House of Sky and Breath: The EPIC second book in the Crescent City series, from the creator of ACOTAR

A sensational story in the world of dark fantasy, that is magical and haunting, with an exhilarating plot, powerful world building, a level of suspense that inspires a hungry turn of pages and a brilliant array of characters that I believe are her best cast yet. Ingenious. Sofie, is about to die with one vital piece of “information hidden in her head, information that could very well be the final piece of this war against the Asteri. The blow that could end it all” and so Bryce, Hunt and Ruhn try to unearth the corruption and the devastating truth that cost Danika her life in the last book and now Sofie in this story. This is not a spoiler as it happens in the first chapter but sets up a storyline that will continue well into the book. As worlds collide and the Houses of Crescent City seek to take control, the treachery and danger takes us to the city ships of the queen’s court, the seven levels of hell and the orrery planet solar system as reluctant alliances are forged to prevent the Asteri taking control. However, with an order from the Asteri to lie low or endure a penalty of death, the crew must carve out a strategy where the stakes are high, the game is at a different level, and the people only too willing to betray the daughter of the King of the Autumn Court too numerous. Ignoring the request from her father to strengthen the alliance with the House of Avallen, by marrying Cormac, her cousin, Bryce is left isolated except for her lover and ‘mate’ Hunt and brother Ruhn. Tormenting, imaginative, spellbinding, a fabulous case of brinkmanship, and totally immersive. A book I read over two days and up to ‘stupid o’clock’ in the morning to finish, because I hankered to know how it would all end, and what an ending it was - but no spoilers here!!!! And my advice is please do not read reviews that contain spoilers because the element of surprise will leave you speechless.

Speechless. Completely speechless. That ending!!! Sarah J. Maas has firmly placed herself as one of my all time favourite ever authors. The characters, the world building, the humour and banter followed by floods of emotional tears, just incredible. I need book three immediately… but I’m really not ready to finish with the Maaseverse!

This one was a slow start for me. In fact, it took me about seven months to finish because I kept picking it up, reading a few chapters, putting it down, and repeating the cycle. The first 200 pages were honestly a bit of a slog. As Sarah J. Maas likes to do, she introduces brand new characters and storylines and you’re sitting there thinking, “Who is this? What does this have to do with anything?” But that’s the magic of her writing because by the end, you care about every single character and you’re completely invested. The last 100 pages were absolutely jaw dropping. I was genuinely sitting there thinking “Oh my God, I can’t believe that just happened” over and over again. Bryce Quinlan continues to be an incredible female main character. She’s strong, clever and powerful, but she also has a softness to her. She doesn’t always get everything right, and I really enjoy that because it makes her feel more like a real person. Hunt Athalar is everything. I absolutely love him. I also continue to love Ruhn Danaan, and the side characters in this series are honestly some of the best parts. I’m fully invested in all of them. My biggest issue was the chapter structure. I found the switching between characters quite difficult at times, especially when there wasn’t always a clear break to show that you were moving to someone else’s perspective. Overall, I did really enjoy this book. I don’t think it’s the best Sarah J. Maas book I’ve ever read, and I actually preferred the first Crescent City book, House of Earth and Blood, but it was still a great read. I love that this series is set in a fae world but has a more modern feel with things like phones and technology. I’ll definitely be continuing with House of Flame and Shadow.

Just finished this second book in the CC series and I really enjoyed it. I love the authors character building and how there are multiple points of view throughout the book. You dislike some then you are rooting for them. Can be a bit confusing at times as some characters are known by multiple names. But I didn’t get bored and was looking forward to reading every evening.

"Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again, I promise" This book follows Bryce and Hunt as they try to return to a more normal life after the events of the first book. However, political tensions in the city are rising, and dangerous secrets are beginning to unravel. As they get pulled deeper into a rebellion against the oppressive ruling powers, they must decide how far they are willing to go for freedom, and each other 👀 The vibe changes slightly in this book, as some major characters are introduced and the plot turns towards the idea of war and rebellion. The stakes are raised massively and the world-building accelerates exponentially 🚀 Despite the relatively somber plot, light relief can still be found in the brilliantly good-humoured interactions between the characters 😁 I have rated this book slightly lower than the first, as I found some of the Tharion chapters to drag a little, and didn't really feel particularly invested in the search for Emile 😩 That being said, this is still a ridiculously good book, and the Night/Day budding romance had me HOOKED! 😅 🪬Book vibe🪬 - Urban fantasy - Missing person - Star-crossed lovers - Political tension - Found family Overall, this book is a great continuation of the series, and I literally couldn't put it down! I love Bryce & Hunt's relationship so much, and after the ridiculously awesome cliffhanger at the end of this book, I can't wait to read the next one 😁

Loved this book and how I wasn’t sure what was about to happen next and now I can’t wait to read the next book

Live the blend of characters, lots of twists and turns, some predictable but some not. Cannot wait for more, light it up! ....

