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House of Earth and Blood: Enter the SENSATIONAL Crescent City series with this PAGE-TURNING bestseller Paperback – 27 April 2023


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The first instalment of the EPIC Crescent City series from multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas

'Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan' Time
'Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James' Telegraph
'Spiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building ... a page-turning delight' Guardian
'Sarah J. Maas does not disappoint . To be devoured with relish' Mail
******
BOUND BY BLOOD.
TEMPTED BY DESIRE.
UNLEASHED BY DESTINY.

Bryce Quinlan loves her life. Every night is a party, and Bryce is going to savour all the pleasures Lunathion - also known as Crescent City - has to offer. But when a brutal murder shakes the very foundations of the city, Bryce's world comes crashing down.

Two years later, Bryce still haunts the city's most notorious nightclubs - but seeking only oblivion now. Then the murderer attacks again. And when an infamous Fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, is assigned to watch her every footstep, Bryce knows she can't forget any longer.

As Bryce and Hunt fight to unravel the mystery and their own dark pasts, the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents and down to the deepest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir .

House of Earth and Blood is a blockbuster modern fantasy set in a divided world where one woman must uncover the truth to seek her revenge.

With unforgettable characters and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom - and the power of love.

*** 5* reader reviews for House of Earth and Blood ***

'I DEVOURED this book. I could not stop gobbling up the words, I loved it so much'
'This book in one word... Epic! And I wholeheartedly mean that! Read it and then tell everyone you know, and their Granny, to read it too! It's just that good!'
'It was brilliant, I was gripped, absolutely loved it, bits of it I forgot to breathe as I was reading. One of the best books I've read in a long time'

'I don't even know where to start. This is by far THE BEST BOOK SJM HAS EVER WRITTEN'
'Another incredible book by my favourite author - the depths of the world she builds and each character are just indescribable - what a wonderful talent to have to write at this level - no one else is doing it better'

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From the brand


From the Publisher

Welcome to Crescent City. If the darkness doesn't devour you, desire will...
Telegraph endorsement
House of Sky and Breath Throne of Glass A Court of Thorns and Roses
House of Sky and Breath Throne of Glass A Court of Thorns and Roses
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
83,320
4.4 out of 5 stars
104,856
4.5 out of 5 stars
210,843
Price £8.49 £8.35 £4.28
Discover more of the world of Sarah J. Maas In this sexy, action-packed sequel to House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode - and the people who will do anything to save it. Thrilling and fierce, Throne of Glass is the first book in Sarah J. Maas's legendary fantasy series, telling the epic tale of assassin Celaena Sardothien. Untamed power. Untamed passion. Feyre's journey into the magical realm of Prythian begins in the global bestseller, A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Product description

Review

Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James ― Telegraph

Spiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building ... a page-turning delight ―
Guardian

Sarah J. Maas does not disappoint in her first blockbuster for grown-ups . To be devoured with relish ―
Daily Mail

A sweeping epic packed full of romance and adventure,
House of Earth and Blood is a bold, brilliant opening chapter in what promises to be a spectacular new series from Maas ― Waterstones best books pick 2020

A master class in world-building adventure. Don't miss it. ―
#1 NYT bestselling author Charlaine Harris

House of Earth and Blood is a gamechanger! A must read. Sarah J. Maas has set the new standard with this book ― #1 NYT bestselling author J. R. Ward

Tender, funny, frustrating, hot, and satisfying ―
NYT bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton

As sexy as it is brutal ... compelling, compulsive, thought-provoking and unforgettable, this is a novel to relish ―
WomanandHome.com

Book Description

Winner of the Goodreads Choice Best Fantasy 2020, House of Earth and Blood is the first book in the epic CRESCENT CITY series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing; Paperback Rejacket edition (27 April 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 912 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1526663554
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1526663559
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.1 x 5.2 x 19.7 cm
  • Customer reviews:

About the author

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Sarah J. Maas
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Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Crescent City, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and the Throne of Glass series. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and are published in thirty-seven languages. A New York native, Sarah lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, and dog. To find out more, visit sarahjmaas.com or follow @therealsjmaas on Instagram.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
102,262 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and amazingly written. They also appreciate the strong, well-developed characters and emotional tone. Readers describe the book as sheer brilliance, with wonderful complex worldbuilding that slowly builds to a crescendo. They mention the plot is amazing, quirky, and compelling. However, some find the beginning slow and hard work to get through.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

200 customers mention ‘Plot’167 positive33 negative

Customers find the plot amazing, grabbing at the heart. They also say the friendships and relationships are heartbreakingly amazing. Readers also say that the interactions are good and easy to catch up on.

