Published: 2022
Series: Crescent City #2
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Science Fiction
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 11-12
Number of Stars: 4 Stars
Goodreads Link: House of Sky and Breath
Triggers: War, oppression, political rebellion, violence, explicit/sexual content
Review By: Lisa McPherson
Publisher’s Summary:
Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds. The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent. In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.
Review:
At 768 pages, the sequel is another time intensive choice. I was eager to pick this up, after finishing book 1, but I found I was not as invested this time around. Bryce is yet again struggling with her place in her world, but the copious amount of people she interacts with daily became confusing for me as a reader. I found I had a hard time keeping track of who was who and what they needed from her. This slowed me down a bit as a reader. (I usually hate character “charts” in the front of a book – but in this case it would have helped). My other concern was there was a lot of time devoted to the personal dalliances of the characters. This became annoying to me as a reader because I wanted the story – not their love lives. It was a well written plot overall, but I’m not sure I will pick up book 3 when and if it is published. I was happier at the end of book 1.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- English Language Arts (Subverting Genre Expectations): This novel is a prime example of “Romantasy” (fantasy romance) and urban fantasy world-building. Educators can use the text to discuss how authors balance romantic subplots alongside macro political plotlines, analyzing how romance can either enhance or stall narrative pacing depending on reader expectation.
- Social Studies / Political Science (Rebellion vs. Authoritarianism): The struggle between the oppressive, ruling Asteri and the underground rebel movement mirrors real-world historical conflicts. High school classes can explore the ethics of revolution, the choices individuals make when deciding whether to stay silent under tyranny, and how systems of oppression maintain power.
Readalikes:
- House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas
- From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
