A review of the most anticipated new book "House of Flame and Shadow" by Sarah J Maas marks the third instalment in the Crescent City series.
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Crescent City, Book 3
Release Date: January, 30th 2024
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 2
Official Description:
Bryce Quinlan is stranded in a strange new world. She's going to need all her wits about her to get home again and return to everything she loves. But that's no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.
Meanwhile, Hunt Athalar is back in the Asteri's dungeons. Stripped of his freedom and the happiness he'd fought so hard for, he's without a clue as to Bryce's fate. Hunt is desperate to help his mate, but until he can escape the Asteri's chains, his hands are quite literally tied.
In this breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Midgard is brought to the brink of collapse, and the fate of the world rests on the hope of rebellion. But the fight for survival, freedom, and love may cost everything Bryce and Hunt have.
Warning : This book review contains spoilers !!
#1: First thoughts House of Flame and Shadow Crescent City 3
So I have read the previous two books within the same week of the release of the third instalment of the Crescent City series. I was super hesitant for a while to read anything else from Sarah J Maas after ACOTAR. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the series but for some reason I was concerned that it might be too YA for me. Well... I was wrong.
Once I started reading House of Earth and Blood, I couldn't put it down. I loved the world-building, the characters and even though I am always looking for some spice in my books, I was satisfied with the banter and build-up between Bryce & Hunt.
So as you can imagine, I was super eager to continue the series and really looking forward to 848 pages! It is a BIG book, a lot of new characters are being introduced, we are able to learn more about our favourite protagonists and we quite literally enter new worlds.
Even though I love long books, I felt that SJM desperately wanted to fill the pages. There was so much back and forth, so many (long!) side-stories that didn't really contribute to the plot (and ending) that I didn't understand what's happening. How can a book have 848 pages and still leave me with so many questions? There were moments where I was very concerned that SJM might have lost the thread in her wish to build complex world(s).
That being said, there was still SO much good in this instalment and I can't wait to see how it continues.
#2: The ACOTAR cross-over we all needed
The second book, House of Sky and Breath, of the Crescent City series ended on such a beautiful and surprising ending that I immediately thought I might have to re-read the entire ACOTAR series again. After learning the truth about the parasitic Asteri, Bryce decides to cross the worlds by her horn-tattooed powers to seek help in Hel but instead lands in a house by the river in front of Rhys and Amren. I mean - WOW ! I am actually quite disappointed in myself that I haven't even considered that SJM might introduce a cross-world / cross-series plot - but I am so here for it! What a gift to not only learn more about the differences and similarities of the world but also spend more time with our beloved ACOTAR characters. What I really appreciated as well was that the cross-over plot didn't just move around Rhys or Feyre as would be expected but actually focused on Nesta and Azriel. We are finally able to spend more time with Azriel and learn about his character - he is not yet sharing much about his background but we get a better glimpse of who he is and we let him see let his guard down, enjoying and humming to (eletrco) music. As for Nesta, I believe she could finally find a good friend in Bryce, they have so many similar traits and burdens (both moody and arrogant).
What was also surprising to me was that I believed Nesta's story to be finished. She is a Cauldron made high fae who had the responsibility to carry the Dread Troves with the conclusion of Hylbern's death by Elains hands.
Instead Bryce hands over the Starsword to Nesta after sending the Asteri into the void.
But Bryce began backing toward the portal, taking Hunt's hand, and smiled again at the female and her mate, at their world, as the Northern Rift began to close. "I think that eight-pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why".
Alright, so there are a few things we now know that lead me to a new theory:
Bryce believes at first Rhys to be Ruhn which might lead us to think that they could be related. Later we learn of Theia's descendants which just confirms the point.
There were two types (worlds) of fae, some of which have over the years migrated to Midgard.
I could imagine that Nesta's story will continue in a way where she will use the starsword and the Dead Troves (the Harp?) to open the world to the other fae civilisation - in order to unite all fae? Moreover, we know that the next ACOTAR book will focus on Elain, so maybe they can find a way to heal the Cauldron at the same time?
#2: Bryce, a kick-ass heroine or just an insufferable brat?