"...The friendships and relationships in this are so heartbreakingly amazing, the fact that characters that barely got any time on page had such a big..." Read more

"...The book was full of unexpected plot twists that kept me hooked to the storyline and these twists included unexpected characters being involved but..." Read more

"...to pick up and put down, I find the books immersing, enjoyable, easy to catch up where I left off and the author's writing is suited to me." Read more

"...Bryce Quinlan has such a badass character development, her story is so worthy of reading...." Read more

200 customers mention ‘Readability’200 positive0 negative

Customers find the book brilliant, great to read, and enjoyable. They also say the MC is amazing, smart, and sassy. Readers also love how the grief is portrayed.

"...And! Hunt & Isaiah! Ruhn, Flynn & Declan! There are just so many amazing, moving, tender and pure friendships between the characters...." Read more

"...She is smart and sassy, caring, loyal to a tee and she is as fierce as they come - you definitely want her in your corner...." Read more

"...It was detailed, not rushed and oozed class." Read more

"...in nature but her journey through grief is universal and I love how it’s portrayed - even if it’s hard to read sometimes!..." Read more

107 customers mention ‘Characters and story’94 positive13 negative

Customers like the characters and story in the book. They mention that SJMAAS built up the characters really well, and they are strong and incredible.

"...will forever make me cry, she was the best side character and such a strong, incredible force...." Read more

"...The side characters are as alluring at those in other SJM series and I find myself hoping their stories will be expanded on in coming books...." Read more

"...The character building was also great for various other characters such as Fury, Hunt and the Viper Queen...." Read more

"...Bryce is a solid female character with a hatred of ‘alpha holes’ and a vulnerable yet independent streak that is so often missing from female..." Read more

42 customers mention ‘Writing quality’33 positive9 negative

Customers find the writing quality amazing, weaving clear description seamlessly without it seeming clunky. They also say the author writes broken characters really well and the book has vivid detail.

"...I love and hate it in equal measures. It's amazingly written and I adored seeing their story develop but I wanted more action, especially as this is..." Read more

"...It was detailed, not rushed and oozed class." Read more

"...enjoyable, easy to catch up where I left off and the author's writing is suited to me." Read more

"...The descriptions add to the story to create an atmosphere of danger and seediness...." Read more

41 customers mention ‘World building’41 positive0 negative

Customers find the worldbuilding wonderful, complex, and magical. They also say the book is transported into a vivid world with realistic and modern characters. Readers also appreciate the mix of tech, fantasy, and crime. They say the author does a good job integrating it all into the story.

"...This is Sarah J Maas' first adult book and it dives in covering a range of themes, from grief, loss and suicidal thoughts to sexism, discrimination..." Read more

"...SJM does an excellent job of creating the fantasy world that the Crescent City series is based in...." Read more

"...World Building:SJM did a great job at the world building, especially considering this is the first book – you can immediately get the idea of..." Read more

"All the emotions! loved it. World building was insane, characters with depth, the final chapters blow you away!..." Read more

39 customers mention ‘Emotional tone’39 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has emotional moments, gripping, and holds them for a long while. They also mention the story is compelling and worth sticking with.

"...It plays with your emotions, in pure Sarah J Maas fashion - one minute you're crying, hysterically I might add, body wrecking sobs and all..." Read more

"...The themes are more adult in nature but her journey through grief is universal and I love how it’s portrayed - even if it’s hard to read..." Read more

"...much at some points, but overall the story was compelling and held me for a long while." Read more

"...Under a week. I cried, I laughed, I blushed. This book made me so emotional and I have zero regrets reading immedietly after ACOTAR." Read more

25 customers mention ‘Enjoyability’22 positive3 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with multiple different genres that keep them entertained. They also say the author is a genius storyteller and wonderful.

"...a great twist and the remainder of the book becomes fast, punchy and addictive...." Read more

"...Brought me to tears, and was constantly engaging." Read more

"I've not read this book however, it kept my wife occupied for over a week...." Read more

"...This book had me laughing & sobbing & thoroughly enjoying myself every step of the way. Can't wait to read the next instalment." Read more

32 customers mention ‘Beginning’7 positive25 negative

Customers find the book slow going at the start and difficult to keep up with. They also say the storyline is a slow builder.

"...For starters, it felt like it took a long time to get going - the first third of the book felt long and drawn out...." Read more

"I am reading through this series. I found it to be slow at the start but I am enjoying it now I am used to the characters...." Read more

"...The first 3/4 of the book move at a glacial pace and it is probably 200 pages longer than it needs to be...." Read more

"...The first chapters starts strongly . I do recommend it when going somewhere as the book is very thick" Read more

Must Read for 2020!
5 Stars
Must Read for 2020!
I received sample chapters of this book in return for my my honest review and this is my review:WOW!! This book is so down my street. I haven’t read any book that has captured my imagination and interest as much as this book has in a very long time. The last time I felt so excited by a series in this genre, was when I read Kim Harrison’s The Hollow’s series. The only thing that disappointed me was that I have to wait until the book is published like everyone else, to find out what happens.I really can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I’m so impressed with what I have read so far that I have just pre-ordered the Hardback and Kindle editions as this is a book that just has to be shown off on my book case. I could also rave all day about what I have read so far and I have had to add Sarah J Mass’ other books to my Goodreads TBR list.Bryce Quinlan is half human half fae. She lives with her best friend Danika Fendyr a wolf shifter in the Crescent City formally known as Lunathion. She works in an antiques gallery, while Danika is an alpha wolf and her job is securing the safety of the city with her pack. They also have two other friends that they met at CCU (Crescent City University), Fury who it turns out was actually undercover when they met. She is an assassin for hire apart from that they don’t know much about her work. Then lastly there is sweet Juniper the faun, who defied the odds and became a ballet dancer as ballet dancers are usually Fae, Nymph’s and Sylphs. When the girls get together on a night out they know only how to party hard.Today though wasn’t a good day as Danika, had been informed that Philip Briggs a human who is hell bent on causing a human rebellion. Has been released from prison on a technicality. They also know that with him being released that he will have it in for Danika and her pack as they are the ones to have caught and imprisoned him.Danika turns up at Bryce’s place of work, needing to use the facilities there as she needs to get a quick shower and a change of clothes as she has a council meeting. Bryce’s boss isn’t happy about Danika using her gallery as a base but Dankia keeps saying that the gallery is so central to her job. When Danika is ready Bryce leaves the gallery with her, as she is trying to find any leads she can about a relic that has recently been stolen. On parting ways Danika tells Bryce to be careful and that they’ll see each other at home after work.When Bryce finally gets home form work, she can hear the noise coming from the flat she shares with Danika and she realises that it’s Thursday. As Thursday night was pack night. Danika never missed pack night as this is what makes the bond between herself and her pack stronger. But as Bryce entered the flat all she wants to do was cosy up in her room with a good book. Until one of the pack members reminds her that she has a date with her human boyfriend. So within a short space of time Bryce showers and gets ready. When she exits her room the pack notice that she hasn’t spent anytime getting ready and that she has’t put on any makeup, which indicates to them all that she isn’t really interested in her date.When she has arrived at the expensive restaurant, that she can’t even afford to buy a drink in. She orders two glasses of water and a bottle of wine, by the time she has finished the glasses of water and has nearly finished the bottle of wine 45 minutes have past. She is starting to worry that her boyfriend isn’t going to turn up. When he eventually does turn up he hardly takes any notice of Bryce as he’s still working on his phone. So fed up of having to wait so long and then to be ignored Bryce orders another bottle of wine. When the bottle of wine arrives she grabs it and tells her date that she’s leaving him and just walks out of the restaurant.Once outside she calls Fury and Juniper and organises to meet them at the club as she just knows she can’t go home yet she wants and needs to party and go wild and dance the night away. After drinking, taking drugs and dancing the night away Bryce struggles to get back in to her apartment block, she knows that she can’t make lots of noise or even ring the buzzer to gain access so she struggles with the lock and then she struggles walking up the stairs to the flat.Even in her drunken and drugged state Bryce knows something is wrong and once she get to the front door of the flat, she realises something is very very wrong. The door is open and she can smell something. On entering the flat the furniture is in disarray and broken, walking over to her bedroom the door is off its hinges and there is Danika on her bed dead, along with her pack. They have all been shredded to bits.What happens next I don’t know and I can’t wait to find out, the sample chapters have left us at a cliff hanger. So needless to say I can’t wait for the book to land on my doorstep, so I can find out what happens.I will update my review once I’ve finished reading the rest of the book.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 January 2024
The world building and plot omg- I have endless questions and theories and this just LIVES RENT FREE IN MY HEAD ALL DAY!!!! I love the murder mystery aspect and forced proximity working together. And the twists and reveals ok!! Bryce is iconic and I love her, she deserves so much. This is Sarah’s best start to a series!

The friendships and relationships in this are so heartbreakingly amazing, the fact that characters that barely got any time on page had such a big impact is insane. I’ll never be over Connor, there’s just so much in so few words!!!! I’m so hurt and angry by his fate, even now. Danika is such a painful wound and I understand Bryce completely, their bond was the whole world. The whole pack of Devils just deserved so much more and I completely love them.

Lele will forever make me cry, she was the best side character and such a strong, incredible force. I loved her little strops and obsession with smutty media, we are one and the same. I am unwell over her.

And! Hunt & Isaiah! Ruhn, Flynn & Declan! There are just so many amazing, moving, tender and pure friendships between the characters. Ruhn and Bryce’s healing in their bond made me sob ok!! And Ithan omg! It was all just so emotional.

Bryce and Hunt were so perfect <3 The reluctant acquaintances to friends to lovers was a beautiful journey, they so clearly were the person the other needed and I love how they healed together bit by bit!!!

I love this more with every reread and I’m still picking up on new details that Sarah has dropped in! The foreshadowing and little hint dropping is just next level. I feel like me and my 1000+ highlights needed to take proper notes.
10 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2020
This book in one word... Epic! And I wholeheartedly mean that! Read it and then tell everyone you know, and their Granny, to read it too! It's just that good!

Crescent City is a murder mystery with an urban fantasy twist. Honestly, from page 1 this played out in my head as a top class, big city, detective drama with mythological creatures - compareable to those you'd watch on HBO. It's literally shock-after-shock twists (page 599 anyone?) but, particularly in the last 200 pages, it has a way of going from 0-100 in seconds! It plays with your emotions, in pure Sarah J Maas fashion - one minute you're crying, hysterically I might add, body wrecking sobs and all (those photos and that phone call), and the next minute you're laughing at something that's been said or done. And Gods, the slow-burn romance! I love and hate it in equal measures. It's amazingly written and I adored seeing their story develop but I wanted more action, especially as this is an adult book and ACOTAR had more, even in the first book. I'm assuming SJM has this up her sleeve for book 2 and she's purposefully left us hot and bothered, longing for more.

We see our main character, Bryce Quinlan, as the ultimate party girl, enjoying life to the full, before it is ripped from her by the brutal murders of her closest friends. Over the span of two years she coasts along, a ghost of her former self, while she battles on a daily basis to cope with her grief and come to terms with her devestating loss. But soon up pop similar murders, despite the original suspect being behind bars. In order to solve the mystery Bryce is thrown together with dangerous fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, the Governor of Crescent City's very own top assassin. The two must work against the clock to find out what is going on but in the process they unravel a fifteen thousand year old secret that many had assumed was lost forever. Their bond deepens and blossoms into friendship, helping each other heal from their own tragic pasts but their passion can't be denied.

This is Sarah J Maas' first adult book and it dives in covering a range of themes, from grief, loss and suicidal thoughts to sexism, discrimination and body image. It focuses strongly on the bonds of friendship and loyalty, with Bryce and Danika's story played out with just as much emphasis and importance as Bryce and Hunt's. The character development, especially in the last 200 pages and particularly with Bryce, is immense and the world building is fantastic, albeit a bit heavy in the beginning but, like any good fantasy or detective story, as long as you're paying attention none of it will go over your head. The side characters are as alluring at those in other SJM series and I find myself hoping their stories will be expanded on in coming books. I really want to see more of Ruhn but also Aidas, Queen Hypaxia, Tharion, Jesiba, Ithan, Flynn and Declan.

