I'm sure there will be many fans of this book. But I'm afraid I just won't be one of them.

I loved the Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses books when both the series first started, but the last few books in both series by the author were decidedly not my favorites, and I don't know. I guess the sense of excitement wore off the longer the books got? But I was willing to give this new series a try, because it'll be the first proper one to be shelved as adult and I honestly wanted to like it.

Just knowing that this book was going to be 800+ pages is intimidating, but also, that's a lot of pages to give yourself time to handle world-building and introducing your characters. The thing about just reading this excerpt is that even in chapter one, the book is heavily info dumping. Like, I got from the blurb that the MC is Bryce and she's half-fae. But did I need to meet so many characters, social hierarchies, and all the city names all at once? It just got to the point where I really can't be bothered to continue reading because I don't know what's happening and I just find it hard to care.

What this book needed is to be edited down. By a lot. This is a DNF for me by chapter 3.

Okay! I was pretty excited to get a sneak peek at this book because I love Sarah J Maas and this being her first dive into adult fiction, I was in extra anticipation. However, I am going to completely honest with my thoughts here.

From the beginning, we are introduced to the different "houses" of Midgard that set up the world a bit. Houses of Earth and Blood, Sky and Breath, Many Waters, and Flame and Shadow. I loved that slight world building before the story has even begun that places all the creatures you will be coming across in this series.

Now when the story does begin, I feel like Maas is attempting to quickly immerse us into the world by way of pushing us into the deep end, head first.... I mean there are a lot of names, places, and groups thrown at us right away. Too many. And without much information or context.

As far as characters go, so far, I am not enjoying them very much. It feels very forced. Like "we are cool, bad ass characters!" And not in a believable way, but rather a try-hard way. There's a lot of cussing and grown up themes that definitely belong in an adult fiction and yet just dont feel right when you're reading it here. Its almost like she is trying to make it apparent it is her first book for adult readers which I doubt was the actual intention.

The story was starting to pick up at the end of the excerpt so I will most likely finish the book once it comes out because I truly enjoy Maas' other works. The execution is not my favorite thus far so I'm hoping it takes a positive turn, especially coming from one of my favorite authors.

First things first...holy cow. I knew I would love this as soon as Sarah J Maas announced the title. But little did I know I would be hooked from the first page. Her world-building is as eloquent as ever. Never missing a detail, and giving you just enough to know what is going on, and the type of world our characters are living in. I honestly should have known that after two years away, SJM would have not been kind to us. But, I am already so in love with Bryce's character, and the world itself that if I wasn't anxiously counting down the days to the release before, I am now.

I was lucky enough to read an excerpt of House of Earth and Blood via Netgalley. I believe it was the first four chapters, and if those chapters are any indication of the rest of the book: Sign. Me. Up. They were awesome. And of course, they ended right at a good place (by good, I mean WHAT THE HELL?). I preordered this one, and it'll be here just in a couple of weeks, so I'm pretty excited about that.

The story has normal regular life, dating, cell phones, clubs, ect, but then combine that with humans that aren't humans? I think they may be a fae combination, but I'll have to keep reading to make sure I got my assumptions right.

Maas is really good about hooking people in right away. That's what #bookstagram says anyway. And it works for her. I've read her two other series, and they're pretty awesome. If you're looking for a series that's geared towards adults, House of Earth and Blood might be for you.

House of Earth and Blood comes out 3.3.2020.

Excerpt is 5/5 Stars

Sarah J. Maas' Highly anticipated House of Earth and Blood is just two weeks away and this expert has definitly wet my wistle so to speak. It leave you wanting to know more about the new world that Sarah has conjoured and the mystery that follows the main character. So far the book is gearing up to be one of 2020's Biggest Books of the Year. I can't wait to read more

YALL. I NEED THE REST OF THIS BOOK ASAP. This teaser wasn’t enough for me and I’m intrigued so hard. Release date cannot come sooner!

I love this author. She has beautiful writing and her world description is bar none. I loved the first 5 chapters and I can not wait to purchase this book. I would have bought it anyway but now I’m counting down the days.

well.
there's a reason i don't normally read excerpts. it's like having a bite of cake and then someone taking it away from you. EXCUSE ME. GIVE ME BACK MY CAKE.
i'm, like, really excited for this book.

I have never experienced a book hangover after reading an EXCERPT!

When I first started reading, I was nervous. There was a lot of world-dumping, and my eyes were beginning to gloss over. But after Maas had established the world, the narrative took off like a rocket! I'm already so in love with the characters (well, the ones that are left; MY HEART), and I can't wait for the rest of the book!

WHAT? I need to know how this book is going to turn out. This excerpt peaked my already curious attitude towards this book. Just the beginning with the descriptions of characters and the world is exactly what I would expect from a Maas novel. Let's find out what she has to bring to adult fantasy!

