Point of View

Maas writes House of Earth and Blood in a past-tense, third-person limited point of view that alternates between focusing the narration on different characters. The main characters which the perspective focuses on are Bryce, Hunt, and Ruhn. This limited point of view allows for the reader to hear the characters’ insights through their thoughts and observations. It also creates for the potential for characters to withhold information from one another to be revealed at later points in the novel.

For example, when Bryce and Hunt first begin working together, they are rather judgmental of one another. This creates biases in their points of view, which allows for the other to surprise them by deviating from expectations. This occurs when Bryce finds a lead in the investigation by getting a manicure. Maas strategically puts this section in Hunt’s perspective so that he will judge her...