Crescent City **SPOILERS**

 

 Hello again! I apologize for not being on much lately. Life got in the way. Again. I know, I know, I need a new excuse. I've been reading several books at once because I ordered several that were promising and I almost forgot I had a book blog...whoops.

CC is definitely a book that will stick with me for a long time. It was so well written (I also just love SJM's work) and the world building in this book was *chef's kiss*. At first reading this, I was a bit hesitant. I saw a lot of mixed reviews because the beginning is pretty slow (not gonna lie, it was), and most people didn't seem to enjoy it, or though it immature. The ones who thought this marvelous book immature are crazies! Seriously. For the age range and being slightly more adultish than YA, the writing and the language were perfect. But, let's dive in a bit, shall we?

The main character is Bryce for most of the story. She is half human and half fae, daughter of the autumn king--though it's not known by everyone. When I met Bryce, I instantly loved her; the temper, the attitude, the loyalty... I definitely related to Bryce in CC a lot more than some of the other characters SJM has created (though I'm still in love with her books no matter what!). Even being in a sort of fantasy world and a fantasy creature, so to speak, Bryce's emotions and her very being are so relatable. Especially when she loses Danika, her best friend. Going through the stages of grief, Bryce proves that nobody is invincible to the wild emotions of grief, love, and friendship. And on the flip side, Danika shows that no matter what happens or where she is, their friendship will always be valuable. Both very different, yet so similar. The depth of their love is like no other.

When Hunt finally comes into the picture, I was pretty damn excited to meet him after all I heard. And boy, was I not disappointed. Sexy, tall, dark, handsome, and yummy, Hunt is an angel (I can't quite recall if he's fallen... I'm sure he is... might be time for a reread), and also called the Umbra Mortis because of his ability to control lightning and since he's basically the governor's assassin. Assigned to help Bryce figure out how an ancient artifact (called the Horn) had gone missing, Danika's death and connection to it, and to basically be her bodyguard...well, the tension between the two just kills me! The little bit of steam and spice in this book was SO NOT ENOUGH!! But beyond the obvious love interest... Hunt proves he is more than a fuck buddy, more than a bodyguard; getting his wings cut off after confronting the wolves that were tormenting Bryce... that was a whole different level. And then when Bryce helps him shower and take care of him after a particularly hard night of playing assassin... their relationship runs deeper than most realize with this book. Hunt and Bryce have a deeper understanding of one another, both suffering the loss of a loved one and then suffering the consequences that come with it. They see each other inside and out, knowing how much the other is hurting on the inside, despite the facade they show the rest of the world. Both can be vulnerable and just enjoy each other's company.... they would do anything for one another.

Now, let's talk about Ruhn. Supposedly Bryce's full blooded fae "cousin", he is the heir to the Autumn King's throne and the only son. With it being hush hush, he and Bryce are actually siblings. Ruhn was a complex character. On one hand, he shows one face to his father. On the other, he has a totally different approach with Bryce. He may come off as an unlikable ass sometimes, but I love his character. After a falling out with Bryce as kids, he still tries so hard to make things right, fighting for a good relationship with her despite the odds. The excursions Bryce goes on either by herself or Hunt, Ruhn is in the loop or there with them, helping Bryce piece together the puzzle that is her friend's murder. 

Overall, I was SO impressed with the depth of this book. The fact that the romance wasn't the center of this book, but the concept of loyalty and friendship were was amazing. You don't see a friendship like that in a lot of books, and SJM really captures what it's like to grieve over the loss of someone unexpectedly. My only complaint is MORE STEAM AND SCENES WITH HUNT AND BRYCE. There wasn't enough and I'm pretty sure the tension is KILLING ME! Anyways. Another point I missed was the amount of time and effot SJM put into ALL her characters; big, small, minor, major... each character had their own personality, their own complexity. Like Lehabah, the little fire pixie who basically dies in the end to save Bryce's life...the amount of sacrifice the characters make and go through...Ugh. I cannot hype this book up enough. There's SO MUCH. I am well aware I'm missing some key characters, but like I said, there's just so many different characters and personalities it's hard to touch on all of them. Plus, I can't give everything away... just enough details since I hope whoever reads this post has gotten through CC... but anyway. 

I don't have a lot of complaints about this book. Was it slow and a bit hard to keep my attention? Yes. Did I push through because I had high hopes? Also yes. If you decided to DNF it or anything, please please please give it another chance!! It's worth it. I promise.

 

Playlist:

Fallen Angel by Three Days Grace

Poetic Tragedy by The Used

Awake and Alive by Skillet

The World We Made by Ruelle

Boom by iBenji

My Fight by From Ashes to New

Don't Lose Your Heart by Dream on, Dreamer

From Now On by the Greatest Showman

Rewrite the Stars by the Greatest Showman

This is Me by the Greatest Showman

Wake Up by Julie and the Phantoms

I Am the Fire by Halestorm

The Red by Chevelle

Unstoppable by Sia

Monster by Michael Jackson ft. 50 Cent

Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi

Walked Through Hell by Anson Seabra

Bloodshed by Upchurch

Not Strong Enough by Apocalyptica ft. Brent Smith

Apocalypse by Nati Dredd

Confessional by Janet Devlin

Looks Red, Tastes Blue by Mayday Parade

Wine, Beer, Whiskey by Little Big Town

So Cold by Ben Cocks

Space Bound by Eminem

Snap Backs and Tattoos by Driicky Graham

What's Up Danger by Blackway ft. Black Cavier

Oath by Cher Lloyd ft. Becky G

Monster by Boondox

They Don't Care About Us by Michael Jackson

Popular Monster by Falling in Reverse

VICES by Mothica

I'm Not Okay by Crypt

I Will Not Say Goodbye by Danny Gokey

MONSTERS by Shinedown

 I See Red by Everybody Loves an Outlaw

Cookie by R. Kelly

Bruises by Lewis Capaldi

Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi

All That I've Got by The Used

Try by Colbie Caillat 

Psycho by Puddle of Mudd

Sunrise by Our Last Night

The Foundation by Overtime

Carousel by Overtime

Runnin by Adam Lambert

Broken by Jonah Kagen 

Addicted by Saving Abel

Fuck Away the Pain by Divide the Day

Sit Awhile by the Band Steele

Tough Ones by Cooper Alan