I have strangely mixed feelings on this excerpt. The beginning was filled with info dumping. There was so much information. I felt so overwhelmed at moments that I put this work down at several points. I'm glad I didn't though. This world was really fascinating. I'm still a lot confused, but I feel like reading the full novel would help with this. I found the main character to be genuinely boring and unlikable, and the side characters the opposite.
My biggest issue with this excerpt, is the fact that it almost feels like Maas is trying too hard to be "adult". With her works in the past having the feeling of being YA with too much adult content (I am aware that her previous series weren't YA but they were mistaken as such), this work feels like an almost satire of adult work.

In conclusion, I look forward to the complete novel. The cliffhanger ending of this excerpt left me wanting more.

Oh my gosh! Only 5 chapters?!? I am literally panting to get my hands on the rest of this book. I knew from the very beginning that I was going to love it...and that I was going to be blindsided when I got to the end of the excerpt...but all of a sudden, I was at the end of the excerpt, and how did that happen so fast??

Ms. Maas is a freaking genius. The way she can create such an intriguing world, that quite literally, sucks you right in...is nothing short of literary masterclass. Simply brilliant. 5 stars!

What a ride! While there's a lot of similarities with her previous YA work (please, no more smirking or freckles), this definitely has a darker, more adult tone - and that's not counting the swearing, drug use, and casual references to sex.

Bryce, to put it bluntly, is a party girl, mostly content with just putting in her hours at work and then partying with her friends. And if her friends are all wildly more successful than her (her roommate's a celebrity guard, and her other two best friends are a ballerina and probably-an-assassin), well, that's because she's half-human and they're not. All of that changes rather abruptly one night - and, of course, that's where this excerpt ends!

It took me a few tries to get into the book. The world-building is complex and deep, but we're dropped off almost immediately in the deep end with just a city map and some House descriptions. It's urban fantasy, but there's an interesting feel to it - there's cellphones, pizza, clubs and party drugs, but there's also magical races and an entire world history that's completely unfamiliar (why do everyone hate the Asteri? Are the human rebels good guys or bad guys? What's up with Bryce's father?).

Overall, I definitely wanted to keep reading when the sample ended, and, since I already have this preordered, I'll be waiting impatiently for March!

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE FULL BOOK! This excerpt was such a delicious teaser,,, I found myself completely engrossed in the story that I forgot it was only 5 chapters long and was so bummed when it ended. If it was a full novel I would have finished it in one day!

I’m so excited to see what SJM does with this new series!

Thank you, Netgalley, for sharing the first five chapters of this highly anticipated book with me!

I think that I may be finished with SJM. It has been a long relationship, full of ups and downs. But, I am just not sure I can take it anymore.

When I found out that SJM was releasing an "adult" novel, I must say, I immediately got a bit nervous. The content in her other two series could be a bit explicit at times, and if those were what SJM wrote when she was showing restraint, I just was not sure I could handle SJM unchained.

Ultimately, my issue with this is the writing. You can always tell by the excessive way that characters "swagger" and "smirk" that you are reading a book by SJM. In addition to that, the tone of this story feels incredibly similar to her previous two series. The only thing that SJM seems to be doing to make this "adult" is having the characters cuss as much as humanly (faely?) possible. It is just a bit much.

As of right now, I don't think I will be reading the entirety of House of Earth and Blood. I could change my mind, but I am just not really willing to subject myself to this, at the moment.

The first 5 chapters were really interesting and totally different from what Sarah J Maas has done in the past. I'm really excited to read the rest!

Wow. An intense start to Sarah J Maas's brand new series!

To be honest it did take me a bit to get into the story. There was so much being introduced about this new world that it was overwhelming at first. However, as the story got moving I began to be more invested in the characters and seeing what happened next. After finishing I immediately went and pre-ordered the book.

The House of Earth and Blood
by Sarah Maas

Beginning a new series, Maas has given us a small glimpse into the Crescent City Series, with 5 chapters referred to as The Hollow.


The first chapter is setting the scene in Crescent City, and some background information.

By the second chapter the story really kicks in, and you meet many characters. Unfortunately most are murdered in chapter five that brings us to the abrupt ending. But, we also meet an Angel and a Demon. They are important, because one is a murderer and one will become the partner to the heroine.

And......

The heroine is this series is Bryce a half-Fae (from the father) and half-Human (from the mother).

