HOFAS thoughts/Review
I finished HOFAS book besties and what a mess. This book was a wtf for me. Even though I did not finish reading TOG, you get references from that series but it gets validated within the book itself. SPOILER; for ex: Lidia’s lineage comes from TOG and she herself states this when she’s explaining to her kids where her powers comes from.
.
.
.
.
With that being said, Ithan should not have been in this book. Him and Tharion barely made a brain cell together. Ithan would make reckless decisions, leave his friends hanging and then meets up with them to ask what happens to leave them hanging again 🤦🏽♀️. While Tharion has self hate issues, constantly double guess their his decisions etc..
.
.
.
.
The love and hate relationship I had with Bryce continues. She disregards everyone’s feeling especially Hunts and I was like WTF. He has been tortured for a week, every hour of the day and you’re telling him to get over it? Whaaat?? Smh! Shoutout to Flynn’s sister for pressing Bryce for answers!
I still think Bryce and Hunts relationship was toxic AF.
.
.
.
Now, Ms. lIDIAAAAAA was carrying this book on her back. Making plans, figuring things out before anyone else, fighting for what she believes in and protecting her lover, her future, her MAN! She saved this book for me!!
.
.
.
.
This I enjoyed this book yes but it was a chaotic experience where I wanted to through the whole book away. With that being said, I will take a break to read some of the books I have been waiting for before jumping into TOG. What were your thoughts?
.
.
.
.
After my initial rollercoaster ride through 'House of Flame and Shadow,' I've had some time to reflect, and I wanted to dive a little deeper into why this book sparked such a mix of emotions for me and so many other SJM fans. It truly felt like a pivotal moment for the Crescent City series, pushing boundaries and, at times, testing our patience! One of the biggest talking points, of course, was the integration of the Throne of Glass universe. As someone who hasn't fully delved into TOG yet, I found myself piecing together references, which was both intriguing and a little frustrating. Lidia's lineage reveal, for example, was a huge moment that felt incredibly significant, tying into a much larger tapestry that SJM is weaving across her worlds. It makes you wonder about the sheer scale of her vision! The character dynamics in HOFAS were undeniably complex. Bryce and Hunt's relationship, which I initially felt was heading in one direction, took some truly challenging turns. It sparked so many discussions in my book club about what constitutes a healthy fantasy romance versus one riddled with intense trials. Then there's Ithan, whose journey felt like a constant learning curve, and Tharion, grappling with his own inner demons. It’s a testament to SJM’s writing that even when characters make questionable decisions, they still provoke such strong reactions from us readers. But let's be real, Lidia Cervos absolutely shone in this book. Her resilience, her strategic mind, and her unwavering loyalty truly carried the narrative for me. She’s the kind of character you root for endlessly, and her personal growth arc was incredibly satisfying. If there’s one character who embodies strength and determination in HOFAS, it’s her. Beyond the individual character arcs and plot twists, 'House of Flame and Shadow' delves into profound themes of sacrifice, leadership, and the heavy cost of war. The stakes felt incredibly high, and SJM isn't afraid to explore the darker aspects of power and survival. Even the visual representation, like the stunning cover art with its intricate golden details and the fiery orange background, hints at the intense, almost apocalyptic scale of the story within. The golden crescent moon and the symbolism of dragons and snakes beautifully foreshadow the magic and peril awaiting readers inside. Reading HOFAS is an experience. It’s not always comfortable, and it definitely leaves you with a lot to ponder. It challenges expectations and pushes its characters to their absolute limits. If you're a long-time SJM fan, you'll find plenty to dissect and discuss, from the major plot revelations to the subtle nods throughout. It certainly made me eager to finally dive into the Throne of Glass series to fully understand all the intricate connections. What were your biggest takeaways from this epic installment?