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Crescent City – House of Earth and Blood: Book Review

March 10, 2020

Crescent City: House of Earth & Blood is a new adult book series by Sarah J Maas, bestselling author of Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns & Roses. Below is my review.

Welcome to the world of Bryce: Lunathion, commonly known as Crescent City

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood is the first in a new book series, by Sarah J Maas aimed at more adult audiences than her previous ya fiction work. The book was published and released on March 3rd 2020 in the UK. I received it late on that evening and finished the book a few days later. Crescent City is just over 790 pages long, a chunky read, that took me on quite a journey. Crescent City is an adult book and it’s obvious from the first page. It contains strong, explicit language, violence, sexual content (albeit a really slow burn) and drug use. Crescent City is intended for mature readers that are comfortable with this content.

How I found out about Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood

Since discovering Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses Maas has become one of my autobuy authors. Maas is a pretty fast writer and has said herself that ACOTAR isn’t finished yet so there will probably be some back and fourth between the two worlds for a fair few years. I think Crescent City book 2 is a while away yet! I love her ability to world build and the fact that she gives her female leads some really great qualities. She doesn’t keep them pure and innocent. These women experience depression, grief, have sexual relationships, family angst and love to live. They’re not cushioned in these comfortable doting innocent lifestyles that are such a thing of the past for women. Maas adds diversity and makes these women seem realistic and interesting in a way i’ve not read much of before, especially in ya fiction. I was really pleased to see this continue in Crescent City too.

crescent city: house of blood and earth. the front cover of the book is displayed on a brown and copper coloured background.
crescent city: house of blood and earth by sarah j maas

Crescent City Book Review

House of Earth and Blood is the first in the new Crescent City series and focuses on Bryce Quinlan, a half fae/human woman working at an antiquities shop. She’s a party girl, and does all those rebellious things we do in our early twenties; experiment, stay out all night drinking and turning up to work on three hours sleep. One night after partying she comes home to find her closest friends have been murdered. That’s right, this book has some real murder mystery elements to it that I absolutely love! The story then flashes forward to two years later where Bryce is still caught up in the deaths and is given a chance to uncover what really happened that night.

This book took me on a spiral at that point. At first I struggled. I found it hard to empathise with Bryce’s lifestyle not being much of a drinker or party girl in my life. There’s a lot of swears from the begining which, whilst I don’t really care about, it sort of made me think is this just to differentiate between the books Maas has written before and to show it’s catering to older audiences or is it just emcompassing the lives of these characters. Either way, from part two with the jump to two yers later the book started picking up, still with the occassional swear but it felt more in context rather than swearing for the sake of it. I mean i’m not against profanity like a prude old lady, I swear, I guess i just felt it was a little over exagerated. This was my main critique of the book but thankfully I felt the rest of the content made up for the first part which had me edging on the uncomfortable side.

inside the cover of a house of blood and earth: crescent city by sarah j maas. this is a piece of artwork with a female looking face inside the cover. there are lots of things surrounding her that represent crescent city and it's secrets.
inside the cover artwork for crescent city: house of blood and earth by sarah j maas

From then on the book becomes part muder mystery and part relationship, tension building between Bryce and her companion for solving the murders, Hunt Athalar. Hunt’s character intrigued me a lot, a fallen angel kept as a slave after a two-century old rebellion that’s lived a life of torture and has become an assassin for the archangel of Crescent City. At first he really doesn’t have much time for Bryce but as the plot thickens, and the characters become closer you find out so much more about him which i loved.

The book has loads of great antagonists throughout and Bryce has plenty of reasons to not like them. Honestly, I really didn’t see what would happen until the very last point in this book as it kept me guessing. There are so many people to doubt and motives to question throughout. What actually happens in the last quarter of the book where everything is revealed and then some I just did not see coming. I really loved this and found this is a common theme with Maas’ books. After reading the first Throne of Glass book there is absolutely no way I could guess anything that was going to happen in Kingdom of Ash and the same for A Court of Thorns and Roses which lets face it took on a completely different turn in book 2 (my favourite of the original trilogy).

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood is a fast paced read with plenty of emotional chapters, a cross between some really interesting character perspectives and a good old fashioned crime thriller. The book is set in a really contemporary fantasy world which was so interesting to read about. There are species and creatures of every myth and legend which i found fasicnating. Syrinx has a special place in my heart and I’ve got it in my head that a chimera would make an excellent pet. There is also a lot of love for Lebahlah, a brilliant side character with a true fiery spirit.

This book does deal with some very grusome deaths, implies torture, social injustices with a hierarchy that really needs to be overthrown, drug and alcohol references, some tension filled sexy chapters and swears. It’s easy to read and the world building is excellent. I really can’t wait to get back into this world with Crescent City book 2 which I am eagerly waiting for but wouldn’t like to say my predictions. If it will be anything like the previous books then I’m not sure what to expect, but I do know I’m excited.

One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.

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Kayleigh

Kayleigh

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Kayleigh - Ultimate Book Witch, Mother of 2, Drinker of Gin, Lover of Travel and Video Games
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Do you ever start books and then just don’t fini Do you ever start books and then just don’t finish them...Not actively DNF’ing because you enjoy them but then something else comes along and before you know it the book is firmly back on the shelf and you haven’t picked it up for months? 

