House of Earth and Blood
Crescent City #1
By Sarah J. Maas
TheStory
After the murder of her closest friends by some type of demon, Bryce Quinlan, a half-human, half-fae woman, has her life uprooted and everything changes. After the supposed murderer is locked up, Bryce finds herself in the middle of the search for answers when the murders continue.
As the demon’s rampage continues, Hunt Athalar, a well-known Fallen angel enslaved to the Archangels running the city, is tasked with helping Bryce find the murderer. If he can help her, his freedom will be within reach.
But as the two of them work together to unravel this mystery, they and their friends are led down a dark and tumultuous road of corruption, evil, danger, and death.
TheReview
It’s time to paaaaay attention! Information is here, being dumped left and right, right in the very beginning. But pay attention because it is all important and essential to the story. If you have to reread it (like I did sometimes), do it, because it is soooooo worth it.
Part one of our story is just giving a feel for Bryce, her life, her friends, etc. Essentially, it is building her background and giving you a reason to care. Since, from the synopsis, you know her best friends are murdered and that is the catalyst for the book, the whole of part one is leading up to that and making you care about the deaths.
Which. I. DID. *cries ugly tears*
In part two, we have the mystery of it all (*collective ooooohs*). After the death of her friends, Bryce, Hunt, and Ruhn are enlisted to investigate. The three of them are following the clues, trying to find killers, and having near death experiences.
NOW… Part three…. is when everything goes to absolute Hel. It is just a whirlwind of horribleness and bad things flying from all directions - the Summit, creatures from Hel coming through the gates, betrayals left and right, battle, death, etc.
But most importantly (to me), the relationships! Hunt’s and Bryce’s slow burn starts slow burning about half way through and let me tell you… it is the slowest slow burn in the history of slow burns. I loved every minute of it. WARNING: It doesn’t even culminate in this book. We’ll have to wait for book two.
Bryce is funny and sassy and badass. She hates domineering males and Hunt is… well, exactly that. He is everything. Broody, feisty, moody, snarky, alpha, grumpy, and on and on and on. They meet each other blow for blow and tit for tat. Their banter was amazing.
But the side characters! Honestly, I think they made this whole story. Ruhn is a wonderfully perfect little brat. Dec and Flynn add some nice comedic relief (as do Bryce and Hunt who made me laugh out loud). Lehaba?! Lehaba!! And what story doesn’t benefit from a cute little animal? Syrinx was a much loved addition. There were a lot of other side characters and it’s important to keep them straight. They are going to matter, I feel.
Even her enemies were well written.
All the character building is very well done. It seems to be setting up for deep and meaningful group vibes or found family in the next book.
As with any SJM book, the last 100 pages or so are an absolute wild mess. I actually cried twice. The ending was good and has a sense of closure, while still retaining interest for the second book.
I absolutely loved this book. Now, I am a smidgen biased because I love SJM's books, but I put this one right up in my top favorites of all time. If you are also a fan of SJM, this one goes right up there with ACOTAR and above TOG. I waited soooo long to finally start this series and I am thrilled I finally get to dive into the world of Crescent City.
FavoriteQuotes
“Through love, all is possible.”
“LIGHT IT UP!”
“Ruhn Danaan, Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae.”
“I am a descendant of Ranthia Drahl, Queen of Embers. She is with me now and I am not afraid. My friends are behind me, and I will protect them.”
“You’re the person I don’t need to explain myself to - not when it matters. You see everything I am and you don’t run from it.”
ProminentTropes
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Slow Burn
The Chosen One
House of Earth and Blood
Crescent City #1
House of Sky and Breath
Crescent City #2
House of Flame and Shadow
Crescent City #3