I’ll be honest—I struggled with this one at first. I originally picked up House of Sky and Breath when it was released…and promptly DNF’d it. So going back into it took some effort. It took a minute to remember who all the characters were, and I had clearly forgotten a lot of the major plot points from the first book. It had been almost a year since reading the first one but once I finally got reacquainted with the world, though, I started to enjoy it again and remembered why I liked the series in the first place. That said, the middle section lost me a bit. I couldn’t quite figure out where the plot was heading, and at times it felt disconnected from the first book. The whole Cormac situation especially threw me—it popped up briefly, disappeared for most of the book, and then reappeared at the end. Honestly, it left me a little confused, I still can't remember what the point of that was. But then everything started to come together towards the end, after a very big push through from myself, I wouldn't say that I almost didn't DNF if again because I may have. The plot took a turn and started to tie the first two books together, and suddenly I was fully invested again. I still can’t fully tell where this series is headed, but I do know I want to find out—especially after that completely mind-blowing ending. Not going to lie, that ending alone is the reason this book earned four stars instead of three. Sometimes a finale really does change everything.

I can say I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It seemed most people were disappointed by the second book in this series and after reading book two and only giving it a 4 star, I was a touch worried. I shouldn't have been because I absolutely loved this one. Many of the things that bothered me in the first book were not an issue here. Mostly I found book one overly explanatory, too much world-building and not enough character development. Even so I did enjoy it and I loved the ending. This had great character development with everyone (I am honestly stumped that many reviewers didn't think so). I was completely immersed in Bryce, Hunt and all of their friends (or frenemies). Even some of the newer people introduced left me wanting more. Bryce's struggles and frustrations with her father were ever present, and I think I wanted to punch him as much as she did, but her relationship with Hunt and how it developed into loving each other captured me. It wasn't instant love, and even though there were several spicy scenes (which I loved, by the way), they didn't detract from the endgame. Their constant struggles with the direction they seemed to be going (and clearly manipulated to go) put me on pins and needles. I knew it couldn't be good, but I never guessed the ending and the things that Bryce found out about their world. I honestly didn't see it coming. I teared up a bit at the ending. It was a brutal way to rip them all apart. It left me feeling so much. I can't wait to read the next book. Again, I can't help but listen to people's opinions on the 3rd and final book in the series, and see such disappointment. I have it listed on my "must reads" for 2025, so I can only hope it's a satisfying end. I should also add, I have never read a SJM book previously, so perhaps not having delved into her other series is the reason I have enjoyed this one so much. I think it's time to stop listening to what others think and just go with my own impressions because this book went well beyond my expectations. And lastly the one thing that I wanted to add ... this book, like the first, was 800 pages. Book One I nearly DNFd at 200 pages because it was dragging on, but I continued and enjoyed the last 600 pages. This second book never felt like 800 pages. It was paced beautifully and I was never bored. None of the issues I had with the first existed, and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.

Perfecto

I was dying to get answers and finally see where it was leading up to and the finale was so worth it, but holy crap was I on the edge of my seat! This was a great continuation from HOEAB, with an investigative storyline that kept me guessing. I think I audibly said, 'WTF??' at least 10 times. It felt like every hundred pages, there was a new surprise and an added layer of mystery. The storyline branched out with new characters and created more depth to the world, magic, lore, and overall plot. The action sequences were so well depicted and intense. It was super fun having side characters like Ithan and Tharion be more involved, along with Ruhn having more of an important role leading us to learn more about his character and magic. I love the way each character brings their own purpose to the group and mesh together so well for the story. The introduction of Celestina, Baxian, and Pollux added lots of tension and questions; their dynamics were always entertaining. Also, “Day”?! I’m still processing that revelation. Towards the end, my only concern was hoping that everything that was revealed in the end would be worth the 800 pages of information and investigating, and I was NOT disappointed. Also, I love how discoveries from Danika’s past link up with current events and they way the pieces came together. I honestly was just so immersed in the story and along for the ride!

I love this hardcover! It’s beautiful! Very happy with it!

Title: house of sky and breath Author: @sarahjmaas 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬. 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞. ✨NO-SPOILER✨ HOSAB is a captivating fantasy novel and second in the series. It follows the life story of Bryce, Hunt and Ruhn together. Sets in the modern world where the magic is real and the discrimination in hierarchy is prevalent. Filled with various instances of Bryce dealing with adventure, mystery and tragedy. Bryce's character has been crafted so well that you ended up rooting for her. The supporting cast is equally well developed, adding depth and complexity in the plot. The Crescent series is richly detailed and immersive. The vivid description of Lunathion brings the settling to life. The themes discussed in the book are loss, love, fated-mates and the pursuit of knowledge. The pacing of the book is well-balanced, with moments of action and intrigue interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes. Overall, "house of sky and breath" is a stunning novel that showcases Bryce's strength and courage to stand up against the world if they are corrupt. With its compelling characters, rich worldbuilding, and masterful prose, it is a must-read for any fantasy fan.