Reviews tagging 'Gore'

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

283 reviews

samellecooke's review against another edition

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

Moderate: Grief

vendy_kha's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

My heart is shattered. 
Light it up, light it up, light it up!!!
Nothing's what it seems, you'll be surprised by the things that will get you to your knees. I laughed, cried, broke down, was brought back to life... Play "did you know that there's a tunnel under ocean blvd - Lana del Rey" for full effect once you reach chapter 91 (on repeat) to really set the mood. Fun times. 

I absolutely enjoyed the characters in this book. Love the whole Maasiverse and this one's really a true part of it all ❤️‍🔥

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

mad_books_'s review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

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

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

Minor: Vomit and War

readcaffinedaydreamrepeat's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Genocide and War

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

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

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

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

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

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

lonelygh0st's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I have to be honest, I struggled with the first few chapters. VERY dense with world building and a lot of characters introduced in a short time. But it picked up eventually, the slow burn romance is immaculate. I didn’t think I would like this series as much as Throne of Glass but I truly do, the characters are fun and different. The plot twists and turns kept me guessing, It kept me hooked and interested. And in typical SJM style the last 200 ish pages are like a rollercoaster. This book had me by the throat. I’m not normally an “expressive” reader but I paced my house a couple times, sobbed for a solid 5 minutes, laughed. I loved it, truly earned 5⭐️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder

zia_c's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

To be very honest, this is story is hella entertaining. I can't wait to read the 3rd book in this series. 🥰

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

bunnyjean73's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Genocide, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury