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Five Crowns of Okrith #0.5
The Witch of Crimson Arrows
A red witch in hiding . . .
In a world where red witches are hunted, eighteen-year-old Remy must keep her powers hidden in order to survive. While working her tavern job with her two brown witch companions, Remy dreams of a future where she can be free. But even with witch hunters roaming the Western Court, Remy decides to start a secret tryst with the cobbler's son. Can she keep her identity secret from Edgar? Will her brown witch companions find out? The fae king of the Northern Court has a bounty on red witches and the stakes couldn't be higher. If anyone in her village discovers Remy is a red witch, she will lose her head.
The Witch of Crimson Arrows is a prequel novella to the thrilling romantasy series, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Each novella in the Okrith Series can be read as a standalone.
Your journey through Okrith awaits. Read The Witch of Crimson Arrows today!
In a world where red witches are hunted, eighteen-year-old Remy must keep her powers hidden in order to survive. While working her tavern job with her two brown witch companions, Remy dreams of a future where she can be free. But even with witch hunters roaming the Western Court, Remy decides to start a secret tryst with the cobbler's son. Can she keep her identity secret from Edgar? Will her brown witch companions find out? The fae king of the Northern Court has a bounty on red witches and the stakes couldn't be higher. If anyone in her village discovers Remy is a red witch, she will lose her head.
The Witch of Crimson Arrows is a prequel novella to the thrilling romantasy series, The Five Crowns of Okrith. Each novella in the Okrith Series can be read as a standalone.
Your journey through Okrith awaits. Read The Witch of Crimson Arrows today!
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2021
About the author
A.K. Mulford
24 books2,083 followersA. K. Mulford is a bestselling fantasy author and former wildlife biologist who swapped rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels. They/she is inspired to create diverse stories that transport readers to new realms, making them fall in love with fantasy for the first time or all over again. They now live in Australia with their husband and two young human primates, creating lovable fantasy characters and making ridiculous TikToks (@akmulfordauthor).
Get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com
Get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
September 16, 2021
This is the prequel to the high mountain court I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to start the high mountain court.
October 3, 2021
Oooh I loved getting a little glimps of remys past with fenrin and Heather!! It's made me want to re read the high mountain court already!!!
September 28, 2021
Very wise decision of the author to show the reader the struggles Remy had with their way of life and more of Fenrir's overbearing nature and Heather's ways of showing love. Edgar's character also showed how people turn on others just because of a witch "label" and how money motivates. Good read for those who want to know more of a backstory behind the trio. I really want to know more of how Remy and Heather met. ❤️
3.5 stars ✨
3.5 stars ✨
April 12, 2023
I really liked seeing a little peep into the past of our favourite mama-kids trio.
December 22, 2025
overall 4.75🌟
This was such a enjoyable introduction to the series. My only issue was a unusual amount of repetition especially in the beginning of the novella while describing the world around our FMC. But by the end of the story, I was clambering for more
This was such a enjoyable introduction to the series. My only issue was a unusual amount of repetition especially in the beginning of the novella while describing the world around our FMC. But by the end of the story, I was clambering for more
Did Not Finish
July 17, 2025Okay, I didn’t care enough about book 1 to read this. DNF in the middle of chapter 2
October 11, 2021
A nice small read which gives a bit more insight into Remy's life before the happenings in the High Mountain Court. Really enjoyed the story.
June 30, 2026
remy didn’t deserve fenrin and heather one bit. this novella solidified she’s as selfish as i expected. fenrin, “i will plant us some more blackberry bushes at the next place,” was the only decent thing about this book. him being referred to as a, “bean pole,” was quite amusing. might save that for future reference.
October 28, 2022
Okay this little glimpse on what it was like before the first book was really cool. Again lots of ups and down but it felt like a friend telling us about their past. Loved it.
(Again. Remy is a baddie)
(Again. Remy is a baddie)
May 12, 2022
Loved this quick spicy intro to the world of Okirth!!!
December 8, 2022
3,75 🌟
September 16, 2024
I wish I would've known to read this before The High Mountain Court
March 16, 2026
This was a cute prequel, with a plot more interesting than you would expect from 60 pages. The friendship between Remy and Fenrin is really cute.
September 29, 2024
After reading the high mountain court this book ended being a waste of time read, all the main points of it are repeated again and again in the actual book. Cute, well written and easy read but definitely not necessary!
May 2, 2023
Title: The Witch of Crimson Arrows
Author: A.K. Mulford
Release Date: September 13th, 2021
Page Count: 74
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: April 30th, 2023
Finish Date: April 30th, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I loved that we got a glimpse of Remi's past. There are things that are referenced in High Mountain Court. This is a novella that ties in with The Five Crowns of Okrith series. I also really love that we get more of a glimpse of the dynamic between Remi, Heather, and Fenrin. The good and the bad was shown. It showed how close they were, and it showed the conflicts that came about from having to be in hiding. I would also like to point out how gorgeous this cover is.
Important to Note: Sexual content
Author: A.K. Mulford
Release Date: September 13th, 2021
Page Count: 74
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: April 30th, 2023
Finish Date: April 30th, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I loved that we got a glimpse of Remi's past. There are things that are referenced in High Mountain Court. This is a novella that ties in with The Five Crowns of Okrith series. I also really love that we get more of a glimpse of the dynamic between Remi, Heather, and Fenrin. The good and the bad was shown. It showed how close they were, and it showed the conflicts that came about from having to be in hiding. I would also like to point out how gorgeous this cover is.
Important to Note: Sexual content
September 18, 2021
I read this after finishing The High Mountain Court as wasn't quite ready to be done with this world. Great prequel story about Remy, Fenrin and Heather before we meet them where they are in the first book in the series. Think this would work being read as a warm up to the main story or a deep dive for those who have already read
November 20, 2021
This was so good. It has twist and turns that catch you by surprise.
You will think it's to short because you will find yourself caught up in the story and I was! If you're looking for an exciting new world to get lost in A.K. Mulford has done that! I sincerely hope Amazon or Netflix decide to make this into a series of movies!!!
You will think it's to short because you will find yourself caught up in the story and I was! If you're looking for an exciting new world to get lost in A.K. Mulford has done that! I sincerely hope Amazon or Netflix decide to make this into a series of movies!!!
December 31, 2021
An emotional start to the story of the Red Witch, Remy. I feel for the character so! Again, this author creates a world so real and characters so believable that it's hard not to ache for them.
September 23, 2026
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
2 & ½ - 3 stars
── ⟢ ・⸝⸝
⠀ ⠀ “She wondered how many
⠀ ⠀ years they would last this time
⠀ ⠀ before she was discovered again.
⠀ ⠀she was always discovered again.
⠀ SPOILER WARNING!
⠀ ⠀ spoilers below ↓
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ .
⠀ The first book in this series I actually didn’t really enjoy, the story pacing and the writing just really threw me off and I struggled to like it and it was honestly putting me into a reading slump but I found out book two APPARENTLY gets better and since I literally bought the whole series like an idiot I thought I might try and give it a go again but I forgot about the novellas so I thought I would read one or two and just work through this series slowly
⠀I did find this book less bad, I mean it might have been good to read this one first so I could’ve seen the found family more intensely between Remy, Heather and Fenrin because in the first book it felt like I should’ve understood how close they are but I didn’t get it because I wasn’t really seeing it, though it just made the whole first book lowkey out of character, how easily Fenrin and Heather just kinda let Remy run off with Prince Hale after they got sick? Like, that was out of character
⠀It also lowkey showed how selfish Remy is? Like, these two people put their whole life on hold to keep her alive and safe and she literally dips on them so fucking quickly it’s insane and she also starts treating them like shit because she is embarrassed to be like looked after by Heather around then because she doesn’t want them to see her as a child but like she was letting that shit slide until she was around royalty
⠀I did find that the writing was a little better but the author still actively repeated stuff that she had mentioned not even a chapter before like she herself forgot to have written and then would also switch it up? Like she had this whole dramatic scene at the end with Remy shooting the arrow at them and was like ” I'll become the monster they want me to be” and then LITERALLY you flip the page and the next chapter starts with ”I didn’t want to kill him! I don’t want to be this demon they think I am” It’s like she really doesn’t know what she wants to do with these characters
⠀also again, any conflict that happens between the characters is solved within seconds ”oh my god he is going to hate me forever we will never be friends again” to ”im sorry” “slay, i forgive you” like the moment we are about to get any character depth or development it just gets tossed away
⠀Anyway, yeah that’s all I had to say, I'll probably read the second novella and then have a break again and then start on book two and see how I go, I’m determined to finish this series because I have all the fucking books but it isn’t going to be quick lol
⠀
2 & ½ - 3 stars
── ⟢ ・⸝⸝
⠀ ⠀ “She wondered how many
⠀ ⠀ years they would last this time
⠀ ⠀ before she was discovered again.
⠀ ⠀she was always discovered again.
⠀ SPOILER WARNING!
⠀ ⠀ spoilers below ↓
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ .
⠀ The first book in this series I actually didn’t really enjoy, the story pacing and the writing just really threw me off and I struggled to like it and it was honestly putting me into a reading slump but I found out book two APPARENTLY gets better and since I literally bought the whole series like an idiot I thought I might try and give it a go again but I forgot about the novellas so I thought I would read one or two and just work through this series slowly
⠀I did find this book less bad, I mean it might have been good to read this one first so I could’ve seen the found family more intensely between Remy, Heather and Fenrin because in the first book it felt like I should’ve understood how close they are but I didn’t get it because I wasn’t really seeing it, though it just made the whole first book lowkey out of character, how easily Fenrin and Heather just kinda let Remy run off with Prince Hale after they got sick? Like, that was out of character
⠀It also lowkey showed how selfish Remy is? Like, these two people put their whole life on hold to keep her alive and safe and she literally dips on them so fucking quickly it’s insane and she also starts treating them like shit because she is embarrassed to be like looked after by Heather around then because she doesn’t want them to see her as a child but like she was letting that shit slide until she was around royalty
⠀I did find that the writing was a little better but the author still actively repeated stuff that she had mentioned not even a chapter before like she herself forgot to have written and then would also switch it up? Like she had this whole dramatic scene at the end with Remy shooting the arrow at them and was like ” I'll become the monster they want me to be” and then LITERALLY you flip the page and the next chapter starts with ”I didn’t want to kill him! I don’t want to be this demon they think I am” It’s like she really doesn’t know what she wants to do with these characters
⠀also again, any conflict that happens between the characters is solved within seconds ”oh my god he is going to hate me forever we will never be friends again” to ”im sorry” “slay, i forgive you” like the moment we are about to get any character depth or development it just gets tossed away
⠀Anyway, yeah that’s all I had to say, I'll probably read the second novella and then have a break again and then start on book two and see how I go, I’m determined to finish this series because I have all the fucking books but it isn’t going to be quick lol
⠀
September 5, 2026
4 stars
This novella is definitely doing a lot of setup work, and honestly, it’s pretty effective at that. The Witch of Crimson Arrows follows Remi, a red witch who’s living in hiding because red witches are hunted down, with a bounty on their heads from the fae king. She works at a tavern with her little found family—Fenrin and Heather, both brown witches—and just wants the freedom to live and love without constantly watching her back.
The story opens with a lot of Remi’s name being used (seriously, a lot), but it quickly becomes clear that this is about more than just introducing the characters. It’s setting the stage for the whole series: the stakes of being a red witch, Remi’s powers (which are still pretty out of control), and the constant threat of being discovered.
From the pub to their hike up a mountainside, you get a strong sense of how nomadic and precarious their life is. It’s sad seeing how both Remi and Fenrin have lost their families, but also kind of heartwarming that they’ve built something together with Heather. Their loyalty to each other really comes through, especially in the moments where things go wrong—and they do go wrong.