I won't spend much time talking about Bryce but I just can't deal with her anymore. She is constantly contradicting herself, living by self-imposed morale & rules that she is breaking at every turn. She is super hard on Hunt, at times even so disrespectful and dismissive of his feelings, his thoughts and his previous trauma that I was starting to doubt how strong her "bond" towards him really is.
What I mostly didn't understand was why she had to constantly go on her solo-ego-warrior trip, changing plans without telling anyone, making impulsive decisions that are putting everyone at risk? The plot, the relationship-building and the background we know don't give us any reason to think that she might have any mistrust in Hunt not to include him in her plans or actions which just proves the point to me that she is an insufferable and arrogant brat who believes only she can understand the truth and save the world.
Now everything is forgiven and by the end of the book they seem to be able to catch a breath, finally. I just really hope she will grow up by the next instalment.
#3: So many (new) characters.
As mentioned previously, this is a LONG book. We have to say goodbye to certain new & old characters, we are being introduced to new protagonists that are super interesting and have a lot of potential, but by the end of the book, I was just super confused what the goal is of having SO many characters - if their story and actions don't contribute to the plot line at all?
Let's take Jesiba for example: She was maybe one of the most interesting and mysterious characters that we have gotten to know, there was so many open questions though about her background. Her story was far from finished but where do we go from here?
What about Ari? She was given quite a lot of "screen time" in the first half of book and seemed to have a lot of potential when it comes to driving the plot along, learning more about dragons...and then? It felt as if SJM forgot about her, Ari didn't contribute to the plot in any way. She could have been left out completely and it would not have changed anything about the story at all. So why introduce her?
#4: Romance & Steam
The book was super action-heavy to say the least, so unfortunately there weren't many romantic moments. I would have really appreciated SJM focusing a bit more on relationship building. Bryce & Hunt have quickly adapted to their mated & married life, so I was happy for Hunt to finally experience love but was missing the tension and banter at times.
One of the absolute highlights of the book was undoubtedly Ruhn & Lidia's romance. Lidia, formerly known as the Hind, has revealed that she is Ruhn's anonymous flirt known to him as the rebel Day. Their romance is quite different to Bryce & Hunt's as it seems a bit more mature. Lidia is clearly not an adolescent anymore who requires "playing games" and doesn't shy away from going after what she wants - Ruhn.
I have really started to like Ithan's evolution and was a bit sad that he had to move along "alone" most of the times. I really hope that he will find a good romance in the future. I feel like SJM was teasing for Perry which kind of seems a bit too easy for me, so I am crossing my fingers for a new love interest.
One of the biggest issues I had was Tharion's ending. I understand the arranged marriage trope which could really work out in this case, but why then have Sathia leave to check up on her ex? And why is not explained where she is, if he found her? That makes no sense to me at all.
As for steam and spice, I would give it 🌶️🌶️.
Yes, we finally have some spicy moments between Bryce & Hunt as well as Ruhn & Lidia but many of these situations were interrupted. If it happens once - ok - but after the fifth time, I am getting exhausted. We are now three books in, with the last having almost 900 pages AND the series is classified as Adult - so I don't understand the hesitance. Don't get me wrong, there doesn't need to be smut (even though I like it haha) but if it's being teased all the time, then let's have it played out.
That being said, there definitely are some noteworthy spicy moments (they could just be a bit longer for my liking).
#4: Final thoughts and open questions
Some of my open questions that I hope will be resolved by the next instalment.
Will we ever find out what the ultimate goal / intention of the Autumn King was? We spent a lot of pages on him and then it was suddenly over with no real conclusion.
Where is Sathia? Has Tharion found her?
What about Jesiba? Will we learn more about her background or is her storyline truly finished?
What happens with Ari next? Will there be more to her story?
All in all, I truly enjoyed the book. Even with some confusions, endless fillers and overlong descriptions, I have devoured the third instalment and can't wait for the next!
If you liked this review of House of Flame and Shadow, Crescent City 3 or have any questions or comments, let me know !
Disclaimer: I have added an affiliate link for your convenience so you can directly purchase the book if you are intrigued. This also means that I will receive small commission. This does not affect inclusion in my reviews or the overall rating of the book.
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