A review by pagethatreads
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

“That's the point of it, Bryce. Of life. To live, to love, knowing that it might all vanish tomorrow. It makes everything that much more precious.”

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life, until her closest friends were brutally murdered, turning her life upside down and leaving her alone. When the crimes begin anew, she finds herself teaming up with notorious fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, the Umbra Mortis, in an investigation to uncover the killer and avenge her friends.

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This book s h a t t e r e d me. 

It’s urban fantasy meets murder mystery, with an enemies to lovers slowburn sprinkled into the mix.

I LOVE that the core focus of this story is friendship.

Bryce’s friendship with Danika shapes the entirety of the story, it is the absolute soul of the book. No matter which page or chapter you’re reading, the impact of that particular relationship is so deeply felt. Bryce’s relationships with Juniper and Lehabah create some truly touching moments throughout the story and her growing friendship with Hunt as they learn to work together was a joy to behold. 

Honourable mentions go to Ember and Randall, Syrinx, Ruhn and Aidas, and that one vacuum cleaner in particular.

 

The last 200 pages or so really blow me away everytime I read them. I’ve read this book several times now and even though I know what’s going to happen, I still feel it every single time.

I absolutely cannot wait for Crescent City II: House of Sky and Breath.