We’ve still got another five months to go until Sarah J. Maas’ third book in the Crescent City series, House of Flame and Shadow, hits shelves. And given the mind-boggling cliffhanger at the end of House of Sky and Breath, highly-anticipated doesn’t even begin to cover fans’ feelings about the upcoming release.
Following last month’s reveal of the book’s gorgeous cover artwork, fans have been treated to a tease of the first line, courtesy of Waterstones and Bloomsbury Publishing.
“The Hind knelt before her undying masters and contemplated how it would feel to tear out their throats.”
Starting off the book with the Hind’s POV? We’re in for a treat.
The synopsis for House of Flame and Shadow is as follows:
“Bryce Quinlan never expected to see a world other than Midgard, but now that she has, all she wants is to get back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she’s going to need all her wits about her to get home again. And that’s no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.
Hunt Athalar has found himself in some deep holes in his life, but this one might be the deepest of all. After a few brief months with everything he ever wanted, he’s in the Asteri’s dungeons again, stripped of his freedom and without a clue as to Bryce’s fate. He’s desperate to help her, but until he can escape the Asteri’s leash, his hands are quite literally tied.
In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers ‘House of Earth and Blood’ and ‘House of Sky and Breath’, Sarah J. Maas’s ‘Crescent City’ series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt’s world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.“
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
If you’re caught up on the Crescent City series, Lidia Cervos — aka the Hind — was formally introduced in House of Sky and Breath. Reporting directly to the Asteri, the spy-hunting, rebel-breaking deer shifter (and half-sister of Queen Hypaxia) struck fear into the hearts of anyone unfortunate enough to cross paths with her. However, it was later revealed that she was actually the rebel spy, Agent Daybright — much to the shock of Ruhn Danaan in particular.
The secret came out during Bryce and co.’s mission to infiltrate the Asteri Archives, when she briefly blew her cover in order to save Ruhn from the Harpy. But before Lidia could explain all the secrets she had been keeping, Pollux showed up, and Bryce had to make it look like they were fighting so she could remain undercover. Things ended on a cliffhanger for Lidia and Ruhn, the latter of which found himself torn between his feelings for the woman he fell for in the mind bridge and the terrible reality of all the blood on her hands.
House of Flame and Shadow will publish on January 30, 2024.
