House of Earth and Blood

Bryce Quinlan, half-Fae, works at a gallery in Lunathion. Two years after her best friend Danika was killed with her whole pack, the murders start again. Bryce investigates with Hunt Athalar, an enslaved fallen angel who earns his freedom if he finds the killer. The trail runs through a stolen sacred relic and the drug synth. In the end, the killer is Governor Micah, and the relic was tattooed on Bryce's back by Danika. Lehabah sacrifices herself so Bryce can kill Micah. Demons invade the city; Bryce unleashes her power with help from Danika's spirit, heals the city and closes the portals. She learns she is the Fae king's daughter and a Starborn heir. The Asteri order them to stay quiet.

1. Behind the scenesHer first adult book

   Maas had only published YA fantasy before, with Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses. House of Earth and Blood, from 2020, was her first book released as adult fantasy.

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2. Behind the scenesA climax set to a film score

   Maas says the climax came to her while listening to "Shenzhou," Steven Price's track from the Gravity soundtrack, on a flight.

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3. Behind the scenesBest fantasy of 2020

   It won the 2020 Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy, voted by readers.

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4. ReferenceAn empire that never fell

   Midgard has phones, cars and nightclubs, but the model is a Roman Empire that never fell. Watch for the Latin names and the power structure.

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5. SetupRead the epilogue slowly

   The closing talk between Jesiba and Aidas touches on where Bryce's light comes from and on someone from Hunt's past. Those threads come back later.

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