Andie
This was going so well! Until suddenly it wasn't.
I'm frustrated with this one. It had so much potential! The gothic vibes were fantastic, I was so invested in the story, and then after a while, I felt like the author just started throwing reveal after reveal and SO MANY DETAILS MADE NO SENSE AT ALL.
I'm baffled by this. But it had me for at least half of the book. And then it all went to hell. Sigh.
The pacing at first almost killed me. It was too slow. It got better, but I was bored with it at first.
However, the creepiness was there and it had its gory moments too. The gothic vibes were excellent, and after a certain point, I was intrigued by what was going on.
I liked it, but I don't think it'll stay with me for long.
The world-building wasn't the best, probably because we spent most of the time inside the House of Hunger, but even so, it could've had a little more depth.
I was debating between 2.5 to 3 stars, but CAWPILE pushed it to a 3 star.
This felt like two teenagers living adult lives. Both main characters felt immature for their age, which was a little annoying. Not a fan of the insta-lust and their first interaction felt a little forced. There were a lot of funny interactions after that, thankfully.
The plot was interesting, even if some events were a little over the top. Maybe I should've read the first book, but I think the author did well summarizing what happened in book 1.
Overall, I liked the secondary characters and their antics, and the small-town vibes were great, but it felt like a middle-of-the-road book.
However, I'm interested in Lucian and Sloane's story. (Sloane was my favorite character in the story by the way).
I had fun with this one!
It's Ali Hazelwood's formula once again, and there were a few too many mentions of how big Jack was and how tiny Elsie was (but a lot less than in LotB).
However, I liked Elsie and Jack together. I also liked the angle the author used with Elsie (sometimes it's hard to show ourselves exactly how we are) and her character growth was so well done.
It was a sweet, entertaining book.
House of Gods is the fourth installment in the Royal Houses series.
We continue to follow Kerrigan, a half-Fae, half-human heroine while she ventures into a new world of magic and a very different society. Kerrigan and Fordham face some expected challenges in this new world we're introduced to and some very unexpected ones too. Their mission is very clear, however nothing goes as planned. The society has a very distinct structure, women are treated as slaves, and Kerrigan is thrust into a number of perilous situations while trying to get her magic back and save her world from the Red Masks.
K.A. Linde's world-building really shines in this book, marked by rich details that immerse readers in a fascinating and well-crafted universe. The intricate details add depth to the narrative, making the new world truly intriguing and captivating. I wouldn't mind to read another series set in this crazy world.
While romance plays a significant role in the story, in my opinion, it is lighter compared to previous books in the series, mainly due to Kerrigan and Fordham's own struggles and the fact that they get separated in the beginning of this story. However, the deep connection between them is truly undeniable. I wasn't a fan of their separation at first, but I enjoyed Fordham's journey a lot and how it deepened his understanding of Kerrigan's life events in their own world.
I expected more from the gladiator tournament, it was fun and entertaining, but I didn't think the stakes were high enough. Also, it served a very specific purpose which was convenient to the plot.
House of Gods might not be my favorite in the series, but I sure did enjoy the top-notch world-building, the cool new characters, and catching up with my favorite ones in this intriguing new world. It's a page-turner that left me eager for the next book. This series is perfect for fans of Fourth Wing.
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3.5 stars
I liked this one better than the second book. The best friends-to-lovers trope was done well here.
Loved how it focused so much on their friendship. And the chemistry between Lia and Breaker was fantastic. I enjoyed the slow burn.
However, the story was a little too long, and I had trouble believing that Breaker and Lia were oblivious to their obvious feelings for each other. Both of them were so great characters that it just didn't add up.
Still had a good time with this book. Super entertaining.
I'm officially obsessed with this series.
This is addictive! Probably the most addicting book I read in 2023. I wanted to keep reading this book every chance I got. Can't believe it took me this long to start the Red Rising series.
The twists and turns, the action scenes, the character work... it kept me on my toes and I LOVED it.
