Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

375 reviews

miss_mariel_99's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

The pace starts slow, but picks up in the second half of the book. Similarly the likability of the characters changes throughout the book, some of their actions are unexpected and even downright stupid. But overall I definitely fell in love with them. The plot twist and it's resolution were (at least to me) really surprising and made me cry and feel with the characters. 
Overall a pretty good read which left me excited for the next part. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, and Classism

Moderate: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Genocide, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Physical abuse

erupoo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Too long. Had to pause twice to take several week/month breaks.I felt it was a little corny sometimes. Finally finished last 8%. I like the main character a lot- strong, independent, funny, confident, etc. Engaging plot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Death

Moderate: Drug use

yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed this one! The characters were so easy to love and root for! I thought the magical realism was explained well. Sometimes I got a bit lost in the world building but it wasn’t too bad. I love the way this book handled grief. It really showed how differently it can manifest. The writing was good. Every time I thought I had it figured it the plot twisted the other way and I was surprised.

Bryce’s goodbyes had me crying and I absolutely loved her relationship with Hunt.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Slavery, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Sexual content, Gore, Suicide attempt, Blood, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Bullying, Dysphoria, Body horror, Drug use, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Classism, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Domestic abuse, Vomit, Animal death, and Toxic relationship

extraginger's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Slavery

Moderate: Misogyny, Death, Police brutality, Death of parent, War, Xenophobia, Medical content, Sexual content, and Murder

samellecooke's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Five gold stars for the Queen of Romantasy, SJM. I put off reading this until we got closer to the release date for HOFAS (Crescent City #3) and THANK THE GODS I DID! I don't think I could have waited the 2 years some people did for the other two books. 

For those new to SJM and her wonderous works, I highly recommend you read the ACOTAR series first. While not totally necessary for CC #1, I think you'd be doing yourself a complete disservice if you begin your SJM pilgrimage here. So go on that amazing journey first, then come back. I might also recommend just reading TOG while you're at it too, even though this an insanely long reading adventure...but well worth it IMHO. At the very, very least, read ACOTAR 1-3.

I loved everything about this new world. The introduction of technology in the urban fantasy landscape, knowing that one or more of SJM's other worlds (which do NOT have modern day tech) may be involved, was impeccably done. The new cast of characters are all A+ in my book. I may not have loved each of them initially or throughout the entire book, but by the end everyone has their place and I loved them for that. This is one, of many!, of SJM's strong suits - character development. 

Loved that we started off the book on an unexpected bang. I remember reading various reviews saying that the first 100 or so pages of HOEAB would be rough and you'd need to take notes, so on and so forth. After finally reading it, I didn't find that need at all seeing as she kills off AN ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE almost immediately. Lol, a fucking queen.

But that's ok because we collect a whole new cast of characters who are all badasses in their own rights. I won't say too much about the remaining content except for this: that ending WRECKED me. I think it was worse than the endings of ACOWAR and ACOSF combined. I am not a crier...I shed tears twice. "Light it up."

I went into this book almost completely blind. I bought this and HOSAB site unseen. Didn't read a single summary, back cover, or jacket flap. In Maas, I trust. And you better believe, she delivered! On to CC #2.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Drug use, Murder, Violence, and Gore

Moderate: Grief

ljtalbot's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Medical content, Grief, Gore, Gaslighting, Drug use, Cursing, Classism, Slavery, Murder, Death, Torture, Blood, Alcohol, and Sexual content

Moderate: Medical content, Confinement, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: War and Vomit

hellandhogwarts's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Grief, Addiction, Bullying, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Gun violence, Death, Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture

lilhappyhermit's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Being immersed into Crescent City as you follow Bryce and Hunt’s journey, both individually and together, was such a whirlwind of an experience. Two strangers, brought together after not seeing each other for 2 years, have to team up to solve a string of murders that tie to the tragic night that initially brought them together. Secrets unfold as their investigation furthers, causing Bryce and Hunt to be vulnerable and face their past traumas. Their journey is intense, raw and jaw dropping.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts

amy_in_the_city's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-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? Yes

4.0

I really liked the slow-burn development of the relationship. The characters tell us and show us why they fall for each other, instead of it just being insta-love because they're both attractive people. 

The mystery plot was really engaging and the world was interesting. I was confused by the worldbuilding and think a map of the world (instead of just the city) and a glossary of terminology would have been helpful.

I found the rudeness and hostility between Bryce and Hunt at the beginning to be immature and very annoying. Luckily the characters were developed, and I really liked them and their relationship by the end of the book. I thought it was great that they develop a friendship first and then eventually a romantic relationship. The scene where she takes care of him when he's feeling messed up after getting back from one of Micah's assignments was so sweet.

The last 200 pages or so were awesome. Just a wild ride, crazy action-packed and full of emotion.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Body horror, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Gore, Death, Drug abuse, Vomit, Drug use, Medical content, Murder, Racism, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and War

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Confinement, Sexism, Addiction, Torture, Police brutality, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, and Misogyny

Minor: Hate crime, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Classism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicidal thoughts

readwithde's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I had been warned that the first quarter of the book was lore-heavy, but I didn't find that to be true. I felt like the story started straight away and many things in later chapters had just as much lore and worldbuilding as the beginning of the book. 

I love the mix of fantasy and urban elements, especially mixing magical power with science. I liked how visceral the feelings and reactions were to the classist hierarchy in the society; it felt very real and bought the 1984 vibes that we no longer have in this social-media based society. 

I felt like the end came too quickly; I would have liked to see some aftermath and some clue as to how society will move forward. It felt very ambiguous. I'm hoping more questions will be answered in book 2.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Slavery, Gore, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Racism, Cursing, Classism, and Death

Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Drug use, Vomit, Colonisation, Genocide, and Sexual content

Minor: Medical content, Torture, Animal cruelty, and Bullying