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onceuponabookcase's review against another edition
5.0
I received this eProof for free from Sky Pony Press in conjunction with Caffeine Book Tours for the purposes of providing an honest review, as part of a blog tour.
Trigger/Content Warnings: This book features grief, graphic violence, discussion of suicide, discussion of murder, abduction, a poisoning, and execution.
I really enjoyed A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna, so I was super excited to be approved to take part in the blog tour for the sequel, A House of Rage and Sorrow, hosted by Caffeine Book Tours. And oh my god, this book is absolutely bloody incredible!
After the tragic and devastating ending of A Spark of White Fire - where goddess Amba has Esmae's best friend, Rama, take her place in a duel with her brother Alexi, and is murdered by her brother -Esmae is all grief and anger. As the title suggests, she is raging, and her anger boils in her blood. There is an everlasting scream in her head, that she refuses to let out, that just builds and builds. There is no way Esmae can forgive her brother for murdering Rama, and she will not stop until she has destroyed him. But it's complicated, because while she is all grief and anger, there is still the longing for her family, her mother, for the love that she has been denied her whole life. As much as she longs for Bear and her mother to be part of her life, with her dedication to bringing about the end of Alexi, and the war that has begun, it looks impossible now that the rift will ever be healed.
As I said in my review of A Spark of White Fire, although technically sci-fi as it's a space opera, ithis trilogy feels very much like a high fantasy. And A House of Rage and Sorrow had everything that I love about high fantasy! A character driven plot. Politics and intrigue. Battles and strategy. Like a highly emotional game of chess with real people. This book was simply a complete joy to read from page one! I was completely captivated by Esmae's story, and I couldn't put it down. And the small issues I had with the first book - that major events happen and are moved on from quite quickly, making it feel like, overall, not a huge amount happened - are completely absent from this book. Quite a lot happens, and each major event is followed by an even bigger event. The tension just builds and builds, and it was just so epic!
I also adored the development of the various relationships. Esmae and Max are just so adorable, it hurts. Esmae's friendship with spiky Sybilla, and how Sybilla is so loyal she would literally lay down her life for those she loves. The relationship between Esmae and Radha, Rama's sister, who comes to Kali to help in anyway she can in order to bring about the demise of the one who murdered her brother. Radha is complicated, and has so many layers, and I just loved seeing them unfold and getting to know her. And Amba. She may not have the largest presence in this book, but I love and adore her, and it really is no wonder that she is a goddess.
I also have to talk about how incredibly diverse this story is. Being a retelling of the Indian myth the Mahabharata, and written by an Indian author, it's no surprise that all the major characters are people of colour. Then there's King Elvar, who is blind, and General Khay, who has a prophetic, mechanical arm. And then there is the inclusion of multiple LGBTQ* characters in this world. At an celebratory feast, we see General Khay's two fathers, and Laika - a Rashka demon Esmae trains with, with General Khay - has brought her two children, a boy and a girl, who are both wearing identical dresses. When Esmae looks through the the portraits in the Gallery of her ancestors, she mentions genderfluid Shiv, who chose to wear a dress. At one point we meet Vahana, a garuda - a creature that is part human and part bird - who uses they/them pronouns. And then there's the obvious and undeniable same sex attraction between two side characters.
But now we have to talk about the twists. My god, they were just incredible! The first one I felt so smug about, because I had a theory about it when reading the first book, and my theory just grew stronger as I was reading A House of Rage and Sorrow. When it was confirmed, I was just so bloody happy to have got it right, but also amazed in regards to what it would mean for the story overall. The second twist, though, I absolutely did not see coming at all, and it had my jaw drop. It is monumetal, and it's going to have unimaginable consequences, and I am just absolutely devastated for Esmae. And that ending. Oh my god, oh my god! It was explosive, and I dread to think where it will lead in the third and final book of the series, but I absolutely cannot wait to read it! It is going to be agony waiting for book three, but it is going to be well worth the wait! This book was unbelievable! If you loved the first book, you absolutely need to read A House of Rage and Sorrow!
Thank you to Sky Pony Press and Caffeine Book Tours via Edelweiss for the eProof.
Trigger/Content Warnings: This book features grief, graphic violence, discussion of suicide, discussion of murder, abduction, a poisoning, and execution.
I really enjoyed A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna, so I was super excited to be approved to take part in the blog tour for the sequel, A House of Rage and Sorrow, hosted by Caffeine Book Tours. And oh my god, this book is absolutely bloody incredible!
After the tragic and devastating ending of A Spark of White Fire - where goddess Amba has Esmae's best friend, Rama, take her place in a duel with her brother Alexi, and is murdered by her brother -Esmae is all grief and anger. As the title suggests, she is raging, and her anger boils in her blood. There is an everlasting scream in her head, that she refuses to let out, that just builds and builds. There is no way Esmae can forgive her brother for murdering Rama, and she will not stop until she has destroyed him. But it's complicated, because while she is all grief and anger, there is still the longing for her family, her mother, for the love that she has been denied her whole life. As much as she longs for Bear and her mother to be part of her life, with her dedication to bringing about the end of Alexi, and the war that has begun, it looks impossible now that the rift will ever be healed.
As I said in my review of A Spark of White Fire, although technically sci-fi as it's a space opera, ithis trilogy feels very much like a high fantasy. And A House of Rage and Sorrow had everything that I love about high fantasy! A character driven plot. Politics and intrigue. Battles and strategy. Like a highly emotional game of chess with real people. This book was simply a complete joy to read from page one! I was completely captivated by Esmae's story, and I couldn't put it down. And the small issues I had with the first book - that major events happen and are moved on from quite quickly, making it feel like, overall, not a huge amount happened - are completely absent from this book. Quite a lot happens, and each major event is followed by an even bigger event. The tension just builds and builds, and it was just so epic!
I also adored the development of the various relationships. Esmae and Max are just so adorable, it hurts. Esmae's friendship with spiky Sybilla, and how Sybilla is so loyal she would literally lay down her life for those she loves. The relationship between Esmae and Radha, Rama's sister, who comes to Kali to help in anyway she can in order to bring about the demise of the one who murdered her brother. Radha is complicated, and has so many layers, and I just loved seeing them unfold and getting to know her. And Amba. She may not have the largest presence in this book, but I love and adore her, and it really is no wonder that she is a goddess.
I also have to talk about how incredibly diverse this story is. Being a retelling of the Indian myth the Mahabharata, and written by an Indian author, it's no surprise that all the major characters are people of colour. Then there's King Elvar, who is blind, and General Khay, who has a prophetic, mechanical arm. And then there is the inclusion of multiple LGBTQ* characters in this world. At an celebratory feast, we see General Khay's two fathers, and Laika - a Rashka demon Esmae trains with, with General Khay - has brought her two children, a boy and a girl, who are both wearing identical dresses. When Esmae looks through the the portraits in the Gallery of her ancestors, she mentions genderfluid Shiv, who chose to wear a dress. At one point we meet Vahana, a garuda - a creature that is part human and part bird - who uses they/them pronouns. And then there's the obvious and undeniable same sex attraction between two side characters.
But now we have to talk about the twists. My god, they were just incredible! The first one I felt so smug about, because I had a theory about it when reading the first book, and my theory just grew stronger as I was reading A House of Rage and Sorrow. When it was confirmed, I was just so bloody happy to have got it right, but also amazed in regards to what it would mean for the story overall. The second twist, though, I absolutely did not see coming at all, and it had my jaw drop. It is monumetal, and it's going to have unimaginable consequences, and I am just absolutely devastated for Esmae. And that ending. Oh my god, oh my god! It was explosive, and I dread to think where it will lead in the third and final book of the series, but I absolutely cannot wait to read it! It is going to be agony waiting for book three, but it is going to be well worth the wait! This book was unbelievable! If you loved the first book, you absolutely need to read A House of Rage and Sorrow!
Thank you to Sky Pony Press and Caffeine Book Tours via Edelweiss for the eProof.
afantasysky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- 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
anniekslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Just like the first book in this trilogy, this was again a fun, fast-paced read. I was especially excited to see Titania, the sentient spaceship, has a POV in here as well! There were some twists and turns I did not see coming.
However, I did wish some things were more resolved, especially when it comes to the characterization of some of the side characters. There motivations weren't always exactly clear, and that made it sometimes hard to stay invested in the story. I would especially have liked to see more of an exploration of Max and Alexi's characters.
