I was very excited to see a sampler for House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas on NetGalley, and I requested it straight away. I have a kind of love/hate thing with Sarah J Maas's books even though the author is one of the loveliest I've met, and I enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses a lot when I binged it last year. Like, a lot. Even though it's not my thing and hella problematic. It's complicated.
Because of this, I am very excited to see what I think of the first Crescent City book, House of Earth and Blood.
Because of this, I am very excited to see what I think of the first Crescent City book, House of Earth and Blood.
There was a wolf at the gallery door.
I liked the run down of the different houses at the start - not that I know truly what I meant when I read them. It did mean however that once the houses started being mentioned then I knew a bit about what was going on.
There is a map. Of course there's a map, it's fantasy. But it's a very pretty map, a round of applause for the cartographer!
As for the story, you are dumped right in. And I love it. I found myself quickly becoming submerged in the world, watching it come slowly to life in front of me. I loved the vibrancy, the colour and life in the characters.
I feel like Sarah J Mass's writing style has definitely evolved. It's much more mature and polished from what I remember of Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses. It's darker too, more gritty, yet with a wry humour. I'm impressed, I think.
This sampler is pretty sizable - five whole chapters that took me well over an hour to read through. It has made me very excited for House of Earth and Blood, because I need more! It's an excellent start.
"Of course there's a map, it's fantasy."
ReplyDeleteDon't mind me, just giving my fantasy books that don't have a map the stink eye.
I'm trying to get back into YA these days, but my efforts don't seem to pay off yet. I feel like this book would be a gamble for me, and I'm not in the financial position to gamble with €15 per book :(
x Envy
Lost in Translation
I saw it but want the whole book, not just a tease. I'll wait. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great first impression. I really struggle to get on with her books. I liked the first Throne of Glass but I've not enjoyed her others.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of SJM at all but I am excited to see what others think of this
ReplyDeleteI am definitely interested in reading this book. I have never read a Mass book, but I feel like I want to start, so this would be a good place.
ReplyDeletesounds like a good start at least! :)
ReplyDeleteHahah oh I know the struggle! I have this type of relationship with Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter.
ReplyDelete~Old GFC and New Bloglovin' follower, Priyanka @ A Booklion's Hideaway