The sequel to “Crescent City” that all fans of Sarah J. Maas have been looking forward to. With the first book, House of Earth and Blood the author announced that we would once again experience the talent that shone in Throne of Glass. But can she escape the vulgarity that has gripped her lately?
Book Review: House of Sky and Breath
- Author. Sarah J. Maas
- Series: Crescent City Book #2
- 805 pages, Hardcover
- Published: February 15, 2022 by Bloomsbury Publishing
House of Sky and Breath
The book itself looks very good. The cover is solid and the design is as original as that of the first volume. For those unfamiliar with the Crescent City series, please note that House of Sky and Breath is the second volume and should not be read as a standalone. You can read more about the House of Earth and Blood series on our blog.
The War Against the Asteri
The plot continues after the events of book one. Bryce and Hunt have survived the battle against the demons of Hell and are now trying to live normal lives. Despite their attempts to stay out of trouble and the clear threat of the Asteri, the two have a hard time staying out of trouble. Bryce keeps getting pulled into the vortex of events, and the secrets surrounding her best friend Danica continue to weigh on her mind. Wolfie’s past proves to be extremely convoluted. Bryce is determined to find out what Danica is hiding and why she got involved with the rebels.
To her horror, Hunt’s past also threatens to obscure her life. Sandriel’s monstrous Triarii come to town and the rebel movement gains strength. Bryce and company become embroiled in the games of Ophion, the Asterians, and the dark creatures of Hell, who are trying to get their hands on a weapon that could change the balance in the coming war.
Is the much-heralded sequel…
When I started House of Sky and Breath, I had conflicting expectations. The first book was certainly one of the top books of 2021, but after reading A Court of Silver Flames, I was not sure what to expect. I had a strong fear that the pages would again be filled with quarreling lovers and consummation of their relationship. I was wrong and that element was so present that it haunted me. Despite the threats to their lives, the characters are very aroused and have lustful thoughts. I will not give away to who falls in love with whom. If someone’s toes curled, then wild excitement had overtaken them and I had to flee.
As for the story itself and the idea of the plot, I also have my reservations. Somehow the general role of Hell and the demon princes has changed. Given the current direction Sarah J. Maas is taking us, we can safely wonder what the whole battle was about in the first book…
I was also disturbed by the mystery surrounding Danica. In the first book it was interesting and understandable why Bryce was on the trail of the truth, but here it was unnecessary to involve the she-wolf further in the plot. Sarah J. Maas could have easily found another driving force for the main character’s curiosity.
The ending of “House of Sky and Breath”
The ending was also absurd. I have always had a problem with series that segue into each other. To me, A Court of Thorns and Roses was a complete series and there was no reason to intertwine it with Lunatiton. I am afraid of what Rysand will get into in the next book. The fate of Hunt also piques my interest, but given the elan with which the author writes, nothing good awaits him either. I have a hunch that the next book will be about him. It will describe his sex life with Shahar and Bryce (parallel chapters to hop from cot to cot) and separately his father will be a god or at least someone from hell.
In addition to the things, I listed that I did not like, there were moments when I fell in love with Sarah J. Maas all over again. The prolog was all in that style. Maas can be extremely brutal and she knows how to surprise her readers, but the direction she took shows that she is out to win. Unfortunately, this is not unique to the “sex sells” ads on TV. I do not want to draw a parallel, but anyone who has read The Glass Throne and Lunatiton will find that there is no gradation with Sarah J. Maass, on the contrary.
My rating for House of Sky and Breath
I gave this book a 3-star rating.
SPOILER ALERT
I do not like these interplanetary stories at all, and I will not comment on Risand at all.
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.
