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A review by shottel
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I am not the target demographic of this book, or, likely, any of Sarah J. Maas's books. As one article put it, Maas specializes in "attractively damaged" characters, and as far as I read this book seems chock full of them: people who, from an objective accounting, have a lot going for them, but they're just very upset about something. In the case of this book, in the opening the main character has a rich and powerful dad, a rich and powerful boyfriend, and a rich and powerful best friend. I do not feel particularly bad for her lot in life, although it seems I am supposed to.
Additionally, Crescent City is supposed to be the more "mature" line in Maas's portfolio. To be entirely frank, it felt a little bit like an 18 year old's idea of what "mature" means. The characters you are immediately introduced to are painted as irresponsible punks, but also hold positions of prestige; they are highly respected, but also get to skip lines and do drugs. I'm aware I stopped right before the plot picked up, but this is how they spent the first 50 pages establishing the world. It's not the kind of "mature" I'm looking for.
If you're like me, then you might want to try something else. But if you like this kind of story, or Maas's other works, then don't let me dissuade you. The writing is solid, and the world is interesting. I just couldn't get with the characters, and how they were presented.
Additionally, Crescent City is supposed to be the more "mature" line in Maas's portfolio. To be entirely frank, it felt a little bit like an 18 year old's idea of what "mature" means. The characters you are immediately introduced to are painted as irresponsible punks, but also hold positions of prestige; they are highly respected, but also get to skip lines and do drugs. I'm aware I stopped right before the plot picked up, but this is how they spent the first 50 pages establishing the world. It's not the kind of "mature" I'm looking for.
If you're like me, then you might want to try something else. But if you like this kind of story, or Maas's other works, then don't let me dissuade you. The writing is solid, and the world is interesting. I just couldn't get with the characters, and how they were presented.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, and Sexual harassment