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A review by ashleychaney
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's hard to sit and put into words what I feel about finishing this book, especially since there is so much content to touch on. I will say, I don't think any book or series has caused me to immerse myself and feel as much emotion as I have when reading the three books that have been released in the Crescent City series. I seldom cry when things are sad in a book, almost never when things are heartfelt; but this series has made me cry while experiencing both emotions in every.single.book. I want to just write out all my thoughts so that when I inevitably re-read (listen) I can see what I initially caught/perceived in my first read, and see what else I notice once time has passed.
When discussing books with others, I always say that my reviews and stars are based on how I experience a book; typically this is based on feelings, enjoyment, losing myself in the world, etc.. That being said, I also have to express my appreciation and awe for how intentional and detail oriented Maas is when crafting the worlds she has built in CC and all her other series as well. When reading, something will be mentioned and seem inconsequential, yet two hundred pages later (or even two books later) you will find it was actually vital to the story line and was intended to be that way from the beginning. It seems that nothing is included on the page unless it has been premeditated to fit all other possible outcomes, even if they are written ten years down the road. This is mind boggling to me. Regardless if someone enjoys her books themselves or not, it can not be argued that Maas is an author who will be marked in history and has worked hard for every bit of success she has gained.
Ok now my thoughts with spoilers will be ahead. This will be a chaotic review with my random discussion points in no particular order.
As for format and pacing, I enjoyed the rapid switching between multiple POVs, even though they often happened at pivotal moments. I never wanted to put the book down because of it, there was always at least one character going through a stressful or perilous situation at a time, and when I wasn't reading I was thinking about the book or trying to make time to pick it back up again. IMO Maas knows how to pull you into the story and you will not experience true peace until the book is complete and you know you have to just wait for the next one.
I am obsessed with Ruhn and Lidia. I did like Ruhn as a character in the previous two parts, he was the most swoon-worthy of all the male characters in the CC world, but in CC1/2 it did feel like he acted like a spoiled prince and didn't necessarily use his ranking in society for the good of others like he could have. However, I know the years of abuse at the hand of his father had a large impact on this, so I let it slide. In this book, his sacrifices and the way he cared for Lidia..... oh man. Lidia's complete despair over Ruhn's torture was also beautiful. She was willing to put the years worth of work she endured on the line just to get him back to safety, and did so even though he hated her after finding out her true identity. When they wanted to be intimate and she had flashbacks it broke my heart, and I'm so glad Ruhn was just as gentle with her as we'd expect him to be (and Pollux got every horror he deserved).
While on the topic of Lidia, her character development was excellent throughout the story so far, but this book really drove it home. I don't know if Maas wrote it this way, or if I was just too paranoid, but I was always trying to feel out whether her feelings were genuine. They seemed so, but I was afraid she was playing double-double agent, and that her allegiance to the rebels was fake all along. I'm glad it wasn't, I think her character would have been cheapened had that switcharoo happened. I say this all the time, but now that I'm a mother myself, when characters sacrifice themselves for the good of the children they bring into the world, it quite literally is a knife in the heart in the best way. The way Lidia's sacrifice was written is exactly how it feels to be a mother on a cellular level (I don't want to make sweeping generalizations, I acknowledge there are exceptions to this of course), you will do and become the worst possible thing if it means keeping your children safe from the evils of the world. It was beautifully done and made me love Lidia even more than I already did.
Continuing with Lidia, her lineage (!!!!!!!!!) being revealed was such an awesome twist in the book. I saw many theories about this, and I am glad they were correct. Nobody else was badass enough to fill the shoes of being related to Aelin. I started to really suspect it was happening when Bran's name was mentioned for the first time, so soon after we saw her shift into her deer form. The back of my mind was making the connection even though I wasn't really unaware and I kept reading his name as Brannon, right at his introduction. I wish they would have mentioned the meaning behind Actaeon as well, but when I looked it up, I saw it is the name of a mythological character who was turned into a deer. So clever.
I am SO glad we got to learn about Jesiba’s “origin story” and her life previous to the time period we witness on the pages of CC. I would love nothing more than a prequel book following her experience as a human, then all she went through after the curse. The way she treated Ithan with so much kindness was so out of character for her as we knew her to be, I found myself questioning if there were romantic feelings there, or what was going on, though I reasonably know that wasn’t the case, it was just nice to see that side of her. I even feel like there was more of a history between her and the wolves, and am curious if that is true and if it will be divulged as the series continues.
On the topic of Ithan, I loved his growth through this and the last book. I could tell we were ramping up for him to become Prime and challenge Sabine, and the way that played out was awesomeeee. The fact that he didn’t think it was meant to be himself, even up to and after the point of him challenging Sabine, but he knew the pack deserved better than her tyranny means he will be a great leader. He wants better for everyone in the pack, even those who have wronged him, but doesn’t want/think he deserves the glory. All signs point to a great future with him at the head (SJM better not do us dirty and cause him to flip in the other direction, but really why would we love her so much if everything always worked out perfectly?). Curious to see where the hell the pack went, and what was going on with Perry’s scent. Did she smell different because they’re fated mates and her scent overpowered the change the antidote brought to the scent profile? Or is it because they all drank the water and reinfected themselves and cannot be trusted?? So curious!!!
I thought it was interesting that SJM made it necessary that Bryce travel to Prythian to find out the truth about the Asteri. If she hadn’t ended up there, would she ever have found out the history or how to defeat them? I wonder if that is why the sword and knife were separated, if they knew that the two of them calling to one another would cause anyone dropping through worlds to arrive exactly where they needed to be to save Midgard.
My most controversial thoughts about all three CC books so far is that I don’t think Bryce and Hunt are Mates in the sense of them being “fated mates” like we are familiar with from all of the other SJM series. I have seen on socials that she has apparently spoken to this and said not all Mates are the same, but I couldn’t find that specific interview (nor could I find the one that says they are endgame). NOW I do like them together well enough; I think they both are so tender and sweet with one another, they will protect each other to whatever end, and they don’t take each other’s shit - everything we normally love with a good Mated pair. I am also not saying I want Bryce to be with anyone other than him/vise versa. But I don’t feel like we ever got the “snapping” of the mating bond like every single other mated pair. I know many say that either the scene in the gun range, or their first time having sex was when their bond snapped, but typically there is an explicit description of it happening i.e. “I felt the bond between us” type language, and we just don’t have that here.
There are a few reasons I personally can see that being the case, and how they may play out in my head:
When discussing books with others, I always say that my reviews and stars are based on how I experience a book; typically this is based on feelings, enjoyment, losing myself in the world, etc.. That being said, I also have to express my appreciation and awe for how intentional and detail oriented Maas is when crafting the worlds she has built in CC and all her other series as well. When reading, something will be mentioned and seem inconsequential, yet two hundred pages later (or even two books later) you will find it was actually vital to the story line and was intended to be that way from the beginning. It seems that nothing is included on the page unless it has been premeditated to fit all other possible outcomes, even if they are written ten years down the road. This is mind boggling to me. Regardless if someone enjoys her books themselves or not, it can not be argued that Maas is an author who will be marked in history and has worked hard for every bit of success she has gained.
Ok now my thoughts with spoilers will be ahead. This will be a chaotic review with my random discussion points in no particular order.
I am obsessed with Ruhn and Lidia. I did like Ruhn as a character in the previous two parts, he was the most swoon-worthy of all the male characters in the CC world, but in CC1/2 it did feel like he acted like a spoiled prince and didn't necessarily use his ranking in society for the good of others like he could have. However, I know the years of abuse at the hand of his father had a large impact on this, so I let it slide. In this book, his sacrifices and the way he cared for Lidia..... oh man. Lidia's complete despair over Ruhn's torture was also beautiful. She was willing to put the years worth of work she endured on the line just to get him back to safety, and did so even though he hated her after finding out her true identity. When they wanted to be intimate and she had flashbacks it broke my heart, and I'm so glad Ruhn was just as gentle with her as we'd expect him to be (and Pollux got every horror he deserved).
While on the topic of Lidia, her character development was excellent throughout the story so far, but this book really drove it home. I don't know if Maas wrote it this way, or if I was just too paranoid, but I was always trying to feel out whether her feelings were genuine. They seemed so, but I was afraid she was playing double-double agent, and that her allegiance to the rebels was fake all along. I'm glad it wasn't, I think her character would have been cheapened had that switcharoo happened. I say this all the time, but now that I'm a mother myself, when characters sacrifice themselves for the good of the children they bring into the world, it quite literally is a knife in the heart in the best way. The way Lidia's sacrifice was written is exactly how it feels to be a mother on a cellular level (I don't want to make sweeping generalizations, I acknowledge there are exceptions to this of course), you will do and become the worst possible thing if it means keeping your children safe from the evils of the world. It was beautifully done and made me love Lidia even more than I already did.
Continuing with Lidia, her lineage (!!!!!!!!!) being revealed was such an awesome twist in the book. I saw many theories about this, and I am glad they were correct. Nobody else was badass enough to fill the shoes of being related to Aelin. I started to really suspect it was happening when Bran's name was mentioned for the first time, so soon after we saw her shift into her deer form. The back of my mind was making the connection even though I wasn't really unaware and I kept reading his name as Brannon, right at his introduction. I wish they would have mentioned the meaning behind Actaeon as well, but when I looked it up, I saw it is the name of a mythological character who was turned into a deer. So clever.
I am SO glad we got to learn about Jesiba’s “origin story” and her life previous to the time period we witness on the pages of CC. I would love nothing more than a prequel book following her experience as a human, then all she went through after the curse. The way she treated Ithan with so much kindness was so out of character for her as we knew her to be, I found myself questioning if there were romantic feelings there, or what was going on, though I reasonably know that wasn’t the case, it was just nice to see that side of her. I even feel like there was more of a history between her and the wolves, and am curious if that is true and if it will be divulged as the series continues.
