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Crescent City [Dramatized Adaptation] #1, Part 1
House of Earth and Blood (Part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]
Sarah J. Maas's CRESCENT CITY series begins with House of Earth and Blood: the story of half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and searing romance.
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She'll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose-to assassinate his boss's enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he's offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.
As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City's underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion-one that could set them both free, if they'd only let it.
With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new dramatized audiobook 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.
Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life-working hard all day and partying all night-until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She'll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.
Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose-to assassinate his boss's enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he's offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.
As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City's underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion-one that could set them both free, if they'd only let it.
With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new dramatized audiobook 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.
Audible Audio
Published February 14, 2024
About the author
Sarah J. Maas
114 books567k followersSarah J. Maas is the #1 bestselling author of the Throne of Glass, Court of Thorns and Roses, and Crescent City series. Her books have sold millions of copies and are published in thirty-eight languages. She lives in New York City with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 455 reviews
September 26, 2024
Honestly, it was much easier to understand the worldbuilding of the Crescent City series because it includes full cast of actors, narration, sound effect and cinematic music. GraphicAudio delivered just as I expected! 😉👌🌙✨
If you plan to read the book but find it intimidating, try listening to the GraphicAudio's House of Earth and Blood! I have definitely enjoyed it a lot, and am currently in part two!
For full review of House of Earth and Blood, you can read my review here.
If you plan to read the book but find it intimidating, try listening to the GraphicAudio's House of Earth and Blood! I have definitely enjoyed it a lot, and am currently in part two!
For full review of House of Earth and Blood, you can read my review here.
March 10, 2024
How many different versions of the same book can I read/listen to in one year 😂
July 24, 2025
I had a rocky start with this series. It took picking this up twice for me to finish it. The first time it didn't go so well because I was under the impression (which turned out to be very, very wrong and it was solely on me) that this was ACOTAR 2.0. In the sense that it would be a paranormal romance, which (for me) means that the major focus of the story would be the romance. When that wasn't the case (this reads more like an urban fantasy - story driven, romance comes second to the plot), it soured the book for me. Again, totally my fault for assuming. I'm also a mood reader, so when the book I picked up turned out to not be what my brain decided it wanted to read, I had to jump ship or throw myself into a slump (which I wasn't about to do for a book).
The second time I picked this one up I knew what I was walking into. I made it a point to not read the synopsis or any reviews because I wanted to go in blind. People online have made a big deal of SJM series all being interconnected and whatnot so I didn't want to unknowingly read spoilers.
All that being said, I really liked this one! Honestly, it's lowkey better than ACOTAR. The chemistry and witty banter/sass between Bryce and Hunt was so fun to read. I liked that Bryce puts on this stereotypical airheaded personality for people to underestimate her. It pays to play the ditz when you're trying to solve a crime. I appreciated how Hunt also made that assumption and was later on confronted with how capable and smart she was, and had to check his ego and apologize. One thing that made me grit my teeth with this story was how every guy on the face of the planet wanted to get in Bryce's pants. Look, I get it, she's pretty. We don't need to portray that as every guy within a ten-mile radius wants her and won't accept no for an answer. When it gets to that point, it's just plain weird and it happened with every guy she spoke to throughout this series.
Ever been angry with an author for killing off a character that had like 5 minutes of screen time but ends up haunting the rest of the story?
The Graphic Audio Narration:
I have yet to find a Graphic Audio narration that I don't like. They outdo themselves with every release! What made this book even better? That it was produced by Graphic Audio. I probably would have never picked this book up if it weren't for Graphic Audio. I think all audiobooks should get the Graphic Audio treatment.
The second time I picked this one up I knew what I was walking into. I made it a point to not read the synopsis or any reviews because I wanted to go in blind. People online have made a big deal of SJM series all being interconnected and whatnot so I didn't want to unknowingly read spoilers.
All that being said, I really liked this one! Honestly, it's lowkey better than ACOTAR. The chemistry and witty banter/sass between Bryce and Hunt was so fun to read. I liked that Bryce puts on this stereotypical airheaded personality for people to underestimate her. It pays to play the ditz when you're trying to solve a crime. I appreciated how Hunt also made that assumption and was later on confronted with how capable and smart she was, and had to check his ego and apologize. One thing that made me grit my teeth with this story was how every guy on the face of the planet wanted to get in Bryce's pants. Look, I get it, she's pretty. We don't need to portray that as every guy within a ten-mile radius wants her and won't accept no for an answer. When it gets to that point, it's just plain weird and it happened with every guy she spoke to throughout this series.
Ever been angry with an author for killing off a character that had like 5 minutes of screen time but ends up haunting the rest of the story?
The Graphic Audio Narration:
I have yet to find a Graphic Audio narration that I don't like. They outdo themselves with every release! What made this book even better? That it was produced by Graphic Audio. I probably would have never picked this book up if it weren't for Graphic Audio. I think all audiobooks should get the Graphic Audio treatment.
June 5, 2025
So I just can’t get enough of this series, as soon as I finished the book I started listening to the graphic audio 🙈😍
September 8, 2025
4.5☆ Review:
What a start. I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying the mix of a modern setting with supernatural creatures.
I love the banter between Bryce and everyone else.
I can’t wait to listen to part two.
What a start. I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying the mix of a modern setting with supernatural creatures.
I love the banter between Bryce and everyone else.
I can’t wait to listen to part two.
April 8, 2024
I just couldn’t get used to the voice they gave Bryce, I don’t know why but it just didn’t fit with the voice I had in mind. Same with a bunch of other voices..
April 5, 2026
Amazing production! Perfect for a reread. The audio is so well-donе
and I love catching all the little Easter eggs for the other series. It's just a bit weird hearing Tamlin's voice for Declan 🤭
and I love catching all the little Easter eggs for the other series. It's just a bit weird hearing Tamlin's voice for Declan 🤭
August 13, 2024
This first part was way easier to follow than the first time I read it because I honestly had no idea what was happening then 🙏
April 6, 2024
I have already read the book and I love it, but omg, the graphicaudio was amazing. I felt like I was in the story and was able to picture everything so clearly. Even the world building, which is difficult in the book while reading, was so much easier to understand this way. I can’t wait until part 2 comes out. ❤️
March 22, 2025
I’M SO EXCITED!!!!
December 10, 2024
10/10!!!!!!!
December 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I’m gonna go ahead and just give it a four star because I don’t think I would reread it but I found it pretty easy to follow which I was nervous about because of other reviews saying it was really complicated to catch on to all the different species and names and everything but yeah, really excited to read this series.
June 7, 2024
Rating: 4★
DISCLAIMER: This was a reread for me! I had read CC already but really wanted to listened to the dramatized adaptation of the audiobook.
Similarly to other dramatized adaptations, I didn't LOVE all of the audiobook readers. Hunt lowkey sounded like Ron Swanson and Ruhn's voice didn't quite fit (and they're probably the two characters I would care most about). Again, at times it's too dramatic and I can't hear anything! For example, they will put "tv shows" or "pop music (with lyrics)" playing in the background and for someone who struggles with attention, I could not focus on what the characters were saying when there were other words being spoken or sung. ALSO! I listen to audiobooks in the car and this audiobook had a lot of car honking noises or sirens that FREAKED ME OUT while I was driving. At times, there was music when there didn't need to be which just felt too cheesy or cliche. Other times, there were overly gore-y sound effects during more violent scenes... GROSS. But again, it was still fun. I know that's the whole point of the dramatized adaption so it's still 4 stars!
DISCLAIMER: This was a reread for me! I had read CC already but really wanted to listened to the dramatized adaptation of the audiobook.
Similarly to other dramatized adaptations, I didn't LOVE all of the audiobook readers. Hunt lowkey sounded like Ron Swanson and Ruhn's voice didn't quite fit (and they're probably the two characters I would care most about). Again, at times it's too dramatic and I can't hear anything! For example, they will put "tv shows" or "pop music (with lyrics)" playing in the background and for someone who struggles with attention, I could not focus on what the characters were saying when there were other words being spoken or sung. ALSO! I listen to audiobooks in the car and this audiobook had a lot of car honking noises or sirens that FREAKED ME OUT while I was driving. At times, there was music when there didn't need to be which just felt too cheesy or cliche. Other times, there were overly gore-y sound effects during more violent scenes... GROSS. But again, it was still fun. I know that's the whole point of the dramatized adaption so it's still 4 stars!
