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Hades Castle Trilogy #1
The Fallen
The angel of death wants me to be his wife. Most days, I steal from ships to earn a living. Not glamorous, admittedly, but it's honest work. Okay, fine. It isn't honest either, but it means I get to eat. Until one night, a sinfully sexy angel strides into my favorite dance hall and compels me to work for him. It isn't just work, though. He wants me to be his wife in Castle Hades. Apparently, his prophetic dreams say I'll help him become king. Beautiful as he is, he's also a lethal tyrant. And I could be in danger. Luckily, I know how to fight back, how to weaken an I must seduce him. Now, this is a battle, and he’s my beautiful enemy. We are fighting with weapons of desire, and we're both at risk of losing ourselves in this war.
308 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2020
4485 people are currently reading
16773 people want to read
About the author
C.N. Crawford
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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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews
June 29, 2021
Fallen angels and mysterious magic in a world that feels both familiar and foreign is a promising start.
After reading The Fallen, I can see that the full story arc will be completed over the course of the three novels. I don’t love the constant cliffhangers. I wish authors would just write one longer one or find a way to create truly distinct narratives for a series.
The fantasy world building needs development. I don’t understand these fallen angels. I don’t know the history of this world. Every fantasy has rules, but this one doesn’t really. There are elements of modern things (plumbing, guns and certain clothing for starters) and yet it feels like it’s placed in England in the 1500-1600s. I don’t love the lack of rules; although, the imagery and details are fun.
Lila is mysterious and a bit sarcastically funny. I like her. I also like her magic, even though we don’t know where it comes from. Samael is all kinds of yummy. I would have liked their moments together to have been more developed. It would have helped to build their relationship. Maybe even more chapters from his point of view would have helped. The secondary characters are fine but underutilized.
The action scenes are pretty good, but the story is just lacking depth. While this first book is entertaining, I think Crawford could have just edited her trilogy into one novel. I’ll read the other two because it is a fun, quick read. It just isn’t mind-blowing.
After reading The Fallen, I can see that the full story arc will be completed over the course of the three novels. I don’t love the constant cliffhangers. I wish authors would just write one longer one or find a way to create truly distinct narratives for a series.
The fantasy world building needs development. I don’t understand these fallen angels. I don’t know the history of this world. Every fantasy has rules, but this one doesn’t really. There are elements of modern things (plumbing, guns and certain clothing for starters) and yet it feels like it’s placed in England in the 1500-1600s. I don’t love the lack of rules; although, the imagery and details are fun.
Lila is mysterious and a bit sarcastically funny. I like her. I also like her magic, even though we don’t know where it comes from. Samael is all kinds of yummy. I would have liked their moments together to have been more developed. It would have helped to build their relationship. Maybe even more chapters from his point of view would have helped. The secondary characters are fine but underutilized.
The action scenes are pretty good, but the story is just lacking depth. While this first book is entertaining, I think Crawford could have just edited her trilogy into one novel. I’ll read the other two because it is a fun, quick read. It just isn’t mind-blowing.
August 10, 2021
Loved it!!! I don't know why this book had some low stars other then the characters didn't have sex yet. Let me tell samael Angel of death can come see me anytime!!! He might be cold and a prick but he's so fucking hot!!! Just his kisses and touches and bad ass vibes would have my panties soaked! Damn he's so my kind of angel. I've always imagined angels as being warriors and not sweet and kind and between Samuel and “Lord Sourial another fallen angel its hot as hell and I'm all in! I loved are little thief turned fake Courtesan Lila she has so much strength and is very quick witted and she'll need it with the angel of death. Their was some really steamy parts and when these two come together finally I bet its gonna be fucking amazing! When I first saw this cover I did a double take,it only shows half of this hot sexy fallen angel but it did the trick and hooked me! I'm so gonna read the next two books in this series! I want to see what angel boy does next! Until next time Luv's💋💕
April 15, 2021
Where is my review, GOODREADS???!!!
