House of Earth and Blood is the first book in Sarah J. Maas's Crescent City series, a thrilling urban fantasy novel that follows the story of Bryce Quinlan, a half-human, half-fae party girl living in the bustling city of Crescent City. When her closest friends are brutally murdered, Bryce is pulled into a dark investigation, working alongside the enigmatic Fallen Angel, Hunt Athalar, to solve the crimes. As they dig deeper into the mysteries of the city's supernatural underbelly, Bryce and Hunt uncover dangerous secrets and face powerful adversaries, all while navigating their own complicated pasts and forming a deep connection. The author creates a tale of intrigue, romance, and the battle between good and evil in a richly imagined world filled with magical creatures and complex characters.
The most compelling aspect was the uniquely developed world and the mix of supernatural politics and mythology that the author creates. The complex characters, especially Bryce and Hunt, and their evolving relationships throughout the story also received praise. The book's blend of action, romance, and mystery kept me engaged, and the author’s writing style was also very important and provided more context. I read this book a couple of weeks ago and the one disappointment I had with it was how long it was. It took me a week just to finish it. The book was incredibly long and it would have been better if it was spread out into a series. I would recommended this book to those who enjoy urban fantasy with strong world-building, complex characters, and some romance and intrigue. If you appreciate a mix of supernatural elements, action-packed scenes, and character-driven storytelling, you should read this book. However, this book is very long, so it will take a while to finish it.