15 Insanely thrilling books like Crescent city that you won’t be able to put down

Confession time - I am Sarah J Maas trash. If House of Sky and Breath also left you with a massive book hangover then this is the post for you. This post is all about books like Crescent City.

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.

Light it up! Crescent City is one of my top fantasy reads.  Once you get past the first few chapters  it's almost impossible to put down. With it's engaging characters, intriguing mystery and urban worldbuilding.

And if you’re anything like me, then  you also had some serious Sarah J Maas withdrawal once you finished Crescent City.  So, I've compiled the best books like Crescent City - perfect to cure a book hangover!

Spoiler alert - this post does contain spoilers for House of Sky and Breath. If you haven't read Crescent City 2 then read with caution.

Let's see the best books like Crescent City

What should I read if I liked Crescent City?

I browsed the r/suggestabook subreddit, Facebook groups and polled Instagram users to round up a list of the absolute best books like Crescent City   I've also read and loved each of the books recommended on this list! Here are the top books like Crescent City:

• Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
• A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
• The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
• Angel's blood by Nalini Singh
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• Darkfever by  Karen Marie Monig
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Keep reading for more in depth information on each book. Plus for each book I've included a rating, a summary, positives & negatives and similarities to Crescent City.

But if you want a quick summary scroll down to find a handy comparison chart ( includes content warnings for each book)

Best Books like Crescent City

1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

I couldn't start a post about books like Crescent City without recommend Sarah J Maas' other books.  If you enjoyed  the writing style in Crescent City then I highly recommend Throne of Glass. 

While it's aimed at a younger audience, there is a lot in common with Crescent City. And it becomes more grown up later in the series.

 It follows Celaena Sardothien who is imprisoned in a horrific prison called Endovier. She is an assassin. And one day she is summoned by the Prince to fight in a competition. The winner will become the king’s personal assassin.

Celaena is a sassy, badass main character. Perfect if you liked Bryce. It also  features an incredible slow burn, enemies to lovers romance later in the series.  If you're looking for a long fantasy book series to get into - then this is the book series  for you. (If you loved Throne of Glass check out The Cruel Prince, A Curse so Dark and Lonely or Lore) 

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

If you enjoyed Crescent City then you have  to  read The Court of Thorns and Roses series. The ending of Crescent City - House of Sky and Breath hinted at a potential crossover between the 2 books. It's also perfect if you enjoy Sarah J Maas' writing style.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It follows Feyre. She is really poor and lives with her father and two sisters. She has to hunt to care for the family.

One day she sees a deer and can’t resist killing it to sell. But it was actually a faerie she murdered. And the owner comes to kidnap her to live at the castle as punishment.

It is a bit slow. Sarah J Maas does dump a lot of information about the fantasy world on you. But stay with it – I promise you it gets so much better. The second book is definitely the best in the series where many of my favourite characters are introduced.

If you enjoyed the romance elements in Crescent City then you'll love this trilogy. It has one of the best enemies to lovers romances. If you liked the found family elements in Crescent City then you'll also love this book. The found family trope is executed particularly well (Check out this blog post for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses)

3. A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth

 If you’re a fan of Crescent City you definitely need to read a Dark and Hollow Star.  There are so many similarities. It's an urban fantasy with fae, queer main characters and an enticing mystery. It also has a seriously adorable wlw romance.

A series of gruesome murders threatens to expose the faerie world to humans.  Four queer teens – Nausicaä, Arlo, Vehan, and Aurelian – each hold a piece of the truth. And they must track down the mysterious killer.

There are not one but two romances in this book. And the characters are what make them so perfect. Arlo and Nausicaä have such amazing chemistry. Nausicaä is a grumpy, chaotic and sarcastic lesbian. Arlo and Nausicaä have a perfect grumpy/sunshine slow-burn vibe.

I listened to the audiobook version which you can find on audible. It features a full cast of narrators which made it really engrossing.

The voices of Vehan and Nausicaä are so spot on! And you can listen to it on Audible with a free trial.  It's a great audiobook to put on  if you're looking for some escapism while you're cleaning or relaxing before bedtime.

4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

If you liked the morally grey character, city setting and found family elements in Crescent City then you should read Six of Crows. It doesn't contain fae and it is more ya fantasy. But it has an excellent slow burn enemies to lovers romance, magic and a compelling mystery.

Six of Crows is like a fantasy version of Oceans Eleven. And there is so much to love about Six of Crows – magic found family and super sassy banter. The morally grey characters,  criminal mastermind and enemies to lovers romance remind me of Throne of Glass. 

It six teenagers living in Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, is one of the teens. He is offered a deadly heist for a huge payout.

