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howboutjane'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Gore, Violence, Vomit, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
spicycronereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I found the first book House of Earth and Blood to be enjoyable. Bryce the FMC is kind of a mess but which was kind of endearing - I mean, who among us has not had a secret resume file on our work computer? I appreciate that she is a bit older (has finished college) and is seggs positive. The development of her friendship and eventual romance with Hunt, the MMC, was sweet. There was a maturity to the progression of their relationship that was more recognizable than the insta-love, fated mates relationships in other books.
The blending of magic, science, and technology were interesting. The plot twists were…ok? Some of them were predictable. There were so many characters that when something was revealed about someone, it generally was not someone you thought you “knew.” So the twists kept the plot moving but didn’t feel really like a betrayal. There were other places where the plot was a little convoluted and didn’t seem to go anywhere or payoff after the buildup (ex: that character in the tank).
As I was finishing the book I saw someone say to be sure to read ACOTAR before reading CC. So far I can’t figure out how they are connected. Maybe in book 2 it will become apparent (*fingers crossed for a Bryaxis sighting*)
Ruhn and the absent Danika are the only secondary characters with any kind of depth though others like Lehabah, June, and Declan add bits and pieces to the narrative.
The question of diverse representation is a hard one to answer. Bryce is repeatedly described as curvy. And she and other characters are described as having golden or tan skin. Race is a social construct so the racial categories of this fantasy world would not map onto race as we understand it. So there is a variety of skin tones but I don’t know that I would necessarily call it racial diversity. Hypaxia seems like the only definitely not-white character.
The spice is a definite slow burn. There are a few moments of buildup where you think it is going to happen, only to have things delayed.
So, overall, likable characters, a cool magic system, with a sometimes convoluted plot, and a slow burn. I enjoyed it and will definitely read book 2 in anticipation of the release of book 3 next month! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
Minor: Gun violence
ladydeathnesta'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
I love them equally.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
infjkiki'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
jennipea382'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: Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Classism
clem9'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
I liked her healing journey and how it was accompaniyng Hunt's as well. They were both such great protagonist to me and I love them so much. Bryce was so much fun and living through her grief was heartbreaking. She honestly deserves the best. Hunt made me feel so much emotion as well and I truly hope he'll get the ending he deserves because he suffered too much. Not very much the betrayal I felt with what he did but well... Everything else he did for Bryce kinda overpower that part ? I really hope that in the end they will be together and happy. (A little mad that they never had a full scene of loving each other without getting interrupted or cockblocked). The way they came to love/respect each other as friends (with tension) first is so spcecial, I LOVE THEM SO MUCH !!
Ruhn, I really liked his character and he's relationship with Bryce. Kind of an asshole for what he said to her (even if he didn't mean it). I was so happy that he and Bryce's relationship got repaired in the end. I just want him to find the answers to his questions, happiness and that he finally gets away from his father to discover his worth
As for Danika, before reading the book I had echoes that a lot of people didn't like her and, why ? I mean I love her so much. Her story is so tragic and her end even worse. I get her lying, hiding things is annoying but she's a geniunly good person and I just loved ? I guess it depends on people. But I really needed that reunion at the end between Bryce and her.
I never liked Micah but I never imagined that he was that bad I guess. The moment he went to see Bryce I just knew that he was the one who had killed the pack and Danika. And I felt a little happy that it wasn't the theory that Danika was a druggie that was true. Still I guess it added more to the tragedy of their end that Danika was still forced to kill them and herself. Micah deserved that death and so much worse (I laughed a lot when Bryce vacuumed him).
Sandriel, nothing to say about that bitch she deserved what she got. Good for Hunt.
I kinda guessed during the book that Bryce was the Starborn one and not Ruhn, but I liked how she got her powers in the end and how it emphasise how she deserved it. Very surprising to realise where Danika had hidden the horn, but she was smart, smart for it.
For what disappointed me it's only that I feel we didn't get much on the side characters ? I don't know why, maybe it's just me but I would've liked to have more information on the other characters but I guess we'll on the next book.
Honorable mentions :
- Lehaba whose death made me cry and the scene of respect the people in the summit give her while watching her sacrifice didn't help me at all.
- The Prime sleeping through the whole chaos (I think ?) and waking up to spew philosophical shit made my day.
- The fact that in the end I don't know the pack of devils very well but I was so happy that Bryce could see them one last time (Thanks to the Under King)
- The idea of Connor and Bryce will always have special place in my heart.
- I was happy to see Sabine crying for Danika (?) cause I hated her so much and I hope the pack will give good apologies for how they treated Bryce.
- Juniper and Fury <3 (even thought I still don't understand why she ghosted Bryce for two years)
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Blood, and War
kamrynkoble'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: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
maddie_rae_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cursing and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content
carolinesoverbooked'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol