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Crescent City #2
House of Sky and Breath
Goodreads Choice Award
Winner for Best Fantasy (2022)Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.
The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.
In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.
The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.
In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.
805 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2022
About the author
Sarah J. Maas
96 books413k followersSarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and are published in thirty-seven languages. A New York native, Sarah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, and dog. To find out more, visit sarahjmaas.com or follow @therealsjmaas on Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57,900 reviews
December 4, 2023
✅Reread- Nov 2023
I love this series so much. In fact I love anything written by SJM at this point. I got no words, so will keep it brief.
Am gonna cry, the ending to this is so chaotic, and heartbreakingly beautiful. I NEED MOREEEE.
I cannot wait for CC3. No matter what I say, am genuinely not prepared for it. Lol I thought I would react calmly to the ending after rereading, heck no.
I love Bryce and Hunt and their sizzling chemistry. The way the two care for each other is everything. Their journey is definitely going to be a painful one ahhh. Night and Day will be high on my list too, their dynamic is so beautiful, am expecting there will be a lot of angst and some forgiveness to come for them in the next book. Aidas will have some bigger role to play, and I can't wait to find out. So much happens in this one with Ithan, Ruhn and Tharion too, I need to find out what happens next.
All I can say is if you haven't read this series yet, you are missing out.
~•~•~
✅Original Review- Feb, 2022
I'M SCREAMING. LITERALLY. I might have died. WHAT AN ENDING. 😭❤️
I ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY LOVE YOU SARAH J. MAAS.
OH. MY. GOSH. (Please excuse my screaming. I have lived).
Okay, I think I've calmed down enough to review this now that I've had time to process the bombshell Sarah dropped. I swear I've been admiring that last chapter ever since I finished it 😂😭 I had definitely stopped breathing, especially when the name of certain someone appeared.
Firstly, Kudos to Sarah for writing such a masterpiece. I think it's going to be one of the best reads of 2022. I don't think I've read a bad review of it so far and rightly so. The book starts off at a good pace which she maintained throughout, especially compared to House of Earth and Blood. This was so much better than what I had expected. If I could have given more than 5 stars, I would.
What really interested me was the character development of Hunt, Tharion and Ruhn in particular. Their journey is one worthy of praise. Hunt's power and Ruhn's purity is commendable. Tharion ended up being my favourite, I enjoyed his struggles and his tough decisions, it brought more personality to the limelight. I was hoping he would've made a different choice at the end but it's going to be interesting to see what direction his story takes. Bryce was as usual badass. It was so good to see how she was struggling with Danika's constant secrets, it made her seem more human, instead of a robotic push over. What lays ahead of her in the series is going to be so good to see. There was a lot of foreshadowing done, can't wait to see how it unfolds. Cormac was a nice addition. Ithan and his struggles are shown well and the way he's welcomed into the group is just heartwarming to see. Flynn and Declan as usual are underrated supporting characters. I feel we don't give them much credit. The other supporting characters bring out great chemistry between the group as a whole. It just works out so well😩
The plot as a whole had a lot of twists, some of which had me shocked but it works well together. Their world just got bigger and there are lot of possibilities to explore, I do wonder how Sarah would incorporate it all. It's going to be a challenge considering the fan expectations will hit the roof, but I bet she can pull it off.
Also, if anything happens to Hunt and Bryce, Ruhn and Tharion, I'm SUING. 👀
I already CANNOT WAIT for the third book in the series. It's going to be mind-blowing for sure.
Through love, all is possible ❤️
I love this series so much. In fact I love anything written by SJM at this point. I got no words, so will keep it brief.
Am gonna cry, the ending to this is so chaotic, and heartbreakingly beautiful. I NEED MOREEEE.
I cannot wait for CC3. No matter what I say, am genuinely not prepared for it. Lol I thought I would react calmly to the ending after rereading, heck no.
I love Bryce and Hunt and their sizzling chemistry. The way the two care for each other is everything. Their journey is definitely going to be a painful one ahhh. Night and Day will be high on my list too, their dynamic is so beautiful, am expecting there will be a lot of angst and some forgiveness to come for them in the next book. Aidas will have some bigger role to play, and I can't wait to find out. So much happens in this one with Ithan, Ruhn and Tharion too, I need to find out what happens next.
All I can say is if you haven't read this series yet, you are missing out.
~•~•~
✅Original Review- Feb, 2022
I'M SCREAMING. LITERALLY. I might have died. WHAT AN ENDING. 😭❤️
I ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY LOVE YOU SARAH J. MAAS.
OH. MY. GOSH. (Please excuse my screaming. I have lived).
Okay, I think I've calmed down enough to review this now that I've had time to process the bombshell Sarah dropped. I swear I've been admiring that last chapter ever since I finished it 😂😭 I had definitely stopped breathing, especially when the name of certain someone appeared.
Firstly, Kudos to Sarah for writing such a masterpiece. I think it's going to be one of the best reads of 2022. I don't think I've read a bad review of it so far and rightly so. The book starts off at a good pace which she maintained throughout, especially compared to House of Earth and Blood. This was so much better than what I had expected. If I could have given more than 5 stars, I would.
What really interested me was the character development of Hunt, Tharion and Ruhn in particular. Their journey is one worthy of praise. Hunt's power and Ruhn's purity is commendable. Tharion ended up being my favourite, I enjoyed his struggles and his tough decisions, it brought more personality to the limelight. I was hoping he would've made a different choice at the end but it's going to be interesting to see what direction his story takes. Bryce was as usual badass. It was so good to see how she was struggling with Danika's constant secrets, it made her seem more human, instead of a robotic push over. What lays ahead of her in the series is going to be so good to see. There was a lot of foreshadowing done, can't wait to see how it unfolds. Cormac was a nice addition. Ithan and his struggles are shown well and the way he's welcomed into the group is just heartwarming to see. Flynn and Declan as usual are underrated supporting characters. I feel we don't give them much credit. The other supporting characters bring out great chemistry between the group as a whole. It just works out so well😩
The plot as a whole had a lot of twists, some of which had me shocked but it works well together. Their world just got bigger and there are lot of possibilities to explore, I do wonder how Sarah would incorporate it all. It's going to be a challenge considering the fan expectations will hit the roof, but I bet she can pull it off.
Also, if anything happens to Hunt and Bryce, Ruhn and Tharion, I'm SUING. 👀
I already CANNOT WAIT for the third book in the series. It's going to be mind-blowing for sure.
Through love, all is possible ❤️
May 6, 2022
I...
I don't have the words. I'll try to write a review but bear with me.
First, let me just say that if anything happens to Ruhn and Hunt I am going to riot. And yes, that's a threat.
Ok, now to the review.
This book stressed me. I can't even count the number of times I had to put it down and walk away for a minute because I was scared to read what happened next. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, a whole other layer of complications and magic and worldbuilding was added to the mix. It was a rollercoaster in every way.
While I did predict the outcome to several plot twists, like the identity of agent Daybright, there were a billion other twists that I didn't see coming, like that ending for which nothing could have prepared me for!!!!. And honestly, it's because half the time most of those twists were coming entirely out of left field and it was all Danika's fault! I was getting second-hand embarrassment for Bryce every time something new was revealed about her supposed 'best friend'. Danika had a whole secret life, filled with so many secrets and people that Bryce never knew about. After a while, it kinda felt like SJM just wanted to introduce new things and didn't know how so she threw them into Danika's bag of secrets and called it a day.
But, whatever. What I was really here for, more than the plot twists, was the characters! Gosh darn it, I love all of these characters so much!!! I really wasn't kidding about rioting if anything happens to them.
Ruhn was my favorite. I picked him out in book one as my comfort character in this series and I am way too invested in this man's well-being. Ruhn, Declan, Flynn, Ithan, and Tharion. I loved them. I loved the dynamic and I loved how Ruhn's house just kept getting more and more crowded and they all just accepted it like it was nothing. That brood of highly competent, badass idiots are all my babies and they better come out unscathed.
Then there was Bryce and Hunt. I love them. The banter, the chemistry, loyalty, and love they have between them is everything. Nothing will ever come close. I was worried about Hunt, I'm not gonna lie. Sarah has a tendency to bait us into falling for one guy, just for another dude to come in for the win. But no, Bryce and Hunt were everything together. There's nothing else to say.
Overall, this was great. I loved it. Not as much as I did the first book, I have to admit. But I loved it. And no, this wasn't really a review. I didn't even mention the plot of the novel, but if you've made it this far you probably already know what it's about. I just needed to gush about these characters for a bit since no one in real life will get excited and talk about these characters with me.
So yeah. That is all. Go read this book. Talk about it with me in the comments. That ending left me with too many emotions. Goodbye.
But before you go!
My final question to this all, the one that has bothered me since book one and plagues me to this day: how does a faun dance ballet? Like actually though? You can't be on pointe with hooves and bent legs. Every time they mentioned June dancing my brain almost spontaneously combusted trying to conjure up a visual! At this point, I just assume that Juniper is to ballet, what Feyre is to painting and I'll leave it at that!
I don't have the words. I'll try to write a review but bear with me.
First, let me just say that if anything happens to Ruhn and Hunt I am going to riot. And yes, that's a threat.
Ok, now to the review.
This book stressed me. I can't even count the number of times I had to put it down and walk away for a minute because I was scared to read what happened next. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, a whole other layer of complications and magic and worldbuilding was added to the mix. It was a rollercoaster in every way.
While I did predict the outcome to several plot twists, like the identity of agent Daybright, there were a billion other twists that I didn't see coming, like that ending for which nothing could have prepared me for!!!!. And honestly, it's because half the time most of those twists were coming entirely out of left field and it was all Danika's fault! I was getting second-hand embarrassment for Bryce every time something new was revealed about her supposed 'best friend'. Danika had a whole secret life, filled with so many secrets and people that Bryce never knew about. After a while, it kinda felt like SJM just wanted to introduce new things and didn't know how so she threw them into Danika's bag of secrets and called it a day.
But, whatever. What I was really here for, more than the plot twists, was the characters! Gosh darn it, I love all of these characters so much!!! I really wasn't kidding about rioting if anything happens to them.
Ruhn was my favorite. I picked him out in book one as my comfort character in this series and I am way too invested in this man's well-being. Ruhn, Declan, Flynn, Ithan, and Tharion. I loved them. I loved the dynamic and I loved how Ruhn's house just kept getting more and more crowded and they all just accepted it like it was nothing. That brood of highly competent, badass idiots are all my babies and they better come out unscathed.
