#ruhn x hypaxia

[audsthoughts]

Bryce & Hunt playlist! Almost done with book 2!

Artist credit: shauna_the_author

[goddessofwisdom18]

Bryce of the Starborn

[crescentcityweek]

🌙 Crescent City Week 🌙

Calling all Lunathion citizens and Crescent City fans! Crescent City week is coming November 5-11, 2023.

Prompts and more info coming soon!

Art by @madschofield

[the-dark-artifices-trees]

The importance of the number 7 in crescent city

Throughout the entirety of the crescent city series, the number 7 plays a huge role in both a symbolic and a literal way

⚠️ House of Flame and Shadow spoilers ⚠️

7 Asteri on Midgard

Rigelus (title- The Bright Hand)

Eosporos (title- The Morning Star)

Hesperus (title- The Evening Star)

Polaris (title- The North Star)

Octartis (title- The Southern Star)

Austrus (title- unknown)

Sirius (title- The Wolf Star)

7 Princes of Hel/ Circles of Hel

Hunt also mentions that “Type-Seven is only for the princes themselves, and given what this thing can do, I’d bet it’d be deemed a Six” in chapter 29 of HOEAB, when talking about the demons and princes of Hel

7 districts in crescent city/ city heads/ gates

7 “Made” objects *

Mask (made by Cauldron)

Crown (made by Cauldron)

Harp (made by Cauldron)

Horn (made by Cauldron)

Starsword (made by Cauldron)

Truth-Teller (made by Cauldron)

Ataraxia (made by Nesta)

*now while nesta did make another sword and dagger, we don’t know if they possess any magic and they don’t have any names either*

7 members of the Pack of Devils

Danika Fendyr (alpha)

Connor Holstrom (second)

Nathalie (third)

Bronson

Thorne

Zach

Zelda

7 courts in prythian

Night Court

Dawn Court

Day Court

Spring Court

Summer Court

Winter Court

Autumn Court

7 tog books (not including novella)

Throne of Glass

Crown of Midnight

Heir of Fire

Queen of Shadows

Empire of Storms

Tower of Dawn

Kingdom of Ash

Known starborn fae *

Fionn

Theia

Pelias

Helena

Silene

Bryce Quinlan

Ruhn Danaan

*The term Starborn describes the descendants of High King Fionn and High Queen Theia.

1. Also when bryce traded places so Danika would get into the Bone quarter, she said the vow (“I wish to trade my place.”) 7 times:

“She’d tossed a Death Mark into the Istros, payment to the Under-King—a coin of pure iron from an ancient, long-gone kingdom across the sea. Passage for a mortal on a boat.

And then she’d knelt on the crumbling stone steps, the river mere feet behind her, the arches of the bone gates above her, and waited.

The Under-King, veiled in black and silent as death, had appeared moments later.

It has been an age since a mortal dared set foot on my isle.

The voice had been old and young, male and female, kind and full of hatred. She’d never heard anything so hideous—and beckoning.

I wish to trade my place. (1)

I know why you are here, Bryce Quinlan. Whose passage you seek to barter. An amused pause. Do you not wish to one day dwell here among the honored dead? Your balance remains skewed toward acceptance—continue on your path, and you shall be welcomed when your time comes.

I wish to trade my place. For Danika Fendyr. (2)

Do this and know that no other Quiet Realms of Midgard shall be open to you. Not the Bone Quarter, not the Catacombs of the Eternal City, not the Summer Isles of the north. None, Bryce Quinlan. To barter your resting place here is to barter your place everywhere.

I wish to trade my place. (3)

You are young, and you are weighed with grief. Consider that your life may seem long, but it is a mere flutter of eternity.

I wish to trade my place. (4)

Are you so certain Danika Fendyr will be denied welcome? Have you so little faith in her actions and deeds that you must make this bargain?

I wish to trade my place. She’d sobbed the words. (5)

There is no undoing this.

I wish to trade my place. (6)

Then say it, Bryce Quinlan, and let the trade be done. Say it a seventh and final time, and let the gods and the dead and all those between hear your vow. Say it, and it shall be done.

She hadn’t hesitated, knowing this was the ancient rite. She’d looked it up in the gallery archives. Had stolen the Death Mark from there, too. It had been given to Jesiba by the Under-King himself, the sorceress had told her, when she’d sworn fealty to the House of Flame and Shadow.

I wish to trade my place. (7)

And so it had been done.”

- HOEAB, chapter 62

2. Hunt was in the Asteri dungeon’s for 7 years

“How long did they do that to you—after Mount Hermon?”

“Seven years.”

She closed her eyes as the weight of those words rippled through her.

Hunt said, “I lost track of time, too. The Asteri dungeons are so far beneath the earth, so lightless, that days are years and years are days and … When they let me out, I went right to the Archangel Ramuel. My first … handler. He continued the pattern for two years, got bored with it, and realized that I’d be more useful dispatching demons and doing his bidding than rotting away in his torture chambers.”

“Burning Solas, Hunt,” she whispered.” -HOEAB, chapter 35

“We need to get out of here,” Ruhn said, and nothing had ever sounded more stupid. Of course they needed to get out of here. For so many fucking reasons.

But Athalar cracked open an eye. Met his stare. Pain and rage and determination shone there, unbroken despite the halo and slave brand on his wrist. “Then talk to your … person.” Girlfriend, the angel didn’t say.

Ruhn ground his teeth, and his ravaged mouth gave a burst of pain. He’d rather die here than beg the Hind for help. “Another way.”

“I was in these dungeons … for seven years,” Hunt said. “No way out. Especially not with Pollux so invested in ripping us apart.” -HOFAS, Chapter 11

3. Apollion (7th prince of Hel) ate the Sirius (7th Asteri)

“No one would dare say his name, not after the Prince of the Pit became the first and only being to ever kill an Asteri. His butchering of the seventh holy star—Sirius, the Wolf Star—during the First Wars remained a favorite ballad around war-camp fires. And what he’d done to Sirius after slaying her had earned him that awful title: Star-Eater” -HOEAB, chapter 51

4. The slave tattoos has seven stars in it

“For there was also no hiding the second tattoo, stamped on their right wrists: SPQM.

It adorned every flag and letterhead of the Republic—the four letters encircled with seven stars—and adorned the wrist of every being owned by it.” -HOEAB, Chapter 6

“Ruhn spied their own solar system in the center of it all. Seven planets around a massive star. Seven Asteri—technically six now—to rule Midgard. Seven Princes of Hel to challenge them.

Seven Gates in this city through which Hel had tried to invade this spring.

Seven and seven and seven and seven—always that holy number. Always—” -HOSAB, Chapter 25

5. 7 is a holy number

“Seven—the holy number. Or unholy, depending on who was worshipping. Seven Asteri, seven hills in their Eternal City, seven neighborhoods and seven Gates in Crescent City; seven planets, and seven circles in Hel, with seven princes who ruled them, each darker than the last” - HOEAB, Chapter 19

“Micah had left the latter’s body up. Justinian would hang there for seven full days and then be pulled off the crucifix—and dumped into the Istros” -HOEAB, Chapter 69

6. Hypaxia and necromancy

“So this is it?” Ithan asked Hypaxia, gesturing with a hand to the seven candles she’d arranged on the ground. “Light the candles and wait?” -HOSAB, Chapter 61

“It took Hypaxia seven hours, seven minutes, and seven seconds to raise Sigrid.

Ithan barely moved from his stool the entire time Hypaxia stood over the corpse and chanted. Jesiba left, came back with her laptop, and worked for some of the time. She even offered Ithan some food, which he refused.

He had no appetite. If this didn’t work …” -HOFAS, Chapter 48

7. Sailings happen on the 7th day after the death

Don’t come to the Sailing tomorrow. You’re not welcome there.

She’d listened to it over and over, the first words to echo in her silent head.

Her mother hadn’t woken from the bed beside hers when Bryce had exited the hotel room on Fae-soft feet, taking the service elevator and leaving through the unwatched alley door. She hadn’t left that room for six days, just sat staring vacantly at the floral hotel wallpaper. And now, with the seventh dawning … Only for this would she leave. Would she remember how to move her body, how to speak.” -HOEAB, Chapter 7

8. Midgard geography

““Seven—the holy number. Or unholy, depending on who was worshipping. Seven Asteri, seven hills in their Eternal City, seven neighborhoods and seven Gates in Crescent City; seven planets, and seven circles in Hel, with seven princes who ruled them, each darker than the last.” -HOEAB, chapter 18

“Bryce didn’t wait for them before trailing the old male up the walkway as the seven planets aligned themselves perfectly, stars glittering in the far reaches of the room.” -HOSAB, chapter 38

“Bryce halted after a turn in the stairs and assessed the long hallway ahead. When it revealed no guards, she stepped into it.

