What do you think?
Rate this book
Hallowed Games #1
Hallowed Games
If he’s death, I crave oblivion.
I'm cursed to kill with a brush of my fingertips. My worst fear is attracting the attention of the kingdom’s magic hunters. Maelor is their mysterious, gorgeous leader--and my world falls apart when he learns my secret.
When he arrests me, my only hope is to survive a deadly competition, to win the mercy of our god. Strangely, Maelor is immune to my touch. Turns out, that’s because he’s secretly a vampire—lethally sexy, and dangerous as hell.
He's as drawn to me as I am to him. Can this beautiful monster help me survive, or will our dark attraction lead me to ruin?
Hallowed Games is the first book in a new series of fantasy romance, morally-grey characters, and deadly trials: perfect A Court of Thorns and Roses and Serpent and the Wings of Night.
I'm cursed to kill with a brush of my fingertips. My worst fear is attracting the attention of the kingdom’s magic hunters. Maelor is their mysterious, gorgeous leader--and my world falls apart when he learns my secret.
When he arrests me, my only hope is to survive a deadly competition, to win the mercy of our god. Strangely, Maelor is immune to my touch. Turns out, that’s because he’s secretly a vampire—lethally sexy, and dangerous as hell.
He's as drawn to me as I am to him. Can this beautiful monster help me survive, or will our dark attraction lead me to ruin?
Hallowed Games is the first book in a new series of fantasy romance, morally-grey characters, and deadly trials: perfect A Court of Thorns and Roses and Serpent and the Wings of Night.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2023
2249 people are currently reading
20220 people want to read
About the author
C.N. Crawford
80 books8,762 followersTo get sneak peaks at the next book, sales, and news about releases, Sign up here.
To join C.N. Crawford's fan group and chat to the authors, Click here.
To stalk on instagram, Click here.
For a free standalone novel, Sign up here.
C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
CN Crawford’s books are perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, K.F. Breene, and Laura Thalassa.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
To join C.N. Crawford's fan group and chat to the authors, Click here.
To stalk on instagram, Click here.
For a free standalone novel, Sign up here.
C.N. Crawford are Wall Street Journal bestselling authors of romantasy books, including books with fae, demons, and magical academies.
We write fantasy romance, urban fantasy, and portal romance. Our books often include trials, banter, and enemies to lovers stories.
CN Crawford’s books are perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, K.F. Breene, and Laura Thalassa.
Note: We are actually two people--a former biologist (Nick) and a former school psychologist (Christine).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 702 reviews
Want to read
October 31, 2023If you want to read the first four chapters of Hallowed Games, click here!
https://www.cncrawford.com/#hgexcerpt
https://www.cncrawford.com/#hgexcerpt
Read
February 14, 2025It’s taken me 1.5 weeks to get 245 pages in and I really just can’t find the will to finish, so it’s a dnf
September 20, 2025
If you liked Empire of Flame and Thorns, then I have an inkling you'll like Hallowed Games as well.
They're kind of similar, but I think the romance here is better done (and we have vampires and witches instead of fae and dragons).
Elowen's powers reminded me of Rogue's from the X-Men, which endeared her to me, and her love for Leo did as well. Do I think she did absolutely EVERYTHING she could to protect him though? Debatable.
The trials are where this book falls apart a bit, because we're told what the point of them is, but nobody outside of the Order witnesses them so there's also...very little reason to hold them in the first place. Surely it would make more sense to just drop them somewhere and have them battle it out until one is left standing?
But I'm willing to overlook that in favour of everything else.
The pacing is perfect, but more on the fast side, the book is very easy to binge. I liked the teamwork aspect, though I wish the others had more of a chance to develop as characters.
Also, we needed more information about everyone who wasn't a part of the friend group, because I got the impression that more people survived, but Elowen never interacted with any of them (past the first trial), so maybe not?
And yeah the romance, so first I gotta mention that I imagined Sion as very old when he was introduced, and then I kept reading and was like "what do you mean he's supposed to be hot?". I'm still having trouble reshaping him in my mind. And since he's a potential contender, I gotta try hard.
Maelor meanwhile, I had no problems visualising. I like him as a love interest, but, as a love triangle aficionado, I also like that (not old) Sion will have a chance to woo Elowen in the second book.
WHICH REMINDS ME!
I'm really excited for the next book, hopefully it'll be just as good.
They're kind of similar, but I think the romance here is better done (and we have vampires and witches instead of fae and dragons).
Elowen's powers reminded me of Rogue's from the X-Men, which endeared her to me, and her love for Leo did as well. Do I think she did absolutely EVERYTHING she could to protect him though? Debatable.
The trials are where this book falls apart a bit, because we're told what the point of them is, but nobody outside of the Order witnesses them so there's also...very little reason to hold them in the first place. Surely it would make more sense to just drop them somewhere and have them battle it out until one is left standing?
But I'm willing to overlook that in favour of everything else.
The pacing is perfect, but more on the fast side, the book is very easy to binge. I liked the teamwork aspect, though I wish the others had more of a chance to develop as characters.
Also, we needed more information about everyone who wasn't a part of the friend group, because I got the impression that more people survived, but Elowen never interacted with any of them (past the first trial), so maybe not?
And yeah the romance, so first I gotta mention that I imagined Sion as very old when he was introduced, and then I kept reading and was like "what do you mean he's supposed to be hot?". I'm still having trouble reshaping him in my mind. And since he's a potential contender, I gotta try hard.
Maelor meanwhile, I had no problems visualising. I like him as a love interest, but, as a love triangle aficionado, I also like that (not old) Sion will have a chance to woo Elowen in the second book.
WHICH REMINDS ME!
I'm really excited for the next book, hopefully it'll be just as good.
December 27, 2023
Vampires and hunger games vibes!!!!
