In New Orleans, a new queen is crowned every thirty years… and her fate is sealed in blood.
Alexis Rochon enters what seems like an elite krewe founded on sisterhood, beauty, and devotion. But inside the House of Lazuliè, nothing is as it appears.
Rituals govern everything. The Madames rule unquestioned. And something unseen listens when the women pray.
As Mardi Gras approaches, the city begins to change. Strange offerings show up. Voices whisper. And Alexis starts to understand the truth: the House isn't honoring her. It's preparing her.
Now, on the night of Mardi Gras, Alexis must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to survive because in the House of Lazuliè, every crown comes with a price… and not everyone lives to wear it.
Enter the House. Join the Krewe. Pray you survive the crowning. Enter the House. Join the Krewe. Pray you survive the crowning.
E. Lane Redmond is a Southern Gothic novelist whose stories delve into inheritance and the generational traumas that shape womanhood. Writing has always been her sacred space. A self-proclaimed shy soul, she found her voice through vivid storytelling and a lifelong fascination with horror films, mythology, symbolism, and the strange patterns hiding beneath ordinary life. Her work invites readers into places where beauty, horror, and healing walk hand in hand.
I graciously received an ARC copy of: The Krewe - House of Lazulie via mail from the author E. Lane Redmond!
Every thirty years one of the most exclusive Krewes during Mardi Gras re-emerges -The House of Lazulie. Three elderly sisters referred to as The Madames, Della, Rae and Nevi live in a centuries old manor, The House of Lazulie which is rumored to sit on cursed land. Young women, mainly college students, in the New Orleans area vie for the opportunity to be chosen as participants for The Krewe which serves under the direction of the House of Lazulie due to it's exclusiveness and ties to high society. The group of young women chosen are tasked with community service referred to by the three Madames as "Blue Hearts" and physically required to move into the manor known as The House of Lazulie during Mardi Gras for a week. Rigorous instruction in polite behavior or etiquette is taught daily by the three Madames. The week culminates in a grand ball where society guests where masks, dine on extravagant food & the young women are pursed by wealthy suitors. One is chosen as the Crowned Heart.
Unfortunate occurrences seem to befall several of the women who dreamed of competing for the title of the Crowned Heart. One is found strangled in a cemetery, four other women with ties to the House of Lazulie are missing. Who is the mysterious Mistress Lazulie and what role does she play in the destruction of these women.
The book should be adapted into a screenplay. There are some particular eerie scenes throughout. The novel is regarded as a supernatural, horror, thriller with themes of conjuring, rituals and sacrifices.
5 stars - I received The Krewe House of Lazulie as an ARC from E. Lane Redmond. I was immediately drawn into the story but the lovely background and atmosphere that Redmond built around the story. The House of Lazulie is set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Every 30 years, on Mardi Gras, one of New Orleans most secret society comes back to life, Krewe of Lazulie. Young girls are invited to join the Krewe of Lazulie, all in hopes of becoming the Crowned Jewel, and wining money and finding a successful suitor. As recruitment for Kwere of Lazulie is underway, girls who are being dropped from the recruitment process start to disappear without a trace. The House of Lazulie has always been known for its rootworking, witchcraft, or voodoo work, depending on who you ask, but where are these girls going and what’s happening to them?
Some literary works delve into the subconscious, while others resonate with the very essence of one's being. *The Krewe - House of Lazulle* masterfully engages with both. Alexis is tasked with investigating the disappearance and demise of several young women. Her trajectory is irrevocably altered when she discovers a connection to an event that recurs every three decades. This phenomenon is linked to three sisters, driven by a desire for immortality, who have meticulously upheld a tradition to achieve this. A tradition that comes to an unexpected ending when a chosen person becomes the destroyer.
This desperately needed an editor, or a better one. The descriptions were great and detailed and made you feel like you were there. Sadly, that is where the positives end. I feel like this was a book 2, and you really needed to read book 1 to understand. WHO are these women? How did they get there? How do they already have relationships with one another? It contradicts itself throughout. Example: There is a scene with a dress fitting for Destiny. Nevi is saying Destiny's stomach and hips are too big for the dress, then Nevi says she's going to "take the waist IN." Anyway, I can see the potential for this author to be great, with a little direction on execution. The art on the cover is BEAUTIFUL, however, the font isn't centered (not even close), which ruins it.
This book takes its time, and I mean that in both a good and challenging way. The atmosphere is heavy from the start, and the sense of unease builds slowly rather than relying on constant action. If you’re looking for fast-paced horror right out the gate, this isn’t that. But if you’re someone who likes tension that creeps in quietly and stays with you, this story delivers.
The setting is one of the strongest elements. The House of Lazuliè feels fully realized and unsettling, and the rituals and traditions surrounding the Krewe are layered in a way that makes you feel like you’re uncovering something you weren’t meant to see. The secrecy, the hierarchy, and the pressure to be chosen are all handled thoughtfully and feel disturbingly plausible.
There were moments where I wanted a bit more clarity sooner, especially as the mystery deepened, but looking back, that confusion felt intentional. The story puts you in the same headspace as the protagonist, where you’re constantly questioning what’s real, what’s manipulation, and what’s tradition disguised as something darker.
What stood out most was how uncomfortable the book made me feel. The horror isn’t just supernatural. It’s about power, control, and what people are willing to ignore when something benefits them. By the end, I found myself thinking about the characters and the House long after I finished reading.
