House of Earth and Blood

Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City opens like a glittering urban fantasy and then quietly, steadily, becomes a story about grief, loyalty, and the brutal work of rebuilding yourself when the world thinks you’re done. Bryce Quinlan is messy, sharp, hilarious, and heartbreakingly human — a heroine who refuses to be flattened by tragedy or defined by anyone else’s expectations. And Hunt Athalar? The slow‑burn tension, the reluctant partnership, the way their emotional arcs braid together — it’s addictive.

The mystery at the center of the book is genuinely compelling, but the real magic is how Maas layers the world: angels, demons, fae, shifters, politics, corruption, and a city that feels alive in every scene. By the time the final show more act hits (and it hits), the emotional payoff is enormous — earned, cathartic, and unforgettable.

It’s a massive book, but it reads like a season of prestige fantasy television: propulsive, character‑driven, and full of moments that make you sit up straighter. If you love found family, morally complicated heroes, and fantasy worlds that feel like they could swallow you whole, this is the kind of story that stays with you long after you close the cover. show less

I was nervous to start this book. I absolutely hated Celaena/Aelin in the TOG series, and I absolutely hated Nesta in the entire ACOTAR series, especially ACOSF. So, I had misgivings. They were completely unfounded. Bryce was so much more. I really liked Hunt, too. The twists and the turns just had me glued to the pages. I binged this. Was the book slow in places? Yes. But that allowed for a completely, immersive world-building experience. The last 100 pages or so were FIRE! I had the best time reading this.

A Riveting Masterpiece of Fantasy – House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas has once again demonstrated her mastery of the fantasy genre with the magnificent first book of the Crescent City series, House of Earth and Blood. This book is a genuine jewel that merits every ounce of its five-star rating, spinning a rich tapestry of mystery, romance, and a universe full of magical wonders.



House of Earth and Blood ♦ Sarah J. Maas - A Review

Opinion
One of the novel’s major aspects is its unique protagonist, Bryce Quinlan. Bryce is an impressive female heroine who is tough, intellectual; she is a force to be reckoned with. What distinguishes her is her resistance to be pushed around by the Vanir alphamales—alphaholes as show more she calls them—who dominate her world. It’s great to watch a character who embodies both strength and intelligence, negotiating a complex web of obstacles with commitment and wit.

The fragile relationship between half-human half-fae Bryce and the angel Hunt Athalar aka Umbra Mortis aka The Shadow of Death gives substance to the story. Their shared experience of loss, both dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, bonds them together in a genuine and heartbreaking way. What actually stands out is Maas‚ handling of their blossoming romance. Unlike conventional fantasy tropes, there is little unnecessary drama, making their relationship feel genuine and grounded.

The genius of House of Earth and Blood is the outstanding balance of the major mystery-crime plot with the romance subplot. Maas seamlessly combines these two components, ensuring that neither overshadows the other. The murder investigation takes center stage, captivating readers with its complexities and unpredictability. BryceHunt’s challenge to uncover the truth about the killings of Bryce’s best friend Danika and The Pack of Devils is thrilling, with surprising twists and turns.

Maas’s writing skill emerges as she keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with each revelation more startling than the last. The plot’s unpredictability provides suspense to the story, which I’ve rarely seen in fantasy literature. The author’s ability to strike the appropriate balance between romance and mystery proves her talent for producing a diverse and interesting story.

Conclusion
In a nutshell, House of Earth and Blood is a fantasy masterpiece. Sarah J. Maas has written a mesmerizing story full of strong characters, a captivating mystery, and a romance that is both authentic and sincere. This novel is a must-read for fantasy fans and anyone looking for a gripping voyage into a world where magic and mystery coexist perfectly.


