So I was really unsure how many stars to give this one but I’ll go with 4 for now as I’ve loved all of SJM’s books so far.

*SPOILER WARNING*
If you’re going into this book with high expectations, lower them. I think I had read way too many theories on how everything could be connected so I went in thinking this story would go a completely different way. Having said that, it’s my own fault for trying to predict where it would go however I still feel as though the ending of HOSAB led us to believe the crossover would be more prevalent, I thought that the characters from acotar would help out a lot more.
I wasn’t expecting all of SJM characters to be in it but I mean even just Rhys and Nesta joining their war would’ve helped them out loads.
I also think I was left feeling underwhelmed as I know that Sarah has written amazing endings before. I was hoping for more of a Kingdom of Ash type of ending where all the characters from all books come into play and reunite in a really emotional way, and instead the war just felt a little flat.
I expected more having 3 princes of hel, we barely saw them at the end.
And where was Ariadne?

As for the pacing of the book, I felt like some scenes were dragging on, Bryce, Nesta and Azriel in the tunnels didn’t need to be that long in my opinion and all of the Tharion and Ithan chapters felt a bit pointless at times? I think Ithans growth obviously turned out to be important but Tharions chapters didn’t really add up to much (unless he’s a main focus in CC4) but then if that’s the case, why was he mentioned so much in this book when it could’ve been focusing on other characters?
I felt like some chapters were so slow and then we would get a massive info dump at the end (which was great at tying up loose ends) but I wish it had been a bit more fast paced maybe.

I liked that Jesiba was included however I still felt like I needed some more explanation from her character?

This was definitely a Crescent City book rather than a CC X Acotar crossover book like everyone thought it would be so going into it with no expectations is better. I still enjoyed the book and there were moments I loved like Ruhn and Lidia but I also felt like it was a bit of a cop out not killing off any main characters? As much as I would’ve hated to see Ruhn die, someone like that would’ve brought the emotional aspect into it too.

You’re telling me none of them die?

Buuuuuut, having said all of that, I still love all of SJMs works but for me House of Earth and Blood was the best of the 3 by far!

The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced