Alyth is half fae, and must protect Mary Queen of Scots at all costs. Failure will mean that Scotland could fall to the vicious Red Caps, who send a mysterious boy across the border in an effort to distract her.

This was a really interesting read but didn't quite live up to my expectations given I usually adore these authors together. There was nothing really stand out about the story until very close to the end, and sadly it couldn't make up for the rest. Definitely give it a go if you like a bit of fantasy woven into your history, but it just wasn't right for me.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

A rich blend of fae magic and 16th-century Scottish history, The Crimson Throne is atmospheric, immersive, and refreshingly original. Alyth and Samson’s reluctant partnership adds great tension, and the political intrigue kept me hooked.

The Crimson Throne had me intrigued from the start: Mary, Queen of Scots, political scheming, and fae magic woven into real history? Yes, please. The concept alone is fresh and ambitious, part historical court drama, part magical conspiracy thriller, all set against the misty backdrop of 16th-century Scotland.

We follow two POVs: Alyth, a half-fae guardian with deadly magic and a duty to protect the queen and her realm; and Samson, an English spy with a mysterious curse and more baggage than coin. They're on opposing sides politically, but slowly find themselves circling each other through cryptic letters, suspicious glances, and a shared goal: stop whatever dark magic is stirring beneath the throne. It's billed as “enemies to lovers,” though I'd argue it's more reluctant allies with a hint of emotional connection than full-on romantic tension. Still, their dynamic is compelling in its own right—especially when it explores themes of trust, guilt, and sacrifice.

The historical setting is surprisingly vivid, and I liked how the authors integrated real figures like Lord Darnley and Mary Stuart with magical elements. That said, some of the historical characters started to drift into caricature territory as the story progressed, and the pacing dragged at times. The middle third in particular felt like it lost a bit of momentum before ramping up again toward the end.

While the plot didn’t always fully land for me, I appreciated the atmosphere, the ambition of the worldbuilding, and the way fae lore was threaded through it all. If you’re into slow-burn fantasy with a strong historical flavor, court intrigue, and morally conflicted characters, there’s definitely something here to enjoy. I’ll be curious to see where the sequel takes things.

4 stars

Arc supplied from NetGalley and Sourcefire Books for a fair review


This was such a good book that gave scottish legends with a stunning romantasy

The Crimson Throne has an interesting premise and opens on a strong note. Unfortunately, my interest kept wavering the more I read. There wasn't much I could truly criticise but it was simply lacking some spark that would keep me more interested. Ultimately, that made this feel like merely an okay read.

This book weaves faerie lore and folktales into actual history making Mary Queen of Scots and other historical figures actual characters. I wasn't entirely sure how well the authors would pull this off but it actually started really strongly - the setting felt authentic and the fantastical elements were tucked in nicely making the whole thing feel organic. But after a while things started going downhill; Mary and Darnley started to feel more and more like caricatures. It's hard to deduce how the real people truly would have been but they felt borderline stupid, petty and completely incompetent at all they did.

Furthermore, this is being advertised as an enemies to lovers whilst not really having any of those elements. Yes, our main characters - half Fae Alyth and English spy Samson - start off on opposing sides. But beyond Alyth's mistrust, they at no point feel like actual enemies and I want to argue that Samson's affection for Alyth was pretty instantaneous. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the romance was bad, but it was definitely poorly marketed and just didn't stand out as anything special either. I personally would describe this more as a kind of reluctant allies dynamic.

Writing, pacing and general plot were all fine. Non were fantastic but also nothing that stood out negatively. Had the historical figures turned characters been more polished and had the plot and romance had just a bit more of a spark, this could have made for a fine historical fantasy. As it is, it's something I can see people who particularly like fae and Scotland enjoy, but I wouldn't tell anyone to expect their next favourite book.

3.5 ⭐️

This was an original take on the tudors era, as queen Mary of Scots is married to Lord Darnley and is pregnant with his son but with fantasy elements, magical objects and half faes who are called Leth.

Alyth is a powerful Leth, and queen Mary’s lady in waiting and is charged with keeping Scotland and queen Mary of Scots safe as well as ensuring the wall between the human and fae worlds doesn’t get destroyed.
As the attempts on queen’s life intensify, leaving Red Cap objects in their midst, she is determined to find out the culprits and end their threats.

Samson is the bastard son of the powerful English Lord Cecil, but his life is dispensable to him. He sends him to Scotland on a mission to infiltrate the Scottish court and find the Red Caps dangerous objects that the queen keeps in exchange of freeing him from the curse that has been plaguing him since childhood.

The concept and plot was interestingly unique and I was really excited to read this because Reign is one of my favorite series and it was great to find many accurate historical points in this book.

Alyth was a powerful main character, who doesn’t think twice before jumping into danger and saving those she is tasked to protect. Samson has a similar trait two, that made the story really interesting.

I felt that the pacing and the chemistry between the characters could’ve been better though as it was a little boring at times, but overall I had a great time reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks UK for this copy!

The story follows Samson, a clever, street-raised commoner whose father has court connections but not enough money or power to get Samson anywhere useful. So when he’s offered the chance to become a royal spy, he jumps at it, determined to prove himself in Queen Elizabeth’s court.

Then there’s Alyth, a half-fae guardian sworn to protect the barrier between Scotland and the deadly creatures of the Fae Lands. She’s got eyes (and magic) on Queen Mary’s slippery husband, Lord Darnley, who she suspects is up to something dangerous. She’s no lady, but she’s one of the most powerful protectors in Scotland and she doesn’t trust Samson one bit.

What I loved is that they’re both from totally different worlds Alyth’s rooted in magic and duty, Samson’s just trying to survive but they’re forced to work together. Their only common ground? A mutual hatred of Darnley. Together, they start digging into codes, magic, and long-buried secrets.

