a shadowy organization called Spectre, partnering reluctantly with a girl whose own father vanished in similar circumstances. Together, they dig into their family lines, uncovering an ancient, predatory force feeding off their bloodline for generations. What Will once considered myth or curse becomes dangerously real.
Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. It's a very strong support of book one. Which I will say, The Afterlife Experiment should be read before this. It will help make this book make so much more sense. I really need to get my hands on book three the moment I can!

[Lorna Bromwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following on from Atra's story in The Afterlife Experiment, we join Atra as she tries to fit into society after growing up in an asylum. We then meet Will, who has grown up with his own struggles. They bump into each other at a mysterious research centre, and it feels like fate has brought them together. They must work together to fend off their enemies, follow the clues left by their parents and save the world from a mysterious monster ftom the otherside.

I really enjoyed this scifi horror, its an interesting concept with multiple worlds or dimensions running side by side. This second part of the trilogy is definitely easier to follow than the first, and I liked the addition of the friendship growing between Atra and Will. l. The characters and their feelings felt very realistic. Its a great mix of adventure and horror. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so I will definitely be on the look out for the final part!

Themes
🌐Multiple Dimensions
👻Spirits and Shadows
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Multiple POV
🧠Personal Growth

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully atmospheric dark science fantasy.
Continuing on from the first part in the Altered Planes series , The Afterlife Experiment, this story introduces a new protagonist, Will Deadmarsh. Trying to pay his grandfather's medical bills he signs up for a sleep study, and from here we are thrown into a tale of altered perception and twisted reality.
The story is told through Will and Arta (the protagonist from book 1), who take us through a narrative that blends reality and illusion.
This is a wonderful expansion of the world and themes from book 1. We have curses, generational trauma, ancestral guilt and a big heap of buried secrets.

The character work is excellent. The development of our protagonists and their relationship as their worlds collide is entertaining and really helps drive the action.

This is a wonderful mind-bending piece of work steeped in ethical ambiguity, and existential threat

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually a horror reader. I tend to avoid gratuitous gore, but In the House of Root and Rot surprised me. This is horror in the truest sense: eerie, unsettling, and relentlessly atmospheric. While there are moments of violence, the story leans heavily into psychological suspense and speculative elements.

The plot follows Will Deadmarsh, who doesn’t believe his family is cursed—until his grandfather vanishes and his long-dead sister reappears. From there, Will is drawn into a chilling spiral of sleep studies, zombie-like revenants, interdimensional secrets, and something ancient feeding on his family line.

This isn’t just horror for shock value. It feels like The Twilight Zone for modern readers, with echoes of cosmic dread and alternate histories. The ending lands on a cliffhanger, leaving me unsettled but eager for more.

Highly recommended if you enjoy layered, reality-bending stories with horror that goes beyond jump scares.