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A review by katemc7
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
It hit me when I was reading this book that this will be the first SJM book I have reviewed!! I was not actively reviewing books when I read her other books but am debating going back and re-reading them so that I can do a review. They are also just all so amazing so it wouldn't be to my detriment LOL.
This is the third book in the Crescent City series and was ALMOST everything I had hoped it would. We got a LOT of history. We got mates reuniting and confirming what we thought would happen. We got action in the final battle scene with the Asteri, and we got more of the Princes of Hel. One of the things I didn't like was the massive lack of spice. This felt a lot like ACOWAR to me- more depth of history and battle then spice, but man did I want that from Ruhn and Lidia. I also want to point out that I feel like the reuniting of Bryce and Hunt was disappointing to me. They are separated by universes. Hunt has been tortured and when she sees him she holds it together- not the Bryce I know. Other than those things though, we got it all.
This book picks up right where we left off. Bryce is being questioned by the ACOTAR bat boys (minus Cassian) about where she came from. She doesn't think she can trust them and so she pulls a Bryce and escapes. Nesta shows up as a guide in this underground cavern that as far as she knows has never been explored. One thing I will point out is that as much as there is a crossover- I think I thought there would be more BUT I also think that SJM was purposeful in pointing out that the next ACOTAR book will be about Azriel (at least I hope). Him and Nesta were the main people that Bryce interacts with. We learn A LOT about the Asteri, the Daglan, Helena and the people that went missing from the Dusk court. And then Bryce is back in Lunathion and ends up in her father's study of all places.
Meanwhile, Hunt, Baxian and Ruhn are being tortured by none other than the Hammer and sort of the Hind. Ugh hearing Lidia's POV during these scenes was gut wrenching. She was trying to put on this BA front but slowly breaking apart inside because Ruhn was acting SOOO cold towards her (which I totally get). She is able to bring in Declan, Flynn and the gang to help coordinate an escape. Yall the escape scene with Lidia was soo intense. She was willing to sacrifice herself and that is when Ruhn realized he wasn't ready to walk away from her yet. He didn't want to identify what he was feeling but knew he didn't want it to go away.
On the other side of the city, Tharion was being whiny about making a bad decision. Ithan (be still my heart) has an encounter with the lost Sabine alpha that rocks his world and leaves him willing to do almost anything to make him right. After everything with them, I am very excited to see where their stories go. SJM left the door open enough to where I would think the next book focuses on rebuilding with them.
About the time of Ruhn, Bax and Hunt's release- Bryce ends up back at the Ocean Queen's boat after gathering some good info from her daddy-o. This is when the reuniting SHOULD be but no not yet. We find out why Lidia has been playing the literal devil for these past several years and OMG did not see that one coming. Now the roles are reversed and she is pissed at Ruhn for giving up on them so soon.
The next part of the journey takes them to Avallen which is where a TON of things happen. Bryce and co get to go to the Starlight caves. Ruhn and Lidia connect on a deeper level. Ithan is working around the clock to get answers and resolutions. This is where they make their plan for the final stand against the Asteri. There is also a showdown with Bryce's dad and the King of the Fae which I LOVED. Side note- not sure how I missed Lidia's ancestry but when it was revealed just wow. SJM is a freaking mastermind.
The final showdown was as epic as I thought it would be. The Fallen got their due. Bryce made her self sacrificing move. Ruhn did too as a matter of fact. The Princes of Hel and their army appeared. Hypaxia created a solution that has MASSIVE implications. We got answers on the connections between the worlds. Now all that is left is rebuilding and what not.
This book was just fabulous. I can't say it enough that if you haven't read any of her books please do. They legit changed my life by introducing me to romantasy. Let me know your thoughts and theories for what is next! I am thinking Ithan and Perry. Can't wait to hear more about Tharion and his wife (who we have met but don't know a ton about) and then of course Flynn and Ariadne (fingers crossed). I also want MORE Ruhn and Lidia- I need to see this world's Shadow Daddy at work :)
This is the third book in the Crescent City series and was ALMOST everything I had hoped it would. We got a LOT of history. We got mates reuniting and confirming what we thought would happen. We got action in the final battle scene with the Asteri, and we got more of the Princes of Hel. One of the things I didn't like was the massive lack of spice. This felt a lot like ACOWAR to me- more depth of history and battle then spice, but man did I want that from Ruhn and Lidia. I also want to point out that I feel like the reuniting of Bryce and Hunt was disappointing to me. They are separated by universes. Hunt has been tortured and when she sees him she holds it together- not the Bryce I know. Other than those things though, we got it all.
This book picks up right where we left off. Bryce is being questioned by the ACOTAR bat boys (minus Cassian) about where she came from. She doesn't think she can trust them and so she pulls a Bryce and escapes. Nesta shows up as a guide in this underground cavern that as far as she knows has never been explored. One thing I will point out is that as much as there is a crossover- I think I thought there would be more BUT I also think that SJM was purposeful in pointing out that the next ACOTAR book will be about Azriel (at least I hope). Him and Nesta were the main people that Bryce interacts with. We learn A LOT about the Asteri, the Daglan, Helena and the people that went missing from the Dusk court. And then Bryce is back in Lunathion and ends up in her father's study of all places.
Meanwhile, Hunt, Baxian and Ruhn are being tortured by none other than the Hammer and sort of the Hind. Ugh hearing Lidia's POV during these scenes was gut wrenching. She was trying to put on this BA front but slowly breaking apart inside because Ruhn was acting SOOO cold towards her (which I totally get). She is able to bring in Declan, Flynn and the gang to help coordinate an escape. Yall the escape scene with Lidia was soo intense. She was willing to sacrifice herself and that is when Ruhn realized he wasn't ready to walk away from her yet. He didn't want to identify what he was feeling but knew he didn't want it to go away.
On the other side of the city, Tharion was being whiny about making a bad decision. Ithan (be still my heart) has an encounter with the lost Sabine alpha that rocks his world and leaves him willing to do almost anything to make him right. After everything with them, I am very excited to see where their stories go. SJM left the door open enough to where I would think the next book focuses on rebuilding with them.
About the time of Ruhn, Bax and Hunt's release- Bryce ends up back at the Ocean Queen's boat after gathering some good info from her daddy-o. This is when the reuniting SHOULD be but no not yet. We find out why Lidia has been playing the literal devil for these past several years and OMG did not see that one coming. Now the roles are reversed and she is pissed at Ruhn for giving up on them so soon.
The next part of the journey takes them to Avallen which is where a TON of things happen. Bryce and co get to go to the Starlight caves. Ruhn and Lidia connect on a deeper level. Ithan is working around the clock to get answers and resolutions. This is where they make their plan for the final stand against the Asteri. There is also a showdown with Bryce's dad and the King of the Fae which I LOVED. Side note- not sure how I missed Lidia's ancestry but when it was revealed just wow. SJM is a freaking mastermind.
The final showdown was as epic as I thought it would be. The Fallen got their due. Bryce made her self sacrificing move. Ruhn did too as a matter of fact. The Princes of Hel and their army appeared. Hypaxia created a solution that has MASSIVE implications. We got answers on the connections between the worlds. Now all that is left is rebuilding and what not.
This book was just fabulous. I can't say it enough that if you haven't read any of her books please do. They legit changed my life by introducing me to romantasy. Let me know your thoughts and theories for what is next! I am thinking Ithan and Perry. Can't wait to hear more about Tharion and his wife (who we have met but don't know a ton about) and then of course Flynn and Ariadne (fingers crossed). I also want MORE Ruhn and Lidia- I need to see this world's Shadow Daddy at work :)