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Thomas

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Thomas is Currently Reading

Thomas is currently reading

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

by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: favoriteseries, booksthatmademecry, favorites, thesis, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

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 93 of 803)
"Nothing like a late night catch up session! SJM is at her most innovative here with her strongest series opener: establishing much of the world and character dynamics alongside a rapidly paced plot, the story of Bryce begins with the horrific tragedy of that pushes her towards her journey throughout the series. As per usual, there are already SO many Maasverse connections I’m catching—loving this already!" — Feb 01, 2026 01:14AM

Dec 31, 2025 12:30AM · see review

Thomas is currently reading

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

by Jessica Brody (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, writingcraft

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(page 86 of 320)
— Jul 10, 2025 06:09PM

Nov 17, 2025 12:08AM

Thomas is currently reading

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter--And How to Make the Most of Them Now

by Meg Jay

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(page 75 of 336)
— Jul 10, 2025 04:06PM

Jan 02, 2025 10:18PM

Thomas’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Icebound (Boundless Players, #1)

Icebound (Boundless Players, #1) by Meredith Trapp

48 notes & 92 highlights

Yeah, sure, in my twenties, I would’ve been hauling her over my shoulder, but now I’m ready to get down on one knee for a woman. Well, not any woman—the right one.

See Thomas’s 5 books with notes and highlights…

Thomas’s Quotes

“You could rattle the stars," she whispered. "You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass

8638 likes

“She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Heir of Fire

3722 likes

“Black for hunting through the night

For death and mourning the color's white

Gold for a bride in her wedding gown

And red to call the enchantment down

White silk when our bodies burn

Blue banners when the lost return

Flame for the birth of a Nephilim

And to wash away our sins.

Gray for the knowledge best untold

Bone for those who don't grow old

Saffron lights the victory march

Green to mend our broken hearts

Silver for the demon towers

And bronze to summon wicked powers

-Shadowhunter children's rhyme”
― Cassandra Clare, City of Heavenly Fire

1198 likes

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde

tags: attributed-no-source, be-yourself, gilbert-perreira, honesty, inspirational, misattributed-oscar-wilde, quote-investigator

177295 likes

“Your role is not to make your child happy every moment of the day regardless of the personal cost, but to raise her to be a thoughtful, kind, productive citizen of the world. Some people would beg to differ, but it’s not a choice to discipline or not. Your child needs discipline, just like she needs food and water.”
― Jo Frost, Jo Frost's Toddler Rules: Your 5-Step Guide to Shaping Proper Behavior

4 likes

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