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A review by aeola
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas showcases eloquent descriptions and a single-line narrative that unveils a vast and immersive universe. However, despite its promising start, this book fails to deliver on several fronts, ultimately leading to my decision to not finish it at the 35% mark.
From the very beginning, it becomes apparent that the first chapter focuses heavily on characters who are destined to meet a tragic fate. While this serves to create a sense of urgency, it also makes it challenging to engage with the story. Fantasy elements aside, the core narrative revolves around a protagonist who leads a self-destructive life. It is disconcerting to witness the romanticization of a nymphomaniac and drug addict, which leaves a sour taste in the reader's mouth.
Although the story does show signs of improvement, it suffers from a significant slowdown in pacing. The narrative becomes bogged down with unnecessary details, forcing readers to seek spoilers in order to maintain interest. The author seems unsure of how to bridge the gap between the beginning and the revelation of the central mystery. As a result, the characters repeatedly dwell on the same memories and engage in lengthy conversations about the universe. This reliance on repetitive exposition and mundane actions, such as going to the table or the office, becomes tiresome and detracts from the overall storytelling experience.
Furthermore, the characterization in House of Earth and Blood falls flat. The protagonists are portrayed with youthful maximalism, often behaving and thinking like children. Additionally, the heroine is presented as unrealistically cool and intelligent, while the hero, despite his masculine appearance, possesses feminine qualities. This lack of depth and nuance in the characters further diminishes the reader's connection with the story.
Regrettably, after struggling through 285 pages, it became apparent that enduring another 500 pages of this monotonous pacing and lackluster character development would be an exercise in futility. The need to rely on internet spoilers to maintain interest ultimately overshadowed any potential enjoyment I could have derived from the book. Considering that there is a sequel to House of Earth and Blood, I find it difficult to justify investing more time in this series when there are countless other books awaiting my attention.
In conclusion, House of Earth and Blood presents a promising premise but fails to deliver on its potential. While the descriptive prose and world-building are commendable, the slow pacing, too simple characters, and romanticized portrayal of destructive behaviors hinder the overall reading experience.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
From the very beginning, it becomes apparent that the first chapter focuses heavily on characters who are destined to meet a tragic fate. While this serves to create a sense of urgency, it also makes it challenging to engage with the story. Fantasy elements aside, the core narrative revolves around a protagonist who leads a self-destructive life. It is disconcerting to witness the romanticization of a nymphomaniac and drug addict, which leaves a sour taste in the reader's mouth.
Although the story does show signs of improvement, it suffers from a significant slowdown in pacing. The narrative becomes bogged down with unnecessary details, forcing readers to seek spoilers in order to maintain interest. The author seems unsure of how to bridge the gap between the beginning and the revelation of the central mystery. As a result, the characters repeatedly dwell on the same memories and engage in lengthy conversations about the universe. This reliance on repetitive exposition and mundane actions, such as going to the table or the office, becomes tiresome and detracts from the overall storytelling experience.
Furthermore, the characterization in House of Earth and Blood falls flat. The protagonists are portrayed with youthful maximalism, often behaving and thinking like children. Additionally, the heroine is presented as unrealistically cool and intelligent, while the hero, despite his masculine appearance, possesses feminine qualities. This lack of depth and nuance in the characters further diminishes the reader's connection with the story.
Regrettably, after struggling through 285 pages, it became apparent that enduring another 500 pages of this monotonous pacing and lackluster character development would be an exercise in futility. The need to rely on internet spoilers to maintain interest ultimately overshadowed any potential enjoyment I could have derived from the book. Considering that there is a sequel to House of Earth and Blood, I find it difficult to justify investing more time in this series when there are countless other books awaiting my attention.
In conclusion, House of Earth and Blood presents a promising premise but fails to deliver on its potential. While the descriptive prose and world-building are commendable, the slow pacing, too simple characters, and romanticized portrayal of destructive behaviors hinder the overall reading experience.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gore, Murder, Grief, and Alcohol