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But Not Too Bold
The Shape of Water meets Mexican Gothic in this sapphic monster romance novella wrapped in gothic fantasy trappings
The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House―Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides.
Dália, the old keeper’s protégée, must take up her duties, locking and unlocking the little drawers in which Anatema keeps her memories. And if she can unravel the crime that led to her predecessor's death, Dália might just be able to survive long enough to grow into her new role.
But there’s a gaping hole in Dália’s plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.
The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House―Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides.
Dália, the old keeper’s protégée, must take up her duties, locking and unlocking the little drawers in which Anatema keeps her memories. And if she can unravel the crime that led to her predecessor's death, Dália might just be able to survive long enough to grow into her new role.
But there’s a gaping hole in Dália’s plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2022
113 people are currently reading
12134 people want to read
About the author
Hache Pueyo
2 books50 followersHache Pueyo is the Argentine-Brazilian writer and translator of Cabaret in Flames, But Not Too Bold and A Study in Ugliness & Outras Histórias. She won an Otherwise Fellowship for her work with gender in speculative fiction, and her short stories have appeared as H. Pueyo in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Clarkesworld, Strange Horizons, and The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, among others.
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February 12, 2025A sapphic Gothic romance, where the monstrous mistress of the isolated house is in fact an eldritch spider god. as you do. It's immensely creepy and warped with lots of murder and amorality and body weirdness. Lush writing and thoroughly entertaining, with a delightful line at the end. I don't know if I was convinced by the romance per se but the weirdness carried me along very effectively.
February 25, 2025
A sapphic AND gothic monster romance narrated by the captivating pen of Hache Pueyo that will be in my thoughts long after writing this review - .
↠ 4 stars
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group, Tordotcom and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
↠ 4 stars
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group, Tordotcom and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
November 17, 2024
Gothic horror meets sapphic monster romance?! Y'all this was so good!!
I think this one is going to be a big hit. Blending gothic horror with sapphic monster romance and a mystery element, this novella blurs genre lines in a delightful way. But Not Too Bold follows Dália, a young woman becoming the new Keeper of the Keys after her predecessor was eaten by the Lady of Capricious House. But Dália has been raised for this and is not afraid, even after being tasked with uncovering a thief.
It's short so I won't say too much, but the writing in this is fantastic and it seamlessly navigated the line between horror and romance in a way that's hard to do. It's macabre in the best of ways. Hache Pueyo is an author to watch! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
I think this one is going to be a big hit. Blending gothic horror with sapphic monster romance and a mystery element, this novella blurs genre lines in a delightful way. But Not Too Bold follows Dália, a young woman becoming the new Keeper of the Keys after her predecessor was eaten by the Lady of Capricious House. But Dália has been raised for this and is not afraid, even after being tasked with uncovering a thief.
It's short so I won't say too much, but the writing in this is fantastic and it seamlessly navigated the line between horror and romance in a way that's hard to do. It's macabre in the best of ways. Hache Pueyo is an author to watch! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
January 30, 2025
3.5 stars
This book was weird but I think it could have been weirder.
This story follows Dalia who is the new keeper of the keys in a strange estate own by a giant spider woman. The estate is run almost like a hotel but the third floor is off limits and Madam Anathema hides her face from her staff. Only occasionally exposing her true form to her brides who she is known to eat after they shy from her in terror. She treasures the memory of these brides and has keepsakes for each one, when an item from her last bride is stolen she blames the previous keeper of keys and Dalia steps into the position.
The main plot involves a brief mystery to solve the theft and a growing closeness between Dalia and the Madam. I really enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere really reminded me of a stop motion picture directed by Tim Burton or Henry Selick. It was weird but I think it should have been a little weirder, it almost shied away from the craziness in some places when it could have been leaning in a touch more. Regardless, a quick, compulsive read that I would recommend if you're in the mood for something odd and sapphic.
Do not recommend if you have arachnophobia!
This book was weird but I think it could have been weirder.
This story follows Dalia who is the new keeper of the keys in a strange estate own by a giant spider woman. The estate is run almost like a hotel but the third floor is off limits and Madam Anathema hides her face from her staff. Only occasionally exposing her true form to her brides who she is known to eat after they shy from her in terror. She treasures the memory of these brides and has keepsakes for each one, when an item from her last bride is stolen she blames the previous keeper of keys and Dalia steps into the position.
The main plot involves a brief mystery to solve the theft and a growing closeness between Dalia and the Madam. I really enjoyed the writing style and the atmosphere really reminded me of a stop motion picture directed by Tim Burton or Henry Selick. It was weird but I think it should have been a little weirder, it almost shied away from the craziness in some places when it could have been leaning in a touch more. Regardless, a quick, compulsive read that I would recommend if you're in the mood for something odd and sapphic.
Do not recommend if you have arachnophobia!
May 23, 2025
But Not Too Bold is so odd, and so beautiful and so compelling. It's oddly, beautifully-compelling.
I am almost at a loss for words. It felt at times like I didn't understand it, but I did, at the same time. The themes, the descriptions, the gorgeous characterizations, it felt instinctual, though I can't necessarily explain it coherently.
In fact, this is much less of a coherent narrative style than I tend to enjoy, but I fell in love with the writing instantly, so just decided to roll with it and I'm so glad I did!
But Not Too Bold is a Queer Fantasy Horror novella, of which I shall say nothing of the plot. It's only 112-pages and well-worth the read.
The synopsis lays out everything you need to know going in, but even with that, I feel you'll still be surprised at the depths to which this story will take you. It felt like falling down a dark, whimsical, dangerous rabbit hole, from which there's no escape.
I loved the main character, Dália. There was something so relatable about her. I was also surprised at how intrigued I was by the mystery that Dália is trying to solve.
More than that, I was shocked by the emotional impact this little story has. How is it possible to pack this much punch into such a small space?
Somehow, Pueyo succeeded in doing just that. The conclusion was gorgeous. My only small gripes would be that there were a couple of details I felt weren't adequately fleshed out, and also, I wish this were a little longer.
Overall though, I am so pleased with this. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Fantasy Horror, or stories that feel like modern folklore. Also, a bonus if you are looking for Queer, or female-centered dark fiction.
I am almost at a loss for words. It felt at times like I didn't understand it, but I did, at the same time. The themes, the descriptions, the gorgeous characterizations, it felt instinctual, though I can't necessarily explain it coherently.
In fact, this is much less of a coherent narrative style than I tend to enjoy, but I fell in love with the writing instantly, so just decided to roll with it and I'm so glad I did!
But Not Too Bold is a Queer Fantasy Horror novella, of which I shall say nothing of the plot. It's only 112-pages and well-worth the read.
The synopsis lays out everything you need to know going in, but even with that, I feel you'll still be surprised at the depths to which this story will take you. It felt like falling down a dark, whimsical, dangerous rabbit hole, from which there's no escape.
I loved the main character, Dália. There was something so relatable about her. I was also surprised at how intrigued I was by the mystery that Dália is trying to solve.
More than that, I was shocked by the emotional impact this little story has. How is it possible to pack this much punch into such a small space?
Somehow, Pueyo succeeded in doing just that. The conclusion was gorgeous. My only small gripes would be that there were a couple of details I felt weren't adequately fleshed out, and also, I wish this were a little longer.
Overall though, I am so pleased with this. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Fantasy Horror, or stories that feel like modern folklore. Also, a bonus if you are looking for Queer, or female-centered dark fiction.
January 22, 2025
Title/Author: But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Tor Dot Com
Format: ARC/Netgalley/ebook
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: First time reading
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978125037...
Release Date: Feb 11th, 2025
General Genre: BISAC Categories: Fantasy - Dark Fantasy - Romantic - Gothic - LGBT - Lesbian
Sub-Genre/Themes: sapphic monster romance novella/gothic fantasy/spiders/humanoids/brides-marriage
Writing Style: Speculative
What You Need to Know: The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House--Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides. Dália, the old keeper's protégée, must take up her duties. But there's a gaping hole in Dália's plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.
My Reading Experience: This was very strange, borderline bizarre. I thought about not finishing a few times, it just didn't feel like I was the audience but there was a little nugget of interest that kept me invested. I couldn't let go. The spider stuff, all the tarantulas...I skimmed over. Characters are eating them or handling them, I don't know. I didn't want those visuals floating around in my brain before bedtime--I have enough spider nightmares.
The monster, Anatema, is a spider-like human. The author describes her features and movements in detail, it's quite alarming and fascinating. There is a bit of fantasy and whimsy that reminds me of Coraline/James and the Giant Peach...I could see this book in the same stop-motion animation. The ending was great.
Final Recommendation: I would recommend this to readers who enjoy reading something different and peculiar. I liked imagining this in stop-motion animation, vibrant and colorful. It's the only way to imagine the spider lady! There's an audience for this book so I hope it finds its people!
Comps: The Ocean at the End of the Lane/Coraline (not recommending Neil Gaiman right now, but it's great to know we have some alternatives to that kind of storytelling) James and the Giant Peach, The Shape of Water. Eric LaRocca's We Will Never Leave This Place
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Tor Dot Com
Format: ARC/Netgalley/ebook
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: First time reading
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978125037...
Release Date: Feb 11th, 2025
General Genre: BISAC Categories: Fantasy - Dark Fantasy - Romantic - Gothic - LGBT - Lesbian
Sub-Genre/Themes: sapphic monster romance novella/gothic fantasy/spiders/humanoids/brides-marriage
Writing Style: Speculative
What You Need to Know: The old keeper of the keys is dead, and the creature who ate her is the volatile Lady of the Capricious House--Anatema, an enormous humanoid spider with a taste for laudanum and human brides. Dália, the old keeper's protégée, must take up her duties. But there's a gaping hole in Dália's plan that she refuses to see: Anatema cannot resist a beautiful woman, and she eventually devours every single bride that crosses her path.
My Reading Experience: This was very strange, borderline bizarre. I thought about not finishing a few times, it just didn't feel like I was the audience but there was a little nugget of interest that kept me invested. I couldn't let go. The spider stuff, all the tarantulas...I skimmed over. Characters are eating them or handling them, I don't know. I didn't want those visuals floating around in my brain before bedtime--I have enough spider nightmares.
The monster, Anatema, is a spider-like human. The author describes her features and movements in detail, it's quite alarming and fascinating. There is a bit of fantasy and whimsy that reminds me of Coraline/James and the Giant Peach...I could see this book in the same stop-motion animation. The ending was great.
Final Recommendation: I would recommend this to readers who enjoy reading something different and peculiar. I liked imagining this in stop-motion animation, vibrant and colorful. It's the only way to imagine the spider lady! There's an audience for this book so I hope it finds its people!
Comps: The Ocean at the End of the Lane/Coraline (not recommending Neil Gaiman right now, but it's great to know we have some alternatives to that kind of storytelling) James and the Giant Peach, The Shape of Water. Eric LaRocca's We Will Never Leave This Place
August 21, 2025
3.5/5 ✩
No review for this one! Read it during vacation and tbh I was hungover half the time, so I wasn't taking notes, etc as I usually do!
R.E.A.D.S. SCORE
R: 6/10
E: 7/10
A: 7/10
D: 7/10
S: 7/10
Total: 6.80/10.00
No review for this one! Read it during vacation and tbh I was hungover half the time, so I wasn't taking notes, etc as I usually do!
R.E.A.D.S. SCORE
R: 6/10
E: 7/10
A: 7/10
D: 7/10
S: 7/10
Total: 6.80/10.00
May 22, 2025
if you fear spiders I recommend staying away lol
August 1, 2025
Reading a sapphic spider monster romance as someone who has arachnophobia? Yup, that's me and you're probably wondering how I got here...
BUT NOT TOO BOLD is like a cross between Alexis Henderson's HOUSE OF HUNGER and the Bluebeard fairytale. Dalia is the keeper of keys in the Capricious House, which is under the tyrannical rule of Madam Anatema, an eldritch spider monster known as an Archaic One. When she is displeased with her brides, she eats them, and she'll eat the servants, as well. Anatema has actually just eaten Dalia's predecessor, and she will be eaten as well if she can't figure out who is responsible for the mysterious thefts of her precious memory totems.
This is such a weird and trippy book. I think if you like monster romances and bleak gothic fantasy, you will really enjoy BUT NOT TOO BOLD. But honestly? This is a book that is for readers who run on vibes and don't ask too many questions. It had a happier ending than I was expecting but this is still a fairly dark love story-- if you can call what happens between these two souls "love."
3.5 stars
BUT NOT TOO BOLD is like a cross between Alexis Henderson's HOUSE OF HUNGER and the Bluebeard fairytale. Dalia is the keeper of keys in the Capricious House, which is under the tyrannical rule of Madam Anatema, an eldritch spider monster known as an Archaic One. When she is displeased with her brides, she eats them, and she'll eat the servants, as well. Anatema has actually just eaten Dalia's predecessor, and she will be eaten as well if she can't figure out who is responsible for the mysterious thefts of her precious memory totems.
This is such a weird and trippy book. I think if you like monster romances and bleak gothic fantasy, you will really enjoy BUT NOT TOO BOLD. But honestly? This is a book that is for readers who run on vibes and don't ask too many questions. It had a happier ending than I was expecting but this is still a fairly dark love story-- if you can call what happens between these two souls "love."
3.5 stars
October 14, 2024
Dalia has lived most of her life in the sumptuous Capricious House, training to be the Keeper of the Keys. When she is finally promoted into the role, she comes face-to-face with the house’s mistress Anatema, an ancient creature who resembles a giant spider. Dalia finds herself more intrigued than scared by her monstrous boss, who has eaten many of her servants and all of her past brides. Anatema immediately enlists Dalia to help solve a mystery, but as the two spend more time together, Dalia finds herself fascinated by more than just the case.
I love weird fiction, so I decided to give monster romance a try! And honestly, this book is so fun. The lush setting and food descriptions are on point, and I was deeply invested in the mystery. I feel like the actual romance is a bit underdeveloped; I didn’t quite buy that Dalia had strong feelings for Anatema. Still, this was a fun read, and with a sub-100 page count, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone trying to meet their reading goal.
I love weird fiction, so I decided to give monster romance a try! And honestly, this book is so fun. The lush setting and food descriptions are on point, and I was deeply invested in the mystery. I feel like the actual romance is a bit underdeveloped; I didn’t quite buy that Dalia had strong feelings for Anatema. Still, this was a fun read, and with a sub-100 page count, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone trying to meet their reading goal.
June 13, 2025
That was fucking weird (complimentary). BUT NOT TOO BOLD is a sapphic monster mystery romance with a strong gothic undercurrent. Normally I find the "all vibes" for hundreds of pages of gothic fiction tedious, so this novella length was perfect for me. Do not read if you're afraid of spiders, or, conversely, if you love them so much you'd be distraught to hear of them being deep-fried and eaten.
November 22, 2023
this one is indeed for all the monsterfucker girlies out there
December 16, 2024
3.0 Stars
This was such a strange and off kilter horror novella. It was more weird than terrifying for me. I liked portions of it but largely found the narrative not to my tastes. I imagine that readers who love weird horror will appreciate this more than I did but honestly it was hard to judge from the outside.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was such a strange and off kilter horror novella. It was more weird than terrifying for me. I liked portions of it but largely found the narrative not to my tastes. I imagine that readers who love weird horror will appreciate this more than I did but honestly it was hard to judge from the outside.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
November 11, 2024
Even though Halloween is over, this is a perfect read for spooky season!
Ancient sentient humanoid spiders. Tarantulas as pets. Tarantulas as food. Life in the Capricious House is super goth and feels very Addams Family.
It's a very closed set type of setting, which makes it even better and creepier, imo. As someone who's not really a big fan of spiders, especially giant talking spiders who eat their mates, I was pretty creeped out. I loved the horror-filled descriptions, which kept me going. The prose was rich and very immersive.
Maybe it's just me, but I didn't really get the romance portion. It came out of nowhere at the end. I love monster romance, but this was on the very tame end to the point where it was nonexistent.
Anyway.
Read this if you love Goth vibes and weirdness. It's a quick novella and I couldn't put it down. I'd love to read more from Hache Pueyo.
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this arc.
Ancient sentient humanoid spiders. Tarantulas as pets. Tarantulas as food. Life in the Capricious House is super goth and feels very Addams Family.
It's a very closed set type of setting, which makes it even better and creepier, imo. As someone who's not really a big fan of spiders, especially giant talking spiders who eat their mates, I was pretty creeped out. I loved the horror-filled descriptions, which kept me going. The prose was rich and very immersive.
Maybe it's just me, but I didn't really get the romance portion. It came out of nowhere at the end. I love monster romance, but this was on the very tame end to the point where it was nonexistent.
Anyway.
Read this if you love Goth vibes and weirdness. It's a quick novella and I couldn't put it down. I'd love to read more from Hache Pueyo.
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this arc.
February 3, 2025
I fear this is one of the few times I'm at a disadvantage for being terrible at visualizing things while I'm reading because wtf just happened...
I like the gothic vibes though.
I like the gothic vibes though.
February 20, 2025
3.5⭐️ give me all the weird, gothic, sapphic monster novellas
February 19, 2025
2.5⭐
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, so I am devastated that I didn't love this!
First of all - I would not classify this book as a monster romance, because in no way did I find this book romantic. There wasn't really growth in their the characters' connection, and I honestly couldn't wrap my brain around how we got to that ending.
I was really interested in the first half of this novella, but I just didn't understand the events that happened in the second half. Based on what happened, I also didn't feel like the ending made any sense whatsoever.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, so I am devastated that I didn't love this!
First of all - I would not classify this book as a monster romance, because in no way did I find this book romantic. There wasn't really growth in their the characters' connection, and I honestly couldn't wrap my brain around how we got to that ending.
I was really interested in the first half of this novella, but I just didn't understand the events that happened in the second half. Based on what happened, I also didn't feel like the ending made any sense whatsoever.
July 30, 2025
Being able to craft a story that is so deeply horrifying and sickening, yet incredibly wholesome and romantic is actually crazy. Why am I rooting for this sweet serving girl and her giant humanoid spider mistress
June 7, 2025
#️⃣2️⃣6️⃣7️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 ⛈️⚡🚨
Date : 📢 Monday, June 2, 2025 🍙⚔️
Word Count📃: 22k Words 🏕️
──★ ˙💥🪨💣🪨💥 ̟ ⋆✮˚.*⋆
ദ്ദി ≽^⎚˕⎚^≼ .ᐟ My 5th read in "Explosive Impactful Reads June"
4️⃣🌟, eerie creepy fun
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
I didn't thought that this was going to be a romance...UNTIL THE VERY LAST SENTENCE. THE LAST SENTENCE........IS SOMETHINGGG 😰😰. This entire very short novella just explores a mini plotline with Lionel and other house tenants or just ppl that are in that specific house, the ✨The Capricious House, or Casa Caprichosa✨. That has a spider ..human, uhh hybriddd (well thats a bit unsettling). But romance?????????? I feel like there was no entire 'romance' on the entire thing, except for the last bit. This is literally just a thief mystery :// why is everyone thinking this is primarily a romance book 🤨, Dalia is just tasked to uncover a thief and get back the key/doll/ (the insert big plot twist, iykyk), with creepy stuff coming from Anatema because of the fear of whatever 'monster' she is, its a book about appreciation about who you are and who you present yourself, not staying away from who you truly are and to know that someone actually cares for you even through all of your flaws. Its not sapphic romance WHERE IS IT?????????? WHERES THE ROMANCE EXCEPT FOR THE VERY UNSETTLING CONFESSION IN THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE BOOK?? WHERE IS IT 😭😭😭 THERES LITTLE TO NO ROMANCE IN HEREEE
Date : 📢 Monday, June 2, 2025 🍙⚔️
Word Count📃: 22k Words 🏕️
──★ ˙💥🪨💣🪨💥 ̟ ⋆✮˚.*⋆
ദ്ദി ≽^⎚˕⎚^≼ .ᐟ My 5th read in "Explosive Impactful Reads June"
4️⃣🌟, eerie creepy fun
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
I didn't thought that this was going to be a romance...UNTIL THE VERY LAST SENTENCE. THE LAST SENTENCE........IS SOMETHINGGG 😰😰. This entire very short novella just explores a mini plotline with Lionel and other house tenants or just ppl that are in that specific house, the ✨The Capricious House, or Casa Caprichosa✨. That has a spider ..human, uhh hybriddd (well thats a bit unsettling). But romance?????????? I feel like there was no entire 'romance' on the entire thing, except for the last bit. This is literally just a thief mystery :// why is everyone thinking this is primarily a romance book 🤨, Dalia is just tasked to uncover a thief and get back the key/doll/ (the insert big plot twist, iykyk), with creepy stuff coming from Anatema because of the fear of whatever 'monster' she is, its a book about appreciation about who you are and who you present yourself, not staying away from who you truly are and to know that someone actually cares for you even through all of your flaws. Its not sapphic romance WHERE IS IT?????????? WHERES THE ROMANCE EXCEPT FOR THE VERY UNSETTLING CONFESSION IN THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE BOOK?? WHERE IS IT 😭😭😭 THERES LITTLE TO NO ROMANCE IN HEREEE
February 3, 2025
The nitty-gritty: I enjoyed parts of this bizarre fantasy/horror novella, but some elements were a little too bizarre.
But Not Too Bold is a very weird piece of fiction that didn’t completely work for me, but I do appreciate some of the things the author did with worldbuilding. I also loved the Latin American flavor of the story, as the author herself is Argentine-Brazilian.
In Capricious House, the master of the keys has just died—or rather, she’s been consumed by the master of the house, a giant, spider-like creature named Anatema—and her successor is Dália, a young woman who has been training for the position since she was brought to Capricious House as a child. Dália’s job is to attend to Anatema, who never leaves the third floor of the house. Dália holds the keys to every locked room and box and is in charge of opening them whenever necessary, but she also knows that Anatema has many rules, and if broken, the punishment is usually death—to be consumed by Anatema herself.
The day that Dália takes on her new position, Anatema discovers one of her memories is missing. Before eating someone, she weaves an elaborate, magical tableau of that person out of spider silk and locks the “memory” in a box. For someone in the house to betray Anatema by stealing from her is unheard of, and so she gives Dália the task of investigating the crime.
But what Dália uncovers turns out to be dangerous for everyone in the house.
First, what I enjoyed. The story idea was so far removed from anything I’ve read before, and I loved having my brain rewired for a bit with new ideas and storytelling concepts. Weird idea #1: Capricious House is surrounded by poppy fields, which are harvested for decoration, drugs and food. Weird idea #2: a giant spider/human creature rules the house, eating anyone who pisses her off, while she gathers “brides” from time to time (who always end up being eaten as well). The “employees” who work in the house expect that they too will be eaten someday. Weird idea #3: this land (the wider world is never explained) has had a spider plague, so tarantulas are everywhere. The people who live in Capricious House have decided to deal with them by taking them as pets (everyone seems to have their own personal tarantula) as well as incorporating them into the menu. How can you not appreciate such weird ideas? Hache Pueyo is a creative and talented writer, even if I didn’t fully love her story.
I also enjoyed the lush descriptions of food. One of Dália's favorites is fried tarantula legs, which was both fascinating and gross. One of Pueyo's themes seems to be "consumption," both in the way the humans appreciate the many delicacies from the kitchen, and the way Anatema revels in eating her employees.
Despite these mind-bending ideas, though, the story itself didn’t always work. I found the mystery of the missing memory to be weak and the reasons behind the theft a little convoluted. Also, the story is billed as a sapphic romance, but the romance elements, which are almost non existent, turned me off and didn’t work at all. The characters themselves are also weird to the point that it was nearly impossible to understand or connect to them. Dália and her fellow employees are human, but to live in a house with a giant spider who is going to eat you is sort of ridiculous.
Still, I’m glad I read But Not Too Bold, and I’ll definitely remember it as one of my more unique reads of the year.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
But Not Too Bold is a very weird piece of fiction that didn’t completely work for me, but I do appreciate some of the things the author did with worldbuilding. I also loved the Latin American flavor of the story, as the author herself is Argentine-Brazilian.
In Capricious House, the master of the keys has just died—or rather, she’s been consumed by the master of the house, a giant, spider-like creature named Anatema—and her successor is Dália, a young woman who has been training for the position since she was brought to Capricious House as a child. Dália’s job is to attend to Anatema, who never leaves the third floor of the house. Dália holds the keys to every locked room and box and is in charge of opening them whenever necessary, but she also knows that Anatema has many rules, and if broken, the punishment is usually death—to be consumed by Anatema herself.
The day that Dália takes on her new position, Anatema discovers one of her memories is missing. Before eating someone, she weaves an elaborate, magical tableau of that person out of spider silk and locks the “memory” in a box. For someone in the house to betray Anatema by stealing from her is unheard of, and so she gives Dália the task of investigating the crime.
But what Dália uncovers turns out to be dangerous for everyone in the house.
First, what I enjoyed. The story idea was so far removed from anything I’ve read before, and I loved having my brain rewired for a bit with new ideas and storytelling concepts. Weird idea #1: Capricious House is surrounded by poppy fields, which are harvested for decoration, drugs and food. Weird idea #2: a giant spider/human creature rules the house, eating anyone who pisses her off, while she gathers “brides” from time to time (who always end up being eaten as well). The “employees” who work in the house expect that they too will be eaten someday. Weird idea #3: this land (the wider world is never explained) has had a spider plague, so tarantulas are everywhere. The people who live in Capricious House have decided to deal with them by taking them as pets (everyone seems to have their own personal tarantula) as well as incorporating them into the menu. How can you not appreciate such weird ideas? Hache Pueyo is a creative and talented writer, even if I didn’t fully love her story.
I also enjoyed the lush descriptions of food. One of Dália's favorites is fried tarantula legs, which was both fascinating and gross. One of Pueyo's themes seems to be "consumption," both in the way the humans appreciate the many delicacies from the kitchen, and the way Anatema revels in eating her employees.
Despite these mind-bending ideas, though, the story itself didn’t always work. I found the mystery of the missing memory to be weak and the reasons behind the theft a little convoluted. Also, the story is billed as a sapphic romance, but the romance elements, which are almost non existent, turned me off and didn’t work at all. The characters themselves are also weird to the point that it was nearly impossible to understand or connect to them. Dália and her fellow employees are human, but to live in a house with a giant spider who is going to eat you is sort of ridiculous.
Still, I’m glad I read But Not Too Bold, and I’ll definitely remember it as one of my more unique reads of the year.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
February 11, 2025
Prepare to be weirded out, similarly to that disgusting tongue commercial from yesterday’s Super Bowl LIX! This is decidedly horror, and it’s the disturbing kind. I loved the setting and characters. The characters and estate are so unique and compelling.
My one gripe was that one decision made by a character didn’t make sense to me, given a previous decision. I have to be vague or there will be spoilers. I suppose I mean that a couple of motivations contradicted each other, and it had me scratching my head. Still, it’s a quick, engaging read that fans of this genre will enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the eARC. All opinions are mine alone.
My one gripe was that one decision made by a character didn’t make sense to me, given a previous decision. I have to be vague or there will be spoilers. I suppose I mean that a couple of motivations contradicted each other, and it had me scratching my head. Still, it’s a quick, engaging read that fans of this genre will enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the eARC. All opinions are mine alone.
2025
September 16, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom
August 17, 2025
✨3 stars✨
June 29, 2025
1/5 stars✨
Be bold, but not too bold, lest that your hearts blood should run cold...
Absolutely mind-numbing-ly horrible!
I've never read such a disturbing story in my whole life! Are people tired of normal romance stories that now they need weird-spider-woman-abomination romances now?? I literally feel like I've wasted my 15 mins for nothing....
WHO FALLS IN LOVE WITH A SPIDER WHO ATE YOUR MENTOR AND WILL POTENTIALLY EAT YOU
for the SMALLEST reasons, oh like I don't know, GETTING HER NAME WRONG??
What is wrong with Dalia?? I mean this is not even slow burn or it's all a misunderstanding or miscommunication, this is straight up insta love!
Forget the fact that she looks like a very very humongous spider (a fact that is brought up MANY times in the book..)
are we just gonna ignore that the spider lady was ready to EAT Dalia and
that she didn't even care like at ALL?
in 1 page she's getting ready to eat her and in the next page she LOVES her?? what is this some new form of romance?
ALSO, Dalia has a pet tarantula and guess what Dalia's favorite food item is, oh I'll tell you, FRIED TARANTULAS.
I'm literally sobbing 😭 the FMC likes to eat fried spiders! what is there to even eat??
I mean I think the spider lady and Dalia are well matched since they are both crazy.
Overall, this was a horrible book, I'll never recommend it to anyone...
Be bold, but not too bold, lest that your hearts blood should run cold...
Absolutely mind-numbing-ly horrible!
I've never read such a disturbing story in my whole life! Are people tired of normal romance stories that now they need weird-spider-woman-abomination romances now?? I literally feel like I've wasted my 15 mins for nothing....
WHO FALLS IN LOVE WITH A SPIDER WHO ATE YOUR MENTOR AND WILL POTENTIALLY EAT YOU
for the SMALLEST reasons, oh like I don't know, GETTING HER NAME WRONG??
What is wrong with Dalia?? I mean this is not even slow burn or it's all a misunderstanding or miscommunication, this is straight up insta love!
Forget the fact that she looks like a very very humongous spider (a fact that is brought up MANY times in the book..)
are we just gonna ignore that the spider lady was ready to EAT Dalia and
that she didn't even care like at ALL?
in 1 page she's getting ready to eat her and in the next page she LOVES her?? what is this some new form of romance?
ALSO, Dalia has a pet tarantula and guess what Dalia's favorite food item is, oh I'll tell you, FRIED TARANTULAS.
I'm literally sobbing 😭 the FMC likes to eat fried spiders! what is there to even eat??
I mean I think the spider lady and Dalia are well matched since they are both crazy.
Overall, this was a horrible book, I'll never recommend it to anyone...
November 25, 2024
Thank you Tordotcom for the arc.
4.5⭐
Honestly this was gorgeous.
To me this was the exploration of what it means to be seen in all our flaws and to still be liked/loved despite it all.
It made me reflect on how we might try to present ourselves in a way that may be more pleasing to others, but we aren't seen until we can be our true self.
4.5⭐
Honestly this was gorgeous.
To me this was the exploration of what it means to be seen in all our flaws and to still be liked/loved despite it all.
It made me reflect on how we might try to present ourselves in a way that may be more pleasing to others, but we aren't seen until we can be our true self.
February 21, 2025
But Not Too Bold follows Dália, a young woman stepping into the role of Keeper of the Keys after her predecessor is literally eaten by the Madam of Capricious House. But Dália was raised for this and isn’t afraid to fulfill her role, even if it puts her at risk of being eaten too!
This book is such a cool mix of gothic horror and romance. It gave me Crimson Peak and Dracula vibes with its eerie, sultry atmosphere. The writing is gripping and walks that fine line between horror and romance—which I was surprised was done so delicately. It’s macabre in the best way, giving just the right amount of darkness without making the romance aspects feel disturbing.
I also really loved Dália. There was something so relatable about her journey and seeing the powerful person she grows into. And the mystery? Way more intriguing than I expected! But what surprised me most was how much emotional depth this little book carries. I did not expect to feel such strong emotions for these characters.
The ending was a bit bittersweet as I wish a few details had been fleshed out more and that the book was just a bit longer, but I still enjoyed my time with this story. If you love more gothic romance horror, modern folklore, or stories with a rich, eerie atmosphere, definitely pick this up!
Thank you to the publisher, Tor Publishing Group, for an E-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts or opinions shared in this review are my own!
This book is such a cool mix of gothic horror and romance. It gave me Crimson Peak and Dracula vibes with its eerie, sultry atmosphere. The writing is gripping and walks that fine line between horror and romance—which I was surprised was done so delicately. It’s macabre in the best way, giving just the right amount of darkness without making the romance aspects feel disturbing.
I also really loved Dália. There was something so relatable about her journey and seeing the powerful person she grows into. And the mystery? Way more intriguing than I expected! But what surprised me most was how much emotional depth this little book carries. I did not expect to feel such strong emotions for these characters.
