Thank you to DelRey and Netgalley for the arc.

This was painfully slow for me but I do think the subject matter (fairy tale retelling) would be compelling to other readers. Unfortunately this just didn't work for me.

"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the wickedest of them all?"
The Crimson Crown is the first book in this duology and I can not wait to read the second one. This is a witchy reimagining of Snow White and this time the dark queen tells her story. The book had me captivated from the beginning and I could not stop turning the pages. I devoured this book in one sitting. The author wrote this so well and instead of this classic tale she turned it into a darker but also more compelling read. All of the characters in this were amazing and the relationship between the two characters was so good. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this duology! I loved this book so very much and would recommend it to any reader especially if you love fantasy books. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Del Rey for this amazing read in exchange of my honest review of The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter.

I love a retold fairy tale … I really do. This one — a queer retelling of Snow White — through the eyes of the evil queen should have been a slam dunk. This is part one of two; I find myself wishing this book instead was an extended prologue because Ayleth only gets interesting the later in the book and the closer to the evil queen we know her to become. There’s a good chance I’ll read the sequel, and hope it will do more to reel me in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine/Del Rey for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is not at all what I expected but I was so invested! Witches, covens, adventure, and the white king?! But alas, the characters felt lackluster and the plot didn’t feel high stakes. I actually couldn’t tell you why the FMC went to the White Castle in the first place. Most of the book felt like very little was happening except listening to the FMC worry about being found out. Aftera strong start I was bored and lost interest with its excessive page length. I wasn’t even into the romance, as I couldn’t get behind the fact that they got together after Jaquetta knew it was Ayleths mom pretending to be Ayleth and still held a grudge so many years later. I didn’t even really believe they were friends. Idk. The evil white king didn’t seem nearly as evil as the power she was fighting in her head and any connections to Snow White were lost on me.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

**Review of *The Crimson Crown* by Heather Walter**

If you’re a fan of fairy tale retellings with a dark twist, *The Crimson Crown* is an absolute must-read! This book flips the script on the classic *Snow White* story, giving the Evil Queen, Ayleth, a chance to shine as the main character. Instead of being the heartless villain, she’s a witch struggling to find her power in a world that wants to crush her.

The world-building is lush and full of drama, especially at the White Palace, where Ayleth gets tangled in a web of deceit and danger. I loved how Ayleth’s relationship with Jacquetta, her former lover, is filled with tension and betrayal, making their eventual team-up even more exciting. The romance is queer and beautifully messy, and it adds so much depth to Ayleth’s journey.

What really pulls you in, though, is how Ayleth grows from being uncertain and vulnerable to becoming a badass witch ready to take on whatever (or whoever) comes her way. The White King is a deliciously sinister character, and the stakes keep getting higher as Ayleth’s story unfolds.

A beautifully crafted fantasy with rich world-building and complex characters. The blend of intrigue, magic, and emotion makes it a captivating start to the series.

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the DRC of The Crimson Crown! All opinions in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed Heather Walter's Malice duology so I was excited to read this witchy Snow White's Evil Queen retelling! The Crimson Crown did not disappoint! At this point, I will read anything Walter writes!

I am a simple woman: anything Heather Walter publishes I read and rate 5 stars.

Walter is a masterclass in fairytale retellings, and The Crimson Crown is no different. Easy to pick up (I mean, look at that cover!!) and difficult to put down, you don’t want to miss this one.

I thought this book was more of a slow burn. For a book that's 544 pages long, not much really happened until the end.

The premise of the story follows Ayleth (the witch from Snow White, but before) and her mission to bring her sister Rhea back. She journeys to the White Castle, the kingdom of people that killed her sister and the other witches. She needs to find the bloodstones to bring her sister back, but finding them is not as easy as she originally thought.

While I wasn't a fan of how slow the book moved, it was still easy to read and entertaining. I thought for a retelling, the connections to Snow White were pretty scarce. The first 400 pages I was really struggling to find a connection beyond the apples in the palace and the singular dwarf. (view spoiler)

While it wasn't the book for me, I'm sure others that enjoy Snow White may enjoy it.

