Reviews with content warning for Cursing - House of Flame and Shadow

There is so so so many spoilers in this… read at your own risk!

The epic crossover in the SJM cinematic universe.

When I walked into the living room with this book in my hand my parents joked about it being bigger than the bible. Honestly, this was my bible. This is what I would swear on if sworn into office (there are so many books I could pick for that… Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young, Heir of Fire, ACOMAF, ACOWAR all by Sarah J Maas, etc. etc). Also, random thought, imagine the day that America loses its strange obsession with religion and people are sworn into office by putting a hand on like a bound fanfiction… okay anywhooooo back to my rant on this book….

That was INSANE, like absolutely insane! I was terrified of this book, terrified because I knew it would consume every fiber of my being. I was right with that thought. Hence why it took me so long to read. That and the fact its THICK and hella intimidating. I fear this made my craving for more Rhys and Feyre content even stronger, which is a crazy thing to say… I JUST NEED MORE OF THEM! THEY ARE JUST PRECIOUS AND MAKE ME SO GIDDY AND SDJALKSJD

I SOBBED, like full on SOBBED… not like ‘haha omg I'm sobbing’ NO I WAS/AM SOBBING! I am speechless… so I’m glad I wrote down some notes as I went, trying to put it together now is ridiculous…

Can we talk about the hurt/comfort we see between characters in this masterpiece… GIRL!!!! That was crazy, The “who hurt you? I’ll kill them” moments were SO strong and I’m a sucker for them (I’m insane, I’m very aware).

Reading about ACOTAR characters no matter how brief brought me so much joy. Even if it was Nesta, which I am still so conflicted on my feelings toward her. When reading A Court of Silver Flames I genuinely did not care, like girl, be for real… get over yourself! Sis was celebrated for doing the most obvious and right thing, whatever. But I don’tttt knowwwww!!! I’m so conflicted AHHH! But I enjoyed reading her no matter how I feel about her character because it gave me small glimpses into Feyre and Rhysands life and that's all a girl can ask for in life really.

When Az was talking Nesta down to take off The Mask *MAJOR CHEFS KISS*!!!!!! I screamed!

Not Nesta eating cake with Bryces parents, shes so me!

RHYS AND RANDALL BEING BESTIE DADS ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!? IM MELTING!!!!

ALSO THE FACT THAT BRYCE IS SO POWERFUL SHE JUST TOOK THE MASK OFF, LIKE YOURE INSANE!!! YOURE SO INSANE!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Random applause for Chapter 85 (before the smut) and the vulnerability Hunt and Bryce shared. Talking about how they were each others best friend, home, and Bryce goes to say that she never thought she’d have another chance at a best friend, at the kind of happiness they shared after the loss of her best friend Dankia but stops herself “After Danika I didn’t think…”. WHEN I TELL YOU THAT SH!T MADE ME CRY!!!! SARAH J MAAS YOU ARE SO CRUEL AND I ADORE YOU FOR IT!

I feel the need to go through this book and highlight my favorite bits and pieces, but I fear that project will take over my life, so maybe not until CC4.

“Through love all is possible” SDFKLHDFKDHSFID

SHE KNEW HER DEAD BESTIES WERE OKAY AND SAFE WAITING FOR HER WHEN HER TIME IS READY AND SOMEHOW THAT WAS EVERYTHING…… I WANT TO DIE!!!!!

Content Warnings

livetgjennomb_ker's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

Content Warnings

jess_thefacts's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

House of Flame and Shadow took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I wasn’t fully prepared for, but absolutely loved. Sarah J. Maas has a gift for creating worlds and characters that feel so real, and in this third installment of the Crescent City series, she truly outdid herself.

From the very beginning, I was drawn back into the lives of Bryce, Hunt, and the rest of the crew. The stakes are higher, the emotions deeper, and the plot twists more jaw-dropping than ever before. There were moments that hit me so hard, I had to put the book down and just let the tears flow. Maas doesn’t shy away from the heavy stuff, and it shows in the way she handles themes of love, loss, and sacrifice.

What I loved most was how Maas continues to develop her characters. Bryce’s journey is one of resilience and strength, but also of vulnerability. Her struggles felt incredibly raw and relatable, and it was impossible not to feel every bit of her pain and triumph. Hunt, too, is a character who brings so much depth to the story, and their relationship is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times.

The world-building, as always with Maas, is impeccable. The city of Lunathion feels alive, and the lore and magic that weave through the narrative are both intricate and fascinating. But it’s the emotional depth that really sets this book apart. There were multiple times when the intensity of the characters' experiences brought me to tears—whether it was from the heartache of loss, the beauty of love, or the sheer weight of the challenges they face.