March 25, 2026
Really hope Bryce gets cooler bc right now her character is WAY too shallow for me to get behind!!!!! Def so many names and politics but truly I’m just bopping along with the plot and assuming if the character is important SJM will say the name and title again bc god damn does she repeat herself.
On to part 2!
On to part 2!
September 30, 2024
The slowest built up ever but I enjoyed the world building. I have to listen while having the CC WIKI handy.
October 13, 2024
This audio destroyed me!😭😭😭
When I read this book it took foreverrrrrr for me to get into it! Like 400 pages!… the last like 200-300 were absolutely insane and made me appreciate all of the build up. So listening to it I was hooked instantly and loved every second of it!
When I read this book it took foreverrrrrr for me to get into it! Like 400 pages!… the last like 200-300 were absolutely insane and made me appreciate all of the build up. So listening to it I was hooked instantly and loved every second of it!
April 28, 2025
This was such a fun re-read! The graphic audio was awesome. Excited and ready for the emotional damage to hit me again in part 2.
September 16, 2025
Re reading for triviaaaaa!!!
I love graphic audio so much! It’s such a fun way to re read books.
I love graphic audio so much! It’s such a fun way to re read books.
July 26, 2025
I can see why ppl hate this series.
(The narrators were so bad but the obsessive freak in me needs to see this atrocity to its end.)
(The narrators were so bad but the obsessive freak in me needs to see this atrocity to its end.)
June 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️ out of 5
(One star for not including the most annoying character of all time, Celaena Sardothien. The second? That’s for Bryce, who—against all odds—is actually likable.)
⸻
Sarah J. Maas opens this book with tragedy, bloodshed, and the promise of a supernatural crime thriller. And then… simply forgets to write one.
⸻
The Premise: An Urban Fantasy Procedural. Kind Of.
Bryce Quinlan is a half-fae party girl who suddenly becomes the central figure in an active investigation because… she happened to know the victim and was in the building once. Despite zero training, no badge, and no real interest in investigating anything beyond cocktail menus, the authorities hand her a demon case and say, essentially, “Good luck, babe.”
Strangely, she’s not terrible at it. Also not particularly good. Mostly she stares at old files, scowls at people, and makes a few intuitive leaps that everyone else in the city seems contractually obligated not to make. It’s less investigation and more mild poking around.
She’s grieving, prickly, smart, and capable—but doesn’t constantly tell us that she is. A rarity in a Maas heroine.
So that, I like.
⸻
Hunt Athalar: Emotionally Flat with a Side of Sports Fan
Hunt is introduced with immense dramatic weight. He’s the Umbra Mortis. The Shadow of Death. He’s killed over two thousand people (or destined to, responsible for, I dunno). And yet somehow… no personality has survived the carnage.
You expect menace, intensity, psychological complexity. What you get is a man who broods in corners, watches televised sports, and occasionally grumbles about injustice. He’s less “living weapon” and more “mildly intimidating personal trainer.” At one point, Bryce is literally more frightening than him.
There’s no internal conflict. No remorse. No rage. No charisma. Just muscles and trauma, served cold. He exists to glower, hover behind Bryce, and occasionally explain rules about angel bureaucracy that no one asked for. Somehow, this is not the worst part of the book.
⸻
The Pacing: All Flash, No Pulse
The opening scene—violent, shocking, tragic—is hands down the most dramatic part of the entire book. And then… nothing. For hours. Literal hours. The book becomes a drawn-out series of errands, slow walks through city districts, endless magical taxonomy, and Bryce quietly dealing with grief while Hunt lurks around like a moody tour guide. It’s like if Law & Order stopped solving crimes after the first 10 minutes and just followed the detectives around while they filled out paperwork and had unresolved feelings.
⸻
The Worldbuilding: Dense Yet Hollow
There are Houses. There are demons. There’s angel government. There’s a magical drug trade. None of it feels urgent. It’s more like an overly complicated board game you have to play with strangers who all insist you’re doing it wrong but won’t actually explain the rules.
Final Thoughts
This book wants to be gritty, emotional, and mysterious. But after the early tragedy, there’s no momentum. No tension. Just grief, bureaucracy, and Bryce trying to find answers in a system that doesn’t even seem to care there’s a killer on the loose.