I have a lot like this from last summer where I got like ten chapters in then just hit a slump or fancied a change or switched formats...

Thorn is one such read for me. It was part of a book club read and I started off so well but then just...stopped. I’d love to finish it soon!

[Image Description: a stack of four paperbacks and an artificial cactus plant on a bedside table with a grey brick wallpaper background.]
Predictive Text Game “I’d love to visit the ki Predictive Text Game “I’d love to visit the kingdom of the ___” 
Mine - “I’d love to visit the kingdom of the Coven”

I don’t tend to eat snacks when I’m reading. I am however trying to have a snack mid afternoon as I am feeling my energy levels slump right down. Some mixed nuts and some water are my go to because they’re quick and easy. Sometimes I might even brew a fruity tea. Wild.

[Image Description - The fairyloot cover of Kingdom of the Wicked on a bedside table with a grey brick background. There is a small plate of mixed nuts and a mug next to the book.]
What is your ultimate comfort read? The world of What is your ultimate comfort read? 
The world of Caraval is absolutely that for me. I am just in awe of the magic in this book. 

If you haven’t read it yet it’s a trilogy by the wonderful @stephanie_garber that has such an interesting setting, a great sister relationship, magic, some enemies to lovers romance, the most amazing dress to ever not exist and is set in a game where the MC, Scarlett, goes on a dangerous quest but remember, it’s only a game.......

I remember the first time I listened to the audio and I was just drawn in completely. It was unlike anything I had read up to that point, I love Scarlett’s character so much and the game of Caraval was dark, deadly and so compelling. The series just gets better and better and I can not wait for Once Upon a Broken Heart later in the year.

 I love this collectors edition of Caraval, it’s such a cool
design. I have two hardback copies of this one, the ebook and the audio because I just can not get enough of this world.

[Image Description - The collectors edition of Caraval stood up on a table next to some artificial red sunflowers. In the background there is a blurred black sofa and a cushion that says ‘witch’]
Predictive Text Book Title - “A ___ So ___ and _ Predictive Text Book Title - “A ___ So ___ and ___
Mine is: “A Court So Called and Roses” - You can tell what I talk about *occasionally*
I got this one as a gift from Adam when it came out but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I devoured the first two books last year so I’m hoping the mood will strike soon so I can finish this series.
[Image Description - Holding up the book A Vow so Bold and Deadly over a blue floral bedspread background.]

#coverlove #bookbookowlhashtagmarch #bookchatwithkat #bonnypages #currentlyreading #bookwormsgatherhere #bibliomaniacsxo #avsbad #avowsoboldanddeadly #acsdal #acursesodarkandlonely #tbr #paperbacks #whattoread #bookster #bookwormsunite #paperback #paperbackbooks #bookholic #currentread #readeverywhere #bookphotos #bookphotograph #reading_time #booklion #bookish #bookishgurl #bookstagram
Did you have a favourite read last month? I think Did you have a favourite read last month? I think A Court of Silver Flames was mine. I have a review on the blog but it does contain spoilers so if you haven’t read it yet you may wish to avoid. If you have read it and want to talk about it then feel free to take a peak at my readalong review.

 The Nesta and Cassian candle is from the wonderful @emberstagcandles and I’m sure you will agree it’s just gorgeous! The scent is Orange Blossom, Neroli and Clove which is a lovely mix and perfect for this couple (I think!)
[Image Description - A Court of Silver Flames stood up on a bedside cabinet. To the right is a small artificial cactus and slightly in front of the book is a red candle named ‘Nesta and Cassian from Emberstag Candles]
1st March - I’m feeling really positive for Marc 1st March - I’m feeling really positive for March. I really want this to be a happy, productive and feel good month for everyone. I feel a little brighter than I did this time last week. 

How are you feeling about March, is there anything coming up that you’re looking forward to? For me, it’s the last week of homeschool for my eldest who is craving being back in school with her friends and having some semblance of routine back in place. I’m hoping I can get some work done, get some blogs organised and be a bit more consistent overall. 

Speaking of which there is another new chatty vlog up on YouTube. If you feel like chatting with me and talking about the books on my TBR this month then you can click on the link in my bio and I’ll see you over there... 

[Image Description - A stack of 5 books inbetween book ends on a black table cloth with a copper coloured moon and stars design. In the background is a black sofa and red wall. On the left hand side of the books is a tall vase of red flowers and on the right hand side of the book stack are two artificial red sunflowers]
Predictive text game I went through the magical Predictive text game 

I went through the magical maze and found ____

I went through the magical maze and found a lovely little backpack that was a little bookish 📚 

It’s been a draining day. We’ve done a big food shop, meal planned and decluttered one of the cupboards in the hall. Our old broken and bartered sofas are being collected tomorrow and new ones coming Saturday morning. I’m very excited.

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Just need my copy of A Court of Silver Flames to m Just need my copy of A Court of Silver Flames to make this stack complete. Do you have a lot of bookmarks? Where do you keep them? I keep mine in one of my hidden books. 

I love the @illumicrate character art bookmark sets 😍 

#illumicratejan2021 #bookstack #bookmarks #sjmaas #bookchatwithkat #bedsidebooks #stackofbooks #maasstack #acotar #acotarbookmarks

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