House of the Bloodfruit

by Claudia J. Filusch

When sickness comes to the village, it takes the children first.

Xander is burning from the inside, his body wasting away while the healers whisper that nothing more can be done. Desperate to save her younger brother, Maeve turns to the only hope left—the forbidden orchard beyond the hills, where crimson fruit grows on twisted trees and the mist never lifts.

The villagers speak of it only in warnings. They say the fruit can heal any wound. They also say the orchard is alive.

Maeve steals the fruit and brings it home. Xander begins to recover, but something inside him has changed. And beyond the village, the orchard is stirring. Soon the bodies begin to appear—hollowed, bloodless, organs missing as though harvested by unseen hands.

The fruit gives life. But the orchard always takes something in return.

Genres: Horror

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Claudia J. Filusch is a German-Polish author, writing sci-fi fantasy and dark fantasy stories that explore the boundaries between worlds—whether ancient, or internal. With a background in art history, English literature and linguistics, she brings a layered, atmospheric style to fiction, weaving language and lore into richly imagined universes.

When not writing, Claudia is probably reading something dystopian, sketching story concepts in the margins of notebooks, or drinking a good cup of tea.

Her debut novel, Echo’s End, is a haunting blend of mystery, myth, and momentum—perfect for readers who like their fantasy speculative and their sci-fi soaked in shadows.

Reviews

[Erin Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✨Atmospheric & dark folk horror/ body horror/botanical horror novella! ✨✨

House of the Bloodfruit is an atmospheric folk horror novella and I absolutely LOVED it!!!!!

This story follows Maeve into the forbidden orchard of the Bloodfruit as she tries to save her ill brother Xander. What would we sacrifice for the people we love?

This is such an atmospheric, dark, and bleak gem of a book! This book starts off getting right into it. It’s very fast paced and well written. The feeling of dread in this one is done so well that it consumes you. I love how unique this novella is and the folk horror vibes are immaculate, but it’s also a story about grief and loss.

I first saw about this novella on Instagram and the gorgeous cover art caught my eye immediately! The summary really drew me in also. To be honest I’m not usually a novella girlie, but I knew this one would be for me and I had to read it!!! So happy I did, I’m obsessed with this one!!! I got all the vibes that I came for and more!!! 👏

Thank you to the author and Bookfunnel for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. I applied to receive an ARC after seeing the authors instagram post about the book. This book is expected to be released August 25th, 2026 .

[Kelsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

Thank you so much to the author, Claudia J. Filusch, for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s clear Filusch understands the dark atmosphere she wants to portray in “House of the Bloodfruit” as this is the piece’s greatest strength. Her use of language gets across a bleak type of horror. Filusch also has a clear sense of rhythm in her writing that makes her work interesting to read aloud.

This piece is about as long as a novelette, which wouldn’t normally be a critique from me, however it would be so much better if it were longer. Hardly any time is spent developing the world, the relationships, and the lore around the bloodfruit. The orchard doesn’t necessarily need a backstory, but it needs justification and rules to exist in a meaningful way. I would’ve also liked to see the bond between Maeve and Xander to up the emotional stakes.

Although the novelette is short, it’s not tight. Filusch is a beautiful writer with potential, but she struggles with redundancies, overwriting, and too many abstractions. There’s an overuse of metaphors and similes that -gesture- toward a deeper meaning, but they don’t dig into emotion or the heart of the story. I needed to be grounded during many different scenes but couldn’t find my footing.

Overall, I really loved the concept and strong themes, but I’ll want to check back later once Filusch has honed her craft a little more.

[Teabag.jpg ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would we sacrifice for the people we love?

Firstly, thank you so much to the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this dark and thought provoking novella by Claudia - it was so well written and it gripped me from start to finish; sensational.

