Where to Start Reading C.N. Crawford
C.N. Crawford is the collaborative pen name of Christine and Nick, a married writing duo renowned for their action-packed urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Because they write in distinct universes and self-contained series, you have plenty of choices for your starting point. Choosing where to begin depends entirely on what flavor of fantasy you prefer:
- For the Ultimate Connected Experience: Start with Infernal Magic, the first book of the Demons of Fire and Night series. This opens the gate to their massive, multi-series shared universe that spans vampires, demons, mages, and fae.
- For Gritty Urban Fantasy and Mystery: Start with Agent of Enchantment, the first book of the Dark Fae FBI series. Co-authored with Alex Rivers, this series features a pixie profiler solving magical crimes in London.
- For Modern Romantasy and Fae Trials: Start with Frost, the first book of the Frost and Nectar duology. This is a fast-paced, trope-filled story centered on fae courts and deadly games.
The Interconnected Universe Reading Order
While many of C.N. Crawford's series work perfectly as standalones, six of their major series exist in the same fantasy universe. Reading them in chronological order allows you to see the world evolve, catch returning characters, and understand the overarching mythology. The authors themselves recommend following this order:
1. Demons of Fire and Night Series
This is where the universe begins. The story introduces readers to London's supernatural underworld, showcasing dark mages, demons, and high stakes. The main books in this subseries include:
- Infernal Magic (2016)
- Nocturnal Magic (2016)
- Primeval Magic (2017)
- Eternal Magic (2019)
Note: The companion novella, The Angel and the Beast (Book 1.1), can be read immediately after the first book for extra character depth.
2. The Vampire's Mage Series
Set in the same universe, this series follows Rosalind, a demon hunter caught in a web of dark magic and a dangerous demigod. It continues the development of the magical system established in the previous series.
- Magic Hunter (2016)
- Witch Hunter (2016)
- Blood Hunter (2017)
- Divine Hunter (2017)
Note: The short story Shadow Mage (Book 1.1) adds supplementary background to the series.
3. A Spy Among the Fallen Trilogy
Transitioning into fae territory, this trilogy mixes espionage and supernatural action as a half-fae protagonist goes undercover among fallen angels and powerful fae lords.
- Covert Fae (2018)
- Black Ops Fae (2018)
- Rogue Fae (2019)
4. Institute of the Shadow Fae Series
This series moves the action to a magical training academy, blending dark academy aesthetics with high-stakes fae political intrigue.
- Court of Shadows (2018)
- Court of Darkness (2018)
- Court of Night (2018)
- Court of Dreams (2019)
5. Institute of the Storm Fae Series
A direct spin-off featuring characters and elements from the Shadow Fae series, centering on a storm-wielding protagonist.
- Queen of Storms (2019)
6. Court of the Sea Fae Series
This trilogy rounds out the interconnected universe, focusing on the aquatic courts and concluding the larger mythos of the shared world.
- Dark King (2019)
- Fallen King (2019)
- Rising Queen (2020)
Standalone Series and Trilogies
If you prefer to read a shorter, self-contained story without committing to a massive universe, C.N. Crawford has several popular standalone options. These can be read in any order, though you should read the books within each series in publication order.
The Demon Queen Trials
This trilogy is a major fan favorite, featuring a mortal woman named Rowan who gets dragged into the deadly trials of the demonic courts. It is set in modern Massachusetts and features heavy romantic elements, urban fantasy action, and courtly intrigue.
- City of Thorns (2021)
- Lord of Embers (2022)
- Garden of Serpents (2022)
Frost and Nectar Duology
A highly popular romantasy duology focused on fae royalty, an arranged marriage trope, and a competition for the crown. It is a quick read that delivers strong romantic chemistry and classic fantasy tropes.
- Frost (2022)
- Ambrosia (2023)
Fey Spy Academy Trilogy
Co-authored with thriller writer Alex Rivers, this trilogy blends magical school elements with espionage and Arthurian mythology twists.
- Avalon Tower (2024)
- Vale of Dreams (2024)
- Lady of The Lake (2025)
Hades Castle Trilogy
A dark paranormal romance trilogy with heavy mythological undertones, following a heroine trapped in a sinister castle with a lord of the underworld.
- The Fallen (2020)
- Rapture (2021)
- Possessed (2021)
Night Elves Trilogy
This series moves away from traditional fae to focus on the politics, war, and romance of the night elves.
- Cursed Prince (2020)
- Ruined King (2020)
- Shadow Empress (2021)
Hallowed Games Duology
A newer high fantasy romance release focusing on a dangerous tournament where gods and mortals clash.
- Hallowed Games (2023)
- Vanquished Gods (2024)
Memento Mori Series
The debut Young Adult urban fantasy series written by the duo. It follows a young sorcerer who tumbles from his magic-filled home world into Boston and must prevent a spectral invasion.
- The Witching Elm (2014)
- A Witch's Feast (2015)
- Witches of the Deep (2016)
Note: The novella The Abysmal Sea (2015) acts as book 2.5 in this series.
What to Know Before You Start
C.N. Crawford's writing style is fast-paced, dialogue-driven, and full of snarky, independent heroines. Because Christine and Nick collaborate closely, passing the laptop back and forth to edit, their prose remains consistent across all books. Many of their urban fantasy series feature co-authors, such as Alex Rivers on Dark Fae FBI and Fey Spy Academy, which adds a strong mystery and procedural element to those specific titles. Most of their stories lean heavily into romance, but the level of explicit content varies from mild romantic tension to steamier scenes in their later romantasy releases like Frost and Nectar.