Girrrrrlllll! If you don’t know by now, I’m pretty much IN LOVE with Sarah J. Maas. Everything she writes I pre-order and read instantly…okay, maybe not that Catwoman book because, really, what was she thinking with that? But as soon as I heard she was releasing her first adult fantasy novel I was completely over-the-freaking-moon excited. I waited anxiously, pre-ordered House of Earth and Blood, and opened it as soon as it was released. And praise Jesus it was good! I was a little nervous because this was her first foray into a completely new world but I really liked it.
The Gist
House of Earth and Blood follows Bryce Quinlan, a party girl with great friends and a hopeful future until her friends are murdered by a demon. When her life is turned upside down and with what she feels is nothing to live for, the only thing driving Bryce is revenge. In comes Hunt Athalar, a notorious Fallen Angel enslaved by Archangels with the responsibility of finding the demon that killed Bryce’s friends.
The Review aka Waxing Poetically
The story, the world-building, and the characters were incredible! The beginning was a little slow but as soon as the story started rolling I was completely hooked. The plot was original and exciting and there was no way I was putting this book down. The action was also so entertaining. The last quarter of the book feels like an extended battle scene but it never gets boring and somehow you’re always on your toes. Maas throws in a few plot twists to keep you guessing, and although I could have done without one particular twist (you can probably guess which one…), I just absolutely loved how entertained I was by this book.
And don’t get me started on the characters! Bryce and Hunt were so well written. The character development was spot on. You go from doubting Bryce to knowing she has a spine of steel with a moral code to back it up. The same goes for Hunt. You know all he wants is freedom but he gives it all up for the woman he loves. It was so easy to root for these characters, their fight for justice and freedom, and their happy ending.
Can you blame me for being excited for Book 2?!
Let me warn you that the book is long…maybe even a little too long. But why wouldn’t you want 800 pages of Sarah J. Maas? That’s the real question. I CANNOT WAIT for the next book in this series. I’m expecting more action, more dark themes, and more steamy scenes. Get to it, Sarah!
Alyssa Flores
Alyssa reads hundreds of books a year and is on a never-ending quest to find the perfect book.
