Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

42 reviews

justbooker's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

2.75

The conflicts between Hunt and Bryce felt unnecessary and, frankly, annoying. Bryce also felt a bit wishy-washy in terms of her goals and overall feelings. One moment

she's Queen, the other she wants to burn it all down, and then she's right back to Queen mode

. There's also Ithan, who I could not have cared less about for most of the book. It felt like he only became truly relevant at the end. I understand what his character development was supposed to be throughout the book and why everything happened with him. However, ever chapter from his perspective felt like a slog. 

On the other hand, I believe this book has the best lore building moments of the series. The information dumps were easy to follow and engaging. With the lore building in the first book, it felt very scattered and needlessly confusing. This books had smooth, consistent lore that felt properly woven between character dialogue. 

As far as characters go, Lidia is probably my favorite. I appreciate the depth and growth that she shows with Ruhn. Every development between her and Ruhn kept me on the edge of my seat, desperately rooting for them. I would love to see

her children

be further developed in the next book. 

Overall, the plot felt alright. I appreciated the loose ends that were tied up. I cheered when Ruhn

got to finally kill his father

, when Lidia

got to kill Pollux

, and just all characters

getting their moment of justice.

The

Asteri conflict

has been resolved, and while there is the oncoming struggle of

setting up a new government

, it feels like everything is alright. The saying "Through love, all things are possible" is repeated time and time again, and this book really drives that theme home. I will not forget the frustrations I had with the book/series, but in the end I enjoyed my time in the world and am glad to have read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, War, Murder, Torture, Vomit, Excrement, Death, Death of parent, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Trafficking, Child death, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Alcohol, and Body horror

Minor: Sexual assault, Racism, Classism, Pregnancy, and Rape

keikiqueen'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My most anticipated book of the last two freaking years. s someone who waited and speculated for the realest….. it’s not what I thought it would be. It’s a lot darker, but also had so many happy moments. There was a plaint I was convinced there would be a. Book 4 but she managed to wrap it up in this one. I cried at the end. Also still forever pissed that ******spoilers…… no tog characters appeared by name*****

But the characters and there motivations and everything just ugh. Connor made me cry; my heart bleeds for Ithan always……… Ruhm yes. I think there will be another book cuz too many characters were left unfinished/unanswered.

https://www.reddit.com/r/crescentcitysjm/s/QPzwnnpuYH

Link to bonus chapters if anyone wants or cares

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, and Slavery

Moderate: Slavery, Genocide, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Violence, and Child death

Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Violence, Misogyny, Police brutality, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Confinement, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Child death, Colonisation, Gore, War, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gun violence, Infertility, and Murder