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Disguises are second nature at this point, and I'm used to keeping my powers concealed. But when a lethal angel starts coming after me, my cover is blown.

In my escape, I’ve found an unlikely ally in Adonis—the dangerously seductive angel of death. With him by my side, I’m going undercover again. I just have to pretend to be his simpering, idiot lover--while secretly collecting intelligence from a psychotic god of war. One I have to pretend to actually admire.

If I don’t find the info I need, I’m dead at the hands of a whole horde of angels—and the apocalypse really begins.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2018

1301 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read

About the author

C.N. Crawford

82 books8,850 followers
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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).








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5 stars
1,523 (51%)
4 stars
992 (33%)
3 stars
388 (13%)
2 stars
67 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Profile Image for Kira.
1,293 reviews138 followers
September 17, 2018
Once again Adonis was the best thing about the book. He and Ruby had lots of time together. Ruby got on my nerves. She wants to do the right thing but doesn't know enough to understand everything going on around her. Her doubts about Adonis didn't make sense. He didn't do anything horrible nor did he lie to her or hurt her. Ruby was a hypocrite when it came to murder. Being fae made her go into mindless rages where she brutally killed others, but when others did the same thing it was wrong. There is only one more book, but I'm not invested enough to read it.
Profile Image for Ashley.
220 reviews43 followers
April 19, 2018
This was such a fun book! I liked that Ruby spends more time with Adonis here, they are so perfect! Adonis has so much depth, he is such a great character. Hazel and her special skill were interesting too, it was so funny when she used it! The plot was great, definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. I really wan to see what happens with Kratos, I didn't hate him like I hated the other angels.
Profile Image for Victoria.
602 reviews14 followers
February 20, 2018
In part two of the series we meet up again with Ruby and Adonis pretty much immediately after the ending of book 1: Adonis knows who Ruby really is... and he is on her side.
As a Bringer of the Light she will be able to restore the earth from the influence of the Angels of Death, bringing and end to their reign of terror and as such making it possible for humans, demons and fae to kick start civilisation again.

When Johnny revives and threatens to expose her deceit to Kratos, Adonis takes her away with him to his castle where they are be able to plot their next move. Everything points to the last archangel, Aereus, god of war. They will need to infiltrate his castle under false pretences and search for the one thing that can aid them against the Heavenly Host... the Stones of Zahar.

My take on the book:
I needed a bit more than a chapter to get into the book again (maybe I should have read the last chapter of the previous book beforehand... reminder for book 3!), but as soon as I did, it didn't let me go. Wow!
We went through a lot of different stages in this instalment but it flowed together excellently. Some more twists and turns and unforeseen events really makes you wonder why the hell you bother trying to predict their next move :D

The book was well written and I have only found one teensy little mistake (which only made me reread the previous few lines again, but didn't bother me).
Character development was superb, though some more info about Hazel and her dragon would be welcome in the next book... hint hint ;) (oh oh and Tanit and Kur too please!).
The pacing was great, not glossing over details, but spending time describing them so the reader has a firm image in his/her mind which of course greatly adds to the immersion into the story.
Again in this book, characters get touchy, but nothing very graphic (if that is important for you).

It was a pleasure to read: a very captivating story, a strong heroine, a dash of romance and well... Adonis (need I say more? ;))

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and as always, the authors do not disappoint, love the story and very much look forward to the next book.
482 reviews7 followers
February 18, 2018
What I love about C.N. Crawford's books is that they're dark and gritty with an awesome romance full of uncertainty and angry passion with a dark, tormented male which builds and builds until you reach this beautiful crescendo of coming together.
Black Ops Fae which is the second book in the A Spy Among the Fallen series is no different. In book one we had the scene for the story being set, we had the darkness of the story being shown to us and all that could happen if the apocalypse really hit our world. We met our strong, but flawed, heroine and we met the good and bad characters around her (who was good and who was bad is part of the fun of reading these books to discover).
Book two starts off right where book one ended and in this book we're really getting into the heart of the story and the action. Secrets are revealed and we are introduced to some new characters who play a big part in this book, and I expect also will in the next one. The sexual tension and the fun are increased in this book. There's a few characters who I'm unsure of and towards the end of the book they do improve in character but I still don't know whether they can be trusted. I really liked the twists towards the end (yes that's plural as there are several) and am really looking forward to seeing what will happen with those in the next book. I'm a strong #TeamAdonis fan and I'm holding out hope that we will get that big crescendo of a romance between him and Ruby.
Overall this is easily a five star read for me, it was full of deceit and intrigue, it's got fun and it's got action and it has characters that have many layers to who they are. In this world nothing is black and white and I'm can't wait to see where the author will take it next! I loved every minute of it.
Profile Image for sonya.
84 reviews
March 13, 2018
Read it