And yet—Bryce works. She’s smart, emotional without being unhinged, and carries what little weight the story has. But she deserves a better plot. And a more compelling sidekick than a war criminal with a protein shake.
⸻
Verdict: Two stars.
One for escaping Celaena.
One for Bryce, who’s stuck inside a mystery that forgot to be interesting.
(One star for not including the most annoying character of all time, Celaena Sardothien. The second? That’s for Bryce, who—against all odds—is actually likable.)
⸻
Sarah J. Maas opens this book with tragedy, bloodshed, and the promise of a supernatural crime thriller. And then… simply forgets to write one.
⸻
The Premise: An Urban Fantasy Procedural. Kind Of.
Bryce Quinlan is a half-fae party girl who suddenly becomes the central figure in an active investigation because… she happened to know the victim and was in the building once. Despite zero training, no badge, and no real interest in investigating anything beyond cocktail menus, the authorities hand her a demon case and say, essentially, “Good luck, babe.”
Strangely, she’s not terrible at it. Also not particularly good. Mostly she stares at old files, scowls at people, and makes a few intuitive leaps that everyone else in the city seems contractually obligated not to make. It’s less investigation and more mild poking around.
She’s grieving, prickly, smart, and capable—but doesn’t constantly tell us that she is. A rarity in a Maas heroine.
So that, I like.
⸻
Hunt Athalar: Emotionally Flat with a Side of Sports Fan
Hunt is introduced with immense dramatic weight. He’s the Umbra Mortis. The Shadow of Death. He’s killed over two thousand people (or destined to, responsible for, I dunno). And yet somehow… no personality has survived the carnage.
You expect menace, intensity, psychological complexity. What you get is a man who broods in corners, watches televised sports, and occasionally grumbles about injustice. He’s less “living weapon” and more “mildly intimidating personal trainer.” At one point, Bryce is literally more frightening than him.
There’s no internal conflict. No remorse. No rage. No charisma. Just muscles and trauma, served cold. He exists to glower, hover behind Bryce, and occasionally explain rules about angel bureaucracy that no one asked for. Somehow, this is not the worst part of the book.
⸻
The Pacing: All Flash, No Pulse
The opening scene—violent, shocking, tragic—is hands down the most dramatic part of the entire book. And then… nothing. For hours. Literal hours. The book becomes a drawn-out series of errands, slow walks through city districts, endless magical taxonomy, and Bryce quietly dealing with grief while Hunt lurks around like a moody tour guide. It’s like if Law & Order stopped solving crimes after the first 10 minutes and just followed the detectives around while they filled out paperwork and had unresolved feelings.
⸻
The Worldbuilding: Dense Yet Hollow
There are Houses. There are demons. There’s angel government. There’s a magical drug trade. None of it feels urgent. It’s more like an overly complicated board game you have to play with strangers who all insist you’re doing it wrong but won’t actually explain the rules.
Final Thoughts
This book wants to be gritty, emotional, and mysterious. But after the early tragedy, there’s no momentum. No tension. Just grief, bureaucracy, and Bryce trying to find answers in a system that doesn’t even seem to care there’s a killer on the loose.
And yet—Bryce works. She’s smart, emotional without being unhinged, and carries what little weight the story has. But she deserves a better plot. And a more compelling sidekick than a war criminal with a protein shake.
⸻
Verdict: Two stars.
One for escaping Celaena.
One for Bryce, who’s stuck inside a mystery that forgot to be interesting.
March 1, 2024
So I love this book soooo much!!
The graphic audio was good, I loved the background sounds. I do enjoy a graphic audio.
Although I will say I love the standard audio better. Elizabeth Evans is so talented and I kept feeling like something was wrong because it wasn’t her narration.
I wasn’t 100% on hunts voice either felt like maybe he should of done a swap with isaiah.
But it’s still such a great story!
The graphic audio was good, I loved the background sounds. I do enjoy a graphic audio.
Although I will say I love the standard audio better. Elizabeth Evans is so talented and I kept feeling like something was wrong because it wasn’t her narration.
I wasn’t 100% on hunts voice either felt like maybe he should of done a swap with isaiah.
But it’s still such a great story!
