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Books of Oreyn #2
House of Sand and Secrets
Sometimes playing to lose is the only way to survive the game of Houses.
Trapped in an arranged marriage to lower-caste Jannik and trying to make the best of her fall from grace, Felicita is immersed in the machinations of powerful families. MallenIve is worlds apart from Felicita’s native Pelimburg, and her family name and standing will not help her here. Haunted by her past and those who died because of her, she attempts to regain her status as the scion of a once-great house.
If MallenIve’s leaders have their way, Jannik will soon have no more rights than an animal, and a union that once seemed to offer a solution to Felicita’s problems is now a liability. Felicita’s feelings are conflicted and it is all too easy to fall into the prejudiced mindset of the higher castes … until faceless corpses begin turning up on the rubbish tips, and Felicita might be the only hope Jannik’s people have.
Trapped in an arranged marriage to lower-caste Jannik and trying to make the best of her fall from grace, Felicita is immersed in the machinations of powerful families. MallenIve is worlds apart from Felicita’s native Pelimburg, and her family name and standing will not help her here. Haunted by her past and those who died because of her, she attempts to regain her status as the scion of a once-great house.
If MallenIve’s leaders have their way, Jannik will soon have no more rights than an animal, and a union that once seemed to offer a solution to Felicita’s problems is now a liability. Felicita’s feelings are conflicted and it is all too easy to fall into the prejudiced mindset of the higher castes … until faceless corpses begin turning up on the rubbish tips, and Felicita might be the only hope Jannik’s people have.
326 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2013
2 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Cat Hellisen
45 books276 followersPresumably a person, occasionally a table.
I write stories.
I write stories.
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i-wrote-this
August 26, 2016I don't rate my own books because let's not kid, that's just weird and a tad obnoxious.
But; I rate writing this book as ONE MILLION STARS because I loved getting back into this world, and I hope you love reading it.
About five years ago I wrote a short story about love in reverse, and since it's Harun and Isidro, those who wanted to see more of them can go read it here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
But; I rate writing this book as ONE MILLION STARS because I loved getting back into this world, and I hope you love reading it.
About five years ago I wrote a short story about love in reverse, and since it's Harun and Isidro, those who wanted to see more of them can go read it here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
December 6, 2013
There’s a little book you may not have heard of, given the marketing strategies of certain publishers involve not marketing some titles. Cat Hellisen’s debut When the Sea Is Rising Red is a rather strange book, but one that I personally believe deserves a lot more hype than it actually got. I do see where it’s not a book that will work for everyone, but it’s truly original, daring, and utterly fantastical. House of Sand and Secrets leaves When the Sea Is Rising Red behind in quality, feels, and originality, an incredibly rare quality in a sequel indeed.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
December 4, 2013
Initial Thoughts
WOW. Thank you Cat Hellisen for deciding to continue this story! I do believe that I enjoyed House of Sand and Secrets even more then When the Sea is Rising Red and that is TRULY saying something. The writing is GORGEOUS and the fantasy story is so imaginative and well written but like all the best works of fantasy examines a host of real-world problems and issues. I loved the new characters (Carien, Harun, Isidro, Yew, I'm looking at YOU, I loved the romance SO FREAKING MUCH, and though I didn't think it possible, I somehow fell in love with both Felicita and Jannick even more. Thank you Folded Wherry for this book, I cannot wait to push it on my reader friends. A full review to come:)
Review
A couple of months ago I did a Top Ten Tuesday post and the topic was what standalone books would you most like to see have a sequel On that list was Cat Hellisen's 2012 debut, When the Sea is Rising Red (WTSIRR). I read an ARC of the book way back in February of that year and was mesmerized by the dark fantasy world and characters Hellisen created. It reminded me so much of some of my favorite works of fantasy, like Robin McKinley's Sunshine and Melina Marchetta's Lumatere Chronicles. So, imagine my surprise and delight when Cat herself left me a comment that there would indeed be a sequel to WTSIRR, and even better, it was due to be released in October of this year. I was THRILLED and beyond excited to get back to that world--a world which now has a name: The Books of Oreyn.
Flash forward a couple of months and the very generous folks at Folded Wherry publications forwarded me a copy of the e-book. It was perfect timing, PERFECT, because I had been in a terrible reading slump. I had about 4 books I had started reading but couldn't finish a one. I was stuck. I needed an awesome book I could totally lose myself in to pull me out. House of Sand and Secrets (HOSAS) did just that.
I think I'll skip a WTSIRR recap-- you can read my review for that-- it's a complex and imaginative world that Hellisen has crafted. I think to recap would take up too much space in this review. But I will say for all of you who read WTSIRR and may have forgotten a few details over time, Hellisen does provide the reader some slight recapping in HOSAS. She doesn't give a play by play in the opening pages, but she does go back to important events as this new installment progresses. I never felt lost or confused as I was reading.
There is so much to say about this book--so many things that I absolutely adored.
Let's break it down into a list
Ten Things I Loved About
House of Sand and Secrets.
1. Our heroine Felicita
I have always been a fan of Felicita. I loved her in WTSIRR warts and all. I loved that she was complicated and flawed--never dull and perfect-- and I loved her defiance and nerve. Sure, she made some mistakes along the way, but that just made her more three dimensional and alive as I read.
The thing you need to know about Felicita in this second book is she is definitely not the same naive, foolish, dependent girl that she was in WTSIRR. Felicita took control of her life when she went against Dash and her brother--moves that resulted in the deaths of both. When Felicita again chose to chart her own course, and proposed that Jannik the vampire marry and accompany her to the city of MallenIve, I could see that she was growing as a character.
In HOSAS, Felicita develops and matures even more. She finds herself torn and not quite fitting into the world of the High Lammer, which she was born into, or that of the Low Lammer, the world she chose to be a part of when she ran away. In MallenIve, Felicita is technically the heir of the House Pelim--but as a woman she holds no real power. By law and custom, that role should go to her husband. But as Jannik is a vampire, a race that is detested in MallenIve, he is little more than a figurehead in the eyes of the other House Lords. It is so interesting watching Felicita try to navigate this new position--and it made me love her character all the more. Yes, she still makes some mistakes, and yes, she still closes herself off--but the maturity she has gained as a character is undeniable.
And also? I loved that Felicita fully recognizes and owns the part she played in Dash and her brother's deaths back in Pelimburg. In fact, Felicita feels tremendous guilt and remorse over her role. For me this was so important because it not only made me sympathize with her and recognize her as character worthy of redemption, but also showed that she was developing, evolving, and not remaining static. It's clear that characterization is extremely important to Hellisen-- and it's one of the things I love most about her writing.
2. Jannik
Oh, Jannik. First a confession. I loved Dash more than Jannik in WTSIRR. I did. He was such an enigmatic, charismatic guy. Sure he was also manipulative, self serving and, it turned out, pretty dangerous in the end. But I loved him regardless. It did make me sad when Dash died-- even though I think it was totally appropriate and the right thing to happen in that book.
I liked Jannik in WTSIRR, he was mysterious and broody, and almost fragile in a way--emotionally speaking. I loved watching the friendship-bordering-on-serious-flirtation thing develop between he and Felicita And I felt that the two of them teaming up at the end--marrying in fact--so that they could both escape Pelimburg and better their lives, was awesome. It seemed as if this thing between them might indeed develop into something more in the future. That was exciting.
But after reading HOSAS I can say that I am now a definite FAN of the vampire. That is not to say that he didn't really PISS ME OFF a lot in HOSAS, especially the beginning. But that's OK, that means that I was invested in him--invested in his relationship with Felicita.
By the end of the book I was so enamored with Jannik-- so sympathetic towards him and what he dealt with by being viewed as a lesser being because he was a vampire, and so enchanted by his own particular magic--that I was pretty much "Dash who??" Nice job Cat Hellisen, I never would have believed you could get me to that point.
3. Secondaries
There were some wonderful secondary character's in WTSIRR and this trend continues in HOSAS. There are three in particular that stand out, the first two being a couple, Harun, a high Lammer, and Isidro his vampire partner. These two characters are just as complicated as our main characters-- but I didn't grow to love them overnight. They are both disagreeable and sharp tongued--they aren't the nicest of people by any means-- but they really grew on me over time. As the only couple in a similar situation as Jannik and Felicita-- married and living in MallenIve, a city which disdains vampires and views them essentially as pets and slaves-- I believe their inclusion in this story was very important.
