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stfucatalina's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.
i don’t normally read fairy tale retellings so i’m really glad to have enjoyed one of my first ones. based on the synopsis, i just knew i was going to enjoy it. it took me a little longer than usual to read through it, but that had nothing to do with the book. it did take me a few chapters to get into it, but when i did, i was hooked and wanted to fly through it.
this was my first heather walter book and she did not disappoint. the world building was done beautifully and all the characters were written really well. i even liked the characters who were meant to be unlikable.
the romance building was definitely a slow burn, but then it happened so quickly after they got together which i’m not that big a fan of. it worked out in the end i think. lots of gay pining and telling herself not to.
i felt bad for ayleth throughout the whole book. she definitely struggled a lot as a witch and a person. i think the ending was perfect for her. it’s an ending that i wish i saw more of for this particular type of character.
i will definitely be reading the next book to see how it ends. it wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger ending, but i do want to know more about the world and where ayleth goes next. i plan to read more of this author’s books.
i don’t normally read fairy tale retellings so i’m really glad to have enjoyed one of my first ones. based on the synopsis, i just knew i was going to enjoy it. it took me a little longer than usual to read through it, but that had nothing to do with the book. it did take me a few chapters to get into it, but when i did, i was hooked and wanted to fly through it.
this was my first heather walter book and she did not disappoint. the world building was done beautifully and all the characters were written really well. i even liked the characters who were meant to be unlikable.
the romance building was definitely a slow burn, but then it happened so quickly after they got together which i’m not that big a fan of. it worked out in the end i think. lots of gay pining and telling herself not to.
i felt bad for ayleth throughout the whole book. she definitely struggled a lot as a witch and a person. i think the ending was perfect for her. it’s an ending that i wish i saw more of for this particular type of character.
i will definitely be reading the next book to see how it ends. it wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger ending, but i do want to know more about the world and where ayleth goes next. i plan to read more of this author’s books.
gigglybookgeek's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Crimson Crown is a twist on the story of how the Evil Queen in Snow White came to be, with twisting in elements of the Tutors. To be completely honest, I had forgotten about all of that as I read the story, and was absolutely shooketh at the ending!! The main character, Ayleth, is a witch living under the judging eye of her mother. Life for the witches is much different after the White King and his court spun lies to make the witches the enemy. However, is that the only lie? Even amongst the witches, outliers are judged and seen as outcasts and wrong. Meanwhile, Ayleth doesn’t seem to have any real powers she can feel, yet she isn’t going to let that stop her to head out on a perilous journey to the White Palace.
Once arriving in the White Kindgom, Ayleth comes face to face with Jacquetta. A witch that once held her heart, but betrayed her. It’s difficult to forget that betrayal. It’s also difficult to remember their time together, how she smelled, and how it felt to be in her arms. It’s a battle she must fight. The focus has to be on not being discovered. Otherwise, she will burn.
Ayleth quickly discovers something is wrong in the White Palace. Things do not feel right, and honestly, neither does she. The darkness does not only seem to peek from around every corner, but what if it is coming from inside her? She digs for the truth, but it seems someone is always one step ahead of her to keep her from finding the truth. Things are not always as they seem, though.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all? You will find out at the end of the book that takes you on twists and turns. It is a reminder that you may not fully know your power, but it’s there. You also don’t have to follow the rules of how you were told was the only way to discover it. Sometimes you have to look within, and embrace what you find.
I truly enjoyed this book. I give it 4.5, as there are parts where it dragged a bit for me, but the ending blew me away. I also love seeing the LGBTQIA+/sapphic representation. There is a small level of spicy, but not much. If you love reading books that are reimagining of elements of fairy tales, witchy books, and/or the aspects reflecting the Tutors court, then you will enjoy reading The Crimson Crown. Publishing date will be August 27, 2024. Be sure to pre-order from your local indie bookstore, or from where you prefer to purchase books.
Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballentine/Del Ray, NetGalley, and Heather Walter for the eARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion. I share on here on GoodReads, NetGalley, Instagram, various FB reader groups (especially bi and sapphic fiction groups), and TikTok.
#TheCrimsonCrown #NetGalley #eARCreviewer #sapphicfiction #darkfantasy #fairytalereimagined #witchy #findyourpower
Once arriving in the White Kindgom, Ayleth comes face to face with Jacquetta. A witch that once held her heart, but betrayed her. It’s difficult to forget that betrayal. It’s also difficult to remember their time together, how she smelled, and how it felt to be in her arms. It’s a battle she must fight. The focus has to be on not being discovered. Otherwise, she will burn.
Ayleth quickly discovers something is wrong in the White Palace. Things do not feel right, and honestly, neither does she. The darkness does not only seem to peek from around every corner, but what if it is coming from inside her? She digs for the truth, but it seems someone is always one step ahead of her to keep her from finding the truth. Things are not always as they seem, though.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all? You will find out at the end of the book that takes you on twists and turns. It is a reminder that you may not fully know your power, but it’s there. You also don’t have to follow the rules of how you were told was the only way to discover it. Sometimes you have to look within, and embrace what you find.
I truly enjoyed this book. I give it 4.5, as there are parts where it dragged a bit for me, but the ending blew me away. I also love seeing the LGBTQIA+/sapphic representation. There is a small level of spicy, but not much. If you love reading books that are reimagining of elements of fairy tales, witchy books, and/or the aspects reflecting the Tutors court, then you will enjoy reading The Crimson Crown. Publishing date will be August 27, 2024. Be sure to pre-order from your local indie bookstore, or from where you prefer to purchase books.
Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballentine/Del Ray, NetGalley, and Heather Walter for the eARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion. I share on here on GoodReads, NetGalley, Instagram, various FB reader groups (especially bi and sapphic fiction groups), and TikTok.
#TheCrimsonCrown #NetGalley #eARCreviewer #sapphicfiction #darkfantasy #fairytalereimagined #witchy #findyourpower
whatsmichireading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
The Crimson Crown is a fairytale retelling/prequel about Snow White’s evil queen - that has some heavy inspiration pulled from Anne Boleyn’s story.
I really loved this. It was slow to start as we were introduced to Ayleth’s life but once she ran away on the quest to prove herself things really picked up. And the last 30% had me in a chokehold. I was weirdly very into Anne Boleyn when I was growing up and that has certainly carried into adulthood. I loved seeing the parallels to that in this story, but Walters does a great job of building the tension between Ayleth and the king so you don’t need to be familiar with the historical inspiration to enjoy this.
I loved Ayleth as a character - she’s complicated and layered and full of a rage that is completely justified so that by the time we get to the end i was honestly rooting for her as she began to make choices and walk the path of the Evil Queen.
My only complaint is that there was so much tension between Jacquetta and Ayleth that didn’t feel like it built, it felt very one note to me for so much of the book. It would have made the inevitable betrayal stronger if some of their tension had built or if they’d given into that tension earlier maybe.
Overall I really loved this and I’m looking forward to buying this in August!!
Read if you like
- Wicked/Retellings
- Morally Grey Lesbians
- Angry FMC
- The Tudors but with Magic
emeliaisreading_'s review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Title: The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Pub Date: August 27, 2024
🌟 4/5
🫑 2/5
🍎 Snow White Retelling
🌈 LGBTQ+ Representation
⛓️ Magic is Outlawed
🦋 Witch Covens and Dwarves
💔Yearning and Heartbreak
🗡 Epic Betrayals
⏳️ Unexpected Twists
🔥 Morally Grey FMC
The premise of this story is intriguing, essentially a villain origin story that predates the classic fairy tale, with a witchy twist.
Ayleth's character is well-developed and loyal to a fault, though her fear of her own power and her tendency to overthink situations leads to an overall sense of self-doubt. She's had her heart shattered repeatedly and would do anything, including risk her life, to get her sister Rhea back and right the wrongs that have been done to her and her coven. Only time will tell where her heart is truly leading her.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Del Rey for the digital review copy.
