I was excited to receive this e-arc. And while I enjoyed the story, I do think it could be improved. First, I found the time setting difficult to place. The characters spoke like modern individuals, including using modern profanity that seemed superfluous, but there was mention of jousts and carriages. It just didn't make sense. Second, I thought the characters could be better developed, especially Ruby and her ability to problem solve. It was really only her proclivity to win at chess that was shown. Finally, the dialogue seemed really simple, like a middle grade book, yet the romance seemed too spicy for middle grade.

Thanks Netgalley and publishers for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Like a very watered down inheritance games. It was fine, we just don’t spend much time with any character to really understand their relationship with each other or Ruby.

This was a real page turner! Ruby learns she is to inherit the throne after the king's death, despite being completely unrelated to the royal family and having spent her whole life as a maid in the castle. The action was really compelling, and I read this super quickly, wanting to know the truth behind Ruby's unlikely ascension. The characters were well drawn and the ending was realistic and still surprising.

I enjoyed the journey that Ruby took me on throughout this book. Much like the chess games that she loved playing so much, the story was very much filled with check after check before the final checkmate. An enjoyable read for those who enjoying solving mysteries, rags to riches stories, and a strong female lead.

Red as Royal Blood is an addictive, high-stakes fantasy that hits all the right notes: mystery, romance, drama, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. Elizabeth Hart delivers a rich, fast-paced story that feels both fresh and familiar in the best way—perfect for fans of clever twists and royal intrigue.

Ruby is an absolute standout. Sharp, curious, and quietly courageous, she’s a puzzle-solver thrown into a world where every answer leads to more danger. Ruby navigates the treacherous halls of a kingdom filled with secrets—and enemies.

The royal court is brimming with tension, thanks in no small part to the late king’s three very different (and very swoon-worthy) sons. Ruby’s interactions with the princes are layered with suspicion, wit, and just the right amount of slow-burn chemistry. Each alliance she forms feels like a gamble, which only heightens the thrill of the story.

The murder mystery adds an edge to the fantasy setting, with Ruby racing against time to solve the king’s death before she becomes the next victim. The suspense is perfectly paced, and the final twist is both unexpected and deeply satisfying.

Elizabeth Hart’s world-building is elegant without being overwhelming, and her writing has a cinematic quality that brings every opulent room, whispered threat, and tense confrontation to life. Ruby’s journey is full of heart, brains, and bravery, making her a heroine worth following to the very end.

With its smart plot, layered characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, Red as Royal Blood is a true gem in the fantasy genre. A must-read for anyone who loves courtly schemes, dangerous secrets, and fierce girls who won’t back down.

First I want to thank NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!

I was intrigued by Red as Royal Blood since it was described as a YA mystery with a royal backdrop. The story follows Ruby, a castle maid—who aside from occasionally playing chess with the flirtatious Prince Rowan—leads an otherwise ordinary life. That changes when the King dies and she is named heir and Queen-to-be, in a decree authored by him. Naturally, the royal family is not pleased to learn that a commoner has stolen their crown. Ruby is equally perplexed, given the fact she's never even met the man. Now Ruby must unravel the truth behind the late King's death, and the mystery of why he appointed her his heir—while avoiding the royal family's scrutiny.

The book ended up being very predictable, down to the revelations of Ruby's parentage and her sort-of love triangle. For the most part, the story reads like any other YA fantasy set in a royal setting, without the magical elements. There are a few twists in the end that made the story more compelling. However, the story is tied up neatly without too many complex feelings. Overall, I thought the story was okay, though pretty formulaic.

Ruby is a palace maid—utterly invisible to everyone except Prince Ronan, with whom she secretly plays chess in the stables. But when she’s unexpectedly summoned before the royal court, nothing prepares her for the announcement: the king is dead, and Ruby has been named his heir. She’s as shocked as anyone—and suddenly finds herself at the center of a dangerous game, racing to uncover who killed the king, why she was chosen, and who might be trying to kill her.

WOW. Not many books make me want to squeal when I finish them, but this one did. It checked all the boxes, and I absolutely loved it! It’s clever, fast-paced, romantic without being saccharine, and full of twisty palace intrigue. I could not put it down.

What impressed me most was the way the author balanced character and plot. Ruby is relatable and resourceful, a heroine who’s constantly underestimated—until she isn’t. Her growth feels earned, and her relationships (especially with Ronan) are nuanced and layered. The mystery is tightly plotted, with enough red herrings and shifting alliances to keep even seasoned readers guessing. There are some genuinely gasp-worthy moments, and yet it never feels over-the-top.

This is the perfect YA crossover—smart, immersive, and satisfying. The fictional kingdom of Lumeria is rich with possibility, and I would love to return to this world in future books. I think fans of The Inheritance Games or The False Prince will find a lot to love here.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—this is one I’ll be recommending often and rereading with pleasure.

I'd like to start with a thank you to the author for sending me an advance copy of this book. As a huge fan of the "Royal Blood" series by Aimee Carter, I was very excited when I came across "Red as Royal Blood' since it seemed to have a similar premise.

To start off positively, this was a long road of twists and turns, keeping me hooked until the (very unexpected) grand reveal at the very end. I mean, the last line of chapter 1?? Elizabeth thought she was being sneaky... but it definitely shocked me to the point of immediate continuation! Ruby was a quite likeable character, and I enjoyed how she used her skills as a maid to aid her along the way. Her sarcasm also warrants an honorable mention (pun intended).

Unfortunately, there was an area where the book fell flat for me. The love story/triangle was very confusing, and I felt like the story could do without it. I was aware from the beginning that there would be romance involved, but to me, it overtook the story at some point. This book would've easily been 4 stars, in my opinion, without the romance being so prominent since the mystery and thrill of it all was filling enough.

Overall, a vastly dramatic book that will keep you guessing until the end and gasping when you turn out to be wrong!

I love the inheritance games series, nothing gives me the rush quite like puzzles and enigmas, and those books feel like they were written with me in mind. So when I saw Red as Royal Blood's premise, inheritance games but with royals, I jumped. I needed to get my hands on the arc, and I managed(thank you HarperCollins!), but it wasn't what I was expecting.
The description is not misleading, I was just too excited to pay attention properly lol. It is similar to that series, but in the inheritance part, the games is left out completely(a shame, since it is the part I enjoy the most).
Anyway, this is a very short read, something like 3 hours, it is young adult but I would classify it as on the younger side, and fast paced. The writing style is so fluid I devoured it in a day, it goes by really quickly because of how entertaining it is. The romance is okay, nothing surprising and the plot is quite predictable but that's fine.
Overall it was enjoyable, you should check it out if you like mysteries and suddenly-I-am-a-heiress books, it's worth your time.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

This was a fun adventure romp with a murder mystery in a castle that felt like Knives Out meets My Lady Jane! I enjoyed it and I thought the pacing was good.

This book has it all--mystery, intrigue, rags-to-riches trope, action, and romance. This will be a great addition to any high school library's fantasy collection, and I plan to add it to mine. I really enjoyed the world building and story telling in this novel.

Red as Royal Blood is a page turning mystery with a bit of romance. Ruby is an orphan that has grown up in the castle that she now serves in. She enjoys what she does as well as the secret friendship she has with one of the princes. When the king dies, everyone is shocked that Ruby has been named his successor. Ruby must discover if the king was murdered and if so, by who. Along the way, Ruby deals with anti-royalists, learning how to be queen, and trying to stay alive.

This was a really fast moving book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It would be great for high school libraries. There is some language in the book, some kissing, and one fade to black scene.

In this charming young adult historical Fiction novel we will follow the story of young girl who was a lowly castle servant. Through a strange turn of events she becomes Queen of a Kingdom. However, this newfound power will bring her a lot of enemies and the death of the previous monarch raises some questions.
Ruby has grown up never knowing her parentage and has always worked in the castle having a clise bond with the royal children. When King Octavious is suddenly dead he makes her his heir over his own children. However, she receives a letter he wrote before died explaining that his death was most likely murder. To make matters worse there are those who are plotting her own demise. Will she be able to survive to her own coronation?
Overall I adores this book and I recommend this to any young adult who is looking for a great historical Fiction novel.
I received this arc through netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The author did a fabulous job with keeping the story interesting and flowing. I never really liked books that drag on but this book never did! The characters were very unique and I really enjoyed there journey. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

Red As Royal Blood is that wonderful kind of book that captures the reader from the very first paragraph and keeps their attention through until the end. Ruby, a maid in the castle, has had an unusual upbringing. Despite her lowly station, she was allowed a tutor and taught what the royal children learned. Now, the king is dead and she has been named heir to the throne. The rest of the book is her dangerous struggle to understand why the king chose her above his own children and what really happened to the king and his oldest son. The book contains a tastefully closed door romance, strong language, themes of betrayal and death. I would recommend it for older high school students.

I received an advance reader copy for free. All opinions are my own.