crescent city review
I just finished Sarah J. Maas's first Crescent City book, House of Earth and Blood, and WHAT THE HELS. This glorious behemoth of a book was a journey. Urban fantasy, world-building, noir, mystery, family drama, love, espionage, action, ANIMALS...the list is as endless as my newfound love for messenger otters in tiny reflective vests. Some spoilers below, so go look up Crescent City otters if you haven't read yet. AND READ THE BOOK.
So, I am a huge SJM fan. And her first foray into adult fantasy blew me away. This book was long, and yet, I tore through it, sobbing, laughing, cheering and when it was over I only wanted more (even though the ending was so good!). It's more daunting than Luna's horn to try and condense my thoughts about this book to a few tidbits, but FOR SYRINX, I will try.
The world-building was quite literally out of this world...and also not? Because of the modern, urban setting. The fact that they use technology and phones along with magic. This was my first urban fantasy read, and I could not have loved the world building more. SJM dives in right away, and NEVER STOPS. She just keeps building. The world gets bigger and richer and grittier and more vibrant with every page. And I loved all of it.
The major characters are amazing. The minor characters are amazing. Bryce, Hunt, Ruhn, FYLNN, Lehabah, SYRINX, Jesiba, Declan, Tharion...can't stop. Every character was well thought out and lovable and maddening and frustrating and intriguing. They truly shone off the page like Bryce's unfiltered starlight. I can't wait to spend more time with them in book two.
Obviously, there's a given in fantasy where there's a big good versus evil overarching plot. I won't say how good this was here (REALLY REALLY REALLY good), but how often do you get a noir type mystery within the confines of that plot too? Well, we got it! Detective Hunt and Quinlan, the mystery of the synth, Luna's Horn and what happened to Danika. Playing detective was such an unexpected delight, and I was actually super surprised when the mystery unraveled.
I could literally talk about this for hours and will (sorry, Kevin!). I'll end it there with my awe at SJM and what she created. Every word, every page, every moment of this book was an absolute joy. And I'm feeling so inspired to take some of this new love and light to Luna's story.
Through love, all is possible.
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