House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, 3)

The stunning third book in the sexy, action-packed #1 bestselling Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas, author of the Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series.

Bryce Quinlan never expected to see a world other than Midgard, but now that she has, all she wants is to get back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she's going to need all her wits about her to get home again. And that's no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.

Hunt Athalar has found himself in some deep holes in his life, but this one might be the deepest of all. After a few brief months with everything he ever wanted, he's in the Asteri's dungeons again, stripped of his freedom and without a clue as to Bryce's fate. He's desperate to help her, but until he can escape the Asteri's leash, his hands are quite literally tied.

In this sexy, breathtaking third book, Sarah J. Maas's #1 bestselling Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt's world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.

Other books in this series include:
House of Earth and Blood
House of Sky and Breath

Sarah Janet Maas (born March 5, 1986) is a #1 New York Times bestselling American author who has fundamentally shaped the modern "romantasy" genre. Born and raised in Manhattan, Maas spent her childhood exploring museums and reading global fairy tales, though she often felt frustrated by the lack of fierce, compelling heroines in fantasy literature. Drawing inspiration from strong pop-culture figures like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sailor Moon, she began writing the stories she wanted to read.

At sixteen, Maas started drafting a dark twist on the Cinderella fairy tale—imagining her not as a servant, but as a deadly assassin. She serialized the story, originally titled Queen of Glass, on the writing platform FictionPress, where it quickly became one of the site's most popular works. She continued developing her craft at Hamilton College, graduating magna cum laude in 2008 with a degree in creative writing and religious studies.

Her debut novel, retitled Throne of Glass, was published by Bloomsbury in 2012 and became a massive international hit, ultimately spanning an eight-book epic series. In 2015, Maas launched her second major series, A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR). Initially a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the series transitioned her work into the "new adult" and adult fantasy spaces. The ACOTAR series became a viral sensation, largely driven by massive popularity on TikTok. In 2020, she introduced her third ongoing adult urban fantasy series, Crescent City.

With over 75 million copies sold worldwide and translations in nearly 40 languages, Maas stands as one of the most successful contemporary authors. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, whom she met in college, and their two children.

“The mystery element presents a stunning twist, and the emotional depth of Bryce's relationships with both Hunt and Danika is incredibly moving. Fans will eagerly await the next installment.” ―Booklist, starred review (House of Earth and Blood)

“A dizzying, suspenseful whirl that surprises at every turn.” ―Entertainment Weekly (House of Earth and Blood)

“A richly imagined tale spiced with snarky humor and smoldering romance.” ―Publishers Weekly (House of Earth and Blood)

“With a twist that will leave readers breathless (if those steamy love scenes don't), House of Sky and Breath is a sequel that continues to be an action-packed, page-turning urban fantasy romance which readers will devour.” ―Booklist, starred review, on House of Sky and Breath

“A master class in world-building adventure. Don't miss it.” ―#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris (on House of Earth and Blood)

The story picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of the previous book, with Bryce Quinlan finding herself stranded in a completely different universe—Prythian, the setting of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Captured by the Night Court’s Inner Circle, Bryce desperately tries to bridge the language and trust gap with Azriel and Nesta to find a way back to her mate, Hunt Athalar. During her time exploring ancient, subterranean caverns in Prythian, she uncovers massive historical revelations. Bryce learns that the tyrannical Asteri who rule her home world of Midgard are actually the Daglan, ancient parasitic overlords who were driven out of Prythian millennia ago. With the help of the magical dread trove—specifically the Mask—and after acquiring the dagger Truth-Teller to pair with her Starsword, Bryce secures the immense power needed to return home, leaving behind temporary but vital alliances.

Meanwhile, back in Midgard, the situation is incredibly grim for Hunt, Bryce's half-brother Ruhn Danaan, and their friend Baxian. They are held captive in the Asteri's brutal dungeons, enduring horrific physical and psychological torture. Their primary tormentor is Lidia Cervos, known as the Hind, but Ruhn secretly knows she is "Daybright," a Rebel sympathizer and his anonymous lover. Lidia walks a razor-thin line, brutally punishing them in front of the Asteri to maintain her cover while secretly plotting their escape. Her backstory is revealed, showcasing her deep motivations to protect her hidden children and take down the Asteri from the inside. Eventually, Lidia engineers a daring, bloody escape for the prisoners, solidifying her place as a crucial ally and cementing her deeply complicated romance with Ruhn.

Bryce makes a dramatic return to Midgard, reuniting with a traumatized but resolute Hunt. The reunion is fraught with tension as they grapple with the horrors they've endured apart and the overwhelming odds still facing them. However, they quickly mobilize the rebellion. The crew focuses on synthesizing and distributing a cure for the parasite that the Asteri introduced into Midgard's water supply millennia ago—a parasite designed to dilute the magical power of the Vanir and keep them docile. Re-establishing connections with various factions, including the sprites, witches, and even reluctant lords, Bryce steps fully into her role as the Starborn Princess, functioning not just as a figurehead, but as a revolutionary leader.

While the main plot barrels toward war, their friends face their own chaotic journeys. Ithan Holstrom, the wolf shifter, struggles with guilt and a lack of purpose. He makes several impulsive, disastrous decisions while trying to overthrow the corrupt leadership of the wolves, eventually leading to a tragic confrontation that forces him to grow up and accept the mantle of Prime himself. Tharion Ketos, the mer-captain who defected to the Viper Queen, finds himself sinking deeper into her debt and a series of terrible bargains. His desperate attempts to free himself involve a rushed marriage and dragging others into his mess, highlighting the messy, flawed nature of the rebellion's heroes, even as they all ultimately converge for the final battle.

The climax of the novel centers on an all-out assault against the Asteri's stronghold, the Eternal City. Bryce, armed with the immense, terrifying power of the Mask, raises armies of the undead to fight the Asteri's elite forces. The battle is massive and desperate, with casualties mounting on all sides. The narrative weaves through multiple perspectives as Hunt, Ruhn, Lidia, and the others fight crucial battles in the skies and the streets. The Asteri, desperate to maintain control and reopen a portal to conquer Prythian once again, unleash their full, terrifying celestial power, bringing Midgard to the brink of total annihilation.

To defeat the Asteri once and for all, Bryce realizes she must make the ultimate sacrifice. Using the combined power of the Starsword and Truth-Teller, she essentially creates a localized black hole to suck the Asteri into the void of space, obliterating them completely. The immense physical exertion and the hostile environment of space kill her. However, the ancient and enigmatic sorceress Jesiba Roga—revealing her long-hidden loyalties, her true identity, and the depth of her care for Bryce—steps in. Jesiba trades her own life and centuries of accumulated power to the Under King to resurrect Bryce.

The story concludes with the dawn of a new era for Midgard. The Asteri are dead, the parasitic control is broken, and the old, oppressive hierarchies are dismantled. Instead of taking a crown to rule as a queen, Bryce advocates for a democratic council to govern the various species and territories fairly. Ruhn and Lidia begin a life together, starting the long process of healing from their traumas alongside Lidia's children. As the dust finally settles, Bryce and Hunt, having saved their world and survived unimaginable horrors, look forward to a quiet, peaceful life together, with the world of Midgard stepping tentatively into a free and unwritten future.