Then there was Bryce and Hunt. I love them. The banter, the chemistry, loyalty, and love they have between them is everything. Nothing will ever come close. I was worried about Hunt, I'm not gonna lie. Sarah has a tendency to bait us into falling for one guy, just for another dude to come in for the win. But no, Bryce and Hunt were everything together. There's nothing else to say.
Overall, this was great. I loved it. Not as much as I did the first book, I have to admit. But I loved it. And no, this wasn't really a review. I didn't even mention the plot of the novel, but if you've made it this far you probably already know what it's about. I just needed to gush about these characters for a bit since no one in real life will get excited and talk about these characters with me.
So yeah. That is all. Go read this book. Talk about it with me in the comments. That ending left me with too many emotions. Goodbye.
But before you go!
My final question to this all, the one that has bothered me since book one and plagues me to this day: how does a faun dance ballet? Like actually though? You can't be on pointe with hooves and bent legs. Every time they mentioned June dancing my brain almost spontaneously combusted trying to conjure up a visual! At this point, I just assume that Juniper is to ballet, what Feyre is to painting and I'll leave it at that!
February 18, 2022
HELLO, YES. I FEEL SO VALIDATED NOW. Sarah really said: Hold my champagne, I’ve got work to do and hearts to destroy. Just ... I was right, y’all. I WAS RIGHT. It is 4am and I am reeling and I haven’t slept and just holy shit. Sarah did that.
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate the bro club in this book? Ruhn, Declan, Flynn, AND MY PRECIOUS ITHAN. Okay, Ruhn is still my favorite but ITHAN came out of left field, barreled into me with a boyish smirk and a wink, and next thing I knew I was on my knees *cough* He is a must protect. And Tharion and Cormac? SJM just working her magic, that’s all.
Love Bryce and Hunt still of course, but SJM’s side characters have a way of jumping off the page and tunneling into your heart. This book is no exception.
The romance delivers, the plot delivers, the EASTER EGGS, the tension, the camaraderie and humor and banter between characters delivers, and THE PLOT TWISTS!?! Holy mother of all plot twists. I mean, yes, I’ve definitely been wanting that and assumed it might be the case, but I didn’t actually expect SJM to do it AND make it so integral to the plot. It was unexpected, and I both loved it and immediately had mixed feelings because it opens a whole can of worms—but after another day of letting it all sink in, I am here for it. I’m excited, and game to see what comes next, and I know SJM has our backs.
My theories are ABOUND and the connections I’ve been making in the time since finishing are off the charts. This space is spoiler free, but I can’t wait until we can discuss things more fully
Enjoy the book!
July 2021:
MY SUMMONING CIRCLE WORKED, Y’ALL. HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH COMING AT YOU JAN 2022. YOU’RE ALL WELCOME.
May 5, 2021:
summoning circle, hope this works
🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️ title and 🕯️
🕯️ cover reveal 🕯️
🕯️ may 2021 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️
and make the title House of Sky & Breath and the cover blue
Original, May 19th, 2018:
*SJM announces Crescent City #1*
Me:
a few days later: *sees Crescent City #2 on GR*
Me:
Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate the bro club in this book? Ruhn, Declan, Flynn, AND MY PRECIOUS ITHAN. Okay, Ruhn is still my favorite but ITHAN came out of left field, barreled into me with a boyish smirk and a wink, and next thing I knew I was on my knees *cough* He is a must protect. And Tharion and Cormac? SJM just working her magic, that’s all.
Love Bryce and Hunt still of course, but SJM’s side characters have a way of jumping off the page and tunneling into your heart. This book is no exception.
The romance delivers, the plot delivers, the EASTER EGGS, the tension, the camaraderie and humor and banter between characters delivers, and THE PLOT TWISTS!?! Holy mother of all plot twists. I mean, yes, I’ve definitely been wanting that and assumed it might be the case, but I didn’t actually expect SJM to do it AND make it so integral to the plot. It was unexpected, and I both loved it and immediately had mixed feelings because it opens a whole can of worms—but after another day of letting it all sink in, I am here for it. I’m excited, and game to see what comes next, and I know SJM has our backs.
My theories are ABOUND and the connections I’ve been making in the time since finishing are off the charts. This space is spoiler free, but I can’t wait until we can discuss things more fully
Enjoy the book!
July 2021:
MY SUMMONING CIRCLE WORKED, Y’ALL. HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH COMING AT YOU JAN 2022. YOU’RE ALL WELCOME.
May 5, 2021:
summoning circle, hope this works
🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️ title and 🕯️
🕯️ cover reveal 🕯️
🕯️ may 2021 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️
and make the title House of Sky & Breath and the cover blue
Original, May 19th, 2018:
*SJM announces Crescent City #1*
Me:
a few days later: *sees Crescent City #2 on GR*
Me:
May 7, 2022
no. noo. NO SHE FUCJING DIDN'T BC THAT ENDING!!!!????!!
she did not. BUT SHE DID. actually, im-.....s c r e a m s
the way this book did NOT need to be 800 fucking pages.....literally half of this book is all detective work and finding out that the people you think you know and love *gasp* are not who you think they are?!?! consider me shocked. anyways...
this was an enjoyable mess but i would say the stakes in the first book sounded better and played out wayyy more extreme and intriguing than here in this book....aside from the last 30 pages because uh....if you know, you knowwwwwww!!!!
but...the smirking, hissing, giggling, and purring that amounts in this sequel? "GEEJUS CHRYSLER. NO. MORE. IM BEGGING, PURRING," SMIRKING AS IM TYPING THIS OUT......
too many slow-too much talking and banter-and nothing happens-parts but when the good parts hit, THEY HIT .
i skipped all sexy scenes bc no ty.
Full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpd99...
book rating overall: 3 STARS.
those last 30 pages overall: 4 STARS
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube
____
The way this aged LMAO. cringe
____
*crosses fingers*
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL SMUT AND FARIES EVERYWHERE, PLEASE PUBLISH IN 2021. GOOD VIBES ONLY FOR 2021. PRETTY PLEASEEEE
she did not. BUT SHE DID. actually, im-.....s c r e a m s
the way this book did NOT need to be 800 fucking pages.....literally half of this book is all detective work and finding out that the people you think you know and love *gasp* are not who you think they are?!?! consider me shocked. anyways...
this was an enjoyable mess but i would say the stakes in the first book sounded better and played out wayyy more extreme and intriguing than here in this book....aside from the last 30 pages because uh....if you know, you knowwwwwww!!!!
but...the smirking, hissing, giggling, and purring that amounts in this sequel? "GEEJUS CHRYSLER. NO. MORE. IM BEGGING, PURRING," SMIRKING AS IM TYPING THIS OUT......
too many slow-too much talking and banter-and nothing happens-parts but when the good parts hit, THEY HIT .
i skipped all sexy scenes bc no ty.
Full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpd99...
book rating overall: 3 STARS.
those last 30 pages overall: 4 STARS
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube
____
The way this aged LMAO. cringe
____
*crosses fingers*
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL SMUT AND FARIES EVERYWHERE, PLEASE PUBLISH IN 2021. GOOD VIBES ONLY FOR 2021. PRETTY PLEASEEEE
February 17, 2022
2.5 stars
what the history books won't tell you is this was hunt athalar
that man is the poster boy for GTL and y'all like him that, i said what i said
what the history books won't tell you is this was hunt athalar
that man is the poster boy for GTL and y'all like him that, i said what i said
Want to read
March 28, 2020it's not even out yet and 71 103 humans have already rated it 4 & 5 stars
AND CAN THIS BOOK PLEASE BE RUHN'S LIKE FUCK I NEED MORE RUHN
OH and
can the cover please glow in the dark
I SAID CAN THE COVER PLEASE GLOW IN THE DARK?!oh and let's look at the bright side: only one more book
i'm sorry, i read somewhere that it's a trilogy
February 12, 2024
sarah janet writes it all. dirty drawer sniffin', toe admirin'... you name it, she's written it.
i definitely enjoyed this more on reread and i think this one was better than the first one. but i have a feeling the plot line is going to crash and burn in book 3. guess we'll see!
i definitely enjoyed this more on reread and i think this one was better than the first one. but i have a feeling the plot line is going to crash and burn in book 3. guess we'll see!
Want to read
March 3, 2020Ladies and gentlemen here I represent you the fae encyclopedia
July 7, 2023
5/5
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?
RTC
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?
RTC
February 20, 2022
that ending has me ✨ s t r e s s e d ✨
MY BODY IS READY.
March 11, 2022
spoiler-free summary of this book in four words: porn with a plot
December 2, 2023
My mind was blown away by it, my attention was absorbed by it, and my heart adored it. I have no hesitation in giving 5 sensational stars for another mind blowing and epic fantasy that is possibly my favourite SJM novel yet.
**** NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW ****
Once again SJM has created an ending that is jaw-droppingly brilliant and one that all her fans are going to adore. We are just left speculating as to how SJM will tie all 'this' together, until the next book.
A sensational story in the world of dark fantasy, that is magical and haunting, with an exhilarating plot, powerful world building, a level of suspense that inspires a hungry turn of pages and a brilliant array of characters that I believe are her best cast yet. Ingenious.
The Plot
“I’m guessing you’re in Sky and Breath.” She went still. Had he struck true? “Why do you say that?” “You remind me of the wind.” He tried to explain. “Powerful and able to cool or freeze with half a thought, shaping the world itself though no one can see you. Only your impact on things.”
Sofie, is about to die with one vital piece of “information hidden in her head, information that could very well be the final piece of this war against the Asteri. The blow that could end it all” and so Bryce, Hunt and Ruhn try to unearth the corruption and the devastating truth that cost Danika her life in the last book and now Sofie in this story. This is not a spoiler as it happens in the first chapter but sets up a storyline that will continue well into the book.
As worlds collide and the Houses of Crescent City seek to take control, the treachery and danger takes us to the city ships of the queen’s court, the seven levels of hell and the orrery planet solar system as reluctant alliances are forged to prevent the Asteri taking control.
However, with an order from the Asteri to lie low or endure a penalty of death, the crew must carve out a strategy where the stakes are high, the game is at a different level, and the people only too willing to betray the daughter of the King of the Autumn Court too numerous.
