Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - House of Sky and Breath

It took me literally 4 months to read this book, and I will say that the first 90% of it dragged on. If I were to rate the book on just that, it would be 2 stars - I finished because I felt like I was committed, and I didn't actively dislike it, but it was not great. But the last 10% of the book really came in and redeemed itself. I can't wait to read the 3rd book and see how the story, and most importantly, the world building will grow!

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librarian_sky's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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daniofthewood's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious 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? No

4.5

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ladynigelia's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

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amypalmer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious slow-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

3.75

I'm a little perplexed over what to rate this book and have settled on 3.75. Firstly this book is good, it is still very much heavy on the mystery and clues so be aware it isnt streight up romance or even fantasy but a combination. This has a lot more spice, was a little cringy at times for me personally but it depends if it floats your boat.

I think I preferred the first one. This one I find has too many pov's and one I particularly didn't care for (Tharion). However the plot is good and very thorrough. The first book I feel had more solid plot events to keep us going especially with the murders. This one however in the middle is a little slow for my liking. The last 100 pages really kick off in true SJM fashion, the last 100 pages really had me excited and make me eager for the next book which I can tell is gearing up for a big event. I did really like the story however this book is very exposition heavy which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I do really like the world and think what is to come is interesting.

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lauracollins096's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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? No

4.0

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amartin48's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

I honestly had more moments during this book than the first of being annoyed with characters and their poor life choices. It seemed messy and I felt Maas wrote the plot twists in this book rather predictably.

That being said, I REALLY loved the world and lore expansion in this book. And I’m a huge fan of crossover series! This book left me satisfied with our FMC/MMC relationship, hopeful for new relationships, and SO excited to revisit old favorites.

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amateur_bookworm's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

My summary: Sophie Renast is half-human and half-Vanir, and with assistance of the Ophion human rebel group, breaks her brother, Emile, and last surviving member of her family out of a death camp he’s been in for three years. Sophie is a Thunderbird and has the ability to command any kind of energy, which means the Asteri have found and killed them all. But Sophie and Emile’s escape goes wrong. Bryce Quinlan, newly revealed as the Starborn Princess, and Hunt Athalar, recently released from slavery as the Shadow of Death under the Archangels, are soon pulled into the search for Sophie and Emile, and also into the human rebellion against the Asteri. Assisting the rebellion equals certain torture or death at the hands of the Asteri, a fate Hunt barely survived once. But Bryce is committed after finding ties to Danika and dares to dream of Midgard being free of the Asteri control one day.

My thoughts: Incredible. Yes, this book is very long, but, wow, what a story Sarah J. Maas weaves through it. I love Bryce and her intrinsic nature to do what is right, no matter the cost to herself. And her relationship with Hunt—swoon—it is so primal and, just, right. I love the other characters that we learn more about through this book too. And although I knew there is crossover between this series and the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, I was somehow not at all prepared for it. I’m so excited to start the next in the series now to see how Bryce’s story continues to unfold. It is really fantasy heavy and I still have a bit of a hard time keeping it all straight, but the whole thing is just so mesmerizing that I’m again blown away by Sarah J. Maas’s ability to write such complex storylines with such depth to each character—and then tie it into seemingly unrelated worlds of hers.

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