Another fabulous read from one of my very favorite writers of romantic fantasy!!! C.N. Crawford is a amazing writer who's characters and storylines are very entertaining and keep the story at a steady pace. Only Crawford would mix hunger games with vampires with wacked out cult leader themes and it worked perfectly. And a witch with the power to kill just by touch! Elowen has been touched by the serpent and has been cursed with the ability to cause instant death. For the last nine years she has been the top soldier in Baron's army and used to kill anyone he see's as a threat. Though she fears becoming totally evil and the serpent taking completely over she will do what he asks otherwise not only will he tell the order she's serpent marked but that Leo is too! He's just a little boy who lost his parents and she is his protector now. When the Baron's daughter outs her to the order because of jealousy Elowen along with several others are taken to participate in the trails where only one of them will survive! I love both Maelor and Sion both are intriguing but in different ways!!! I have to admit that Sion is my favorite!!! Sexy,arrogant and deadly as hell! He's a total prick but I like my men being that way!😂Maelor is a knight in shining armour just with fangs! And I'm sure most would pick him! But I'm one of those girls who says why choose!😉Id take them both!!! Of course the villain Pater is a creepy asshole with illustrations of grandeur thinking he is Archon's chosen and the fact that he can't die makes him all the more dangerous. Elowen's little band of warriors all have special powers and each is unique and very interesting but her relationship with Maelor and their chemistry is the story! Their steamy scenes and stolen moments are forbidden but both crave each other!! If you love fantasy romance with seductive vampires, check this one out! I can't wait for book two to come out!! For now Maelor is keeping his distance from Elowen because of his blood lust so it opens the door for Sion and he's starting his own army and with Elowen's dark powers he intends to bring down both Pater and army of luminaries down and he's not asking! He's telling her! Until next time Luv's💕💋
Another fabulous read from one of my very favorite writers of romantic fantasy!!! C.N. Crawford is a amazing writer who's characters and storylines are very entertaining and keep the story at a steady pace. Only Crawford would mix hunger games with vampires with wacked out cult leader themes and it worked perfectly. And a witch with the power to kill just by touch! Elowen has been touched by the serpent and has been cursed with the ability to cause instant death. For the last nine years she has been the top soldier in Baron's army and used to kill anyone he see's as a threat. Though she fears becoming totally evil and the serpent taking completely over she will do what he asks otherwise not only will he tell the order she's serpent marked but that Leo is too! He's just a little boy who lost his parents and she is his protector now. When the Baron's daughter outs her to the order because of jealousy Elowen along with several others are taken to participate in the trails where only one of them will survive! I love both Maelor and Sion both are intriguing but in different ways!!! I have to admit that Sion is my favorite!!! Sexy,arrogant and deadly as hell! He's a total prick but I like my men being that way!😂Maelor is a knight in shining armour just with fangs! And I'm sure most would pick him! But I'm one of those girls who says why choose!😉Id take them both!!! Of course the villain Pater is a creepy asshole with illustrations of grandeur thinking he is Archon's chosen and the fact that he can't die makes him all the more dangerous. Elowen's little band of warriors all have special powers and each is unique and very interesting but her relationship with Maelor and their chemistry is the story! Their steamy scenes and stolen moments are forbidden but both crave each other!! If you love fantasy romance with seductive vampires, check this one out! I can't wait for book two to come out!! For now Maelor is keeping his distance from Elowen because of his blood lust so it opens the door for Sion and he's starting his own army and with Elowen's dark powers he intends to bring down both Pater and army of luminaries down and he's not asking! He's telling her! Until next time Luv's💕💋
February 13, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Hallowed Games is the first book in a new series by the same name. I would call this a bit of a cross between Salem witch trials (if they were really witches) and the Hunger Games. The order is going through villages looking for those touched by the serpent with some kind of power. They are rounding up suspected Witches and those accused by their neighbors. Those captured are taken to the Orders headquarters to be put through trials. Around 100 enter but only 1 will survive and be saved.
Elowen's life changed forever the day she was touched by the serpent. Her curse/gift is to kill anyone who touches her. It ruined most of her life. The man she wanted to marry become untouchable to her and moved onto another. She is feared by her former friends and neighbors and used by the Baron to be an assassin. The only solace she has is in the orphaned boy she took in to raise after his parents were named Serpent touched. She would do anything to protect him. When the order came to her village looking for witches, she is captured but at least she can hide her young ward.
Maelor is the leader of the guard looking through the towns and gathering people for the games. He has been drawn to Elowen since he first saw her, he just doesn't know why. Determined to do what he can to make sure she makes it through these trials, he will give her as many clues as possible, no matter the cost to himself. Elowen can touch Maelor; he is immune to her power. She is so starved for touch she isn't sure if she is drawn to the man or just the fact he can touch her. She will use him and his infatuation if it means making it out of the games and back to her ward. How better to get all the information she wants than by possibly seducing him. She will just have to do that without becoming compromised herself.
What an interesting story with Vampires, Zealots and of course, real Witches. When your life is on the line all the moral lines get blurred and people do what they must to survive. I had a good time with the characters as they face the challenges. Elowen and her small alliance try to keep each other alive to the end to give everyone the best shot at being the one chosen to be redeemed. As they fight through challenges the story is teased out and there may be a resistance working against the Praetor and his religious zealots. If Elowen can find the resistance, maybe there is hope of more of them leaving the games alive.
This was a great introduction to the world and the peril. It set up all the characters well and gave us some temptingly hot scenes throughout the story. It was easy to root for Elowen, even when she was making some questionable choices. Very interested in seeing where the team of characters ends up and how they will conquer the Praetor and his followers. They will have to stop hiding and band their power together if they are ever going to stand a chance.
Narration:
Caitlin Davies and I go way back to when I first started listening to audiobooks. I loved her listening to her narration of Penryn and the End of Days . She has an extensive catalog and represents all the characters and the emotion of the story really well. I usually enjoy the stories narrated by her more than when I read the book myself. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Hallowed Games is the first book in a new series by the same name. I would call this a bit of a cross between Salem witch trials (if they were really witches) and the Hunger Games. The order is going through villages looking for those touched by the serpent with some kind of power. They are rounding up suspected Witches and those accused by their neighbors. Those captured are taken to the Orders headquarters to be put through trials. Around 100 enter but only 1 will survive and be saved.
Elowen's life changed forever the day she was touched by the serpent. Her curse/gift is to kill anyone who touches her. It ruined most of her life. The man she wanted to marry become untouchable to her and moved onto another. She is feared by her former friends and neighbors and used by the Baron to be an assassin. The only solace she has is in the orphaned boy she took in to raise after his parents were named Serpent touched. She would do anything to protect him. When the order came to her village looking for witches, she is captured but at least she can hide her young ward.
Maelor is the leader of the guard looking through the towns and gathering people for the games. He has been drawn to Elowen since he first saw her, he just doesn't know why. Determined to do what he can to make sure she makes it through these trials, he will give her as many clues as possible, no matter the cost to himself. Elowen can touch Maelor; he is immune to her power. She is so starved for touch she isn't sure if she is drawn to the man or just the fact he can touch her. She will use him and his infatuation if it means making it out of the games and back to her ward. How better to get all the information she wants than by possibly seducing him. She will just have to do that without becoming compromised herself.
What an interesting story with Vampires, Zealots and of course, real Witches. When your life is on the line all the moral lines get blurred and people do what they must to survive. I had a good time with the characters as they face the challenges. Elowen and her small alliance try to keep each other alive to the end to give everyone the best shot at being the one chosen to be redeemed. As they fight through challenges the story is teased out and there may be a resistance working against the Praetor and his religious zealots. If Elowen can find the resistance, maybe there is hope of more of them leaving the games alive.
This was a great introduction to the world and the peril. It set up all the characters well and gave us some temptingly hot scenes throughout the story. It was easy to root for Elowen, even when she was making some questionable choices. Very interested in seeing where the team of characters ends up and how they will conquer the Praetor and his followers. They will have to stop hiding and band their power together if they are ever going to stand a chance.
Narration:
Caitlin Davies and I go way back to when I first started listening to audiobooks. I loved her listening to her narration of Penryn and the End of Days . She has an extensive catalog and represents all the characters and the emotion of the story really well. I usually enjoy the stories narrated by her more than when I read the book myself. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
December 25, 2023
Dnf at 83%. The whole premise is kinda ridiculous. There's a super strict religion that burns people alive and condemns people for all manner of sins and then all of a sudden, ope, we're going to do a hunger games style "trial" where they force the accused to be exposed to all the sinful things the religion despises. Nobody gets to witness these trials, so it's clearly not meant to intimidate the rest of the population into behaving.
And we're supposed to believe the religious sect is incredibly quick to basically murder anyone that is even suspected of being a witch or magical in any way, yet two vampires with mysterious vampiric magical powers manage to make it to the top 3 most powerful religious figureheads without being detected at all.
As for the "romance" between the MCs, there's no real chemistry at all. The MCM says he wants to save the FMC from the trials and plans on helping her escape, but when she manages to get away, he hunts her down and drags her back. Like, why didn't you just let her go then? The whole time you're just waiting for them to seal the deal and *spoilers* they're in the middle of being chased and potentially killed but in the middle of the chase, they stop running away to have sex for the first time. Because that totally makes sense.
Dialogue is uninspired, very trite. Occasionally a bit repetitive. It's mostly a medieval/Renaissance type of dialect and then randomly modern phrases are interjected, which is quite jarring.
So yeah. Plot gets 1.5/5. Smut gets a 2/5.
And we're supposed to believe the religious sect is incredibly quick to basically murder anyone that is even suspected of being a witch or magical in any way, yet two vampires with mysterious vampiric magical powers manage to make it to the top 3 most powerful religious figureheads without being detected at all.
As for the "romance" between the MCs, there's no real chemistry at all. The MCM says he wants to save the FMC from the trials and plans on helping her escape, but when she manages to get away, he hunts her down and drags her back. Like, why didn't you just let her go then? The whole time you're just waiting for them to seal the deal and *spoilers* they're in the middle of being chased and potentially killed but in the middle of the chase, they stop running away to have sex for the first time. Because that totally makes sense.
Dialogue is uninspired, very trite. Occasionally a bit repetitive. It's mostly a medieval/Renaissance type of dialect and then randomly modern phrases are interjected, which is quite jarring.
So yeah. Plot gets 1.5/5. Smut gets a 2/5.
January 20, 2025
3.5 I enjoyed this one! The trials were really cool and I liked the magic. It reminded me a little of Heartless Hunter. I wish the romance had hit better for me overall.
December 3, 2023
Starting the review with I have read all CN Crawford’s books, they have all been a 4 or 5 stars. This one not so much, it could have been everyone, including the author that this was Hunger Games meets ACOTOR..which would normally drive me away from reading this as I am not a fan of SJM writings. But it is a CN Crawford….FMC Elowen, started off as a 29 year old, assassin by coercion, who seemed like a smart, mature, wronged character, by her best oldest friend (Lydia)and her father( the Baron). But then an event occurs where this so called friend outs her to “witch hunters”, she then outs her traitorous friend. Revelations by Elowen of her relationship with Lydia over the years show how spoiled Lydia was and got her way everything was fine. Why Elowen saved Lydia who turned on her I don’t know why, trying to be the martyr of the story…the overused I would do anything for Leo repeated so many times was a lie if she would have done what she said then she would have Eliminated Lydia and the others or taken Maelor up on his offer to get her out to Leo, without the others…Elowen went from strong likable character to doormat, to over impulsive, why go crazy at pater threatening Leo, when the Baron has been doing it for years as well as that bitch Lydia. Other thing that struck me she liked Maelor, but outed all his secrets to her allies, who could have been a plant by Pater, hell she turned on him and she did not listen when he told her she could not kill. Sion or Pater just could not get behind this character, actually started disliking her at the end. I guess it my Aries nature to be loyal until you wrong me then I will watch you burn and not lift a finger to help. I most likely will not read next book of this series.
November 13, 2023
I found this a great read, as another reviewer said it is a bit like the salem witch trials mixed with hunger games type survival trials!
I loved the premise and the slow burn between Maelor and Elowen. Also these are probably my all time favourite fantasy names right there!
The high points of this book for me were the forbidden romance, Elowen as a character and the trials. Elowen putting others before her was such a strength for me in her character and even though she had dark powers she was light which I really appreciated. I can't wait to see further development of her character.
It was a quick easy read for me, it was gripping and a high 4 stars. I have high hopes for the rest of the series and am really looking forward to the next instalment!
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.
I loved the premise and the slow burn between Maelor and Elowen. Also these are probably my all time favourite fantasy names right there!
The high points of this book for me were the forbidden romance, Elowen as a character and the trials. Elowen putting others before her was such a strength for me in her character and even though she had dark powers she was light which I really appreciated. I can't wait to see further development of her character.
It was a quick easy read for me, it was gripping and a high 4 stars. I have high hopes for the rest of the series and am really looking forward to the next instalment!
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest review.
November 27, 2023
4 STARS
Hollowed Games is out on December 1st!
In a world where magic is a death sentence, Elowen is an assassin not by choice but by blackmail. She is cursed, anyone she touches dies. She is the sole caretaker of Leo, a boy who's parents died in the trials that The Order use to kill off people they deem are filled with the Serpent and magic. Maelor, the head witch-hunter called the Raven Lord that works for the king, arrests Elowen, and her only chance of survival is to survive the witch trials. But much to her disbelief, Maelor can touch her with no consequence. He wants to help her through the trials. Can she trust him enough to help her get back to Leo?
I was sent this ARC copy by the Nerd Fam
First things first, I love CN Crawford's books. This is probably one of my favorites now.
The trials were brutal, but I was thoroughly entertained and certain parts had me on the edge of my seat. Elowen was such a strong FMC. She sacrificed so much for those that she cares for even if it meant worse for her. I'm very intrigued by the MMC's in this book. Not going to spoil anything, but there is a sassy character and I desperately hope we get more from them in book two!
All in all, a fun and easy fantasy read filled with tension, sacrifice and magic.
Hollowed Games is out on December 1st!
In a world where magic is a death sentence, Elowen is an assassin not by choice but by blackmail. She is cursed, anyone she touches dies. She is the sole caretaker of Leo, a boy who's parents died in the trials that The Order use to kill off people they deem are filled with the Serpent and magic. Maelor, the head witch-hunter called the Raven Lord that works for the king, arrests Elowen, and her only chance of survival is to survive the witch trials. But much to her disbelief, Maelor can touch her with no consequence. He wants to help her through the trials. Can she trust him enough to help her get back to Leo?
I was sent this ARC copy by the Nerd Fam
First things first, I love CN Crawford's books. This is probably one of my favorites now.
The trials were brutal, but I was thoroughly entertained and certain parts had me on the edge of my seat. Elowen was such a strong FMC. She sacrificed so much for those that she cares for even if it meant worse for her. I'm very intrigued by the MMC's in this book. Not going to spoil anything, but there is a sassy character and I desperately hope we get more from them in book two!
All in all, a fun and easy fantasy read filled with tension, sacrifice and magic.
January 6, 2025
FMC: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
MMC: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Spice: 🌶 🌶
This book pulled me in so quickly and held me captive right to the very end. Very Hunger Games-y, mild slow-burn spice, and a pretty badass FMC. I devoured this in a day! It does end in a cliffhanger, so I'm excited to see how my questions are answered in book 2 😊
MMC: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Spice: 🌶 🌶
This book pulled me in so quickly and held me captive right to the very end. Very Hunger Games-y, mild slow-burn spice, and a pretty badass FMC. I devoured this in a day! It does end in a cliffhanger, so I'm excited to see how my questions are answered in book 2 😊
January 11, 2024
Dark and intricate, with a big world and fantastic character building.
January 9, 2024
2.5 Stars
C.N Crawford is massively hit or miss for me - it's been a few years so I figured I would give this one a try. It was okay, and I'll read the next in the series, but I had quite a few issues with the writing. In short, this had a shocking lack of depth for a 400 page book. This is possibly "good" thing - but I didn't even realize the book was this long. The pacing was decent enough that it flowed well, but why was this so long? I suppose a lot happened (kind of?), but truly there was hardly any depth between characters or even descriptions of the trials?? I'm confused.
The world we are transported to is (I think?) medieval/old timey (based on clothing descriptions and there being horses not cars). Elowen is our FMC and she's an assassin for a rich guy. Her parents are dead and I think worked for said rich guy, so she just sort of stayed and works for him. He's also pretty abusive and awful. Her reason for staying and dealing with him is laughably thin - she at some point began caring for an orphan and if she were to leave her "boss" (the Baron) he would do something bad to... someone? The orphan does have an uncle he can go be with, we later find that out, but even with the bad situation Elowen is living in, apparently that's not a good option for the orphan. Fine, the orphan is a plot device.
Anyways, there's magic in this world but The Order (their government) is a religious cult thing and anyone with magic is evil and must be killed. Unless it's the religious cult magic, that seems to be okay. Things happen and Elowen is accused of having magic, The Order takes any accusation as fact (regardless if the claim is accurate or not), and takes Elowen away. Leo, the orphan, is able to escape so he's fine for awhile. Elowen is captured and has to compete against a huge group of accused in 3 trials. At the end of the trials 1 person will be stripped of their magic and allowed to live. Why isn't everyone just stripped of their magic and sent away - since that's clearly an option? We have no idea.
