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mooreeg2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has a great conclusion to the events that started with Crescent City 1 & 2. You get to meet a few new characters and get even more in depth with the characters we already know and love.
I don't want to give any spoilers but I highly recommend reading The ACOTAR series before Crescent City. You learn some pieces of information in that series, specifically book 5, that gives you some background in the world building in Crescent City. 3. If you don't read ACOTAR you'll definitely be missing information, but you could probably get by with the limited knowledge.
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
insanebookperson's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
rchulin1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
jess_thefacts's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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.kat1105's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bjehbjeh's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
kinsportch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Child death and Excrement
chanlo1994's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Kidnapping
Minor: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
cakrolik's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Classism
milliewh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and War