House of Flame and Shadow: The INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER and the smouldering t...

So satisfying From beginning to end. Spoilers . So many good things to say, definitely my favourite book of the CC series. Even though Bryce has never been my favourite main character, and she was a bit too annoying at times in this book - true to her own character the book really tied up all ends perfectly. It was a plot giving story from the start with shocking moments. I think SJM was tipped off about how cringy it was saying mate mate mate so many times in the other books and was glad to see Bryce and Hunt saying they were husband/wife as well as mates. Things I didnt like though: spoilers ahead - Bryce’s stubbornly incessant ‘hate’ for all the fae. - This point is because of my own expectations, I was disappointed there wasnt more Rhysand and more interaction with others from Acotar. While the time in Prythian was mindblowing and the conclusion with Vesperus was in my opinion the best most gripping moment of the book - I just wanted more time with the others. See them more - How fast the points of view sometimes shifted - Tooooo much about Ithan All in all, LOVED it. Precisely the kind of book you dont want to put down. And sad its over and would like to repeat the experience again

I loved this. I’m obsessed. This series is amazing! “The friends they'd made were what mattered in the end. Not the enemies. Through love, all is possible.” It baffles me how SJM manages to mesh worlds within the MAAS Universe SOOOO perfectly and give us the most interesting tome -the size of this book alone is scary as hell but let me tell you, from page 1, I was hooked! I really enjoyed the change of worlds and POV’s from chapter to chapter. I feel like the story benefited so much from that because the timeline was set at a much faster pace (compared to the other previous books) and I wasn’t getting bored. The characters I know and love from HOEAB / HOSAB couldn’t have a better triumphant arc, and it honestly made me more invested in a particular character from ACOTAR. Bryce & Hunt’s character development is phenomenal! I love that we get to see the more “real” side of their relationship where they don’t just agree on everything. Although they feel a little more separated from the group as a whole in this book, I think it’s because their “love story” has been told in book 1 & 2- it’s kind of SJM’s way of weening us off. I love that we got to know more of Ruhn through his vulnerability, but… The star of this book (imo) is Lidia Cervos, who just broke my heart time and time again. “This is Daybright. Blast it to Hel, Irithys." Her character development + plot line are some of (if not) the BEST I’ve ever read. The complete 180 from a villain arc to carrying the whole book on her back is just incredible. I can’t wait for more… I can’t believe there’s not even a pub date or an announcement yet…I need another book in this series like I need air!

My CC journey is over, what do I do now? 🥺 I was very satisfied with how this series concludes, I feel content with the direction it went and where all the characters end up. Some of the side stories and plot didn’t grip me as much as I’d hoped it would so this is my least fav of the three books. It wasn’t bad and I still really enjoyed it, but I felt wasn’t it SJM’s best. Some part I liked, some I didn’t. With that being said though, I had some big feelings in this one, particular for Lidia and Ruhn in this book. Honestly Lidia carried this book for me she is an absolute icon. One thing I do love about this book and generally SJM is the way she’s connects details and weaves stories together and this book perfectly highlights that skill. She’s able to sprinkle things in you don’t realise are major until later on, and includes interconnected details to all her work. Interactive moments between some of our fav characters were super fun and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way through. Bryce was as sassy as ever, I can’t get enough of her comebacks she’s just the best at that. Whilst this wasn’t my fav of SJM, I still really enjoyed this series overall and found this book a detailed and immersive read. There’s still plenty of plot, action, twists and turns that make this addictive.

Best of the trilogy. I Couldn’t put it down in the last few chapters. Looking forward to what’s coming next.

This will mainly be rambling but no one will read it so it’s fine. As usual the last 200p were insane. So much was happening and I genuinely thought we would not have a conclusion with the Asteri here. The start was a bit slow, but hey, it’s Crescent City. I was chomping at the bit when Bryce was in the caves with Nesta and Az, while Tharion and Ithan were jerking around. There was A LOT of talking and explaining things and don’t get me started with Silene’s story, it went on forever. It makes sense though, this was the culmination of mysteries we had been chasing for almost 2000 pages. But while this was going down, we had almost no time for character development and some arcs were genuinely confusing, especially Ithan and Sigrid. I really did not see that coming and later did not see the point. Why make him kill her, try to resurrect, fail, and want to try again? He kept fumbling and it was frustrating. I can only assume more will happen in book 4. I will however admit that making Sigrid a not good person, contrary to our hopes was brilliant. That said, as always with SJM, this book consumed me! Work and house chores became inconsequential. I was in tears for the last 100 pages. 2 hours after wrapping up, I was still sniffling. My partner thought someone IRL died or something. Once it kicked off, it was epic in every sense of the way. And the crossover with ACOTAR! Nesta and Az! We even got to see a bit of Cassian 😍. When she first left Prythian, I was worried it would be it and it felt wrong to leave it at that, so I was rather confident that she would go back at some point, and that she did. Nesta giving her the mask will make for interesting arguments between every one in ACOTAR’s next book. 😅 Ruhn and Lidia are everything. I adore Bryce and Hunt, but badass soft boy Ruhn is just it for me. Lidia is giving Lara Veliant from Bridge Kingdom and I love that for her. And she’s related to Aelin? Please. 😩👌🏻 Speaking of which, we though the Asteri were valgs or something but… Are they or not? I’m confused. Anyway, even though I missed the slices of life and the light banter between these characters, hanging out at the frat pack’s house, shooting the shit in Bryce’s appartment etc, this book was 100km/h for 800 pages, with some many loose ends to tie that it kept me on the edge of my seat and I’m just in awe of SJM’s imagination and storytelling.

Closing the last page on the Maas Verse.......So far.. 🥹 What a beautiful book and series and think this one was my favourite! Everything got tied off beautifully and fully action packed! Chapter 99 had me absolutely bawling! 😭 Through love....All is possible 🤍✨️ #cosyvibes #cresentcityseries #bookstagram #huntathalar #brycequinlan

House of Flame and Shadow is an absolute triumph and a thrilling addition to Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series. This third installment raises the stakes with a smoldering blend of heart-pounding action, jaw-dropping twists, and steamy romance. Fans of Maas’s signature style will be completely hooked from the first page to the explosive finale. The character development is phenomenal, with Bryce, Hunt, and the rest of the cast facing challenges that push them to their limits. The intricate world-building continues to amaze, weaving together threads from the previous books while introducing new layers of intrigue and magic. Maas’s ability to blend epic fantasy with deeply personal stakes is unparalleled. The pacing is masterful, keeping you on edge while delivering moments of humor, heartbreak, and pure adrenaline. It’s a rollercoaster ride that will leave readers desperate for the next installment. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Maas or new to her work, House of Flame and Shadow is a must-read. It’s everything you could hope for in a fantasy series—passion, danger, and a world so vivid you’ll never want to leave.

I’ve officially finished every Sarah J. Maas book that’s currently out, and House of Flame and Shadow was a brilliant way to wrap up this chapter of the Crescent City series. Bryce Quinlan is still one of my favourite Sarah J. Maas characters. She’s witty, determined and fiercely loyal, and I loved following her journey. Hunt Athalar is another favourite of mine, and I think the two of them make such a strong pair. I was just as invested in the side characters too, especially Ruhn, who continues to be one of the standouts. The crossovers with Sarah J. Maas’s other series were so much fun. I loved spotting the connections and little Easter eggs, but they never took away from Crescent City’s own story. Even if you haven’t read her other series, I think this book still works really well on its own. Sarah J. Maas has such a talent for creating complex worlds, memorable characters and stories that keep you turning the pages. The pacing was strong, the plot kept me hooked, and everything came together in a really satisfying way. It tied up the major storylines while still leaving enough unanswered to make me excited for whatever comes next. I really enjoyed this book and the Crescent City series as a whole, and now I’m officially caught up on every Sarah J. Maas book that’s currently available. Now I just have to join everyone else in waiting for the next one. (I would actually give this 4.75 if I could)

Pasan tantas cosas en este libro!! Sinceramente no sé si tenía expectativas demasiado altas en el libro que por momentos sentía que no las estaba cumpliendo, pero luego de terminarlo y viéndolo en perspectiva con otras obras de Sarah, siento que el libro encaja perfectamente en su estilo de escritura, y por eso finalmente le di las 5 estrellas que se merece, y la razón es: porque es un libro entretenido que te mantiene leyendo y queriendo saber que más pasa, cómo solucionan los personajes principales los problemas, no es una obra maestra que te hace reflexionar sobre la vida y blah blah, pero si! Hay momentos dentro de toda esta inocente fantasía, en los que te plantan esta semilla de que pueden lograr las personas cuando se juntan en contra de las injusticias, el valor del amor y de la amistad, y reflexiones incluso más profundas acerca de la muerte y el duelo. Sarah tienes mis respetos por hacer que tantas personas se hayan vuelto a interesar en el maravilloso mundo de la lectura!

Good quality

alles in orde

I’ll admit it—Crescent City wasn’t originally on my radar. The only reason I picked up this trilogy was because I was still deep in my A Court of Thorns and Roses hangover. After finishing A Court of Silver Flames, I just couldn’t get over Nesta—her strength, her rage, her healing journey. She quickly became my favorite character in the entire ACOTAR universe, and I needed something to fill that void. So, I dove into House of Earth and Blood, curious to see what Sarah J. Maas would give us next. The Crescent City series is a slow burn in the best and most agonizing way. House of Earth and Blood starts with heartbreak and doesn’t let go. Bryce Quinlan is a complex, layered protagonist—sharp, loyal, messy, and fiercely protective of the ones she loves. Her character arc is a beautiful blend of grief, growth, and badassery.

House of Flame and Shadow is a book of epic proportions. It’s fascinating, exhausting, and absolutely engaging. I adored it, even though there were just a few things that kept it slightly shy of a perfect five-star read for me. I gave it 4.5 stars, rounded to five for Goodreads and Amazon. Sarah J. Maas is a master storyteller, and she can do almost no wrong in my book. I am so in love with the Crescent City series, and House of Flame and Shadow only solidified my obsession with this world. This book is special in so many ways, but in particular, I was completely enamored of Ruhn and Lidia. Their relationship had so much emotional depth, tension, and heart, and they absolutely made this book for me. Ruhn continues to be one of my favorite characters, and Lidia completely stole the show. She is an absolute powerhouse of a character, and I loved getting to know her on a much deeper level. Individually they are special, but together they ignite. They have officially become my favorite couple in the Crescent City world. I still love Bryce and Hunt though, and Bryce has been one of my favorite characters since House of Earth and Blood. She is a badass, plain and simple. That said, I do think some of the qualities I normally love about her went a little too far in this book. Her determination became so single-minded at times that she came across as selfish, and there were moments when I wished she had shown a little more patience and understanding toward the people around her. I understood why she was operating the way she was, but it still frustrated me at times. There were also a few choices near the end that didn’t completely work for me. I won’t go into detail because they are definitely spoiler territory, but one particular resolution left me wishing the story had gone in a different direction. It was probably my biggest frustration with the book and the main reason this wasn’t an automatic five stars for me. The crossover elements were so much fun, although I absolutely wanted MORE. More characters, more interaction, more everything! What fascinated me most, though, was the way Maas connected the histories, mythology, and lore of her different worlds. Seeing those threads begin to come together was one of my favorite parts of the entire book. By the time I finished House of Flame and Shadow, I was honestly tired. 😂 SO MUCH HAPPENS. This book is enormous in scope, packed with revelations, battles, romance, trauma, history, world-building, and about a million other things. It truly felt epic. I listened to the audiobook once again, and Elizabeth Evans was phenomenal. She has become such an important part of my Crescent City experience. Her ability to give these characters distinct voices and personalities makes an already immersive story feel even more alive. Despite the few things that frustrated me, I absolutely loved this book. Crescent City continues to be one of my favorite fantasy worlds, and these characters have completely captured my heart. House of Flame and Shadow was chaotic, emotional, fascinating, exhausting, and epic…and I loved almost every minute of it.