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A review by mads_reads_books
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Where to begin with this book. I guess I’ll start by saying I did enjoy the crime/murder investigation plot line in this book. I love crime novels so mixing crime and fantasy together was perfect for me. I love Lehabah and Syrinx. Cant wait to see more of Tharion and Adias in future books.
I did think this book was trying to do too much at once. Upfront we’re introduced to about 20 characters in the first 50 pages just to have all but a couple slaughtered or disappear right off the bat then introduced to a bunch more characters. I found it difficult to really connect with Bryce because I didn’t connect with her relationship with Danika and the pack of devils. There was a lot of world building, but not all of it necessarily relevant to this story (though I’m sure it will come up later) SJM could have saved some details until they would be relevant. For an over 800 page book it felt rushed and there were definitely details and characters that could have been saved for later.
✨ Spoilers Ahead ✨
As far as Hunt goes, since I read this hot off my ACOTAR read I’m not getting too attached. Personally the first time Bryce summons Adias I said to myself “damn she hasn’t even gotten with Hunt yet and I already want her to leave him for a prince of Hel”. I think Hunt is no Tamlin and he seems cool, but I have low expectations they will be together still by the end of the next book. Especially since the Oracle told him to stay away from Bryce.
✨ ACOTAR and Crescent City Spoilers Ahead ✨
Overall while there were some new elements (or at least reshuffling of characters and tropes) I thought this book was eerily similar to a lot of ACOTAR. Mainly in the strong Hades and Persephone vibes I’m getting going into book 2 but also the resurrected heroine who now has a bunch of powers when she used to have none, freeing her boyfriend from an oppressive strain on his powers represented by markings/a mask on his face, Ruhn and his friends may as well be the bat boys, and so on. I’m trying not to judge too harshly as this is the first in the series.
I did think this book was trying to do too much at once. Upfront we’re introduced to about 20 characters in the first 50 pages just to have all but a couple slaughtered or disappear right off the bat then introduced to a bunch more characters. I found it difficult to really connect with Bryce because I didn’t connect with her relationship with Danika and the pack of devils. There was a lot of world building, but not all of it necessarily relevant to this story (though I’m sure it will come up later) SJM could have saved some details until they would be relevant. For an over 800 page book it felt rushed and there were definitely details and characters that could have been saved for later.
✨ Spoilers Ahead ✨
As far as Hunt goes, since I read this hot off my ACOTAR read I’m not getting too attached. Personally the first time Bryce summons Adias I said to myself “damn she hasn’t even gotten with Hunt yet and I already want her to leave him for a prince of Hel”. I think Hunt is no Tamlin and he seems cool, but I have low expectations they will be together still by the end of the next book. Especially since the Oracle told him to stay away from Bryce.
✨ ACOTAR and Crescent City Spoilers Ahead ✨
Overall while there were some new elements (or at least reshuffling of characters and tropes) I thought this book was eerily similar to a lot of ACOTAR. Mainly in the strong Hades and Persephone vibes I’m getting going into book 2 but also the resurrected heroine who now has a bunch of powers when she used to have none, freeing her boyfriend from an oppressive strain on his powers represented by markings/a mask on his face, Ruhn and his friends may as well be the bat boys, and so on. I’m trying not to judge too harshly as this is the first in the series.