The House of Always

Jenn Lyons continues to make some of the most most enjoyable, fun fantasy out there. A true master of throwing everything in the pot and making it work.

I've been a massive fan of The Chorus of Dragons series for a while now, and this is the best installment yet. It boggles the mind how Jenn Lyons wrote a book this good in a year this horrible (2020). The plot is multi-threaded and complex, but underneath its ornate edifice there are simple and achingly resonant themes, especially precious in this cruel and lonely time: terrors of intimacy, trauma, self-acceptance, restorative justice, healing, legacies of imperialism and colonialism, and a myriad more.Lyons explores each one with a deft hand and brings them all to a stunning conclusion that is at once satisfying and leaves you with bated breath waiting for Book 5 (which is going to be the last, as far as I know).Cannot recommend highly enough.

Too much pontificating and stretching of the story lines. The plot and underlying story are good and could be great with a tighter grasp on flow to keep the book from bogging down. Will read the next book and hope for better.

The scope of Lyons' work here is truly nothing short of epic. Sure, in fantasy you see the same themes happen over and over, but what has been done here is truly refreshing and new in its own way. The House of Always tells a tightly wound story in a manner that draws one in and doesn't allow time for doubts about timelines or how it's being presented in strange way to matter.Truly, truly fantastic. I can't wait for book 5. It's not often that I've enjoyed all of the books in a series the same amount, but damn, I can't help but say I love all of the books in this series.

I absolutely LOVE this series and so far my favorite books in the series are 1 and 4. I love the books plot so much and book 4 is probably my favorite at this point. I love the running commentaries on the bottom and I am looking forward to reading the last book in April!

Book number four in and it's still amazing! Interesting way of storytelling that the author has stuck with. I can't explain or do it justice,but it's refreshing.While the plot is intense and the well described world is amazing, the characterization definitely steals the show. I enjoyed the way that the main characters were put aside slightly and others were able to shine. Not a one is good, nor bad. Very complex characteristics that keeps you On the fence. I've been looking forward to this book and definitely was not dissapointed.

I have really enjoyed this series, it’s hugely complex and yet original. I like the openness and acceptance of all types of sexuality, however this installment seems to focus on it a lot more than the others. I have also noticed lots of typos and some very awkward sentence structure that I had not noticed before. The others I couldn’t put down, this one for some reason I can put down easily. It just seems to be taking a very long time for anything to happen. Still haven’t finished it as I write this review. I will update when I have if my opinion changes with the ending.

While The Ruin of Kings still remains my favorite of the series, Jenn Lyons continues to impress me with her wonderful writing. If you're a fan of the series, The House of Always will not disappoint. The book continues to build upon the fantastic world Lyons has created, adding more depth to several of the story's less developed characters.

Took me an age to get through though it wasn't wholly the fault of the book.The author mentions that the idea of this was started from before Covid but it certainly encapsulates the experience of being stuck in the one place for quite some time. So due to Kihrin's choice at the end of the third book, he's stuck in basically the mind of Vol Karoth, whereas the various companions are in the lighthouse, essentially stuck there too and re-living the experiences of each person and how they arrived there.Like the second book, this doesn't progress the story too much. Stuff obviously happens and there a fairly well sign posted major event happens right at the end that changes the narrative somewhat but honestly not too much happens. It is entertaining though the Marvel quip level seems to be getting worse, luckily enough I enjoy most of the characters.What did bug me a lot was the raging hormone and lust of the Kihrin, Janel, and Teraeth triangle. Like they were in literal life and death situations, with an almost literal god of entropy and negation and they were practically rubbing themselves off one another at every opportunity. There is a time and a place for that, and it was a major part of the storyline but the situations where it was presented sometimes just felt too unrealistic. Maybe I'm wrong but it took me out of the story too many times.I am enjoying this series but this was a bit of a slog due to life stuff and the feeling that the story had ground to a halt again. Looking forward to seeing how it's all going to play out in the final book.3.5 stars rounded up

Gahhhhh! This book is amazing! I am OBSESSED with this series! It is one of the most complex and clever reads I have ever read. It completely consumed me and I cannot wait to read the 5th book The Discord of Gods! I don’t want to offer any spoilers as so much happens in this series, and it is full of clever connections throughout all of the books. All I will say is read 👏 the 👏 first 👏 book!!! 👏

Another Sterling performance from Jenn Lyons. This book kept me enthralled from the beginning.It’s a mammoth undertaking reading it all but I have had very little sleep the past two days in an effort to burn through it. Well worth it.

Love this story and really want to read the next (I assume last, but could be very wrong) book. Having practically inhaled this one seems a shame not to have the next- oh well, I suppose I’d better learn patience:-(

It's a tough, disjointed read which is ultimately unsatisfactory enough to kill the series for me before it's finished.Thanks