House of Earth and BloodHouse of Earth and Blood
Score Modern
What it's about
Bryce Quinlan, half human and half Fae, works by day at an antiquities shop and parties by night in Crescent City, a modern metropolis of angels, shifters, witches and mortals. Then a demon murders her closest friends. Two years later, when the killings start again, Bryce is ordered to help find the murderer, alongside Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel enslaved to the archangels who rule the city. The search leads to secrets that could bring down their world.
Why it's worth reading
It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and launched the Crescent City series, one of the most popular in modern fantasy. It's a big, addictive mix of urban fantasy, mystery and romance.
You'll love it if you liked
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Throne of Glass
Fourth WingGood to know
It's nearly 800 pages, and the first part is slow. It's for adults, with explicit sex and violence.
By the numbers
- Readers98 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller84 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz22 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #7 of the 233 romances we rank
- #7 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #39 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #72 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Epic
More by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Throne of GlassIf you like this, read next
The Song of Achilles
Six of Crows
Outlander
The House in the Cerulean Sea
A Dog's Purpose
LegendbornExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is House of Earth and Blood worth reading?
Yes. It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and launched the Crescent City series, one of the most popular in modern fantasy. It ranks #72 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 87.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is House of Earth and Blood about?
Bryce Quinlan, half human and half Fae, works by day at an antiquities shop and parties by night in Crescent City, a modern metropolis of angels, shifters, witches and mortals. Then a demon murders her closest friends. Two years later, when the killings start again, Bryce is ordered to help find the murderer, alongside Hunt Athalar, a fallen angel enslaved to the archangels who rule the city. The search leads to secrets that could bring down their world.
How long does it take to read House of Earth and Blood?
About 20 hours (803 pages), or about 6 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has House of Earth and Blood won?
Goodreads Choice (romantasy) winner (2024, for House of Flame and Shadow); Goodreads Choice (fantasy) winner (2022, for House of Sky and Breath).
What should I read after House of Earth and Blood?
If you liked it, try A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas or Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

















