Sarah writes it - I’ll read it. This book was just FUN. I loved the MC and the setting - Scotland has my heart and overall this was just a fun fantasy read!

Magical fae power, cursed objects, political intrigue and forbidden romance combine in The Crimson Throne, a YA historical romantasy by Sara Rassch and Beth Revis. I really enjoyed the authors' previous duology, so I jumped at the chance to read their next collaboration. The premise is captivating with an alternate version of our world in which magic remains hidden from humans. Alyth, being the Scottish half-fae guardian of the crown and invisible magical wall that separates Scotland from England, has sworn her life to protect Scotland and the fae that share its borders. The threat of the exiled Red Caps is rising and they have Lord Darnley, the Queen's own husband willing to help them succeed in whatever way possible. Samson is the English spy sent to infiltrate the Scottish court. He is tasked with carrying a magical amulet over the border into Scotland to find out if Queen Mary has her own stash of magical items. He is also trying to discover a way to remove a violent curse that was placed upon him as a child. Despite having different objectives, Alyth and Samson are unified in their mission to destroy the threat to both their kingdoms.

I think Alyth is the stronger of the two leads, she is independent, stubborn and emotionally complex. I felt how much she loved her world and her drive to protect it is compelling. Her role as guardian and her role in Queen Mary’s court gave a lot of interesting insight into the alternate version of 16th century nobles in a fantasy setting. She has a complicated relationship with her father, and her mixed fae heritage lends another layer to the interconnected human and fae dynamics.
Samson is charming, able to don a mask that helps him become the person he needs to be. He is eager to prove himself useful to his father, hoping to have his curse lifted. The romance between her and Samson is maybe a little rushed, I wish it could have been explored a bit more to help give them a deeper connection.

I enjoyed how the historical elements were woven in with the Scottish folklore, it helped to bring the story to life. You can tell how much research went into creating the story. The world building is atmospheric, and the authors create vivid and cinematic scenes throughout the story. You can feel the undercurrent of danger the Red Caps present and how if they manage to break through, it will have far reaching consequences to both the human and fae realms. I felt the first half of the book was a little slow, but the second half really picks up and I was sucked into finding out how the story ends. This was a fun adventure making it a quick easy read.

First book by this authors and it was pretty good, i liked the trama and the twists, and of course the enemies to lovers is always a plus, can’t wait for more

I did actually enjoy this one quite a bit, and I did sort of crack the plot half way through because this is loosely based on some of my favorite Irish mythology and folk stories that deals with the fae. This stuff lives rent free in my brain. So when I recognized what it was I was really excited about it.

It's in the Elizabethan Era, set between Scotland and England. Mary is married to her second idiot husband Lord Darnley and she's pretty close to deciding he's not worth the effort. Her son James has just been born and Scotland is entrenched in a second set of warfare between the Seelie Fae and the Redcaps. As if they don't already have other political issues.

Alyth is a Leth, a half human daughter of the Seelie King, not good enough for the fae, but the safety of all of Scotland rides of her ability to protect the wall that keeps the Redcaps out of the country, keeps the peace, the safety of the Fae and the people. It puts her in a strange position as a maid to Queen Mary, the lowliest of her court, but with power almost equal to or higher than the queen as the strongest Leth.

Samson is being sent as a spy into Mary's court by his father Cecil, a noble lord high up in Queen Elizabeth's court. He's to pose as a secretary to a Lord and steal any Redcap weapons that Mary is stocking up for the potential upcoming war between herself and Elizabeth who sees Mary as a direct threat to her rule. It's something his father has had him do many times before.

The Redcaps are getting stronger, their hate and rage and evil wants bubbling over into the citizens of Scotland, they are fueled by war and bloodshed. Alyth suspects a push for the wall and a war will break out between the fae very soon.

I liked the overlay of political human intrigue with the Fae customs and culture together. It was a solid read and I would be interested in seeing what happens next in the web Alyth and Samson find themselves in and if together they can end this bloody war.

