Heather Walter + sapphic writing + an 'evil' character = must read and immediate request on Netgalley!
I'm not finished with the book yet but I am loving it. I was worried I would be quite reserved in my opinion because I love the 'Malice' duology soooo much, but I can't help but know that I already love this book! I know it will already be a 5 star read!

This story of the origins of the evil queen from Snow White's fairytale was nothing like I expected but at the same time it wad deeply enjoyable and fascinating.

Ayleth is a young witch who's supposed to be the second to the heir and one day lead her coven. But she feels lost in the role assigned to her and feels like she doesn't measure. So when her Ascension ritual goes awry, she leaves her coven hoping to fix everything by recovering Blood stones that hold ancient magic.

I thought it was amazig how deftly the author waved some of the classic aspects we know from the story of snow white into a story that felt completely novel and unique. The world building was really well presented and it didn't feel like it just borrowed everything from the original fairytale. Quite the opposite, it felt like its own world with the bits from the original fairytale serving more as fun Easter eggs. I thought Ayleth was a fascinating character and I loved reading about her growing into her own person. The story had a cast of such enjoyable and interesting characters I'm really looking forward to the second book in this duology to discover where this story goes and what happens to all these characters that made it so easy to care about them.

My one complaint is surprisingly the romance. I thought Jacquetta was probably the least fleshed out character and while I understand why that was the case I think giving us some flashbacks into her and Ayleth's relationship in the past would have helped in creating the chemistry between them that I felt was lacking. I ended up wanting Ayleth and the Queen to be together more because I felt like we could actually see that relationship grow.

All in all I had fun with this book and I'm very much looking forward to reading the sequel.

I was sent a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.....for a full review please see my Amazon and Goodreads accounts

Mirror Mirror indeed!

A dark sapphic retelling of Snow White, with the amazing character of Ayleth (evil queen) stealing the show!
Witches, Dwarves, and many other well known and loved fairy-tale creatures gave this story a familiar yet completely new twist to a long loved story.

A story full of dark magic, curses, betrayal , death and relationships that run deeper the further the story goes. This is a book I have immediately added to my wishlist and TBR

Heather Walter is the queen of dark, sapphic fairytales!

Witches, magic, dwarves and other mythical creatures shrouded in mystery with truly atmospheric prose. I was fully immersed in the tale and had so much fun exploring this new but familiar realm. I think going into this story after forgetting the blurb ended up being a very happy accident and would recommend not reading too much about it beforehand as it definitely added to the suspense.

I adore a villain arc and seeing the villain origin story provides a completely fresh perspective on a beloved story. Ayleth is such a great main character and I loved seeing her relationship with Jacquetta. I will say that Princess Blodwyn was an absolute joy and I wish we could have had more time with her.

I would highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy, twisted fairytales and sapphic romances!

Heather Walter's The Crimson Crown reimagines the classic tale of Snow White, centering instead on the villainous queen and her transformation into a powerful witch. The story begins with Ayleth, a young witch hidden away in the forest with her coven, struggling with her still-dormant magical abilities. As the White King’s ruthless campaign against witchcraft rages on, Ayleth embarks on a dangerous quest to the White Palace, a place teeming with intrigue and deception. There, she reunites with Jacquetta, a figure from her past who once broke her heart, and together they navigate the treacherous political landscape to survive.

While the narrative's pace may not suit every reader's preference, as it occasionally drags, the rich depiction of witchcraft and the coven life is thoroughly engaging. Walter excels in crafting a vivid and immersive world where magic is both a blessing and a curse, and the stakes are palpably high. Ayleth’s journey from a hesitant young witch to becoming the formidable queen is compelling, showcasing her inner strength and resilience.

However, the romantic subplot with Jacquetta might feel distracting to some readers. The love interest, while integral to Ayleth's character development, lacks the depth and appeal needed to make their relationship truly resonate. Despite this, The Crimson Crown remains a captivating tale of empowerment and transformation, offering a fresh perspective on a well-known legend. Those who appreciate strong, complex female protagonists and a darkly enchanting fantasy world will find much to enjoy in this novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley and DelRey for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
Penguin Random House, Cornerstone, £16.99
Reviewed by Nadya Mercik

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?
And is there one? If so how do we choose her? And what happens to the second? Second most beautiful. Second in power. Second sister in succession. Are they substitutes? Mere functional copies? Are they to be manipulated? Ignored? Feared?
This and many other threads are explored in the new fantasy retelling of Snow White (and not only!) from Heather Walter. Expect witches, covens, creeping shadows, monstrous wolves, mad kings and queer romance. All tightly packed and fast-paced in a beautiful atmosphere of court and coven.
Ayleth is the second daughter. Her sister Rhea is supposed to succeed their mother in ruling the coven and continuing the line of one of the Ancestors. And Rhea was born for it – her magic is powerful, she goes through the fire ritual without fear, and she seems happy to inherit it all. But fate decides differently, and after the arrival of the King’s Hunt Ayleth suddenly finds herself in the position, where she has to become her mother’s Second. And it is not easy since her gift does not want to manifest itself properly. But things really escalate when Ayleth reaches the age to pass the ceremony of Ascension. Instead of completing the ritual, she sees in the flames the shadow of her sister and a slice of it settles in Ayleth. But is it really Rhea? Can her sister truly return and take her rightful place? Then Ayleth could go back to being herself. Only to accomplish this Ayleth needs a particularly powerful anchor for her sister. The ancient Bloodstones, which hold the barrier between this world and darkness, sound like a solution. The only problem is that they have been stolen from the covens. And to return them Ayleth will have to penetrate the nest of the enemies.
The novel is truly atmospheric. The elements of the original Snow White tale – hunting, mirrors, dwarfs, and apples used amply as royal decorations – all get their new meaning and create a luscious background. But the world of The Crimson Crown has a much richer symbolism. Walter combines the original fairy tale with the story of the witch hunt and covens, developing the thread of the other and xenophobia. The character of the mad king also made me think of the Blue Beard story, the allusion to which runs nicely along the arc of the hunted covens. The whole story is interspersed with oppositions that run deep and whose origins turn vague with centuries.
What I really loved about the novel is how subtle the retelling is. Though the hunt and the apples hit you in the eye, the real story of the dark queen is less visible. Darkness seeps in slowly so that the final transformation looks so radical. The story is not forced, and the path is not littered with breadcrumbs, which makes it even more intriguing and enigmatic. Overall, Heather Walter is great with subverting expectations and turning the tropes upside down.
I loved how the mother-daughter relationship was explored in the story, the idea of the expectations that ruin us.
I think my only complaint about the novel is that some storylines weren’t exactly completed. I would love to learn more about the fate of Blodwyn, the King's daughter and clearly the reference to Snow White, and even Ayleth’s mother. But at the end of the day, this novel is not about them.
If you a looking for an enigmatic and multilayered retelling with court intrigues, mysterious voices, mirrors and scrying, if you want a story that will surprise you, I will definitely recommend The Crimson Crown.

Over all I loved this book but wished I could have gotten the story of Snow White not just the prologue of how the Evil Queen came to be. Fingers crossed that Walter writes a short story.

This retelling had me on the hook, Ayleth was a brilliant character. This is sapphic, full of betrayal and curses, death and dark magic.

The covens are in hiding due to the kings edict that to kill a witch is to free a soul, magic is banned and to be caught as a witch means a swift execution. Ayleth is meant to be her mothers 2nd in command after her sisters death, but she isnt ready. Ayleth believes there’s something she must do before she steps into her position, she travels to the white palace where the king and enemies of witches will surround her at every turn. However, the one person she didnt expect to see again is also at the palace with an agenda of her own.

I love this author 😊

Ayleth (The Evil Queen from Snow White) is such a good character. It was great reading about what she goes through to become the Queen we love. She goes through so much and I honestly didn't know what to expect with all the plot twists.

I liked the witches, covens and the Court but I loved the ending and cannot wait for book two!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was obsessed with the Malice duology and when I heard about Heather's new book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it!
This time we have a Snow White / Evil Queen retelling and once again I thought it was brilliant from start to finish. The back story of Ayleth and her witchy ancestors and family was incredibly detailed along with her relationship with Jacquetta and I loved every moment, so much so that I felt I was fully immersed in the story and I never wanted it to end!
Ayleth is on a quest to find the bloodstones and get her sister back which takes her to the White Palace where there is lots of drama, betrayal, tension and angst throughout which made sure I never wanted to put it down. Heather really knows how to write the amazing villain origin stories!

Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced copy.

This was my first time reading a book Heather Walter and I find it to be an interesting twist on the original story of Snow White.
So we all knew Snow White’s tell , but about the evil queen in this story is her turn to tell her side of the story. The plot of the book is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly awaiting to find out what's around the next corner.

Fans of fantasy literature we're definitely love reading this book.

I think I am not the target audience for this book. The blurb sounded so good, very different from what I ma used to but it wasn't my cup of tea. I ma probably in the minority here so I encourage people to find out for themselves!

This is a true masterpiece in the realm of fantasy literature. The way the author intricately weaves together the elements of magic, politics, and personal struggles is truly captivating. The world she has created is so vivid and detailed that it feels like you are stepping into another dimension with each page you turn.

The characters are so well-developed and many-sided, each with their own motivations and inner conflicts that add layers of depth to the story. You can't help but become emotionally invested in their journeys as they navigate the challenges and obstacles thrown their way. I absolutely loved Ayleth, I think she’s a strong character and her desire to prove herself was interesting to read. I loved who she became at the end of the book, a turn I wasn’t expecting, but I loved it.

The plot of the book is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next. The writing style is enchanting, painting a picture of a kingdom filled with intrigue, danger, and magic that lingers in the air. I wasn’t expecting the twists the turns, I was gobsmacked and audibly shocked at loads of parts.


Overall, The Crimson Crown is a must-read for any fan of fantasy literature.

Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced copy.

Heather Walter does it again. Taking a fairytale and twisting it to add her own beautiful retelling. Loosely based on the Evil Queen / Step mother of Cinderella Walters, you engrossed you in a wonderful magic system that's easy to follow and makes you wish you were merged in the fantasy world.

You fall in love with the MC and feel like you can relate to everything she is going through.....all you want to do us power through and find out what's going to happen page after page....

Anything Walters puts her hand to turns out to be amazing definitely one of my go to authours

Snow White's Queen origin story - loved it! Why back the damsel in distress when you can side with the villain.

I'm fully invested in this and can't wait for book 2!