But it’s an impossible heist. And Kaz will need all the help he can get to pull it off. So he assembles five other teens to help him.

People rave about this fantasy duology online and it's for a good reason. It features a fast paced plot, a diverse cast and hilarious banter.

5. The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni

This book is so underrated. I had zero expectations going into this but I absolutely loved this! And it deserves so much more hype!  Apart from an endorsement from Sarah J Maas, it also has a strong female main character, plot twists and the found family trope. 

The Prison Healer is set in a ruthless death prison called Zalindov. It follows Kiva who is a prisoner there. As Prison healer, she is charged with keeping the seriously ill Rebel Queen alive long enough to go through the Trial by Ordeal.

Trial by Ordeal is a series of challenges against the torments of air, fire  water and earth. It's assigned to only the most dangerous criminals.  But then a coded message arrives containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.”    But the trials will kill the sickly queen.

The setting of this book is so simple but executed perfectly. And it really lets the plot and character growth shine. The writing style reminds me of Sarah J Maas  and in particular Crescent City. It contains an intriguing mystery and excellent plot twists.

6. The Guild Hunter Series - Angel's Blood by Nalini Singh

If you enjoyed the relationship between Hunt Athalar and Bryce then you'll absolutely love this adult fantasy romance.  I originally picked this up because Sarah J Maas listed Nalini Singh as an author she enjoys. And  I was not disappointed! 

It follows Elena. She's a vampire hunter and she knows she's the best. But the Archangel Raphael hires her for a job. And it's clear failure is not an option - even if the task is impossible. 

There are so many similarities between Crescent City! It's a dark urban fantasy with angels and vampires. It features a romance between an angel and someone who is not quite human. It even references wings a lot! 

If you're looking for a fantasy romance book like Crescent City then you will absolutely love this book. It has a great romance but there is still a mystery and strong plot. The heroine is also a strong female main character reminscent of the heroines in Sarah J Maas' books.

For context I've included a video later on where Sarah J Maas fangirls over Nalini Singh and the Guildhunter series!  

7. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a recent read for me. I picked this up second hand after hearing positive reviews online. And I think fans of Crescent City will love this YA Fantasy book. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone follows Karou. She has 2 lives which she has always managed to keep balanced. On one hand, she's a seventeen year old art student living in Prague. On the other hand, she runs errands for a monster. 

But then black hand prints start appearing on doorways. Scorched there by winged creatures. And Karou must choose between the safety of her human life or war. 

If you're looking for books like Crescent City then this is a great choice. Particularly if you're looking for books with angels. This book features angels and an urban setting.  It also has slightly darker tone for a fantasy novel. 

8. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn is one of my top ya fantasy books to read! And it's perfect for Sarah J Maas fans. When I first picked this up, I stayed up until about 3am reading it! It features a hidden world of magic and secret societies. 

It's a fast paced ya fantasy book with an action packed plot and plenty of twists and turns. It has the competition element. And it also has an awesome main character who discusses losing a loved one.

Legendborn follows Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. So, she joins a residential program for gifted high school students.

But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. A flying demon feeding on human energy. A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.

You should read this if you love a strong female lead, morally grey characters or plot twists.  It also features great commentary on slavery and racism. Perfect if you're looking for books about hidden world with an urban fantasy vibe.

9. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

When researching recommendations for this blog post, DarkFever was easily one of the top recommendations on Reddit.

 And after reading this dark fantasy book I can see why. It's an urban fantasy featuring fae and vampires. It also has a morally grey dark haired male love interest and a sassy human protagonist. 

It follows Mackayla. She lives a relatively normal life until her sister is brutally murdered. She journeys to Ireland in search of answers. 

But Mac is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to master a power she had no idea she possessed.

I really enjoyed this and I completely understand why Crescent City fans would enjoy this. It has many similar tropes when compared to Crescent City - fae, strong female main character, morally grey. 

However, some of the characters did annoy me. Mackayla was portrayed as a barbie and Barrons is manipulative and abusive. 

The book was clearly published in the  noughties and I couldn't take the descriptions of Mackayla's 'expensive Juicy Couture bag' seriously.

10. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder is seriously one of the most unique retellings. It's a Cinderella retelling in a future dystopian society featuring an android It also mentions a deadly plague (sound familiar)

The main character Cinder is an android. She had an accident when she was younger. And she now has a cyborg hand and ankle. But the world she lives in shuns androids. 

She meets and falls in love with the Prince. But she can’t tell him that she’s an android. 

This one of the most enthralling ya fantasy books. It features so many intriguing elements: an enemies to lovers romance, androids, a deadly plague  and an evil queen. You'll want to keep reading to find out what happens.  