Bryce, as a main character, has now become my favourite leading lady. She is smart and sassy, caring, loyal to a tee and she is as fierce as they come - you definitely want her in your corner. Not to mention she's drop dead gorgeous and curvaceous with stunning long red hair (check out the fanart). I love how she is not afraid to be herself, in all he glory. She curses and speaks her mind. But there's a strong vulnerability there although she does allow those close to her to see.

Hunt is a breath of fresh air in the respect that he's a non-toxic male. He's the poster-boy for soft (but still sexy as Hel). He's there for her when she needs it. And he has easily joined the ranks of my favourite SJM winged males. I am well aware of the pattern that her other books follow but I'm hoping that this time things will be different. When reading it I felt a lot of similarities with the behaviour between another certain revered couple from the ACOTAR series and I hope, with all hope, he's endgame! (I'll admit to having over 50 tags from the book, where the wording is similar to the 'mate' descriptions used in the other two series, in my desperate attempt to decode some of the foreshadowing for book 2)

Be prepared to go through the motions with this book. You will laugh, you will cry and you will freeze with shock, curse at the book and be half afraid to read on. But you will love it! You will love it so much that, like me, you'll have already started a countdown to November 2021, anticipating book 2.

Pros:
Immense character development
Fantastic world building
Extremely well written
Lovable and interesting characters - main and side
A strong and relatable female lead
A non-toxic male love interest
Relatable (despite being in a fantasy world)

Cons:
World building can be a bit heavy, especially at the start
More action needed between Bryce and Hunt

Noteworthy quotes:
'Light it up!'
'I see you, Quinlan. And I like all of it'
'Through love, all is possible'
'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 away from it'
'That's the point of it, Bryce. Of life. To live, to love, knowing that it might all vanish tomorrow. It makes everything that more precious'
'He'd been waiting for her form the moment he'd been born'
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars This books is EPIC... You need to read it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2020
This book in one word... Epic! And I wholeheartedly mean that! Read it and then tell everyone you know, and their Granny, to read it too! It's just that good!

Crescent City is a murder mystery with an urban fantasy twist. Honestly, from page 1 this played out in my head as a top class, big city, detective drama with mythological creatures - compareable to those you'd watch on HBO. It's literally shock-after-shock twists (page 599 anyone?) but, particularly in the last 200 pages, it has a way of going from 0-100 in seconds! It plays with your emotions, in pure Sarah J Maas fashion - one minute you're crying, hysterically I might add, body wrecking sobs and all (those photos and that phone call), and the next minute you're laughing at something that's been said or done. And Gods, the slow-burn romance! I love and hate it in equal measures. It's amazingly written and I adored seeing their story develop but I wanted more action, especially as this is an adult book and ACOTAR had more, even in the first book. I'm assuming SJM has this up her sleeve for book 2 and she's purposefully left us hot and bothered, longing for more.

We see our main character, Bryce Quinlan, as the ultimate party girl, enjoying life to the full, before it is ripped from her by the brutal murders of her closest friends. Over the span of two years she coasts along, a ghost of her former self, while she battles on a daily basis to cope with her grief and come to terms with her devestating loss. But soon up pop similar murders, despite the original suspect being behind bars. In order to solve the mystery Bryce is thrown together with dangerous fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, the Governor of Crescent City's very own top assassin. The two must work against the clock to find out what is going on but in the process they unravel a fifteen thousand year old secret that many had assumed was lost forever. Their bond deepens and blossoms into friendship, helping each other heal from their own tragic pasts but their passion can't be denied.

This is Sarah J Maas' first adult book and it dives in covering a range of themes, from grief, loss and suicidal thoughts to sexism, discrimination and body image. It focuses strongly on the bonds of friendship and loyalty, with Bryce and Danika's story played out with just as much emphasis and importance as Bryce and Hunt's. The character development, especially in the last 200 pages and particularly with Bryce, is immense and the world building is fantastic, albeit a bit heavy in the beginning but, like any good fantasy or detective story, as long as you're paying attention none of it will go over your head. The side characters are as alluring at those in other SJM series and I find myself hoping their stories will be expanded on in coming books. I really want to see more of Ruhn but also Aidas, Queen Hypaxia, Tharion, Jesiba, Ithan, Flynn and Declan.

Bryce, as a main character, has now become my favourite leading lady. She is smart and sassy, caring, loyal to a tee and she is as fierce as they come - you definitely want her in your corner. Not to mention she's drop dead gorgeous and curvaceous with stunning long red hair (check out the fanart). I love how she is not afraid to be herself, in all he glory. She curses and speaks her mind. But there's a strong vulnerability there although she does allow those close to her to see.

Hunt is a breath of fresh air in the respect that he's a non-toxic male. He's the poster-boy for soft (but still sexy as Hel). He's there for her when she needs it. And he has easily joined the ranks of my favourite SJM winged males. I am well aware of the pattern that her other books follow but I'm hoping that this time things will be different. When reading it I felt a lot of similarities with the behaviour between another certain revered couple from the ACOTAR series and I hope, with all hope, he's endgame! (I'll admit to having over 50 tags from the book, where the wording is similar to the 'mate' descriptions used in the other two series, in my desperate attempt to decode some of the foreshadowing for book 2)

Be prepared to go through the motions with this book. You will laugh, you will cry and you will freeze with shock, curse at the book and be half afraid to read on. But you will love it! You will love it so much that, like me, you'll have already started a countdown to November 2021, anticipating book 2.

Pros:
Immense character development
Fantastic world building
Extremely well written
Lovable and interesting characters - main and side
A strong and relatable female lead
A non-toxic male love interest
Relatable (despite being in a fantasy world)

Cons:
World building can be a bit heavy, especially at the start
More action needed between Bryce and Hunt

Noteworthy quotes:
'Light it up!'
'I see you, Quinlan. And I like all of it'
'Through love, all is possible'
'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 away from it'
'That's the point of it, Bryce. Of life. To live, to love, knowing that it might all vanish tomorrow. It makes everything that more precious'
'He'd been waiting for her form the moment he'd been born'
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 April 2023
This book was an easy 5/5 and it is a book that I have thought plenty about despite finishing it last summer. SJM does an excellent job of creating the fantasy world that the Crescent City series is based in. The atmosphere and setting she creates for the various different parts of the city really produce vivid images in my mind of each of these locations e.g. Moonwood, Meat Market, Bone Quarter etc.

I enjoyed seeing how Bryce's character developed from a carefree young girl into one of the most significant characters in Midgard. The character building was also great for various other characters such as Fury, Hunt and the Viper Queen. I thought SJM did a great job at portraying some of the more sinister characters in the book like the demon princes, The Autumn King and members of the Asteri. With these types of characters, their aura of power, invincibility, class and arrogance really came through well when reading their dialogue.

The book was full of unexpected plot twists that kept me hooked to the storyline and these twists included unexpected characters being involved but also shocking secrets being exposed and graphic consequences at times too. The ending was shocking and suspense grew more and more towards the end of the book as it reached the ending. The scene where all the different houses show up one by one militarily for the major event towards the end was written amazingly and was my favourite scene. It was detailed, not rushed and oozed class.

Top reviews from other countries

Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilloso
Reviewed in Mexico on 11 February 2024
Es una edición muy hermosa, llegó en excelentes condiciones! Recomendado
o0gab0o
5.0 out of 5 stars I’m speechless
Reviewed in Canada on 22 January 2024
First, I want to disclaim that I Dnf’d that book back when it came out (was it really in 2020?!). I picked it up again last week thinking that I couldn’t very well call myself a true Maas’ fan if I didn’t finish it. And oh wow what I ride. I honestly don’t understand why I didn’t finish it before. The world building was so great. I legit cried at 2 different moments. Could not put it down once I hit the 4th part. Sarah, you’ve done it again! What a masterpiece! Please never stop writing. And now, I’ll go start the second and hope to finish it before CC3 comes out.
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Lovisa
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book from Maas
Reviewed in Sweden on 25 June 2024
Could not for my life put it down. Never cried and laughed to a book that much before.
Michaela
5.0 out of 5 stars Love love love
Reviewed in Belgium on 20 April 2024
I highly recommend all the books from this series
Ren
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a thrilling read!
Reviewed in the Netherlands on 3 April 2024
I loved this book! It was full of twists and turns and the twists really took me by surprise! I enjoyed the romance, I enjoyed the story it was so good! Yes, the first 100 pages are a bit confusing but it's because the author just throws you into the story without giving you the details, but get through that and you are in for an addictive, captivating read!