From the blurb this book seemed perfect for me.
It's alt!history with a magic world that can only be perceived by magic wielders.
It's during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots.
It has a stubborn and strong FMC.
There are Fae and a threat beyond the wall.

The start was really great, weaving true history with the magical system, and I was instantly hooked.

Unfortunately the rest of the book didn't deliver for me.
There's real unnecessary romance, weird pacing, and I would have loved a more immersive plot.

Sign me up for the next alt!history fantasy book, but this one left me unsatisfied.

3/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooksfire for the eARC!

#TheCrimsonThrone #Netgalley #Bookstagram

First I’d like to thank Sourcebooks Fire for the chance to receive an Arc of this book!

As a start,this book is 3/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s for me!
If I’m going to be honest,The Crimson Throne wasn’t the type of book that I usually would like to read.
This book is full of adventure and the plot was built upon the world itself.
When I read that the book is supposed to have the trope of Enemies To Lovers,I expected it to have a lot of tension between the characters,which it lacked.
I also think that it lacked action.
I felt bored at a lot of parts in this book,I did actually end up skimming through many pages.(which didn’t affect my understanding,because nothing was actually happening).

I feel like it depends on what you’re looking for,if you’re reading the book to be invested in tension and thrill,this book won’t be for you.
If you’re looking for a book that has more of an adventurous plot I recommend it!
(The adventure itself didn’t stick out for me which is a big reason why I disliked this book.The adventure is basically the whole book)

~”Everything is a transaction.And a debt owed is a blade to your neck.”

This was honestly a really enjoyable read.
There was minimal world building and a lack of explanation around the magic systems which left me a little confused but once I didn’t take it too seriously it was actually really fun.
The plot was exciting, there was never a dull moment and I found the history incorporated was a fun addition too.
I think this book serves as a good palette cleanser between series or long books.

This was such a good historical fantasy book and it was set in Scotland and I don’t think I’ve actually read one like that before! I absolutely loved the MMC and adored him. I just wanted to jump in the book. This book did drag to me a little bit in the middle but I assume that’s because it is for people younger than me. Either way this book was a 4.5 star read and highly recommended for those looking for the vibes of this book!

I really liked this book, and can’t wait till the second book comes out. I left a review on G.R. under my name Jennifer.

The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis
Coming out in early October 2025

This book has historical fiction and romantasy.

This book follow Alyth as she help protects Mary Queen of Scots from both Lord Darnley (her husband), and magical forces that just want to see chaos in the human realm.

I really enjoyed this book but I did find it had a pacing issue. The middle seemed to drag as it was building up to the reveals. Otherwise, I really recommend this if you like historical fiction!

I love historical fiction and I love fantasy so to find a book that combines the two was a dream come true. A good read with an interesting plot. Im looking forward to book 2.

3.5 / 5 rounded up to 4 on NetGalley & Good Reads.

Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Crimson Throne is a story set in Scotland during the reigh of Mary Queen of Scotts. The story combines historical fiction with fantasy and romance elements as the two main characters seek to uncover threats to their respective realms.

On paper, from reading the description, this book sounds like a perfect blend of my favorite genres. There are many great individual pieces within this story, but they don't fall together well and seemed rushed.

This story is marketed for the 14-18 YA Reader, which I can see throughout the writing style although there's heavy theming surrounding murder plots, and death. The romance between the two characters felt unnecessary and quite sudden. Rather than add something to the story it felt as though it detracted from how strong and independent the FMC was, and added another layer to a story that didn't need it.

If you enjoy historical fiction and some fantasy you will likely find something to interest you in this book, but unfortunately it did not leave me wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the authors and publisher for the eARC. This book started off a bit confusing for me, but I think that’s because the authors wanted to connect real history with the added fae qualities, and I’m not very well brushed up on my history. I give this book a 3.5/5 rounded up to a 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I LOVED the MMC in this book, I just wanted to give him a hug. And I’m so happy with how the romance progressed. It was just enough to keep me satisfied along with the interesting plot points that kept me at the edge of my seat! And these authors do a fabulous job describing and bringing to life all the fae creatures in this novel. I absolutely loved each of the creatures and their part of Alyth’s story. This book was a joy to read, and I cannot wait to continue the story in the sequel.