This review was first published at The Art of Reading. show less

SJM… do you want to destroy me 😭 I was told that CC has a lot of world building. I will admit that the first 50 ish pages were a bit like, who dat?? What dat?? But I just focused on what I did know and it all fell into place and I loved it. I was a little bit gutted throughout that Bruce didn’t have any powers whatsoever but always knew there was something there and I’m so glad she got that ending! Any time Danika and the pack (especially Connor) came up, I was in tears. I hated that such a bad thing happene to such good people

I've been reading Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas and my emotions and feelings have never been so all over the place since reading Song of Achilles. I have been like what the serious fuckety fuck, is in this author's head lol. This mix of fantasy, political B.S., drugs and murder as my Jazzy would say "chef's kiss 💋! " I still have a few more chapters to go but my original mindset of giving this a 3 1/2 star rating is looking more like 5, okay maybe 4.5 only bc damn SJM for 803 pages of having me sometimes confused but again the fuckery that's gone on... I just don't know but my anxiety goodness is on over drive 🤦‍♀️🤣

Update::
I finally finished and man, did I bawl my eyes out. This book has everything I love reading about, show more murder, sex, love (no rock and roll, but yea kind of, lol) drugs and fantasy. This fantasy mixed with modern day world is such freaking Amazing. I'll admit at first I was like why am I even getting into this massive size book that is probably going to take me 2 months to finish or more but the more I got into reading it and listening to the audiobook while I worked (because listen, I could not stop getting into this world). I was on this journey of an emotional mess that I thought I might just need some therapy after reading this - okay slight exaggeration but seriously WTF doesn't begin to cover my emotional roller coaster with this journey that Bryce went through from losing Danika, to the betrayal's and dismissive attitudes of everyone including her biological father it was just heartbreaking. On some levels I related to Bryce more than I have ever related to any character I have ever read about before.
When she about broke I felt my heart shatter.
When Lehabah said "let me do this for you, BB. For you and Syrinx." I lost it, I bawled my eyes out..
" I bought you and now I set you free, Lehabah," - Bryce
"I will always love you BB" oh my God my heart just shattered.
And when Bryce acends with Danikas help forgettaboutit, I cleaned out my tissue box. I am not normally an emotional person with books or at least I used to not be but this book, Bryce, Danika, Hunt and Lehabah destroyed me. It all turned out good for Bryce but it was hard. So I went from almost giving this a 3 1/2 rating to a 5 star rating. Just absolutely amazing. Whether my review makes sense or not, at least get this take away - READ THIS BOOK! It is just amazing!

* World Building
* Fantasy mixed with Modern times
* Fallen Angels
* Politics
* Underestimated Heroine
* Murder
* Love
* Friendship/loyalty to Death show less

4.6 / 5

goddamn. godDAMN! i was highly, highly skeptical about this modern fantasy - guns and video games and cars, but also vampires and fae and angels and demons? jeeeeeesus. only a brave person would put these things together in an 800 page romantasy novel, and yet… AND YET! i’m not going to say every part of it worked, because that would be a bald faced lie. there are parts of this book where i was genuinely laughing / bewildered at the events taking place before my eyes. it is a wild and befuddling mix of modernity and fantasy, and it definitely doesn’t always feel authentic (like ruhn’s headphones that are specifically shaped to his fae ears lol). but sometimes it ROCKED. in a pure, archaic, “this shit is COOL” kind of show more way. from a literary perspective, this is hogwash. from the perspective of someone who loves cool shit though… this scratched an itch for me for sure.

party-girl and secret princess bryce quinlan works as an antiquities dealer’s assistant (believe me… her job is relevant. she literally goes to work all the time) in the multicultural, interspecies haven that is the crescent city (also lunatheion? lunatheron? it has a name i just can’t remember it). hunt athelar is a fallen angel responsible for the deaths of thousands during his time as a general in the rebellion, now working as a cop and serving out a sentence of slavery. when something rEALLLLLY bad happens in bryce’s world, they collide in a sexyyyy way. there’s murder, there’s intrigue, there’s an old artifact that must be saved… what more can a girl ask for.

it would take me centuries to explain the government structure and honestly i don’t fully understand it either, but there’s a super-powerful race of beings that rule this empire and everybody has to be okay with the caste system or the beings will wipe them from the planet! humans are low on the totem pole, as are “half-breeds” and other species that were involved in the rebellion. ughhhhhh we GET IT! GET TO THE GOOD STUFF:

