Crescent City follows the story of half-fae Bryce Quinlan as she tries to solve the murder of her closest friends. Bryce is partnered up with fallen angel Hunt Athalar, who is enslaved to the city’s Archangels governor after his failed rebellion. Together they discover secrets of the people closest to them and uncover dark dealings hidden in the populous city.
Publisher: Bloomsbury
ISBN: 1635574048
Pages: 816
Publication Date: 3 March 2020
RRP: $29.99 AUD
Personal Rating: 5/5
I absolutely adore Crescent City. One of the main focuses of the story is the love between friends and how that love is just as powerful — if not more potent than romantic love. The dynamic between Bryce and Danika and the unrequited love they held for each other is something that frequently seen in modern-day literature. Love in friendships is usually overshadowed by romantic love. Still, in Crescent City, the most powerful actions of love were done between friends. When Bryce loses her best friend, it eats her alive, to the point that she did not want to continue on living if her best friend was not in that life with her. Bryce’s biggest flaw is her loyalty, and yet it is what makes her such a fantastic character because she will literally die for her friend! (She reminded me a bit of Percy Jackson, who is my favourite character of all times). Sarah J. Mass focus on friendship, especially the different friendship love dynamics, is what made this novel better than everything she’s written. Bryce’s friendship with Juniper, Lele, Furry and Danika felt so real, and they all loved each other so much but have different ways of showing it.
I appreciated that the romance between Hunt and Bryce was a slowly budding romance, going from not being able to stand each other, to buddy cop, to friends, to partners to eventually lovers. It never felt rushed. Hunt was not suddenly over the loss of his previous lover the minute he met Bryce, it was gradual — the same way you open up to a stranger turned friend. Hunt tries to be this scary monster, but in reality, he is just a domestic cinnamon roll who needed someone to see him as a person and not a killing machine.
The mix of science, technology and magic blew my mind. Other books I read it is usually magic versus science. But in this novel, they worked in unison, for magic helps science and technology strive and science helped magic become more powerful. The world-building around the two elements felt as natural as breathing air.
I honestly have nothing negative to say about this novel. It has everything I love in a book: strong friendships, fast-paced plot, plot twists, dreamy guys and emotionally powerful woman who can be badass, love themselves and cry all in one. I loved everyone so much, and if Ruhn ever dies in the future, I will be so heartbroken.
Light it up!
My biggest concern is that SJM’s first love interest of the main character has never been end game….but I love Hunt so much, and he and Bryce are perfect for each other. LITERAL MIRRORS OF EACH OTHER.