The third secondary character I enjoyed reading about was Carien, the wife of a MallenIve House head. Like Dash, Carien is the type that you can't really trust because she obviously has an agenda and is keeping secrets. But love and sympathize with her I did--just as I did Dash.
There is a fourth character who doesn't play a huge roll in terms of "screen time" but still grabbed my attention and made me think that there might be more to him as the overall story progressed: Yew. His role is a shady one--and as I sit here writing this review I am still not certain if he's a good guy or a bad guy. But I am extremely curious about him and hope there will be more of him in future books.
4. World building
Well, what can I say except that it is just as fantastic, imaginative, and beautifully rendered as it was in WTSIRR. In HOSAS, the setting of Pelimburg has been replaced by the larger city of MallenIve. Pelimburg was a sea faring city--and described as a city of great contrasts. There were the wealthier, more affluent parts of the city--where the High Lammers reside--and the seedier, lower class parts, Old Town, where the Hobs and Low Lammers live. But MallenIve reads as more metropolitan-- along with more High Lammer residences, and there are larger slum sections as well. And unlike Pelimburg, where bats, vampires, live freely, MallenIve's disdain and disgust for this species is glaringly obvious in the number of vampire rookeries--basically brothels, that it houses. I can't tell you how disturbing the vivid description of these places are in this book, Hellisen has really painted a dark and depressing picture of what life is like for MallenIve's vampire population. But more on that in a bit.
There is also a lot of description about the weather in MallenIve--and that is something I don't remember as much in WTSIRR. Humid days are followed by afternoon thunderstorms that roll in and I found that this kind of stifling and explosive atmosphere helped demonstrate how claustrophobic both Felicita and Jannik feel in this new city they have exiled themselves to. Remember how the stormy weather on the moors in Wuthering Heights so perfectly suits the tone of that story and it's characters? I feel like Hellisen accomplishes this as well in HOSAS. I love it when an author adds tension in subtle ways like this.
5. Classism and racism as themes
If WTSIRR focused on classism and rebellion, then HOSAS's main focus would definitely be on racial divide and the perversity of genocide. Dash and the Hob's struggles against the upper classes in WTSIRR reminded me so much of the French Revolution--the middle and lower classes rising up and rebelling against the aristocracy--and the dangers that lie when a mob mentality takes hold of a city.
But I think that racial issues that are examined in HOSAS between humans and vampires is even more compelling. And it's hard for me to find a neat comparison like I did in WTSIRR. It's partly the US slavery debate of the 19th century, and partly the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1960s. It's also smacks of the Nazi agenda during WWII. And I can't help but think about this author too--and the fact that she lives in South Africa-- and it's history of racial unrest, when I'm making comparisons.
The point is this-- I LOVED how Hellisen incorporated these themes into this book. I love that through Jannik and Harun and Isidro we get a look at what life is like when you are on the losing side of a race struggle. I loved that Felicita, married to a vampire and falling in love with him, must still train herself not to fall back into old prejudices she was born into. I loved that things like interracial relationships are examined in this book--and I find it fascinating that Hellisen chooses to make something like bisexuality acceptable in this fictional society, yet a relationship between a vampire and a human is seen as the ultimate taboo. There are so many thought provoking and discussion worthy aspects to this world that Hellisen has created, it is so much more than just a book about magic users and vampires.
Read the rest of my review
WOW. Thank you Cat Hellisen for deciding to continue this story! I do believe that I enjoyed House of Sand and Secrets even more then When the Sea is Rising Red and that is TRULY saying something. The writing is GORGEOUS and the fantasy story is so imaginative and well written but like all the best works of fantasy examines a host of real-world problems and issues. I loved the new characters (Carien, Harun, Isidro, Yew, I'm looking at YOU, I loved the romance SO FREAKING MUCH, and though I didn't think it possible, I somehow fell in love with both Felicita and Jannick even more. Thank you Folded Wherry for this book, I cannot wait to push it on my reader friends. A full review to come:)
Review
A couple of months ago I did a Top Ten Tuesday post and the topic was what standalone books would you most like to see have a sequel On that list was Cat Hellisen's 2012 debut, When the Sea is Rising Red (WTSIRR). I read an ARC of the book way back in February of that year and was mesmerized by the dark fantasy world and characters Hellisen created. It reminded me so much of some of my favorite works of fantasy, like Robin McKinley's Sunshine and Melina Marchetta's Lumatere Chronicles. So, imagine my surprise and delight when Cat herself left me a comment that there would indeed be a sequel to WTSIRR, and even better, it was due to be released in October of this year. I was THRILLED and beyond excited to get back to that world--a world which now has a name: The Books of Oreyn.
Flash forward a couple of months and the very generous folks at Folded Wherry publications forwarded me a copy of the e-book. It was perfect timing, PERFECT, because I had been in a terrible reading slump. I had about 4 books I had started reading but couldn't finish a one. I was stuck. I needed an awesome book I could totally lose myself in to pull me out. House of Sand and Secrets (HOSAS) did just that.
I think I'll skip a WTSIRR recap-- you can read my review for that-- it's a complex and imaginative world that Hellisen has crafted. I think to recap would take up too much space in this review. But I will say for all of you who read WTSIRR and may have forgotten a few details over time, Hellisen does provide the reader some slight recapping in HOSAS. She doesn't give a play by play in the opening pages, but she does go back to important events as this new installment progresses. I never felt lost or confused as I was reading.
There is so much to say about this book--so many things that I absolutely adored.
Let's break it down into a list
Ten Things I Loved About
House of Sand and Secrets.
1. Our heroine Felicita
I have always been a fan of Felicita. I loved her in WTSIRR warts and all. I loved that she was complicated and flawed--never dull and perfect-- and I loved her defiance and nerve. Sure, she made some mistakes along the way, but that just made her more three dimensional and alive as I read.
The thing you need to know about Felicita in this second book is she is definitely not the same naive, foolish, dependent girl that she was in WTSIRR. Felicita took control of her life when she went against Dash and her brother--moves that resulted in the deaths of both. When Felicita again chose to chart her own course, and proposed that Jannik the vampire marry and accompany her to the city of MallenIve, I could see that she was growing as a character.
In HOSAS, Felicita develops and matures even more. She finds herself torn and not quite fitting into the world of the High Lammer, which she was born into, or that of the Low Lammer, the world she chose to be a part of when she ran away. In MallenIve, Felicita is technically the heir of the House Pelim--but as a woman she holds no real power. By law and custom, that role should go to her husband. But as Jannik is a vampire, a race that is detested in MallenIve, he is little more than a figurehead in the eyes of the other House Lords. It is so interesting watching Felicita try to navigate this new position--and it made me love her character all the more. Yes, she still makes some mistakes, and yes, she still closes herself off--but the maturity she has gained as a character is undeniable.
And also? I loved that Felicita fully recognizes and owns the part she played in Dash and her brother's deaths back in Pelimburg. In fact, Felicita feels tremendous guilt and remorse over her role. For me this was so important because it not only made me sympathize with her and recognize her as character worthy of redemption, but also showed that she was developing, evolving, and not remaining static. It's clear that characterization is extremely important to Hellisen-- and it's one of the things I love most about her writing.
2. Jannik
Oh, Jannik. First a confession. I loved Dash more than Jannik in WTSIRR. I did. He was such an enigmatic, charismatic guy. Sure he was also manipulative, self serving and, it turned out, pretty dangerous in the end. But I loved him regardless. It did make me sad when Dash died-- even though I think it was totally appropriate and the right thing to happen in that book.
I liked Jannik in WTSIRR, he was mysterious and broody, and almost fragile in a way--emotionally speaking. I loved watching the friendship-bordering-on-serious-flirtation thing develop between he and Felicita And I felt that the two of them teaming up at the end--marrying in fact--so that they could both escape Pelimburg and better their lives, was awesome. It seemed as if this thing between them might indeed develop into something more in the future. That was exciting.
But after reading HOSAS I can say that I am now a definite FAN of the vampire. That is not to say that he didn't really PISS ME OFF a lot in HOSAS, especially the beginning. But that's OK, that means that I was invested in him--invested in his relationship with Felicita.
By the end of the book I was so enamored with Jannik-- so sympathetic towards him and what he dealt with by being viewed as a lesser being because he was a vampire, and so enchanted by his own particular magic--that I was pretty much "Dash who??" Nice job Cat Hellisen, I never would have believed you could get me to that point.
3. Secondaries
There were some wonderful secondary character's in WTSIRR and this trend continues in HOSAS. There are three in particular that stand out, the first two being a couple, Harun, a high Lammer, and Isidro his vampire partner. These two characters are just as complicated as our main characters-- but I didn't grow to love them overnight. They are both disagreeable and sharp tongued--they aren't the nicest of people by any means-- but they really grew on me over time. As the only couple in a similar situation as Jannik and Felicita-- married and living in MallenIve, a city which disdains vampires and views them essentially as pets and slaves-- I believe their inclusion in this story was very important.
The third secondary character I enjoyed reading about was Carien, the wife of a MallenIve House head. Like Dash, Carien is the type that you can't really trust because she obviously has an agenda and is keeping secrets. But love and sympathize with her I did--just as I did Dash.
There is a fourth character who doesn't play a huge roll in terms of "screen time" but still grabbed my attention and made me think that there might be more to him as the overall story progressed: Yew. His role is a shady one--and as I sit here writing this review I am still not certain if he's a good guy or a bad guy. But I am extremely curious about him and hope there will be more of him in future books.
4. World building
Well, what can I say except that it is just as fantastic, imaginative, and beautifully rendered as it was in WTSIRR. In HOSAS, the setting of Pelimburg has been replaced by the larger city of MallenIve. Pelimburg was a sea faring city--and described as a city of great contrasts. There were the wealthier, more affluent parts of the city--where the High Lammers reside--and the seedier, lower class parts, Old Town, where the Hobs and Low Lammers live. But MallenIve reads as more metropolitan-- along with more High Lammer residences, and there are larger slum sections as well. And unlike Pelimburg, where bats, vampires, live freely, MallenIve's disdain and disgust for this species is glaringly obvious in the number of vampire rookeries--basically brothels, that it houses. I can't tell you how disturbing the vivid description of these places are in this book, Hellisen has really painted a dark and depressing picture of what life is like for MallenIve's vampire population. But more on that in a bit.
There is also a lot of description about the weather in MallenIve--and that is something I don't remember as much in WTSIRR. Humid days are followed by afternoon thunderstorms that roll in and I found that this kind of stifling and explosive atmosphere helped demonstrate how claustrophobic both Felicita and Jannik feel in this new city they have exiled themselves to. Remember how the stormy weather on the moors in Wuthering Heights so perfectly suits the tone of that story and it's characters? I feel like Hellisen accomplishes this as well in HOSAS. I love it when an author adds tension in subtle ways like this.
5. Classism and racism as themes
If WTSIRR focused on classism and rebellion, then HOSAS's main focus would definitely be on racial divide and the perversity of genocide. Dash and the Hob's struggles against the upper classes in WTSIRR reminded me so much of the French Revolution--the middle and lower classes rising up and rebelling against the aristocracy--and the dangers that lie when a mob mentality takes hold of a city.
But I think that racial issues that are examined in HOSAS between humans and vampires is even more compelling. And it's hard for me to find a neat comparison like I did in WTSIRR. It's partly the US slavery debate of the 19th century, and partly the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1960s. It's also smacks of the Nazi agenda during WWII. And I can't help but think about this author too--and the fact that she lives in South Africa-- and it's history of racial unrest, when I'm making comparisons.
The point is this-- I LOVED how Hellisen incorporated these themes into this book. I love that through Jannik and Harun and Isidro we get a look at what life is like when you are on the losing side of a race struggle. I loved that Felicita, married to a vampire and falling in love with him, must still train herself not to fall back into old prejudices she was born into. I loved that things like interracial relationships are examined in this book--and I find it fascinating that Hellisen chooses to make something like bisexuality acceptable in this fictional society, yet a relationship between a vampire and a human is seen as the ultimate taboo. There are so many thought provoking and discussion worthy aspects to this world that Hellisen has created, it is so much more than just a book about magic users and vampires.
Read the rest of my review
October 25, 2013
This is the sequel to When the Sea is Rising Red, which I thought was one of the most interesting YA books of 2012. Pretty much the only problem I had with WSRR is that I thought the story was beyond the age description. Not that it was too much for a YA audience, but the world-building, character conflicts and social themes were good for a wide range of ages.
House of Sand and Secrets starts a few months after WSRR, with Felicita and Jannik in MalllenIve with more than just space between them. One of the things that I found most interesting about WSRR is how, while Felicita isn't a terribly likable character, she's compelling and I never wanted to stop reading even when her behavior bothered me. While Rising Red is arguably the story of Felicita figuring herself out, House of Sand and Secrets is the story of her trying to be the person she's become. It's harder than it sounds, with societal pressures and rampant misogyny and nobody to lean on or guide her.
I like the person Felicita's become. She's not perfect, in fact far from it, and her ambition and her guilt drag her into a sinister series of violent crimes against vampires. Which brings us to Jannik. I'm a sucker for a good vampire, and Jannik is a great character (not to mention Hellisen's vampires are unique and interesting). He's floundering much like Felicita but exhibits it in different ways. Their styles of communication and apprehensions about each other push them away from each other even as the leaders of MallenIve's Houses shove them together.
The pacing of the story is excellent, giving the reader enough breathing room at the beginning to start to understand the players and the rules of the world. As the action ramps up, each decision and act or failure to decide or act has consequences. Hellisen plays the characters - each with their own complex motivations and nuances - off of each other masterfully. I don't want to give anything away, because the story was full of unexpected twists and depths. While the plot was satisfying, it was watching the characters establish themselves and revolve around each other that's the most memorable part of the story. Felicita and Jannik are excellent characters separately, but they're magnetic together.
I love this universe, and very much hope to see more stories set in it.
ETA: While When the Sea is Rising Red was marketed as YA (I'd argue it wasn't), I would consider House of Sand and Secrets more of an adult book due to themes and content.
House of Sand and Secrets starts a few months after WSRR, with Felicita and Jannik in MalllenIve with more than just space between them. One of the things that I found most interesting about WSRR is how, while Felicita isn't a terribly likable character, she's compelling and I never wanted to stop reading even when her behavior bothered me. While Rising Red is arguably the story of Felicita figuring herself out, House of Sand and Secrets is the story of her trying to be the person she's become. It's harder than it sounds, with societal pressures and rampant misogyny and nobody to lean on or guide her.
I like the person Felicita's become. She's not perfect, in fact far from it, and her ambition and her guilt drag her into a sinister series of violent crimes against vampires. Which brings us to Jannik. I'm a sucker for a good vampire, and Jannik is a great character (not to mention Hellisen's vampires are unique and interesting). He's floundering much like Felicita but exhibits it in different ways. Their styles of communication and apprehensions about each other push them away from each other even as the leaders of MallenIve's Houses shove them together.
The pacing of the story is excellent, giving the reader enough breathing room at the beginning to start to understand the players and the rules of the world. As the action ramps up, each decision and act or failure to decide or act has consequences. Hellisen plays the characters - each with their own complex motivations and nuances - off of each other masterfully. I don't want to give anything away, because the story was full of unexpected twists and depths. While the plot was satisfying, it was watching the characters establish themselves and revolve around each other that's the most memorable part of the story. Felicita and Jannik are excellent characters separately, but they're magnetic together.
I love this universe, and very much hope to see more stories set in it.
ETA: While When the Sea is Rising Red was marketed as YA (I'd argue it wasn't), I would consider House of Sand and Secrets more of an adult book due to themes and content.
Read
October 18, 2013It's not going to be right of me to rate this book because I helped Cat by offering a handful of hairy eyeballs but I can say how much I absabloodylutely fricking LOVE her writing so much I want to squish her until all the words come pouring out. This is a follow-up on her debut novel, When the Sea is Rising Red – a lush, fantasy setting filled with magic, mystery and Machiavellian meanderings. If you love classic fantasy (in the all the senses) filled with beauty and love of characters who are often brittle yet enduring (and endearing) then look no further. Okay, Imma shuddup now because I'm a complete fangrrrl.
December 4, 2013
This was just as good as I hoped it would be. It's no secret that I really really loved When the Sea is Rising Red and I think you all should read it. The sequel was definitely more mature, restrained even, but equally enjoyable.
