by Sarah J. Maas
I’ve been saving this book until juuust before the release of the sequel. Because after binging ACOTAR I figured I’d probably have a powerful need for more. To be honest, I had no idea what this book was about. I knew we had the amazing front-woman Bryce, the swoon-worthy Hunt, and fantasy. That was it. Was that enough to prepare me for this epic read?
Let’s find out. (Spoiler. It wasn’t.)
Read if you like: *adult* high fantasy with an urban feel, lots of background info/ world building, romantic tension, forced proximity, character development for days, all with a mystery feel. Also, warriors.
Bryce Quinlan is a half fae/ half human woman living in a very complex society of humans, fae, angels, shifters, and various magical creatures. And her half-breed ancestry earns her a negligible status despite her powerful fae parentage. Yet she’s carved herself out a decent, if not a little reckless, life in the city. She has a job, friends, and is hopeful for the future when everything falls apart for her, her friends, and the beautiful Crescent City after a grisly attack.
Nearly two years later she gets a chance to find answers, and her own revenge. Bryce is contracted to help with the reopening of her friend’s case. She’s in the perfect position to use her boss’s less than legal resources to help discover the truth about the events that wrecked so many lives. The biggest problem is the huge male angel who is assigned to be her partner and protector, Hunt Athalar.
Hunt is a rebel with a huge cause. After the failed rebellion 200 years ago, he was bound and enslaved to the archangels. Archangels who quickly put him, and his super-rare lightning, to work as the deadliest assassin in the realm. A reputation he despises almost as much as the angels and the hierarchy who put him there. Hunt gets no satisfaction being assigned to Bryce and the cold case as a mere cog upholding the machinations of the leaders of Cresent City. And it seems Bryce is happy to go with the flow – or so he thinks.
I love these characters they have so many layers and hidden depths. The story itself is also layered and twists have their own twists. The twists could open a pretzel shop. I loved getting to know the characters, the city, the magical folk, and allegiances, all within the complex society set up in Crescent City and beyond. The world building is great. Magic is at home with coffee shops and cell phones. Cars are as plentiful as brooms or winged folk.
Which brings me to the worldbuilding. It is a bit much. Because there is so much it feels like it takes the characters awhile to find their stride in the plot. However, this smoothed over and supported by the fact that Bryce and Hunt have to find their stride with each other. Both bring their own biases into the partnership. But as they uncover more information about the case, they also realize their quick judgments need to be reworked.
This book hits hard. It is split into 4 parts and part 1, The Hollow, will rip out your heart. You will feel hollow. I could say more, but I won’t. But without part 1 there would be no story. Fear not brave reader, it gets better. Well sort of. Mostly. Maybe… we’ll see. The story is immaculate after you get into it and find your footing. Toward the end I was crying, laughing, yelling ‘heck yeah’, back to crying, and wholly satisfied in about a 10–15-minute span of reading. It serves you everything and wings. Overall, you get an ending to the current events in House of Earth and Blood but there is so much more to come. You feel satisfied, but you know the cravings will be killer. And the reread will be even better.
As for the romance… the tension builds beautifully. Their relationship unfolds naturally, no insta-love over here. However, I don’t know of another couple who gets interrupted as much as these two. I was gasping for them to catch a break. We get half a break… poor Hunt. It’s a spicy break. I’d give it a 3.5 on the pepper scale. Like sweet honey chipotle without anything to cut the burn. It's adult honey, hide yo' kids.
I love this book. I’m ruined. I need a moment before I start House of Sky and Breath or I might be consumed. I’m off to find a fluffy contemporary romance before another fantasy feast… that hopefully brings the spice this time. Ahh, the life of a mood reader.
Thanks contemporary romance.
Triggers: language, violence, murder, drinking/drug use, slavery/captivity, catastrophic events.
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