A review by khausig
The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch, Beth Revis

3.0

I was introduced to Sara Raasch through her Nightmare Before Kissmas series, and was excited to read this historical fantasy set in Queen Mary of Scots court in Scotland. I was immediately drawn into this story with the prologue and wanted to know more about this fantastical world of court intrigue and magic. I found Alyth’s magic and the Scottish folklore interesting, and I appreciated how the fantasy was woven into the real historical elements. However, many of the fae elements (e.g., the bean-nighe, the Winter Queen, and the goblin market) felt out of place and muddied the importance of the Red Cap threat. I also thought that Alyth and Samson’s insta-attraction felt forced and unnatural, but by the end, I was willing to believe their partnership. The events of the last few chapters also returned me to the excitement I felt from the prologue. There is promise for the story to build into something truly amazing in book 2! 

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC!

Favorite quotes
I’ve seen magic all my life, but I’ve never felt it until now.
But you saw me. Even then, you saw me. No one sees me.
I hide in the shadows, and he glimmers in the sun, but it is rare for both of us to show our true faces.