One of The Order leaders is super hot and Elowen finds out she can seduce him for help with the trials. He's super nice and obsessed with her instantly (0!!! build up here). Oh, and he's a vampire and the other top Order leader is a vampire too. Honestly, it's very much The Vampire Diaries vibes here. Maelor, the one who is into Elowen, is like Stefan. A nice guy but if he strays from "controlling" himself (i.e., if he drinks blood or has sex) he loses his mind and goes all bad guy. Sion, the other Order leader, is like Damon. Sassy, kind of mean, and just does whatever he wants. Maelor and Elowen hook up, blood is drank, and I think it's supposed to be sexy? But honestly, it's just such a mess. There's 0 build up - so no tension or angst. They are just instantly obsessed with one another based on looks only and I found myself confused. Why is Maelor even helping Elowen??? That's a massive risk for him and he's completely putting himself in danger to help a hot stranger? How has he survived this long if he's going this far for anyone with a pretty face???
The trials happen (note - the descriptions are so choppy from scene to scene I found myself lost at times) and during the 3rd trial:
All that to say - I thought the writing and descriptions could be incredibly sloppy. There were a ton of plot holes around the characters reasoning for their various actions - they sort of did things with 0 explanation. Even the main relationship was extremely thin and strange because there was no depth or true connection shown between the MCs. At one point I thought we would get an interesting twist, but then it backfired and was another thing that made no sense.
Clearly I have way too many thoughts on this book, but the writing was SO weird! I am giving it 2 stars because, if I remember to, I will probably try to read the next book in the series to see where this goes and if any plot holes are fixed. And, it was a pretty quick and semi-enjoyable read. It's just when I actually think about this in depth, I can't get past how messy it is.
C.N Crawford is massively hit or miss for me - it's been a few years so I figured I would give this one a try. It was okay, and I'll read the next in the series, but I had quite a few issues with the writing. In short, this had a shocking lack of depth for a 400 page book. This is possibly "good" thing - but I didn't even realize the book was this long. The pacing was decent enough that it flowed well, but why was this so long? I suppose a lot happened (kind of?), but truly there was hardly any depth between characters or even descriptions of the trials?? I'm confused.
The world we are transported to is (I think?) medieval/old timey (based on clothing descriptions and there being horses not cars). Elowen is our FMC and she's an assassin for a rich guy. Her parents are dead and I think worked for said rich guy, so she just sort of stayed and works for him. He's also pretty abusive and awful. Her reason for staying and dealing with him is laughably thin - she at some point began caring for an orphan and if she were to leave her "boss" (the Baron) he would do something bad to... someone? The orphan does have an uncle he can go be with, we later find that out, but even with the bad situation Elowen is living in, apparently that's not a good option for the orphan. Fine, the orphan is a plot device.
Anyways, there's magic in this world but The Order (their government) is a religious cult thing and anyone with magic is evil and must be killed. Unless it's the religious cult magic, that seems to be okay. Things happen and Elowen is accused of having magic, The Order takes any accusation as fact (regardless if the claim is accurate or not), and takes Elowen away. Leo, the orphan, is able to escape so he's fine for awhile. Elowen is captured and has to compete against a huge group of accused in 3 trials. At the end of the trials 1 person will be stripped of their magic and allowed to live. Why isn't everyone just stripped of their magic and sent away - since that's clearly an option? We have no idea.
One of The Order leaders is super hot and Elowen finds out she can seduce him for help with the trials. He's super nice and obsessed with her instantly (0!!! build up here). Oh, and he's a vampire and the other top Order leader is a vampire too. Honestly, it's very much The Vampire Diaries vibes here. Maelor, the one who is into Elowen, is like Stefan. A nice guy but if he strays from "controlling" himself (i.e., if he drinks blood or has sex) he loses his mind and goes all bad guy. Sion, the other Order leader, is like Damon. Sassy, kind of mean, and just does whatever he wants. Maelor and Elowen hook up, blood is drank, and I think it's supposed to be sexy? But honestly, it's just such a mess. There's 0 build up - so no tension or angst. They are just instantly obsessed with one another based on looks only and I found myself confused. Why is Maelor even helping Elowen??? That's a massive risk for him and he's completely putting himself in danger to help a hot stranger? How has he survived this long if he's going this far for anyone with a pretty face???
The trials happen (note - the descriptions are so choppy from scene to scene I found myself lost at times) and during the 3rd trial:
All that to say - I thought the writing and descriptions could be incredibly sloppy. There were a ton of plot holes around the characters reasoning for their various actions - they sort of did things with 0 explanation. Even the main relationship was extremely thin and strange because there was no depth or true connection shown between the MCs. At one point I thought we would get an interesting twist, but then it backfired and was another thing that made no sense.
Clearly I have way too many thoughts on this book, but the writing was SO weird! I am giving it 2 stars because, if I remember to, I will probably try to read the next book in the series to see where this goes and if any plot holes are fixed. And, it was a pretty quick and semi-enjoyable read. It's just when I actually think about this in depth, I can't get past how messy it is.
December 14, 2023
CN Crawford does such an amazing job creating fantasy worlds that are easy to jump into and are easy to understand. I love this witches/vampires plot line however (and maybe this is just me) but I am not a big fan of Maelor - he kind of sucks... but that Sion, give me 5 min in a room with him OKKKKK
Read
November 20, 2023DNF'd at 75%, so I'm not going to leave a star rating since I didn't finish. 💜
This has to be the most beautiful book I've ever seen. The writing was amazing and really flowed beautifully.
The reason I'm choosing to DNF is it's a lot more gory than I was expecting. There's 100 people (all innocent who haven't committed crimes), and only 1 person survives. It just broke my heart too much to see so many people die brutally who had children, husbands, and wives who were waiting for them. It was just SO much death. I knew the book would have trials, but I didn't expect the trails to consist of all innocent people who just wanted to survive and go back home to their kids. I was expecting criminals who had unalived innocent people that way, me as a reader, wouldn't feel bad if they died during the trials lol.
Of course, people die in fantasy books, lol, but with 100 people in the trials, it's just death left and right.
I was also struggling to feel the romance between the main characters. I do love when the MMC's save the girls (damsel in distress), but it rubbed me the wrong way that she wasn't able to get through the trials on her own.
I think this book would be perfect for those who enjoy fantasy books that are more trial focused and gory, and the romance is more on the back burner.
This has to be the most beautiful book I've ever seen. The writing was amazing and really flowed beautifully.
The reason I'm choosing to DNF is it's a lot more gory than I was expecting. There's 100 people (all innocent who haven't committed crimes), and only 1 person survives. It just broke my heart too much to see so many people die brutally who had children, husbands, and wives who were waiting for them. It was just SO much death. I knew the book would have trials, but I didn't expect the trails to consist of all innocent people who just wanted to survive and go back home to their kids. I was expecting criminals who had unalived innocent people that way, me as a reader, wouldn't feel bad if they died during the trials lol.
Of course, people die in fantasy books, lol, but with 100 people in the trials, it's just death left and right.
I was also struggling to feel the romance between the main characters. I do love when the MMC's save the girls (damsel in distress), but it rubbed me the wrong way that she wasn't able to get through the trials on her own.
I think this book would be perfect for those who enjoy fantasy books that are more trial focused and gory, and the romance is more on the back burner.
December 5, 2023
This was my least favorite of Crawfords book so far. I thought the angle was creative and had potential. But in the end my favorite thing about it was the length. Short, over and done with.
February 14, 2025
Vampires mixed with the hunger games
Enemy to lovers Romantasy with deadly trials
I loved the slow burn between Maelor and Elowen. The forbidden enemy to lovers romance always hits but omg this?! So good 😩
I have high hopes for the rest of the series and am really looking forward to the 2nd book which I received from The Nerd Fam.
Enemy to lovers Romantasy with deadly trials
I loved the slow burn between Maelor and Elowen. The forbidden enemy to lovers romance always hits but omg this?! So good 😩
I have high hopes for the rest of the series and am really looking forward to the 2nd book which I received from The Nerd Fam.
March 7, 2025
I would say 3.5 stars only because the story was good and the pacing was well done, but there were a few moments where I would zone out and have to reread because I didn't process half the page. But I do like the action and I'm eager to read Vanquished Gods.
They might be armed to the teeth, but all it took was a woman’s nipples to scare the life out of these virgins.
They might be armed to the teeth, but all it took was a woman’s nipples to scare the life out of these virgins.
March 28, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
I was really enjoying the story and I liked the trials they had to do..but the last couple of chapters went down hill for me as it went boring..which was a shame as 3/4 of the book was good
I was really enjoying the story and I liked the trials they had to do..but the last couple of chapters went down hill for me as it went boring..which was a shame as 3/4 of the book was good
November 19, 2023
**SPOILERS**
Probably mild but beware!!
Does anyone one know the concept of the trials? I mean, there is no context. They prepared burning stakes in middle of the town for the witches. Everyone always talked about the random murders by ravens and soldiers just because no reason. One women is decaputated but not burned. And after its Elowens turn because of some certain events, they capture the witches for a trial game. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STAKES? What is this game we are only hearing now?? Anyways move on.
She is trying so hard not to get captured, she is terrified of the ravens and raven lord. She is captured and thrown inside a dungeon. In the night Raven lord comes, takes her to his room, a witch accused prisoner, and tells her to sleep there so he can have an eye on her. She is like okay I’ll do that. She is so fine with it because he is so hot. Okay… and chapter ends, new chapter begins, we learn she and he both didn’t slept at all and both read books… it’s suddenly morning. What. The. Duck. A star dropped.
She was saying “how can I call the one and only raven lord by his name” a chapter before but now out of no where she calls him by his name… I really dont like these inconsistencies in books. Another star dropped.
Raven lord saw her with a kid. And when they came to catch her, she told the kid to run. And after capture she fled and met up with the kid. She got caught again. Made the kid run again. And after her threatens her with the kid, she is like “he’d already figured out how to pull my strings.” Really?
Just really? Also, it’s an eight year old kid that none can catch or thinks about catching for some reason. Everyone is all about her, her and her. Another star dropped.
And now she is trying to seduce raven lord for what reason? Because he is hot? Because he has insight about games? But he already tells her everything he knows about the trials. Also he is protecting the kid. Because he has a celibacy vow? I have no idea but its feels like its written just to put some steam on it. Its definitely not slowburn. Its %40 mark. Another star dropped.
Well, I am already at one star and the plot is not interesting enough. I am also seeing a lot of Sian or Sion I dont remember art. And she also thinks she is so beautiful. Is this gonna be reverse harem? I dont know. But do I care?
Not really. So I am so sorry but I lost interest in this book. I will not continue. DNF at %40.
I received this book as an ARC because I love CN Crawfords Court of the sea fae series but now I am just sad. Sorry. Thank you so much for the opportunity though but I have to be honest!
Probably mild but beware!!
Does anyone one know the concept of the trials? I mean, there is no context. They prepared burning stakes in middle of the town for the witches. Everyone always talked about the random murders by ravens and soldiers just because no reason. One women is decaputated but not burned. And after its Elowens turn because of some certain events, they capture the witches for a trial game. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STAKES? What is this game we are only hearing now?? Anyways move on.
She is trying so hard not to get captured, she is terrified of the ravens and raven lord. She is captured and thrown inside a dungeon. In the night Raven lord comes, takes her to his room, a witch accused prisoner, and tells her to sleep there so he can have an eye on her. She is like okay I’ll do that. She is so fine with it because he is so hot. Okay… and chapter ends, new chapter begins, we learn she and he both didn’t slept at all and both read books… it’s suddenly morning. What. The. Duck. A star dropped.
She was saying “how can I call the one and only raven lord by his name” a chapter before but now out of no where she calls him by his name… I really dont like these inconsistencies in books. Another star dropped.