House of Flame and Shadow is a powerful continuation of the Crescent City series, blending high-stakes action with deeply emotional moments. It’s a book that will stay with me for a long time, and one that I know I’ll return to when I need to feel all the feels again. If you’re ready for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and hold your breath, this is the one.

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Slavery, Violence, Medical content, and War

Minor: Addiction, Sexual violence, and Abandonment

House of Flame and Shadow took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I wasn’t fully prepared for, but absolutely loved. Sarah J. Maas has a gift for creating worlds and characters that feel so real, and in this third installment of the Crescent City series, she truly outdid herself. From the very beginning, I was drawn back into the lives of Bryce, Hunt, and the rest of the crew. The stakes are higher, the emotions deeper, and the plot twists more jaw-dropping than ever before. There were moments that hit me so hard, I had to put the book down and just let the tears flow. Maas doesn’t shy away from the heavy stuff, and it shows in the way she handles themes of love, loss, and sacrifice. What I loved most was how Maas continues to develop her characters. Bryce’s journey is one of resilience and strength, but also of vulnerability. Her struggles felt incredibly raw and relatable, and it was impossible not to feel every bit of her pain and triumph. Hunt, too, is a character who brings so much depth to the story, and their relationship is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times. The world-building, as always with Maas, is impeccable. The city of Lunathion feels alive, and the lore and magic that weave through the narrative are both intricate and fascinating. But it’s the emotional depth that really sets this book apart. There were multiple times when the intensity of the characters' experiences brought me to tears—whether it was from the heartache of loss, the beauty of love, or the sheer weight of the challenges they face. House of Flame and Shadow is a powerful continuation of the Crescent City series, blending high-stakes action with deeply emotional moments. It’s a book that will stay with me for a long time, and one that I know I’ll return to when I need to feel all the feels again. If you’re ready for a story that will make you laugh, cry, and hold your breath, this is the one.

pagesbycaroline's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

950 pages is a lot. And I mean a lot. But it was so worth it. There were many elements to this book that I have much appreciation for. First and foremost, I liked the variety in narrators. We got to experience the story from at least six perspectives, many of whom were new to this book. We also got to see the choices of each character from at least one other's perspective. Next, the crossover was *chef's kiss*. I was a bit worried it would feel overpowering but Crescent City and its characters remained at the forefront. My little Maas-loving heart was overjoyed with confirmation that not one but BOTH series connected to CC. Thirdly, the worldbuilding of this series is just incredible and leaves me reeling each time I read it. Not only does it have my favorite elements of both ToG and ACOTAR, but it also had the blend of technology and magic AND the Ultra Powerful Bad Guys who seem like they can't be topped in SJM's series, but she somehow STILL does it. Each detail is crafted so well that nothing can be overlooked and always ends up being vital to the story. The details that this author crafts in each one of her books continue to astonish me. Next, I just adore these characters. It took some time for them to grow on me, but I would say now that Bryce is one of my favorite protagonists and Hunt is definitely my favorite mate. They both feel so real to me, in more ways than I can describe. I love Bryce's resilience, stubbornness, resourcefulness, and more than that her love for others. She cares so deeply about her world and the people in it, more so than I've seen in other characters. I can't exactly explain what it is that I love so much about her, but she is a character I hold dear.

Some of my favorite things from this one:
-Ithan. Just Ithan.
-Bryce and Nesta's pseudo-alliance
-the fact that AZRIEL is with them the whole time
-Danika mentions!
-And Baxian!! Danika's mate!!
-Hunt going through capital T Trauma with his friends and them being buddies after (don't get me wrong, the actual torture was not good and I HATE the Asteri for it, but I love that Hunt is just constantly reminded how good of friends he has now)
-The Asteri were IN Prythian??
-Silene's story and all the connections
-Rhysand and Bryce and Ruhn have the same bloodline!
-Bryce totally outsmarting the Autumn King
-Lidia POV!!
‐Lidia to the rescue
-Lidia has sons??
-Jesiba backstory
-Bryce outsmarting King Morven
-Ruhn to the rescue
-Lidia backstory
-Hel to the rescue
-Isaiah and Naomi as allies
-Celestina as an ally
-Hypaxia doing Science
-Ithan is Prime!!
-Hypaxia is Head of HoFaS?
-The Fallen, coming back to fight with Hunt! Finishing what they started
-Bryce killed one of them!
-Everyone now has magic powers?! Yes, please
-Lidia! From Brannon's bloodline! With magic
-Shahar helping to rescue Hunt's mate
-Jesiba's sacrifice
-Paradise after death, and everyone is there! Danica included!
-Bryce leaving the Starsword with Nesta
-Everyone at peace, even if they have to build a new world

I just loved this book, and this series. It took some time to adjust to them in the beginning, but now I am so sad to leave the world of Lunathion behind. However, I will happily return, whenever that may be.

Content Warnings