I liked all the mind games and social politics that made up the plot. I love the writing -- it's sharp but it can still be emotional and full of pretty descriptions. I loved seeing the characters, old and new. Felicita is wonderfully flawed. She's got great intentions and limits herself with her own issues. She's also a fantastic example of a when a narrator doesn't see the full picture. As a reader, it's fun to see what the character is missing. I also really liked seeing her perspective mature.
It was great to get to know Jannick better, out from poor Dash's shadow. The odd bitterness of Harun and Isidro was horribly engrossing.
I did love reading Felicita's and Jannick's burgeoning relationship (despite the fact they were already married.) It was nice to see something burn slowly and have them be more hidden than open but still have it blossom into something wonderful. Also, and this is a word I lathe to use, but it was really sexy.
The strongest thing, though, and the thing that makes me want to revisit these books is the world-building. It feels so complete but I still want to peel it back and learn more. It addresses important real-world issues like classism and discrimination and women's right and fear and power and many more and it feels relevant to real life and natural to the story. I love the society as much as I love the magic.
There were a few things I didn't get -- some needless deaths and some quickly formed relationships that didn't really feel authentic -- but they didn't hamper my overall enjoyment of the
Basically, I'm not doing a good job at explaining so but this was a great book that I loved and I wish more people would read it. The excerpt from the future book at the end made me giddy.
I liked all the mind games and social politics that made up the plot. I love the writing -- it's sharp but it can still be emotional and full of pretty descriptions. I loved seeing the characters, old and new. Felicita is wonderfully flawed. She's got great intentions and limits herself with her own issues. She's also a fantastic example of a when a narrator doesn't see the full picture. As a reader, it's fun to see what the character is missing. I also really liked seeing her perspective mature.
It was great to get to know Jannick better, out from poor Dash's shadow. The odd bitterness of Harun and Isidro was horribly engrossing.
I did love reading Felicita's and Jannick's burgeoning relationship (despite the fact they were already married.) It was nice to see something burn slowly and have them be more hidden than open but still have it blossom into something wonderful. Also, and this is a word I lathe to use, but it was really sexy.
The strongest thing, though, and the thing that makes me want to revisit these books is the world-building. It feels so complete but I still want to peel it back and learn more. It addresses important real-world issues like classism and discrimination and women's right and fear and power and many more and it feels relevant to real life and natural to the story. I love the society as much as I love the magic.
There were a few things I didn't get -- some needless deaths and some quickly formed relationships that didn't really feel authentic -- but they didn't hamper my overall enjoyment of the
Basically, I'm not doing a good job at explaining so but this was a great book that I loved and I wish more people would read it. The excerpt from the future book at the end made me giddy.
June 18, 2014
Someone is killing vampires in MallenIve. Felicita of House Pelim has vowed to discover the truth. Her husband, Jannick, is a vampire and he has as much voice in the city as those dying of the black lung in the Hoblands. Felicita has little influence herself. As a woman, her role in society is little more than accessory. But she is also a War Singer, and if she ever let herself go, she could destroy them all.
House of Sand and Secrets is about the voiceless and Cat Hellisen has a knack for drawing out the ugly truth of our own reality and putting it out there for all to see.
In Hellisen’s Hobverse, men are in charge. Women are viewed as simple, emotional creatures that can’t be trusted with important decisions. Vampires too, face the chilling fate of being reclassified as animals. They may look human, but that isn’t enough for those in power who wish to control their movements.
Hellisen paints a convincing picture of the reality and insanity of oppression, from the hard life of those serving in the rookeries to the high-society wives suffering in silence inside their gilded cages. MallenIve is pot about to boil over and that gives this novel a richness few books are able to achieve.
House of Sand and Secrets is about the voiceless and Cat Hellisen has a knack for drawing out the ugly truth of our own reality and putting it out there for all to see.
In Hellisen’s Hobverse, men are in charge. Women are viewed as simple, emotional creatures that can’t be trusted with important decisions. Vampires too, face the chilling fate of being reclassified as animals. They may look human, but that isn’t enough for those in power who wish to control their movements.
Hellisen paints a convincing picture of the reality and insanity of oppression, from the hard life of those serving in the rookeries to the high-society wives suffering in silence inside their gilded cages. MallenIve is pot about to boil over and that gives this novel a richness few books are able to achieve.
March 27, 2014
Cat Hellisen creates a wonderful imaginative world and takes you on a ride through classist politics that very much reflect our own. She cleverly references the history of South Africa, but so subtly that those who did not grow up in the country might miss it.
The sequel to When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets matures into an adult novel along with Felicita, the novel's conflicted and, at times, arrogant heroine. Felicita is a great character as she's hard to like at times, and at times you just want to give her a good hard shake. People are complex and Cat models her characters on that complexity.
I highly recommend House of Sand and Secrets.
The sequel to When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets matures into an adult novel along with Felicita, the novel's conflicted and, at times, arrogant heroine. Felicita is a great character as she's hard to like at times, and at times you just want to give her a good hard shake. People are complex and Cat models her characters on that complexity.
I highly recommend House of Sand and Secrets.
December 4, 2013
The love I feel for this book and this world and Felicita and Jannik and the ending (!!!) and every single thing about it makes an intelligible review impossible, but seriously, I have waited for this book since the instant I turned the last page of When the Sea is Rising Red, and I can't wait to have all of Bones Like Bridges in my hands now. Cat Hellisen is a gifted writer, and I'm honored to have a chance to read her words.
January 9, 2014
Oi. That's it? You don't let me see their reunion? What of their bond? Oi!
March 1, 2014
This review is Spoiler Free for When the Sea is Rising Red, Book 1 of the Hobverse Series (My Review HERE)
It has always seemed, to me at any rate, that a novel is best as a stand-alone. Especially if it is part of a series. When each installment can remain strong on its own merit, while also building off of its predecessors to add depth and focus to characters we've already given our heart to, a story's full potential is reached. Urban Fantasy authors have seemed to master this trick early on, as has Cat Hellisen. While House of Sand and Secrets is a true sequel to When the Sea is Rising Red, enabling the pairing of these two books to blend together perfectly as a duet, it also stands alone, as Hellisen apparently intended for it to.
The Hobverse novels are intended to be composed of a series of stand-alone companion novels. Nevertheless, I encourage readers to pick up When the Sea is Rising Red before reading House of Sand and Secrets , merely because the character development, an arc that ties together both these novels, is integral to understanding these complex individuals. When House of Sand and Secrets begins, Felicita is no longer in Pelimburg, the city of her birth. Now, having run away again, she finds herself thrown into yet another societal mess. Yet, this time, it may be more than just her life on the line. Felicita has done the unthinkable: married Jannik, a vampire. As the head of their household, a strange role-reversal from the norm, Felicita carries little influence among her male counterparts in respective Houses. Nevertheless, as lone vampires slowly begin to be killed off, one by one, and the movement to diminish the status of the vampires to mere animals takes off, Felicita is determined to ensure that no one underestimates her, least of all, herself.
Felicita and Jannik's marriage is, foremost, one of the strongest aspects of this novel. While there seems to be little love between the two, their union charged with heavy dislike and bitterness, it remains a complex three-dimensional relationship. For one, Jannik is Felicita's inferior, meant to be nothing more than a slave to her by societal standards. Only Felicita truly understands the intelligence and heart that lies beneath the cold exterior Jannik puts forth. Nevertheless, despite the fact that Felicita knows Jannik is her equal, her actions - quite unintentionally - do not always convey this fact. While I enjoyed Jannik's role in When the Sea is Rising Red , he remained ever-so-slightly aloof and detached from Felicita. In House of Sand and Secrets , we eventually peel back the layers to his complex personality and the man he keeps hidden inside is one I couldn't help but fall in love with. Felicita and Jannik's romance is a slow-burn, full of the torturous one-step-forward-two-steps-backward dance which I anticipate. Although their relationship is hurtful, from the barbs they throw at one another to the actions they commit, it is a realistic portrayal of messy, honest love at its best. Not everyone will love it - and it certainly isn't for those readers who love their romances tied up with a bow or need declarations of love to cement a relationship - but the words that go unsaid between these two are far more romantic than those that do. And, honestly, that's the type of romance I can swoon for.
While the secondary characters remained dark, complex, and strange in When the Sea is Rising Red , thrown into the equation between Felicita and Jannik in House of Sand and Secrets are Isidro and Harun. A vampire and a House Lammar, Isidro and Harun's relationship is similar to that shared between Felicita and Jannik. As such, their two Houses remain lone friends, isolated from the human partnerships shared within the other Houses. Isidro and Harun are key characters in House of Sand and Secrets , more so than the secondaries in When the Sea is Rising Red . I've come to love this pairing just as much as Felicita and Jannik, which speaks volumes about their development. Nevertheless, it isn't smooth sailing when it comes to these two pairs. Both Felicita and Harun are reluctant to forge a partnership, though the need for it becomes evident, and their interactions are far from friendly at first. Yet, the complexity of these friendships and the individual relationships intertwining between these pairs, only add to the excellence of this installment as a whole.
In a field dominated by alpha male heroes, Hellisen cleverly subverts this rather tiresome trope. Felicita, for instance, is superior by rank and birth than Jannik and, even when it comes to their relationship, she winds up taking the reigns. When it comes to Isidro and Harun, on the other hand, two males, Isidro comes across as the stronger of the pair, more decisive (and impulsive) in his thoughts. Although Isidro is a vampire slave, according to societal rules, his relationship with Harun remains equal regardless. Obviously, the main plot conflict in House of Sand and Secrets is the societal inequality present between the Houses and the vampires. Even beyond that, however, Hellisen explores the inequalities within House marriages as well, providing readers with a well-rounded image of her world. While there are plenty of sly political conversations to keep our minds occupied, there are just as many heart-pounding action sequences. Unlike its predecessor, House of Sand and Secrets flows as a much smoother story arc, developing a few main characters extremely well while simultaneously balancing a complicated plot line. Contrary to the occasional choppiness of narration I felt at times with When the Sea is Rising Red , Hellisen has improved as a writer with just this one volume.
Ultimately, this sequel is an extremely strong - and certainly better - novel than is typically expected of a second book. Although I do believe that Hellisen has two more novels in the works for the Hobverse Series (hopefully still following Felicita and Jannik!), this book can be read as both a stand-alone and the conclusion to an extremely satisfying duet. House of Sand and Secrets remains a character-driven tale and, unlike its predecessor, I'd argue that this installment definitely falls into the Adult genre. Its content is mature, dark, and often unsettling for its characters refuse to fall into simple black-and-white categories, but the novel is strengthened by these very same qualities. Felicita is a lively, feminist heroine, one who falters but continues to pick herself back up despite those mistakes. While the events of When the Sea is Rising Red do play an integral role in her growth, much of her maturity stems from a sense of self-realization as she begins to comprehend what she truly feels from what she thinks or has lead herself to feel. House of Sand and Secrets is one of those rare, vibrant novels whose characters will not leave me, despite the distance I place between myself and the story. It is deeply thought-provoking, movingly romantic, and heart-wrenchingly satisfying. A definite favorite of the year, this is one story I don't want to forget.
A huge thank you to Heather @ The Flyleaf Review for lending me a copy of this! :)
It has always seemed, to me at any rate, that a novel is best as a stand-alone. Especially if it is part of a series. When each installment can remain strong on its own merit, while also building off of its predecessors to add depth and focus to characters we've already given our heart to, a story's full potential is reached. Urban Fantasy authors have seemed to master this trick early on, as has Cat Hellisen. While House of Sand and Secrets is a true sequel to When the Sea is Rising Red, enabling the pairing of these two books to blend together perfectly as a duet, it also stands alone, as Hellisen apparently intended for it to.
The Hobverse novels are intended to be composed of a series of stand-alone companion novels. Nevertheless, I encourage readers to pick up When the Sea is Rising Red before reading House of Sand and Secrets , merely because the character development, an arc that ties together both these novels, is integral to understanding these complex individuals. When House of Sand and Secrets begins, Felicita is no longer in Pelimburg, the city of her birth. Now, having run away again, she finds herself thrown into yet another societal mess. Yet, this time, it may be more than just her life on the line. Felicita has done the unthinkable: married Jannik, a vampire. As the head of their household, a strange role-reversal from the norm, Felicita carries little influence among her male counterparts in respective Houses. Nevertheless, as lone vampires slowly begin to be killed off, one by one, and the movement to diminish the status of the vampires to mere animals takes off, Felicita is determined to ensure that no one underestimates her, least of all, herself.
Felicita and Jannik's marriage is, foremost, one of the strongest aspects of this novel. While there seems to be little love between the two, their union charged with heavy dislike and bitterness, it remains a complex three-dimensional relationship. For one, Jannik is Felicita's inferior, meant to be nothing more than a slave to her by societal standards. Only Felicita truly understands the intelligence and heart that lies beneath the cold exterior Jannik puts forth. Nevertheless, despite the fact that Felicita knows Jannik is her equal, her actions - quite unintentionally - do not always convey this fact. While I enjoyed Jannik's role in When the Sea is Rising Red , he remained ever-so-slightly aloof and detached from Felicita. In House of Sand and Secrets , we eventually peel back the layers to his complex personality and the man he keeps hidden inside is one I couldn't help but fall in love with. Felicita and Jannik's romance is a slow-burn, full of the torturous one-step-forward-two-steps-backward dance which I anticipate. Although their relationship is hurtful, from the barbs they throw at one another to the actions they commit, it is a realistic portrayal of messy, honest love at its best. Not everyone will love it - and it certainly isn't for those readers who love their romances tied up with a bow or need declarations of love to cement a relationship - but the words that go unsaid between these two are far more romantic than those that do. And, honestly, that's the type of romance I can swoon for.
While the secondary characters remained dark, complex, and strange in When the Sea is Rising Red , thrown into the equation between Felicita and Jannik in House of Sand and Secrets are Isidro and Harun. A vampire and a House Lammar, Isidro and Harun's relationship is similar to that shared between Felicita and Jannik. As such, their two Houses remain lone friends, isolated from the human partnerships shared within the other Houses. Isidro and Harun are key characters in House of Sand and Secrets , more so than the secondaries in When the Sea is Rising Red . I've come to love this pairing just as much as Felicita and Jannik, which speaks volumes about their development. Nevertheless, it isn't smooth sailing when it comes to these two pairs. Both Felicita and Harun are reluctant to forge a partnership, though the need for it becomes evident, and their interactions are far from friendly at first. Yet, the complexity of these friendships and the individual relationships intertwining between these pairs, only add to the excellence of this installment as a whole.
In a field dominated by alpha male heroes, Hellisen cleverly subverts this rather tiresome trope. Felicita, for instance, is superior by rank and birth than Jannik and, even when it comes to their relationship, she winds up taking the reigns. When it comes to Isidro and Harun, on the other hand, two males, Isidro comes across as the stronger of the pair, more decisive (and impulsive) in his thoughts. Although Isidro is a vampire slave, according to societal rules, his relationship with Harun remains equal regardless. Obviously, the main plot conflict in House of Sand and Secrets is the societal inequality present between the Houses and the vampires. Even beyond that, however, Hellisen explores the inequalities within House marriages as well, providing readers with a well-rounded image of her world. While there are plenty of sly political conversations to keep our minds occupied, there are just as many heart-pounding action sequences. Unlike its predecessor, House of Sand and Secrets flows as a much smoother story arc, developing a few main characters extremely well while simultaneously balancing a complicated plot line. Contrary to the occasional choppiness of narration I felt at times with When the Sea is Rising Red , Hellisen has improved as a writer with just this one volume.
Ultimately, this sequel is an extremely strong - and certainly better - novel than is typically expected of a second book. Although I do believe that Hellisen has two more novels in the works for the Hobverse Series (hopefully still following Felicita and Jannik!), this book can be read as both a stand-alone and the conclusion to an extremely satisfying duet. House of Sand and Secrets remains a character-driven tale and, unlike its predecessor, I'd argue that this installment definitely falls into the Adult genre. Its content is mature, dark, and often unsettling for its characters refuse to fall into simple black-and-white categories, but the novel is strengthened by these very same qualities. Felicita is a lively, feminist heroine, one who falters but continues to pick herself back up despite those mistakes. While the events of When the Sea is Rising Red do play an integral role in her growth, much of her maturity stems from a sense of self-realization as she begins to comprehend what she truly feels from what she thinks or has lead herself to feel. House of Sand and Secrets is one of those rare, vibrant novels whose characters will not leave me, despite the distance I place between myself and the story. It is deeply thought-provoking, movingly romantic, and heart-wrenchingly satisfying. A definite favorite of the year, this is one story I don't want to forget.
A huge thank you to Heather @ The Flyleaf Review for lending me a copy of this! :)
December 4, 2013
4.5 stars
House of Sand and Secrets begins a few months after the end of When the Sea is Rising Red. While the author has called all of the books in her "Hobverse" series companions that could be read in any order, I would argue that these two stories are a solid duet. House of Sand and Secrets again follows Felcita, continuing the emotional and personal growth she began in the first book. I read these novels back to back, and I found it to be extremely rewarding to experience them as a pair. However, while WTSIRR was published as a YA book, I'd consider HOSAS to have crossed the line into adult fiction. The story and themes have Felicita navigating much more in an adult world, especially in her responsibilities and relationships.
While it was sometimes hard to tell what Felicita was thinking in When the Sea is Rising Red, causing a bit of disconnect and frustration between me and her, she is much more reflective and aware of herself in House of Sand and Secrets. Felicita feels guilt for past choices and works to correct them. Her change from the first story is tremendous and one of my favorite parts of this book. That isn't to say she doesn't still make a few decisions that made me want to strangle her. But Felicita is so much more self aware and trying her best. I truly loved her progress throughout this book, and I especially enjoyed seeing how far she's grown since the start of book one.
I also adored the romance in House of Sand and Secrets, although I thought I'd hate it at first. It is tough in the beginning, and had my stomach in uncomfortable knots for a while, but the payoff is hard won and sweet. I loved seeing the power of these two together. How well they balance each other and what they could accomplish when they were on the same page and had the same goals. This is another aspect of HOSAS that I think was stronger for me because I'd read WTSIRR, and watched how the relationship between these two has developed throughout the series.
What I like about Cat Hellisen's stories is that she has created a complex and rich fantasy world with a detailed society and political climate, and stuck a very human, personal story about one girl within it. The strongest theme carrying throughout this series is Felicita. This book stays focused on the characters instead of what needs to be fixed in this society, although that is very much present and it would be impossible to separate the characters from their world. However, I am hoping that we get to see some more changes come in the next book in the series.
If you've read and enjoyed When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets is a must read. If you've yet to start the series these two books read very well back to back. Although the location and problems shift, there is continuity in the overall issues in this world as well as in Felicita's growth as a person and in her relationships. The lush fantasy world also enchanted me, and got stronger as the series progressed. I really liked WTSIRR, but I fell hard for HOSAS and cannot wait for whatever else Hellisen writes.
Love Triangle Factor: Uncomfortable Mild
Cliffhanger Scale: Low
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle
House of Sand and Secrets begins a few months after the end of When the Sea is Rising Red. While the author has called all of the books in her "Hobverse" series companions that could be read in any order, I would argue that these two stories are a solid duet. House of Sand and Secrets again follows Felcita, continuing the emotional and personal growth she began in the first book. I read these novels back to back, and I found it to be extremely rewarding to experience them as a pair. However, while WTSIRR was published as a YA book, I'd consider HOSAS to have crossed the line into adult fiction. The story and themes have Felicita navigating much more in an adult world, especially in her responsibilities and relationships.
While it was sometimes hard to tell what Felicita was thinking in When the Sea is Rising Red, causing a bit of disconnect and frustration between me and her, she is much more reflective and aware of herself in House of Sand and Secrets. Felicita feels guilt for past choices and works to correct them. Her change from the first story is tremendous and one of my favorite parts of this book. That isn't to say she doesn't still make a few decisions that made me want to strangle her. But Felicita is so much more self aware and trying her best. I truly loved her progress throughout this book, and I especially enjoyed seeing how far she's grown since the start of book one.
I also adored the romance in House of Sand and Secrets, although I thought I'd hate it at first. It is tough in the beginning, and had my stomach in uncomfortable knots for a while, but the payoff is hard won and sweet. I loved seeing the power of these two together. How well they balance each other and what they could accomplish when they were on the same page and had the same goals. This is another aspect of HOSAS that I think was stronger for me because I'd read WTSIRR, and watched how the relationship between these two has developed throughout the series.
What I like about Cat Hellisen's stories is that she has created a complex and rich fantasy world with a detailed society and political climate, and stuck a very human, personal story about one girl within it. The strongest theme carrying throughout this series is Felicita. This book stays focused on the characters instead of what needs to be fixed in this society, although that is very much present and it would be impossible to separate the characters from their world. However, I am hoping that we get to see some more changes come in the next book in the series.
If you've read and enjoyed When the Sea is Rising Red, House of Sand and Secrets is a must read. If you've yet to start the series these two books read very well back to back. Although the location and problems shift, there is continuity in the overall issues in this world as well as in Felicita's growth as a person and in her relationships. The lush fantasy world also enchanted me, and got stronger as the series progressed. I really liked WTSIRR, but I fell hard for HOSAS and cannot wait for whatever else Hellisen writes.
Love Triangle Factor: Uncomfortable Mild
Cliffhanger Scale: Low
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle
January 21, 2014
Brilliant! I read the first one and enjoyed it, but this one is simply astounding. It's completely different, dark and original. It is set in a fantastical world that you just want to know more about. The writing style is beautiful and keeps you captivated throughout.
I will recommend reading the first one as it is also really good and you need it to read this one. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, I would definitely classify it as older than YA though.
I will recommend reading the first one as it is also really good and you need it to read this one. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, I would definitely classify it as older than YA though.
December 14, 2013
There is so much beauty in the darkness of the Hobverse. Cat's use of language and world-building are simply amazing, and she wins the prize for complex relationships of all sorts. I was particularly impressed with the complexity of the relationship between Felicita and Jannick, right up to and including the end.
I was surprised multiple times during this book, including which characters were sacrificed. The end was perfect, and I had so many feelings about it, but I do not wish to spoil. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see where Cat takes us.
Recommended for fans of: When the Sea is Rising Red, complex relationships, amazing world-building, beautiful language, unique magic systems, politics in a fantasy world, and non-sparkly vampires.
I was surprised multiple times during this book, including which characters were sacrificed. The end was perfect, and I had so many feelings about it, but I do not wish to spoil. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see where Cat takes us.
Recommended for fans of: When the Sea is Rising Red, complex relationships, amazing world-building, beautiful language, unique magic systems, politics in a fantasy world, and non-sparkly vampires.
January 28, 2015
When the Sea is Rising Red has become one of my favorite YA books of all time, so I was thrilled to find out there would be a sequel. I was disappointed at first because the first third of this book was very slow and difficult to get into, despite how much I loved the first book. However, once the pace picked up I found myself swept away once again by Hellisen's dreamy prose and haunting voice. I relished reading about what happened to Felicita and Jannik after they left Pelimburg, and I love the unique world Hellisen has created. While I did not love this book as much as Sea, it was still a strong sequel with a satisfying end to Felicita's story. I look forward to devouring whatever Ms. Hellisen writes next!
December 4, 2013
I'm so happy the author continued with this series. The characters and setting are original and keep my interest. The romance is unconventional, but in a way I thought made the story better for it. I only had some small quibbles with parts that seemed to go on longer than necessary, especially involving Harun and Isidro. There was a lot of talk about House machinations, but I only got to see the results most of the time and I'm hoping the next will help with my frustration in that area, especially as the characters come into their strengths. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for the next one.
Read
October 25, 2013'Did we each think to improve on the generation that came before us, or did we just want to be certain that someone somewhere loved and needed us?'
September 13, 2020
4,5 stars
I stayed up until 04:30am to read House of Sands and Secrets and I don't regret anything. It feels like ages since I've been entranced by a book. I couldn't stop myself from reading.
The characters are complex and compelling. They are flawed, unlikable and messy, but they're also very human. The characters are explored in depth and their motivations, brightness and darkness are shown through their actions and their way of seeing the world. The story develops naturally and is driven by the characters' actions and choices.
Felicita was a conflicting heroine in When the Sea is Rising Red and I was expecting the same in House of Sand of Secrets. Felicita is still conflicting and she's not a likable heroine, nor is she meant to be, but she's extremely captivating. I was expecting passiveness, repetitive thoughts and whining, but she kept on proving me wrong by calling the shots, taking control of her life and making difficult decisions. She's proud and haughty, keeps people at arm's length and lashes out to protect herself from getting hurt, but she's self-aware and unapologetic, acknowledging her faults and accepting that they're a part of her.
There's also Jannik, Felicita's husband and the mysterious vampire from When the Sea is Rising Red . He surprised me in House of Sand and Secrets, as we get a deeper sense of his character, and I like his wry sense of humour. His relationship with Felicita is flawed, messy and bittersweet, full of understanding, affection and trust, but also tension and miscommunication that drove me up the wall. The direction of their relationship, from a marriage of convenience which slowly burns into something more, is in line with the characters and their nature and I like how it progresses.
Harun and Isidro are a couple that parallels Felicitia and Jannik, a House Lammer and a vampire, and their relationship is also complicated, messy and flawed with equal parts of pain and love. While I usually dislike reading about infidelity, it didn't bother me as much in House of Sand and Secrets because of its placement in the story. The drama that results from the interactions between the two couples are engrossing and the prickly exchanges between Harun and Felicita are entertaining.
The world is still atmospheric, rich and complex and builds on the world that we encountered in When the Sea is Rising Red . MallenIve is a city that's full of luxury and opulence on the surface, but has a dark undercurrent of social inequality, oppression and sexism. Magic is still a huge part of this world and the vampires and their bonds are unique. The political machinations and psychological warfare that plays out is intriguing. I didn't know what direction House of Sand and Secrets was going to take, but I enjoyed the journey and was eager to see where it would lead.
The destination is why I can't give House of Sand and Secrets all the stars. The pacing is good, with the exception of the lead up to the ending, which is confusing, rushed and out-of-place in the overall story. . I feel like House of Sand and Secrets needed an epilogue or something similar, but honestly, I just want to see more of the characters and the world.
Dark, unconventional, complex and utterly compelling!
"It's so easy to judge me on the snippets you have picked from a Vision, when I am the one who carries that whole tapestry?"
I stayed up until 04:30am to read House of Sands and Secrets and I don't regret anything. It feels like ages since I've been entranced by a book. I couldn't stop myself from reading.
The characters are complex and compelling. They are flawed, unlikable and messy, but they're also very human. The characters are explored in depth and their motivations, brightness and darkness are shown through their actions and their way of seeing the world. The story develops naturally and is driven by the characters' actions and choices.
Felicita was a conflicting heroine in When the Sea is Rising Red and I was expecting the same in House of Sand of Secrets. Felicita is still conflicting and she's not a likable heroine, nor is she meant to be, but she's extremely captivating. I was expecting passiveness, repetitive thoughts and whining, but she kept on proving me wrong by calling the shots, taking control of her life and making difficult decisions. She's proud and haughty, keeps people at arm's length and lashes out to protect herself from getting hurt, but she's self-aware and unapologetic, acknowledging her faults and accepting that they're a part of her.
"I am always so sure of the things I can do, because failure would leave me nowhere. I once held a storm of nightmares contained. I can scrape away this little gobbet."
There's also Jannik, Felicita's husband and the mysterious vampire from When the Sea is Rising Red . He surprised me in House of Sand and Secrets, as we get a deeper sense of his character, and I like his wry sense of humour. His relationship with Felicita is flawed, messy and bittersweet, full of understanding, affection and trust, but also tension and miscommunication that drove me up the wall. The direction of their relationship, from a marriage of convenience which slowly burns into something more, is in line with the characters and their nature and I like how it progresses.
Harun and Isidro are a couple that parallels Felicitia and Jannik, a House Lammer and a vampire, and their relationship is also complicated, messy and flawed with equal parts of pain and love. While I usually dislike reading about infidelity, it didn't bother me as much in House of Sand and Secrets because of its placement in the story. The drama that results from the interactions between the two couples are engrossing and the prickly exchanges between Harun and Felicita are entertaining.
The world is still atmospheric, rich and complex and builds on the world that we encountered in When the Sea is Rising Red . MallenIve is a city that's full of luxury and opulence on the surface, but has a dark undercurrent of social inequality, oppression and sexism. Magic is still a huge part of this world and the vampires and their bonds are unique. The political machinations and psychological warfare that plays out is intriguing. I didn't know what direction House of Sand and Secrets was going to take, but I enjoyed the journey and was eager to see where it would lead.
The destination is why I can't give House of Sand and Secrets all the stars. The pacing is good, with the exception of the lead up to the ending, which is confusing, rushed and out-of-place in the overall story. . I feel like House of Sand and Secrets needed an epilogue or something similar, but honestly, I just want to see more of the characters and the world.
Dark, unconventional, complex and utterly compelling!
"My mother discovered soon enough that a son's love is only of the length of a childhood. A daughter's is forever. It may be snarled with resentment, but it goes deeper. Daughters will always eventually understand the mothers they thought they hated."
July 2, 2017
When you thought their HEA was equally fucked up.
August 6, 2015
First off let me see this book PHYSICALLY was very strange. I bought it on Amazon, and the cover seems unfinished, the type face inside is different sizes and there are tons of grammatical errors. It seems like an unfinished copy, and yet all of the publishing info on the inside doesn't indicate this. Weird. Kind of distracting.
Thank goodness for Cat Hellisen's continued talent at world building and believable heroines. I have to admit, since the finale of the first book ("When the Sea is Rising Red") was slightly confusing, I didn't remember as much as I would've liked going into this one. Felicita and the vampire Jannik are now married, in as loveless of a marriage as could possibly be arranged. I felt this was strange, since Felicita was so naturally drawn to Jannik in the first novel. Their feelings of safety and where they stand in the social realm of things has put an enormous strain on any attempts at a relationship. Because as much as they bristle at the idea of falling into society's hierarchical trap, they must in order to survive.
The MallenIve houses are slightly more...underbelly? Shall we say? Wives do scriv and poisonink while their husbands are engaging in sexual fetishes with the vampire sect they claim to hate so much. In fact I think what makes Hellisen's world building so wonderful is that she takes familiar aspects from the "real world" and adapts them to that of a fantasy one. There are still whore houses and celebrities, they are just vampire "rooks" and wealthy male witches. It's easy to understand because it's something we already know.
When vampires start to turn up dead with their faces literally removed, Felicita knows that her position and her life (as well as those of her husband and few friends) are in jeopardy. As they race against the clock for answers, Felicita and Jannik are inevitably pushed closer together. Watching their relationship change is natural and realistic and I CANNOT TOOT THE HORN LOUD ENOUGH! FINALLY a YA author who knows how to treat the topic of sex with her female lead.
SO MANY young adult authors tip toe around it, afraid to even breathe the "S word" for fear it may inspire legions of their female readers to run off and procreate. Heaven forbid we remind young women that sexual desires, feelings and parts of ourselves are NORMAL and HEALTHY and IMPERATIVE to understanding who we are as people. Hellisen allows Felicita to acknowledge and explore her sexual feelings without the tired "safety net" of virginity, marriage or abstinence. It reads beautifully and most importantly--realistically.
The story ends in a satisfying way, the mystery treated with dignity but also no obvious conclusions. There is still more ways for Hellisen to take the story further, and because I enjoy her characters, trust her plots and enjoy her writing, I'm up for whatever she has next. Even if the font is in multiple sizes.
Thank goodness for Cat Hellisen's continued talent at world building and believable heroines. I have to admit, since the finale of the first book ("When the Sea is Rising Red") was slightly confusing, I didn't remember as much as I would've liked going into this one. Felicita and the vampire Jannik are now married, in as loveless of a marriage as could possibly be arranged. I felt this was strange, since Felicita was so naturally drawn to Jannik in the first novel. Their feelings of safety and where they stand in the social realm of things has put an enormous strain on any attempts at a relationship. Because as much as they bristle at the idea of falling into society's hierarchical trap, they must in order to survive.
The MallenIve houses are slightly more...underbelly? Shall we say? Wives do scriv and poisonink while their husbands are engaging in sexual fetishes with the vampire sect they claim to hate so much. In fact I think what makes Hellisen's world building so wonderful is that she takes familiar aspects from the "real world" and adapts them to that of a fantasy one. There are still whore houses and celebrities, they are just vampire "rooks" and wealthy male witches. It's easy to understand because it's something we already know.
When vampires start to turn up dead with their faces literally removed, Felicita knows that her position and her life (as well as those of her husband and few friends) are in jeopardy. As they race against the clock for answers, Felicita and Jannik are inevitably pushed closer together. Watching their relationship change is natural and realistic and I CANNOT TOOT THE HORN LOUD ENOUGH! FINALLY a YA author who knows how to treat the topic of sex with her female lead.
SO MANY young adult authors tip toe around it, afraid to even breathe the "S word" for fear it may inspire legions of their female readers to run off and procreate. Heaven forbid we remind young women that sexual desires, feelings and parts of ourselves are NORMAL and HEALTHY and IMPERATIVE to understanding who we are as people. Hellisen allows Felicita to acknowledge and explore her sexual feelings without the tired "safety net" of virginity, marriage or abstinence. It reads beautifully and most importantly--realistically.
The story ends in a satisfying way, the mystery treated with dignity but also no obvious conclusions. There is still more ways for Hellisen to take the story further, and because I enjoy her characters, trust her plots and enjoy her writing, I'm up for whatever she has next. Even if the font is in multiple sizes.
March 20, 2014
House adds even more of what made book one different, especially as we take in the mistakes made and how things build up between them despite the same (or is it because of?) What’s said versus what’s not are both used to make it clear that the pair of them is from typical. She’s the stronger one of the two, but why that’s the case is a revelation, considering where her story started.
If at first she’s the girl who doesn’t want certain things, meeting all she did and doing all she had, here’s she’s left with the consequences of all that. She’s still far from perfect; there are jealousies that cloud things, sad sad sad moments of wanting because of the not having and then a failure on both their parts to say what’s meant and matters. Early on we know he is more than “bat” he’s perceived as; but it’s in seeing him be just as unprepared to deal as she was had me wondering more. I love that they’[re both so unsure; I love that they both hold notions of the other… at times right and in others so far from it. Basically, them together: neither easy nor sweet, and often times, it’s the difficult they encounter and more than just because they’re new to each other.
Yet, beyond this pair (and who they were to become to each other,) there’s another vital thing in this: the new city they’d landed themselves in and the roles they were set to play in it. Running as they had from the troubles in When, here they’re beset with other challenges of making nice with another pair similarly situated, and navigating through the perceptions and expectations of their peers (because they see them as anything but.) All her musings on what others think, what she thinks, what he does: a complicated mess, but interesting too… because it’s through all that that we see the order they live in or at least the order that others would like to maintain and others would like to change.
The threads of their personal drama plus the political aspect of Lammers then Hobs then Vampires are pulled together so that where one ends and the other begins, I was not quite sure and neither did I care to find out because it all meshed so well.
If at first she’s the girl who doesn’t want certain things, meeting all she did and doing all she had, here’s she’s left with the consequences of all that. She’s still far from perfect; there are jealousies that cloud things, sad sad sad moments of wanting because of the not having and then a failure on both their parts to say what’s meant and matters. Early on we know he is more than “bat” he’s perceived as; but it’s in seeing him be just as unprepared to deal as she was had me wondering more. I love that they’[re both so unsure; I love that they both hold notions of the other… at times right and in others so far from it. Basically, them together: neither easy nor sweet, and often times, it’s the difficult they encounter and more than just because they’re new to each other.
Yet, beyond this pair (and who they were to become to each other,) there’s another vital thing in this: the new city they’d landed themselves in and the roles they were set to play in it. Running as they had from the troubles in When, here they’re beset with other challenges of making nice with another pair similarly situated, and navigating through the perceptions and expectations of their peers (because they see them as anything but.) All her musings on what others think, what she thinks, what he does: a complicated mess, but interesting too… because it’s through all that that we see the order they live in or at least the order that others would like to maintain and others would like to change.
The threads of their personal drama plus the political aspect of Lammers then Hobs then Vampires are pulled together so that where one ends and the other begins, I was not quite sure and neither did I care to find out because it all meshed so well.
May 30, 2014
I didn't think it was possible to read a vampire book and find it fresh or original any more and yet here it is - a unique take on vampires that is both disturbing and entrancing. Love it!
While I seriously couldn't stand the narrator, Felicita, for a good portion of this novel, she did eventually show some back bone and had a great character arc.
My favourite character is of course the vampire Jannik. I could read an entire series just about him (hint hint Cat!) Even though Felicita hogs the narrative, it is Jannik who is at the heart of the story as the plot is solidly woven around vampire affairs.
The writing in book 2 is as lovely and enthralling as it was in book 1. Being South African and knowing the author is South African, I picked up on many subtle references to the country such as the afternoon thunder showers and the collapsing mine tunnels - allusions perhaps only other SA readers might catch. I loved this extra layer of familiarity in the fantasy world and it makes me want to dive right into book 3!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on fantasy that is equal parts Victorian, urban, and paranormal. The genre mashing-up is seamlessly done here and makes for an intriguing read.
While I seriously couldn't stand the narrator, Felicita, for a good portion of this novel, she did eventually show some back bone and had a great character arc.
My favourite character is of course the vampire Jannik. I could read an entire series just about him (hint hint Cat!) Even though Felicita hogs the narrative, it is Jannik who is at the heart of the story as the plot is solidly woven around vampire affairs.
The writing in book 2 is as lovely and enthralling as it was in book 1. Being South African and knowing the author is South African, I picked up on many subtle references to the country such as the afternoon thunder showers and the collapsing mine tunnels - allusions perhaps only other SA readers might catch. I loved this extra layer of familiarity in the fantasy world and it makes me want to dive right into book 3!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on fantasy that is equal parts Victorian, urban, and paranormal. The genre mashing-up is seamlessly done here and makes for an intriguing read.
April 16, 2015
It's been a long time since I read the first book in this series, so it took awhile to remember the storyline, but once I did I quickly got sucked in. I really like the author's writing style. The ending, however, seemed rushed and incomplete. < The last chapter confused me and I was left feeling dissatisfied.
June 20, 2016
Even better than the first one! Hellisen's language is beautiful, flowing delightfully, with vivid imagery and lovely turns of phrase. The relationship between Felicita and Jannik is fascinating (OTP, anyone?) and one of my favorite things about this book. The plot is also more cohesive this time around.
My one complaint is the publishing - the book is in a strange format and riddled with typos. Almost as though it's self-published...?
And, as always, a map would have made things better!
My one complaint is the publishing - the book is in a strange format and riddled with typos. Almost as though it's self-published...?
And, as always, a map would have made things better!
December 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this book despite its problems. It's not perfect but it's very entertaining. Felicita is such a flawed character. She acts without knowledge, is many times unlikeable, and makes so many mistakes but I was still hoping for the best for her.
There's a preview chapter for another book coming and I think I'm definitely in for it.
There's a preview chapter for another book coming and I think I'm definitely in for it.
July 27, 2014
Even better than the first book. Hellisen really blossoms outside of the limitations of the YA format. Harun/Isidro and Felicita/Jannik 4lyfe. I could just reread this book forever and ever.
April 8, 2015
Absolutely beautiful prose and an excellent story. Loved it!
February 28, 2016
4.5 stars
July 27, 2016
I think I liked this one more than the first.
September 17, 2023
After reading House of Sand and Secrets, I think I may have judged When the Sea is Rising Red unfairly. Felicita’s missteps in When the Sea is Rising Red all provide context for House of Sand and Secrets so that her character development is much more satisfying.
In this book, Felicita manages to shake off her apathy and become an active character in her world. I like how the book still examines racism and sexism (classism took a back seat this time), but doesn’t paint Felicita as a savior. Unlike Dash’s attempted rebellion, Felicita’s rebellion isn’t grandiose but focused on everyday revolutionary acts. Though Felicita concentrates on helping those immediately around her, she doesn’t shy away from using violent tactics to aid her friends on the road to true liberation.
I hope everyone knows that I still love Jannik as a character.
My only quibble is that I don’t like that there’s an explicit sex scene in a book meant for teenagers.
To summarize my thoughts, I think House of Sand and Secrets perfects what Hellisen introduces in When the Sea is Rising Red. The book is a bizarre but fascinating read.
In this book, Felicita manages to shake off her apathy and become an active character in her world. I like how the book still examines racism and sexism (classism took a back seat this time), but doesn’t paint Felicita as a savior. Unlike Dash’s attempted rebellion, Felicita’s rebellion isn’t grandiose but focused on everyday revolutionary acts. Though Felicita concentrates on helping those immediately around her, she doesn’t shy away from using violent tactics to aid her friends on the road to true liberation.
I hope everyone knows that I still love Jannik as a character.
My only quibble is that I don’t like that there’s an explicit sex scene in a book meant for teenagers.
To summarize my thoughts, I think House of Sand and Secrets perfects what Hellisen introduces in When the Sea is Rising Red. The book is a bizarre but fascinating read.
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