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. Welcome to my review of House of Flame and Shadow.
The Plot, Characters and Story Progression
Unlike the previous books in The Crescent City series, House of Flame and Shadow takes place over a really short time-span which was jarring for a book so long (800+ pages!) SO MUCH happens in those few days. There is so much action and impulse that it’s difficult to keep with the action at points.
I appreciated the dialed down sex to be honest… In House of Sky and Breath it was way too much for me. I prefer sex to be written in a more enigmatic way I think. I like it to be alluded too in a mysterious and subtle way. Maas on the other hand, writes the scenes so brutally explicit to the point it feels like you’re tied to a chair with a telescope zoomed in on the act. Going so far as to describe “the bead of liquid” on the tip of a characters penis at one point. Did we need that? I think not.
I did like how the steamy passages played more on the longing and desire between characters though. There were a lot of scenes where the characters are tempted but don’t go all the way and that made a change from the previous book when it was full on sex every… single… time…
After the ending of House of Sky and Breath I had hoped that the crossover with the ACOTAR world would be more fleshed out… it felt barely touched upon considering this is the second to last book in the series. House of Flame and Shadow felt like the end, but knowing that there is going to be a forth book it is hard to see where the story can possible go without turning into another three books!
World Building, Atmosphere and Setting
Despite my criticisms, I really enjoyed being back in this world, even though the book went a bit sci-fi which isn’t my thing. I loved reading the passion, the intense battle scenes and feeling the connections between the characters. Maas is the queen of setting the scene and with every change of the scene moment I felt like I was in the room with the characters everywhere they went. Her descriptive language lends to the vivid fantasy experience we all want from a book like this.
The Verdict
Overall, reading House of Flame and Shadow was a really exhilarating journey. Whilst it felt slightly underwhelming to not have a shocking cliffhanger that had me gasping in disbelief. There’s nothing wrong with a humble happy ending. Now we wait for book four!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