Following Maeve through the desperation and grief of finding a cure for Xander’s long term illness, we are taken to the Orchard of the Bloodfruit, a real test of how far is too far when trying to save the ones that you love… and to Maeve? It was a sacrifice she was willing (initially) to make and sadly was the sacrifice that was the start of their demise.

It was fast paced, however absolutely did not feel rushed. I of course wish there was more as I could read this prose for days on end, however the novella in itself felt the perfect length - straight to the point and to the premise of the story, however I didn’t feel like I was being hurried through - it was refreshing.

Dark, atmospheric and emotive.. I absolutely devoured this.

[Ali (Taylor’s version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5🌟
It was… okay?
Quiero empezar dando las gracias a la autora por darme la oportunidad de leer este libro antes de su publicación a cambio de una reseña honesta.

Primero de todo tengo que recalcar que este no es un género que suelo leer, pero estoy intentando adentrarme cada vez más en él y buscando libros del estilo. Creo que podría llegar a gustarme mucho, pero todavía no termino de pillarle el truco.

Lo que más me ha gustado del libro es que es muy cortito y se lee muy rápido. Te metes completamente en la historia y tiene una atmósfera muy atrapante. Me lo terminé en poco más de una hora y pico (y teniendo en cuenta que yo leo muuuuy lento, es todo un logro a las dos de la mañana un sábado lol)

Aun así, aunque me enganchó desde el principio y me gustó más de lo habitual dentro del género, siento que no se ha aprovechado todo su potencial. Se ha quedado bastante corto en otros aspectos generales de trama y personajes.
Los personajes me han parecido muy planos, la trama completamente predecible y el final algo inconcluso. La verdad es que creo que, con unas cien páginas más y un mayor desarrollo tanto de los personajes como de la trama y del folklore de la aldea en la que viven, este libro me habría gustado más.

[Philine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*

Review of advance copy received from author

I read this book in one sitting. What stood out to me most was the incredibly dense, vivid prose. However, due to the book’s short length (172 pages), I found it a little difficult to fully connect with the characters, which meant that the emotional impact didn’t hit me quite as strongly as I had hoped.

The style and narrative voice strongly reminded me of What Moves the Dead by Kingfisher. That being said, it wasn’t nearly as disturbing or grotesque as I expected it to be. Instead, the novel maintained an intensely immersive atmosphere throughout and did an excellent job of making me feel as though I was right in the middle of the events unfolding.

The imagery was especially strong, everything was described so vividly that it was incredibly easy to picture the world and everything within it.

But due to its short length, I felt that the book was missing a bit more worldbuilding and background lore.

If you’re looking for a short but deeply atmospheric story that completely pulls you in, this is definitely a safe pick.

[Teegan ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Actual rating 3.5*

House of the bloodfruit was one of the most unique books I have ever read . The writing was so poetic and eerie and gave me such vivid imaginations of the imagery that was being portrayed.

I am not a horror or “gore” reader as such, although I don��t mind gore at all, but the gore used in ,especially the end, of the book was quite imaginative and interesting and may not be nice for some readers to read. I’m glad that TWs were included in the start of the book, so at least people knew what they were in for 😅

I did find some of the sentences a bit repetitive, but it didn’t really bother me too much, because the rest of the book was very nicely written, but I could understand that would be a bit off-putting to some readers, so I’d like to mention it anyway.

Overall, Claudia, I thought this book was really interesting and different and I’m glad I was selected as one of your ARC readers to experience this type of book for the first time.

[Kaya🦷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

omg I loved this!! This was right up my alley!

A story about love and sacrifice buried within twisted roots and dark secrets. Whispers of bargains and crimson fruit hiding in an orchard behind a cold forest. A village trying to survive the winter.
what would you do to save your brother?

This was absolutely stunning. The writing had me completely immersed within this novella, smelling the smoke, the wood and the blood on each page.

It gripped me with the same feverish excitement that all the dark Grimm’s fairytales always did when I was a kid.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark fantasy/horror, especially lovers of botanical and folk horror. This has definitely become one of my favorites!!

