*Updated as of March 2025*

In the start of a brand new ADULT fantasy series by one of my favorite authors, we are once again introduced to an astounding cast of characters in another richly detailed world created by one of the Queens of YA Fantasy. This book just released earlier in 2020, so of course I wanted to share my own personal fancast of this book that I’d devoured since I’d opened it’s pages.

Here’s the official blurb:

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love.

To see my review of book #1 – House of Earth and Blood – Click HERE

To see my review of book #2 – House of Sky and Breath – Click HERE

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Here is my official Fancast/Dreamcast:

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Danika Fendyr: Elle Evans

Elle is a model/actress that I came across during my search for some cute blondes; I guess she’s most notably from Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” music video.

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Jesiba Roga: Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood is an absolute show-stealer in HBO’s “Westworld,” and when I’d read Jesiba’s description in the book, Evan immediately came to mind, especially when I remembered her wearing this look to the Golden Globes in recent memory.

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Connor Holstrom: Stephen Amell

Stephen Amell has the perfect look for the second in command of Danika’s pack. For any of you DC/Marvel fans, Stephen has recently finished his most notable role from the CW’s “Arrow.” Despite how the book plays out, I really did wish Bryce and Connor could’ve had a chance.

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Ithan Holstrom: Robbie Amell

Ithan is Connor’s younger brother in this story, so why not get Stephen Amell’s cousin to play the role? I’ve been in love with Robbie ever since he played Max in Disney Channel’s Life With Derek, and he’s been in The Babysitter, The DUFF, and the CW’s The Flash.

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Thorne: Steve Lund

Danika also had a chance at happiness with Thorne, who was a quieter member of their pack. He didn’t say much, but Steve came to mind of who I’d thought he’d looked like. Steve has been in the shows Bitten, Schitts Creek, and even had a brief appearance in Blue Mountain State.

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Sabine Fendyr: Madchen Amick

I absolutely adore her as Alice Cooper in the CW’s hit show, Riverdale, and thought of her when I’d gotten to meet Danika’s absolutely despicable mother.

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Fury Axtar: Gemma Chan

Gemma has such striking features; she’s stuck with me ever since I’d seen her in Crazy Rich Asians. Looking at Sarah J. Maas’s Pinterest board for the book, I learned the mercenary/assassin was of Eastern Asian descent, so of course I’d think Gemma would be a great Fury!

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Juniper Andromeda: Lea Mitchell

She’s another WWE wrestling fancast, but seriously SOOOOO perfect to play Juniper!!! She goes under the ring-name “Kelani Jordan.”

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Isaiah Tiberian: Elliot Knight

He played Merlin in ABC’s Once Upon a Time, and also briefly appeared in How To Get Away with Murder. Feel free to check him out on social media and see his bromance with bestselling LGBTQ YA author, Adam Silvera too!

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Viktoria Vargos: Jenna Dewan

The former Mrs. Channing Tatum, who is an actress and dancer, has been around dance all her life and has been linked to several big names in the music industry before she starred in the 2006 dance flick, Step Up.

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Ruhn Danaan: Fabien Tietjen

Ruhn was by far was the hardest to find someone to cast…he’s got such unique look to him! Odds are whoever would plays him will be spending A LOT of time in make-up to get the look of the Fae Prince. Fabien is a German model, and he defs rocks the blue eyed tattooed look, and with a long wig, he’d look quite like Ruhn in my opinion!

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Naomi Borgeas: Tessa Thompson

Badass female character who’s a POC…it almost goes without saying that Tessa Thompson is made for that role!

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Justinian: Harry Lloyd

This one is still kind of up in the air for me to be honest…

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Lehabah: Lizzo

This is a match made in heaven…the famous music artist would make an amazing firesprite who’s all about the latest gossip and the hottest males who enter Bryce’s life. I just pictured this character being more curvy and similar to Lizzo’s figure.

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“The Autumn King” Einar Danaan: Viggo Mortensen

It’s hard to imagine Viggo playing such a prick of a character like the High Fae Autumn King, especially since he’s frickin’ Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings movies. I know he’s a terrific actor, and I’d want him to try this completely different role than the one I’m so used to seeing him as.

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The Viper Queen: Lourdes Faberes

I’d recently watched the mini-series Good Omens, and really enjoyed seeing her play one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, Pollution, and think she’d also crush the role of the sketchy drug dealer in Crescent City.