There were no doors. Only this hall, perhaps seventy feet long and fifteen feet wide. Likely fourteen feet, to be a multiple of seven. The holy number.” -HOSAB, Chapter 71

“She’d studied Fury’s rough map of the palace layout. This area was seven levels below the throne room, where the Asteri sat on crystal thrones” -HOSAB, chapter 71

“They could fly no further. The massive black wall stretched for miles in either direction before curving northward, with wards protecting the airspace above it. Hunt knew from maps that the area the wall encircled was forty-nine miles in diameter—seven times seven, the holiest of numbers—and that at its center, somewhere in the barren, snow-blasted terrain, lay the Northern Rift, shrouded in mist. Barriers upon barriers protected Midgard from the Rift, and Hel beyond it.” -HOFAS, Chapter 70

9. Ithan & the number 7

“Sabine stared down at the seven shards the Fendyr sword had broken into, then lifted her furious gaze to Ithan.

Ithan shifted back into his humanoid body with a near-instant flash. “It’s just a piece of steel,” he said, panting, the metallic tang of the blade lingering in his mouth. “All those years you obsessed over it, resented Danika for having it … It’s just a piece of metal. - HOFAS, Chapter 74

“You have seven minutes” -HOFAS, Chapter 81 (when Ithan was talking to Connor)

[captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship]

TOG and CC similarities

Has anyone else noticed that in TOG, Dorian is pushed to get engaged to Nehemia. She is the free spirited princess to her people. He is the crown prince to the most ruthless and egotistical king in their realm and is a partier and womanizer.

Then let’s look at CC. In the HOEAB, Ruhn and Hypaxia get engaged. Ruhn is the son of the autumn king who is more interested in gaining power than his son’s happiness, while Ruhn lives in his party house and drowns himself in drinks, drugs, and casual sex. Hypaxia was hidden away by her mother and is a strong and independent woman who longs to be normal.

Not to mention, both Ruhn and Dorian fall in love with women who are strong, independent, and ruthless. They both first fall for women who they consider to be soft (Ruhn with Hypaxia when she was an unknown healer and Dorian with Sorcha). When those relationships fall apart they both crave someone who is the opposite and end up falling for these women that are complicated and ultimately are fighting for their people while in disguise as the enemy. Both end up being double agents after being brainwashed and trained from birth to be evil weapons.

I know that SJM already said that Dorian and Lucien would be besties, and I can definitely see that now. What if you added Ruhn to that bestie mix? They SJM universe would never know what hit it.

Ruhn x lydia and Dorian and manon are on very similar trajectory so I am soooooo excited to see how CC3 plays out, especially since Lydia is our first POV 😍

[hope-and-insanity]

I will stand by the idea that Celestaxia was a planned ship from book one and here's why:

HOEAB, Chapter 46, Page 447

"The witch took a step back. 'I was thinking, Prince,' she said, continuing her retreat. 'About what you asked me. I looked into it, and there is some potential...research. I have to leave the city for a few days to attend to a personal matter, but when I return and fully review it, I will send it to you.'"

Specifically, a personal matter.

Hypaxia's mother's funeral has HAPPENED at this point.

And she has no one else that she could plausibly be in contact with.

Also, it is mentioned in HOSAB that Hypaxia brought up the engagement to Ruhn with Celestina. When else do you think they got they got the time to have this conversation?

Anyways, I am still obsessed with this little tidbit.

[hlizr50]

Chapter 19: Lust for Pain

Day went on, “To be free of the Asteri, there are things that we all must do that will leave a mark on our souls. It’s the cost, so that our children and their children won’t ever need to pay it. So they’ll know a world of freedom and plenty.”

The words of a dreamer. A glimpse beneath that hard-ass facade.

-House of Sky and Breath, pg. 526

Read on AO3

Read on Wattpad

GUYS!!! THERE'S FLUFF TOMORROW!!! I bet you were beginning to think you'd never get any kind of comfort, weren't you??

Her shoulders burned as she was lowered to the floor, expecting a short, hard drop to the cold metal floor. But she found herself held gently, whispers - achingly familiar and comforting - of ‘take it easy’ and ‘you’re going to be pretty stiff’ and ‘I’ve got you’ wrapping around her like a soft blanket. Or maybe that was the warmth of two strong arms, bright colors and heavy bands of black painting the muscles she could barely make out through her tired, hazy eyes. But she held on to those gentle words as she drifted into sweet, painless rest.

Tag List: @cascadingmoon @thecrispypotatochip @sunshinebingo @octobers-veryown @headcanonheadcase @damedechance @ofduskanddreams @vikingmagic33 @mystical-blaise @daevastanner @highladyofillyria @ablogofbipanic @amsofftrack @romancebooksandshit @chosenfamily-valkyriequeens @daybrights @booknerd87 @seleneastra @sv0430 @madie2200 @mercarimari @houseofhurricane @everfairypie @foundress0fnothing

[sarcasticbookdragon]

[seaweedcupcake]

🌅Crescent City Sisters🔮

Fancast

Sasha Luss Janelle Monae

The Hind & Queen of the Valbaran Witches

I am really wondering what would be Hypaxia's reaction when she learns her sister is double agent optimist who tries to make world more livable, not the monster who works for Asteri.

[danikamariewrites]

Hi! I’m the anon the asked about the pregnancy request! I’d love to request one with Ruhn. I feel like he would be an amazing dad!

The reader has been having pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, cravings, etc. she doesn’t even think she might be pregnant and Ruhn doesn’t consider it either because of what the oracle told him. Either Dec and Flynn or Bryce and Hunt (or whoever you want) bring up that maybe she might be pregnant to Ruhn or her. Their reactions are up to you. I just think after Ruhn thinking he would never have kids it would be great. 😅

Baby?

Ruhn x reader

A/n: He would be so happy to be a dad and I hope he and Lidia can have a kid of their own one day

Warnings: pregnancy, mentions of vomit

Ruhn did a double take as he walked past you. “Hey y/n/n, what ya got there?” He raised an eyebrow at the wild sandwich you were putting together. You look up at him, knife in hand floating above the toasted bread. “A sandwich.” You murmur, a slight blush at being caught.

Your mate hummed taking in all the ingredients you have laid out on the counter. “Cream cheese, turkey, pickles, and Solas, I don’t even want to name everything else.” He joked. You throw a pickle at him, “Let me eat in peace asshole,” you giggle.

Throwing the pickle back at you he makes his way to stand next to you, pressing a kiss to your cheek. “Ok, ok, make your crazy whatever this is.” “Thank you,” you kiss his lips and shoo him away.

The next morning Ruhn wakes up to the sound of you being sick in the bathroom. He flings himself out of bed to be by your side, knowing how much you hate being sick. Pulling your hair back Ruhn lays a tattooed hand gently on your back, rubbing in soothing circles.

When you’re finally done you lean back against him, your eyes closed and trying to calm yourself. Ruhn helps you stand, guiding you over to the sink to rinse out your mouth. “You ok, baby?” You nod, holding your face under the faucet gulping water and spitting it out. Resting your face in your hands you take in deep breathes, “Solas, that was fucking awful. What the hell did I eat?”

Ruhn bit back his laugh thinking back to the monstrosity you made for lunch yesterday. “And don’t bring up my sandwich. It was good.” You say, reading his mind. Ruhn goes back to rubbing soothing circles between your shoulder blades. Kissing the back of your head he murmurs, “Come on you, lets get you back to bed,”

Leaving you with a few slices of toast, ice water, and a forehead kiss Ruhn leaves you to rest.

Hours later Bryce comes in the house to find her mate lazing about with her brother and the rest of the frat pack. Looking around for you Bryce purses her lips curiously. “Where’s y/n?” Hunt rushes over to her, embracing his mate like he hasn’t seen her all day. “She’s in bed, she was sick this morning.” Ruhn said with a small frown.

“Oh, I’ll go check on her.” Bryce gives Hunt one more kiss before untangling herself from his grasp. Bryce raced up the stairs, gently knocking on the door to Ruhn’s bedroom. “Come in,” you grumble, rising up on your elbows. The sight of Bryce’s wine red hair brings a smile to your face. Bryce plops down next to you, “How are you babe?”

You let out an exaggerated groan, burying your face in your pillow. “I feel like shit. I’ve been sick all morning and I am so fucking exhausted.” Bryce narrowed her eyes at you letting out a small hum. You could see the gears turning in Bryce’s clever mind. “Do you…are you pregnant?” Your eyes practically bulge out of your head at the question. Pregnant? But the Oracle…didn’t she tell Ruhn he wouldn’t have kids or something?

“No. There’s no way. Right?” You say quickly. “Let me call Hypaxia. She’ll be able to help.” Bryce quickly whips out her phone to call Hypaxia.

The Witch quickly entered the house, passing the boys without a word, ignoring Ruhn’s questions about you. Entering the bedroom she gives you the brightest smile. Putting her hands over her heart she makes her way over to the bed. “You think you’re pregnant,” Hypaxia coos at you.

“Yeah,” you say with an equally bright smile, pressing your hands against your cheeks. You move to the middle of the bed, Bryce holding your hand while Hypaxia kneels next to you, holding her glowing hands over your exposed tummy.

Full of worry, Ruhn couldn’t just sit here and mindlessly chat with his friends. If Hypaxia were here, and speeding up to you, did that mean you were really sick? It was rare for fae to get really sick. Was Ruhn missing the early signs of a bad illness? Standing abruptly Ruhn quickly made his way upstairs.

Opening the door he found the three of you on the bed, smiling like giddy school girls with tears falling down your and Bryce’s cheeks. So not severely ill then? Ruhn cleared his throat, all three of your heads whipping toward him. Bryce and Hypaxia looked at you, nodding at them they both slip off the bed walking past Ruhn giving him a knowing smile.

You wave him over and Ruhn wastes no time rushing to your side. Ruhn brings his hand to cradle your cheeks. His vibrant blue eyes scanning your face for any signs of sickness. “I know what you’re thinking, I could feel you through the bond. I promise there is nothing to worry about. Well not yet,” you joke. Ruhn title his head in curiosity. Taking one of his hands you rest it on your still exposed tummy.

Sending a wave of love down the bond you smile up at Ruhn. “I’m pregnant, my love.” You whisper. A joyous laugh leaves Ruhn’s lips, silver lining his eyes. “You-you’re really,” he can’t get the words out. The bond overwhelmed with joy coming from both of you. Ruhn pulls you to his chest, holding the back of your head as he burys his face in the crook of your neck.

Pulling away he gently lays you down, now hyper aware of the little life growing inside you. As he stares down at your still flat stomach he places a hand over his mouth. “I’m gunna be a dad. We’re gunna be parents.” You cover his hand that still hasn’t left your stomach, nodding your head against the pillow. “Yeah,” you whisper, still in disbelief.

[theladyofbloodshed]

There is a lot that I dislike about Ruhn x Lidia but the foremost thing is that Lidia (the hot white blonde) replaces Hypaxia (the black girl) as a love interest. Hypaxia is great and she should have been a pov character in cc2 (don't get me started on how there are 4 male povs versus 1 female and 2 of those men contribute absolutely nothing to the narrative). I had a bad feeling that Lidia is going to become the next witch queen instead of Hypaxia and Hypaxia is going to happily give up her throne with nothing to say about it whatsoever. Also why does Ruhn need to be surprised that his spy contact is a Female? It comes off as very sexist. And his first thought about her is how big her boobs are (she is literally made of fire, dude. get it together).

I really liked Hypaxia in book 1. I agree that Lidia will somehow either be their queen or share shifter/witch powers rather than just one because I don't understand how someone who shifts into a deer is mega powerful and can crack every spy.

For me, the whole connecting on the bridge as a flame and night was so corny. Like Ruhn has no experience being a spy but yeah you can chat to this one deep in the operation. I read somewhere that sjm decides the couples then thinks about how she can get them together and yep, I can see that here. How can I get two characters with barely any overlap together?

[parkerslatte]

SJM Ask Game

Thank you for tagging me @kennedy-brooke

Ngl some of these were hard to answer!

•••

1. What’s your favourite SJM Book?

I would have to say probably A Court of Wings and Ruin, Queen of Shadows or Tower of Dawn :)

2. Which is your favourite series? (TOG, ACOTAR or CC?)

I can’t pick between ACOTAR and TOG! I love both of them equally

3. Who is your favourite character? And why?

Overall I would have to say Azriel (writing for him might have given me a slight bias…)

4. Do you have a favourite quote from one of the books?

Honestly I struggle to remember quotes from books sometimes so I can’t think of one off the top of my head.

5. Favourite ship?

Either Elide and Lorcan or Chaol and Yrene!

6. Elriel or Gwynriel? Or neither?

Gwynriel 🩵

7. Who’s the most underrated SJM character?

Probs Fenrys! I loved him and I would have loved to read more about him :)

8. Which character to you wish to learn more about?

Definitely Eris! From what we know he kind of in a similar situation to Rhys where he puts on a mask. I need more about him in the next book :)

9. Are there any characters you don’t like?

Bryce. I honestly loved her during book 1 and 2 but in HOFAS I really disliked her. Her character felt so different and I was so annoyed as she was my favourite fmc before that.

10. Favourite bay boy?

Azriel 💙

11. Favourite court? Which one would you most like to live in?

I love the vibes of the Day Court and (if Eris becomes High Lord) I would love to be in the Autumn Court :)

12. Favourite SJM villain?

Honestly Amarantha mainly because she was the villain in the first SJM book I read and because she made me hate her so much!

13. If you could change one thing in any of the books what would it be?

The ending of House of Flame and Shadow

14. Favourite SJM theory?

I don’t really read many theories at all tbh so I don’t really have a favourite

15. Favourite Archeron sister?

Feyre!

16. A character you feel is over-hated/ underrated.

Chaol 100% he was and still is one of my favourite characters in TOG. He was so human and had honestly realistic reactions to things. And his healing arc (because I will stand by that it was not a redemption as he didn’t need redeeming from anything) was so beautiful to read!

17. Aelin, Bryce, or Feyre?

Feyre!

18. What's your favourite character from each series?

TOG: I can’t pick between Dorian, Chaol, Elide and Fenrys!

ACOTAR: Azriel or Lucien!

CC: Hypaxia or Ruhn!

19. If you wrote an acotar book what would you call it?

I literally cannot answer this! I can barely name my own fics 😬

20. Who is your favourite acotar blogger?

There are so many to chose from! I cannot pick only one!

21. What fics would you recommend to people who love the series?

There is a fic that I read a while ago. It was an Azriel x Reader and I forgot the name but Az and the reader were basically a couple but they weren’t one. I belive it was called rules of friendship or something like that. I don’t know who wrote it but it was the fic that convinced me to start writing for ACOTAR!

22. Easiest character to write for?

Eris! We don’t know much about him at all so it is fun and easy for me slip in my own headcannons and other things that I think would go well with his character!

Azriel is quite easy too! Mainly because I love writing for him and I never get stuck for ideas!

23. Hardest character to write for?

Rhys 100%. I have never been able to write for him at all. I can never get his personality correct and when reading the books I never truly connected to him so I think that is also a reason why I struggle a little!

24. What's a character you'd like to write for but haven't yet?

Definitely Dorian! I haven’t written for anyone from TOG and I am about to start a re-read of the series and I would love to write for Dorian!

25. What's a court you'd like to write about more?

Winter! I love the vibes of it. And I love Kallias and Vivienne and would love to incorporate them into a fic one day

26. What's a character you won't write for and why?

Honestly I can never figure out who I won’t write for until I start to. If I find it too difficult I normally just stop and won’t try again 😭

27. If you could only write for one character ever again, who would you pick?

Azriel or Eris! I cannot choose between them :)

28. Whats your favourite trope to write about when it comes to Azriel?

Hurt/comfort! I love writing angst and making it all fluffy at the end 🫶

29. What do you think is the best/favourite acotar fic you've written?

Centuries Coming! It’s definitely the longest single part fic I’ve written but in my opinion it’s one of the best! I absolutely loved writing it!