However, I did wish some things were more resolved, especially when it comes to the characterization of some of the side characters. There motivations weren't always exactly clear, and that made it sometimes hard to stay invested in the story. I would especially have liked to see more of an exploration of Max and Alexi's characters.
cakt1991's review against another edition
5.0
Review posted here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/review-of-a-house-of-rage-and-sorrow-the-celestial-trilogy-2-by-sangu-mandanna/
aleighshareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this was such an amazing sequel!! I absolutely love Esmae, she's turning into one of my favourite main characters! This world is so amazing and well-crafted. I can't wait for book 3!
yourwordsmyink's review against another edition
5.0
Read more at www.yourwordsmyink.com
Cue simultaneous screaming and sobbing. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. I freaked out over the first book and how good it was, but A House of Rage and Sorrow takes the cake. OMG. My love for this series will never end and I need the third book ASAP. Okay, let me take a few deep breaths as I try to sort out my thoughts.
We're thrown right back into the stunningly unique world created by Mandanna. She blends sci-fi with fantasy like no other author. Both these novels are inspired by the Mahabharata, an Indian epic, which I haven't read and didn't know about before now, but I will most definitely be checking it out. A House of Rage and Sorrow gives us some more knowledge about the world and its myths and legends, and I am here for it.
The plot also never lets you catch your breath. It's constantly moving and keeps you hooked. Every scene and every chapter leads us to the finale of the book, and some revelations were made that shocked the hell out of me. I can't wait to see what happens further, especially since there are some mysteries that remain.
A big thing that had me screaming about this book was the representation. I'm going to compare it to Star Trek (my ultimate sci-fi) in the sense that I hope our future can be like this book. We have such a diverse set of characters, lesbian, bi, genderneutral, genderfluid, even a change of gender. And no one bats an eye. My perfect future is where, like in Star Trek and in AHORAS, everyone is accepted and can just be who they are. That is what makes this book so special.
Cue simultaneous screaming and sobbing. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. I freaked out over the first book and how good it was, but A House of Rage and Sorrow takes the cake. OMG. My love for this series will never end and I need the third book ASAP. Okay, let me take a few deep breaths as I try to sort out my thoughts.
We're thrown right back into the stunningly unique world created by Mandanna. She blends sci-fi with fantasy like no other author. Both these novels are inspired by the Mahabharata, an Indian epic, which I haven't read and didn't know about before now, but I will most definitely be checking it out. A House of Rage and Sorrow gives us some more knowledge about the world and its myths and legends, and I am here for it.
The plot also never lets you catch your breath. It's constantly moving and keeps you hooked. Every scene and every chapter leads us to the finale of the book, and some revelations were made that shocked the hell out of me. I can't wait to see what happens further, especially since there are some mysteries that remain.
A big thing that had me screaming about this book was the representation. I'm going to compare it to Star Trek (my ultimate sci-fi) in the sense that I hope our future can be like this book. We have such a diverse set of characters, lesbian, bi, genderneutral, genderfluid, even a change of gender. And no one bats an eye. My perfect future is where, like in Star Trek and in AHORAS, everyone is accepted and can just be who they are. That is what makes this book so special.
dinibharadwaj's review against another edition
5.0
Note: I received a free finished copy of the book via Caffeine Book Tours and Sky Pony Press in exchange for an honest review
A Spark of White Fire had set the bar really high and I fully expected this book to surpass it. This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was so glad I got the opportunity to read this ahead of publication date.
Titania was one of my favourite characters from the previous book and I was so glad we got her perspective in this one. Her narration balanced out the heaviness of Esmae's voice, which was much darker in tone. The side characters also went through their own organic development, my favourites being Radha and Sybilla.
While A Spark of White Fire had a slow build-up to a thrilling climax, in this the plot started at breakneck speed that carried on until the end. The way Mandanna puts her own spin on familiar elements from the Mahabharata was my favourite part of the first book and in this one too. As someone who read some more retellings/re-imaginings of this epic I have grown up with between the first and the second book, Mandanna's creativity made this series unlike anything I have read so far in the best of ways. The world-building was also kicked up a notch and I felt more immersed this time around. It's very difficult to talk about this book without giving away spoilers, so I'll just sum up my review by saying that A House of Rage and Sorrow had all the elements I loved in A Spark of White Fire but better.
A Spark of White Fire had set the bar really high and I fully expected this book to surpass it. This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was so glad I got the opportunity to read this ahead of publication date.
Titania was one of my favourite characters from the previous book and I was so glad we got her perspective in this one. Her narration balanced out the heaviness of Esmae's voice, which was much darker in tone. The side characters also went through their own organic development, my favourites being Radha and Sybilla.