I loved the Scottish atmosphere! If you love romance mixed with political scheming and hidden magic, this is 100% worth picking up. I’m so ready for book two.

This was such a fun mix of historical fiction and fantasy - magic, fae, witches, and 16th-century Scotland? Yes, please. The worldbuilding was super immersive and I loved the political tension, though some parts (especially the romance) felt a bit rushed. Still, Alyth and Samson were a great duo and I flew through it. Definitely excited to see where the story goes next.

⭐️ 3.5

Thank you to Sourcebooks UK and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was an intriguing YA fantasy, steeped in Scottish folklore and enriched with a great deal of Scottish history, which I found fascinating to explore. I haven’t read much that draws on this particular mythology, so I really appreciated the fresh setting and the way the author wove real historical figures and events into the narrative.

The story follows Alyth, a fae who serves as a guardian to Queen Mary, and Samson, a young man sent to Scotland as a spy in Mary’s court. There’s plenty of political intrigue and tension running throughout, with darker themes tied to betrayal, loyalty, and the consequences of power struggles between nations.

Alyth is a character bound by duty and honour, but her growing connection with Samson leaves her deeply conflicted. She’s torn between her role in protecting what is right and the feelings that begin to surface as the story unfolds. Meanwhile, Samson grapples with his own internal demons, believing himself to be cursed, which adds a layer of melancholy to his character.

While I was invested in the concept and appreciated the depth of the historical backdrop, I did find the pacing quite slow in places. The combination of dense historical detail, intricate world-building, and political machinations sometimes made it hard for me to stay fully engaged. The plot only truly began to pick up in the final 20%, which made the earlier chapters feel like a bit of a slog at times. Because of this, I struggled to fully connect with the characters and felt I didn’t get to know Alyth and Samson as deeply as I would have liked.

That said, I really liked both of them individually and especially enjoyed the glimpses of their relationship. I just wish there had been more time spent developing their bond in a way that allowed for greater emotional impact.

Overall, this is a richly woven historical fantasy with a unique setting, but I think readers should be prepared for a slower, more atmospheric pace. I’m curious to see where the story goes next, especially as the ending hinted at bigger things to come.

3.5 stars

The Crimson Throne is an enjoyable entry into the court-intrigue fantasy space, with a compelling historical setting and strong atmosphere that blends folklore with political power plays. Beth Revis and Sara Raasch clearly know how to craft a vivid world, and the novel's biggest strengths lies in its immersive use of myth and history to create a backdrop that feels both magical and grounded.

While I found myself interested in the plot and intrigued by the premise, the execution didn’t always live up to its potential. For a story so steeped in palace politics, the intrigue often lacked the necessary subtlety or sharpness. It occasionally spelled things out where I would’ve preferred a slower burn or more layered tension.

The characters were likable enough. I found Alyth's motivations especially interesting, but I found neither her nor Samson developed deeply enough for the romantic storyline to fully land. Their relationship felt more functional than emotionally compelling. Given more time or nuance, these dynamics could have added much more weight to the unfolding drama.

Stylistically, the writing is accessible and straightforward, which makes for a fast read, but also leaves some of the deeper themes and emotional beats feeling under-explored. The book reminds me of The Cruel Prince, but with fewer sharp edges.

That said, I still enjoyed my time in this world and will definitely pick up the sequel! I'd recommend it to fans of The Falconer (original) and Holly Black.

This was a really enjoyable read. I love fantasy and historical fiction, so this was a great combo. The book was filled with magic, Scottish folklore, political intrigue and romance. I believe this is a duology so I will be back to read the next book.

The mix of two of my favourite genres, historical fiction and fantasy, made a refreshing change. The plot was exciting but sometimes felt rushed, I would’ve liked more world building and time to develop the characters relationship. I enjoyed the twists and Lord Bothwell being referred to as an ‘insolent mince head’ made me chuckle.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me an eARC via NetGalley. That has not influenced this review and all opinions are my own.

The best part about this book was the dedication to the history; it is very clear the author was educated about Mary Queen of Scots and those around her. It gave a really interesting perspective that history enjoyers will no doubt adore.
The characters were interesting. All of them were different from one another, and it was easy to differentiate between who is who. And I really enjoyed the fantasy side of the book - I love witches, goddesses and fae!

*POSSIBLE SPOILER*

The romance between the two main characters did feel very rushed and forced. They’d barely met a few days ago then were confirming their undying love for each other very quickly. I think a bit more time should have been taken to develop the relationship between them. And I would’ve enjoyed more story about Mary - why did she marry her husband? What was she like as a person?

Overall it was a fun historical fiction book.

Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4) (⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it

The Crimson Throne completely swept me away! The story is set in a beautifully imagined 16th-century Scotland where mystical creatures and humans coexist, the world-building was both immersive and rich. Samson and Alyth? OBSESSED. This book feels like Six of Crows meets Reign. Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! Cannot wait for book two!

4.5⭐

This was such an enjoyable read, I haven't read anything by either of these authors but now I want to go back and check out their other books as this was just such a binge able and immersive story and world that has been created.

Once I started I couldn't put it down, I found the historical setting of Scotland in the sixteenth century where mystical creatures and Humans live together so fascinating and mix it with fantasy and it was the perfect read for me.

I loved seeing the relationship between Alyth and Samson develop from a partnership into something so much more, they were amazing characters and really carried the story for me.

Thank you so much to Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I really enjoyed reading the Crimson Throne. I finished in one sitting. The beginning scene was very exciting and did a great job giving world-building exposition while the action was happening. The momentum was well kept throughout the book. I found Samson and Alyth’s banter and overall relationship to be incredibly believable.