The Crimson Crown

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars | 35 ratings

Price: 21.66

Last update: 09-04-2024


About this item

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the wickedest of them all? Snow White’s dark queen tells her side of the story in the first book of a queer, witchy duology that reimagines the classic fairy tale—from the author of Malice.

“An alluring, vengeful origin story that brings tremendous dimension to a classic fairytale.”—Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of Immortal Longings

Legends tell of a witch who became a queen—the heartless villain in the story of Snow White.

But now the wicked queen is stepping out of Snow White’s shadow to become the heroine of her own legend.

Her real “once upon a time” begins when she is just Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The witches practice their magic in secret, hiding from the White King and his brutal war against witchcraft.

Ayleth, however, faces a war of her own. Her magical gifts have yet to reveal themselves, and as the threat of the Royal Huntsmen intensifies, Ayleth fears she will never become the witch her coven needs.

To prove herself, Ayleth sets out on a perilous quest that sends her to the White Palace, a decadent world of drama and deceit. There, Ayleth encounters an unlikely figure from her past: Jacquetta, a witch who once held Ayleth’s heart—and betrayed her.

As events at the palace escalate, Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive.

As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be.

A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all.

Book One in The Crimson Crown series.


Top reviews from the United States

Tacie
5.0 out of 5 stars Sapphic Villan Retelling
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
Heather Walter’s "The Crimson Crown" is a mesmerizing start to a new duology that reimagines the Snow White fairy tale through the eyes of the wicked queen. As someone who adored the Malice and Misrule duology, I had high expectations for this book, and Walter certainly delivers a story rich with magic, intrigue, and deep, raw emotion.

The novel introduces us to Ayleth, a young witch struggling to find her place within her coven as her magical gifts remain dormant. Her journey from a carefree second daughter to the heartless villain of the Snow White story is both heartbreaking and compelling. Walter masterfully portrays Ayleth’s emotional turmoil—her grief over her sister’s death, the lingering heartbreak from Jacquetta’s betrayal, and the growing realization that her mother and coven may never truly accept her. These emotional threads weave together to create a protagonist who is both relatable and tragically flawed, making her descent into darkness feel all the more poignant.

The world-building in "The Crimson Crown" is equally captivating. The magic of the witches and the treachery of the White Palace court are beautifully rendered, drawing readers into a world where danger lurks around every corner. I particularly enjoyed the character of Blodwyn, our Snow White, whose curiosity and innocence add a layer of complexity to the story. The interactions between Ayleth and Blodwyn are filled with tension and foreshadowing, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive continuation in the next book.

However, there were a few aspects where I wished for more. The concept of Malum, a sinister force hinted at throughout the story, could have used further explanation. Its vague presence left me wanting a deeper understanding of its role in the narrative. Additionally, while there is some romantic tension and a bit of spice, it remains relatively tame, which might leave some readers craving more intensity in that department.

Despite these minor qualms, "The Crimson Crown" is a fantastic read that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. Walter’s ability to breathe new life into familiar tales while maintaining a dark, witchy atmosphere is truly impressive. This book is a must-read for fans of queer fantasy and fairy tale retellings. I’m excited to see where Ayleth’s journey will take her next, and how her story will ultimately intertwine with the legend of Snow White.
Amanda Deal
4.0 out of 5 stars A well done villain origin story for the Evil Queen
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and thought it did the Evil Queen justice in terms of her 'origin story'. The plot was perfectly paced and Walter's writing pulled you in from the beginning. Although the world and the magic system weren't the most original, I still felt Watler imbued them with enough of her own touch to make them worth reading. I think the twists for the most part were well thought out but weren't perfect.

Ayleth's coming of age was so incredibly heartbreaking to read. I don't want to spoil anything too much in this review. However, she learns that love isn't always enough to make a relationship and that what your taught as a child isn't always correct. I felt for her when she so desperately wanted someone to choose her over their duty just once.

And the ending was an absolute banger! It made the whole book for me.

However, the exposition dump towards the beginning of the book was not as well crafted as it could have been. I also wish there had been one more scene between Ayleth and 'Snow White' at the very end.

Lastly, Sarah J. Maas over used the phrase 'like calls to like' in her books. I don't think it was the right phrasing to use in this one as it really took me out of the story whenever I saw it.

I can't wait for the sequel!!
S. Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars Who knew the wicked queen started out like this?
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
We all know the story of Snow White, and but does anyone know the backstory of the evil queen? I didn't think so. This is her story. I would like to introduce you to Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The coven has to practice their magic in secret, ever since the White King began his war against witchcraft. The Royal Huntsman killed Ayleth's sister, who was supposed to be the next in line. Now Ayleth is next in line but she hasn't come into her powers yet, and fears she never will. To prove herself, she runs away from the coven, and winds up at the White Palace - having to hide in plain sight. Ayleth discovers the one person she never thought she would see again, the person she loved and lost, the witch named Jacquetta. Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive. As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be. A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all

I love fairytale reimagining's. This one started as a bit of a slow burn, but once it picked up, I loved it. It was so out of character to see Ayleth as this meek and unsure-of-herself young woman versus the wicked queen that we have all grown up with. I really enjoyed getting Ayleth's backstory, and seeing her develop into the wicked queen she was destined to be. I liked seeing all of the layers to her. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction, or just like fairytale reimagining's like myself, you will definitely want to add this to your TBR pile!

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