What to Read After House of Earth and Blood

House of Earth and Blood is the first book in Sarah J. Maas's Crescent City series — urban fantasy with a modern setting, a slow-burn romance, and a mystery-thriller plot structure unusual for Maas. If you finished it and want more, these recommendations lean into its specific strengths: found family, emotional gut-punches, spicy romance, and intricate world-building that pays off across multiple books. See the complete Crescent City reading order for what comes next in the series. Already finished ACOTAR? See those recommendations too.

1. 1

   House of Sky and Breath

   by Sarah J. Maas

   The direct sequel — Bryce and Hunt's story continues with higher stakes and deeper Maasverse connections. The crossover events that fans of both ACOTAR and Throne of Glass have been waiting for begin here. Read this next, no question.

   Urban Fantasy

   Slow Burn

   Found Family

   Maasverse

   🔥🔥🔥 Heat: Very Steamy

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2. 2

   A Court of Thorns and Roses

   by Sarah J. Maas

   If you haven't read ACOTAR yet, start here. It shares Maas's signature slow-burn romance and emotional intensity in a fae world rather than an urban fantasy setting. The world-building rewards the same patient attention Crescent City demands.

   Fae Courts

   Slow Burn

   Enemies to Lovers

   Romantasy

   🔥🔥 Heat: Steamy

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3. 3

   From Blood and Ash

   by Jennifer L. Armentrout

   The most frequently recommended companion read for Crescent City fans. Similar heat level, emotionally devastating romance, and a heroine with hidden powers she doesn't fully understand. Armentrout's pacing mirrors Maas's — long build, enormous payoff.

   Forbidden Romance

   Hidden Powers

   Enemies to Lovers

   Slow Burn

   🔥🔥🔥 Heat: Very Steamy

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4. 4

   Fourth Wing

   by Rebecca Yarros

   Dragon riders, enemies-to-lovers, and a romance that escalates fast. Shares Crescent City's blend of action, intricate world-building, and heat. If you came to Maas for the spice and stayed for the lore, Fourth Wing delivers both in equal measure. See our best spicy romantasy list for more like this.

   Dragons

   Enemies to Lovers

   War College

   Found Family

   🔥🔥🔥 Heat: Very Steamy

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5. 5

   The Kiss Curse

   by Erin Sterling

   Urban fantasy romance with a modern small-town setting. Lighter tone than Crescent City but scratches the same itch for magic woven into everyday life. A witch and a warlock navigate small-town politics alongside genuine magical danger.

   Urban Fantasy

   Witches

   Small Town

   Enemies to Lovers

   🔥 Heat: Warm

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6. 6

   Kingdom of the Wicked

   by Kerri Maniscalco

   Murder mystery set in early 1900s Sicily with demons and dark mythology. Shares the mystery-thriller structure and slow-burn tension of Crescent City book 1 — a heroine investigating a supernatural crime alongside a dangerously compelling immortal partner.

   Murder Mystery

   Dark Mythology

   Slow Burn

   Historical Setting

   🔥 Heat: Warm

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7. 7

   Daughter of No Worlds

   by Carissa Broadbent

   Epic fantasy romance with a heroine navigating a world that doesn't want her. Broadbent is frequently cited by Maas fans as the author who captures the same emotional devastation — the combination of intricate world-building, found family, and romance that genuinely costs something.

   Epic Fantasy

   Found Family

   Enemies to Lovers

   Hidden Powers

   🔥🔥 Heat: Steamy

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8. 8

   The Bridge Kingdom

   by Danielle L. Jensen

   Political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and a morally grey love interest. Slower burn than Crescent City but deeply satisfying for readers who love the spy-and-secrets tension. A heroine sent to destroy a kingdom who finds herself invested in saving it.

   Spy Romance

   Enemies to Lovers

   Political Intrigue

   Morally Grey Hero

   🔥🔥 Heat: Steamy

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