Ignoring the request from her father to strengthen the alliance with the House of Avallen, by marrying Cormac, her cousin, Bryce is left isolated except for her lover and ‘mate’ Hunt and brother Ruhn.
Review and comments
What makes this my favourite Sarah Maas book yet!!!
The Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The sensational ending just blew me away. I was left speechless and very happy knowing we have a fantastic set up going into the next book. If you have read other SJM series you will adore it. Although it is worth pointing out that you do not need to have read A Court of Thorns and Roses first.
Storyline and Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The plot / subplots are complex, gripping, and captivating and written at a pace that never slows. I loved that multiple sub plots were introduced rather than having everything centred around the two main characters which has become a common thread in SJM’s books. However, I feel there is room to make these side stories with other people even stronger and shorter because at 800 pages it feels too long, hence the 4.5 stars.
Main Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hunt and Ruhn are adorable, and although I liked Bryce much better in book 2, The connection is still not great. I would like to see the female characters portrayed differently from ‘bad ass bitches’.
Writing Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stunning writing and one I connect with although you need to pay attention given the number of subplots and wide ranging 'fantastical' names. However, for an immersive and absorbing read that captured me through the writing, then it can only be 5 stars.
Imagination ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am in awe of SJM’s imagination. Ingenious, creative and explosive with settings like the seven levels of hell, orrery of planets and intricate details like the seven star and its representation, the glowing star on Bryce’s chest and symbolic nature of the marks and tattoos.
For ‘Love and other words’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ There is no shortage of passion between the main characters. What I loved about this part of the story was Bryce standing up for her right to choose her own ‘mate’ against her fathers wishes. Even better when she achieved this in such a clever way that blindsided everyone around her, including her father.
Book length ⭐⭐ This was too long. The Court of Thorns and Roses was in average 500 pages and was just right. At a huge 800 pages this was too long and more importantly not all the content was needed although written well.
Tormenting, imaginative, spellbinding, a fabulous game of brinkmanship, and totally immersive. A book I read over two days and up to ‘stupid o’clock’ in the morning to finish, because I hankered to know how it would all end, and what an ending it was - but no spoilers here!!!! And my advice is please do not read reviews that contain spoilers because the element of surprise will leave you speechless and very happy.
I have to confess that this is my favourite book over two series, this and the Court of Thorns and Roses.
Unbelievably good and highly recommended.
__________________________________
I have not re-read but my written review has disappeared so had to create under a new date that seems to have worked. How strange!!!
__________________________________
I have read so many fantasy books in the last few years that I needed to refresh myself on the characters, the plot and that ending from this second book in the Crescent City series I read almost 2 years ago. Why? because book 3 is out in January and I couldn't remember everything in the story.
Happy to say, that I haven't changed my opinion of this book after the second read. It is fabulous and testament to its success is that I have chosen to reread rather than use my limited reading time on something new. I will have finished my course by then, and so I will be ready for the next one...
**** NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW ****
Once again SJM has created an ending that is jaw-droppingly brilliant and one that all her fans are going to adore. We are just left speculating as to how SJM will tie all 'this' together, until the next book.
A sensational story in the world of dark fantasy, that is magical and haunting, with an exhilarating plot, powerful world building, a level of suspense that inspires a hungry turn of pages and a brilliant array of characters that I believe are her best cast yet. Ingenious.
The Plot
“I’m guessing you’re in Sky and Breath.” She went still. Had he struck true? “Why do you say that?” “You remind me of the wind.” He tried to explain. “Powerful and able to cool or freeze with half a thought, shaping the world itself though no one can see you. Only your impact on things.”
Sofie, is about to die with one vital piece of “information hidden in her head, information that could very well be the final piece of this war against the Asteri. The blow that could end it all” and so Bryce, Hunt and Ruhn try to unearth the corruption and the devastating truth that cost Danika her life in the last book and now Sofie in this story. This is not a spoiler as it happens in the first chapter but sets up a storyline that will continue well into the book.
As worlds collide and the Houses of Crescent City seek to take control, the treachery and danger takes us to the city ships of the queen’s court, the seven levels of hell and the orrery planet solar system as reluctant alliances are forged to prevent the Asteri taking control.
However, with an order from the Asteri to lie low or endure a penalty of death, the crew must carve out a strategy where the stakes are high, the game is at a different level, and the people only too willing to betray the daughter of the King of the Autumn Court too numerous.
Ignoring the request from her father to strengthen the alliance with the House of Avallen, by marrying Cormac, her cousin, Bryce is left isolated except for her lover and ‘mate’ Hunt and brother Ruhn.
Review and comments
What makes this my favourite Sarah Maas book yet!!!
The Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The sensational ending just blew me away. I was left speechless and very happy knowing we have a fantastic set up going into the next book. If you have read other SJM series you will adore it. Although it is worth pointing out that you do not need to have read A Court of Thorns and Roses first.
Storyline and Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The plot / subplots are complex, gripping, and captivating and written at a pace that never slows. I loved that multiple sub plots were introduced rather than having everything centred around the two main characters which has become a common thread in SJM’s books. However, I feel there is room to make these side stories with other people even stronger and shorter because at 800 pages it feels too long, hence the 4.5 stars.
Main Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hunt and Ruhn are adorable, and although I liked Bryce much better in book 2, The connection is still not great. I would like to see the female characters portrayed differently from ‘bad ass bitches’.
Writing Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stunning writing and one I connect with although you need to pay attention given the number of subplots and wide ranging 'fantastical' names. However, for an immersive and absorbing read that captured me through the writing, then it can only be 5 stars.
Imagination ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am in awe of SJM’s imagination. Ingenious, creative and explosive with settings like the seven levels of hell, orrery of planets and intricate details like the seven star and its representation, the glowing star on Bryce’s chest and symbolic nature of the marks and tattoos.
For ‘Love and other words’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ There is no shortage of passion between the main characters. What I loved about this part of the story was Bryce standing up for her right to choose her own ‘mate’ against her fathers wishes. Even better when she achieved this in such a clever way that blindsided everyone around her, including her father.
Book length ⭐⭐ This was too long. The Court of Thorns and Roses was in average 500 pages and was just right. At a huge 800 pages this was too long and more importantly not all the content was needed although written well.
Tormenting, imaginative, spellbinding, a fabulous game of brinkmanship, and totally immersive. A book I read over two days and up to ‘stupid o’clock’ in the morning to finish, because I hankered to know how it would all end, and what an ending it was - but no spoilers here!!!! And my advice is please do not read reviews that contain spoilers because the element of surprise will leave you speechless and very happy.
I have to confess that this is my favourite book over two series, this and the Court of Thorns and Roses.
Unbelievably good and highly recommended.
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I have not re-read but my written review has disappeared so had to create under a new date that seems to have worked. How strange!!!
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I have read so many fantasy books in the last few years that I needed to refresh myself on the characters, the plot and that ending from this second book in the Crescent City series I read almost 2 years ago. Why? because book 3 is out in January and I couldn't remember everything in the story.
Happy to say, that I haven't changed my opinion of this book after the second read. It is fabulous and testament to its success is that I have chosen to reread rather than use my limited reading time on something new. I will have finished my course by then, and so I will be ready for the next one...
January 29, 2024
Listen. That ending? That cliffhanger?! 🤩
Still leaves me reeling even though this is my 3rd reread.
The amount of plot twists and revelations in this book? Scandalous. 😮💨
It was one madness after the other and I was living for all of it.
I’m so ready for book 3, my god!
————————————
ORIGINAL REVIEW
So when the thing happened that everyone was screaming about, you had better understand I screamed. At midnight. I was thrashing around like a damn cartoon character. The excitement! The happiness! The pain! Oh boy!
I’m gonna be dreaming about that ending. About this book full stop. Everything about this book shined! The plot, the characters, the side characters, the romance. It all came together perfectly. It's such a vast and vivid story.
I can’t wait to reread this. I’ve been in a trance for over a week (the time I’ve spent reading this book) and I don’t want to wake up.
But the possibilities now… 🤭 I could choke with excitement! I’m buzzing!
———————————————
I’m in no way ready for what this book will do to me. But I can’t wait for my emotions to be put through the ringer.
Expect relentless updates. It’ll be my version of therapy. ✌🏾
Buddy-reading with my support group - Azrah & Türkan! 🌙
Still leaves me reeling even though this is my 3rd reread.
The amount of plot twists and revelations in this book? Scandalous. 😮💨
It was one madness after the other and I was living for all of it.
I’m so ready for book 3, my god!
————————————
ORIGINAL REVIEW
So when the thing happened that everyone was screaming about, you had better understand I screamed. At midnight. I was thrashing around like a damn cartoon character. The excitement! The happiness! The pain! Oh boy!
I’m gonna be dreaming about that ending. About this book full stop. Everything about this book shined! The plot, the characters, the side characters, the romance. It all came together perfectly. It's such a vast and vivid story.
I can’t wait to reread this. I’ve been in a trance for over a week (the time I’ve spent reading this book) and I don’t want to wake up.
But the possibilities now… 🤭 I could choke with excitement! I’m buzzing!
———————————————
I’m in no way ready for what this book will do to me. But I can’t wait for my emotions to be put through the ringer.
Expect relentless updates. It’ll be my version of therapy. ✌🏾
Buddy-reading with my support group - Azrah & Türkan! 🌙
Read
March 13, 2022is this manon’s hair?
nah okay so then why is everything white and straight 😭
my thoughts on this book:
✧ bryce & hunt are stale asf.
i loved them in the first book and their character development was really good and now it’s like sjm thinks she can just stop writing them well because they already had enough character development in the previous book. well, that’s not how it works. they are boring now and all they do is talk about having sex. their relationship is bland and i don’t even ship them anymore. i liked them in hoeab because they were friends first and then slowly grew to trust each other and be one another’s safe space and now they’re just oH sO pOWERfuL royalty bitches. they’re not an interesting couple, they have no chemistry or individual character development or relationship development and i don’t like how hunt is all possessive alpha male bullshit ok bye
sjm thinks she can make it okay that hunt is a bitchy protective asshole by bryce making fun of him for it, but that’s still his personality and i hate it. sjm if you actually believe that bryce can handle herself and doesn’t need an “alphahole” as you call it, (corny-ass name but whatever,) then make it so.
⚠︎︎spoiler⚠︎︎ also: bryce doesn’t need to be a princess with 10388373 magical powers to be a badass, so fucking leave her alone sjm.
✧ this world building sucks.
nothing is ever explained. here i was thinking that this took place in only one city?? i don’t understand anything. there are a bunch of random terms and things thrown in here to make a plot and they are never explained whatsoever. sjm continually has to explain what’s going on to us because i don’t think she understands her own story all that well, but half of the things she mentions aren’t ever explained and i’m just left here to fend for myself.
i liked the whole urban fantasy aspect of the first book, how it felt like an actual city and there was an atmosphere to it, but in this book i didn’t get any of that at all because the characters were constantly running around doing random shit in ‘realms’ that shouldn’t even exist smh
✧ since every single person whose pov we get in this book is straight as a board, i’ll make a list of characters i was shipping that i have evidence for that have a 99.99% chance of not being canon because sjm won’t make any of her main characters diverse.
♥︎ hunt x baxian (OKAY WHEN THEY WERE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES TOGETHER YALL CANT TELL ME THAT WAS PLATONIC) (literally #1 ship in this book xoxo)
♥︎ hunt x ruhn (brother in law romance 😍) (anyway how ruhn continuously warms up to hunt bEcAusE hEs wItH bRyCe mhm sure keep telling yourself that)
♥︎ tharion x ithan (these two did so much running around investigating together)
♥︎ ruhn x ithan (didn’t ruhn invite ithan to live with him or was that someone else)
♥︎ cormac x tharion (CORMAC LITERALLY DID SOME SELF SACRIFICING BULLSHIT FOR THARION DONT TELL ME THEYRE NOT MADLY IN LOVE)
♥︎ literally everyone in the group of cormac, tharion, ithan, ruhn, hunt (except for cormac and ruhn obviously because they’re cousins)
♥︎ bryce x danika (dont fucking tell me they were jUst fRieNds)
♥︎ the hind x the viper queen (LISTEN i know these two have probably never met but IMAGINE THE TENSION)
♥︎ danika x sophie (they were doomed lovers)
✧ SOMEBODY TAKE - AND … AWAY FROM SJM
SHE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED
you’d think after more than 10 books she would improve her writing style but nope. in this books she used almost word for word sentences from acomaf 😭 please she’s plagiarizing her own series 💀💀
✧ “you’re a princess 👸🏻 YOURE a princess 😍 EVERYONES A PRINCESS ✨
you have magical powers 💥 and YOU have magical 🧙♀️ powers ⚡️ EVERYONE has magical powers 🪄”
it gets tiring, i’ll tell you that.
⚠︎︎spoilers⚠︎︎ i liked it better when bryce was a messy person who had everyone see her as a shallow party girl so that they wouldn’t see the hurt inside her from losing her best friend (lover)
✧ the plot is so far gone at this point.
all of the things i said previously about the world building also apply to the plot. it doesn’t make sense and it’s trying to make us “surprised” every time something happens even though nothing is surprising at this point because so much random stuff is going on and apparently absolutely anything is possible.
it seems like we’re focusing on one thing and then we’ll abruptly move to something else and the whole thing is just really confusing. there’s also way too much running around trying to fiGuRe sTufF out, like why do y’all even care about what’s going on with the rEbeLLioN anyway it has basically nothing to do with you 😐
like is this harry potter or something y’all are acting like 12 year olds
✧ has anyone noticed how many male characters there are in relation to the number of female characters?
there are about 6 different male characters whose pov we get and one (1) female character. and OF COURSE everyone oversexualizes her and seventy five percent of the male characters are in love with her.
one of the male characters (who calls her Legs) says at one point, “it’s bryce. everyone has a thing for her.”
like ok is she just here to be sexualized by everyone now or what
(and i love that she owns her sexuality but it’s kinda gross seeing all these male povs talk about how hot she is etc etc it just feels very male gaze-y and we don’t like objectification of women)
✧ the sex scenes that everyone thinks are “sooooo hot” for some reason are underwhelming asf.
it’s literally not hot to start talking about stars and oceans in the middle of a smut scene. i literally don’t understand. sjm does that in every single one of her books like why do you have to bring magic into it??
and fire???
and snow??
like “the stars swam around us… the oceans rose and the golden dust on our planet lifted up to brush against our souls. the leaves on the trees fell and the wind… the wind swept us together until our magic fused together and-
and we were flying, with galaxies swirling- and our power becoming… becoming one.”
there will be something like that right in the middle of a smut scene. like sweetie 😐 that’s 😐 not hot 😐
but good for y’all who have mountains shaking at you while you’re having sex
✧ okay i DID like the night & day thing sue me
i knew who day was the whole time but i SIMP for that character so idec 😩🤚
ruhn seems like one of the more decent men in this series and he has pretty good character development so i actually didn’t mind reading about him. his relationship with day was a little bit insta love but they also had chemistry so it worked ig.
the whole reveal was pretty great too even though i already knew who day was (i read spoilers and read the ends of books first because i have no self control ha)
for the most part i support that ship and they’re a lot better than watching bryce and hunt try to be sexy when they are actually just stale 💀
✧ i really don’t like how all the ‘males’ growl and are all protective of the ‘females’ like stfu
it just gives me icky vibes and since bryce even knows she doesn’t want hunt and other guys acting like that and she even tells them so, and they act like that anyways and she just accepts it and has to deal with them i didn’t like the message that gives at all. like if she was on her own she could be much freer and do what she wants more.
it helps a little that bryce also gets protective over hunt sometimes but it’s not really the same and i still feel like alot of the ways sjm writes these things gives sexist vibes.
maybe this is just personal preference because i don’t at all like protective male characters in my books but i’m just sick of couples and male characters being written like that.
✧ even if i don’t feel like most of sjm’s characters are written well at all, here are the ones i simp for:
❥ lidia
❥ fury
❥ ruhn
❥ the viper queen
❥ aidas
❥ danika
❥ celestina
ok wow there are a lot of hot people i won’t lie
anyways putting myself through 800 pages of this mess was worth it to write this review because i am honestly having so much fun ahahahsjdjdj
☞︎ also i might be done with sjmbut some of y’all aren’t ready for that conversation bc she’s basically just doing fan service at this point
her latest few books (see: acosf and hosab) have been literally the shittiest quality ever and she still doesn’t know how to include important characters that are anything other than white & cishet - like honey you gladly write all of the most far-fetched fanfic type shit and publish it in your books just because your fans want you to but you won’t make the effort to include better representation in your books? do better🤡
nah okay so then why is everything white and straight 😭
my thoughts on this book:
✧ bryce & hunt are stale asf.
i loved them in the first book and their character development was really good and now it’s like sjm thinks she can just stop writing them well because they already had enough character development in the previous book. well, that’s not how it works. they are boring now and all they do is talk about having sex. their relationship is bland and i don’t even ship them anymore. i liked them in hoeab because they were friends first and then slowly grew to trust each other and be one another’s safe space and now they’re just oH sO pOWERfuL royalty bitches. they’re not an interesting couple, they have no chemistry or individual character development or relationship development and i don’t like how hunt is all possessive alpha male bullshit ok bye
sjm thinks she can make it okay that hunt is a bitchy protective asshole by bryce making fun of him for it, but that’s still his personality and i hate it. sjm if you actually believe that bryce can handle herself and doesn’t need an “alphahole” as you call it, (corny-ass name but whatever,) then make it so.
⚠︎︎spoiler⚠︎︎ also: bryce doesn’t need to be a princess with 10388373 magical powers to be a badass, so fucking leave her alone sjm.
✧ this world building sucks.
nothing is ever explained. here i was thinking that this took place in only one city?? i don’t understand anything. there are a bunch of random terms and things thrown in here to make a plot and they are never explained whatsoever. sjm continually has to explain what’s going on to us because i don’t think she understands her own story all that well, but half of the things she mentions aren’t ever explained and i’m just left here to fend for myself.
i liked the whole urban fantasy aspect of the first book, how it felt like an actual city and there was an atmosphere to it, but in this book i didn’t get any of that at all because the characters were constantly running around doing random shit in ‘realms’ that shouldn’t even exist smh
✧ since every single person whose pov we get in this book is straight as a board, i’ll make a list of characters i was shipping that i have evidence for that have a 99.99% chance of not being canon because sjm won’t make any of her main characters diverse.
♥︎ hunt x baxian (OKAY WHEN THEY WERE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES TOGETHER YALL CANT TELL ME THAT WAS PLATONIC) (literally #1 ship in this book xoxo)
♥︎ hunt x ruhn (brother in law romance 😍) (anyway how ruhn continuously warms up to hunt bEcAusE hEs wItH bRyCe mhm sure keep telling yourself that)
♥︎ tharion x ithan (these two did so much running around investigating together)
♥︎ ruhn x ithan (didn’t ruhn invite ithan to live with him or was that someone else)
♥︎ cormac x tharion (CORMAC LITERALLY DID SOME SELF SACRIFICING BULLSHIT FOR THARION DONT TELL ME THEYRE NOT MADLY IN LOVE)
♥︎ literally everyone in the group of cormac, tharion, ithan, ruhn, hunt (except for cormac and ruhn obviously because they’re cousins)
♥︎ bryce x danika (dont fucking tell me they were jUst fRieNds)
♥︎ the hind x the viper queen (LISTEN i know these two have probably never met but IMAGINE THE TENSION)
♥︎ danika x sophie (they were doomed lovers)
✧ SOMEBODY TAKE - AND … AWAY FROM SJM
SHE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED
you’d think after more than 10 books she would improve her writing style but nope. in this books she used almost word for word sentences from acomaf 😭 please she’s plagiarizing her own series 💀💀
✧ “you’re a princess 👸🏻 YOURE a princess 😍 EVERYONES A PRINCESS ✨
you have magical powers 💥 and YOU have magical 🧙♀️ powers ⚡️ EVERYONE has magical powers 🪄”
it gets tiring, i’ll tell you that.
⚠︎︎spoilers⚠︎︎ i liked it better when bryce was a messy person who had everyone see her as a shallow party girl so that they wouldn’t see the hurt inside her from losing her best friend (lover)
✧ the plot is so far gone at this point.
all of the things i said previously about the world building also apply to the plot. it doesn’t make sense and it’s trying to make us “surprised” every time something happens even though nothing is surprising at this point because so much random stuff is going on and apparently absolutely anything is possible.
it seems like we’re focusing on one thing and then we’ll abruptly move to something else and the whole thing is just really confusing. there’s also way too much running around trying to fiGuRe sTufF out, like why do y’all even care about what’s going on with the rEbeLLioN anyway it has basically nothing to do with you 😐
like is this harry potter or something y’all are acting like 12 year olds
✧ has anyone noticed how many male characters there are in relation to the number of female characters?
there are about 6 different male characters whose pov we get and one (1) female character. and OF COURSE everyone oversexualizes her and seventy five percent of the male characters are in love with her.
one of the male characters (who calls her Legs) says at one point, “it’s bryce. everyone has a thing for her.”
like ok is she just here to be sexualized by everyone now or what
(and i love that she owns her sexuality but it’s kinda gross seeing all these male povs talk about how hot she is etc etc it just feels very male gaze-y and we don’t like objectification of women)
✧ the sex scenes that everyone thinks are “sooooo hot” for some reason are underwhelming asf.
it’s literally not hot to start talking about stars and oceans in the middle of a smut scene. i literally don’t understand. sjm does that in every single one of her books like why do you have to bring magic into it??
and fire???
and snow??
like “the stars swam around us… the oceans rose and the golden dust on our planet lifted up to brush against our souls. the leaves on the trees fell and the wind… the wind swept us together until our magic fused together and-
and we were flying, with galaxies swirling- and our power becoming… becoming one.”
there will be something like that right in the middle of a smut scene. like sweetie 😐 that’s 😐 not hot 😐
but good for y’all who have mountains shaking at you while you’re having sex
✧ okay i DID like the night & day thing sue me
i knew who day was the whole time but i SIMP for that character so idec 😩🤚
ruhn seems like one of the more decent men in this series and he has pretty good character development so i actually didn’t mind reading about him. his relationship with day was a little bit insta love but they also had chemistry so it worked ig.
the whole reveal was pretty great too even though i already knew who day was (i read spoilers and read the ends of books first because i have no self control ha)
for the most part i support that ship and they’re a lot better than watching bryce and hunt try to be sexy when they are actually just stale 💀
✧ i really don’t like how all the ‘males’ growl and are all protective of the ‘females’ like stfu
it just gives me icky vibes and since bryce even knows she doesn’t want hunt and other guys acting like that and she even tells them so, and they act like that anyways and she just accepts it and has to deal with them i didn’t like the message that gives at all. like if she was on her own she could be much freer and do what she wants more.
it helps a little that bryce also gets protective over hunt sometimes but it’s not really the same and i still feel like alot of the ways sjm writes these things gives sexist vibes.
maybe this is just personal preference because i don’t at all like protective male characters in my books but i’m just sick of couples and male characters being written like that.
✧ even if i don’t feel like most of sjm’s characters are written well at all, here are the ones i simp for:
❥ lidia
❥ fury
❥ ruhn
❥ the viper queen
❥ aidas
❥ danika
❥ celestina
ok wow there are a lot of hot people i won’t lie
anyways putting myself through 800 pages of this mess was worth it to write this review because i am honestly having so much fun ahahahsjdjdj
☞︎ also i might be done with sjm
her latest few books (see: acosf and hosab) have been literally the shittiest quality ever and she still doesn’t know how to include important characters that are anything other than white & cishet - like honey you gladly write all of the most far-fetched fanfic type shit and publish it in your books just because your fans want you to but you won’t make the effort to include better representation in your books? do better🤡
February 16, 2022
I AM NOT OKAY
i literally can't believe it ended like that. i am crying, sjm you are evil for doing this to us !
omg the amount of twists and turns in this book had my head spinning!!
i honestly didn't think i could love brycehunt even more than i already did and yes they finally fucked, who else cheered🤩
03/20
i really hope this is bryce and hunt's book because we still didn't get that sex scene. I NEED IT
i literally can't believe it ended like that. i am crying, sjm you are evil for doing this to us !
omg the amount of twists and turns in this book had my head spinning!!
“He pressed a kiss to her mouth. The entire universe melted away with it. It was only them, would only be them, dancing together, souls twining. “Everything that ever happened to me, it was all so I could meet you, Quinlan. Be here with you. I’m yours. Forever.”
i honestly didn't think i could love brycehunt even more than i already did and yes they finally fucked, who else cheered🤩
03/20
i really hope this is bryce and hunt's book because we still didn't get that sex scene. I NEED IT
some people are really shipping bryce and aidas??? you make me siCK
March 10, 2022
4.5 Stars
What the literal hell was that ending!?
I’ve got a damn headache!!
—————————————————————-
**All I want is Danika and the pack back!
Holy sh•t snacks!! This damn cover is everything!!!
What the literal hell was that ending!?
I’ve got a damn headache!!
—————————————————————-
**All I want is Danika and the pack back!
Holy sh•t snacks!! This damn cover is everything!!!
February 9, 2024
Final reread before CC3: January 16 2024
New rating 3.5/5
In my previous review I mentioned that I would most likely never pick up CC 2 again...and boy am I happy that I did. Reading this novel knowing what happens at the end, the spoilers, who everyone really is...is a completely different experience. My mistake when I first read CC2 was that I had completely forgotten what happened in the first instalment. Now, in 2024, I read CC2 right after CC 1 and wow...I understand everything so much better. All together, I had a much better reading experience the second time around and I am so happy that I gave this book a proper shot.
Yes, some things in my previous review are still correct. The plot was not solidified well, there was alot of filler information and people, the POVs were confusing, and it felt very male centered....however, I cannot deny that craft and thought behind the entirety of the novel. SJM is just too damn good. Even though the middle still dragged on like crazy, reading it while knowing the ending had me reading between the lines.
I did not expect to enjoy it so much. maybe it was the excitement of CC3 coming out in two weeks, but I truly appreciate the work and time this must have taken to write. I feel bad that i despised my first read so much, I despise that I began to skim throughout and missed out on the full experience of the novel.
At the end of the day, SJM is just so intentional. I love how she brings everything full circle. She is one of the best fantasy writers in this generation. she can make me cry so easily. I really loved this, there were slow and confusing parts if we want to be detailed, but after reading the ending again...wow I have chills. I am so excited to see what she has planned after a decade!
If you did not enjoy your first time reading, I HIGHLY recommend giving it a reread right after the first instalment.
AND I AM CALLING IT FIRST: THE VIPER QUEEN AND THARION ARE GONNA GET TOGETHER! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!
-------------------------------
3/5- February 2022
Honestly, I waited for this book for so long and am slightly conflicted with how I feel about this story as a whole. I have never rated a SJM novel this low before. I was sometimes forcing myself to read it - like it was some university homework . But I also liked how she took this series to an entire new level- I can tell there was a lot of research done.
Pros:
1. Ruhn and his love story. That storyline between day and night was the most surprising and delightful thing out of this book. The way these two have a hold on me right now. That ending elevator scene was one of the best in the book!! I was here for it!!!
2. The secondary characters and the otters awwwww
3. THE ENDING- what else can I say about that!!
Cons:
1. The plot was just not there for me. I could not feel any major stakes for the characters throughout. They were all fighting a fight that they all barely seemed to even want to be apart of. The majority of the novel was just everyone talking all the time and info dumping loads and loads of things. I genuinely got a headache reading it- like my head still hurts. And also not to mention, the amount of new characters being added. Everyone is so powerful, everyone has this power and blah blah blah- like no one felt special at all because there was every kind of type of being. It’s like SJM took every mythical creature to exist and dump them in 800 pages.
2. The POVS were too much. Honestly I love a good multiple POV novel but this was just over doing it. Tell me why there was POV switches mid chapter- and sometimes even three switches. It was honestly too much and the characters really all started to blend into each-other sadly. No one stood out to me, even Bryce. I also was noticing the lack of female POVS. At some points it was all just Bryce in the room of men. Once I caught on, I couldn’t stop pointing it out. This novel felt very male centred and I was so over it by the end.
3. The main romance was unnatural and boring . I’m sorry but this book made Bryce and Hunt so boring. For a novel that promises lots of heat and tension…. It was barely there honestly. It was at no point a ACOMAF type of romance for me (but nothing will ever be). I also got annoyed with how many times Bryce said alphahole and ashole like girl… we’re all over it. Almost everyone of her remarks back had to have some vulgar swearing in it. It was fun first but it gets tired very quickly.
My final thoughts for this is that I truly think this novel by itself, was a complete filler for the next one. SJM honestly did not need to write 800 pages of this boring confusing stuff. She could have just given us 200 pages and that last chapter TBH. I see what she did and it was in a way very smart because THE LAST CHAPTER HAD ME SHAKING OKAY!
I have hope in the next one because there is an amazing foundation to work with. But for me, I will likely not pick up House of Sky and Breath again.
New rating 3.5/5
In my previous review I mentioned that I would most likely never pick up CC 2 again...and boy am I happy that I did. Reading this novel knowing what happens at the end, the spoilers, who everyone really is...is a completely different experience. My mistake when I first read CC2 was that I had completely forgotten what happened in the first instalment. Now, in 2024, I read CC2 right after CC 1 and wow...I understand everything so much better. All together, I had a much better reading experience the second time around and I am so happy that I gave this book a proper shot.
Yes, some things in my previous review are still correct. The plot was not solidified well, there was alot of filler information and people, the POVs were confusing, and it felt very male centered....however, I cannot deny that craft and thought behind the entirety of the novel. SJM is just too damn good. Even though the middle still dragged on like crazy, reading it while knowing the ending had me reading between the lines.
I did not expect to enjoy it so much. maybe it was the excitement of CC3 coming out in two weeks, but I truly appreciate the work and time this must have taken to write. I feel bad that i despised my first read so much, I despise that I began to skim throughout and missed out on the full experience of the novel.
At the end of the day, SJM is just so intentional. I love how she brings everything full circle. She is one of the best fantasy writers in this generation. she can make me cry so easily. I really loved this, there were slow and confusing parts if we want to be detailed, but after reading the ending again...wow I have chills. I am so excited to see what she has planned after a decade!
If you did not enjoy your first time reading, I HIGHLY recommend giving it a reread right after the first instalment.
AND I AM CALLING IT FIRST: THE VIPER QUEEN AND THARION ARE GONNA GET TOGETHER! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!
-------------------------------
3/5- February 2022
Honestly, I waited for this book for so long and am slightly conflicted with how I feel about this story as a whole. I have never rated a SJM novel this low before. I was sometimes forcing myself to read it - like it was some university homework . But I also liked how she took this series to an entire new level- I can tell there was a lot of research done.
Pros:
1. Ruhn and his love story. That storyline between day and night was the most surprising and delightful thing out of this book. The way these two have a hold on me right now. That ending elevator scene was one of the best in the book!! I was here for it!!!
2. The secondary characters and the otters awwwww
3. THE ENDING- what else can I say about that!!
Cons:
1. The plot was just not there for me. I could not feel any major stakes for the characters throughout. They were all fighting a fight that they all barely seemed to even want to be apart of. The majority of the novel was just everyone talking all the time and info dumping loads and loads of things. I genuinely got a headache reading it- like my head still hurts. And also not to mention, the amount of new characters being added. Everyone is so powerful, everyone has this power and blah blah blah- like no one felt special at all because there was every kind of type of being. It’s like SJM took every mythical creature to exist and dump them in 800 pages.
2. The POVS were too much. Honestly I love a good multiple POV novel but this was just over doing it. Tell me why there was POV switches mid chapter- and sometimes even three switches. It was honestly too much and the characters really all started to blend into each-other sadly. No one stood out to me, even Bryce. I also was noticing the lack of female POVS. At some points it was all just Bryce in the room of men. Once I caught on, I couldn’t stop pointing it out. This novel felt very male centred and I was so over it by the end.
3. The main romance was unnatural and boring . I’m sorry but this book made Bryce and Hunt so boring. For a novel that promises lots of heat and tension…. It was barely there honestly. It was at no point a ACOMAF type of romance for me (but nothing will ever be). I also got annoyed with how many times Bryce said alphahole and ashole like girl… we’re all over it. Almost everyone of her remarks back had to have some vulgar swearing in it. It was fun first but it gets tired very quickly.
My final thoughts for this is that I truly think this novel by itself, was a complete filler for the next one. SJM honestly did not need to write 800 pages of this boring confusing stuff. She could have just given us 200 pages and that last chapter TBH. I see what she did and it was in a way very smart because THE LAST CHAPTER HAD ME SHAKING OKAY!
I have hope in the next one because there is an amazing foundation to work with. But for me, I will likely not pick up House of Sky and Breath again.
January 20, 2024
“Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again, I promise.”
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG THAT ENDING!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
✅✅✅ ENDING
✅✅ Great characters
✅ Rebels and spies
✅ Complex world-building
✅ Plot
✅ Relationships
✅ Magic / Faes / Shifters
✅ Romance and some smut
✅ Pace
❗️❗️Cliffhanger
❗️❗️ Trigger warnings: grief, torture, and deaths
4.5 stars. It was great, but not as good as the first one.
_______________________
Second read: I am still flabergasted by that ending.
_______________________
“You're a power player now, Bryce, whether you like it or not.”
This book takes place a few months after the end of House of Earth and Blood. Bryce is trying to adapt to her new reality as the Princess of Fae, while also trying to work things out with Hunt to build a healthy and serious relationship. Hunt is enjoying his newfound freedom and Ruhn is building back the trust between his sister and him. Everything is fine and rather normal until they get sucked into a rescue mission involving some rebels and ruthless faes that will not hesitate to destroy them all should their affiliation with rebels be revealed.
"You'd almost think this was planned by the gods. They probably have a special task force: How to Fuck Over Bryce and Hunt in One Day."
The plot is good, but I didn’t find it as good as in the first book. It is full of unexpected twists and shocking revelations though, and the pace is engaging. My heart was pounding and I had to refrain from skimming parts of the book because I was so anxious to know what would happen, but at the same time, I wanted to take my time and savor this book... Conflicted emotions and a few heart attacks apart though, it is a great book and many details from the first book have a big significance in this book, and I like that there was a deeper connection between the books than simply having the same set of characters embarking on a new adventure.
"Our insurance rates will go sky-high," Ruhn said to Declan, appealing to the slightly-less-insane of his roommates.
"When the fuck did you become a grown-up?" Flynn barked.
Ithan jerked his own chin toward the doorway again. "Wait to have your meltdown until after you meet the fourth new roommate."
“I’m sorry,” Ithan said, scrubbing at his face, “but what the fuck is this about?” He glanced at the pizza on the table, as if wondering whether it had been spiked with something.
Welcome to our lives, Hunt wanted to say.
"You're part of the Quinlan-Silago clan now. We're a crazy bunch, but we love each other."
I LOVE the characters in this book, THEY ARE SO CUTE AND PERFECT TOGETHER. SJM worked her magic once again and made me fall in love with them as I did fall in love with the crew of ACOTAR and TOG. The secondary characters are as lovable and amazing as the main characters. The friendship developing between the guys in this book is so cute and wholesome! Ruhn, Flynn, Declan, Tharion, Hunt, and even Ithan are becoming a cute little boy's club and my heart is SO happy about that. I said in my review of the first book that I wanted more of Ithan and Tharion, and I got it! Hypaxia is also more present in this book and I can already see that Bryce and her will make a kickass duo.
Okay, now this might be an unpopular opinion, but in light of what we learned in this book, I was not impressed with Danika’s choices and behavior toward Bryce, and the friendship I admired so much in the first book turned a little sour. I feel that Bryce gave her everything to Danika, and Danika only gave her a few pieces. I know Danika loved Bryce fiercely, but she kept so many huge secrets from Bryce, and every time Bruce discovers a new truth about Danika, it only upsets her because she sees how little she truly knew about her best friend…
She said to Flynn, “Hey, remember that time you set a dragon free and were dumb enough to think she’d follow your orders?”
“Hey, remember that time you wanted to marry me and wrote Lady Bryce Flynn in all your notebooks?”
Hunt choked.
Bryce countered with, “Hey, remember when you pestered me for years to hook up with you, but I have something called standards—”
“This is highly unusual behavior for royals,” Hypaxia observed.
The found family is one of my favorite tropes, and I loved every mundane moment with the gang in this book because of this feeling of finally having somewhere to belong. From Hunt making new friends to Ithan and Rhun mending their relationship with Bryce, it was cute, sweet, and so satisfying to see them all finally feel like they belonged somewhere and had people who cared about them.
She sipped from her champagne, then said casually to Hunt, "The headline on the gossip sites tomorrow is going to be: Horndog Umbra Mortis gropes Starborn Princess at Ballet."
"Good," Hunt murmured. "It'll improve my standing in the 33rd."
"You know what I mean," Bryce said.
"I'm not sure I do." Had his voice dropped lower?
"We're roomies," she said, her own voice getting breathy.
"Roomies."
"Occasional Beer Pong Champion?"
Hunt snatched the hat off her head and plunked it back on his own, backward as usual, "Yes, the Autumn King truly fears our unholy beer pong alliance."
The romance between Bryce and Hunt is still super cute, and we also have more spicy moments, even though SJM did ensure that Hunt got cockblocked quite a few times before *it* finally happened. They are cute and funny and they still have that witty banter from the first book that I enjoyed so much. I like that the author managed to keep the sexual tension between them for so long and that when they finally did the deed, they didn’t turn into sex-obsessed fae/angel and did nothing else for the rest of the book. They enjoyed each other but kept in mind that they had more important things to do and that there were lives on the line.
“Hel’s armies shall strike at your command, Bryce Quinlan.”
I am a little disappointed though that Aidas was not more present in this book. I really like him, and I think he has the potential to be a truly complex and interesting morally grey character, but we haven't seen enough of him to really know what he is up to and where he stands in the conflict that is to come.
I can't wait for the next book. There is SO MUCH potential for an even more epic third book, but at the same time, I am SO FREAKING SCARED of what could happen to my babies. 😭😭😭😭😭
Hunt’s voice was a thunderclap as he said behind her, “Light it up, Bryce.”
House of Earth and Blood ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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February 18, 2022
I had to take some time to really think about this book and what my feelings towards it are. And ultimately I’ve decided that I think I hate it lol.
I loved the first book in this series. It was…kind of trashy reading, you know? But it was FUN and easy to fly through and the world of Crescent City was so vibrant and full of life that I couldn’t get enough.
This one even though it was easy to read, and I finished it up pretty quickly, nothing about it really captured me like the first one. So much time was just spent in Bryce’s apartment I felt like, when before we’d been wandering the streets and things like that!
Then there’s the added POVs. Tharion’s was so repetitive and most of his scenes could have EASILY been cut with zero consequence to anything, both in terms of his character and the plot. Ithan’s POV also could have been chopped in a lot of parts.
A ton of sideplots seemed to be introduced in this one too, but they felt disconnected from the main story and felt like Sarah was just throwing stuff in to throw stuff in. They took time away from sideplots that had been set up in the previous book and were not explored in nearly enough depth here.
There are plenty of reveals in this book that I think are meant to be surprising but they all just fall flat. Some are quite obvious. Others are not, simply because they come out of left field and seem very random.
The romance was…fine. Until it wasn’t. Until the stupid concept of “mates” reared its ugly head. I’m so over it and it’s just tiring. Really seems like SJM just HAS to make sure we as readers know the characters are meant to be together because of this ridiculous fate thing. You shouldn’t have to rely on this to show that a couple is meant to be together, FYI. It’s not interesting, it’s been done to death (across MULTIPLE SERIES!!)
The characters were mostly good still. But…it was very male-centred for most of the book. I would’ve liked to see Bryce interacting with Fury and Juniper more. And at some points, the men’s personalities all just kind of blended together.
I think Sarah is stepping up her diversity game (about time lol), because I was happy to see more queer characters and more characters of colour added to the cast, and were present for good chunks of the book.
That being said…the writing in this is very constricted to the gender binary. Things are described as “feminine” and “masculine” and everything is just all watered down to male and female and blah blah blah. This isn’t new for SJM, but I would just hope that after how many books this issue would at least start being resolved.
The ending. The ENDING. The whole reason I needed to really take time to think about everything in this book. Because what a disaster. I’m gonna go into spoilers for the ending for the next two paragraphs so skip if you don’t want that!!
Last spoiler warning….ok. So Bryce jumps into a portal to take her to another world to prevent herself from being used as the Asteri wish, and to hopefully gain allies from the armies of Hel. BUT she doesn’t end up in Hel, instead landing…in the ACOTAR world. Right outside Rhysand’s palace. And the book ends with Rhysand introducing himself to her.
I genuinely don’t get how this was published, because this has to be one of the stupidest things I have ever read in my life and I mean that. So, what, now the ACOTAR characters are gonna be in the third one, presumably as somewhat important characters? Let them GO. They have their own series (that has also gone to shit) and don’t need to be in this one. It feels so lazy and ridiculous.
End of spoilers!
I’m quite disappointed with this one. House of Earth and Blood was genuinely almost my favourite book of 2020, and this is a mess in so many ways, plot-wise, romance-wise, etc.
I can’t imagine I’ll be tuning in for book 3. And this might also be the last I read of Sarah J Maas.
I loved the first book in this series. It was…kind of trashy reading, you know? But it was FUN and easy to fly through and the world of Crescent City was so vibrant and full of life that I couldn’t get enough.
This one even though it was easy to read, and I finished it up pretty quickly, nothing about it really captured me like the first one. So much time was just spent in Bryce’s apartment I felt like, when before we’d been wandering the streets and things like that!
Then there’s the added POVs. Tharion’s was so repetitive and most of his scenes could have EASILY been cut with zero consequence to anything, both in terms of his character and the plot. Ithan’s POV also could have been chopped in a lot of parts.
A ton of sideplots seemed to be introduced in this one too, but they felt disconnected from the main story and felt like Sarah was just throwing stuff in to throw stuff in. They took time away from sideplots that had been set up in the previous book and were not explored in nearly enough depth here.
There are plenty of reveals in this book that I think are meant to be surprising but they all just fall flat. Some are quite obvious. Others are not, simply because they come out of left field and seem very random.
The romance was…fine. Until it wasn’t. Until the stupid concept of “mates” reared its ugly head. I’m so over it and it’s just tiring. Really seems like SJM just HAS to make sure we as readers know the characters are meant to be together because of this ridiculous fate thing. You shouldn’t have to rely on this to show that a couple is meant to be together, FYI. It’s not interesting, it’s been done to death (across MULTIPLE SERIES!!)
The characters were mostly good still. But…it was very male-centred for most of the book. I would’ve liked to see Bryce interacting with Fury and Juniper more. And at some points, the men’s personalities all just kind of blended together.
I think Sarah is stepping up her diversity game (about time lol), because I was happy to see more queer characters and more characters of colour added to the cast, and were present for good chunks of the book.
That being said…the writing in this is very constricted to the gender binary. Things are described as “feminine” and “masculine” and everything is just all watered down to male and female and blah blah blah. This isn’t new for SJM, but I would just hope that after how many books this issue would at least start being resolved.
The ending. The ENDING. The whole reason I needed to really take time to think about everything in this book. Because what a disaster. I’m gonna go into spoilers for the ending for the next two paragraphs so skip if you don’t want that!!
Last spoiler warning….ok. So Bryce jumps into a portal to take her to another world to prevent herself from being used as the Asteri wish, and to hopefully gain allies from the armies of Hel. BUT she doesn’t end up in Hel, instead landing…in the ACOTAR world. Right outside Rhysand’s palace. And the book ends with Rhysand introducing himself to her.
I genuinely don’t get how this was published, because this has to be one of the stupidest things I have ever read in my life and I mean that. So, what, now the ACOTAR characters are gonna be in the third one, presumably as somewhat important characters? Let them GO. They have their own series (that has also gone to shit) and don’t need to be in this one. It feels so lazy and ridiculous.
End of spoilers!
I’m quite disappointed with this one. House of Earth and Blood was genuinely almost my favourite book of 2020, and this is a mess in so many ways, plot-wise, romance-wise, etc.
I can’t imagine I’ll be tuning in for book 3. And this might also be the last I read of Sarah J Maas.
January 1, 2024
"We waste so much time. Maybe it's our curse as immortals. To see time as a luxury, a never-ending ocean."
I loved every moment of this book. I loved every word. I loved every twist, and every turn, and everything in between.
Sarah J. Maas - thank you so much for making reading so much fun. Every time. Always. I don't know who I would be without Feyre, Ness, and Bryce. I don't want to know because I love who I am with all of their journeys pushing me forward.
This book in particular feels like a big hug. Is it just like every SJM book that takes us on a wild journey of emotion? Yes. But it also feels just a bit different to me. It feels like I'm walking next to Bryce the entire time, hanging out with her and her friends. It feels like I'm at Ruhn's house, like I'm playing video games with Baxian and Hunt. Or watching Sunball with Ithan and Tharion. It feels like I'm laughing as Ithan falls through the coffee table and talking to Bryce and Juniper about dance classes.
I've loved books for a long time, but I don't think I've ever felt so a part of something before.
House of Sky and Breath is all about the chaos that comes from a battle won, wondering when the next thing is going to fall on your shoulders. It's about choosing to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves, even when you finally have the life you've always wanted. It's dreaming for a future while wondering if there is one out there for you at all.
It's loving your friends. Remembering to live no matter what is happening around you. Choosing who you want to be and not accepting the life that was chosen for you. Bryce constantly shows us what it means to truly carve your own way in the world, and I will never stop looking up to her. Wanting to be just like her.
The quote I pointed out, doesn't it just come to embody this series as a whole? We don't know how much time we have with the people we love, so why not make the most of every single moment we do have?
And the plot reflects that entirely.
I will never get tired of reading House of Earth and Blood because I have never read something that more perfectly reflects my own experience with grief and heartache. This book? I'll always feel like I found a group of people who will always make me feel included and a part of something.
One thing that fiction will always have over reality is that it can make time stop. We only get what an author chooses to share with us, and no more. A plot will never change, and the people will always be who they were at the last word on a page. It's one of the most comforting feelings in the world that no matter what happens, characters will always be who they were the first time we read them.
They change, the adapt, they live, they die... but they never leave you. People drift. It's human nature to move on, change and grow. But our favorite characters are always right there on a bad day. A good one. A weird one. A sad one.
I will walk every world with Bryce, and I'll do so for the rest of my life.
I can't wait for book three.
I loved every moment of this book. I loved every word. I loved every twist, and every turn, and everything in between.
Sarah J. Maas - thank you so much for making reading so much fun. Every time. Always. I don't know who I would be without Feyre, Ness, and Bryce. I don't want to know because I love who I am with all of their journeys pushing me forward.
This book in particular feels like a big hug. Is it just like every SJM book that takes us on a wild journey of emotion? Yes. But it also feels just a bit different to me. It feels like I'm walking next to Bryce the entire time, hanging out with her and her friends. It feels like I'm at Ruhn's house, like I'm playing video games with Baxian and Hunt. Or watching Sunball with Ithan and Tharion. It feels like I'm laughing as Ithan falls through the coffee table and talking to Bryce and Juniper about dance classes.
I've loved books for a long time, but I don't think I've ever felt so a part of something before.
House of Sky and Breath is all about the chaos that comes from a battle won, wondering when the next thing is going to fall on your shoulders. It's about choosing to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves, even when you finally have the life you've always wanted. It's dreaming for a future while wondering if there is one out there for you at all.
It's loving your friends. Remembering to live no matter what is happening around you. Choosing who you want to be and not accepting the life that was chosen for you. Bryce constantly shows us what it means to truly carve your own way in the world, and I will never stop looking up to her. Wanting to be just like her.
The quote I pointed out, doesn't it just come to embody this series as a whole? We don't know how much time we have with the people we love, so why not make the most of every single moment we do have?
And the plot reflects that entirely.
I will never get tired of reading House of Earth and Blood because I have never read something that more perfectly reflects my own experience with grief and heartache. This book? I'll always feel like I found a group of people who will always make me feel included and a part of something.
One thing that fiction will always have over reality is that it can make time stop. We only get what an author chooses to share with us, and no more. A plot will never change, and the people will always be who they were at the last word on a page. It's one of the most comforting feelings in the world that no matter what happens, characters will always be who they were the first time we read them.
They change, the adapt, they live, they die... but they never leave you. People drift. It's human nature to move on, change and grow. But our favorite characters are always right there on a bad day. A good one. A weird one. A sad one.
I will walk every world with Bryce, and I'll do so for the rest of my life.
I can't wait for book three.
February 20, 2022
#1 House of Earth and Blood — 3.5 stars
WHAT IN THE NAME OFCROSSOVER INSANITY SATANS TIT IS THIS😩
✷ to Hel with me banking on this book to be better than the previous installment cause this was a downgrade. i was bored through most of it, and finishing it had felt like a chore.
✷ although... i feel like this was dull in a way that the next book would get good and exciting again since the stakes are higher now. but who knows, we’ll probably have to wait another two years to find out. should i quit while im ahead?
✷ (spoiler) i had guessed that Day was Lidia, but that last chapter i really did not see coming. when i said “i needed SJM to pull a Rhysand,” i didnt mean LITERALLY. 💀 does that mean Bryce is in Velaris now?
✷ we’ve managed to go without any “mates” business in book 1, but now so many of them (couple/pairing plot twists) were dropped like bombs in this book. the romance was done very poorly. how did SJM go from Aelin/Rowan, Elide/Lorcan, and Feyre/Rhys to this crap?
✷ (spoiler) Ruhn & Lidia, i didnt hate the idea of them, but wow the instalove had me wanting to barf. 🙄 though now that they know each others true identity, maybe there’ll be more tension between them in book 3.
✷ Bryce & Hunt seriously? am i the only one who couldnt feel the connection/passion between them? theyre better off as friends. also, the smut. from none (book 1) to... how many scenes in this book? idk what to say. and they werent that titillating either.
✷ im so disappointed Aidas didnt even make an appearance in this book. he was mentioned and impersonated, but no signs of the Prince of the Chasm. :( would it be foolish to hold out hope for him & Bryce? especially after what happened with Bryce & Hunt.
✷ idk if its me no longer being a teenager who adored SJMs books, but so far im finding this series is even worse than TOG & ACOTAR. especially, the writing and the romance.
(read as an audiobook)
WHAT IN THE NAME OF
✷ to Hel with me banking on this book to be better than the previous installment cause this was a downgrade. i was bored through most of it, and finishing it had felt like a chore.
✷ although... i feel like this was dull in a way that the next book would get good and exciting again since the stakes are higher now. but who knows, we’ll probably have to wait another two years to find out. should i quit while im ahead?
✷ (spoiler) i had guessed that Day was Lidia, but that last chapter i really did not see coming. when i said “i needed SJM to pull a Rhysand,” i didnt mean LITERALLY. 💀 does that mean Bryce is in Velaris now?
✷ we’ve managed to go without any “mates” business in book 1, but now so many of them (couple/pairing plot twists) were dropped like bombs in this book. the romance was done very poorly. how did SJM go from Aelin/Rowan, Elide/Lorcan, and Feyre/Rhys to this crap?
✷ (spoiler) Ruhn & Lidia, i didnt hate the idea of them, but wow the instalove had me wanting to barf. 🙄 though now that they know each others true identity, maybe there’ll be more tension between them in book 3.
✷ Bryce & Hunt seriously? am i the only one who couldnt feel the connection/passion between them? theyre better off as friends. also, the smut. from none (book 1) to... how many scenes in this book? idk what to say. and they werent that titillating either.
✷ im so disappointed Aidas didnt even make an appearance in this book. he was mentioned and impersonated, but no signs of the Prince of the Chasm. :( would it be foolish to hold out hope for him & Bryce? especially after what happened with Bryce & Hunt.
✷ idk if its me no longer being a teenager who adored SJMs books, but so far im finding this series is even worse than TOG & ACOTAR. especially, the writing and the romance.
(read as an audiobook)
February 23, 2022
Okay, this was cool and all, but not as good as I expected it to be. Maybe I was too excited to read it and it had the opposite effect?
I also think I should have reread HoEaB before I went into this because I sometimes couldn't remember who was who and to put myself in the right mood.
I'll give it another try next month and review it properly then.
ACTUAL RATINGS 3,5/5
__
Not that I kept count or anything but I've been waiting for this for 348 days, 22 hours, 49 minutes and 54 seconds.
I'm bookgasming.
I also think I should have reread HoEaB before I went into this because I sometimes couldn't remember who was who and to put myself in the right mood.
I'll give it another try next month and review it properly then.
ACTUAL RATINGS 3,5/5
__
Not that I kept count or anything but I've been waiting for this for 348 days, 22 hours, 49 minutes and 54 seconds.
I'm bookgasming.
February 3, 2024
✎ 1st read Feb 2022: 3.75 stars
✎ 2nd read Jan 2024: 3.75 stars
even tho i looked up spoilers on twt, i'm still SHOOK reading that chapter at the end dslfsjkdfl wtf that was just fucking wild 😩 also jail to SJM for leaving us with that cliffhanger and now we probably have to wait til spring 2024 til the next book comes out. this is a hate crime against me.
now lemme go back crying 😭
✎ 2nd read Jan 2024: 3.75 stars
even tho i looked up spoilers on twt, i'm still SHOOK reading that chapter at the end dslfsjkdfl wtf that was just fucking wild 😩 also jail to SJM for leaving us with that cliffhanger and now we probably have to wait til spring 2024 til the next book comes out. this is a hate crime against me.
"Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again. I promise."
now lemme go back crying 😭
February 16, 2022
I FINISHED. IT’S DONE……MY MIND IS REELING AND I’M ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS.
I definitely don’t have words right now, my brain is fried at how amazing this was. This book’s bar was set at sky high levels, and hands down my most anticipated book of 2022, or maybe ever. I was not disappointed in the slightest. I love this world & characters more than I thought possible. I’m even more obsessed than I was before.
I saw part of the ending spoilers before the book was released, but it honestly didn’t even matter or take away from the ending as a whole. There were a million other things happening that were just as insane.
I will be rereading this immediately. I need CC3 more than air.
———————
HUNT ON THE COVER LIKE THE KING HE IS!!!
WE FINALLY HAVE A TITLE & CONFIRMED RELEASE DATE!!!!!
EDIT- March 2021: A few takeaways from the SJM IG livestream with Steph from Ideallyinspiredreviews:
-CC2 should be out around March 2022 but there’s no official date. The tentative date on Goodreads for November 2021 is wrong
-Sarah knows the title but can’t say it yet. The same cover artist who designed HoEaB will be doing CC2’s cover
-Bryce & Hunt will be “very satisfied” sexually. (She said in a previous livestream it will rival the smut amount/steam level in ACOSF!)
——-
Me realizing there is absolutely no info about this whatsoever.......
PLEASE let it be sooner than later that we get a cover, title, description, release date, literally anything...I NEED MY BABIES BACK
I definitely don’t have words right now, my brain is fried at how amazing this was. This book’s bar was set at sky high levels, and hands down my most anticipated book of 2022, or maybe ever. I was not disappointed in the slightest. I love this world & characters more than I thought possible. I’m even more obsessed than I was before.
I saw part of the ending spoilers before the book was released, but it honestly didn’t even matter or take away from the ending as a whole. There were a million other things happening that were just as insane.
I will be rereading this immediately. I need CC3 more than air.
———————
HUNT ON THE COVER LIKE THE KING HE IS!!!
WE FINALLY HAVE A TITLE & CONFIRMED RELEASE DATE!!!!!
EDIT- March 2021: A few takeaways from the SJM IG livestream with Steph from Ideallyinspiredreviews:
-CC2 should be out around March 2022 but there’s no official date. The tentative date on Goodreads for November 2021 is wrong
-Sarah knows the title but can’t say it yet. The same cover artist who designed HoEaB will be doing CC2’s cover
-Bryce & Hunt will be “very satisfied” sexually. (She said in a previous livestream it will rival the smut amount/steam level in ACOSF!)
——-
Me realizing there is absolutely no info about this whatsoever.......
PLEASE let it be sooner than later that we get a cover, title, description, release date, literally anything...I NEED MY BABIES BACK
January 31, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐
*coughs*
*checks voice*
*coughs again but louder*
WHAT IN THE HEL I JUST READ AND HOW CAN LITERALLY 15 PAGES AT THE END CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE ENTIRELY
After those last 15 pages I literally trust no one anymore, especially SJM. I need answers!!!!!
*coughs*
*checks voice*
*coughs again but louder*
WHAT IN THE HEL I JUST READ AND HOW CAN LITERALLY 15 PAGES AT THE END CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE ENTIRELY
After those last 15 pages I literally trust no one anymore, especially SJM. I need answers!!!!!
January 29, 2024
FIVE STUNNING STARS
First read: 5-stars⭐️
Second read: 5-stars⭐️
Third read: 5-stars⭐️
It always feels like coming home whenever there is a new SJM book and House of Sky and Breath was nothing short of phenomenal 😭
I took my sweet time savoring every page because I did not want the book to end but... here we are...
I'm not sure when I'll write a proper review but I am still overwhelmed by everything that has happened in this book (despite being spoiled by parts of it already but thankfully it didn't ruin my reading experience)
You truly see how Sarah had grown as an author in this book!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The Deadliest Power
The Fiercest Passion
The Cruelest Fate
Okay I'm back again to type in some more because my head is still reeling from this book
Sarah is truly the gift that keeps giving!!
The characters old and new were simply fantastic! Each character for their own moment of spotlight and although I cared only for Bryce and Hunt's story but this book managed to get me attached to all of these characters and especially Ruhn and Tharion.
Sarah crafted an epic story in this installment and I don't know how many times I'll say I am mindblown. It's neatly action-packed, so many things are happening at once that you can't put the book down.
And it's not an SJM book if it didn't take you on a one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
Did I laugh? So many times
Did it make me happy? It did
Did it grate my nerves? Oh yes
Did it make me cry? No question
I am already on theory mode just trying to dissect everything that has happened in this book because there is SO MUCH
The romance was served on a golden platter and I got more than what I asked for and it's not only in regards to Quinlar but boy were Quinlar very satisfied in HOSAB.
I did not anticipate HOSAB to take a very dark turn but it did and it left me so shook.
I cannot wait to see what CC3 has in store for us, but this book is definitely one of the highlights of this year already and I don't think any other book will dethrone it.
First read: 5-stars⭐️
Second read: 5-stars⭐️
Third read: 5-stars⭐️
It always feels like coming home whenever there is a new SJM book and House of Sky and Breath was nothing short of phenomenal 😭
I took my sweet time savoring every page because I did not want the book to end but... here we are...
I'm not sure when I'll write a proper review but I am still overwhelmed by everything that has happened in this book (despite being spoiled by parts of it already but thankfully it didn't ruin my reading experience)
You truly see how Sarah had grown as an author in this book!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
The Deadliest Power
The Fiercest Passion
The Cruelest Fate
Okay I'm back again to type in some more because my head is still reeling from this book
Sarah is truly the gift that keeps giving!!
The characters old and new were simply fantastic! Each character for their own moment of spotlight and although I cared only for Bryce and Hunt's story but this book managed to get me attached to all of these characters and especially Ruhn and Tharion.
Sarah crafted an epic story in this installment and I don't know how many times I'll say I am mindblown. It's neatly action-packed, so many things are happening at once that you can't put the book down.
And it's not an SJM book if it didn't take you on a one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
Did I laugh? So many times
Did it make me happy? It did
Did it grate my nerves? Oh yes
Did it make me cry? No question
I am already on theory mode just trying to dissect everything that has happened in this book because there is SO MUCH
The romance was served on a golden platter and I got more than what I asked for and it's not only in regards to Quinlar but boy were Quinlar very satisfied in HOSAB.
I did not anticipate HOSAB to take a very dark turn but it did and it left me so shook.
I cannot wait to see what CC3 has in store for us, but this book is definitely one of the highlights of this year already and I don't think any other book will dethrone it.
February 19, 2022
4.5 stars
That ending…. I literally have no words… How am I meant to wait for book 3???? Like whattttt????!!!
Rounding it up to 5 stars as I am just so hyped and shook, but I do think this could have been edited down a bit.
That ending…. I literally have no words… How am I meant to wait for book 3???? Like whattttt????!!!
Rounding it up to 5 stars as I am just so hyped and shook, but I do think this could have been edited down a bit.
Shelved as 'on-pause'
December 11, 2023*ੈ✩‧₊˚ i have to put this book on pause for now, but i’ll get to it soon dw. i’m just in a really big slump, and tbh i feel like shit, so i don’t really have the energy to read such a long fantasy book rn <3 hope y’all are doing well tho 💞
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
imma be honest i just really want bryce and hunt to fuck
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
imma be honest i just really want bryce and hunt to fuck
January 18, 2024
Reread #2 Guess who’s ready to get hurt again???
I don’t think I can do anything but a very specific reread after this reread 😂
HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT
I don’t think I can do anything but a very specific reread after this reread 😂
HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT
February 23, 2022
reading vlog coming this wednesday😌☝🏻
update: reading vlog is up!
https://youtu.be/qzcnDVoq2Gs
update: reading vlog is up!
https://youtu.be/qzcnDVoq2Gs
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