May 24, 2022
DNF @70%
This had such a good set up and a great synopsis, but the story because just...not good? It's hard to explain. The heroine is on the run from men who want to hurt her, so she ducks into a club and pretends to be a courtesan to go to the upper floors to get away from those men. She ends up being placed with an angel and that angel decides he wants to hire her and bring her to his home. From there, this book was just all over the place the world really wasn't developed that well. There were angels and we got snippets of "before the fall" but I still didn't really understand anything about the angels or the world. I finally decided to just stop reading when I realized I honestly didn't care where the plot went and didn't care about the characters. The characters were very surface level and I felt like I still really didn't know them and I really didn't know where the plot was supposed to be heading. Instead of forcing myself to finish, I finally decided to put the book down.
This had such a good set up and a great synopsis, but the story because just...not good? It's hard to explain. The heroine is on the run from men who want to hurt her, so she ducks into a club and pretends to be a courtesan to go to the upper floors to get away from those men. She ends up being placed with an angel and that angel decides he wants to hire her and bring her to his home. From there, this book was just all over the place the world really wasn't developed that well. There were angels and we got snippets of "before the fall" but I still didn't really understand anything about the angels or the world. I finally decided to just stop reading when I realized I honestly didn't care where the plot went and didn't care about the characters. The characters were very surface level and I felt like I still really didn't know them and I really didn't know where the plot was supposed to be heading. Instead of forcing myself to finish, I finally decided to put the book down.
October 21, 2020
This book took me three days to finish. That’s saying a lot…
Few reasons why I wanted to love this book.
1: The Cover. Hello?! Look at that cover!
2: Paranormal romance because I LOVEEEEEE this genre.
3: Angels. Need I say more?
My kindle says that this book had 308 pages.Well suffice to say, I felt like I read a whole lot more. Yet I’ve never felt so disconnected with the charctares. Even after reading this book, I am rather indifferent with the characters. I feel underwhelmed with the storyline and that sort of depresses me because I had such high hopes for The Fallen.
1: The Cover. Hello?! Look at that cover!
2: Paranormal romance because I LOVEEEEEE this genre.
3: Angels. Need I say more?
My kindle says that this book had 308 pages.Well suffice to say, I felt like I read a whole lot more. Yet I’ve never felt so disconnected with the charctares. Even after reading this book, I am rather indifferent with the characters. I feel underwhelmed with the storyline and that sort of depresses me because I had such high hopes for The Fallen.
January 14, 2021
My hands are shaking writing this review Wow! This book! Throw away all of your expectations. This is unlike anything she's written. It's dark and dare I say extremely sexual without being in your face. Our heroine Lila has an edge that's just as sharp and dark as our Bad Guy( or is he ). You can cut the tension with a knife. You'll be completely immersed in this world with your eyes popping out of your head. Holy Hell!! This was a fantastic
November 16, 2025
── ᝰ .ᐟ DNF @ p.120
i just couldn't do it, these characters were annoying af
i just couldn't do it, these characters were annoying af
October 24, 2020
I always enjoy some angel angst and The Fallen has it in spades😆 We also have an underground freedom fighter movement, a smattering of other mythical beings, heavy betrayal and a slow burn, enemies-to-something-else-maybe romance. Oh and not forgetting an explosive cliff hanger ending!😜
First in a trilogy and I'll be hanging out for more answers (and hopefully more steam🔥) in book 2💖
3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First in a trilogy and I'll be hanging out for more answers (and hopefully more steam🔥) in book 2💖
3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 15, 2020
DNF - quit at 26% (page 74- finished chapter 12)
I don't know what happened, but I just couldn't keep reading. This book was not holding my attention at all, I found myself putting it down & just not wanting to pick it back up, or finding things that were distracting me from reading in general (not natural for me). There's really no world building even just to grasp when this happens, some things make it sound current, some make it sound like futuristic, some sound like in a past, but nothing really deciphered what the heck background is to solidify the story for me. It has a very heavy handedness to it, which for me is a definite draw-back, though I could see that other readers would like this. I didn't like Lila, she seemed so arrogant for someone so beat down by life, I think the author meant it to be confidence, but it just didn't come across that way for me. Count Saklas just didn't do anything for me, I just couldn't get into him as the MMC. He just seemed like an insensitive killing machine. There's mention of him being an angel, but other references of him wanting to be king of the fallen angels. The 2 references just confused me more, and was the point that made me want to quit rather than sort it out. I need the main characters to draw me in, to make me care about what happens to them, & I just didn't with this story. Maybe this author just isn't my cup of tea, since the books I've tried to read by this author, I've either not liked enough to want to continue with the series (1) or did not finish the books (4).