Remi’s secret hook-up with Edgar (the cobbler’s son) is what kicks everything off. He’s... not great. Pretty pushy and clearly not the love interest we’re rooting for. The aftermath of that encounter leads to Remi being outed, and the escape scene that follows is high-stakes and genuinely tense. It really drives home how dangerous this world is for her. Poor woman can't even have a halfway decent orgasm without it ruining her life.
That said, the writing did feel a bit immature to me. Not terrible, just kind of simplistic—it almost reads like it’s from a teenage perspective, even though this is adult fantasy. Still, it gets the job done. We get introduced to the different magical courts, and the Immortal Blade (aka the Big Plot Item everyone’s going to want), so it’s clear this novella is mainly here to lay groundwork for the full series.
Also, minor observation, but once again we have a fantasy heroine who loves reading. I see this so often—either it’s to make them more relatable, or the author’s slipping in a bit of themselves. Either way, it always stands out to me.
The final line, “She was always discovered again,” is honestly kind of perfect. It sums up Remi’s whole situation and sets the tone for the next book so well. Ominous, but it works.
Overall, this was a quick, solid intro to the world and characters. It didn’t blow me away, but I liked the emotional weight and the setup enough to be curious about what’s next. Rounded up to 4 stars because the stakes hit hard, and I’m already attached to this found family.
This novella is definitely doing a lot of setup work, and honestly, it’s pretty effective at that. The Witch of Crimson Arrows follows Remi, a red witch who’s living in hiding because red witches are hunted down, with a bounty on their heads from the fae king. She works at a tavern with her little found family—Fenrin and Heather, both brown witches—and just wants the freedom to live and love without constantly watching her back.
The story opens with a lot of Remi’s name being used (seriously, a lot), but it quickly becomes clear that this is about more than just introducing the characters. It’s setting the stage for the whole series: the stakes of being a red witch, Remi’s powers (which are still pretty out of control), and the constant threat of being discovered.
From the pub to their hike up a mountainside, you get a strong sense of how nomadic and precarious their life is. It’s sad seeing how both Remi and Fenrin have lost their families, but also kind of heartwarming that they’ve built something together with Heather. Their loyalty to each other really comes through, especially in the moments where things go wrong—and they do go wrong.
Remi’s secret hook-up with Edgar (the cobbler’s son) is what kicks everything off. He’s... not great. Pretty pushy and clearly not the love interest we’re rooting for. The aftermath of that encounter leads to Remi being outed, and the escape scene that follows is high-stakes and genuinely tense. It really drives home how dangerous this world is for her. Poor woman can't even have a halfway decent orgasm without it ruining her life.
That said, the writing did feel a bit immature to me. Not terrible, just kind of simplistic—it almost reads like it’s from a teenage perspective, even though this is adult fantasy. Still, it gets the job done. We get introduced to the different magical courts, and the Immortal Blade (aka the Big Plot Item everyone’s going to want), so it’s clear this novella is mainly here to lay groundwork for the full series.
Also, minor observation, but once again we have a fantasy heroine who loves reading. I see this so often—either it’s to make them more relatable, or the author’s slipping in a bit of themselves. Either way, it always stands out to me.
The final line, “She was always discovered again,” is honestly kind of perfect. It sums up Remi’s whole situation and sets the tone for the next book so well. Ominous, but it works.
Overall, this was a quick, solid intro to the world and characters. It didn’t blow me away, but I liked the emotional weight and the setup enough to be curious about what’s next. Rounded up to 4 stars because the stakes hit hard, and I’m already attached to this found family.
September 27, 2026
This one's a somewhat solid "meh" for me - I didn't love it, I didn't hate it.
It took me a loooooong time to get into - I had to do a few readings of the first few chapters to get it to "stick" well enough that I felt comfortable continuing. Somewhere in the middle my attention was grabbed better, though did wander a bit again near the end. I don't know if that's a fault of the book or just my attention, though; I haven't had that issue too much with this author before, so it could just be me.
All in all, what I did absorb was enough to make me consider pursuing the rest of this series. Maybe not right away, but at some point! I did enjoy getting to meet the characters and get to know them a bit ahead of diving into the main series.
It took me a loooooong time to get into - I had to do a few readings of the first few chapters to get it to "stick" well enough that I felt comfortable continuing. Somewhere in the middle my attention was grabbed better, though did wander a bit again near the end. I don't know if that's a fault of the book or just my attention, though; I haven't had that issue too much with this author before, so it could just be me.
All in all, what I did absorb was enough to make me consider pursuing the rest of this series. Maybe not right away, but at some point! I did enjoy getting to meet the characters and get to know them a bit ahead of diving into the main series.
January 12, 2026
The Witch of Crimson Arrows is a prequel novel featuring Remy set before the events of The High Mountain Court and is a short but satisfying glimpse into Remy’s life before she met Hale and his comrades.
A quick read, The Witch of Crimson Arrows offers an insight into the kind of life Remy, Heather and Fenrin lived whilst on the run, constantly worried about discovery and being caught. I thought this was a nice, light glimpse into some of Remy’s experiences in hiding and appreciated seeing how hard life was for them as they fought to keep Remy from being discovered.
A quick read, The Witch of Crimson Arrows offers an insight into the kind of life Remy, Heather and Fenrin lived whilst on the run, constantly worried about discovery and being caught. I thought this was a nice, light glimpse into some of Remy’s experiences in hiding and appreciated seeing how hard life was for them as they fought to keep Remy from being discovered.
April 14, 2022
A great prequel to get you excited for The High Mountain Court. Was able to finish in one sitting . A light easy read giving just enough background & hype. I received a couple of the novellas that go along with the series by signing up to AK Mulford’s newsletter. So if you’re interested in the series I definite suggest looking into the newsletter. As always check for any TWs . Happy reading book besties 💙
January 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this novella prequel. I love the series and have read everything else she has out right now. I loved seeing a glimpse into the normal life of Remy, Fenrin and Heather before Hale and his crew came into the picture. I feel seriously bad for how Remy had to live and the shit she had to deal with. Fenrin and Heather are amazing for her though truly good family.
January 29, 2022
What a great novella that serves as a prequel to The High Mountain Court! It gives you a little more background on Remy, Fenrin, and Heather's life before the first novel of the series. I'm once again floored by how AK Mulford can make me cry and become so attached to these characters in such a short period of time.
March 24, 2022
This is a very good novella included with the audiobook version of the The High Mountain Court. I recommend reading this story first. It is considered the Prequel of the series.
Since I had previously listened to The High Mountain Court much of the story was a repeat of the characters back stories. However the story is a solid 3 to 3.5 star.
Since I had previously listened to The High Mountain Court much of the story was a repeat of the characters back stories. However the story is a solid 3 to 3.5 star.
July 17, 2023
3.75
The plot in this didn't do much for me as I already knew what would happen after reading book one (probably should've read this first), however I loved seeing more of Remy and her found family. A. K. Mulford also does a fantastic job (once again) of describing the world so that it all comes to life. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
The plot in this didn't do much for me as I already knew what would happen after reading book one (probably should've read this first), however I loved seeing more of Remy and her found family. A. K. Mulford also does a fantastic job (once again) of describing the world so that it all comes to life. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
October 11, 2021
A good little novella prequel to help set up the lifestyle Remy had lived in during her years after Yexshire.
I was happy to see that the spice content correlated with her recount from the main story, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy reading a tale of a past love after reading of the current love, but it was done well!
I was happy to see that the spice content correlated with her recount from the main story, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy reading a tale of a past love after reading of the current love, but it was done well!
December 1, 2021
It was great seeing the events that led to the beginning of High Mountain Court! Remy grew so much in the novel, I loved those novella that showed just how far she comes. Perfect prologue for a great story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews