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rukistarsailor's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
krwriter8's review against another edition
5.0
When the Sea is Rising Red has become one of my favorite YA books of all time, so I was thrilled to find out there would be a sequel. I was disappointed at first because the first third of this book was very slow and difficult to get into, despite how much I loved the first book. However, once the pace picked up I found myself swept away once again by Hellisen's dreamy prose and haunting voice. I relished reading about what happened to Felicita and Jannik after they left Pelimburg, and I love the unique world Hellisen has created. While I did not love this book as much as Sea, it was still a strong sequel with a satisfying end to Felicita's story. I look forward to devouring whatever Ms. Hellisen writes next!
casseyt's review against another edition
5.0
Aaaaaaaaah, I'm reeling, just reeling. That ending was ALL OF THE THINGS. In a bid to have the review be slightly helpful I'd like to say it's like a regency romance is some parts, only it's not. It's all about magic, only it's not. It's all about fascinating broken people finding themselves, only it's not. It's not one thing or the other IT'S ALL OF THE THINGS.
If you're wondering I loved this. Am now loathe to star reading something else and leave this world.
Jannik and Fil forever!
If you're wondering I loved this. Am now loathe to star reading something else and leave this world.
Jannik and Fil forever!
xan_van_rooyen's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't think it was possible to read a vampire book and find it fresh or original any more and yet here it is - a unique take on vampires that is both disturbing and entrancing. Love it!
While I seriously couldn't stand the narrator, Felicita, for a good portion of this novel, she did eventually show some back bone and had a great character arc.
My favourite character is of course the vampire Jannik. I could read an entire series just about him (hint hint Cat!) Even though Felicita hogs the narrative, it is Jannik who is at the heart of the story as the plot is solidly woven around vampire affairs.
The writing in book 2 is as lovely and enthralling as it was in book 1. Being South African and knowing the author is South African, I picked up on many subtle references to the country such as the afternoon thunder showers and the collapsing mine tunnels - allusions perhaps only other SA readers might catch. I loved this extra layer of familiarity in the fantasy world and it makes me want to dive right into book 3!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on fantasy that is equal parts Victorian, urban, and paranormal. The genre mashing-up is seamlessly done here and makes for an intriguing read.
While I seriously couldn't stand the narrator, Felicita, for a good portion of this novel, she did eventually show some back bone and had a great character arc.
My favourite character is of course the vampire Jannik. I could read an entire series just about him (hint hint Cat!) Even though Felicita hogs the narrative, it is Jannik who is at the heart of the story as the plot is solidly woven around vampire affairs.
The writing in book 2 is as lovely and enthralling as it was in book 1. Being South African and knowing the author is South African, I picked up on many subtle references to the country such as the afternoon thunder showers and the collapsing mine tunnels - allusions perhaps only other SA readers might catch. I loved this extra layer of familiarity in the fantasy world and it makes me want to dive right into book 3!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on fantasy that is equal parts Victorian, urban, and paranormal. The genre mashing-up is seamlessly done here and makes for an intriguing read.
loveisnotatriangle's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
House of Sand and Secrets begins a few months after the end of When the Sea is Rising Red. While the author has called all of the books in her "Hobverse" series companions that could be read in any order, I would argue that these two stories are a solid duet. House of Sand and Secrets again follows Felcita, continuing the emotional and personal growth she began in the first book. I read these novels back to back, and I found it to be extremely rewarding to experience them as a pair. However, while WTSIRR was published as a YA book, I'd consider HOSAS to have crossed the line into adult fiction. The story and themes have Felicita navigating much more in an adult world, especially in her responsibilities and relationships.
While it was sometimes hard to tell what Felicita was thinking in When the Sea is Rising Red, causing a bit of disconnect and frustration between me and her, she is much more reflective and aware of herself in House of Sand and Secrets. Felicita feels guilt for past choices and works to correct them. Her change from the first story is tremendous and one of my favorite parts of this book. That isn't to say she doesn't still make a few decisions that made me want to strangle her. But Felicita is so much more self aware and trying her best. I truly loved her progress throughout this book, and I especially enjoyed seeing how far she's grown since the start of book one.
I also adored the romance in House of Sand and Secrets, although I thought I'd hate it at first. It is tough in the beginning, and had my stomach in uncomfortable knots for a while, but the payoff is hard won and sweet. I loved seeing the power of these two together. How well they balance each other and what they could accomplish when they were on the same page and had the same goals. This is another aspect of HOSAS that I think was stronger for me because I'd read WTSIRR, and watched how the relationship between these two has developed throughout the series.
What I like about Cat Hellisen's stories is that she has created a complex and rich fantasy world with a detailed society and political climate, and stuck a very human, personal story about one girl within it. The strongest theme carrying throughout this series is Felicita. This book stays focused on the characters instead of what needs to be fixed in this society, although that is very much present and it would be impossible to separate the characters from their world. However, I am hoping that we get to see some more changes come in the next book in the series.
If you've read and enjoyed When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets is a must read. If you've yet to start the series these two books read very well back to back. Although the location and problems shift, there is continuity in the overall issues in this world as well as in Felicita's growth as a person and in her relationships. The lush fantasy world also enchanted me, and got stronger as the series progressed. I really liked WTSIRR, but I fell hard for HOSAS and cannot wait for whatever else Hellisen writes.
Love Triangle Factor: Uncomfortable Mild
Cliffhanger Scale: Low
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle
House of Sand and Secrets begins a few months after the end of When the Sea is Rising Red. While the author has called all of the books in her "Hobverse" series companions that could be read in any order, I would argue that these two stories are a solid duet. House of Sand and Secrets again follows Felcita, continuing the emotional and personal growth she began in the first book. I read these novels back to back, and I found it to be extremely rewarding to experience them as a pair. However, while WTSIRR was published as a YA book, I'd consider HOSAS to have crossed the line into adult fiction. The story and themes have Felicita navigating much more in an adult world, especially in her responsibilities and relationships.
While it was sometimes hard to tell what Felicita was thinking in When the Sea is Rising Red, causing a bit of disconnect and frustration between me and her, she is much more reflective and aware of herself in House of Sand and Secrets. Felicita feels guilt for past choices and works to correct them. Her change from the first story is tremendous and one of my favorite parts of this book. That isn't to say she doesn't still make a few decisions that made me want to strangle her. But Felicita is so much more self aware and trying her best. I truly loved her progress throughout this book, and I especially enjoyed seeing how far she's grown since the start of book one.
I also adored the romance in House of Sand and Secrets, although I thought I'd hate it at first. It is tough in the beginning, and had my stomach in uncomfortable knots for a while, but the payoff is hard won and sweet. I loved seeing the power of these two together. How well they balance each other and what they could accomplish when they were on the same page and had the same goals. This is another aspect of HOSAS that I think was stronger for me because I'd read WTSIRR, and watched how the relationship between these two has developed throughout the series.
What I like about Cat Hellisen's stories is that she has created a complex and rich fantasy world with a detailed society and political climate, and stuck a very human, personal story about one girl within it. The strongest theme carrying throughout this series is Felicita. This book stays focused on the characters instead of what needs to be fixed in this society, although that is very much present and it would be impossible to separate the characters from their world. However, I am hoping that we get to see some more changes come in the next book in the series.
If you've read and enjoyed When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets is a must read. If you've yet to start the series these two books read very well back to back. Although the location and problems shift, there is continuity in the overall issues in this world as well as in Felicita's growth as a person and in her relationships. The lush fantasy world also enchanted me, and got stronger as the series progressed. I really liked WTSIRR, but I fell hard for HOSAS and cannot wait for whatever else Hellisen writes.
Love Triangle Factor: Uncomfortable Mild
Cliffhanger Scale: Low
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle
fyoosha's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than the first one! Hellisen's language is beautiful, flowing delightfully, with vivid imagery and lovely turns of phrase. The relationship between Felicita and Jannik is fascinating (OTP, anyone?) and one of my favorite things about this book. The plot is also more cohesive this time around.
My one complaint is the publishing - the book is in a strange format and riddled with typos. Almost as though it's self-published...?
And, as always, a map would have made things better!
My one complaint is the publishing - the book is in a strange format and riddled with typos. Almost as though it's self-published...?
And, as always, a map would have made things better!
wynne_ronareads's review against another edition
4.0
First off let me see this book PHYSICALLY was very strange. I bought it on Amazon, and the cover seems unfinished, the type face inside is different sizes and there are tons of grammatical errors. It seems like an unfinished copy, and yet all of the publishing info on the inside doesn't indicate this. Weird. Kind of distracting.
Thank goodness for Cat Hellisen's continued talent at world building and believable heroines. I have to admit, since the finale of the first book ("When the Sea is Rising Red") was slightly confusing, I didn't remember as much as I would've liked going into this one. Felicita and the vampire Jannik are now married, in as loveless of a marriage as could possibly be arranged. I felt this was strange, since Felicita was so naturally drawn to Jannik in the first novel. Their feelings of safety and where they stand in the social realm of things has put an enormous strain on any attempts at a relationship. Because as much as they bristle at the idea of falling into society's hierarchical trap, they must in order to survive.
The MallenIve houses are slightly more...underbelly? Shall we say? Wives do scriv and poisonink while their husbands are engaging in sexual fetishes with the vampire sect they claim to hate so much. In fact I think what makes Hellisen's world building so wonderful is that she takes familiar aspects from the "real world" and adapts them to that of a fantasy one. There are still whore houses and celebrities, they are just vampire "rooks" and wealthy male witches. It's easy to understand because it's something we already know.
When vampires start to turn up dead with their faces literally removed, Felicita knows that her position and her life (as well as those of her husband and few friends) are in jeopardy. As they race against the clock for answers, Felicita and Jannik are inevitably pushed closer together. Watching their relationship change is natural and realistic and I CANNOT TOOT THE HORN LOUD ENOUGH! FINALLY a YA author who knows how to treat the topic of sex with her female lead.
SO MANY young adult authors tip toe around it, afraid to even breathe the "S word" for fear it may inspire legions of their female readers to run off and procreate. Heaven forbid we remind young women that sexual desires, feelings and parts of ourselves are NORMAL and HEALTHY and IMPERATIVE to understanding who we are as people. Hellisen allows Felicita to acknowledge and explore her sexual feelings without the tired "safety net" of virginity, marriage or abstinence. It reads beautifully and most importantly--realistically.
The story ends in a satisfying way, the mystery treated with dignity but also no obvious conclusions. There is still more ways for Hellisen to take the story further, and because I enjoy her characters, trust her plots and enjoy her writing, I'm up for whatever she has next. Even if the font is in multiple sizes.
Thank goodness for Cat Hellisen's continued talent at world building and believable heroines. I have to admit, since the finale of the first book ("When the Sea is Rising Red") was slightly confusing, I didn't remember as much as I would've liked going into this one. Felicita and the vampire Jannik are now married, in as loveless of a marriage as could possibly be arranged. I felt this was strange, since Felicita was so naturally drawn to Jannik in the first novel. Their feelings of safety and where they stand in the social realm of things has put an enormous strain on any attempts at a relationship. Because as much as they bristle at the idea of falling into society's hierarchical trap, they must in order to survive.
The MallenIve houses are slightly more...underbelly? Shall we say? Wives do scriv and poisonink while their husbands are engaging in sexual fetishes with the vampire sect they claim to hate so much. In fact I think what makes Hellisen's world building so wonderful is that she takes familiar aspects from the "real world" and adapts them to that of a fantasy one. There are still whore houses and celebrities, they are just vampire "rooks" and wealthy male witches. It's easy to understand because it's something we already know.
When vampires start to turn up dead with their faces literally removed, Felicita knows that her position and her life (as well as those of her husband and few friends) are in jeopardy. As they race against the clock for answers, Felicita and Jannik are inevitably pushed closer together. Watching their relationship change is natural and realistic and I CANNOT TOOT THE HORN LOUD ENOUGH! FINALLY a YA author who knows how to treat the topic of sex with her female lead.
SO MANY young adult authors tip toe around it, afraid to even breathe the "S word" for fear it may inspire legions of their female readers to run off and procreate. Heaven forbid we remind young women that sexual desires, feelings and parts of ourselves are NORMAL and HEALTHY and IMPERATIVE to understanding who we are as people. Hellisen allows Felicita to acknowledge and explore her sexual feelings without the tired "safety net" of virginity, marriage or abstinence. It reads beautifully and most importantly--realistically.
The story ends in a satisfying way, the mystery treated with dignity but also no obvious conclusions. There is still more ways for Hellisen to take the story further, and because I enjoy her characters, trust her plots and enjoy her writing, I'm up for whatever she has next. Even if the font is in multiple sizes.
friedatweehuysen's review against another edition
5.0
So much power, torn asunder! Felicita grows and learns so much more, both in power and intrigue. And love. Fabulous!
reader_fictions's review
5.0
There’s a little book you may not have heard of, given the marketing strategies of certain publishers involve not marketing some titles. Cat Hellisen’s debut When the Sea Is Rising Red is a rather strange book, but one that I personally believe deserves a lot more hype than it actually got. I do see where it’s not a book that will work for everyone, but it’s truly original, daring, and utterly fantastical. House of Sand and Secrets leaves When the Sea Is Rising Red behind in quality, feels, and originality, an incredibly rare quality in a sequel indeed.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.