On the topic of Ithan, I loved his growth through this and the last book. I could tell we were ramping up for him to become Prime and challenge Sabine, and the way that played out was awesomeeee. The fact that he didn’t think it was meant to be himself, even up to and after the point of him challenging Sabine, but he knew the pack deserved better than her tyranny means he will be a great leader. He wants better for everyone in the pack, even those who have wronged him, but doesn’t want/think he deserves the glory. All signs point to a great future with him at the head (SJM better not do us dirty and cause him to flip in the other direction, but really why would we love her so much if everything always worked out perfectly?). Curious to see where the hell the pack went, and what was going on with Perry’s scent. Did she smell different because they’re fated mates and her scent overpowered the change the antidote brought to the scent profile? Or is it because they all drank the water and reinfected themselves and cannot be trusted?? So curious!!!
I thought it was interesting that SJM made it necessary that Bryce travel to Prythian to find out the truth about the Asteri. If she hadn’t ended up there, would she ever have found out the history or how to defeat them? I wonder if that is why the sword and knife were separated, if they knew that the two of them calling to one another would cause anyone dropping through worlds to arrive exactly where they needed to be to save Midgard.
My most controversial thoughts about all three CC books so far is that I don’t think Bryce and Hunt are Mates in the sense of them being “fated mates” like we are familiar with from all of the other SJM series. I have seen on socials that she has apparently spoken to this and said not all Mates are the same, but I couldn’t find that specific interview (nor could I find the one that says they are endgame). NOW I do like them together well enough; I think they both are so tender and sweet with one another, they will protect each other to whatever end, and they don’t take each other’s shit - everything we normally love with a good Mated pair. I am also not saying I want Bryce to be with anyone other than him/vise versa. But I don’t feel like we ever got the “snapping” of the mating bond like every single other mated pair. I know many say that either the scene in the gun range, or their first time having sex was when their bond snapped, but typically there is an explicit description of it happening i.e. “I felt the bond between us” type language, and we just don’t have that here.
There are a few reasons I personally can see that being the case, and how they may play out in my head:
They’re chosen mates instead of fated and if an actual fated mate comes in the picture she will chose to ignore it (cool with this if that’s what makes them happy). One of them will die (which would suck) and the other goes on to find their fated mate. It may not be possible for Hunt to have a fated mate bond? I’ve questioned this from the beginning. At the beginning of the series, because we knew he is Malakim made by Asteri and not a descendent of the Fae, but now knowing he was actually made by the Princes of Hel. I’m wondering since he was essentially made by the Asteri/Princes instead of naturally occurring, if that would prevent an ability to mate. Honestly if that was the case, I think it would be a beautiful story of love prevailing over destiny. Bryce may somehow end up stuck outside of Midgard. I know we ended on such a happy note in their story, but I’ll be damned if that’s how her storyline ends. She has too much power and there has been too much talk of destiny to completely move on from her story.
I would like to maybe have more of Hunt’s POV/history outside of the women he loves. We mostly read of his love for Bryce, his love for Shahar which led to his involvement in the uprisings, and his time as a slave up to the start of the novels. Don’t get me wrong, I do like him, but maybe time outside of imprisonment and out from under the thumb of the Asteri will allow his character as we know it to develop. Maybe that is the root of my issue with their being “Mates”, I just don’t feel we know him as well as we know Bryce, and his history isn’t as detailed since it was so gruesome.
I know people have said that SJM alluded to it being crazy to think Bryce and Az would be mates, and I don’t necessarily know how it could or would ever be. However, nobody can deny it, Az had so much more of a voice and personality around Bryce as we saw in this book than he ever has before. Maybe that’s because we were seeing him execute his Shadowsinger role, but there was something there. I found myself wondering if his strange reaction to Bryce being near him wasn’t actually because of the knife and sword like hers was, but that he felt drawn to her. All I know is I was very happy to get more of Azriel’s personality, and cannot wait until the next ACOTAR book. That’s the fun of these books, literally anything can happen and you never know what is a red herring or a true foreshadowing.
On that note, I do wish we got more of the ACOTAR world in this book. Felt a bit like maybe including the crossover was to increase popularity and boost sales (I’m cringing while writing this). I loved the scenes where they were included, but again wish there was more of them.
To close (for now) I’ll leave you with this list.
Things that made me weep and need to take a break from reading to calm myself:
Ithan talking with Connor. Connor and the other dead souls sacrificing themselves to make the bullet for Bryce. Shahar sacrificing herself to bring Bryce back from the in-between for Hunt - SOB. Jesiba sacrificing herself to revive Bryce. Bryce passing Jesiba on her way back to Hunt - OMG. Bryce seeing the wolf pack, including Danika, with Jesiba in paradise like she always pictured it.
After writing this I immediately want to re-read. SJM, you did it again.