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Pub Date: August 27, 2024
🌟 4/5
🫑 2/5
🍎 Snow White Retelling
🌈 LGBTQ+ Representation
⛓️ Magic is Outlawed
🦋 Witch Covens and Dwarves
💔Yearning and Heartbreak
🗡 Epic Betrayals
⏳️ Unexpected Twists
🔥 Morally Grey FMC
The premise of this story is intriguing, essentially a villain origin story that predates the classic fairy tale, with a witchy twist.
Ayleth's character is well-developed and loyal to a fault, though her fear of her own power and her tendency to overthink situations leads to an overall sense of self-doubt. She's had her heart shattered repeatedly and would do anything, including risk her life, to get her sister Rhea back and right the wrongs that have been done to her and her coven. Only time will tell where her heart is truly leading her.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Del Rey for the digital review copy.
booksdogsandcoffee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Walter seamlessly intertwines the rise of the Malevolent Queen from Snow White with the historical saga of the life of Anne Boleyn.
Crimson Crown is a story of women, witches, coming into your own and learning that you always have your own power even when they call you powerless.
I have always loved the history of the Tudors, especially Anne. Her story has always fascinated me from a very young age, as it did with many others. She is the most well known of Henry the 8th's six wives. What Walter has done with Crimson Crown is something I have never seen any other do before (and she nailed it). Knowing Anne's story and reading this I screamed, squealed, and yes even threw my book at the tid bits she put in about Anne's life that just elevated the novel to a whole new level.
I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this phenomenal novel.
Crimson Crown is a story of women, witches, coming into your own and learning that you always have your own power even when they call you powerless.
I have always loved the history of the Tudors, especially Anne. Her story has always fascinated me from a very young age, as it did with many others. She is the most well known of Henry the 8th's six wives. What Walter has done with Crimson Crown is something I have never seen any other do before (and she nailed it). Knowing Anne's story and reading this I screamed, squealed, and yes even threw my book at the tid bits she put in about Anne's life that just elevated the novel to a whole new level.
I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this phenomenal novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit
ash_36's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for this amazing arc! This story devoured me! I am utterly obsessed and I cannot wait for the second one to release. This book is everything I wanted it to be. The lovers- to enemies- to lovers- back to enemies vibes were immaculate! *chefs kiss*. The slow burn, the plot twists, the BETRAYALS! This entire book came together in a delicious story and I am so excited to rush to a bookstore and buy a physical copy when it comes out! I will definitely be recommending this to all my friends and book clubs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, and Misogyny
msalwayshungry's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC
WOW! This book was amazing! So many things I loved it about it! I haven’t read a lot of witch/coven themed novels before, nor have I read this authors other popular book, but I was blown away at the world building that was accomplished for this one book!! Watching Ayleth at the beginning of the book grow and change into who she becomes by the last chapter is just an absolute masterpiece! The ending line you realize is such a jab and honestly makes me think of all the movies about the witch so differently now! Also I want a cat more than anything after reading about Nettle her amazing companionship, she was the realest ally that’s for sure!
5 stars all around I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a wonderful spin on a classic story
WOW! This book was amazing! So many things I loved it about it! I haven’t read a lot of witch/coven themed novels before, nor have I read this authors other popular book, but I was blown away at the world building that was accomplished for this one book!! Watching Ayleth at the beginning of the book grow and change into who she becomes by the last chapter is just an absolute masterpiece! The ending line you realize is such a jab and honestly makes me think of all the movies about the witch so differently now! Also I want a cat more than anything after reading about Nettle her amazing companionship, she was the realest ally that’s for sure!
5 stars all around I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a wonderful spin on a classic story
mckaylamc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I LOVED this book. Luckily, I was able to receive an epub ARC via NetGalley, the release date for the print version is august 27th. I will most definitely be adding this to my hard copy library! I’m hoping for a pretty dust jacket and sprayed edges 🫣
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