While A Spark of White Fire had a slow build-up to a thrilling climax, in this the plot started at breakneck speed that carried on until the end. The way Mandanna puts her own spin on familiar elements from the Mahabharata was my favourite part of the first book and in this one too. As someone who read some more retellings/re-imaginings of this epic I have grown up with between the first and the second book, Mandanna's creativity made this series unlike anything I have read so far in the best of ways. The world-building was also kicked up a notch and I felt more immersed this time around. It's very difficult to talk about this book without giving away spoilers, so I'll just sum up my review by saying that A House of Rage and Sorrow had all the elements I loved in A Spark of White Fire but better.
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Celestial Trilogy is a series I've been a mega fan of since before I even read and loved A Spark of White Fire. And my love has only expanded thousand fold after reading A House of Rage and Sorrow. A House of Rage and Sorrow is a powerful and spectacular sequel. As you can tell from the title, it is a story full of powerful, all consuming rage, of betrayal that leaves us blind, and sorrow that cuts a hole in our heart, a shadow on our brightest days. A story about our loss which is a raging fire, pushing us into the world as someone new and entirely unpredictable. While being an extremely emotionally charged sequel, it is one that oozes vulnerability, grief, and the hard truths we can only acknowledge in the darkest of night.
A House of Rage and Sorrow is full of gods, spaceships, sorrow, and grief. While it begins with a hilarious and informative list of characters, Mandanna constantly dances with the lines between humor, sorrow, and anger. How we can find a moment of laughter in the deepest pits of grief, or a chuckle in the face of an inferno. Once again, the characters are the true heroes of the story. Never before have they been more relatable - especially as they are in the depths of their emotions and growth.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-a-house-of-rage-and-sorrow-by-sangu-mandanna/
The Celestial Trilogy is a series I've been a mega fan of since before I even read and loved A Spark of White Fire. And my love has only expanded thousand fold after reading A House of Rage and Sorrow. A House of Rage and Sorrow is a powerful and spectacular sequel. As you can tell from the title, it is a story full of powerful, all consuming rage, of betrayal that leaves us blind, and sorrow that cuts a hole in our heart, a shadow on our brightest days. A story about our loss which is a raging fire, pushing us into the world as someone new and entirely unpredictable. While being an extremely emotionally charged sequel, it is one that oozes vulnerability, grief, and the hard truths we can only acknowledge in the darkest of night.
A House of Rage and Sorrow is full of gods, spaceships, sorrow, and grief. While it begins with a hilarious and informative list of characters, Mandanna constantly dances with the lines between humor, sorrow, and anger. How we can find a moment of laughter in the deepest pits of grief, or a chuckle in the face of an inferno. Once again, the characters are the true heroes of the story. Never before have they been more relatable - especially as they are in the depths of their emotions and growth.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-a-house-of-rage-and-sorrow-by-sangu-mandanna/
cleopatravii's review against another edition
4.0
A-/B+ | A sequel that continues to enchant with its worldbuilding and the characters were much more compelling here and in the previous book. However, the book is bogged down by unnecessary romance.
Like its predecessor, A House of Rage and Sorrow is a solid fantasy/science fiction novel. Sangu Mandanna has a way with worldbuilding and I admire and adore this so much. Her world here is as vibrant, lush, and alive as the ocean. In terms of worldbuilding, this is one of the best I’ve read.
Storywise, I think it’s on par with the previous book - well written and moves through the events at a good and steady pace. I definitely enjoyed reading this book and it has made me interested in perhaps one day reading Mahabharata when I’m not so busy with nursing school. I honestly consumed this book because I needed to know how it would end.
I loved that little twist - well, I thought it was a twist - about Max.
I also adored having Titania as a POV character. I enjoyed reading her chapters and quite frankly, I forgot that she was a warship and not a human/humanoid being. Remember in Star Wars where whenever they communicate there’s this hologram of the person they’re talking to? Yeah, that’s what I imagine with Titania.
And I will say this: the characters this time around were far more compelling. Sybilla, in particular, was the most interesting character aside from Titania.
But Esmae’s POV chapters were far more enjoyable to read because she is far more interesting here than she was before. Oh! And also much more tolerable. Rama’s fate removed the rose-tinted glasses Esmae insisted on wearing as she clung onto the belief that she could be a family with the people who abandoned her/never knew of her existence until recently. I much prefer Esmae who sees that the people around her are her family rather than the Esmae who insisted that her only family was her mother who abandoned her and brothers who used her longing for a family for their own use.
The scene with her mother truly made me scream but in a good way because Esmae needed to see the truth for herself.
And that ending? Wow, that ending. I loved it and I’m so excited for the next book.
So why is this not getting a perfect grade?
Anyone who has read my previous review about the first book knows how I feel about the romance here and unfortunately, this feeling wasn’t changed. The romance tossed here between Max and Esmae was completely unnecessary.
I love romance, okay? I do. I truly adore reading romance and getting all giddy every time characters kiss and profess their adoration for each other.
I didn’t feel that with Max and Esmae’s relationship. Their relationship was already unsteady for me in the first place and it was difficult for me to find any sort of connection or even emotion in general for them as a couple. This book truly could have done without their relationship.
Is it kinda mean that of all things, this is what brings down the book for me?
Sure. However, I believe that if an author includes romance (something that’s put down a lot in novels), it should be well-written romance. I’m sort of tired of seeing romance just tossed around willy nilly as almost a last minute edition which is what I felt like was happening here with Max and Esmae’s relationship. Sure, I have to give props to Sangu for not having the romance overtake the story as a whole, but I feel like this relationship could have been better written.
Of course, people are free to disagree with me because this is just my opinion. But if you’re looking for a great romance in this book, you won’t find it here.
If you’re someone who can ignore something like this and are looking for an otherwise fantastic, stunning, well-written sci-fi/fantasy novel, then A House of Rage and Sorrow is the book for you.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing a copy of the eARC via Edelweiss+. All opinions are my own.
Like its predecessor, A House of Rage and Sorrow is a solid fantasy/science fiction novel. Sangu Mandanna has a way with worldbuilding and I admire and adore this so much. Her world here is as vibrant, lush, and alive as the ocean. In terms of worldbuilding, this is one of the best I’ve read.
Storywise, I think it’s on par with the previous book - well written and moves through the events at a good and steady pace. I definitely enjoyed reading this book and it has made me interested in perhaps one day reading Mahabharata when I’m not so busy with nursing school. I honestly consumed this book because I needed to know how it would end.
I loved that little twist - well, I thought it was a twist - about Max.
I also adored having Titania as a POV character. I enjoyed reading her chapters and quite frankly, I forgot that she was a warship and not a human/humanoid being. Remember in Star Wars where whenever they communicate there’s this hologram of the person they’re talking to? Yeah, that’s what I imagine with Titania.
And I will say this: the characters this time around were far more compelling. Sybilla, in particular, was the most interesting character aside from Titania.
But Esmae’s POV chapters were far more enjoyable to read because she is far more interesting here than she was before. Oh! And also much more tolerable. Rama’s fate removed the rose-tinted glasses Esmae insisted on wearing as she clung onto the belief that she could be a family with the people who abandoned her/never knew of her existence until recently. I much prefer Esmae who sees that the people around her are her family rather than the Esmae who insisted that her only family was her mother who abandoned her and brothers who used her longing for a family for their own use.
The scene with her mother truly made me scream but in a good way because Esmae needed to see the truth for herself.
And that ending? Wow, that ending. I loved it and I’m so excited for the next book.
So why is this not getting a perfect grade?
Anyone who has read my previous review about the first book knows how I feel about the romance here and unfortunately, this feeling wasn’t changed. The romance tossed here between Max and Esmae was completely unnecessary.
I love romance, okay? I do. I truly adore reading romance and getting all giddy every time characters kiss and profess their adoration for each other.
I didn’t feel that with Max and Esmae’s relationship. Their relationship was already unsteady for me in the first place and it was difficult for me to find any sort of connection or even emotion in general for them as a couple. This book truly could have done without their relationship.
Is it kinda mean that of all things, this is what brings down the book for me?
Sure. However, I believe that if an author includes romance (something that’s put down a lot in novels), it should be well-written romance. I’m sort of tired of seeing romance just tossed around willy nilly as almost a last minute edition which is what I felt like was happening here with Max and Esmae’s relationship. Sure, I have to give props to Sangu for not having the romance overtake the story as a whole, but I feel like this relationship could have been better written.
Of course, people are free to disagree with me because this is just my opinion. But if you’re looking for a great romance in this book, you won’t find it here.
If you’re someone who can ignore something like this and are looking for an otherwise fantastic, stunning, well-written sci-fi/fantasy novel, then A House of Rage and Sorrow is the book for you.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing a copy of the eARC via Edelweiss+. All opinions are my own.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't read the previous book but I fell hard for this one.
I loved everything in this book and now I'm reading the previous one.
Look forward to reading other works by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved everything in this book and now I'm reading the previous one.
Look forward to reading other works by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine