House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City, 2) Hardcover – February 15, 2022

**3.5 STARS**Content Warning: ViolenceI have finally read the book and whew…it’s a long one at 805 pages. I love the cover, this series has good covers so far.Bryce and Hunt are solid in this sequel. There is no question about whether they are meant for each other, they are mates (I know SJM is all about fated mates). Nothing can come between them throughout this book and we see their relationship get to the next level. There are a bunch of spicy scenes between Bryce and Hunt with the signature mind and space altering sex that always happens in a SJM book. These two are ride or die, besties, lovers, partners forever and I’m glad about it but also I felt like okay now that we’ve established that, let’s move on in the story. 😅The world building is as intricate as ever. This urban fantasy has everything in it: angels, demons, fae, shifters, wolves, mer, humans and everything in between. So I am impressed as ever with how vivid this world is.The side characters have a big, big role in this book. I’m glad Ruhn had a chance to shine in this one. I think he was my favorite in the book. Ruhn is really trying to figure out who he is without his apart from his royal Fae status and I appreciated his struggle. Also, I was so into his growing relationship with the mysterious Agent Day – I was actually thinking it reminded me of like an online relationship 😆, it made me laugh a little when things got spicy! But I love Ruhn.There are so many characters who got a spotlight: Tharion (the mer), Ithan (the wolf), Cormac (Fae Prince), Sofie and then some. And then some!!! There are sooo many characters and honestly I thought it was too many at one time. Cormac was okay-not very interesting, Tharion is to be determined…we shall see where his story goes and Ithan is that younger brother type role. Honestly by the middle of the book I was wondering why Bryce always surrounded by guys in this one? Where was the female friends I loved from book one?! Why was Fury and Juniper barely in this book? I was bummed about that. One of the reasons why I loved the first book was Bryce and her girlfriends. It’s almost at the end of the book when she longs for a female friend and finds a new one in Hypaxia, Ruhn’s fiance.Speaking of fiance…this is a fated mates story which means…everyone is going to find a mate by the end of this series. 💯 That’s a lot of fated mates lol.The story unfolds like a mystery with Tharion, being the main detective and then he drags Bryce and Hunt into the search . And for something so secret – it ended up being a whole group knowing the secrets! There is a LOT going on in this story and at one point when a character referred to Hunt as Athalar, I was like, who’s Athalar?! LMAO 🤣. I was like did someone new come into the conversation? I was so genuinely confused…that’s when I had to take a break on reading. Can’t they all just call him Hunt? Like everyone else was being called by their names except Hunt/Athalar/Orion. I have a hard enough time keeping the Princes of Hel straight – where is the character name list? I need one.The beginning is good with Sofie and then it got slow and some parts was just boring. There was so much dialogue about mundane things at times. I was hoping for more urgency in finding this child with Thunderbird powers. That story fizzled out into something else…but that was the main engine of the story until Danika’s breadcrumbs started to lead them to something more sinister. I wanted more action, maybe less of everyone’s point of view. I could have done without the romance dramas of everyone involved, but I get that this is a romance heavy urban fantasy. The whole story was about finding information and making all the pieces fit into the puzzle. When there was action, it was good and there is a major twist at the ending. I’m still trying to decide how I feel about it…I was like 😳😱.I almost wish this was one of those series that gave each character a book because it seems like Ruhn deserves one, Tharion, Ithan, Ariadne too probably, and Hypaxia also. And I can’t forget the Hind and her backstory as well!I did not read this in one sitting like I do with SJM books, it took me about 3 or 4 days. The writing is easy so at least it is easily devoured but like I said…there is so much going on.Why you should read it:*you are an SJM fan and already invested in the series*Bryce and Hunt steamy scenes for those who were waiting for it lol*some really good twists, especially the endingWhy you might not want to read it:*long and wish it had more action*I think some characters need their own book to keep some of these installments shorteryou will either love or hate the endingMy Thoughts:I thought I would have read this in one day, even with the 800 page count but if I thought book one was a 4 star read, for me, this was a 3 star read but the ending bumped it up a little. But I wish it didn’t take 700 pages for me to be wowed by the book lol…the ending is a shocker for sure, and I will definitely read book three to see how that goes. I hope it goes beautifully but I also have my worries about it as well. Overall, a pretty good sequel with detailed world building as usual and characters I came to care about but there were spots that were little too slow for me. I loved that Ruhn had more of a spotlight and of course this will definitely make Bryce/Hunt fans super happy…well, for the most part. 🤭 Looking forward to book three…hopefully we don’t have too long.

Let me preface this by saying that SJM’s novels pulled me out of a years long reading slump, and I absolutely adore the majority of her work. After the letdown ACOSF was for me, I was excited to get pulled back into one of her worlds and experience the emotional roller coaster most of her work takes me on. Spoilers lie ahead!Firstly, I was one of the unfortunate people who accidentally saw the massive spoiler of how the book ends a week before the release. While I was livid at the trolls who made that possible, it did allow me to go through my reread of CC1 with that knowledge, and I caught a lot of little details I likely would have glossed over. I’ve seen reviews say that the ending came out of nowhere, didn’t make sense, etc., but I can assure you that the intersection of their worlds has been hinted at since basically chapter one, book one. I did also think this book was an easier read than the first, but that’s likely due to less world building.Bryce and Hunt being mates - cool. I wasn’t mad about having to sit through another failed romance, but it wasn’t exciting to learn about. I hope that in future novels, SJM can give us a MC relationship where they simply choose each other.I correctly guessed who Agent Day was by her third interaction with Ruhn. I knew it wouldn’t be someone we liked, but I did originally think it would be Baxian. Once I learned they were female, I knew, and Ruhn becomes yet another victim of the enemies to lovers trope, despite having a perfectly good, healthy(ish) romance set up for him in CC1.It was also obvious that Celestina was not some secret double agent or would have their back; she was a pawn, who had no interest in fighting the system. Her “betrayal” wasn’t even really a betrayal as much as her just doing her job. Also, the closet scene was uncomfortable and unnecessary, and felt very much like it was just thrown in for the sake of it like Mor’s sexuality in ACOWAR.The things that really irked me - the rebel situation, Danika, and glaring plot holes. I truly don’t understand how the whole time they were actively working with the rebels, they didn’t think they were...rebels? Also, I don’t understand why any of them even got involved in the first place, the reason why was pretty weak and I wasn’t sold on it. And *why* did so much rely on Danika? Literally nothing about that made sense - it was very forced and unbelievable, everything from her meeting Sofie, tasking Sofie with this mission, and Baxian being her mate. It felt like a plot device to make Bryce care, and therefore make us care. But I didn’t, because I didn’t believe it. I think it could (and should) have come from Fury, since she’s the one who’s always off doing secret missions and the like, and top secret, world altering knowledge is something that should have come from her. We have yet to see what makes Fury so feared and powerful, and her entire plot in the book was just about her being protective of Juniper. I also didn’t really enjoy how often Bryce made a secret plan that no one knew about and then *perfectly* pulled it off (cough, Aelin, is that you?). I understand that Bryce also did these stunts in CC1, but that’s when she was still getting to know Hunt and didn’t trust him. Another plot hole - when they go to the Bone Quarter and start getting attacked, Bryce wants Hunt to fly them out. If he could fly them out, why couldn’t he fly them in? Why did they need two ultra-rare-but-here-they’re-yours-take-them tokens from Jesiba? I’m also upset that during the ending, Hunt (and presumably Ruhn and Baxian) seem to get the halo tattooed on? But isn’t it supposed to be witches ink? So that seemed like a pretty major plot hole. I also don’t understand how Rigelus appeared as Aidas’ cat form and fooled them. Aren’t they all supposed to have the best scent detectors? Wouldn’t they smell that it wasn’t him? How did he make it cold when that’s not his power? So many small plot holes like that with unanswered questions are why I docked a star from this review.Other things to note - Ithan being in love with Bryce felt cliche, Tharion’s POVs were meh (and the whole thing with the River Queen’s daughter and the queen herself is just weird), and Hunt was surprisingly my most liked character this time, since I wasn’t a big fan of his in CC1. I’d suspected since reading CC1 the first time that the Asteri were somehow frauds, but I thought they just totally lacked power, not that they stole/ate it. I’m also still thinking Amren is the 7th Asteri, but only the next book will confirm. Ruhn looking like Rhys has been his description since the first book, and his powers are very similar as well, so it was clear that they’re related, even before we knew Bryce would end up there - we knew that the species came from other worlds, so it was obvious. I’m sure Bryce will train with him (Rhys) in the next book and truly come into her powers. I bet we’ll also learn Rhysand’s last name is Danaan, since it’s never been revealed in ACOTAR. I also look forward to finding out who Hunt’s dad is - they referred to him (Hunt) as a prince several times outside of Bryce being a princess, and my bet is on one of the princes of Hel. I’m also *really* looking forward to finding out who Jesiba is (maybe Theia or one of her daughters?? Definitely someone very old, and important. Maybe joined HOFAS for Aidas?).Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I felt like it lacked some of the SJM pizazz that made me love ACOTAR and TOG so much. Or, maybe the pizazz is being recycled, and it’s just not as fresh anymore. I still very much look forward to reading CC3 when it comes out!

This one was really tough to get through because the plot is really not interesting. It's told from too many characters perspectives to bulk it up and those characters aren't particularly exciting. Waay too drawn out. Not much chemistry between the characters either which might just be because she doesn't stay on one characters story long enough for you to be particularly committed to what happens to them. Characters all keeping secrets from each other makes it tough to get into. Annoyed because I have to read the next book because of the last chapter. Bit cheeky to use your previous good book series to make people read your new boring one. I genuinely don't know how this is getting so many positive reviews. I absolutely loved her previous A Court Of Thorns and Roses series. This one just really doesn't live up to the same standards.

I honestly didn’t think CC2 could surpass CC1. And while parts are seemingly off at a tangent, Maas always makes the tangents count.Bryce is a formidable friend that I’d definitely love to have. I love that she screws up as much as hitting the mark. Some of the sex scenes have a delightful clumsiness to them, so it’s not all perfect romance and has a more real edge (despite it being utterly fictitious).I have had to put this book down on occasion, not because it wasn’t captivating, more because I’ve had to process some of the twists or mentally preparing for the event that’s sure to tug at my emotions.The climax of the book is heart wrenching and elating.I am unbelievably excited for the next book! Congratulations Sarah J. Maas, this book is a triumph.

Best ending! Best ending ever! OMG I CANT WAIT FOR NEXT IT WILL BE TORTURE! I read that last bit for 6h straight... Actually forgot to eat dinner. It OMFG it was forth it. Jumping up and down on my bed trying not to scream as it's 2 in the morning here. Sarah J. Maas you are a GENIUS!!!!!!!!! I love you, and I hope your brain never stops coming up with these INSANE plots! (Although I would understand if they did, because this is EPIC, and... The brain power you must put into it. You are wonderful. I hope you never stop. Though when you die, after you've lived a long, wonderful and fulfilling life, please don't die with an unfinished book/series. My/our heart and brains and the very beings that make us us, could not take it! I'm still jumping! Thank you sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!

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.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said, but if you have read the first book you are in for an unbelievable ride, if you haven’t read The House of Earth & Blood and love all things fantasy with strong female leads and totally yummy males this series is a must. But darlings, darlings for those who want some idea of what you are in for strap yourself in you are in for an exhilarating unbelievably bumpy ride. There are so many twists and turns, this nothing like Earth & Blood, you barely catch your breath when you hurtle off in a totally different direction. There is nothing boring about this book and there is 801 pages that should come with chains to hold it down. There is of course the usual suspects, some new and welcome ones, ones we have only heard about but never met some of them are really really unwelcome and some are surprising. Never in a million years will you guess the ending, some things I guessed some things I think I have guessed but I’ll bet my last haribo that SJM will laugh in our faces with the twists that she is planning for her next book, I suspect manic laughing from her as she came up with the twists in this book. This series is a marvel the best series yet and I loved the others.