30. Who are your favourite friendships to write about?

I have an upcoming fic about the reader growing up with the bay boys + Mor and I love the friendship I developed between them!

31. For first time readers to your blog, which three fics would you recommend they read?

For Azriel;

Finding Home (it’s an ongoing series but I absolutely love writing this fic!)

Broken Fence

It’s Been a Long, Long Time

For Eris;

Fated Meetings

Overlooked

Warm Me Up

Honestly I am awful at tagging people so whoever wants to do this trend, I tag you!

[ravendruidreads]

House of Sky and Breath - Review

Author: Sarah J. Maas Saga: Crescent City (#2) Date Read: January 12, 2024 - January 24, 2024 Format: Digital Pages: 805 Rating: 6,7/10 (3 stars) Spice Level: 3/5

Characters: 7/10 - There was some improvement compared to the previous book. Some of the characters are starting to grow on me, but there are a few I can't stand.

Atmosphere: 8/10 - Really big improvement here. Once the first shock of the modern world passed, it was much easier to get into the atmosphere of the book, although some parts are still confusing.

Writing: 6/10 - This rating would have been so much higher if it hadn't been for the 75 instances of "mate", and the 230+ instances of "male".

Plot: 7/10 - Great start of the book plot-wise, but then it fell apart and became somewhat dull. The narrative was nicely paced but some moments in particularly felt unnecessary and dragged.

Intrigue: 7/10 - I had to take several breaks from reading every time there was a Tharion POV moment because it bored me.

Logic: 6/10 - There was a plot twist moment that got me, but in a "this doesn't make any sense" way. I'll get more into it in the review.

Enjoyment: 6/10 - I enjoyed this book more than the previous, but I still felt like it took a while to seriously get into it.

The review is hidden below due to spoilers.

The book had a great start with the prologue, but unfortunately, the next few chapters did not match. It felt like being doused with a bucket of ice. SJM did a wonderful job at setting up Lidia Cervos/the Hind to be a hated character, and if it weren't for the fact that I accidentally spoiled myself (again-I really need to stop looking up character art), the reveal that she is a double agent would have probably made me scream (with joy). Also from the prologue, I had higher expectations for Sofie and Emile, and boy was I disappointed when they were pretty much non-existent for the rest of the story and even more disappointed when, by the end of the book, they were completely pointless to the plot other than to introduce a new type of Fae and the fact that both Cormac and Lidia were Ophion agents.

The change in POV was, once again, confusing and sometimes unnecessary. Tharion's POVs were boring, and both his and Ithan's plot lines felt like side quests that didn't add anything to the main story.

The plot twist that Bryce knew where Emile was, and that he had no powers made no sense, just like Hunt's plot twist with the synth the previous book. I feel like since we are reading a book where the majority of the story and POV are focused on Bryce and Hunt, there should have been more foreshadowing/hints of their actions. However, there were another well-conceived plot twists in the book, like Celestina x Hypaxia and Lidia and Cormac being Ophion agents.

Danika is a dead tree that keeps on giving. That poor woman is more than dead and keeps coming back with more and more secrets. Please, SJM, I beg you. Let Danika rest. That said, I was also not expecting Baxian to be her mate and a rebel, too.

Now let's talk about what is, in my opinion, the best couple in this entire series, the dose of enemies to lovers that makes my heart sing: Ruhn and Lidia. Now that is a pairing I was not expecting and did not know I needed more than I need air to breathe. I really enjoy the duality of Bryce & Hunt and Ruhn & Lidia. Where the first one lacks, the second one picks up, where Bryce and Hunt sometimes make me roll my eyes, Ruhn and Lidia make me want to keep reading the book.

Props for a great cliffhanger ending. Unfortunately, coming in late to the fandom, and especially so close to the release of the next book, I heard rumors about the end of HOSAB, but I was still very excited about it, especially when shadow daddy Rhys appeared.

[yourmothersinnerthoughts]

Danika and the pack deserved better

[evolving-dreamer]

Ok but i'm waiting for our witch-queen Hypaxia to show us her iron teeth and nails at some point in the next books

[gwyns]

i have a soft spot for ruhnpaxia ✨✨