Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

35 reviews

traceyanderson's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

iftheshoef1tz's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • 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

3.5

Although this book was narratively sounder and much more like SJM at her best, it was still not my favorite read. Bryce was insufferable the whole book, which surprised me because I used to be a Bryce apologist. It suddenly seemed to obvious to me that she had done nothing with the character development she had gone through by the end of HOEAB. She is the same at the end of HOFAS as she was at the beginning of HOSAB, and it really rankled. Hunt’s very recent trauma in the dungeon was treated like
a pesky, over emotional response that was getting in the way of Bryce super special secret plan, and her apology was bullshit. She only apologized when she needed him to comfort her.
I was glad that
Sigrid
was killed off instead of shoe-horned into being
Ithan’s mate. Perry
isn’t a great substitute IMO, but at least that was left open-ended. I also didn’t care for DayNight, especially because Ruhn seemed to recover so quickly from his shock and horror at Lidia being the Hind. Of all the romances to not leave open-ended, this one is the most baffling to me. Lidia is forgiven so quickly
(and by her kids’ gay mer dads, who have only ever known her as a merciless killer/torturer and suddenly they’re like best bros by the end and both her kids love her and call her mom - UGH)
 

Ithan and Tharion had such incredible chemistry, starting from HOSAB. That continued through HOFAS, and yet they are both pushed into heterosexual pairings, at least one of which feels utterly contrived because of how little she was ever mentioned.
I think Perry was referenced like…twice in HOSAB?
At least with
Tharion and Sathia,
she has a former lover who she clearly still loves. It’s possible their marriage of convenience could turn them into something More, but I sincerely hope not. 

Overall, I had an okay time, especially any time Nesta was on the page. It fell flat in a lot of ways and suffered from bloat like HOSAB. Not to mention they spent time in caves TWICE. Why?? Girl, why??????

Tropes:
Crossover
Ruhn’s
hand
should join the Addams family
Local woman withholds all details
Failing upwards (x2)

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dani_reis's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

HEAVY SPOILERS IN REVIEW

I wholeheartedly disagree with Bloomsbury giving out ARCs. The amount of people spoiling the story pre-release is unacceptable. 

The ending was too focused on being a HEA and tried making a neat little packaged ending. Instead of cliffhanger POVs, I just felt like they were useless. Tharian headed back to Ariadne, and his wife going after another love. Then Ithan not telling literally anyone "don't drink the water after" because wtf are they supposed to drink? Sigrid just being a loose end. I think it's Perry, Amelie's sister, who isn't explained at all, and I'm not sure I care. 

The crossover. Was it even necessary?? They spent the whole time in the caves. She leaves them wanting to kill her or slice off her back, and she's like "hey, you're all cool, take my fragile, human parents who I'd split worlds to save." But she never stepped out of the caves to experience fae culture to change her mind about fae. 

Hel. Hel was not even needed because she could have just had a conversation with Aidas. They didn't even explore Hel, and sounds like they never will go back.

Hunt was pretty toxic in this book. I am anticipating that Hunt and Bryce have issues in future books (please be only one more).

As a whole, I really enjoyed it. It had lots of action. But let's just admit: Lydia carried this book, until the "I have secret children plot." 

 
Bonus chapter from Walmart: liked it. Gave us insight to why she maybe gave up her parents to them.

Bonus from B&N: meh. I wanted to skim it. Near the end it was cute, but kind of mad I own the copy.

Bonus from indie: loved it. Thank fucking god. Approve of this one.

Still need to read the other bonus chapters. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bi_n_large's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced
  • 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

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

goodchivesonly's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

2.0

 Je mehr ich über dieses Buch nachdenke, nachdem ich es gelesen habe, desto schlechter wird es. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...