Rating: 9/10
I barely even know where to start with this one. This book was an urban fantasy filled with a wild ride of intense emotion and action. I'm not going to lie, this book made me emotional countless times. The book had so many intense scenes, that it was impossible not to have strong feelings. The characters were incredibly complex and displayed a wealth of emotion and history. The world building is also very thorough, the setting is established very early on in the story (more on that laster).
HOEAB really begins with the death of Bryce Quinlan's best friend and the theft of the Horn of Luna. She spirals deep into her own grief and from the cruelty of those around her who blame her for the death. Bryce has always had to deal with awful people as a half-fae, people have always thought lowly of her. She's surrounded by entitled Vanir, many who perceive humans as less than. The bulk of the story takes place two years after the murder. There's been another creature killed in the same way that her friend was. The Governor/Archangel of Valbara, Micah, orders his personal assassin Hunt Athalar (known more commonly as the Umbra Mortis) to team up with Bryce to catch the killer and find the horn. They must do this before the Summit of the leaders from all of the territories. If they do, then Hunt will get released from his "debt" to Micah that he's been repaying since the rebellion 200 years earlier. Bryce and Hunt clash like crazy, they are both extremely strong willed and stubborn. It takes time for them to get along, but it might just change into something more than that.
Typing a spoiler-free summary for HOEAB is extremely difficult, so much happens that its hard to sum it all up. The plot is full of action that pushes the story forward. The first part of the story, especially the first 50 pages, are kind of slow. Sarah J Maas takes that time to establish the setting of Midgard and the creatures that inhabit the territory. Because of this, there is a ton of information just dumped on you very quickly. You're introduced to the world, the history, some of the Gods, a bunch of people, different breeds; it's just a lot. Actually, the information dump is my prime problem that I had with the story. That and there were a few YA tropes, that she couldn't seem to quite get away from. Tropes that made some of the twists quite predictable. Don't be confused though, this story is far from a YA book, way too much cussing and sexual situations for that (not in a bad way).
There's so much action and interesting information that drives the story forward. SJM does such an amazing job describing the depth of Bryce's grief. The main character's feelings of guilt, shame, and mourning are intricate and deep. Bryce just can't get over the death of her friend, can't get over the feelings of responsibility that she's experiencing. Or the feelings of responsibility that people are projecting onto her. You're really able to feel for her, to understand how deep her feelings for her friend run. What she had was lost and she can't do anything, she feels so helpless at times. This never stops her determination, she wants to avenge her friend and nobody is going to stop her. Hunt takes her feelings for granted initially. He sees her how she wants the world to see her, as some vapid, party-girl. Over the course of the story, Hunt realizes that it's all a front, that she's never been able to stop thinking about that night.
Speaking of Bryce's feelings and Hunt, the slow burn of their relationship is amazing. The two of them are like fire and ice. But really, they're too similar to realize how similar they are. Hunt is domineering and hides behind a tough exterior. How can he not though? He's known as the shadow of death (he's got a few nicknames), most people fear him. Not Bryce though, she sees what he is and she's not afraid to meet him halfway. Nobody else would ever dare sass THE Umbra Mortis, Bryce does. He doesn't scare her. This intrigues him to no end, the iciness that she shows him despite his reputation. They get close as they work the case, especially when they become roommates. They get really close. Before long, there's nothing that they wouldn't do for each other. They would protect each other to the death, there's no cost too high. Even their life isn't too high of a price to pay (honestly in a couple of different ways, I can't go into it).
All in all, I thought this story was amazing. SJM was really able to immerse you into the story. I became so incredibly attached to the characters. I have no clue what is going to go down in the next book, but I'm excited to find out. If you like urban fantasy with intense relationships and mountains of dramatic backstory, then you'll love this one. Despite the few lingering YA tropes, this book really felt like a great addition to the New Adult genre. I think with the next book, SJM will really come into her own and solidify her place in this genre. Seriously, I can't wait for the next one to come out.
SPOILERS
When Lehabah died and the people at the summit all saluted her? That hurt, I cried immediately. She saved her friends at the loss of her own life. Also, when the prime of the wolves called Bryce a wolf at heart, that also really got me. Everyone realizing how badass Bryce was when she took out Micah on her own was also super satisfying. They all thought she was just some weak half-breed, but nope she's much stronger. She made the drop practically on her own AND she's a starborn fae. Speaking of the drop, when nobody was there to help Bryce and she was begging though through the line for anybody to anchor her and then when she heard Danika telling her to "light it up." I was beside myself. That was just so intense that I couldn't help but get emotional. She needed her best friend and Danika used the last of her power to help her make the drop. She really came through in the end, despite everything, she was still there for her best friend.
I was beside myself when Bryce was making the drop and Hunt was giving her chest compressions to bring her back. When he told her to say all the things she had said to him when he was half dead, "To my face you fucking coward," that was everything. I really want Bryce and Hunt to be endgame, but I've heard about SJM ending the first relationship so I'm nervous. I mean people thing that Connor may have been the first love interest and since Hunt never died in the book, that he might be safe. I'm not sure though, I love Hunt and Bryce and I will be shaken if something happens. I'm not going to say that I'm out if Hunt dies in the next book, but maybe. I mean I'll feel less strongly about them by the time the next book comes out, but right now I'm attached. In the same vein, I'm very disappointed that there was no actual sex scene. It was teased throughout but it never actually came to be, which was a tad disappointing.
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