Thank you so much to Claudia J. Filusch for letting me read and review this stunning piece of writing!!

[Ky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleak, dreadful, somber. House of the Bloodfruit was an engaging and saddening little read.

We follow Maeve, who is desperate to help her ill brother, Xander. Xander has been sick for a long, long time and nothing Maeve has tried worked. When Maeve listens to the towns whispers of a magical orchard, she takes the chance. Her love for her brother trumps all, and it begs the question- how far would you go for the ones you love?

I enjoyed the plot, the imagery and the flow of the story. I do wish I had a bit more time with Maeve and Xander. I feel a bit more time with Xander specifically would have helped me feel for his character a bit more. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this and I would for sure recommend!!

Thank you to Claudia Filusch for the opportunity to ARC read this one!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 rounded up

First, thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t do summaries here, so you can read the blurb for that.

What I liked: Filusch is a wonder with descriptors. Not once did I feel that there was too much mood building or too many adjectives. She created such a bleak, grim, helpless feeling that pushed Maeve to the brink for her brother. There are not a hundred characters to keep up with and the plot was fascinating.

Other comments: I wouldn’t market this as overt horror so much as a nicely unsettling novella. This is what you want to curl up with during a storm.

[A Reader's Plight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of House of the Bloodfruit by Claudia J. Filusch

Thank you to the author for the eARC of this book! It was quite an experience.

Ratings out of 5 stars.
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Interest Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖
- Tear Rating: 💧💧
- Scare Rating: 👻
- Tension Rating: 🪢🪢🪢🪢
- Predictability Rating: 💭💭
- Writing Style Rating: 🖋🖋🖋🖋

Favorite character?
I think my favorite character was actually the orchard (I hear it already... "How can a location be a character?" Hear me out). I think the setup for learning about the orchard and the way that it exists and is alive is so wonderfully done and the descriptions of the life within it are incredible. Perhaps it's another moment of me being biased towards the "creatures" of books because of my nature.

Most memorable scene/moment?
The way that the scene where Xander's body gets opened up and the orchard feeds off of him is absolute perfection. Allow me to reiterate... perfection. I absolutely loved that scene and it stuck with me. It's so interesting to look at from a speculative biology standpoint, but it's also so viscerally beautiful. It also reminds me of something I had a vision of a while back, which I thought was super cool because even though it was different, it was the first time anything has ever been close enough to what I saw during the vision that I was pleasantly surprised.

Did the ending satisfy you?
I do feel like this book leaves a lot of questions. I don't think that's a bad thing at all though, I feel like there's a lot of things that, upon finishing the book or even while reading, are almost left to reader interpretation. I think that's a unique thing that not a lot of books do, but is something I appreciate in art. It makes it so that people can relate to the story in their own ways. I know some people may not like that, but I do.

Would you read this book again?
I already have re-read it actually. I read it again in one sitting after I finished it. I felt like on my first read through I struggled to picture the scenes in my head. I chalked that up initially to there being not enough description in the book, or the book being too short, but now I don't think that's what it was. I think I just needed to let it sit with me and read it more than once to see how I interpreted things because on my second read I enjoyed it significantly more and was better able to picture the scenes in my head. I would read it again, it's very short and easy to breeze through, plus I enjoyed it.

Additional Notes:
- This was oh so close to being a 5-star read for me. It felt like it was just missing something that I can't quite put my finger on. It didn't quite leave me with the intense wow-factor that I look for in a 5-star read, but it also was gorgeous and in its own right quite a work of literary art, not just a book.
- I want to mention that even on my first read where I was struggling a bit, I still felt myself being called back to the book (much like the calling that occurs to some of the characters). I kept wanting to come back to it when I wasn't reading, so clearly despite not fully being able to picture it, I felt like I was understanding the story perfectly. It's so hard to describe, but it was very interesting since I've never really had that happen to me with a book.
- I actually felt like I could understand and at times feel within myself the way the author was feeling while writing this book. The emotions and the central grief that, not only is portrayed in the book, but also went into the book during writing is not lost.
- The botanical horror and folk horror elements in the story are so absolutely stunning and perfectly done. I really loved it. The author definitely knows how to do tension and how to make things just the right amount of spooky to be enjoyable, but not quite truly scary.

[NoBuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

❦♱⋆.“𝕴 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖐 𝖍𝖚𝖓𝖌𝖗𝖞 𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖊𝖘 𝖊𝖝𝖎𝖘𝖙. 𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝕴 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖐 𝖕𝖊𝖔𝖕𝖑𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖕 𝖆𝖘𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖖𝖚𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖊 𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖊𝖘 𝖋𝖊𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖒”.⋆♱❦

Enjoyment:8/10
Quality: A
Overall:⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

TLDR: A perfect, eerie read to binge during summerween in the middle of the garden on a June gloom day~~House of the Bloodfruit did not disappoint and has convinced me to read everything else from Claudia J. Filusch. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to add to the shelf! I definitely see myself re-reading this!

IN-DEPTH:
I would be doing House of the Bloodfruit a disservice if I didn’t mention how much I was absolutely yearning to read it. When I first stumbled across it on Instagram, I was absolutely mesmerized by its aesthetic and concept art. I am a simple person—put a pretty book in front of me and I fold no questions asked. Then, to my absolute horror, I saw that it had not been published yet:



But, alas, for once I was one of god’s favorites and was chosen to as an ARC reader!!! I received the ARC this morning and I devoured it by noon. From the very first page it kept me intrigued and locked in. The pacing was chef's kiss and I absolutely LOVED—I can’t emphasize this enough—LOVED that it was able to progress the narrative through “show, don’t tell” which I find a lot of shorter novellas tend to miss.

Maeve’s dedication and love towards Xander was both lovely to witness and slightly unhinged. The way she cares deeply for her brother, but also sees him as her person and final person only added to the tragedy that befalls these siblings. As I mentioned before, the vibe and the atmosphere of House of the Bloodfruit was just darkly aesthetic and a vibe. I know the book is good when it brings out the urge to create a Pinterest collage. I can already feel myself slowly obsessing over this while reliving the story in my head! Definitely recommend!

Youtube Playlist: Songs sourced directly from Claudia’s Instagram posts!

HavocHarpa - Detuned Mini Bass
Hendyamps Studios - Misty Mountains (Cello Cover)
ridgeclub - do i clench my fists?
Lizard in the Spring - A Quick One Before the Eternal Worm Devours Appalachia

Favorite Quotes:

“Blood had never made them siblings. Her parents had found Xander as a lost child, and welcomed him into their home without hesitation and from that day onward he had simply been hers to love.”

“You speak like a storyteller.”
“I speak like someone old enough to know stories survive because something beneath them is true.”

“This was her brother—her family—the boy she loved since the day he came to her, the only life she could call hers.”

[Mireya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to the author for the ARC copy of House of the Bloodfruit! This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

Maeve's brother, Xander, is sick, slowly dying, and she's tired of not being able to do more for him and cure him. So, following the old stories of her village, she takes to the forest, to the orchard, and finds a miracle. Yet, she also awakens that of which the stories were trying to warned her. She should have listened harder. Or, maybe she didn't want to listen at all, if it meant healing Xander.

aaaahhhhh, how I love me a wholesome siblinghood😩😩 Really, Maeve and Xander had won a place in my heart for the ages. Might be because I'm a sibling myself, so I can put myself in Maeve's shoes and only agree with her and her actions.

I really love the world the author has crafted in this novella, with the orchard, the stories surrounding the village where they live, and even how the forest is its own danger, which might even contribute to the legends. In fact, I would read any book within this world, a sequel or something else. And that even when I think that this short format works perfectly for Maeve and Xander's story. But the world felt so unique to me, that I would love to see more of it!

I read in one sitting, needing to see what would happen and how they would end, if Xander would get better or not, yet the dread was there, I feared the worst knowing that Maeve was gambling with something extremely dangerous, yet I completely understood her, wanting to do anything to help her brother. Siblings are one of my favorite relationships to read, whether with a healthy dynamic, a tragic fate or a reconciling journey, hence why I jumped at the chance of reading an ARC of this book.

I hope people give this one a chance because it is well worthy of it, due to characters, to world, to how it grabs you by the heart and squeezes, to the subtle horror of it all. I just...have nothing bad to say about this book, really, except the fact that it ended too fast😂 I would have read any number of pages the author would have written, because I was hooked and sucked completely into the story.

[Katherine Holder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was incredibly excited about receiving an ARC for this, having followed along the author on IG. However, I was left disappointed with the narrative altogether.
Firstly, there is almost no dialogue in this entire book. Maeve has brief interactions with maybe 4 people, all being characters with little to no impact. While I can appreciate the effort that went into creating an atmosphere of dread and despair, the short and sparse dialogue felt more abrupt than necessary. The dialogue we did get was quick, short stabs that felt dry and uneventful. Maeve's last words to her brother were bland to say the least, and nothing groundbreaking in terms of grief or loss.

Secondly, this book was very short. In all, under 200 pages isn't the shortest, but I feel more could have been added. We get very quick glimpses into Xander's mind at the very end, but there is very little exposition to the main plot or background for the characters. Xander randomly showed up as a child? How long has the town been suffering? How does Maeve provide for them if she cannot work and her parents are dead? I was left with a lot of questions about who, when, where, and why.

Finally, I feel like the writing was bland and repetitive in an effort to create a "horrific" atmosphere. Pulsing, veins, subtle, and thrum are all words that were repeated enough to stick out to me. They were in the village, then the woods, then the orchard, then the village, woods, house, etc. It feels as if no time actually passed in between settings. I wished Maeve had sat in the discomfort of realizing what the fruit was doing to her brother and subsequently, the town, for longer.

This premise had so much potential!! I really wanted to like this book. All in all, I wish that more time and pages were put into it. I think the plot could have stretched at LEAST another 75 pages, and the ending would have felt more well rounded.

[Teru · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐

Atmospheric folk horror novella that instantly managed to pull me in and refused to let go until the last page.

Given the short format, it’s best to go in blind. Maeve and Xander are siblings trying to survive yet another winter in the village, but Xander is already on death’s door with a terminal illness. Maeve’s love and desperation will lead her deep into the woods, looking for the last resort every villager whispers about but refuses to acknowledge out loud.

A small village on the verge of poverty. Perpetually hungry woods filled with fog that promise fruit to cure the incurable. And to the truly desperate, driven by grief, the price doesn’t matter.
Until it does, and the consequences soon follow.

”The woods remember hungry winters,” she said.
Maeve frowned.
The old woman adjusted her grip on the axe. “And hungry things learn to feed.”

The story feels more like a dark, tragic fairytale; there’s a certain vagueness to the plot and intent, giving it a nightmarish quality. The horror relies on unease and subtle dread, and while there is some body horror aspect, I found it almost gentle.
I would have appreciated more focus on the sibling bond. I felt it tugging at my heartstrings at the beginning, but it wasn’t quite enough - but I do tend to have that problem when the page count is what it is.

House of the Bloodfruit might not be especially unique in its idea, but I loved the execution and the lyrical writing style. And the ending? Dreadfully lovely, exactly my kind when it comes to the novella format.
You might not see it yet here on Goodreads but THE COVER?? Hauntingly gorgeous, I kid you not. I’ll need a physical copy just for that - and the inside art as well!

Biggest thank you to the author, Claudia J. Filusch, for this e-ARC! House of the Bloodfruit is expected 25th August 2026.

[kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The woods remember hungry winters. And hungry things learn to feed.”

While reading, I could physically feel how silent and quiet the village was; it was so disturbing and gave me goosebumps. It's truly creepy and very atmospheric. Lowkey reminded me of A24 films (mostly The Witch) and a bit of Obsession.

House of the Bloodfruit is a gripping, interesting, unsettling, and gloomy story with body horror. The plot revolves around Maeve and her brother, Xander, who is gravely ill. There are rumours about an orchard and the fruit that grows there, and Maeve is desperate enough to step into the forest.

Her actions set off a domino effect — she brought disaster to her village. Something is stealing organs and body parts. Nothing is wasted, every step is calculated.

And this something is building itself out of these people.

With fear, Maeve realizes that the orchard had reached and it won't stop.

“My grandmother used to say the land remembers famine. Sometimes remembrance becomes appetite.”

This unpleasant feeling, like discomfort, accompanied me throughout the entire novella. Claudia Filusch completely immerses me in the atmosphere; for a while, I even forgot I was reading and was simply IN the story. When the characters felt like they were being watched, I felt it too. The author did an amazing job!

actual rating: 4.25⭐️

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

[S.E. Bristow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella! It was a quick, fast-paced read, and walked a lovely line between beautiful, gory, and tragic. I especially loved the eco-horror elements towards the end, Filusch's writing style is absolutely beautiful.

Xander was my favorite character and gorgeously written. I understand why Maeve made the choices she did, but I understand and empathize with Xander and his weary acceptance so much more. I could tell his character was very special to the author.

I had a slow start getting into it, for about the first 40 pages or so. The beginning feels like a sort of amalgamation of stereotypical old-witch warnings about the forest, which pulled me out of the story a little, but Maeve and Xander always pulled me back in.

I almost wish it would have been a little longer so that more things could have been expanded on— we know a lot of things without it being explained how or why we know them, and things happen so quickly that the weight of them is almost lost in the transition to the next thing.

Thank you so so much to Claudia Filusch for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I was so overjoyed to get the approval email for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“'If the woods ever offer you mercy,...be very careful what kind you accept.'”

3.5 🌟
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC of House of the Bloodfruit!

This book was a lush journey through realms of grief and the lengths to which love can drive us to. I'm a deep lover of books with strong atmospheric elements and this definitely provided. My biggest issues with this book were the pacing/length and repetition. This book was fascinating and I would've loved to see it expanded upon more; instead I felt a bit rushed through, unable to fully let myself be consumed by the story (no pun intended). The potential is definitely there, so I wish it was fleshed out a bit more so I could've allowed myself to be truly immersed into everything. The repetitiveness was less of an issue but still caught my attention, especially since the story moved so quickly. Just a few words and phrases (ex: fingers trembling, things pulsing, breathing patterns, etc) popped up a bit frequently but, again, wasn't as much of an issue for me.

Overall, I'd love to own a hard copy when this book is finally released. I look forward to seeing what else this author creates in the future 🖤

[Marine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big thanks for this ARC copy!!

This book was haunting in all of the best ways. With the horror growing with each step, Bloodfruit has a truly immersive horror tone!

The story is a novella, with each chapter passing snappily. I enjoyed this, as it played with the idea of time, and the absence of it.

However, I do believe that some rearranging of plot points (such as extending some of the horror plot that was lost in the middle, IYKYK). This would have been a great strength and really solidified the physical horror, as in my opinion the book is very psychological horror based.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and I did feel that the few background characters had real substance to them. The MCs bond is so grounded and real. I could feel the desperation and understand the FMCs perspective completely, which was refreshing.

I did find myself confused at points due to a lot of repeated lines and clunky description that was "telling" rather than showing.

Overall, i finished this book in one sitting! The writing style is pretty and haunting but plot, horror elements and some elements of the description fell a little short for me. However, I still loved it and would love to read again in October for the spooky vibes!

Ps. Cover art is gorgeous!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ARC from the author.

"'There's a place... in the woods... they say people go there sick and come back... better.'"

House of the Bloodfruit sucks you in with prose that emphasizes the senses to create an atmospheric read that one wants to sink into. As you get oriented within the story pointed sights and sounds flesh out the setting and reveals pieces of the characters without hindering the flow of the story with too much fat.

In a read this short details that aren't relevant for world building or moving the story along can make the pacing drag but House of the Bloodfruit doesn’t have this issue because the writing is concise and focused while still immersing the reader.

Despite the concise writing being a strength it left me wanting. Simply put: I want more. More time with the writing, with the characters, with the the atmosphere. I found myself wishing for the story to slow a half step so I could linger a bit longer.

[Mac Cheevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in with too high of expectations and it met every one of them.I think this short story really accomplished everything it intends and I couldn't ask for more. No matter the page count, I would still devour this.

When I saw the call for ARC readers, I immediately submitted my name because just the synopsis was enough to stick in my head and linger. It had everything I wanted, folk horror in the woods, some biblical imagery, a force not understood, the sacrifices we are willing to make for those we love.

The atmosphere was haunting. I could feel the fruit in my hands and the soft soil under my feet. Any moment I had, I would pick it back up because I couldn't stop thinking about it. It is written so beautifully. It turned out to be everything I wanted. I will be buying the physical copy when it is published.

[Paula Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Claudia J. Filusch for an advance copy of this novella.

Short and sickeningly sweet, this was everything I could ask for in a story. We dive straight into such an atmospheric setting with no chance to buckle up for the absolute despair that is Maeve's and Xander's life. Even witnessing the little we do about the village they belong to, it is completely devoid of hope and life, highlighting how much worse their specific circumstances are.

This is not a feel-good story, but oh my god was it delectable. The writing and imagery painted such a simple yet heavy story, and although you'd think that once Maeve has returned from the orchard after finding what she was looking for, the sense of dread only ever continued to grow.

I empathise so much with her and her singular goal of protecting her brother, and it is heartbreaking that no matter the intention, there is always a cost. I love that a lot is left ambiguous as we really get to sink into exactly what Maeve's experience was, without feeling like we were robbed of all the answers.

It was twisted and I ATE IT UP.

[cloudy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novella, we follow a sister named Maeve and her very sickly brother. When Maeve hears whispers of a nearby orchard that bears healing fruit, she decides to pursue them, no matter what the cost.

While reading this, you will wonder- how far would you go to save someone you love?

I enjoyed this. The writing was poetic, albeit a little repetitive. I could understand Maeves desperation for her brother, and it was impossible to put this down. The imagery was also done very well, I could even see this being a graphic novel. I also will DEFINITELY be checking out the authors other works, as I was left wanting more after this one.

If you enjoy folk horror, body horror, or looking for a quick read, I highly recommend this.

Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! (Also thank you so much for making it accessible for the Kobo!)

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atmospheric, tragic, and absolutely bleak.

I'm so happy to have been given the chance to read House of the Bloodfruit early, and it will definitely be one of those ritual reads every spooky season. It's fast-paced, full of gore, and I had no hope for a happy ending from the beginning, but that's part of the appeal in my opinion.

Chapter 8 is where I got really stuck in, I wish we could have had more of the horror and weirdness throughout which is really my only down point, that I think I was expecting more horror in those parts.

The concept of a town or a village that relies on the powers of an unknown thing in the woods that surrounds it could be a niche interest but it's an interest of mine nonetheless. I'm left with so many questions about the orchard, a character in its own right.

Couldn't put it down, would recommend.

[Diana Cassese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC!

I actually loved this, I would have loved more though!

This is a short book that I read in one sitting.