This is a slow-burn, atmospheric story that rewards patience and attention. Readers who enjoy dark traditions, secret societies, and psychological unease will likely find this one hard to forget.
This book got me thinking way past the last chapter. Beneath the horror, there’s this sharp, uncomfortable truth about how Black girls get watched, judged, shaped, and offered up, sometimes by the world, sometimes by other women trying to survive the same system. The way youth, beauty, and bodies become something people feel entitled to… yeah, that part hit.
It opens up a conversation about power: who has it, who pretends to have it, and who gets sacrificed for it. And the tension between the older women and the younger girls? That was a whole study in how we inherit wounds we didn’t create.
It’s haunting in a way that feels too real. And honestly somebody needs to turn this into a movie.
The Krewe: House of Lazuliè is Southern Gothic horror set in New Orleans where tradition is never as innocent as they appear.
Set during Mardi Gras season, the story follows Alexis, an undercover cop investigating the disappearance of young women connected to the mysterious House of Lazuliè. Every 30 years, the House crowns a “Blue Heart,” a young woman chosen for her grace and devotion. To outsiders, it’s tradition. Inside the House, it feels like a sinister spin on the Jack & Jill society.
Readers familiar with New Orleans history will recognize the discomfort of elegance built on buried suffering. Tonally, this book sits comfortably between American Horror Story: Coven–style atmosphere and historical reminders of Madam LaLaurie.
The humor is sharp, the Black cultural references feel organic, and the supernatural elements unfold with restraint.
One standout line: “They got us in here like we’re pledging Delta Sigma Stepford”. I hope there will be a sequel that touches on the historical side of Krewe.
*ARC Review* This Southern Gothic horror was deeply unsettling and frightening in ways that linger long after. The author constructed the story so immersively that it felt like I was experiencing everything alongside the FMC. The mystery of what was happening, paired with the suspense of what might come next, completely hooked me. and With its eerie, dark tone, the book never quite lets you relax. If you’ve watched Lovecraft Country, those are absolutely the vibes this book Gave me personally. Between the voodoo parade, dark rituals & ceremonial practices, and scenes that would have me covering my eyes or screaming if I saw them on TV, the author matched the intensity this story called for.
Absolutely captivating from start to finish. The Krewe - House of Lazulié by E. Lane Redmond completely pulled me in and didn’t let go. The story is vivid, the characters feel layered and real, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you wanting just one more chapter every time you try to put it down.
I especially appreciated how the story kept revealing new layers without ever feeling rushed or predictable.
If you enjoy immersive storytelling with compelling characters and a plot that keeps you hooked, this is absolutely worth picking up. I finished it already hoping for more from this world. Highly recommend.
Such a great horror novel. The storyline was very descriptive and vivid. Heavy with NOLA culture. You're reading a horror novel about a young woman who is a detective under cover. Women are disappearing. Some have been murdered. Alexis joins The Krewe House of Lazulié as a participant with other women to get to the bottom of it. You get to experience what she goes through in this creepy house. Weird rituals. But at the same time enjoy the laughs and disagreements between the women. The ending was chef's kiss but also left me with soo many questions!! Cant wait for the next book!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶
The Krewe House of Lazuliè by E. Lane Redmond is the kind of horror that pulls you in with beauty before it cuts deep. The atmosphere was absolutely intoxicating gothic, haunting, and drenched in New Orleans mysticism.
The House itself felt alive, the rituals were unsettling, and the tension kept building with every page. I especially loved how elegant and disturbing the story felt at the same time.
A beautifully written Southern Gothic horror filled with ritual, devotion, and darkness lurking beneath glamour. Definitely a memorable read.
At first, I expected a spooky horror tale and am pleasantly surprised. The historical context/references and character building serving as great world building, misdirection from the mysteries hiding beneath the surface, and emotional manipulation.
Early on, it seemed obvious that Alexis was going to win Crown Heart. Then the waltz came…
Pg 274 is where the underlying plot emerges.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is an excellent read. I have always been fascinated with New Orleans culture/lore. I enjoyed the book and it left me wanting more. I read it first as a ebook, but I now have a physical copy. The artwork on the cover is BEAUTIFUL. I don't give spoilers in reviews, but I promise you this is a fun read.
Waiting for the next installment! This book was a 10. Living in Texas on the Louisiana border where my family moved to from Opelousas. This book was the most realistic portrayal of the culture that I’ve read.
The blend of Mardi Gras culture, legacy, voodoo, power, and high society creates an eerie, atmospheric backdrop. The rituals and the legend of three women sacrificing others in exchange for youth add a deeply unsettling layer.
While the concept is strong and the vibe captivating, not every mystery is fully answered. Still, it’s a haunting read with a unique premise that leaves a chilling impression.
This book had some plot twist that I wasn't expecting. But the thing I really liked about this book was that you really have to pay attention to the little things in it. Those little thing is what made my skin prickle every time i picked up the book. When specific things were felt by the characters or a description of let's say the first scene when they had the man bond to the bed it does something to you the makes the goosebumps appear.
E. Lane Redmond did her thing with this debut! I absolutely love her writing style! Its so descriptive you feel like you are in the story! This story screams Louisiana culture. It's errie, witchy, and full of suspense! I started buddy reading it with my sister during Mardi Gras season (it was so good I couldnt wait and finished up (sorry sis, love you! 😁) Please pick this one up! Perfect for spooky season or when you need to scratch that Southern Gothic itch!