The ending was a bit bittersweet as I wish a few details had been fleshed out more and that the book was just a bit longer, but I still enjoyed my time with this story. If you love more gothic romance horror, modern folklore, or stories with a rich, eerie atmosphere, definitely pick this up!
Thank you to the publisher, Tor Publishing Group, for an E-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts or opinions shared in this review are my own!
July 15, 2025
Gothic horror meets mystery meets folkloric fantasy meets sapphic monster romance... what a match made in heaven!
But Not Too Bold might be a short little one-sitting read novella, but I don't think I will forget about it any time soon. It's just wonderfully weird and tragically beautiful and monstrously macabre in the best way possible, and I felt like I simply could not tear my eyes away from the page once I started reading.
If you like your stories to be richly atmospheric and filled with equal parts disturbing horror and beautiful sensuality, then I can't recommend this little novella highly enough. Except if you are afraid of spiders, maybe stay far away in that case...
But Not Too Bold might be a short little one-sitting read novella, but I don't think I will forget about it any time soon. It's just wonderfully weird and tragically beautiful and monstrously macabre in the best way possible, and I felt like I simply could not tear my eyes away from the page once I started reading.
If you like your stories to be richly atmospheric and filled with equal parts disturbing horror and beautiful sensuality, then I can't recommend this little novella highly enough. Except if you are afraid of spiders, maybe stay far away in that case...
March 4, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
This was bizarre and compelling throughout, succeeding best when creating its otherworldly atmosphere. A lot is left unexplained, as befitting a classic fairy tale, but I do wish I understood character motivations better. The ending highlights the romance most, but it felt abrupt to me. Still I would absolutely try more from this author, and this cover is perfect to me.
This was bizarre and compelling throughout, succeeding best when creating its otherworldly atmosphere. A lot is left unexplained, as befitting a classic fairy tale, but I do wish I understood character motivations better. The ending highlights the romance most, but it felt abrupt to me. Still I would absolutely try more from this author, and this cover is perfect to me.
July 1, 2025
⭐️4
So, this was a relatively short but very interesting book. Wished it was longer tho. They were some things missing, like a little bit of character development or like more getting into the mystery and theft part of the story, but overall, it was a fun, fast, and easy read. I enjoy the characters and how each of them did what they did. Wished to see more development into the romance aspect and everything. I can't analyze or dig more into the characters personalities or actions because, as I mentioned it before, it was a short book with little character development. That's why this is 4 stars and not 5.
THAT ENDING THO???!!! WHY WOULD YOU SLEEP WITH HIM AND THEN DECLARE YOUR LOVE TO HER??!! HELLO?!
♥ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓟𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
again with another challenge, lets see if this one is way better than lucha of the night forest 🫠🫠🫠 anyways, idk why im reading this when im horrified of spider 😭😭😭(✨ traumaaaa ✨)
So, this was a relatively short but very interesting book. Wished it was longer tho. They were some things missing, like a little bit of character development or like more getting into the mystery and theft part of the story, but overall, it was a fun, fast, and easy read. I enjoy the characters and how each of them did what they did. Wished to see more development into the romance aspect and everything. I can't analyze or dig more into the characters personalities or actions because, as I mentioned it before, it was a short book with little character development. That's why this is 4 stars and not 5.
THAT ENDING THO???!!! WHY WOULD YOU SLEEP WITH HIM AND THEN DECLARE YOUR LOVE TO HER??!! HELLO?!
♥ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓟𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
again with another challenge, lets see if this one is way better than lucha of the night forest 🫠🫠🫠 anyways, idk why im reading this when im horrified of spider 😭😭😭(✨ traumaaaa ✨)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
Life goes fast but chemotherapy goes slow, and finding the happy reading ground between the two is an exercise I'll probably never satisfactorily hash out. One compromise has been taking what promisingly queer eBooks I can get from from the easily accessible pool, of which this is the latest. Unfortunately, this is another case of the thesis outweighing the execution, which is a shame when it comes to wlw monsterfucking. See, I know I move (relatively) slowly in terms of both my reading preferences and my evaluations, so part of my rating of this quick whippersnapper of a piece will be subsequently effected. However, this is the Gothic genre we're operating within, where details certainly have their place but mood reigns supreme. This work certainly had a number of suitable puzzle pieces to work with, but an emphasis on quantity (characters, settings, plot lines) over quality (set pieces, significant character interactions, emotional terroir) left the fear skatingly thin and the mental picture bare bones. Add in the repetition of certain humdrum factoids without any accompanying fleshing out or convolutions upon convolutions, and you have a text that certainly wears the trappings of the Gothic, but never quite delves beyond skin deep. In any case, this technically qualifies as a woman in translation piece, which I didn't expect in my queer searchings but will always appreciate. It didn't do it for me, but what a brave new world we live in, to have such potential to work with.
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