House of Flame and Shadow: The INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER and the smouldering third book in the Crescent City series, from the creator of ACOTAR

solid 3.5/ 4 stars. I wished we spent more time in velaris. Or more time between characters from the other books - there were so many dynamics left unexplored. I know it's not an ACOTAR book, but it felt like a wasted opportunity. Found the exposition in the middle difficult to get through. It slowed the pace down. Chapters quite short and it jumped around too quickly between the different characters. I felt like I'd barely settled into one pov before switching to someone else. Also - it all felt convenient to be honest, everything came together quite quickly at the end. I could see Ithans arch coming. too. I don't know, there weren't many twists. That's kind of what you expect in SJM. I felt she'd already shown a lot of her hand before in HOSAB. With this said - always a delight to return to SJM. Enjoyed the beginning and ending, especially the 'black hole' moment which was super satisfying. The spice between Ruhn and Lidia was great. Well written, great fight scenes.

Honestly this was lacklustre. Maas has done far better work. I honestly think she lacks the passion and love she had/has for acotar and tog and that's why we aren't seeing it on the page.

5/5 ⭐️this book was by far the best out of the Crescent City trilogy!!!! it kept me on my toes all 700 pages ...like how? Sarah J Maas you are the queen of romantacy!