Sarah J. MaasFantasy · Romantasy·b. 1986
House of Flame and Shadow
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.
How it reads
Prose complexity 10/10
Content warnings (3)
ViolenceTortureSexual Content
- It’s time, I suppose. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I can’t believe I’m even writing this review - since I feel like I spent so much time waiting for the third book to be released. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ House of Flame and Shadows by Sarah J Maas 4.5 stars / 5. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ First and foremost, I am an SJM stan. Yes, I know she’s not for everyone, but she is for me. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. I’m very much an easy to please reader and truthfully this book covered a lot of things that I wanted it to. Yes, there are still plot holes or elements I was still wishing for, but I feel like that’s the case for a lot of SJM books - but that leaves her the ability to provide that information elsewhere. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The twists and turns of this book kept me on the edge of my seat. If you’re a TOG fan, I think the way that Bryce approaches different things is going to work really well for you. She keeps her cards close and has high expectations not only for herself, but the people she considers apart of her team. Is it frustrating, yes? But it makes for a really compelling character. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ALSO LIDIA and RUHN TILL I DIE. Like, I cant say more than that but I already loved Lidia in HOSAB, but this book jumped her up on the list of SJM characters I love along with Manon and Aelin. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My one gripe is that this didn’t feel like a full conclusion for a series. I think KOA has set me up with HUGE expectations on how a series ends, that both HOFAS and ACOWAR don’t hit. I’m hoping that as more books in these worlds are written, I’ll find that same satisfaction! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Overall - I loved this, flaws and all
- After reading 15 books in the Maas-verse, I’m about ready to be done. This book, in particular, started to grate on me. The dialog was especially jarring, feeling out of place even for a modern setting. The mix of ancient beings with teenage-like romances felt odd, especially with centuries-old characters acting like smitten teens.<br><br>I’m fine with smut in fantasy, but Bryce and Hunt’s relationship felt over the top. Their inner monologues about each other, despite their traumatic experiences, seemed unrealistic. It often felt like the smut was being wedged in without regard for the story’s pacing or context.<br><br>The story itself was decent, and it was nice to see some worlds collide. However, the constant use of the term “leveling up” became laughable, almost like a running gag. While it was entertaining, the elements that once drew me into the Maas-verse are starting to wear thin.
- There is soooo much bashing on this book on Reddit. I personally loved it way more than the first two. The first two got me into the worst reading slumps I’ve ever been in. But this one? I didn’t want to put it down even when I had to. I adored the crossover, and all of the answered questions this book provided. Love it and hope to have the entire series shelved soon!
- FALSE