If you're looking for books like Crescent City then  you need to read this one.  Especially if you're a fan of retellings like A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Cruel Prince or a Curse so Dark and Lonely.

11. Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

One thing Sarah J Maas writes exceptionally well is a badass heroine. And if you're looking for more books with strong female main characters then you'll love this one. It's a fantasy with a cast full of strong women and the found family trope is executed perfectly.

It follows 16-year-old Deka. She lives in a village where all the girls undergo a blood ceremony. If their blood runs gold – they are impure.

Deka has lived in fear of this ceremony. And on the day – her blood runs gold. And Deka must face consequences worse than death.

But then a mysterious woman comes to her rescue. And offers her the chance to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her.

There is so much to love about this book. The found family trope works really well. There was so much diversity in the army of Alaki. The magic system was really intriguing and the world-building was excellent.

This book is not for everyone – it has a lot of violence. Please check the trigger warnings before reading

12. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King is an excellent choice if you're looking for books like Crescent City with fae. It's an incredible YA Fantasy book with fae, an enemies to lovers romance and a strong female lead. Fans of Holly Black should definitely read it.

The Iron King follows 16-year-old Meghan Chase. Her father disappeared mysteriously when she was six years old. And ever since, something has been off.

But things start to change drastically. On her birthday, her brother is kidnapped and replaced by a  faerie  changeling. And Meghan has to  venture into a mysterious place called Nevernever to rescue him.

I think The Iron King is a book that will divide readers. Some will really not like it. But personally, I really enjoyed this book. The setting is beautifully described. And Meghan is a great heroine. She’s not perfect but a very realistic 16-year-old.

This book takes many characters from classic literature and myths (such as a Midsommer Night’s Dream) and modernises it in this coming of age story. Some of the characters are retold in a YA context. If you’re a Shakespeare fan then you might not like this. But if you love YA Fantasy books with fae then you should definitely read this one.

13. Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne

I came across The Forbidden Forest when looking for books with elves. And I really loved the unique concept in this book. It has a lot in common with Crescent City - Urban Fantasy, mythical creates and shape shifters. The Elves are also described as similar to fae.

It follows Forest. She is born in shame as a half-Elf and half Shapeshifter hybrid. She has to work tirelessly to earn respect.

So she takes a job on earth guarding a portal. But she is asked to take on a mission to transport the vampire prince through enemy ground. And Forest has to conquer her prejudices to succeed.

There is a lot I loved about this book. I really enjoyed the elves in a more urban setting. And the idea that vampires can take control of someone they bite was really intriguing.

It’s not perfect. It definitely falls into the trap of ‘telling not showing’ at times. Also, it would probably work better as a new adult novel rather than young adult. But it was still a really enjoyable read. And I absolutely loved Forest. 

14. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Oh Ember in the Ashes is such an incredible ya fantasy book. And guess who was an emotional mess while reading this? ME!  Any excuse to recommend this incredible book and I'll take it. 

It's a ya fantasy series with world building inspired by Ancient Rome. It also features a strong female heroine, an adventure plot and a dystopian society.

It also has one of the BEST slow burn enemies to lovers romances. Perfect if you're looking for books like Crescent City.

An Ember in the Ashes opens with Laia. She has found an illegal sketchbook belonging to her brother.  The empire comes and takes away her brother. So she must locate the resistance and go on a perilous mission to save him.

The book opens with a punch and it’s fast-paced throughout. The opening makes you really emotionally invested. Laia goes to extraordinary lengths and becomes a slave in order to save her brother. There is so much at stake that it leaves you on the edge of your seat.

15. Malice  by Heather Walter

Let me tell you - Malice is one of the best books I have read this year. It was an instant 5 stars from me. If you're looking for books with fae  then you should absolutely pick up this duology. You will absolutely love the dystopian world building, morally grey main character and grumpy/sunshine romance. Plus Malice and it's sequel  Misrule includes some fantastic mythical creatures.

Malice is a Maleficent retelling. The book is set in a Kingdom called Briar. Once upon a time, a wicked fairy cursed a line of princesses to die. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse.

The book follows Alyce – the dark grace. She was left abandoned in Briar from a dark kingdom. The dark magic that runs in her veins abhors residents in Briar.

Except for Princess Aurora who accepts her. And she encourages Alyce to accept herself.

This book is almost a cross between Wicked and The Hunger Games. But with fae. The world building is darkly magical. And the residents of Briar reminded me of the residents of the Capitol. I LOVED the depiction of the Imps and goblins in Misrule. Plus both books reference fae.

This post was all about books like Crescent City

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