April 27, 2025
find my full review in part 2 :)
February 24, 2025
I feel the same about the first half of this book as I did the first ACOTAR. There is NO REASON for the excessive world building oh my goodness. But, let’s hunt this demon LOL
February 8, 2026
Just patiently waiting for something to happen basically
January 4, 2025
Перша частина першої книги з нової серії Сари Дж. Маас, в озвучці від GraphicAudio. Озвучка ця є скоріше радіоспектаклем, ніж прямою начиткою тексту, що мені подобається в рамках погано написаного роментезі.
Ця книга поки що йде мені краще, ніж Двір шипів та троянд, бо будь-що може бути краще за це, і краще за Трон зі скла, бо головна героїня не найкрутіша асасинка, яка має нуль асасинячих навичок.
Нажаль, перші 50% книги складаються виключно з довжелезних інфодампів. Таке враження, що авторка дуже близько до серця взяла всю критику щодо попередніх своїх серій, тож цього разу вирішила написати твір, де буде WORLDBUILDING. Але замість того, щоб всі свої напрацювання по WORLDBUILDINGу винести в окремий файлик в себе на компі й просто почати писати книжку з, власне, сюжетом, потихенечку вплітаючи туди неймовірний свій WORLDBUILDING, вона, пишаючись проробленим, вставила все що придумала прямо в перший том. Наскільки я помітила, редактори з цією авторкою не працюють з принципу, або ж видавці вважають Маас настільки геніальною, що готові надрукувати будь-що без будь-яких правок, тож читати це доволі складно. Поки що все, що я отримала, це нудні описи іерархій цього всесвіту, облаштування міста, історії планети, перелічення всіх персонажів та їхніх регалій, тощо.
Чекаю на початок сюжету.
Ця книга поки що йде мені краще, ніж Двір шипів та троянд, бо будь-що може бути краще за це, і краще за Трон зі скла, бо головна героїня не найкрутіша асасинка, яка має нуль асасинячих навичок.
Нажаль, перші 50% книги складаються виключно з довжелезних інфодампів. Таке враження, що авторка дуже близько до серця взяла всю критику щодо попередніх своїх серій, тож цього разу вирішила написати твір, де буде WORLDBUILDING. Але замість того, щоб всі свої напрацювання по WORLDBUILDINGу винести в окремий файлик в себе на компі й просто почати писати книжку з, власне, сюжетом, потихенечку вплітаючи туди неймовірний свій WORLDBUILDING, вона, пишаючись проробленим, вставила все що придумала прямо в перший том. Наскільки я помітила, редактори з цією авторкою не працюють з принципу, або ж видавці вважають Маас настільки геніальною, що готові надрукувати будь-що без будь-яких правок, тож читати це доволі складно. Поки що все, що я отримала, це нудні описи іерархій цього всесвіту, облаштування міста, історії планети, перелічення всіх персонажів та їхніх регалій, тощо.
Чекаю на початок сюжету.
September 22, 2024
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love love love this series, and I love it even more as a Graphic Audio!
The casting for this is spot on. 100% perfect!
Bryce ✔✔
Hunt ✔✔✔
Ruhn ✔✔✔✔
I'm a firm believer in making these novels into an animated series. and just use the GA's because they are perfection. ( both CC and ACOTAR - I have high hopes for TOG )
I love love love this series, and I love it even more as a Graphic Audio!
The casting for this is spot on. 100% perfect!
Bryce ✔✔
Hunt ✔✔✔
Ruhn ✔✔✔✔
I'm a firm believer in making these novels into an animated series. and just use the GA's because they are perfection. ( both CC and ACOTAR - I have high hopes for TOG )
October 15, 2025
I’m so happy to be re listening to this. I can’t wait to put it all together again since I know the outcome and that Bryce has the horn in her back. I forgot how much a huge asshole Hunt is in this one but when he flirts and calls her sweetheart eeeee 🥵 I love Bryce so much she’s one of my fave FMC’s ever. I’m so not ready for the emotional devastation in the next part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2024
Never realized how much narrating is in this book. It was a decent listen and just got to the good part. Can't wait for the next one to come out!
April 27, 2024
As always the full cast was so fun. I wish this had been available when I first read the book. Would have made following along and grasping everything so much easier!
June 7, 2024
Controversial but Crescent City is my favorite series SJM has written
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