Fabulous Reads: Crescent City’s resurgence brings tears

Sarah J Maas, Bloomsbury, ISBN: HOEAB – 9781526663559; HOSAB – 9781526628220; HOFAS – 9781526628237

THE Crescent City fantasy series by bestselling author Sarah J Maas is not only a monster of a read, with each of the three books over 800 pages long, but it also creates a roller coaster of emotions.

With the launch of the highly anticipated third book in the series, I thought I would provide an overall review. So, buckle up.

Some people may be discouraged from following the series with the first book, the House of Earth and Blood (HOEAB). There is an exceptional amount of world building, and almost immediately, one is introduced to a plethora of characters, which means the first 60% of the book can be both overwhelming and a bit of a drag.

But, the magical story of half-elf Bryce Quinlan and her misfit band of reluctant rebels will steal your heart. In book one, Quinlan, who is regarded as a hopeless party girl, not only finds herself hunted by demons but also at the centre of a major mystery after her best friend, Danika, an alpha wolf shapeshifter, and her pack are brutally murdered. While drowning in grief and with a desire for revenge, Quinlan and her bodyguard angel, Hunt Athalar, slowly start to uncover a major conspiracy. The ending of the book is fast-paced and nothing short of thrilling.

In the second book, Quinlan and her friends are dragged into the ongoing rebellion and have to face a heavy decision: Do they risk their lives and the lives of those they love to take on tyranny and oppression in the Crescent City or look the other way? Much like the HOEAB, the House of Sky and Breath (HOSAB) starts out slow as additional characters are introduced to the fray and Quinlan continues to connect the pieces of the conspiracy. As she delves into the conspiracy she learns that Danika had been keeping secrets and starts questioning their friendship. The worst aspect of the HOSAB (which also begins to surface in the first book) is the mature scenes – which, in my opinion, are not only cringey but unnecessary to the storyline. More attention could have been given to character development and the main plot. HOSAB ends on an exciting cliffhanger, which hints as a crossover between one of Maas’ most beloved series – A Court of Thorns of Roses.

Sadly, this crossover would be very brief and anticlimactic. This was most certainly a missed opportunity. A House of Flame and Shadow, the third book in the series, is probably my least favourite so far. There were so many gaps in the plot that became painfully obvious – some things were not explained properly while others were just too convenient. There was such an emphasis on how powerful the baddies were, however, every fight was disappointingly quick.

Despite some of my criticisms and intermittent bouts of frustration, I found myself ugly crying at the end. I am committed to the series and look forward to see who the new antagonists will be in the fourth instalment. It is a definite must for any Sarah J Maas fan. Mariclair Smit – 3/5 stars.

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