The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
442 Pages
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, Del Rey
Release Date: August 27, 2024
Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Faerie Tale Retelling, Feminist, LGBTQIA+
Ayleth is ascending to be her mother, Cassandra’s, second. Ten years earlier, her sister, Rhea, ascended but tragedy came to Stonehaven Sanctum. Rhea died and Ayleth blamed herself. Her mother did too. Now the other High Witches are arriving to celebrate the occasion. Selene, another High Witch, presents Ayleth with a Witch’s mirror. When her Ascension begins, Ayleth has an out of body experience. She stops the ceremony and believes her future involves the blood stones which are believed to be in the White Palace.
She travels days before she reaches the city. The guards see her clothing and believe she is a Sister. She must play the part to gain access to the palace. She runs into an old acquaintance, Jacquetta. Together, they make their way into the palace and are assigned as maidens to the young princess, Blodwyn.
The book has a steady pace and has a quest theme. The characters are developed and it is written in the first person point of view. I enjoyed how the story was building towards the climax but thought the ending felt a bit rushed. If you like Gregory Maguire books, you may enjoy reading this one.
