Member Review

❝ Even when all this was invisible to me, you never were. ❞ ~ Samson


∘₊✦ The Crimson Throne ⚔️

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ~ 3.5



⟡ preread ⟡

⌕ Thanks so much to Netgalley for approving my first ARC!!


✑ overview (spoiler-free!)

⠀⠀⠀ ↳ In this historical fantasy YA novel, Alyth, a magical fae, has a duty to protect the Scotland Queen Mary from dangerous Red Caps who are lurking beyond the enchanted border. Samson, a lowly thief from the city of London has striked a deal with his father to find an object in Scotland that has cursed him since his childhood. Little do they know that there's a deeper, more dangerous plan set underway.


◗ plot

⠀⠀⠀ ✦ The story must lead on to other books in the series, since most of it was building on the characters and the plan in Scotland, and ended with another plotline for the next book.
⠀⠀⠀ ✦ The pacing was quick and enjoyable, I feel like it was more centered on the plot rather than characters, which made it feel disconnected from them and their personalities. The romance was also a bit quick to start at the beginning.
⠀⠀⠀ ✦ The narrative was written as though the actual characters were speaking and thinking in their dialect of Scottish and English, which helped bring life to the writing.

‧₊˚ ✶"War is coming to both our lands." ~ Alyth



⭑ worldbuilding

‧₊˚ ⚘݄“Creatures like this, they’re not good or bad. They’re wild. They drift between the worlds, and they deserve to be protected from fae and man alike.” ~ Alyth

⠀⠀⠀ ↠ The way that the story was integrated Scotland and the royal powers in the 1500s with magic and an in-depth group of fae living among them in the borders made the story feel very realistic.
⠀⠀⠀ ↠ I was impressed with the setting, and how it was described just enough to give some parts eerie and mysterious vibe, but wasn’t overdone. I especially liked the description of the countryside and the cities, and how you could clearly picture the surroundings.
⠀⠀⠀ ↠ One highlight of the book was the fae creatures of Scotland, which I loved, especially their connection with Altyh.

❖ characters

⠀⠀⠀ ౨ৎ The characters had great storylines, but I felt their personality and development could have been improved and more detailed, it felt sort of dry at parts and like it was missing something. I think they could have had more unique traits as characters as well. The emotions were there, but I also thought they could have been shown with a bit more life through the character’s actions.
⠀⠀⠀ ౨ৎ I appreciated the added characters in the fae realm, like the goddes of winter and the witch, and I appreciated how their abilities were well-written.

‧₊˚ ✶“How can I prove myself to you?” ~ Samson

⠀⠀⠀ ➵ Alyth • "I've seen magic all my life, but I've never felt it until now." ~~ She was very focused, and her knowledge and upbringing as a fae with knowledge on the legends and creatures added magical details. The way she could see the auras and intentions of other people was also a unique type of magic. What resonated with me was her deep connection with the fae creatures like the brownies and glaistigs, and how she called on them for help. ✨
⠀⠀⠀ ➵ Samson • “We need each other, you and I.” ~~ I loved his aloofness even with his challenges, and how determined he was to prove himself to Alyth however he could. Although I think that the details on his heritage could have been improved with more depth.
⠀⠀⠀ ➵ Queen Mary ~~ I disliked her personality, especially the self-centered part, but she added to the plot of the fae and human worlds being connected.


➶ my recommendation

⤷ ⟡ age rating: 13+
⤷ ⟡ content warnings:
⠀⠀⠀— language ~ 6/10
⠀⠀⠀— romance ~ 6/10
⠀⠀⠀— violence ~ 5/10 - stabbing, deaths with magic abilities
⠀⠀⠀— other ~ drinking, manipulation
⤷ ⟡ For fans of the False Prince and books by Jennifer Nielsen
⤷ ⟡ Best for readers who love romantasy and fantay set in real locations


☾ final verdict

⠀⠀⠀ This was a fun adventure, and I especially loved the setting and creatures. Overall, I would say this book was successful in the plot, but the characters were lacking some detail and relatability.



The Crimson Throne — 2025
~ ∘₊ ✦