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Thomas

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Thomas is Currently Reading

Thomas is currently reading

Love, Theoretically

by Ali Hazelwood (Goodreads Author)

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(page 161 of 391)
— Jul 26, 2026 11:06PM

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Firemage (Ravenminder #3)

by Lindsay Cummings (Goodreads Author)

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House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)

by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Author)

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read in February 2024

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Thomas said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" Initial thoughts: I must gather myself and process this but: HANDS DOWN an EPIC start to a promising series. One of SJM’s best works. INCREDIBLE launch to a series. In SJM, we so ever trust. ❤️

Edit: The first book in a series is always, in some shape Initial thoughts: I must gather myself and process this but: HANDS DOWN an EPIC start to a promising series. One of SJM’s best works. INCREDIBLE launch to a series. In SJM, we so ever trust. ❤️

Edit: The first book in a series is always, in some shape or form, a setup for the trajectory and tone of its future. House of Earth and Blood is, by FAR, SJM’s strongest series opener. It breaks ground, sets new standards, and is absolutely a phenomenal book.

As an SJM veteran of her other beloved series, here in Crescent City, we see the beginning of the story that will launch the Maasverse crossover.

I loved that this story, at its core, is a story about grief and healing. About rediscovering oneself through such profound loss, pain, and heartbreak as the characters of Bryce and Hunt did. I found myself deeply invested and engaged with their characters, and by the book’s end, they’ve shot up amongst the best romantic pairings in the Maasverse.

Bryce is ABSOLUTELY, HANDS DOWN a badass queen. She is a worthy addition to the canon of SJM FMC’s, and I really admire, respect, and appreciate the hard earned character arc she had in this book. Her growth and evolution throughout this novel was BEYOND an incredible written arc. Her relationship with Hunt and her relationships with her brother, Ruhn, her friends Fury, Juniper and Lehabah were amazing, and who she is and grew to be made me really love her by the end. Her relationship with Danika - her best friend, her sister - was so relatable and strong and beautiful. I loved it.
Hunt is, as Bryce says, “her mirror”, and I also truly respect and admire him as well. Their individual and shared struggles made me love them both as people and a pairing and I just absolutely am ROOTING for them and their happiness going forward.

The worldbuilding, magic system, lore, character work, and complex connective tissue between all of these great storytelling aspects of fantasy literature was just MASTERFULLY woven into the story. SJM has proven with this book that she is a master of the fantasy genre, and her adept handling of foreshadowing, easter eggs, and even full circle story arcs/aspects is just. Simply. Breathtaking. I also (of COURSE,) cried several times. So many intimate, emotional scenes that were just as rewarding as any of the action/spice sequences… (LELE. JUST… L E L E.)

The murder mystery vibes, the urban fantasy setting, touches of sci-fi, political intrigue, and the intermingling of human and Vanir characters was so fascinating and well executed. I found myself theorizing and obsessing over every single detail, and I already have an idea of how the world of Midgard is connected to the worlds of Erilea and Prythian. So many nods and easter eggs to those series, but also new bits of lore that just engage and intrigue me endlessly!

I cannot WAIT to read what’s next. This is hands down one of the BEST fantasy books I have ever read. SJM is at her most assured, confident, and evolved peak in her career, and this launch of the iconic Crescent City series is hands down a MASTERPIECE. I could ramble on and on, but suffice to say the least: I am HOOKED.

TL;DR: With a firm grasp on the fantasy genre and her practice in other storytelling techniques, SJM proves with House of Earth and Blood her rightful place as one of the most iconic, groundbreaking writers of the modern romantasy genre. Bryce and Hunt are more than formidable leads, and with easter eggs and rich lore hinting at future connections to the Maasverse, SJM delivered on this urban fantasy BEAST. I am absolutely thrilled to continue on this epic journey! ...more "

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(page 134 of 803)
"Finally resuming this reread! Bryce gets looped into the investigation of Maximus’ murder due to the eerie connection to Danika’s and the Pack of Devils’ murder." — May 26, 2026 09:00PM

Dec 31, 2025 12:30AM · see review

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Thomas’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor, #3)

The Christmas Tree Farm (Dream Harbor, #3) by Laurie Gilmore

15 highlights

‘There’s this local book club…’ ‘Nope, no need to explain your strange habits and sexual perversions.’

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Thomas’s Quotes

“You wear so much armour by daylight that, by night, you can carry it no longer. By night, you are only flesh. And even the flesh of a queen is prone to fear.
In darkness, we are naked. Our truest selves. Night is when fear comes to us at its fullest, when we have no way to fight it. It will do everything it can to seep inside you. Sometimes it may succeed - but never think that you are the night.”
― Samantha Shannon, The Priory of the Orange Tree

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“We are not here just to forget, but also to remember there are good and beautiful things in the world, always. And mistakes do not take them from us; nothing takes them from us. They are eternal.”
― Cassandra Clare, Chain of Thorns

tags: matthew-fairchild

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