The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis is set to be released on the 7^th of October 2025.

First of all, when I saw there was a new book by Sara and Beth; I knew I had to read it. I’ve loved the books they’ve written together and was anticipating this to be a 5 star read like the previous books they’ve written, but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

Okay, so. This book is a fantasy novel filled with magic. This story plays out in Scotland; so we are in the human world and humans don’t see magic or magical creatures; except Fae they do see those but don’t know what they really are or can do.

We’re at royal court where Alyth; a Fae who since birth has been tasked with protecting Scotland and the wall against threats, especially threats that can damage the wall the keeps Red Caps and Rad Cap magic out of Scotland. The wall needs to stay intact to ensure the safety of the people of Scotland but also the Fae and the Seelie Court.

Red Caps are Fae that thrive on violence, the more violence they inflict the stronger they get. So where normal warriors’ endurance will falter mid fight, Red Caps only grow stronger and are harder to defeat. After a war that has cost thousands of lives; Red Caps were banished from Scotland but have been seeking ways to slither back in and in this story, you’ll read about it.

Queen Mary of Scotland, a young Queen who has been married to Darnley a leth (low fae) from England is expecting her first child. With the ultimate betrayal finding her doorstep she’ll know who her allies are. After Darnley tries to take Mary’s live with a Red Cap weapon; Alyth goes on a journey to find out if the wall is still intact, if there has been a breach, however small; but can’t find any.

On her way back to Stirling Castle she comes across a man passing himself of as a stand-in for a lord that can’t make the christening and festivities from the queen’s newborn son. Alyth is struggling to trust him enough to let him in, but it doesn’t take long for something to blossom. She’s found herself an ally, so she thinks.

Together they go on quests to get to know more about the danger Scotland and the seelie court are facing. Trying to get to the bottom of what Darnley has planned and how those plans take shape. Who is he working with (or for) and how many Red Cap weapons has he smuggled into Scotland? When will the next assassination take place?

The beginning of this book was really good, the middle part was dragging a bit. The dragging bit was necessary for story-building because this book isn’t a standalone, there will be more. The last 25% was amazing; action packed and very twisty.

This book is getting a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating from me.