The book is about Maeve who ultimately is just trying to cure her ill brother Xander. The village they live in is starving, resources are practically non existent and Maeve is trying every herbal remedy she can get her hands on with the little money she has to cure her brother.

There is an orchard that everyone in the village knows something but nothing about. They fear it and rumours circle but no one really knows what's wrong with it, only that some have felt it or heard it.

Maeve runs out of choices and enters the orchard and things get weird...

It was easy to read, very descriptive and beautifully written!

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy!!! I would give this 10 stars if I could. I was hooked from Claudia’s character art to start, and then I received the arc this morning and absolutely demolished it. This book is exactly what I look for.

This book starts with Maeve and her brother, Xander. Xander has been sick for a year, and continues to get worse. Maeve has tried tinctures, herbs, to no avail. But she has been hearing whispers about an orchard in the north forest. Everyone can agree on one thing, some people go in, some don’t come out. This book was full of tragedy and love and want. I genuinely will be in a book fog for a long time over this one. I want to read it for the first time again.

Claudia, this book was beautifully tragic, heartbreaking (I am still crying), and everything I thought it would be.

[Dalila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I signed up for an ARC, because the premise and the illustrations were very intriguing. It did not disappoint, I really enjoyed the story. It is on a shorter side, a novella rather than a novel, and I think it has a great potential to be an amazing novel, kind of how Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik was a short story first (if I remember correctly).

I would have loved to see more of the characters, more dialogue and less of some writing tics that can pass easily unnoticed in a novel, but in a story of that size add up very quickly. And maybe a little more "gothic" language, but that's also just my personal preference, and different writers have their own style.

Overall 4/5 because I finished it in a couple of hours and would have loved to read more of this story.

[Shauna McGinty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could’ve been a thousand pages long and I would’ve devoured it just the same. It pulls you in instantly, into Maeve’s tiny world that consists mainly of her dying brother, whom she would do anything to save, including visiting a rumored orchard that her village is terrified of. What Maeve doesn’t understand at first is the cost of that orchard, nor what sickness costs the sick. As a chronically ill person, I actually related deeply to Xander’s peaceful acceptance of the cost of Maeve’s choice, and that made reading this even more gut-wrenching. I’m still a fairly new horror reader but eco-horror is by far my favorite, and I will absolutely be seeking out more of Claudia’s books!

[Gwenn Meert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short horror novella that nestled itself deep within me, kinda like the roots did to Xander. I love stories that are dark because of the human emotion they carry, in this case a heavy grief. Yes it had some spooky aspects, like the house and deaths, but it is the inner world of Maeve, the understanding of what is happening and why, that made me shiver. A soft, human like horror.

Apart from that, the backstory was well thought out. Every sentence had it’s purpose, and once I finished, I lay thinking about the foreshadowing for some time. Clever, and such an interesting way to mend human anatomy and the orchard togheter. Loved it!

Def recommend!

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️

I read this book in about an hour and a half and oh my god this might be one of the best things I’ve read this year.

House of the Bloodfruit follows two siblings, Maeve and Xander. Xander is dying and Maeve is trying to save him. In the end she only ends up delaying the inevitable.

This book is a perfect blend of horror and grief. It leaves the reader wondering what they would do to save someone they cared about and how grief consumes us.

I look forward to seeing more work from Claudia J. Filusch and hope that everyone will take a trip into the orchid when this book is available to the public.

[Neiwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you so much for the ARC!

“What would we sacrifice for the people we love?”

I really loved the atmosphere in this story. It was dark, gothic, chilling and written beautifully.
We follow Maeve through her desperation to find a cure for her sick brother.
And the Orchard is calling.
I enjoyed the premise of this story a lot as well, though I did feel a little disconnected from it.
I think maybe if it were a bit longer and we had a little more time to build connections and do a little more world building it would have felt more engaging.
I did also find it a little repetitive in explanations.

Overall, I would recommend if you want a quick dark fairytale story!