A review by ryrichard28
A House of Rage and Sorrow by Sangu Mandanna

5.0

This book was so beautifully heartbreaking. I don’t think I’ve ever been so impressed with a sequel. I couldn’t sleep until it was done, and now I’m in a funky fuzzy haze trying to recover from an overload of feelings.

Esmae is becoming more of a tragic heroine as the story progresses. I’ve never felt that she’s gotten anything too easily. She’s paid the price for every one of her defiant choices. And yet her defiant, stubborn choices don’t make me frustrated with her because I can empathize with her completely. She’s so angry, and so unwilling to let go of the people who have betrayed her; she wants a justice that will burn the world down. I love that strength. I love watching her punish people. But I also hope that she’ll survive the fire she’s fueling without losing the people who matter. She’s a natural disaster, and I don’t know if a happy ending can come out of so much destruction.

I hope happiness is at the end. I want Esmae to get her revenge and still be ok after it’s all done. She hasn’t done anything irredeemable, so it’s possible.. Here’s hoping. *fingers crossed*