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spaceman5000's review
3.0
A pretty straightforward by-the-numbers fantasy story. Not bad by any means, it hit all the usual notes (some might say "tropes") of an epic fantasy novel and a lot of the times, that's all you need. Not the best fantasy book I ever read, but far from the worst. Very middle-of-the road and would very likely scratch that fantasy itch provided you know up front what you are getting.
cassidychivers's review
3.0
I really wanted to love this after reading the umbral storm and loving that one. However I really struggled through this book. I just couldn't connect to the characters and felt like it went in a completely different direction then the first 100 pages set up. There is a lot going on in this. Which just sadly didn't work for me.
ameserole's review
4.0
I'm actually really happy that Kindle Unlimited recommended this book to me. At first I was really hesitant to read it but I do love a good challenge. The Crimson Queen is a great book to read! I really like a book that has multiple point of views--it makes the story so much better in my opinion. I will be looking into other books written by Alec--I hope I love them as well!
thejdizzler's review
4.0
Not bad for debut fantasy. A bit tropy, the story didn't feel resolved per see and there were far too many characters that didn't feel fleshed out. But that's all the bad stuff. Boy oh boy I loved the world building, and some of the character arcs, especially Jan and senacus were fascinating to me. Can't wait to read the next one!
arachnichemist's review against another edition
4.0
This is closer to a 4.5 overall. This book starts with some very familiar tropes, but does a great job with them. The mysterious ruins and hints at gigantic beings sleeping throughout the world kicked my lovecraft feelers into high gear. The author throws in a lot of freshness to the old tropes that I grew up with and shows a great deal of development with all the characters. It does feel more like one large book cut into three parts. Given that the trilogy is done, this isn't a problem anymore. There is some roughness around the edges which is to be expected with a new writer, but overall it doesn't detract much from the enjoyment.
My wife and both finished this book around the same time and agreed it's a solid 4-4.5 stars. We're both ready to dive into the next book.
My wife and both finished this book around the same time and agreed it's a solid 4-4.5 stars. We're both ready to dive into the next book.
jaxxduece's review
5.0
Just friggin fantastic!
Loved it! That's all I'm gonna say about that, just using up words now. Uhmm...you see Game of Thrones last
Loved it! That's all I'm gonna say about that, just using up words now. Uhmm...you see Game of Thrones last
itadakinasu's review
3.0
The Crimson Queen is typical fantasy with a few common tropes:
* slave-warrior love interest
* a chosen one who doesn't do much of import
* lots of sub-plots to distract from the bare-bones main plot
* magical duel
* familiar names for characters and places
The world building was decent, and the creatures were unique. I liked that most of the world-specific creatures had names that were easy to remember, but I wanted to know more about them than what was presented here.
Despite all the tropes, I thought that Xin was a great character and loved seeing the depth and development he went through over the course of the book. I'm also curious about how the paladin of Ama will develop and deal with the events in this book. Everyone else, not so much.
Overall The Crimson Queen is alright, but it just doesn't have anything special going for it.
* slave-warrior love interest
* a chosen one who doesn't do much of import
* lots of sub-plots to distract from the bare-bones main plot
* magical duel
* familiar names for characters and places
The world building was decent, and the creatures were unique. I liked that most of the world-specific creatures had names that were easy to remember, but I wanted to know more about them than what was presented here.
Despite all the tropes, I thought that Xin was a great character and loved seeing the depth and development he went through over the course of the book. I'm also curious about how the paladin of Ama will develop and deal with the events in this book. Everyone else, not so much.
Overall The Crimson Queen is alright, but it just doesn't have anything special going for it.
horus's review against another edition
3.0
El resumen de este libro es gente viajando o siendo prisionera, en estas dos cirscunstancias es donde se desarrolla el 90% de la trama.
jaysbookishthoughts's review
4.0
"The Crimson Queen" by Alex Hutson is a thrilling and immersive debut novel that takes readers on an epic journey through a richly-imagined world of magic and adventure. The story follows the journey of a young woman named Queen Zosia, who sets out to reclaim her throne and save her people from the clutches of a powerful and malevolent sorceress.
Hutson's writing is vivid and evocative, with a richly-detailed world that is brought to life through the eyes of his compelling characters. The characters are complex and well-rounded, with their own motivations, flaws, and strengths that make them feel like real people rather than archetypes.
At its core, "The Crimson Queen" is a story about power, betrayal, and the struggle between good and evil. The themes of the novel - loyalty, sacrifice, and the importance of self-discovery - are universal and resonate with readers of all ages.
What sets this book apart is its intricate world-building and attention to detail. Hutson creates a fully-realized world with a deep history and mythology that adds depth and complexity to the story. The book also explores the inner world of its characters in a way that is both nuanced and emotionally resonant.
Overall, "The Crimson Queen" is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, and a testament to Hutson's skill as a writer. It is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.
Hutson's writing is vivid and evocative, with a richly-detailed world that is brought to life through the eyes of his compelling characters. The characters are complex and well-rounded, with their own motivations, flaws, and strengths that make them feel like real people rather than archetypes.
At its core, "The Crimson Queen" is a story about power, betrayal, and the struggle between good and evil. The themes of the novel - loyalty, sacrifice, and the importance of self-discovery - are universal and resonate with readers of all ages.
What sets this book apart is its intricate world-building and attention to detail. Hutson creates a fully-realized world with a deep history and mythology that adds depth and complexity to the story. The book also explores the inner world of its characters in a way that is both nuanced and emotionally resonant.
Overall, "The Crimson Queen" is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy, and a testament to Hutson's skill as a writer. It is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.