A Royal Betrayal, Ancient Magic, and a Wall That Keeps the Monsters Out… Until It Doesn’t.
The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, releasing October 7, 2025, is a lush, magic-infused fantasy set against the misty backdrop of Scotland’s royal courts and shadowy wilds. As a fan of the duo’s previous collaborations, I went into this book expecting another five-star read—and while it didn’t quite reach that mark for me, there’s still plenty to admire.
The story opens strong with a captivating premise: Alyth, a powerful Fae protector born to defend Scotland, serves the Seelie Court and has spent her life guarding the wall that holds back the brutal, banished Red Caps—creatures who grow stronger with every act of violence. These aren’t just monsters; they’re war-forged nightmares, and if they ever breach the wall, all of Scotland is at risk.
Set in a version of our world where magic remains hidden from humans (except for Fae, who walk among them unnoticed), the novel focuses on the young and vulnerable Queen Mary of Scotland. Newly married to Darnley, a leth (low Fae) from England, and pregnant with her first child, Mary is suddenly betrayed in the most horrifying way—her husband attempts to assassinate her with a Red Cap weapon.
This betrayal sets everything in motion. Alyth, sensing something deeply wrong, begins a dangerous quest to discover if the wall has been breached. Though she finds no cracks, the threat is rising—and it’s clear the Red Caps are already making moves from within.
On her return to Stirling Castle, Alyth crosses paths with a mysterious man posing as a nobleman attending the prince’s christening. Distrust simmers between them, but tension gives way to reluctant alliance—and eventually something more. But can she truly trust him? Or is he yet another pawn in a deeper game?
As secrets unravel, Alyth and her new ally embark on a race against time to uncover Darnley’s full plan: Who is he working with? How many Red Cap weapons has he smuggled into Scotland? And when will the next attempt on the crown be made?
________________________________________
Here’s what worked:
• The worldbuilding is rich and atmospheric, rooted in Celtic lore but accessible and cinematic. The presence of Red Caps adds a constant undercurrent of danger.
• Alyth is a strong protagonist, duty-bound yet emotionally complex, and her growth throughout the book is compelling.
• The final quarter of the book is fantastic— explosive, twisty, and full of the payoff you’ve been waiting for.
________________________________________
What didn’t work as well for me:
• The middle of the book drags. While I understand the need for setup in a series starter, some parts felt padded, and the pacing lost its momentum.
• The romance, while intriguing, could’ve used more tension and depth earlier on to feel truly earned by the end.
________________________________________
Final thoughts:
The Crimson Throne is a strong start to what promises to be an epic series. While it has some pacing issues in the middle, the world is immersive, the lore is sharp, and the ending delivers a satisfying punch. If you’re a fan of court politics, dark magic, and slow-burn intrigue with high stakes, this book is absolutely worth a read.
I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel—because the Red Caps aren’t done yet. And neither is Alyth.

Oooh I LOVED this one!! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC <3

This had everything I could possibly want in a romantasy, fae courts, enemies to lovers and then set in Scotland?? Perfect perfect perfect.

I was obsessed with Alyth and at times she had me absolutely cackling, I couldn’t put this one down from about the halfway mark with the high stakes and historical elements and the ending has me needing book 2 asap!!

This book has everything: a courtly setting, a compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic, dangerous fae politics, and a romance that will leave you breathless. Highly recommended for fans of Holly Black, Sarah J. Maas, and Marie Rutkoski.

The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis is set to be released on the 7th of October 2025.

First of all, when I saw there was a new book by Sara and Beth; I knew I had to read it. I’ve loved the books they’ve written together and was anticipating this to be a 5 star read like the previous books they’ve written, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

Okay, so. This book is a fantasy novel filled with magic. This story plays out in Scotland; so we are in the human world and humans don’t see magic or magical creatures; except Fae they do see those but don’t know what they really are or can do.

We’re at royal court where Alyth; a Fae who since birth has been tasked with protecting Scotland and the wall against threats, especially threats that can damage the wall the keeps Red Caps and Rad Cap magic out of Scotland. The wall needs to stay intact to ensure the safety of the people of Scotland but also the Fae and the Seelie Court.

Red Caps are Fae that thrive on violence, the more violence they inflict the stronger they get. So where normal warriors’ endurance will falter mid fight, Red Caps only grow stronger and are harder to defeat. After a war that has cost thousands of lives; Red Caps were banished from Scotland but have been seeking ways to slither back in and in this story, you’ll read about it.

Queen Mary of Scotland, a young Queen who has been married to Darnley a leth (low fae) from England is expecting her first child. With the ultimate betrayal finding her doorstep she’ll know who her allies are. After Darnley tries to take Mary’s live with a Red Cap weapon; Alyth goes on a journey to find out if the wall is still intact, if there has been a breach, however small; but can’t find any.

On her way back to Stirling Castle she comes across a man passing himself of as a stand-in for a lord that can’t make the christening and festivities from the queen’s newborn son. Alyth is struggling to trust him enough to let him in, but it doesn’t take long for something to blossom. She’s found herself an ally, so she thinks.

Together they go on quests to get to know more about the danger Scotland and the seelie court are facing. Trying to get to the bottom of what Darnley has planned and how those plans take shape. Who is he working with (or for) and how many Red Cap weapons has he smuggled into Scotland? When will the next assassination take place?

The beginning of this book was really good, the middle part was dragging a bit. The dragging bit was necessary for story-building because this book isn’t a standalone, there will be more. The last 25% was amazing; action packed and very twisty.

This book is getting a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating from me.

received an ARC of The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on this epic fantasy! This book swept me into a world of political intrigue, magic, and high stakes, and it’s a wild ride worth taking. Here’s why I’m giving it four stars, with some pros and cons to keep it real.

Pros:
The world of The Crimson Throne is absolutely stunning. Raasch and Revis weave a rich tapestry of kingdoms, blood magic, and ancient prophecies that feels alive and immersive. I could practically smell the smoke in the war-torn streets of Eryndor! The dual POVs Althea, the reluctant queen, and Kael, the rebel with a murky past are a highlight. Both characters are flawed, complex, and easy to root for, even when they’re at odds. Their banter and slow-building trust kept me glued to the pages. The pacing is relentless, with twists that caught me off guard (no spoilers, but that mid-book reveal? Wow!). The magic system, tied to blood and sacrifice, is both gruesome and fascinating, adding a dark edge to the story. I also loved how the authors tackled themes of power and loyalty without preaching, Althea’s struggle to balance duty and her own desires hit me right in the feels.

Cons:
That said, a few things kept this from being a five-star read. The cast of supporting characters is large, and while some, like the spymaster Lira, shine, others felt like they got lost in the shuffle. I wanted more depth from a few of them to make certain betrayals hit harder. The political intrigue, while gripping, occasionally got tangled there were moments where I had to flip back to keep track of who was scheming against whom. Also, the romance subplot, while steamy, felt a tad rushed in places; I would’ve liked a bit more buildup to cement the emotional stakes. Finally, the ending, though exciting, left a couple of threads dangling that felt more abrupt than cliffhanger-y.
Overall, The Crimson Throne is a thrilling, ambitious fantasy that blends heart-pounding action with deep emotional beats. Raasch and Revis have crafted a world I’m dying to revisit, and I’m already counting down to the sequel. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, this one’s a must-read for fans of epic fantasy with strong leads and a side of scheming.

❝ 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
~ ∘₊ ✦

The Crimson Throne bySara Raasch and Beth Revis, published by Sourcebooks Fire, is an enemies-to-lovers romantasy, set in Scotland. A pnr novel, captivating, suspenseful, full of drama and intrigue that had me from start til the last page.