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Philip Briggs: Michael McElhatton

He played the slimy and deceptive Roose Bolton in Game of Thrones, so I’d think he’d play the human terrorist/rebel who has had unspeakable terrors happen to him behind bars.

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Micah Domitus: Casper Van Dien

I know him best from the Starship Troopers movies that were so bad that they were actually good, but he’s got such a commanding look; he’d be able to nail the powerful role of the governor who hardly takes “no” for an answer.

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Tristan Flynn: Hunter McVey

To be honest, I don’t remember much that was said about his appearance, but if Tristan is such a big flirt, he’s got to have the looks to back it up, right? Hunter, without a question, can step up to the plate.

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Declan Emmett: Finn Jones, or Nico Greetham

Another Game of Thrones alumni, Finn Jones went from playing a Tyrell to being Danny Rand on Iron Fist. Nico actually was in American Horror Story if he looks familiar!

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Sandriel: Evangeline Lilly

Evangeline is so beautiful, it’s intimidating…she can kick some serious ass as an elf in The Hobbit movies, and is also a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Ant-Man alongside Paul Rudd. I think the bombshell would have no problem playing the ruthless and powerful governess of the northern region of Pangera.

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Tharion Ketos: Austin Zenere, or Callum Kerr

Austin is a model, and Tharion is an extremely good looking mermaid…so it’s pretty much an easy set up there, right? I really hope we see more of Tharion and the other merpeople in the later books! Callum is a Scottish actor and model I’ve recently discovered who could definitely play the part!

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Ember Quinlan: Rose Byrne

Ember was the perfect combination of funny but protective whenever it came to her daughter, Byrce. I feel like Rose Byrne would be perfect to play her, I pretty much love every movie she’s in!

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Randall Quinlan: Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle is extremely versatile as an actor; he can be serious in movies like Hotel Rwanda and Crash, but can show his comedy skills when he joined the MCU. Randall is the kind of father that can joke around one moment, but can become hardass, military dad with excessive intimidation in his arsenal the next.

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Aidas: Neels Visser

Perhaps the most interesting character in the whole book, the 5th Demon Prince leaves quite an impression, and must be as striking as he is chilling. Neels is a model and actor who’s VERY easy on the eyes, so can he manage to cast the perfect amount of wickedness as his character? I’d like to watch to find out!

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Amelie Ravenscroft: Taylor Grado

Another WWE fancasting here, she’s a female wrestler that goes under the ring name “Jacy Jayne” and totally matches the vibe of how I pictured Amelie in these books!

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Pollux Antonius: Alan Ritchson

This guy somehow makes Henry Cavill look puny….and he played the iconic Thad Castle! Now he’s Jack Reacher, and someone who I can totally picture as Sandriel’s commander of the triarii, the Malleus, and master of torture.

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Queen Hypaxia Enador: Shay Mitchell

Shay Mitchell is a favorite of mine ever since I’d first laid eyes on her in the hit TV show, Pretty Little Liars. She then completely switched up her character to play Peaches Salinger in the (now) Netflix show You. She has such a unique look, I’m a big fan, and I’d love to have her be a part of this casting!

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Sofie Renast: Daniella Pineda

You may recognize her from the very early episodes of The Originals!

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Lidia Cervos “The Hind”: Sydney Zmrzel

The Hind is described as being one of the most beautiful women in this world, and Sydney came to mind as I am an avid WWE wrestling fan, and she portrays “Maxxine Dupri” on my screen on a weekly basis!

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Prince Cormac Donnall: Austin Butler

Austin Butler has quickly become a household name in the last few years with the impressive list of movies he’s been a part of! It’s so weird to think that he started off as a Disney Channel one episode add on for shows in the mid 2000’s

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Archangel Governess Celestina: Sanaa Lathan, or Gabrielle Union

I could honestly see either of these actress’s play the new governess of Lunathion after the demise of the previous one! Celestina was an interesting character because even though she was kind and fair, I still couldn’t figure out if I could trust her…leave it to SJM to make me question an actually nice person of a character!

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Baxian Argos “The Hellhound”: Keith Carlos

Yet another character who ends up being way more than their first impression fortells! I ended up really liking Baxian and am curious to see what else he does in the series! Keith Carlos is a former NFL wide receiver and now male model who was actually the first male winner of America’s Next Top Model!

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Mordoc: Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren is a famous actor who was in quite a bit of action movies in the 80’s, but even was in The Expendables with a notable list of other action movie stars from different generations! He’s also been in Creed II, Rocky IV, and I believe he would be an excellent choice for this terrifying character in book 2!

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“The Harpy”: Riley Keough

For some reason I pictured the granddaughter of Elvis Presley playing this minor character who’s temper is about a sharp as an actual harpy eagle’s talons!

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Archangel Ephraim: Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac is who I imagined this character being, the Star Wars actor has this presence and authority vibe that I picked up from this character!

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Asteri “Bright Hand,” Rigelus: Timothée Chalamet

The Bright Hand (and unofficial leader) of the Asteri is described as being a lanky teenager with a chilling smile….Timothée instantly came to mind. It’s hard to think of anyone who doesn’t know this young actor’s name or face by now, his star power has certainly risen to astronomical heights with him starring in Dune–what may have been the most anticipated film I can remember in a long time!

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Marc Rosarian: Jeremy Pope

Here’s who I picture as Declan’s boyfriend! He’s a gay actor/model/singer who I think would be perfect for the part!

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Apollion: Joel Kinnaman

Joel is a Swedish-American actor whom most people may recognize from the DC Suicide Squad movies and Altered Carbon on Netflix!

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Thanatos: Bill Skarsgård

I feel like I hardly need to describe who Bill is, but he is easily the Hottie of Horror lately with Nosferatu and IT, and Thanatos gives me vibes that he’s the creepy brother of the Princes of Hel, so this may be a match made in heaven, okay yes pun intended.

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Pippa Spestos: Lauren Cohan

Honestly Lauren is easily a go-to fancast choice for me ever since The Vampire Diaries…I make no apologies for this.

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Ariadne: Simone Ashley, or Melissa Barrera

Both actors would absolutely nail this fiery role in my opinion! Simone is the iconic Kate from Bridgerton on Netflix, and Melissa most notably from the two newest Scream movies before allegedly(?) being fired for her views on the Israel/Palestine War.

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Captain Sendes: Ayo Edibri

There’s not much description of Captain Sendes except for her dark skin, and I feel like Ayo, with her comedic chops, would breathe some more life into this minor character!

The Under King: Willem Dafoe

I feel like Willem would make the creepy Under King even more fabulously creepy with his facial expressions and just have so much fun with this character!

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Vesperus: Mikey Madison

I was first introduced to her in the 5th Scream movie of all things, but then in 2025 she become the awards season darling it seemed like! She would crush this roll for sure! This character was super interesting when she showed up in Flame and Shadow!

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Sathia Flynn: Addison Rae

Addison looks exactly like how I pictured Tristan’s sister looking, hopefully her acting improved from that He’s All That movie she did on Netflix though…

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River Queen: Kerry Washington

I’ve known about Kerry Washington for some time, but I recently watched her WW2 movie, The Six Triple Eight, on Netflix and loved it! I’ve been meaning to watch Scandal for the longest time too.

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River Queen’s Daughter: Halle Bailey

Yes, my brain instantly went to this because of the live-action Little Mermaid that she absolutely crushed! And yes, it’s a completely different character than Ariel….and?

Sigril Fendyr: Camila Morrone

This wild card character sure shook things up for the wolves in the third book, and this actress definitely looks like how I imagined this character!

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Hunt Athalar: Colby Lopez, Antonio Moriconi, or Marino Katsouris

Colby Lopez is a WWE Superstar who goes by the name “Seth Rollins” when he get’s inside the ring, so besides the looks, he’d obviously be able to perform the more physically demanding stunts with playing the infamous fallen angel nicknamed the Umbra Mortis. Looking at Colby/Seth in 2025 with his….interesting fashion choices, I he doesn’t really give me Hunt Athalar vibes like he used to from like 2017-2019, so these models I found are great alternatives I think!

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Bryce Quinlan: Natalie Marie Nelson

Natalie is a gorgeous actress/reality tv star who is most well known for when she was in the WWE and E!’s reality show “Total Divas”, under the ring name “Eva Marie.” Her hair is no longer red, but look her up and see for yourself how amazing she’d look the part!

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:: More Characters to be added as the series goes on! ::

Thanks for Reading!

— Nick Goodsell