***spoilers ahead***

i loved how gritty this book is: like soooooo gritty, very gory, very descriptive. lots of beheading, people ripping themselves and others into shreds, blood everywhere - this book gave me the detail i CRAVEEEE from fantasy novels. it pulled no punches! it spared no souls! MAAS completely and utterly committed to this book, with no filters, and boyyyy was it satisfying to see her unleashed.

i was fucking flabbergasted by what happened to danika - somehow i just didn’t see it coming, i didn’t know anything about the book going into it, and it fLOORED me. there were actually multiple moments throughout this book that floored me, and that’s one of the things i like best about SJ MAAS - the bitch is crazy. i hate her. i love her. she puts me through the ringer. she chews me up and spits me out. i was surprised by this book in so many ways, and i’ve read a LOT of SJ MAAS. this book had something new, something so fresh and interesting for the MAAS-iverse. it was the same feeling i had at the start of ACOTAR! it made me feel alive LMAO.

hunt and bryce are great, despite their names being a little annoying. i think hunt is MAAS’s first male character that didn’t make me roll my eyes! he’s not hyper masculine or arrogant, he’s just deadly. he doesn’t take power from bryce, he helps her wield it. and bryce is a similar iteration of main character to celaena/aelin and feyre, but i felt like she had something novel to her. she’s a party girl extraordinaire… or so she wants everyone to think. people underestimate her, and she likes it that way. they never see her badassery coming. it’s not just that she’s powerful, because for most of the book she doesn’t have crazy powers. but she’s dedicated and resourceful and clever - she’s got a prickly shell, but she’s so gentle and soft on the inside. and together? they make a family
i thought their gradual transition from distrust to trust to affection to powerful love was so satisfying to watch, and maybe a little drawn out, but effective nonetheless. bryce throwing herself before everyone and asking sandriel to spare hunt? her stepping in for him, protecting him, worrying for him? she wore the pants! and hunt’s gentle “i got you,” his support of her, his admiration for her heart - i thought this romance played out beautifully. i believed in them, i rooted for them, and i was gut wrenched when they were driven apart.

**major spoilers ahead**

the ending?!! the ENDING??! holy shit dude. having bryce face micah alone, having her shoot him through the skull with a foot long bullet and a famous rifle?! lighting him ablaze?! THEN VACUUMING HIS ASHES UP? what a moment! and then the demons, and the drop, and the fond farewell to danika’s memory… i was emotionally shredded by the last 150 pages. i did cry. i did do that. PAINNNNN!!!! the interminable exposition is honestly worth the exhilarating ending. i thought this book did drama better than ACTOAR. i know everybody loves ACOTAR, but this worked way better for me.

***spoilers ended***

is this book ridiculous? 100%. is it frivolous? absolutely! is it arguably poorly written? you betcha! but ohhhhh man did i enjoy it. i still think SILVER FLAMES is her best book, but this came very very close to superseding it. i can recognize that there are issues with MAAS - she has a commitment to the masculine/feminine binary that’s honestly a little uncomfortable (but that was less present in this book than in others). she writes powerful female characters, but they’re often mary sues. she brings up plot points only to abandon them entirely. but damn it if i don’t love it! it’s guilty pleasure - it’s indulgent, excessive, nonsensical - but it’s good guilty pleasure.

i could see this book being super hit or miss for people. on one hand, it’s long as shit. on the other, it’s sexy and gritty and surprising. i think it depends on how much dumb shit you’re willing to wade through to get to the good stuff, the drama, because it does take some wading. but after reading so much MAAS, this was a delightful departure from TOG and ACOTAR, and i humbly recognize it as my second favorite of her books. 4.6 / 5 - and i don’t regret it! show less

What did I like about this book? Honestly, nothing.

I'm not even sure where to start, but I could give a State of the Union address on the issues in this book. (minor spoilers alert)

The Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding is a mess. The world is somehow a mix of humans and mermaids and werewolves and vampires and fae and witches and angels and demons and technology (and more). There is some sort of "House" system where each species belongs to a House, but I'm not really sure why? I think it is trying to be a caste system? It almost feels stolen from Ninth House, and is just as confusing.

There are some sort of politics happening around the world too. It seems like there is one distant continent where there is a war between humans and angels, show more and then there is Crescent City. I'm not sure where CC is, honestly. Is there anything else on this continent? There are also so many random wars and uprisings that they discuss the history of and I could never keep any of them straight. Oh and they are living in like a 1984 level surveillance state because the whole world is ruled by like 6 powerful beings who are always watching them through cameras? But that's not really mentioned much, so I guess we can just forget about it.

The first 100 pages or so were the worst. Info was dumped at your feet, never to be used again. I still don't know what the Aux vs the 33rd is (both seem to be police?), or what the CBD (DBC?) is. Also, what's a triarri or a malakh? Who are Urd and Cthona? What is the Comitium and FiRo? Everytime they unveiled a new clue it was so incredibly convoluted and meaningless.

The Characters
The characters SUCK. They are all remakes of characters from her other books with different colored eyes (can literally one person just have like brown eyes??? please??).

There's the typical main female character (Bryce) who seems oh so ordinary but ofc is actually the most unique being and is destined to be queen of everything. Who would have guessed that the most beautiful ordinary girl on the earth is actually ~special~. Oh and she is just so sexy and hot that everyone just flirts with her and wants to sleep with her constantly. She wears tight clothing and lots of makeup and is such a party girl but inside she's just SO deep and broken. Oh and of course she gets her period at some point because she's such a relatable girly and we all just want a big strong man to bring us chocolate while we're on our periods while we crankily flirt with them.

The guy (Hunt) is even worse. He has a haunted past and is a slave (though he gets paid?). Oh and did I mention he's hot? That's really the only thing worth mentioning about him. So it gets mentioned. A lot.

All the side characters (Bryce's friends and brother) are all, of course, the most magical most powerful members of their species of all time and no one can beat them and she's just this ordinary little girl hanging out with them.

The only characters I liked where the chimera (basically a dog) and the demon prince who showed up like twice as a cat and seemed to add no purpose but he was a cat. But also a demon prince.

The Plot
Much like the rest of the book, the plot sucked. I would say about 80% of it was just banter and random conversations, and by banter I mean the dryest, lamest conversations i've ever heard. SJM clearly thinks she sounds very clever, but it comes across as very shallow, vapid, and overwhelmingly stupid. For example, main girly gets called trash (because the worse insults one can be called is “trash” and “asshole”) so her alphahole (her words, not mine) guy goes and beats up the girl who calls her that, and this causes him to get apparently a punishment worse than death (getting his wings cut off). Oh, and remember that "torture by photo slideshow" scene? Yeah.

Also, people seem to be getting murdered left and right but they aren't really concerned with any other crimes except for the one they are investigating. In fact, both Bryce and Hunt are murderers. but of course its ok for them. They're the good guys. The assassin who killed 2,000 people and now has to kill 2,000 more is just a misunderstood good guy. His heart's in the right place. Crescent City clearly has a big murder problem and their police and security system may need an upgrade.

Also the ending is SO dramatic for WAY too long. It just goes on and on. And most of the characters aren't even doing anything, they're just watching live footage of her while they're miles away at a conference? Bryce almost dies about 5,000 times, but of course she pulls through like the overpowered main character that she is.

The Writing
WOW is this writing bad. It reads like YA, or pretty much any trashy romance novel. Except that there's little to no romance. I wouldn't really say this is an adult book at all. A few sexual innuendos is pretty much it. They only kiss like 3 times?

But anyways, the writing is way over the top shitty. All the colors are referenced by their precious gem alternative (not sure if the word "blue" is used once just cause she uses the word "sapphire" so fucking much). As i mentioned before, the banter is idiotic and lame. Everything feels exaggerated so the point that all life has gone out of it. She uses many of the same cliche metaphors and descriptions as her other series.

Also, I found it very hard to picture things, because the descriptions were so all over the place. The people were not really described other than by their ~quirky~ hair colors and haircuts, and every place seemed to be simultaneously an old greek temple and a modern high rise.


So, why am I giving this book two stars instead of one? Honestly, no idea. I loved SJM as a teen and I wanted to like this. Maybe I've outgrown her books, which makes me kind of sad. Or maybe it's just this book. I always found her writing to be a little trashy, but in a good way. This, I can assure you, is trashy in the bad way. Would not recommend. show less