I actually don't know where to go from here. This book completely recked me in the best way possible.  I'm not ready to stay goodbye to this characters so there better be another book because I honestly don't know how the story will be able to continue after the events that happened in this book. However I do feel like Tharion might have his own book, or at least a novella, after that last chapter. I don't know whether I am excited or not. 

As much I loved the book, I did feel like there was some things that stopped me giving this book a five stars which is a shame. The writing and the world building is absolutely beautiful but at times the book did feel a little slow, like a lot of time they were in caves and during the time that Bryce was in the Prison with Nesta and Azriel there was so much information about the story of the Asteri that I just needed a moment and put the book down because I couldn't process it all. I still couldn't even tell you what really happened. 

One thing that threw me off a lot was the shift between the different character's povs mid chapter. Sarah knows how to work multiple povs, all you need to is read Throne of Glass, but I felt like it didn't flow well in this book. There was one particular part that something important was happening with Bryce and then it would switch to Ithan or Tharion and completely throw me off. 

Let's talk about characters. Lidia is easily my favourite character within in this book, if not my favourite, alongside Bryce, in this series. She is a badass and I will take no slander against her, ever. Her backstory was heartbreaking and the way she did everything for her sons. I was so excited when we got her own pov. She has my whole entire heart. Though having TWO KIDS was not on my bingo card.

Ruhn Danaan, the Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae... yeah that's no more. He can do no wrong. Just like Lidia, I will accept no slander against him. When he gave up the crown for Bryce, I think I cried inside. I was so worried that he was possibly going to die because of what the Oracle said, I'm glad that it was just simply him and Byrce abolishing the crown. 

As much I love Bryce and she is one of my favourites in the whole massverse I felt like she was a little out of character within House of Flame and Shadow. She had all of these secret plots and it worked for Aelin because that's the character she has always been but for Bryce not so much. Don't get me wrong, I did like it but when it was done so often, her character didn't feel the same anymore. 

I struggled a lot with Tharion chapters the most, and sadly to say, Ithan's. I don't feel like Ithan's chapters really gave us anything, I didn't think that the Fendyr/Reaper was interesting which is a complete shame because I absolutely love his character in House of Sky and Breath and was so looking forward to reading more of his character in House of Flame and Shadow. However I am glad that he got to actually goodbye to Connor and got some resolution at the book by becoming the Prime. Do I see a potential mates with him and Perry? Also the elemental power with the snow. Does this mean another connection to the Throne of Glass, and more importantly Dorian.

Tharion didn't give me anything at all. Sarah really said how much can we make one character screw up. It felt as if every chapter of his was him making mistakes and terrible decisions one after the after. It's hard to keep track of who actually owns him now. Like where is his character progression? He had none without the entire series. 

The side characters are okay, I almost felt like Declan, Flynn and Baxian weren't really needed. They didn't really do much, I can't even begin to tell you what Flynn did, at least Declan did some hacking. Don't even get me started on Fury and Juniper returning? There was no point, they came and they stayed in Avallen, it just wasn't enough. Sathia was only there to be part of the setup for the next book and Sigrid had no purpose, she was just there to further Ithan's character arc. 

The absolute excitement that came over me when Ruhn finally admitted that him and Lidia were mates, I don't think you guys realise how much of a chokehold they have over me. Is it bad to say that I prefer them over Bryce and Hunt? I am not responsible for the demon that processed my body when I screamed when I read this scene. Let's be honest, every single one of their scenes had be squealing like a little girl. I do feel as though we were robbed of their romantic journey though a little and wished we had gotten more scenes of them two.

As much as I love Bryce and Hunt together, this book kinda let them down a little for me and I don't know why. 

This book really put me through the emotions. I wasn't expecting to cry but yet there I was. Like first you had almost crying about Lidia dying to screaming when the Autumn King and Morven dying then crying when Bryce died, having Jesba sacrifice herself to save Bryce and Bryce sees Danika, the pack and Lebabah? I fear this impacted me more than Rhysand 'dying' ngl. 
 

Is it just me or was anyone else a little disappointed about the crossover? We all thought that it was going to be a huge thing within in this book and before anyone says anything, yes I know it's a Crescent City book and not a A Court of Thorns and Roses book. I just felt like there could've been something more, you know? I was kinda hoping that maybe they could've gone to Midgard and helped even if it was only Nesta and Azriel. Also can we talk about Ember with Nesta? My heart. I firmly believe that Nesta and Bryce could be besties though.

I loved seeing Nesta and Azriel in action though, they both deserve five stars each, which is something I hadn't thought I would say about Nesta. I'm not that much of a Nesta stan even after A Court of Silver Flames but I really liked her in this. I think it was good that we saw her in a outsider's perspective so we have no prior judgement towards her character. I do feel like Nesta is going to have an important role within ACOTAR5 like she was given Gwydion/Starsword and she now has the eight-pointed star tattoo? The dynamic between Nesta and Azriel is incredible, I love their bond and seeing them in action together. I need more of that within ACOTAR5.

However the amount of references about Throne of Glass surrounding Lidia! "What are you?" Ace breathed. Still panting, blazing with fire, Lidia said, "An old bloodline," and got to her feet. It was Daybright, as Ruhn has seen her in his mind. She'd presented herself-her true self-to him all this time." Her flames!! Brannon!! The ring!! Are you really telling me that she isn't a descendant of rowaelin, like there's no way I am making this up. If this is the case then I'm really intrigued to read more about her story and how she come to be in Midgard. 

So one theory I had was that Hunt had a connection to Thurr as there was so many references and comparisons but yet nothing was even said about this. Was it just a coincidence or was it just to throw us off and be shocked when the actual reveal of Hunt's heritage happened. I also called it regarding Azriel being connected to the Starborn because how else would he able to wield his knife.

So we all know that the Asteri was in the ACTOAR5 right, but surely the Asteri is the Valg in the Throne of Glass world? Did anyone notice the mention of the black collars: "The black crowns were collars in Hel," ... "Spells, crafted by the Asteri to enslave us. They are a binding, one the Asteri adapted to their next war-upon Midgard." like does this not scream the Valg?! 

I totally forgot how similar Bryce/Danika's story is to Celaena/Nehamia are. Both Danika and Nehamia died leading Bryce and Celaena on the path to become the leaders they both needed to be.

Overall, I really enjoyed House of Flame and Shadow and liked how everything tied together. It makes more excited for what comes next, even if it's a marriage of connivence between Tharion and Sathia. Whatever Sarah J Maas writes, I will read regardless.