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House of Flame and Shadow

House of Flame and Shadow

Dark FantasyFantasy
Pages
848
Published
2024
Language
English

Synopsis

Following the reality-fracturing events at the end of House of Sky and Breath, Bryce Quinlan finds herself stranded in Prythian — the world of the Fae from A Court of Thorns and Roses — with no way home. Everything she loves is back in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Alone in a strange new world and unsure who among its powerful players she can trust, she has to think her way back before the Asteri finish what they started.

In Midgard, Hunt Athalar is back in the Asteri's dungeons, stripped of his freedom and without any word of Bryce's fate. Ruhn is held alongside him, and their allies above ground — Ithan, Tharion, Lidia Cervos and the rest — are left to work in the shadows, hunting for a way to reach them while the Asteri tighten their grip on the city. Lidia's double life comes fully into the light, recasting much of what came before.

The third book in the Crescent City series, House of Flame and Shadow is its longest and most expansive entry, drawing threads from Sarah J. Maas's connected worlds together as the fight against the Asteri comes to a head.

Prose complexity
10/10

Vibe

AdventurousTenseDarkRomantic
Portal FantasyMultiple POVsSecret Identity

Genres

Dark Fantasy Fantasy Romantasy Urban Fantasy High Fantasy New Adult Romance Paranormal Romance

About the author

S
Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas is a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author known for her epic fantasy novels and their devoted global readership. She began writing what would become the Throne of Glass series as a teenager, posting early chapters online before the series was acquired by Bloomsbury. Her three interconnected fantasy universes — Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City — have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and been translated into dozens of langua...

Characters

Bryce QuinlanProtagonist

Stranded in Prythian after running for a gate at the end of House of Sky and Breath, working out how to get home to Midgard before the Asteri finish what they started.

Hunt AthalarProtagonist

Held in the Asteri's dungeons, stripped of his freedom and with no word of Bryce's fate.

Lidia CervosSupporting

The Hind, revealed as the rebel agent Daybright; her double life comes fully into the light and recasts her earlier actions.

Baxian ArgosSupporting

An angel known as the Helhound, once a soldier under Sandriel and now among the allies working against the Asteri; his loyalty to Hunt is central to his arc.

All characters in House of Flame and Shadow

Frequently asked questions

  • Why does Bryce end up in the ACOTAR world at the start of this book?

    At the end of House of Sky and Breath, Bryce ran for a gate hoping to reach Hel and find help against the Asteri — and arrived in Prythian, the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses, instead. Within the story the crossing is a misfire rather than a destination she chose, which is why she spends the opening of this book working out where she is and how to get home. Maas has confirmed that Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass share a single universe, and this is the point at which that connection moves to the centre of the plot.

  • Do I need to have read the ACOTAR series to follow this book?

    The Prythian sections are written so that new readers can follow the action, but familiarity with ACOTAR characters adds considerable emotional depth. Maas structured the crossover scenes to function as standalone action while rewarding series readers with resonant callbacks. The core Crescent City plot is self-contained regardless.

  • What is the significance of the Asteri's true origin?
  • How does Lidia Cervos's backstory explain her earlier actions?
  • Is this the final Crescent City book?

    No. Maas confirmed in a December 2024 interview that a fourth Crescent City book is coming, saying she knows who the book is about but that readers "will have to wait a bit". She has not announced a title, a release date, or a final total for the series, which was originally contracted as three books. House of Flame and Shadow resolves the immediate Asteri conflict but leaves significant character threads open for continuation.

  • How long is this book compared to the others?

    It is the longest book in the Crescent City series. The US hardcover runs 835 pages, against 816 for House of Earth and Blood and 768 for House of Sky and Breath; the UK edition is set slightly longer at 848 pages. The extra length accommodates its multi-POV structure and the crossover with Maas's other series.

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