I really don't like the names of these books and would think they'd have more people overlook these books because of them but they are good books and I'm happy I took the chance with them
Profile Image for Katrina.
1,395 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2023
A great follow up that has given me my latest book boyfriend!! I can’t say much without spoilers so I will just say it has a fae FMC who is undercover, angels and demons, the apocalypse and dragons. I’m looking forward to reading the final book
Profile Image for Andrea.
579 reviews27 followers
July 7, 2021
We finally meet all 4 horsemen of the apocalypse

There is character development in this book. Its good, but the emphasis on Ruby's body and the attraction her and Adonis feel towards each other got old quickly.
Profile Image for Katie (The BFF Bookclub) .
472 reviews186 followers
April 13, 2022
You honestly cannot go wrong with anything written by CN Crawford.
This book packs a punch. It’s short but right from page 1 you are lured back into the action.
The tension between Ruby and Adonis had me pulling my hair out. They kept getting interrupted - but I am here for it!!

Profile Image for Vannessa.
1,222 reviews25 followers
February 23, 2018
This second series in this book was absolutely brilliant! It picks up pretty much where the first book in this series finished. Ruby is living with a group of angels, not your nice type either, but 3 very angry, aggressive and incredibly powerful angels. Following the events of the previous book, Ruby is walking on egg shells - she has no idea if one of the angels will reappear and she also has no idea whether Adonis is on her side or against her. She has to place her trust in someone, but her sister doesn't seem to really be helping.

When the disappeared angel makes a come back, Adonis puts his plan into action and whisks Ruby away. The plan - simple - find one more of the angels on earth and convince him to join their side. Easier said than done considering who the angels really are and what Ruby needs to find from Aereus. After finding out a little more about who she really is, she needs a very powerful artefact and the last angel might have it, but getting it from him is going to be a very arduous task indeed.

I loved the plot of this book - it was full of small twists and turns and lots of tension throughout. Ruby is a great character and not your typical heroine either. She is coming into powers she knows nothing about and has no-one to ask about other than the angel she is with and he is a bit reluctant to tell her all! I wasn't a fan of Adonis at the beginning, but he really proved himself through this book - you could tell he genuinely cared for Ruby and what happened to her, even if he didn't tell her the whole truth of what would happen. The ending was a great twist to it - I did expect Ruby to do what she did for Adonis, but the added extras were not something I expected. Can't wait to read the next book and find out how that pans out.

I do hope that the romance between Ruby and Adonis can begin for real now as the sexual tension between these two is about to burst wide open! So looking forward to the next one now as there are still lots of unresolved questions!

I did receive this book as an ARC, but this review is all my own. Thank you to the authors and publisher for allowing me to read thier new book!
1,063 reviews6 followers
May 24, 2019
Awesome Sauce!!

Sometimes the prequel to a series can be ho hum but this one rocks!!! I love this just as much as the Court of Shadows series!! Sad that I'm moving onto the last book in this fantastic series....or is it( fingers crossed)!!
Profile Image for Donna.
1,776 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2024
Main Players - Ruby, a feral fae disguised as a succubus. The four horsemen of the apocalypse - Adonis/Death, Kratos/Conquest, Aereus/War and Johnny/Famine.

Ruby’s sister Hazel is found and they reunite. She’s not the same girl, however, and seems mature far beyond her sixteen years. (Living with dragons will do that for a girl) Hazel is totally pragmatic about the world situation, electing to make the most of a bad situation.

Ruby and Adonis attempt to recruit Aereus to help them overcome Kratos and Johnny. Aereus has no idea of their end game and that they also want to get their hands on the Stones of Zohar that he has in his possession. Aereus finds out that Ruby is a Bringer of Light and wants to torture, then kill her.

She manages to overcome Aereus, then locate and invoke the power of the stones. This not only deflects the encroaching heavenly host but destroys the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Adonis had not told her the truth about what would happen and she won’t take it lying down. Hazel’s dragon friend flies them, Adonis’ body and one of Adonis’ loyal cadre to where an Old One is trapped.

Ruby confronts the Old One and refuses to remain with her or hand over the stones. She instead absorbs them into her forehead, then seeks out Adonis’ soul. It turn out all four horsemen are then reincarnated and peace will not reign. I’m not sure what happened to the Old One and the previous Bringers of Light as they seem to no longer be part of the plot. Ruby’s people had brought Adonis body to the site but why had the other three horsemen’s bodies not needed to be there too?

Shout out to Tanit and her conviction that underwear is overrated.
Profile Image for Kat.
461 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2018
Well, I’m at a loss for words, but in a good way! To say I didn’t see what happened coming is an understatement. I absolutely LOVE everything ever written by C.N. Crawford and the second installment in this series doesn’t disappoint!

The book picks up where the first one left off and follows our heroine through some action packed experiences. Mystery, battles, magic, dragons, romance and more!! The book was sooooo good that I’m honestly having trouble coming up with things to say that aren’t spoilers. All the characters are written in such a fashion that you want to know more about everyone because they are so lovable. I loved that Ruby shows her strength and determination even more in this book and realizes that what she thought was true may not actually be the case. As she understands more about herself, her fascination with Adonis grows. The romance between the two was written into the story in such a way that didn’t distract from the overall story, but instead added depth and feeling in a world that was familiar with death.

Things end well as the book doesn’t close on a giant cliff hanger like the last one, but it does leave you wondering what will happen next in the battle of good vs evil. The story was so well written it had me hooked at the beginning and I simply couldn’t put it down! Definitely experiencing a book hangover from this one! Kudos to the amazing writing duo that is C.N. Crawford!! This book is gold!!

I received this as an advance reader’s copy.
Profile Image for B.
108 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2023
“There’s no light without darkness, no good without evil, no meaning without death. The seeds of destruction grow in the gardens of paradise.”

So glad I kept at this series because book two lit things up! More slow burn. More enemies to lovers feel. More action. More everything! Ruby and Adonis team up and try to convince another of the four horsemen to ally with them. However, Ruby finds the stones needed to defeat the horsemen and Adonis encourages her to use them. And she does! Yet, her choice kills Adonis, whom she has started to fall for. She heads to the underworld in hopes of returning the stones in exchange for his soul. However, she ends up with the stones implanted in her forehead and harnessing the powers of a goddess! Oh, she saves Adonis too. And something is blossoming between them in spite of the fact that he’s the horsemen of death and she’s something else. Can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Penny.
3,158 reviews88 followers
February 18, 2018
The second book in the A Spy Among the Fallen series is just as good as the second. The first book hooked me into the series with great writing, great characters, and a great plot. The second kept me reading for the same exact reasons. Full of action, there were many revelations in this book that made me gasp in surprise, but which I really should have seen coming, and they make a wonderful amount of sense. I love it when a book surprises me. And, the end just blew me away. I can’t wait to see how all these changes are going to affect the way Adonis and Ruby interact with the other characters in the next book. If you loved the first book, you will love this second one as I think it was better than the first. Highly recommend! Thanks to the author for the e-book which I reviewed voluntarily.
147 reviews
February 19, 2018
Another great read by C.N. Crawford.  I love this series and I love the past that is presented in this story.  Ruby is coming to terms better with the death of her lover Marcus that was murdered two years prior by the dragons and her relationship with her sister.  Ruby has so much knowledge growth is adds so much to her character.  Especially when she starts to realize that she has misjudged Adonis and even Kratos to an extent. Getting Adonis' past was heartbreaking, but his depth and his actions are so well thought out.  I really enjoyed the read from Ruby's point of view.  The writing between the two authors is always so clean and clear and you can never tell when one starts and the other leaves off.  As with the other books in this series I totally recommend it. check out the complete review at underthebookmark.com
Profile Image for Nicole.
537 reviews
February 28, 2018
Black Ops Fae by C N Crawford is book 2 in the A spy among the fallen series.
This story continues directly after book 1 and we are resubmerged into Ruby's double life in order to save the world from heavenly destruction.
C N Crawford are known now for their awesome supernatural series and this one still has action and adventure but we get to delve into gods and angels and demons as well as magic this time around which is different to what we've read before but oh so intriguing.
I love how this series and this instalment never takes a direction that I was expecting. It I am completely sucked in now. I'm left hanging for the next book in this series. I can't wait.
I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
Profile Image for Kreela.
661 reviews24 followers
March 13, 2018
Ruby is a terrible name for a fae. Which type of Fae? We are never told, but it does not matter. In this second book, Ruby’s pummeling of the Horseman of Hunger now comes back from the grave to get his revenge. In response, Adonis suggests a neat little plan: get the Horseman of War to side with her, thereby making 2 against 2. She also realizes along the way that as Lightbringer, she can only bring on the A-Game if she finds the stones of light, which might also be held by the God/Horseman of War.

You can see what a complex novel it is. The secondary characters are all believable and fleshed-out well, the romantic tension feels like it is on several layers, and I have discovered a new favorite author to follow. This husband-wife team rocks!
Profile Image for Geo.
355 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2018
Even more thrilling than the first!