If your familiar with the writings of Sarah Maas, you know this will be another spectacular read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Netgalley

I can already tell just from the first 5 chapters that this is going to be a really good book! I really enjoyed the writing style of the author and i enjoyed the few characters that were introduced in the first couple of chapters. Will say though was a little confusing at first because of the world building that happens in the beginning but after that it was an easy read. Super excited to read this when it comes out on March 3rd! Definitely will have to continue reading this book! Need to know what happens next!

Let me start by saying I love all the books Sarah J. Maas has written. Her Throne of Glass series is one of my all-time favorites. That said, the excerpt from House of Earth and Blood did not disappoint. Maas has created yet another kick-ass heroine in Bryce, a half-Fae, half-human party girl...turned avenging angel? Her world of Lunathion has been well developed and a fitting background for a story only just begun. I can't wait to read the whole story!

The first chapter felt a little info dumpy but since it's a brand new world I can understand the necissity. But after reading the first five chapters I am gutted that I have to wait until March 3rd for the whole book!

Very promising!! This sample was a little slow in the beginning, but by the end of the sneak peek I was dying for more and was left absolutely NEEDING to know what happens! Safe to say, I’ll definitely be reading this book when it gets released!!

I am giving this 4 stars when I really feel like I was left with a 3 star experience. 4 stars because I am desperately hoping that things will pick up! The world building was confusing (I felt like I was already supposed to know this universe) and while I in no way will slam a book because of the foul language, this is over loaded and over done! Please, please give us quality and content not just repetitious f bombs. I understand the break from the YA genre, but just because it's adult doesn't mean that they have to say such foul things to and about each other. I love SJM but have to say that Catwoman was most definitely a DNF for me. This one is on that edge. I so wanted to love this!! It was the one book that I was most excited for in 2020. I feel hugely disappointed.

Just finished the excerpt of House of Earth and Blood and wow! I have this pre-ordered and I can't wait!

Love this story! I can’t wait to read the whole thing! I was enthralled the entire time! I have to say it is her best work yet. The pacing was great. Interesting story and characters.

I'm a big fan of SJM and loved her series. I was really looking forward to reading her new book, however, I was unsure at first of the tone of the book as well as the writing, which seems a bit different from her previous books, it definitely appeals more to mature readers, although the cussing is overdone in places.

I found it difficult to wrap my head around the first two chapters as they are very heavy on the world building explanations and descriptions, but starting chapter 3 the writing shifted to focus on the story line and the characters while being complimented by the world building - and this made the book much more enjoyable. Having said that, the world building was necessary as we are introduced to a completely imaginative made-up world. Personally, I would have found it easier if the first pages were dedicated to explaining the world and environment, either by the author or by a character monologue, instead of asking the reader to divide its attention between taking in a new world and keeping track of the character details slipped in and the budding story line.

Once you get introduced to the setting of the action and are more comfortable with the characters, the book really starts to flow. I read the rest of it so fast that I don't think I blinked. The 5th chapter finished on a cliff hanger and I cannot wait to read the rest.

It definitely looks like another great and amazing series to binge on and treasure to re-read. The book comes out on my birthday and it will be such a treat!

I can tell you right now that five chapters wasn't enough. I needed more especially with the way that the excerpt ended. Part of the reason why I got so excited for the book was because it was urban fantasy and that is one of my favorite genres and Sarah J Maas was made to write urban fantasy. There's a lot of story but she doesn't really skimp with the romance even though there was a hint at something, no spoilers, but it was enough to give me a taste of what this series will be about.

I'm excited. I can't wait!

This is only an except but I thoroughly enjoyed what I was able to read especially since this was a 5 chapter sneak peak. I was excited to have the chance to be introduced to the work Sarah J. Maas and to this book after seeing that gorgeous cover. I had never read anything my Sarah J. Maas prior to reading this book but I can now understand why she is everyone’s favorite author. I love that the story starts right away and it wasn’t chapters full of buildup, miscellaneous characters who disappear. I love the way that the characters seem full of life and the satirical humor.
I can’t wait to read the full novel soon.

Exciting start for Maas' new series! It will be interesting to see how this book does as it is first in the adult market. I for one am all for it!

This book has been on my radar for a while. In reading the first five chapters I had a lot of thoughts! By the end, I was both devastated and excited about finding out what happens to Bryce. The first couple chapters were packed with necessary information to set up scenes. However, I really couldn't tell where it was going- Sarah J. Mass definitely keeps you on your toes. I plan on purchasing the book! I'm already invested on where Bryce is going to land and what happens to her. I do have to do a disclaimer that it eaves me sad I won't be seeing some of the characters. I would rate this a four out of five! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #NetGalley