I am so glad I pre-ordered this because, wow! As of right now, Bryce is a sassy, half-fae, smartass, fearless and gives me Celaena's vibes, the ending to the excerpt was traumatizing, but absolutely left me hooked.

I honestly just couldn’t get into this book. As soon as I finished the first chapter I stopped. The teenagers in this book...they just can’t possibly be real. It feels like a middle-aged woman is writing this book in the POV of teenagers. This could be the most interesting book ever and I wouldn’t be able to get through it because of these ridiculous characters. This just isn’t the book for me.

Well, that was... Intense. I am very sad. But also glad because now the book is out and I can keep reading in the full book! So glad I got to get this intro to the world though because I'm certainly compelled to continue.

Well I certainly cannot wait to read the rest!

This feels like a whole new vein of writing from Maas and I'm here for it!

As always her world building and character development is on point. She just is really one of my favorite authors. The way she writes sings to me!

I'll be picking up the copy of the full book asap!

I would certainly describe myself as a fan of this author, even if her last few books were disappointing. I was excited to get this excerpt, as well as the full novel once it was published.

I have two primary issues with this book. In the past, I have critiqued authors for info dumps and this book has certainly done that. I’m confused and overwhelmed by the amount of detail and background information. I understand the author is building a new world but I wish it would have been spaced out more. More other concern is the cursing. I understand this is the authors first adult fantasy novel, but adult doesn’t mean constant cursing. It’s distracting and I wish it was toned down a bit.

I will continue to read and really hope this book brings back some of the magic from Heir of Fire/Queen of Shadows and doesn’t force us into reading about an unlikable protagonist like Feyre.

WOW! First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a free ARC excerpt in exchange for a honest review! This first part of the book was AMAZING! I love Sarah J Mass, and I am so freaking excited to read the rest of this amazing and wonderful book!

This is like a sumptuous appetizer to a main course I've awaited for over a year! I cannot wait to get my hands on the full novel!

Super excited to read the full book, this was a tantalising start to the book... hopefully the full 800 pages is as good as the first few chapters!

Action from the get-go!
The pacing of this novel - so far - is definitely my style. A bit of background info, as well as a lot of stuff happening. And I am already in love with Bryce.

I've never been more excited for something in my life, this was just enough to tie me over until release day (March 3rd), I need more of Bryce in my life, and need to know where this story goes. So far this is a 5 star for me, can't wait to see what reading the rest of the book will bring!

"I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review"

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.
As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

This will be a quick review as it is only first 5 chapters. I am going out tomorrow to buy the book because I have to keep reading. It takes a bit to get used to the new world and all the types of characters but I think now I am getting a better picture. I am very interested in the characters all ready and the last chapter has left me wanting to know what happens.

I am a huge fan of Sarah J. Maas and love all her books and I don't see this one being any different. I ended up rating it 4.5 stars based I what I have read and I would not be surprised that the whole book for me will be a 5 star rating

My Rating: ####/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.41/5 (at date of writing this)
Published March 3rd, 2020


The first two chapters contain a lot of information, confusing political elements, historical explanations and world building. I often felt there is was too much emphasis on the fact that this is an ADULT fantasy - some elements being thrown in your face in a very cringe-worthy sort of way.

In chapter three you remember how absolutely addictive SJM’s writing is – it’s like a drug … The story quickly sucks you in, and then BAM! SJM rips your heart out, gives it a stomp for good measure and leaves you breathless…. Gasping for more!!! And more and more and more!!!

I am very thankful that this sample of House of Earth and Blood was available. I was very interested in this book since I enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses, but hesitant to dive into this books since I have had no other interest in reading any of Sarah J Maas' other books.

I can tell immediately that this book is for readers familiar with her other work. If I had to guess, I'd say it is written for fans who just want to be able to read more sex than she can put into her YA books. (Which from my understanding is quite a bit anyway)

As a reader not all that familiar with her previous work, I felt that this beginning was a little too chaotic. What is even happening? The tone still felt pretty YA to me, and I have a feeling if I'd read her other books I wouldnt have such a hard time piecing things together, that I would be immediately at home in this world. But 15 pages in, I'm already unsure whether I want to continue.

I'm so glad this book exists for her fans. I know a lot of people are very excited about this. But not every book is for every reader, and now I dont have to wonder if I'm missing out.

Compelling as it was exhausting.
The chapter opens rightfully to great world building. But I found that it was overwhelming because there's so much information needed to take in and a lot of characters to remember right away. It was a bit confusing as a reader, having to imagine how scenes and imageries go. Inspite those, I could tell right away that Sarah J. Maas has pushed in extra effort in creating the world.
What I also noticed and can't get right past to was that with this book/series being New Adult, she did not hold back on the use of curse words. In which I found was unnecessarily excessive.
But overall, it was intriguing and griping enough for me to want to continue with the whole book when it comes out in my country.

Thank you Bloomsbury and NetGalley for this excerpt!

This books has been getting major excitement so I was excited to see the beginning. Unfortunately this is an author issue for me. This is the second or third rule I’ve given this author a go and it just doesn’t work for me.

I really enjoyed this taste into the novel. I really enjoy Sarah J. Maas' novels and cannot wait to read the finished version in all of its 800-page glory.

Woah! What a thrilling excerpt! The world that Maas has built is so detailed and expansive, you are desperate to know more. The characters are really intriguing and multi-dimensional. The five chapters we given here leave me wanting more instantly and a little fearful for home much of a cliffhanger the book as a whole will leave me with.

Really excited to read the entire book; interesting start off, though it took a while to differentiate between Bryce and Danika.

thanks for the opportunity to read this excerpt early! i'm excited to get to the rest of this sometime soon now that it's out

I received the excerpt for this new series by Sarah J Maas and I can’t wait until I get the book. The end of the excerpt was quite a cliffhanger! The author really knows how to create an Interesting world with likable characters.