In this we see a different, softer side of Adonis. Ruby learns more about her destiny and what she has to do to achieve it. She learns too late that it comes at a terrible cost. Drakon, Adonis' dragonile is as cute as ever. I want him as a pet. Hazel is more in this book than the first but not as much as I'd like. I have a feeling we'll be seeing her a lot more in the next book. Johnny becomes a pain in the neck in this book and Kratos kind of gets a little weirder if not more possessive of Ruby. The fourth horseman is introduced, Aerus. He's kind of on the same level as Johnny, though maybe more evil and a nutjob to boot. I can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for D.C..
Author 17 books233 followers
February 18, 2018
Wow. In book two we learn a little more about the Angels roaming the earth. Ruby aligns herself with Adonis to achieve what she believe is a similarly desired outcome, to restore the earth and remove the Angels from it. Of course thing start to get heated between the two. But if I’ve learned anything from all of CN Crawford’s series, our heroine never given in to desire easily. Teased. That’s how I feel. With how this book ended, I foresee book three taking a new spin. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away but the Angels May still be the problem but I think the playing field has been changed.
15 reviews
March 5, 2018
LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

I don't usually squeal like a teenage her girl who found her first crush, but I did constantly while reading, Black Ops Fae. This book has everything I love to find in a book. A strong, female mc with just the right touch of flaw to connect with. The drool worthy, beefy, and ass kickicking hero that you can't help but swoon over. The small bud of love beginning to bloom. Not to mention the action. Keeping you at the edge of your seat, and your toes curled in anticpation. If you haven't read this series yet, you're definitely missing out.
Profile Image for Kae Christie.
14 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2022
Seriously, I have yet to read a book and/or series from C.N. Crawford that isn’t a 5 star experience. I’m always immediately entranced in the worlds created by these books & HAVE to read them in 1 sitting, sometimes a whole series in 1 day/night. Impossible to put down. This is my 3rd or 4th series that I’ve read by C.N. Crawford & every single one has had me completely obsessed. Its 2am and I’m considering starting the 3rd/final book of the series instead of sleeping. again. Ugh. Pls never stop writing!
Profile Image for Melinda.
856 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2024
Is Death is on her side?

Ruby wants to defeat the four horsemen who are angels out to destroy everyone. Adonis might be on her side but she doesn't totally trust him. She has to work with what she can though.

I thought Hazel was great in the first book but I don't really like her anymore. She seems to be worried about comfort and herself more than anything else but she does have useful skills.

The titles of these books are cheesy but the story is anything but cheesy. I am really enjoying this series.



5 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2018
So worth the wait! The book jumps right into the action. I was left with lots of questions from Covert Fae, but they were answered. I enjoyed the budding relationship between Ruby and Adonis. I am still eager to see what will happen next. There were moments when I could not put the book down. Ruby continues to be a strong character in the book, but Adonis has lots of layers as well as outside motivations for the choices he is making. READ IT!
Profile Image for Tina Courts.
428 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2018
Pulls you in as if you’d never left. Second in this series and wow. Full of action, intrigue and surprised. Pulls a rollercoaster of emotions from me. So much is revealed and yet to be learned. Definitely has become one of my favourites. Can’t wait to read the ne t book when it co es out to find out more of what is going to happen with Ruby and her sister Hazel. As well as Adonis and the four horseman. I also have a soft spot for Drakon and his antics.
Profile Image for Amethyst Stone.
431 reviews4 followers
February 20, 2018
Another amazing tale from the Crawfords. They never disappoint with all the twist and turns that are unexpected! Nothing is quite what it seems in this world including Ruby!! Just when you think I have an idea of what's happening, you realize how wrong you are. It's dark, gritty, broody but passionate. Another ending you won't see coming. I only put it down because RL insisted but I didn't want too! So good! Cant wait to see what happens next.
441 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2018
Each book gets better and better

I thought the first book in the series was great, but the second book blows the first one away. Characters are well developed with enough intrigue to keep you turning each page to see what happens next. This is a book you can't put down so make sure you carve out a time to read uninterrupted. Adonis definitely is my favorite character and I can't wait to read more in this series. Excellent writing by the Crawford writing team.
Profile Image for Monique Grasso.
89 reviews5 followers
February 26, 2018
Ruby is at it again...pretending to be something she is not. Now she has teamed up with Adonis and the stakes are high. She has found her sister and just wants to live a normal life but the old gods and Adonis have other plans. This is an action packed story with some unbelievable characters, a great plot and crazy situations. You don't want to miss this one......put any C N Crawford books on your must read list!
Profile Image for Hana.
1,757 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2018
I was soo looking forward to reading this book and... I was disappointed. It seemed to me that all the good things were said in the first one and the sequel was more or less bland. Yes, the tension and chemistry between Ruby and Adonis were quite good but apart of that the rest seemed to just fill the pages. And the ending wasn't satisfactory at all. Still, I shed some tears. Despite this, I don't think I will be reading next book in the series.
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