Series: Crescent City #2
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing on February 15, 2022
Source: Purchased
Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, Urban Fantasy
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Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.
The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.
In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.
I’m a few months behind, but I’m really proud to say that I’ve finally finished House of Sky and Breath (HOSAB)! With two little ones, including a baby, I haven’t been reading much at all lately. But I did manage to do a reread of the first Crescent City in anticipation of this book – and let me say, it was definitely worthwhile!
This was a completely brilliant book, but I think the reread made me enjoy it more. Bryce & Danika’s strong friendship was fresh on my mind, along with the ever mounting tension between Bryce and her angel Hunt.
Here’s 4 Things I Loved About House of Sky and Breath:
1. The chemistry between Bryce & Hunt
With so much tension, we all know what’s going to happen, but it was fun seeing them hold out otherwise. Another fun thing was seeing other characters comment on it, including Bryce’s friends. The two of them have so much chemistry between each other – and Hunt must be one of my favourite SJM love interests. He’s witty, strong, protective (but not overbearing), has so much love and respect for Bryce – even when you can see her making decisions that aren’t the greatest. I’ve had a problem with a few of SJM’s love interests in the past, but in Crescent City, Bryce has a distinct dislike for overbearing assholes – “alphaholes”. She uses this term to call out whenever the men in her life overstep their boundaries and it works in her favour.
To my pleasure, it was interesting (and very entertaining) to see the duo making a pact not to act on their feelings for each other until after they had gotten to know each other. Not only does this have implications for the two of them entering into a relationship, but also trying to keep up appearances for Bryce’s betrothal to another high fae. And yes – this book contains a fair amount of spice!
2. We learn more about Danika & the secrets she kept
The first Crescent City delves deeply into Danika’s past, Bryce’s deceased friend who was also an alpha wolf. While I thought this would’ve been resolved in the first one, here we learn even more about Danika’s past life and everything that she kept secret from her. Her presence in the series leaves a lasting impact and I’m surprised by how much the plotline – still – revolves around Danika’s past dealings. There’s lots of secrets and knowledge to discover here and both books in the Crescent City universe seem to have an underlying mystery which keeps us reading.
3. It expands the world even further with spies, rebels & a thunderbird
While we learnt about the wolf packs, fae customs and archangel soldiers in the first Crescent City, this one expands the world of Midgard even more. We learn about a rare and fated thunderbird, who is being hunted by some secret agents in the prologue. Then there’s also spies and rebels threatening to overthrow the Asteri, the powerful overlords that rule over them all.
I found the whole spy and rebel thing to be really exciting, because of how it expands the world even more – and the plot really takes off towards the end as it spirals towards a shocking conclusion that will absolutely blow your mind!
4. The side characters
The cast in this series is so fun, supportive and full of personality, and I especially loved the scenes with Ruhn (Bryce’s returned estranged brother) and Tharion (the Mer and caption of intelligence to the River Queen)!
Ruhn is operating as a spy and starts falling for a secret agent on the other side through his dreams, and I loved everything about his story. Tharion is in an arranged bethrothal with someone he doesn’t really care for, and he starts getting a taste for the “upper world” while on a mission for his Queen. Then there’s Cormac, Crown Prince of the Avallen Fae who is in an arranged marriage with Bryce. There’s definitely a lot more to him than meets the eye as we learn here. There’s also Ithan, who is Connor’s brother, who forms another part of the crew as he assists Bryce with finding the truth.
It’s also worth mentioning that there is finally a LGBT couple here with Fury & Juniper being completely adorable!
Sarah J Maas always has a talent with building an ensemble cast and it’s no different this time.
I was left completely shook after reading the last few words of House of Sky and Breath and I CANNOT wait for the next book in this series! I just can’t wait to see what happens to Bryce, Hunt and Ruhn and the rest of the cast of characters after that shocking ending that changes…completely everything that we know. I absolutely LOVED House of Sky & Breath as it really progresses the plot forward with lots of twists, turns and secrets to be revealed. This series is completely addictive and I loved every minute of it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
House of Sky and Breath is available from Australian bookstores for RRP$29.99 or from The Book Depository.
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I’m sorry, but I have to disagree about Bryce and Hunt’s chemistry. In the first book, Hunt is an interesting and vibrant character, but in this one, his identity is reduced to “Bryce’s mate”. His character adds nothing to the plot. He’s just there to follow Bryce around and do her wishes.
They have no moments other than sex. Angry and tense from a fight? Have sex. Happy about something going well? Have sex. There’s no emotional connection, just mutual lust.