Review: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis:

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

Favorite Lines:

“Remember that you will die, and enjoy each pleasure the world has to offer.”

“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.”

“There are worse fates than death, you know.”

My Opinion:

I actually read this book twice before writing this review just because there is so much to absorb. I also stayed up until 5am both times to read it; which should show how captivating it is. Sarah J. Maas is probably my favorite author. The way she can weave stories and tie everything together has always been amazing. She is my favorite storyteller and her newest book is no exception.

The story follows Bryce as she navigates a world full of magical creatures as a half human half fae. Because of her genetic makeup, she has always been looked down on by others but she still manages to find a way to survive and have fun with her friends. That is, until her best friend is murdered. Bryce finds herself becoming a part of a serial murder investigation that turns into something much darker and more sinister. It is up to Bryce to find out who is behind the murders while being hunted herself before it is too late.

This book obviously has a ship, multiple actually. It also has plot twists and easter eggs (if you are a fan of Maas’ other books, you will know them when you see them). While the start does feel like there is a lot of information being thrown at you, later in the book feels much more natural and has a smooth pace. I had said I reread it twice because after I knew what was going to happen and could finally take a second to breathe, I wanted to reread it and be able to pay attention to the details more fully. The second time around still had me on the edge of my seat and staying up until 5am. If that is not a sign of a good book, I don’t know what is.

Summary:

Overall, I really really enjoyed this book. Knowing how Maas writes her series with crazy character development, I am even more excited for the next book to come out. Too bad we will be waiting at least another year. Until next time, happy reading!

House of Earth and Blood