I loved Malice, so I was so excited to read this. And it was beautifully dark and enchanting, and it made me care about Snow White for the first time. It added further depth and a fresh take on the Snow White legend. Ayleth’s journey is compelling, and the complicated dynamics between her and Jacquetta kept me hooked.

While the pacing struggled in places, and some twists felt a bit predictable, the emotional depth and character development more than made up for it. The blend of court intrigue, forbidden magic, and romance made this a hard book to put down.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings with a darker edge and morally complex characters, The Crimson Crown is definitely worth a read. 4/5 stars.

I liked the concept of the book and the world building aspect of it. I had a hard time finishing it however as it seemed a slow reading midway through. However overall interesting story and world

I was sooooo down for this story. The concept behind it and seeing a classic story from a different point of view had me living for it! This was a great sapphic read!

This is a fairy tale retelling that gives the origin story of the wicked queen in snow white.
I picked this up a few times and would put it down again because the story is a bit slow in the beginning, (and again a little past the midway point) and I struggled to connect with Ayleth's character because she is so unsure of herself and what she wants to do. Ayleth is on a journey to discover who she really is and clearly has forces that are influencing that, wanting to find out how she reaches the end goal is what kept me returning despite the slow parts. I like the FMC mostly and look forward to finding out how the story continues in the second book. Overall, this is a pretty good start for a duology.

If you like villain origin stories for your classic fairy tales, a queer FMC that is on a mission to save what she loves, and a kingdom full of secrets to be discovered then this one is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up because I definitely want to read the second book

I have read Walter's Malice Duology and really loved it, especially the first book. So, I was very excited when I saw this as a sapphic retelling of Snow White from the "evil" queen's point of view. This book did not hit me the same way as Malice, but it definitely angered me FOR Ayleth, who had never felt comfortable at home, and was forced into a role when her sister, the only one who ever took the time to understand her, was killed by the King's Hunt. What did not surprise me was that while the King's contingent was awful (they shared many similarities with what I would classify as a rigid, misogynistic religious fundamentalist organization), Ayleth's own upbringing was in a coven that were just as closeminded in many ways. Heather Walter is very much into creating morally grey characters, so while Ayleth was trying to do the right thing, she was not necessarily doing it for all the right reasons, nor in a way that was true to herself.

Like Misrule (second book in the previous duology), I felt that this took a long time to get going, and at 500+ pages, you have to want to keep going. The ending was full of revelations and action that made it worth my while, but I do wish that the intensity had been sustained throughout the book. I think with further editing, I would have felt more invested in Ayleth and Jaquetta's attraction to each other, I would have felt the danger of the court more, and I would generally have felt more invested in some of the other side characters (Blodwyn being one who should play a bigger role in the second book).

The other thing that left me wanting more was the concept of Malum. Obviously, it is left to the reader to decide who or what he is, and whether the evil that he represents is as both the witches and the Eye of Meira have presented him--an entity that both have claimed to have held back from the world. I think this is by design, so that we read the second book to find out. Is he a creature of darkness? Maybe? Does that make him evil? Hmm....

Overall, this reading took more perseverance on my part than I was expecting, but the ending resolved just enough and left me wanting more so that I will be reading the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I originally did a covered the author with her Malice duology, and was excited to find out she would continue with her sapphic retellings! Very much enjoyed this story, the world building and complex characters were wonderful.

**Review of *The Crimson Crown* by Heather Walker**

Heather Walker’s *The Crimson Crown* is an epic tale of ambition, betrayal, and power that captures the intricate dance between duty and desire. Set in a vividly imagined kingdom on the brink of war, the novel centers on Princess Elira, a strong-willed heroine forced to navigate a treacherous path to claim the throne while protecting her people from an encroaching darkness.

Walker’s world-building is immersive, filled with lush descriptions of royal courts, battlefields, and ancient magic that lingers at the edges of the narrative. The political intrigue is layered and compelling, with unexpected alliances and shocking betrayals that keep readers on edge. Elira is a dynamic protagonist, her struggles with trust and loyalty making her both relatable and inspiring.

The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, with action-packed sequences interspersed with quieter moments of character development. The relationships—whether romantic, platonic, or adversarial—are thoughtfully explored, adding emotional depth to the sweeping narrative. However, some side characters feel underdeveloped, leaving readers wanting more insight into their motivations.

*The Crimson Crown* is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of fantasy with strong heroines and high stakes. Walker’s intricate storytelling and emotional resonance make this book a standout in the genre.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel I enjoyed the books Walter wrote retelling the Maleficent story so I had to try this one to find more about the Evil Queen from Snow White. This book did start extremely slowly for me and I admit to skimming a ton in the first half. The action did finally start to pick up at the halfway point and I did really enjoy the twists near the end and how we got to our "mirror mirror on the wall" line that had to be said. If there is more to this tale, which I am guessing there will be, I will be interested to see where it goes. Even with the very slow beginning, I will give this 3 stars for the well-done ending.

The first book in a sapphic fantasy duology reimagining the origin of the Wick Witch from Snow White. Ayleth is a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven and her beloved sister, hiding their magic from the White King and his war against witchh craft. Yet when Ayleth's sister dies and she blames herself.... Ayleth's life is changed, but when she reaches into the Veil and touches her sister, she knows she'll do anything to get her back, even run away from her coven to infiltrate the White Palace and steal gemstones that could help her reach her sister. What Ayleth doesn't expect on her quest is to run into her ex, Jacquetta, a witch who betrayed her and left her behind. Jacquetta is also hiding in the castle working on her own plans... but now both girls must find a way to face off against the sinister forces haunting the castle while dealing with their complicated relationship. Yet the closer Ayleth gets to her goal the more things get complicated and soon... she'll have to pick what and who she wants to follow. This is definitely a whole new interesting take and I didn't expect any of this story. It feels so new and does make an interesting backstory for a classic character. I will say though, I just never really connected to any of the characters or the romantic relationship between Ayleth and Jacquetta. Despite everything that happened between them, it just never really felt like the romance was fully fleshed out and I just didn't really care all that much. Overall, if you're looking for a witchy sapphic reimagining of a classic villain story, I'd say give it a go!

Release Date: August 27,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Heavy is the Crown 3.5 Stars



As a fan of fairytale retellings and villain origin stories, The Crimson Crown naturally caught my attention, and I’m glad I gave it a chance. While it has its flaws, there’s plenty to appreciate in this intriguing take on how the Evil Queen came to be.

One of the standout elements of this book is its premise. The worldbuilding and the imaginative twists on familiar tropes are captivating. Walter weaves a story that feels both fresh and rooted in the dark, magical atmosphere one expects from a tale of villainy. However, the execution didn’t always deliver. At times, the narrative wandered, losing focus amid its ambitious scope.

A notable drawback is the repetition. Certain phrases, like Ayleth’s “force behind her ribs,” appeared so frequently that they became a distraction, detracting from the intensity of key moments and breaking immersion.

The character dynamics, on the other hand, are a highlight. Blodwyn, with her fierce loyalty and sharp wit, quickly became a favorite, while Joan and Roland brought a sense of camaraderie to the cast. Although Ayleth is complex and layered, her interactions with Jacquetta sometimes felt repetitive and unresolved, leaving a sense of frustration.

The book's ending is its saving grace. While the story builds slowly, the climax is a thrilling, unforgettable conclusion. Walter's ability to deliver such a breathtaking finale made the journey worthwhile and left me eager for what comes next.

Interestingly, I own Malice by Heather Walter but haven’t read it yet. After finishing this book, I’m more intrigued to explore how her storytelling evolves across different works.

Overall, The Crimson Crown is an enjoyable read that shines in its high points but stumbles in its execution. If you can get past the repetition, it’s worth a read for the compelling characters and a truly spectacular ending.