Raven lord saw her with a kid. And when they came to catch her, she told the kid to run. And after capture she fled and met up with the kid. She got caught again. Made the kid run again. And after her threatens her with the kid, she is like “he’d already figured out how to pull my strings.” Really?
Just really? Also, it’s an eight year old kid that none can catch or thinks about catching for some reason. Everyone is all about her, her and her. Another star dropped.
And now she is trying to seduce raven lord for what reason? Because he is hot? Because he has insight about games? But he already tells her everything he knows about the trials. Also he is protecting the kid. Because he has a celibacy vow? I have no idea but its feels like its written just to put some steam on it. Its definitely not slowburn. Its %40 mark. Another star dropped.
Well, I am already at one star and the plot is not interesting enough. I am also seeing a lot of Sian or Sion I dont remember art. And she also thinks she is so beautiful. Is this gonna be reverse harem? I dont know. But do I care?
Not really. So I am so sorry but I lost interest in this book. I will not continue. DNF at %40.
I received this book as an ARC because I love CN Crawfords Court of the sea fae series but now I am just sad. Sorry. Thank you so much for the opportunity though but I have to be honest!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2023
Epically original storyline
🥵 slow burn
💀 touch her and die
🪄 paranormal/magic
💥 enemies to lovers
Elowen is just trying to get through life and protect the boy she has raised. Unfortunately, everyone is determined to use her or kill her. When her ex-friend decides to throw her to the wolves she is over it. She BRINGS THAT BISH DOWN WITH HER! Literally, I loved that. I giggled in glee. I get so tired of the FMC just stoically taking all the crap that gets thrown at her and only feeling down. At least our FMC said Eff it, you’re coming with me then!
Sorry, I went on a bit of a tangent. So she has to enter these trials to determine if she will live or not. But only one can win and live.
Maelor is one of the top bad guys in this world. He is completely awful, except when it comes to her. Ok, so I really wanted to like him and keep him for the MMC but I just don’t 😭. He is a bit unhinged even if he is kinda yummy. However, I’m rooting for the other guy 🫣🫠. Don’t come for me! I just really love a good enemies to lovers, morally dark grey, treat her like she’s able to protect herself but still touch her and die couple!
So yea, read this and wish for the second in series like I do!
🥵 slow burn
💀 touch her and die
🪄 paranormal/magic
💥 enemies to lovers
Elowen is just trying to get through life and protect the boy she has raised. Unfortunately, everyone is determined to use her or kill her. When her ex-friend decides to throw her to the wolves she is over it. She BRINGS THAT BISH DOWN WITH HER! Literally, I loved that. I giggled in glee. I get so tired of the FMC just stoically taking all the crap that gets thrown at her and only feeling down. At least our FMC said Eff it, you’re coming with me then!
Sorry, I went on a bit of a tangent. So she has to enter these trials to determine if she will live or not. But only one can win and live.
Maelor is one of the top bad guys in this world. He is completely awful, except when it comes to her. Ok, so I really wanted to like him and keep him for the MMC but I just don’t 😭. He is a bit unhinged even if he is kinda yummy. However, I’m rooting for the other guy 🫣🫠. Don’t come for me! I just really love a good enemies to lovers, morally dark grey, treat her like she’s able to protect herself but still touch her and die couple!
So yea, read this and wish for the second in series like I do!
November 17, 2024
If only C.N. Crawford could release books as fast as I read them.
February 6, 2025
This was a very quick read. Fantasy setting, witches, vampires, magic. All the things I love. But, unfortunately, the characters felt very superficial, and the story was not fleshed out the way it could have been. The MMC and FMC basically had insta-lust, which I find boring and no character or potential plot line ever had the chance to build. A lot of the dialog also felt unrealistic to me.
June 8, 2025
Honestly I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. It felt a bit rushed and also greatly lacking in detail and plot drive. The FMC whines a lot for someone that is so powerful and can so easily save herself. The world building is minimal, like just enough to understand what’s happening but no deep explanation or description of how exactly the world ended up how it is now… hell not even a map to know what’s where. Idk I’ll probably read the sequel next since it’s pretty short and this ended on a cliffhanger but my expectations are low rn
November 29, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.
This book was a delight to read (That is probably a weird way to phrase it when a book has so much death and dying...oh well). I really enjoyed it.
Elowen has a touch of death. If her skin touches another she will unalive them whether she wants to or not. She lives in a world where anyone with magic, or even suspected of having magic, is sent into a set a trials. Around 100 people go in to the trials and only one makes it out. When one of Elowen's friends outs her as having magic she is arrested. The group of witch hunters is lead by the Raven Lord and he has taken an interest into Elowen, and is also somehow magically immune to her touch of death.
Was this book similar to a lot of other romantasy books I've read in the past? Yeah. There was no reinventing the wheel with this one. It was fun and fast paced and I really enjoyed reading this. This book also has a rather large cast of lovable side characters, and a touch of found family. This was wonderful and I am excited to see where this series goes.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and C.N. Crawford for the gifted advanced copy of this book!
This book was a delight to read (That is probably a weird way to phrase it when a book has so much death and dying...oh well). I really enjoyed it.
Elowen has a touch of death. If her skin touches another she will unalive them whether she wants to or not. She lives in a world where anyone with magic, or even suspected of having magic, is sent into a set a trials. Around 100 people go in to the trials and only one makes it out. When one of Elowen's friends outs her as having magic she is arrested. The group of witch hunters is lead by the Raven Lord and he has taken an interest into Elowen, and is also somehow magically immune to her touch of death.
Was this book similar to a lot of other romantasy books I've read in the past? Yeah. There was no reinventing the wheel with this one. It was fun and fast paced and I really enjoyed reading this. This book also has a rather large cast of lovable side characters, and a touch of found family. This was wonderful and I am excited to see where this series goes.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and C.N. Crawford for the gifted advanced copy of this book!
September 20, 2024
I had the wonderful pleasure of being selected as an ARC reader for this book and honestly I am so grateful!!
I loved this story and am looking forward to reading the next one! It had me hooked from the first chapter. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Elowen and Maelor! I love the Hunger Games feel to it too, which was one my favorite series I read years ago.
The second book comes out in October and I already have it on preorder! The story telling of C.N Crawford is amazing and will always read anything they write.
I loved this story and am looking forward to reading the next one! It had me hooked from the first chapter. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Elowen and Maelor! I love the Hunger Games feel to it too, which was one my favorite series I read years ago.
The second book comes out in October and I already have it on preorder! The story telling of C.N Crawford is amazing and will always read anything they write.
November 4, 2023
Okay, C.N. Crawford has done 👏 it 👏 again 👏
I would like to say thanks to the author for writing this book. I absolutely loved it (so much so that sleep was sacrificed to finish it).
It has some elements and vibes from Shatter Me, Fortuna Sworn, and Hunger Games, which I really enjoyed.
I do have a theory that the male love interest is going to switch up in the next book as a plot twist (also rooting for him as an enemies to lovers trope) but that's just my suspicions.
Im feeling some 'found family' tropes in this book as well.
Sion has to be my fav character, which I was surprised about. I'm hoping he has more 'screen time' in a way throughout the next book.
I'm looking forward to learning more about Elowen's past and her powers as I feel there's some more hidden details.
I can't wait to read the next book!! This is definitely shaping up to be my fav series by CN Crawford ❤️
I would like to say thanks to the author for writing this book. I absolutely loved it (so much so that sleep was sacrificed to finish it).
It has some elements and vibes from Shatter Me, Fortuna Sworn, and Hunger Games, which I really enjoyed.
I do have a theory that the male love interest is going to switch up in the next book as a plot twist (also rooting for him as an enemies to lovers trope) but that's just my suspicions.
Im feeling some 'found family' tropes in this book as well.
Sion has to be my fav character, which I was surprised about. I'm hoping he has more 'screen time' in a way throughout the next book.
I'm looking forward to learning more about Elowen's past and her powers as I feel there's some more hidden details.
I can't wait to read the next book!! This is definitely shaping up to be my fav series by CN Crawford ❤️
December 29, 2023
To be honest I don't really know what this book was, nor do I get the vibe that the book knew either.
It was kind of like Crawford took elements from books that then shoved them together in a hybrid that just didn't really work. Assassin meets hunger games meets paranormal meets vampires meets throw some spice in whenever you can but with zero clarity about what the heck is going on. I had to read the "About this book" thing a few times as I didn't have a notion what was happening or where the next plot troupe was going to come out of next.
The story line is very confusing but the shame is it doesn't' start that way. The beginning of this book was very promising, with characters you really think you can get behind. It all took some weird turn once the hunger games portion got started and we are suddenly in these trials that I had no understanding of until the majestic overly strong, overly tall, overly handsome twin psycho's show up. After this the whole thing falls to pot unfortunately.
I don't understand anyone's motives apart from the MC. Everyone else is just kind of they are the way they are and reader be damned if you can figure out why. Sion especially, and if you've read it you know exactly what I mean.
Writing style is up and down, with Crawford shining in some paragraphs and completely falls off on others. The "spice" is disjointed and confusing, with the whole I'm losing control vibe grossly twilight.
Over all I won't be continuing on with this series
It was kind of like Crawford took elements from books that then shoved them together in a hybrid that just didn't really work. Assassin meets hunger games meets paranormal meets vampires meets throw some spice in whenever you can but with zero clarity about what the heck is going on. I had to read the "About this book" thing a few times as I didn't have a notion what was happening or where the next plot troupe was going to come out of next.
The story line is very confusing but the shame is it doesn't' start that way. The beginning of this book was very promising, with characters you really think you can get behind. It all took some weird turn once the hunger games portion got started and we are suddenly in these trials that I had no understanding of until the majestic overly strong, overly tall, overly handsome twin psycho's show up. After this the whole thing falls to pot unfortunately.
I don't understand anyone's motives apart from the MC. Everyone else is just kind of they are the way they are and reader be damned if you can figure out why. Sion especially, and if you've read it you know exactly what I mean.
Writing style is up and down, with Crawford shining in some paragraphs and completely falls off on others. The "spice" is disjointed and confusing, with the whole I'm losing control vibe grossly twilight.
Over all I won't be continuing on with this series
January 24, 2025
"A Raven Lord who thinks of nothing but forbidden touch and a witch who can kill if she does."
I devoured this book so quickly and started the second one right after. I don’t know what took me so long to start. Maybe I knew it was a duet and that I would get sucked in. I usually do by C.N. Crawford’s writing.
I loved the connection and tension between Elowen and Maelor. Elowen is fierce and strong, but also kind. Helping others instead of just saving herself. The perfect FMC.
Besides our main characters, I loved the sides ones as well. The banter throughout was great. I don’t know why, but I really loved Sion as well.
"I didn't realize how beautiful he was until I was killing him..."
It’s the perfect blend of plot and spice.
This book is like the Salem Witch Trial mixed with The Serpent and the Wings of Night.
It’s a Romantasy with:
Deadly trials
Curses/Magic
Vampires
Forbidden love
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
I devoured this book so quickly and started the second one right after. I don’t know what took me so long to start. Maybe I knew it was a duet and that I would get sucked in. I usually do by C.N. Crawford’s writing.
I loved the connection and tension between Elowen and Maelor. Elowen is fierce and strong, but also kind. Helping others instead of just saving herself. The perfect FMC.
Besides our main characters, I loved the sides ones as well. The banter throughout was great. I don’t know why, but I really loved Sion as well.
"I didn't realize how beautiful he was until I was killing him..."
It’s the perfect blend of plot and spice.
This book is like the Salem Witch Trial mixed with The Serpent and the Wings of Night.
It’s a Romantasy with:
Deadly trials
Curses/Magic
Vampires
Forbidden love
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Displaying 1 - 30 of 702 reviews