There is a LOT to take in at first so many terms are thrown out but that is kind of what I love about Sarah J Maas' writing. I've already pre-ordered the book but I couldn't resist reading the excerpt here to tide me over until March 3rd. I kind of was maybe hoping there would be a map of the whole of Midgard(?) and not just the Crescent City and maybe a glossary for all the terms but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it the more I read.

Obviously I can't fully review this since it's only an excerpt, just know that I already am in love and this will undoubtedly be a five star read!

This excerpt for House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas is a fun look into her new series. I made the mistake of the reading the description again before diving into it so I was on pins and needles in anticipation of the event I was dreading as soon as I got to know the characters. Maas is incredible at building worlds and I was excited about this one right away. I love how descriptive she is and how she can make her characters so likeable or disliked so easily. I cannot wait to read more of this book. What a way to end the excerpt!

4.25 stars

This excerpt introduces readers to Sarah J. Maas' Crescent City series, with the first book, House of Earth and Blood releasing on March 3rd.

It is hard to review this excerpt, since I don't have the full story, but what I give you are some quick thoughts in the chapters presented.
Chapter 1 - this was the most complex of the chapters. Tons of world building. I highlighted like crazy but haven't made sense of it all.

This part of the story centers on two friends, Danika Fendyr and Bryce Quinlan. Both stand to gain power following "the Drop" into their matured power, but Danika, as a shifter wolf, was expected to obtain significant power, to become "the Alpha of all wolves". That is if she can keep the dangerous element, like Phillip Briggs, from causing further harm to Crescent City.

Chapter 2 - this is the chapter that started to connect me to the story, as the author explores the friendship between Danika and Bryce.

Chapter 3 - if the are going to release a book excerpt to readers, they have to find a way to hook you, right? This is that chapter. It changes everything that was presented previously and absolutely hooked me. (and no, I won't reveal anything more to avoid spoilers)

I know that I'll definitely be getting this book upon release. Whether you are already a fan of this author's work, or just love the fantasy genre, I think this one will be worth checking out!

This review is based on the first five chapters. It started off a little slow for me, which is why I only gave it a four star rating instead of five. I didn't think I was going to be able to get into it because the descriptions were so long it seemed like it took forever for the character to even open a door. Then, as the plot started, everything sped up and the end came far too soon. I will definitely be purchasing House of Earth and Blood when it comes out on March 3rd.

I just finished reading the 5-chapter excerpt of House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas that I received from NetGalley. I cannot wait until March 3rd to read the rest of this book.

As usual, Maas' world-building skills are at the forefront of this new novel - which is the first in her new Crescent City series. Some readers might be overwhelmed by the amount of information we get in these few chapters, but don't be afraid. Mass is great at circling back and repeating the the information in a slightly different context, so you can put all the pieces together. You are not expected to memorize it all at once.

If you read the book description, you'll be prepared for what happens at the end of chapter five. However, I didn't read it (I didn't "need" to because I'll read anything by this author!), so i had my heart broken at the end of the chapter. It just goes to show how good writing can make you care about characters deeply in just a few short chapters.

Is it March yet?

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this amazing five-chapter excerpt of House of Earth and Blood, the first book in Sarah J. Maas’ Crescent City series. For those of you that know the talented author, Sarah J. Maas writes very elaborate and intricately developed stories. Her world-building and character development are incomparable and her stories are engrossing. That’s the power of Sarah J. Maas. Her writing is captivating and complex, and her stories stay with you. This excerpt is no exception. I devoured it.

I must admit that I was a bit overwhelmed at first. There is a ton – and I mean a TON- of information about the characters and the setting. It is complicated, and the Maas jumps right in. Werewolves, fae, demons, angels, and more are at the forefront of the story. Bryce, the half-fae protagonist, is strong and smart, much like the protagonists in Maas’ other books. Independent and confident, Bryce likes to party and hang out with her best friend/roommate Danika (who is also a bad-ass!). I love their friendship and easy banter. They are a sarcastic, funny, and supportive pair, and I can’t wait to read more about them! Furthermore, Bryce works at a gallery for an enchantress that may or may not turn her enemies into animals. I am curious if this interesting piece of information will be of importance later in the story.

Though the start is a bit confusing, the final chapter is fan-tas-tic! It is shocking and suspenseful, and left me salivating for more! This is an amazing introduction to Sarah J. Maas’ new series. Fans of her previous works and fans of urban fantasies will love it!

This excerpt has peaked my interest even more now. I was super excited for Maas' new series and this just elevated it more. The way Maas introduces characters, worlds and what is going on is very different from other authors but she does it extremely well. I can't wait to read the rest of this and leave a full review.

I can't say too much as it's only an excerpt, but I'm intrigued by where this story will go. Sarah J Maas has shown her prowess at writing action-filled, romantic fantasies and I'm sure this will be no different. The beginning is a bit uneven but I'm hopeful!

I read all of Sarah J. Maas’ books. While they can be cheesy at times, I just can’t get enough of them. After this excerpt, I can’t help but think that will be true of this book too. I cannot wait to read the remainder of the book. Bryce and Crescent City have already snagged my attention.