The stunning third book in the sexy, action-packed Crescent City series, following the global bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath.

Bryce Quinlan never expected to see a world other than Midgard, but now that she has, all she wants is to get back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she’s going to need all her wits about her to get home again. And that’s no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.

Hunt Athalar has found himself in some deep holes in his life, but this one might be the deepest of all. After a few brief months with everything he ever wanted, he’s in the Asteri’s dungeons again, stripped of his freedom and without a clue as to Bryce’s fate. He’s desperate to help her, but until he can escape the Asteri’s leash, his hands are quite literally tied.

In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt’s world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.

Series:

Crescent City

Book 3

Book Type:

Fantasy / Romance

Review: House of Flame and Shadow

Bryce Quinlan, together with her friends new and old, battles the powerful Asteri to free Midgard, in this highly anticipated third installment in the Crescent City series.

[Please do not read further unless you have read the first two books]

Last we saw Bryce, she finds herself fifteen thousand years before her time, in the original world of the Fae, with those we’ve come to love. Surrounded by Rhys, Azriel, Amren, and Nesta, Bryce ferrets out how they freed themselves from those who would become the Asteri (the Daglan), and why she materialized in their realm instead of Hel.

Meanwhile, Hunt, Ruhn, and Baxion endure endless torture in the Asteri’s dungeons as Lidia (the Hind) desperately schemes for a way to free them.

While in the Prythian caves, Bryce uncovers ancient secrets that reveal a way to stop the Asteri. More powerful than ever before, and with weapons to aid her cause, Bryce returns to Midgard to break them free from the parasitic clutches of those who rule.

After a two-year anticipation, I relished in all 834 pages of it. I dove into the world of Midgard, thrilled to be back with these characters, ecstatic to have worlds collide. Sarah J. Maas imbues a singular kind of magic to her stories that continues to keep me rapt and immersed in a world that feels real.

There were aspects of the novel I loved so much: Lidia (whose story was central to this installment), Lidia and Ruhn, the nonstop action, moments that moved me to tears (Nesta in the caves, “the hug” with Nesta), and so many others. There were aspects that arguably fell a bit short: Ithan and Tharion’s POVs, too much time/overwhelming explanation in the caves, some dropped/decentralized plot lines and characters, the sometimes lackluster dynamic between Bryce and Hunt, and a lingering desire to see more of an Avengers Endgame moment. That said, these are personal preferences in a story for which I don’t know the full arc. What I can share is that I loved it. I had a great time reading it, I wanted to talk about it constantly, and I delighted spending the time with these wonderfully complex and nuanced characters. And it bears repeating that Lidia to me, was one of my favorite parts of the novel (and ohmygod, that reveal!!!).

Immersing myself in the worlds of Sarah J. Mass is such a joy, and how we do so is such a personal experience. For me, I’m already clamoring for more, for what’s to come next in this mesmerizing and magical melee, in whatever realm we land.

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