Photo Credits: Yuri B pixabay), Chakkree Chantakad (pixabay) Edited by Vaishali Title: House of sky and Breath Series: Crescent City #2 Author: Sarah J. Maas Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Year of Publication: 2018 Format: PAPERBACK copy Genre/Themes: Fantasy Romance, Fantasy Fiction, War Adult Fantasy, New Adult Fantasy, Rebellion/Oppression Review...I don't know how Sarah J. Maas manages to minimise me to a stunned, gaping, wordless feeling-too-much form of human mystification but she has indeed managed to do just that yet again. Such is the work of a finished Maas novel. A phenomena ostensibly still in great effect. Some say she's redefined the fantasy genre, some disfavour her stylistic energy, but I'm entirely engaged to the passionate, thrill-writing creative who inks her own script and skewers her storyteller's staff in the ground by her own charge. Her books aren't always a faultless, consummate orchestration of superlative fiction, but they are marvellously incomparable, sensationally entertaining and undeniably readable. I expected the confluence of a few different outcomes for part two of the Crescent City saga: a continuing search for the truth, a time for decision-making significance, a world drawing closer to war, our central crew courting danger, the omnipotence of the forbidding force that are Crescent City's dictators (The Asteri), a cast of truth seekers and major players parrying like slinking predators in night, twilight and daylight, and the menacing powers of Pangera's feared migrating to their home ground. What I didn't expect was an ending that not only hints at, but has now boldy branded itself a multiverse crossover. ACOTAR fans, you will hold your breath as a silent roaring will stoke a life of its own inside of you, and that's all I promise to say without destroying the fun for the unread (more of my conflicting thoughts on this in the 'Extra Thoughts' section below). A sequence in the Mass monopoly that I look forward to is the hold-your-breath swiftly moving thrill of a set of action-rich concluding chapters that effectively uproots, twists and carves a veritable gauntlet in the sand, and this addition just celebrated the trend. In the sophisticated words of Tharion "you ready for the shitshow we're about to enter?" I mean, I don't know Tharion, shitshows are known for leaving a stench and I'm still processing the lingering aftermath of this particular performance. The third book can't come fast enough. Lucky us that January gifts us just that. Sarah J. Mass certainly possess the ability to keep a very big plot moving, with every arm, leg, functional and non-functional limb leading to newer, sharper, shadier developments. Secrets, surprises and discoveries waiting in the wings until they're given permittance to unleash themselves at the right moments. I am admittedly worried about the comprehensivity of the worldscape - vast as it is - effectively measuring up to a satisfying culmination. Sometimes this book felt like a lot of words routing out too many avenues. As it is, I'm not sure how many books are planned for the entire series. I'll be honest and say that It wasn't a difficult pastime to guess at some of the plot twists. The remaining - and larger plot twists - however? I couldn't have guessed at them no matter the intense effort. Even that which I did see coming though, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all come into fruition. Are we going to have a romance between Flynn and a certain fiery shifter? Is a very honour-bound, displaced, misplaced Ithan Holstrom game to will a new beginning and a new love into his life to usurp a long-lived longing for Bryce? Are the terror-inflicting baddies like The Hammer finally going to be at the receiving end of much-needed comeuppance? What's in store for an enemy turned sympathiser in Baxian? I have to say that I liked his presence in this instalment; I may just have a soft spot for him. Or a cruel and cold Fae dictator who's father only in name to our Starborn Prince and unrecognised Princess? I enjoyed the group interrelations as always, made all the more intriguing by the tense, twisty suspicion of fresh cast members in the form of new arrivals. Never quite knowing who is a friendly or a foe. But the collective camaraderie and frenemy-like engagements extends like a non-negotiable, no-nonsense entertaining something that I relish. Like House of Earth and Blood, I still felt that each character mattered in the follow up. And each one has a path of their own to unravel. House of Sky and Breath does some great work in the space of character relationships and character development. I loved Tharion in book one (most notably his relationship with Bryce), but I'm going to agree with a reading friend's opinion and say that I think we got too much Tharion here. The younger Holstrom brother certainly takes up space of his own, I really felt for Ithan's plight of abandonment, his inner struggle with separation, loss, aloneness and the deep guilt eating at him was really well translated. That he may be a part of a newer 'pack' so to speak, or to forge one of his own, I'm only desperately awaiting his arc maturity. As the youngest of these paranormals, he has so much to gain, discover of himself and the author excellently puts his pain and progress to the page. So many characters seem to materialise from the woodwork, a lot of personalities to be curious by and become interested in. It's an unsmooth, paranormal de facto family affair. Also, I'm still reeling over Cormac's secret - but very final - decision to do what he did. He deserved so much more than what he gave up, but his presence served its purpose and laid down a statement in many ways: anything can await any one of them, and they'll have to make those challenging choices if they want to become a part of a world they wish to see. Things do of course develop with Hunt, Bryce and Ruhn. With the world-reordering events of the Spring behind them, a new normal awaits our rebellious circle of friends, frenemies, rulers, royals, defectors, self servers, independent enterprisers, loners and lovebirds. Bryce and Hunt have an adjustment to make. So much happened but so much is still up in the air, simmering like a waiting fatal blast should they breathe too hard. But life was never meant to settle, not when power brokers are a silent force working to an unseen ploy. Hunt and Bryce have decided to play small and keep it that way, even though they're both disturbed by the state of the world, Bryce especially. Contrastingly, Hunt doesn't want to be anywhere near a reviving continuation of a rebellion that smoked his dream to cinders once upon a time. He isn't happy about the rebel involvement that's in his future, but as we all know, he'd follow Bryce anywhere. On the topic of Bryce being encouraged by Ruhn to challenge the status quo and raise herself to an elevated status, we'll have to see what transpires in that regard. There are several hints peppered throughout of her regal bearing, what and who she can become, especially via Hunt and Ruhn's POV, so we'll see where and how this storytelling carves a destiny for her. I'm intrigued to see how the constellation will come together. Everyone mistrusts everyone else (to shifting degrees), each sporting a healthy dose of suspicion, even among friends. Can I also share that I'm really enjoying Hel's involvement in this major orchestration? Where most fiction loves to play with the chilling malevolence of the sinister dwelling of Hel's mythology, there was a really fresh twist on hel's involvement in this story. And I really enjoyed it. I was backing Aidas all the way and wanted more of the demon Princes' involvement. Aidas' lack of page time was semi negligent. Where we got excessive Tharion, we received minimal Aidas. As I mentioned though, interesting were the revelations of Hel's history. Despite Danika dying on us in book one (not a spoiler), she's certainly kept alive by the living shadows that are her secrets. I'm not surprised that Bryce is freshly wounded, each new revelation about her best friend inching wider that distance between them. I can't help wondering what else Danika had up the sleeves of her trademark jacket, perhaps she's also the unofficial leader of some secret sect, unofficial councillor of some settlement for rebels, we just never know. Danika's motives are finding life, and those motives are a lot bigger than the dirty dealings of black market trafficking. This is all big world trading for Bryce. It's a Maas fantasy novel, so of course, there's plenty to speculate upon, turn over and pick apart. Newer additions to the growing cast include the Ophion initiative, a predatory Dreadwolf, Crescent City's new ruling successor Celestina, The Harpy, The Astronomer, an abandoned, oppressed wolf, Pippa Spetsos, The Hind, Sandriel's reinstated triari members, the Asteri, an Avallen Prince, Baxian Argos, Hel's demon princes. I've likely forgotten several more but those are the ones I'm in mind of right now. The narrative continues in this second coming, a cosmic recurrence, if you will. An unavoidable second force that wants to correct an order, that's forcing idling players to make their moves, and hesitation or not, the wave of a war waits for no one. Everyone's pushed to act, whether they want to or not, all pulled into the melee by a greater influence. Enslavement comes in many shapes and forms, and although Bryce and Hunt have been granted a free life, they're far from liberated. They're still the fiercely partnerered twosome against all odds but they're not oblivious to the fragility of the life they're living. And it's not the benevolent celebration it appears to be. But for Bryce, the adjustment has been more than challenging, stuck between the bewilderment of acclimating to life's normal parries with the devastation of what's truly going on in the world, how quickly their lives might turn. A false sense of security but one direly needed after the sheer action of Spring's passing. Creatures and humans are playing rebel in the shadows, and it's not long before our central cast are pulled into the play. They also seem to be rallying up quite the count of enemies, and this sequel brings a time of great significance, for all of them. Her best friend may be of this world no longer but the secrets she kept are a living thing, leading Bryce to uncover more and more about the dangerous movements before her death. And that she never knew the intimate secrets of the friend she thought she knew. They're living normal, quiet lives designed to leave the peace undisturbed. But, and what makes for good storytelling, chimerical peace can't ever sit for too long without being disturbed. Hence, and I welcome, A House of Sky and Breath. Where Crescent City might just become the next battleground. Continued into its second stage, we see the cast too close for comfort as they become embroiled in rebel activity as a search for continued truth is veiled and warped by the powers that be. The introduction opens up with a highly suspenseful chapter expressed from the perspective of a human rebel. A courageous nobody by name of Sophie Renast was the unsung - and also sung - heroine of this sequel. All hope seems to rest upon the initiative of the callous members of a rebellion. And any other supernatural or human willing to put up a force. The threats are silent but no less sinister, and Bryce and Hunt could lose it all in a Vanir heartbeat. Magically enhanced sex scenes are like furniture for a Sarah J. Maas novel, and I enjoyed them very much. Although the passion, secrecy and danger musters on all cylinders, I have to say that I'm most apprehensive to dive into book three particularly. As every character keeps reminding us, '[they're] tangling in some dangerous shit.' Here's to hoping that sh*t stirs up storm that loiters in the very best way. I gave this book 4 stars - |
VaishaliBorn in the UK Archives
February 2024
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