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
I don't know what happened, but I just couldn't keep reading. This book was not holding my attention at all, I found myself putting it down & just not wanting to pick it back up, or finding things that were distracting me from reading in general (not natural for me). There's really no world building even just to grasp when this happens, some things make it sound current, some make it sound like futuristic, some sound like in a past, but nothing really deciphered what the heck background is to solidify the story for me. It has a very heavy handedness to it, which for me is a definite draw-back, though I could see that other readers would like this. I didn't like Lila, she seemed so arrogant for someone so beat down by life, I think the author meant it to be confidence, but it just didn't come across that way for me. Count Saklas just didn't do anything for me, I just couldn't get into him as the MMC. He just seemed like an insensitive killing machine. There's mention of him being an angel, but other references of him wanting to be king of the fallen angels. The 2 references just confused me more, and was the point that made me want to quit rather than sort it out. I need the main characters to draw me in, to make me care about what happens to them, & I just didn't with this story. Maybe this author just isn't my cup of tea, since the books I've tried to read by this author, I've either not liked enough to want to continue with the series (1) or did not finish the books (4).
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
October 24, 2020
DNF 30%
1 use it to line bird cages Star.
This book was a dumpster fire with much less entertainment value. I didn’t like the h or H. The characters lacked depth & sense. The world building was minimal, the plot messy, & the book was a chore to read. A shame bc the cover art & blurb held promise.
1 use it to line bird cages Star.
This book was a dumpster fire with much less entertainment value. I didn’t like the h or H. The characters lacked depth & sense. The world building was minimal, the plot messy, & the book was a chore to read. A shame bc the cover art & blurb held promise.
March 15, 2021
Not giving this a star rating beyond 1 since I only made it to 20% before deciding to DNF. I feel like the best way to describe this is odd, artificial and contrived.
This has got to be one of the strangest books I've come across. The cover is exquisite and the blurb enticing, but this book read like it was crowdsourced. I guess this happens because "CN Crawford" is really a team of writers (I looked them up and they seem to be a couple with a team of collaborators). I find co-authored books tend to miss the mark for me. They're often uneven in pacing and voice and this only cemented that notion. I didn't know what the hell the author was aiming for. It was as though someone took a bunch of keywords, shuffled them around with popular tropes and blended them together with the sole intention of playing to the Amazon algorithm. The end result is a story set in a strange world not anchored in any time or place, that seems at times old and modern with no defining characteristics, angels, a count that is really an angel, a castle dubbed Hades (for no apparent reason)...and very little coherence. The writing itself was functional but tryhard, and it left a lot to be desired. I have absolutely no idea how this book has a 4 overall rating on Goodreads but it's not the first time that I see this happen with self-published books that come from what appear to be content mills.
This has got to be one of the strangest books I've come across. The cover is exquisite and the blurb enticing, but this book read like it was crowdsourced. I guess this happens because "CN Crawford" is really a team of writers (I looked them up and they seem to be a couple with a team of collaborators). I find co-authored books tend to miss the mark for me. They're often uneven in pacing and voice and this only cemented that notion. I didn't know what the hell the author was aiming for. It was as though someone took a bunch of keywords, shuffled them around with popular tropes and blended them together with the sole intention of playing to the Amazon algorithm. The end result is a story set in a strange world not anchored in any time or place, that seems at times old and modern with no defining characteristics, angels, a count that is really an angel, a castle dubbed Hades (for no apparent reason)...and very little coherence. The writing itself was functional but tryhard, and it left a lot to be desired. I have absolutely no idea how this book has a 4 overall rating on Goodreads but it's not the first time that I see this happen with self-published books that come from what appear to be content mills.
October 18, 2020
DNF @ 49%.
I'm struggling with what to even say here.
This book was... strange..., but I went with it.
Like... what?
I got half way through and had to throw in the towel. Specifically, when this happened:
All I could do was shake my head. She claims to hate this guy, yet asks to sleep in his room. And there is literally zero argument whatsoever. None of it makes sense.
I'm struggling with what to even say here.
This book was... strange..., but I went with it.
“Shut your mouth, Finn! Mentioning my death is bad luck. Now tap the brick three times and ask the Raven King for forgiveness, or you’ll be responsible when my neck breaks.”
Like... what?
I got half way through and had to throw in the towel. Specifically, when this happened:
“Well, I don't know if it was a dream or real life,” I said. “But all I know is that room is haunted. And maybe if I'm going to sleep, I could sleep in your room. You seem like you could keep me safe from ghosts.”
All I could do was shake my head. She claims to hate this guy, yet asks to sleep in his room. And there is literally zero argument whatsoever. None of it makes sense.
February 9, 2022
I am being a bit harsh with the rating here. ✨😳
The Crawfords are excellent at creating a running plot.
I love that our MC is always on the move.
There is always this feeling of moving forward. We get tons of fights, running for your life situations, & trying to do the right thing.
They excel at creating action. ⚔️
So why the lower rating, you say?
It’s the world building.
It left me confused as hell.
I could not for the life of me understand it.
And I’m pretty smart, if I may say so.
Because I felt so confused, so unsure of the world building, it overshadowed everything for me.
Read: 09/02/2022
1st rating: 2.5 stars
Genre/tropes: PNR/angels/demons
Cover: 5 stars
POV’s: Dual 1st person (Lila & Count Saklas)
Will I recommend: 50/50 🤔
The Crawfords are excellent at creating a running plot.
I love that our MC is always on the move.
There is always this feeling of moving forward. We get tons of fights, running for your life situations, & trying to do the right thing.
They excel at creating action. ⚔️
So why the lower rating, you say?
It’s the world building.
It left me confused as hell.
I could not for the life of me understand it.
And I’m pretty smart, if I may say so.
Because I felt so confused, so unsure of the world building, it overshadowed everything for me.
Read: 09/02/2022
1st rating: 2.5 stars
Genre/tropes: PNR/angels/demons
Cover: 5 stars
POV’s: Dual 1st person (Lila & Count Saklas)
Will I recommend: 50/50 🤔
June 16, 2021
Actual rating: 2.5🌟
Could've been better but I'll take it.
There was too little worldbuilding, almost no character development and even the pacing was slow.
As for the plot ... meh.
I hope it gets better.
Could've been better but I'll take it.
There was too little worldbuilding, almost no character development and even the pacing was slow.
As for the plot ... meh.
I hope it gets better.
October 19, 2020
LOVED this book! Samael is an amazing hero, and Lilah is a total badass. The world of The Fallen is one that I don't want to leave anytime soon and I cannot wait for the second book!
November 28, 2022
very surface level both story and characters
October 10, 2020
I am always a tiny bit reluctant to start a series by an author I like because I’m always afraid I won’t like the new series. I’m been a little off romance just because I don’t have as much time to read, and I am sticking with my favorites. From the start, this kept my attention. This was a little bit darker than I’m used to from this author, but it was still filled with action, attraction, suspense, and twists and turns. I love how this is a series set in the same universe as another series by her; it’s fun to see other sides. I quite enjoyed Lila as she’s a tough character. I also am enjoying the twists and turns because I don’t see them coming. This was a great book, and I’m anxiously waiting for another one. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
January 4, 2021
DNF 50%
I hate DNFing but I can't stand the FMC.
I am sure a lot of people enjoy the quirky constant asking questions thing the MC has going but I am just so annoyed.
I don't understand the motives of her either. Why sneak out of her room to look at an empty tower? She knew there weren't any bodies, what did she think she would find that could help her?
So much risk for minimal reward.
And that all the other characters are ok with her constant asking about everything... I wouldn't expect an immortal being to just be ok about nonsense like that. Just be quiet for a minute and let others talk. The world doesn't resolve around you..
2* because the cover is amazing and the story itself sounds promising.. just not with that MC
I hate DNFing but I can't stand the FMC.
I am sure a lot of people enjoy the quirky constant asking questions thing the MC has going but I am just so annoyed.
I don't understand the motives of her either. Why sneak out of her room to look at an empty tower? She knew there weren't any bodies, what did she think she would find that could help her?
So much risk for minimal reward.
And that all the other characters are ok with her constant asking about everything... I wouldn't expect an immortal being to just be ok about nonsense like that. Just be quiet for a minute and let others talk. The world doesn't resolve around you..
2* because the cover is amazing and the story itself sounds promising.. just not with that MC
October 31, 2020
4.5 stars
November 18, 2020
Returned it. Read like a child wrote this one. 🤷🏼♀️
September 9, 2020
Can’t wait to read!!!!!!
(Added it)
(Added it)
January 29, 2021
Too slow a burn for me and besides that it was very predictable. 300 pages and no sex between the MC’s. If I want to be bored I’ll read non-fiction. I read this bc I am a huge fan of Laura Thalassa and I was told that I would enjoy this book because it’s similar to Laura Thalassa‘s stories. If Laura Thalassa’s books (the horseman series in particular) are the bar this book falls pretty far short of it.
October 21, 2020
I wasn't into this as much as I thought I'd be. Didn't really build relationships between any of the characters, so I wasn't attached to any of them.
March 21, 2022
Didn’t like it. Skimmed through it. Yet the need to read the next one is itching. 😂😫
December 6, 2024
Cranked this bad boy out before I seriously study for my last exam of the semester lol I’m already feeling winter break
The book was aight, not gonna read the rest of the series
The book was aight, not gonna read the rest of the series
November 6, 2020
Poor worldbuilding, enough so I didn't know what kind of era I was in...was it historical? steampunk? present? I know it's fantasy, but it was hard for me to imagine what kind of world I was in. It seemed throughout the whole story that everything coincidentally worked out for the main character. Also pretty predictable where the plot will be headed. The relationship between Lila and Samael was poorly developed as well. It was so blatantly obvious she was trying to betray him and he's an angel for God's sake! Isn't he supposed to be powerful enough to sense she's lying so blatantly every time she opens her mouth? Lila also came across as very naive and disrespectful. She somehow escapes her "prison" multiple times and returns without anyone noticing, even from multiple angels...Overall, the characters were unrelatable, the plot predictable, the worldbuilding confusing, and the ending cliffhanger. *sad face*
November 16, 2020
I loved it. Sometimes I just pick up a book at random, from an author I know nothing about, I don't look at ratings or reviews, I just go for it. And sometimes it turns out to be the best read! This is one of these books. So many twists and turns, spooky hallways, strong women, hot ass angels and magic! Oh. The angels.
The only bad thing about the way I picked this book is that when I wanted to read book 2, I realised this one has been released only a month before! Arrgh! Am I really mad tho? Nah, I'm sure book 2 will be worth the wait.
Not only I found a great series in the making, but I also got introduced to this wonderful author! Highly recommend.
The only bad thing about the way I picked this book is that when I wanted to read book 2, I realised this one has been released only a month before! Arrgh! Am I really mad tho? Nah, I'm sure book 2 will be worth the wait.
Not only I found a great series in the making, but I also got introduced to this wonderful author! Highly recommend.
June 24, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. It was my first Hades/Persephone retelling and I'd seen a great review about it on booktok. However, I ended up giving this a 2.5-3 stars.
I didn't DNF because it was a short and quick read. I think this book would've benefitted from some additional edits. The characters were not developed, and thus, I did not care for them, or understand them. The world building was confusing. Certain characters spoke strangely and their dialogue felt forced. I think the premise has a lot of potential. I hope the rest of the series picks up and we see more chemistry between Samael and the MC - the name of which I've already forgotten.
I would say give it a chance if you enjoy Hades/Persephone retellings that have a slow burn, but not a lot of spice.
I didn't DNF because it was a short and quick read. I think this book would've benefitted from some additional edits. The characters were not developed, and thus, I did not care for them, or understand them. The world building was confusing. Certain characters spoke strangely and their dialogue felt forced. I think the premise has a lot of potential. I hope the rest of the series picks up and we see more chemistry between Samael and the MC - the name of which I've already forgotten.
I would say give it a chance if you enjoy Hades/Persephone retellings that have a slow burn, but not a lot of spice.
January 5, 2021
Holy Cannoli that was one spicy book! Oh man this is probably the sexiest book CN Crawford has ever written. One thing that I always love about their books is the fact that I never see what’s coming or how it’s going to end. I can’t wait for book 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews