In the ghostly town of Coldhaven, Seraphine Ashcroft is marked by her crimson eyes, a harbinger of dark magic that isolates her from humanity. Straddling the mundane and the mystic realms, she uncovers sinister secrets about her true nature that threaten to unravel everything she knows.
Guided by enigmatic allies and pursued by ancient enemies, Seraphine ventures through the treacherous Weeping Forest and into the shadowy depths of the Shadow Market. Here, legendary creatures—mischievous Pookas, sinister hags, and the ominous Grim Wanderer—reveal a world of dark enchantments and hidden power.
As she delves deeper, Seraphine discovers a dark destiny intertwined with her lineage. The Grim Wanderer, an ethereal figure cloaked in shadows, pushes her towards a fate shrouded in mystery and danger. This is not a tale of heroes, but the genesis of a villain, forged from heartbreak and betrayal.
In a web of deceit and ancient prophecies, Seraphine's path is one of transformation and darkness. Will she succumb to the shadows that seek to consume her, or will she rise as a force of vengeance, altering the balance between realms forever?
The Crimson Snow is a dark, gripping fantasy of magic, resilience, and the birth of a new power in a world where heroes are myths and villains are made. Embrace the mystery and uncover the secrets beneath the snow.
Laura is a vibrant storyteller whose life revolves around books. A marketing professional by day, she transforms into a wordsmith by night, penning dark fantasy and fiction with a poetic twist. At just 26, Laura has already mastered English, Spanish, Italian, and Korean, and her thirst for new languages is unquenchable. Inspired by the enchanting tales of Holly Black and Jennifer Armentrout, she crafts worlds filled with magic, mystery, and a dash of dark allure.
Laura’s creativity knows no bounds—she’s been writing songs and poems since childhood, pouring her heart into every verse and chapter. When she’s not lost in her literary creations, she’s cuddling with her trio of adorable cats: Charlie, Toothless, and Fireheart, who add an extra sprinkle of charm to her life. Join Laura on her journey as she conjures stories that captivate and inspire, one magical word at a time.
Maybe I'll pick this up some other time. I'm not in the mood to drag this book from 2024 to 2025. The writing truly has me struggling.
I can see the comparison to OUABH. Really, I can. Except the author's prose is trying to hard to be fairytale like and whimsy.
If you know me, you know I love a good purple prose. But this is way too wordy and wayyy too many adjectives. It feels misplaced and clunky.
DNF @28%
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Twice now, I've seen 'If you loved OUABH, you should read this one' - say less. I think I'm going to have to pick up this wintery and whimsical dark fairytale during my winter vacation. 😍
🤍Enemies to Lovers ❤️Slow Burn 🤍Magic ❤️Villain Protagonist 🤍Secrets and Betrayals ❤️Winter Scenery 🤍Atmospheric ❤️Celtic Lore
What to Expect: ➼ Enemies-to-Lovers ➼ Morally Gray MMC ➼ Dark Magic ➼ Caught in a Cursed Cycle ➼ Betrayal & Redemption ➼ Tragic Backstory ➼ OUABH Vibes ➼ Third Person POV
I genuinely wish I was a bigger fan of Once Upon a Broken Heart, because this was definitely giving the same energy. If you’re a OUABH super fan, this book is for you! For me personally, they were both 3 star reads. Good enough, but not my favs. 🤷🏼♀️
The world building was actually pretty unique and had a twisted dark fairytale vibe to it. The plot however, was a little too slow and character driven for my taste. We do get a morally gray MMC and a tragic backstory that links both MC’s, but there were many lulls throughout the book where I felt like nothing much was happening.
I mostly enjoyed the writing style, but the initial introduction of the MMC felt cumbersome and confusing to me. I was also pretty sick of the words “Crimson Eyes” by the end of the book. Honestly though, I have no doubt the “Violence” lovers will eat that up. 🙃 If I’m being critical, the romance felt pretty bland to me as well, but I felt similarly about Jacks and Evangeline and most of you are obsessed with them. I think the right readers will love Seraphine and Evren just as much! 💗
I can see a lot of potential for this series and the world Laura Vega has created. I’m excited to read Darkland and get another sampling of her work!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’m really excited about this one! I had always planned to read this in December, but something went wrong when it was released and the KU version wasn’t initially available. Thankfully the glitch is finally fixed! I’m gonna have to let this one jump the line! The Ashes & The Star-Cursed King will have to wait a little longer!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
The sheer number of new authors and new releases can often feel daunting to me. No matter how much I read, it feels impossible to even make a dent in my TBR. Anybody else feel my pain? 🙃 For whatever reason, this book caught my eye and my interest. It will be available for purchase and on KU on November 30th and I plan to move it to the top of my ever growing list.
That’s the plan at least…🤪 Stay tuned for updates! ♥️
"How much can your heart hold before it breaks completely?"
What a wonderful journey this book was! A very whimsical, magical world that hooked me from page one with Once Upon a Broken Heart, Little Red Riding Hood and Fallen series vibes.
This story involves bargains, witches, wolves, gods, familiars, foxes, reincarnation, magical libraries, secrets and betrayals…
Seraphine and Evren’s story and dynamics were top notch and the world building and the plot were so interesting! I was completely transported into it and did not want to stop reading even for a second.
This story holds a very special place in my heart not only because it was an amazing read, but also for the interactive and fun way we received the book, Laura being the most wonderful soul, providing us with teasers and sneak-peaks, fanarts, guides and quizzes before even receiving the book!!!
I cannot thank her enough for giving me an ARC of her book and I will be here desperately waiting for the second book.
"Deals are designed to favor my kind. Tales are more than just stories. They are lessons meant to discourage repetition. There’s nothing fairytale-like about them."
.my thoughts. The Crimson Snow has been on my tbr for as long as I can remember, and now looking back, it was actually okay. This book had an utter resemblance of Once Upon a Broken heart, which by the way I loved so much, so this read is something I was definitely happy to got off by tbr.
Laura's writing style gets me first of all really confused at first, but it's as something snaps and I'm into the story that I understand everything perfectly fine. The starting was a bit off for me, starting 40-50 pages but then I got into line. Sometimes it felt repetitive to me.
Seraphine's character was so confusing sometimes, she was mischievous in the starting, but at the same time from what she suffered made her utterly someone I related to, I don't know why, but Sera's grief had me on a hold where my heart was definitely feeling the same things for her which is sadness. I actually connected to her for like the starting pages where everything started, but then suddenly I was disconnected again which was a disappointment.
Evren Wraithwood is a character where I think if he's a cinnamon roll or a simple rock, he's actually really smart at times where things get pretty dirty and he plays dirtier, but in the end he was as hopeless and made me want to punch someone. I saw his character art, and he had a face of real mischievous people who plans to do something really bad.
Evren and Sera had so many lacking points, while in the starting their chemistry was undeniably the one for me, I was so into it but then in the later parts it just felt bland and nothing more exciting to me. If talking about the start where it all started, I was in love with both of them and wanted to see how it actually went.
The plot was really predictable, now when I know it's a fairytale-ish, everything was really predictable for me to guess small things and was certainly something I was getting bored of, now don't get me wrong, when I predicted sometimes I was so happy it got into work, but sometimes I'm like I know what's going to happen and it feels like everything is just dragging through.
Theron was someone I actually enjoyed, I don't know why but side characters are always someone that gets me on track, but his chemistry with Doriah was actually really interesting I must say, so that's why I was so looking for both of them more. Doriah wasn't that interconnecting to me than Theron was, so I had really no hopes.
Max was definitely a confusing character, and from how this book came to an end, I definitely am suspicious about his actions, yet let's just not push it more further, yet Max is on my suspicious list and at the first, his words were something needing to interpret, something closer than mystery.
The magic system was certainly something I was so surprised for, Evren's uses of his magic was pretty in my imaginations, and I was in love with it everytime he used his magic, the library, the Raggart, the shadow eaters, everything was something I was into. Evren's backstory wasn't something I really predicted, like I knew but at the same time I wanted to know the details, so yeah.
.final thoughts. ╰┈➤ This book was pretty interesting at first but then got bland, maybe it's a me problem, but it was alright for me, I would recommend if you loved Once Upon a Broken Heart because this one would be the one for you.I loved OUABH, but this book didn't exceed the expectations I was hoping for, and the characters weren't that connectable at times, so it was definitely average for me.
4.25 stars This was so very magical. I loved how this fantasy world was so immersive. It is filled to the brim with mystery, almost reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. I absolutely loved all of the fairytales and stories that are completely unique to this world. There’s protective creatures and magical libraries and multiple worlds our main character navigates on her journey. The male main character is an omniscient point of view that gives us insight to the past, while hiding just enough for me to be surprised. I loved being in his head and seeing the main character through his eyes. He’s a bit of a softie even though he thinks himself to be the villain. This book is perfect if you’re searching for the kind of enchanting fantasy that gives you the same feeling as Once Upon a Broken Heart, with a wintery atmosphere, and a world where nothing is ever as it seems. I thought this book was adorable and I’m excited to see where this series goes next.
The Crimson Snow 🐺 By Laura Vega Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️ Release date: 30 November 2024
What an enchanting read. Laura’s writing style will have you in raptures. The world building is complex but absolutely incredible. You’re taken on a journey through trauma, heartbreak, healing and self discovery.
Plenty of twists and turns, you aren’t ever quite sure what is about to happen and I LOVED the originality! The excerpts at the start of each chapter were a standout highlight!
Seraphine is my ideal FMC, she was strong yet vulnerable. Smart but welcomed collaboration with other characters. So much good banter and the spice was super tasteful and not at all thrown in there “just because”.
One of my favourite reads of the year! Thank you so much Laura Vega for the opportunity to read and review!
This might be the tale for you if you like magical and fairytale esque vibes, multiple POVs, creatures of all kinds, enchanting libraries, secret identities and lies, and enemies to lovers tropes.
We’ve talked before about me loving the vibes of a fairytale feel that is eerie and captures me right away, and Laura hits me right off the bat with intrigue and excitement before we even get very far in the book. I’m surrounded right away with the concept of things that raise hairs on the back of my neck and force me to keep reading without considering that I may actually have things I need to be functional for in the morning. I probably don’t need sleep anyways.
I loved the feel of the story, the pace, the banter and deception between the characters. The FMC was vulnerable but strong and raw in a way that resonated with me and the Grim Wanderer had such mystery and had me begging for more. I’ve just finished the ARC for the first book but I’m already ready for details on the next one.
A big thank you to the Author Laura for sharing the ARC journey with me in exchange for an honest review.
This book and this story has become and is a part of me now.
I feel so incredibly connected with the characters. Seraphine and Evren are in their own ways brilliant characters but together they’re immaculate.
I am in awe of how beautiful Laura Vega wrote The Crimson Snow. I feel almost speechless because I fell so deeply in love with the storyline, characters and messaging throughout this book.
The fact that it is a series makes me even more excited because the whole world of The Crimson Snow is definitely not over yet.
I could not fault this book. I’d rather let you know that I value the fact that The Crimson Snow will now forever live rent free in my mind and heart.
I just don’t want this series to ever end!
I’m purely and utterly honoured to have delved into the world of The Crimson Snow.
If you enjoy:
✨ Villian Protagonist ✨ Enemies to Lovers ✨ Found Family ✨ Dark Magic ✨ Tragic Backstory
✨ARC Review✨ Where to start with this book! It was totally an immersive experience - the characters and the world building were so well thought out and the writing was beautiful - I highlighted so many quotes. There are multiple realms and intricate backstories but never once did I feel confused or overwhelmed. It read almost like a mystery unraveling the story through out the book. The FMC is strong but vulnerable leaving me very intriguing to see where her story continues. Finally, I’m such a sucker for an excellent romance and the one in this book had me equally kicking my feet and wanting more!! The ending was surprising and exciting and a perfect set up for the next book. Highly recommend checking this out!
What an amazing Journey was thus book. It is more than a book and If You were part of laura ST you know what i mean. She is beyond talented and I was in awe by her mind. Each chapter a delight mixed with poetry. One of the most stunning books I have ever read.
Tropes: 🦊Enemies to Lovers 🦊Forced Proximity 🦊Betrayal and Redemption 🦊Ancient Secrets
Y’all don’t sleep on this book! It is so freaking good. You forget you’re reading because you feel like you are in the story.
This magical story follows The Grim Wanderer/Evren and Seraphine. So this book is laid out really cool because most of the chapters are dual POV but it’s laid out perfectly so you don’t get confused.
Seraphine wears her heart on her sleeve, is independent, and doesn’t back down from a challenge or adventure. She’s also not afraid to tell anyone how she feels. She’s fiesty and I absolutely loved it. And when Seraphine finds out who she really is, I freaking screamed.
The Grim Wanderer aka Evren, has always been in love with Seraphine since he can remember. Evren is persistent and every bit cunning. And when he’s got Seraphine right where he wants her, he takes advantage of the opportunity and will not let her go.
I still haven’t fully processed the ending. I was left speechless for the first time in a very long time. I don’t know who I feel bad for more, Seraphine or Evren. I cannot wait until the next book comes out because I have too many questions.
Thank you @ for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book❤️
The Crimson Snow grabbed me in a wonderful welcome, sending me to a fascinating realm full of mystery and enchantment. It's an escape similar of Alice in Wonderland, with one-of-a-kind fairytales bringing this complex realm to life. The vivid landscapes are painted in the warm glow of winter, and each sight is like walking into a wonderful dream. . THE CRIMSON SNOW is a gripping tale packed with strong characters, burning romance, and an exciting story that will leave you astonished and seeking for more. I enjoyed Seraphine's protecting animals, captivating libraries, and various kingdoms, which created a riveting journey that spoke to me on an emotional level. . The two perspectives of our main protagonists, Seraphine and the Grim Wanderer, are beautifully rendered. I enjoyed delving into the ideas of the Grim Wanderer—his self-perception as a villain, along with his delicate, soft-hearted character, delivers an amount of detail that kept me riveted. Seeing the world through his eyes, as well as witnessing Seraphine's strength and sensitivity, added to the delicacy and allure of their relationship. . The world-building is outstanding, merging dark magic and ancient heritage with themes of found family and the variety of love. Laura Vega's writing is not only beautiful; it is lyrical bringing you into each scene and having you experience every emotion thoroughly. I was totally riveted by the smart banter, the tragic moments, and the beautiful romance sequences that left me gasping and breathless. . The finish left me feeling ecstatic an overload of emotions prepping me for the next installment. It establishes a fascinating concept for what comes next, and I can't wait to return to this wonderful world. If you enjoy riveting stories with fanciful settings, intriguing characters, and heartfelt themes, The Crimson Snow is a must-read!
I had the wonderful opportunity to be an ARC reader for this story and I'm so grateful to Laura. It was such an amazing experience from the start and I'll always cherish becoming part of the community she has created with The Crimson Snow.
This story is fast paced, enemies to lovers with amazing world building. The banter had me grinning from ear to ear. There were moments of profound pain as well and I applaud Laura for being able make every emotion available throughout the novel.
I'm so excited to see where this series goes and where Seraphine's journey will take her.
Once upon a time in a freezing, ghostly Coldhaven town, there lived Seraphine. Her unique crimson eyes made people in that town think she was a devil, a witch and a bad omen. So, everyone isolates her. One day, she felt tired of everything and went to the treacherous Weeping Forest and that’s where her dark, painful adventure began…
Red riding hood mixed Grimm Brother’s tale, Halloween combined with dark Christmas vibes. I love it! Every time I’m trying to guess a plot, another dark mystery keeps coming up! I really love Seraphine, the hardships that she’s experiencing in her life make her become bloody fierce, a little bit of a trickster and it is stunning! Evren mysterious mad bad boy. I won’t explain too much about him, otherwise it is not fun anymore hahaha. It's rare to say this, but the supporting characters' participation, like the actions, conversations and thoughts being shown, perfectly match the story line's purpose. To be honest, it is really rarely for me to like the supporting characters in the story as well as the FMC and MMC.
I absolutely fell in love with this book and cannot wait to see what else comes next. It starts with a beautiful dedication. Then we get to a poem that is the perfect way to start the mystery off with a bang. The prelude leaves you hungry for more and wanting the answers but the author makes you wait for those, drip feeding you clues and information along the way, keeping you hot on the trail yet throwing you off the scent with certain parts that lull you into a false sense of security only to whip the rug from underneath your feet forcing you to curl up into the foetal position and sob your heart out. Throughout the story I pictured the story appearing in so many different media styles and they all would work beautifully. It would make an amazing film, a brilliant tv series and an awesome anime. It could even make a great stage show. Each section starts with a short snippet from an otherworldly book/journal/letter and I cannot tell you how well they set each scene, they really help to create suspense, mystery, intrigue, sorrow, joy that help you sense where the next section of the book is going to go. I absolutely loved this detail. The FMC is so strong yet broken, she has been through so much yet she still finds it in herself to carry on despite the prejudices that come with being different. This hit home hard with me and I related to the character very quickly. The MMC however, oh my gosh, what an emotional rollercoaster ride you go on with him, one minute you like him, next minute you want to hit him over the head with something, next minute you are living for him again and end up getting so dizzy you don't know what you're thinking about him any more as you want to feel for him but you have become so guarded you don't know if it is safe to empathise with him 🤣 there are moments you feel your soul leave your body, it just breaks you but you still want more. Cannot wait to see what comes next after the major cliffhanger that it ends on....well worth adding to your TBR 🤗💜
This was an AMAZING read. The way I’ve been eagerly waiting to devour this book… And when I finally got it? 😮💨 From start to finish, this was soooo gut wrenching. Especially finally being able to connect all the mystery chapters from the ARC emails 🤌🏽 This book will have you internally screaming for mercy that never comes 😏 It was such a great read & I consider this my first 6star read of 2024 🫣 This was everything I’ve wanted & MORE. The super immersive, magical world building along w/ the deals & twists of the storyline will have you reeled ALL the way in. TCS is a super captivating story that will have you agonizing over each page. My heart was literally so torn each & every way, but it was worth every bit of pain & sadness lol! (I will never recover & I don’t want to) Not to mention the ending 🙀🤍 Girrrrl… HYBERN is all I can say lmfao!! I just know Book 2 will really ACOMAF our asses & solidify it’s spot as one of my favorite series of all times. This is a MUST read. Literally had me screaming, crying, & throwing up 🫨 So worth the wait. So worth the constant edging. (I told you I was going to include it, Teah 🤣)
Mama 🐻 Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an entertaining read that kept me wanting more & more, It truly captivated me. There seriously was not a boring part in this book & has you questioning everything. You think something is going to happen, but it doesn’t!! I love the unpredictability of it. As different as they are- I put it on par w/ Quicksilver (My Mom’s fave read this year) & for Laura’s first debut? She’s a lot better than most seasoned Authors. It just shows just how imaginative these new generation of writers are.
Now she won’t stop hounding me for Book 2 like I have it lmfao. Sorry Mother Dearest, you have to suffer w/ the rest of us 🥲
I’m absolutely invested in this story. Every moment of reading created a perfectly painted picture. Every detail is so well planned and unraveled! This story absolutely kept me engaged, and thinking about it when not reading. I also had a very hard time reading anything else, because my mind so often wandered back to the world, and in the Mystweave Library. I may end up in a slump…I need book 2 NOW!!
Mystical forests, dazzling cloaks, creatures of horror and wonder! The beauty of the writing immerses you into this story!
My favorite scenes were all very teasing, playful, and very much edging. The Grim Wanderer is dreamy and definitely morally grey (just my type.) The story weaved is just so intricate, and Grim is def a complex character that I liked a lot. So many times I got up from my chair, jumping around giggling.
I really loved how Seraphine is written, and I relate to her in such a profound way. Sad girl vibes, but trying to keep a smile and not show it so you don’t become more of a burden. Well this story has shown me what it looks like to want to be strong, and cunning, and wanting to understand your emotions, and how important they can be to making your character, and being the best you can, even if you’re dark and crimson.
Thank you so much Laura, (and the Mystweave) library for letting me read this master peace! This is my honest opinion and I truly cannot wait for more!
What an absolutely beautiful, magical world that I can't wait to experience more of. This felt so reminiscent to me of the fairy tales from childhood but with adult twists and hints at a villain origin story.
The journal entries at the start of each chapter are creatively written and build upon the lore and history. I found myself desperately trying to puzzle out how each author connects to the characters in the present.
I loved Serephine's cunning, curious, and caring nature. Her life is whimsical yet sad in many ways, and I thoroughly enjoyed navigating this world through her eyes and uncovering the many hidden truths.
I also absolutely adored the Grim Wanderer. His POV is honestly so sweet, but also intriguing and keeps you flipping the pages to piece everything together.
If you're a lover of romance, this story has the perfect amount. The romantic moments are tender, passionate, and sweet (I need a better descriptor but this really does sum it up) and have the right amount of progression so everything flows seamlessly.
This book felt like an otherworldly adventure that completely drew me in. I loved the concept of the human realm, the otherworld realm, and the underworld realm, each with its own unique protectors. The story stood out as truly unique, breaking away from the usual tropes of fantasy. The suspense kept me hooked until the very end. While I managed to figure out a few twists, most of them left me guessing—and that made the journey all the more enjoyable.
The writing was stunning, evoking all kinds of emotions and making the scenes feel as though they were unfolding right before my eyes. I especially loved the rhymes and poems at the start of each chapter; they added such a creative twist. Seraphine and Evren captured my heart, and I felt deeply for both of them, each for their own reasons. Seraphine’s struggles, especially the pain she endured from childhood, were heart-wrenching and left me devastated.
Overall, this is the best fantasy romance I’ve read so far—completely unique and unlike anything else. I highly recommend the story of the crimson eyes and the grim wanderer to anyone who loves a good, adventurous Romantasy.
This is such a breathtaking story! I honestly was very lucky to have the ARC version! And to be honest most people would say that they had the best experience with the ARC! Laura is just so fun and makes all this process as magical as her book.
Yes, if you like the Cruel Prince or OUABH you might also like this one but be aware that the vibe is completely different and the book is never what it seems. It takes you to different paths and you don’t even know the full story till the end! I felt in love with the story and how MUCH I resonated with the main lead. But geez, I was NOT expecting THAT! Geez again, I won’t give any spoilers but this book is a gateways to a bigger story a bigger world and it’s full of magic, hope, tears! If you can give it a try! You won’t regret it! And Laura? She is the most amazing soul and I KNOW this book will be the next big thing
WHAT A THRILLING DEBUT!! Gosh, Laura has created a whimsical world full of villains, magic, and crimson. THIS STORY IS IMMERSIVE AS HECK! You are walking through the crunchy snow WITH the characters. The creativity, the aesthetic, the MAGIC!! INCREDIBLE!!!
I will say, I was quite confused in the beginning…I felt as if I was just barging into someone’s home unannounced. But the more it unfolded, the more I became completely captivated!!
This story is the perfect set-up for what’s to come. Seraphine and Grim are such complex characters with so many secrets and I NEED TO KNOW MORE!!! GAHHHH I am so excited for the sequel and can’t wait to see where Laura takes our friends next!!!
If you love: 🩸Dual POV 🩸Villian Protagonist 🩸Tragedy and Redemption 🩸”I’ve been waiting for you” 🩸 Found Family 🩸Immersive descriptions 🩸Winter vibes
The Crimson Snow by Laura Vega is an absolute masterpiece! And I mean every word of that. She has crafted not only a beautiful world and lovely characters but also a story that pulls you in so much it's hard to come out of. Both Seraphine and The Grimm Wanderer are well fleshed out and relatable in one way or another. I connected with Seraphine almost immediately and I could almost feel her emotions as we continued her journey. This is a story that will stick with me until the end of the series and far beyond it, I would recommend The Crimson Snow to anyone who loves tragic backstories, enemies to lovers, and a strong/compassionate FMC.
Thank you Laura Vega for providing the eARC of this masterpiece! I can't wait to see where the next book takes Seraphine.
4.5⭐️ The Crimson Snow will bespell you with poetic, evocative, and romantic prose and immerse you in a captivating fairytale realm. I fell in love with this world of light and shadow immediately, it’s a gritty, gothic vibe infused with the whimsy and magic reminiscent of OUABH. A freaking gem of a combination.
Everything about this world was breathtaking- it felt like I was reading part story, part song, a beautiful melody played out in writing that lingered with me long after I had finished. The plot flows seamlessly and you are serenaded through an unforgettable adventure that’s captivating and chaotic. The intricate realms and detailed backstories found me blissfully lost in this world and I didn’t want to leave.
Our FMC, Seraphine lives a wretchedly cursed life, her entire town views her as a crimson-eyed witch, bringing misfortune wherever she goes.
I felt deep sorrow for Seraphine, often crying alongside her. Her experiences of enduring cruelty broke my heart time and again, and I found myself desperate for her escape to a better, peaceful future. Despite the continuous setbacks, she draws upon her inner strength and resilience, embodying a profound determination and I adored this aspect of her character. She continues on, despite the relentless jeers, until her world is manipulated into absolute chaos and heartbreak by our MMC, The Grim Wanderer.
The Grim Wanderer is her executioner and her saviour, he shatters her world but miraculously manages not to shatter her spirit. You feel her pain and anguish with every betrayal and yet his mysterious allure is impossible to resist. His cheeky wit? Pure gold, pure vibes! At times, I was completely rooting for him, and in other moments, I wanted to kick him straight in the shins. He is the absolute epitome of morally grey, his actions and motivations causing me to actually shout in frustration at times (my cat did not appreciate this!🤭).
The romantic moments between Seraphine and The Grim Wanderer were beautiful and helped build a sweet and passionate connection between them. There was heartbreak as well as breathtaking moments of love and tenderness which had me swooning, the kind of love that makes you hold your heart and utter a sigh of happiness 😮💨♥️.
The secondary characters were also really well done and I loved the way they helped add a piece of the puzzle to the world and Serephine’s story. The mythological creatures and the decadent, mysterious Mystweave library were stunning and despite a large amount of the story being set in the library, the world didn’t feel small at all, very much the opposite.
The ending and cliffhanger left me gasping! So many questions and few answers- I’m already hanging for book two!
Thank you Laura Vega for the opportunity to be part of your ARC team and review this amazing tale. ♥️♥️
Wow. Just wow. I’m not entirely sure what this book did to me, but it left me breathless, sobbing, and full of wonder.
The story unfolds like a soft, lingering melody, its slow, deliberate pace wrapping itself around your heart until, suddenly, you’re completely ensnared. At first, the pain and longing whisper quietly through the pages, but before you know it, they crescendo into a symphony of emotion. Tears flowed freely—so deeply was I in Seraphine’s head, living her heartache, her hope, her fear.
Honestly, it felt like being sung a sonnet, with each word etched in longing, loneliness, and love. There’s a bittersweet beauty to this tale, a poetic dance between loss and hope. The story feels suspended in time, balanced on the edge of heartbreak and enchantment, and I savored every morsel of emotion it gave me.
Seraphine and the Grim Wanderer’s story was utterly enthralling. The forbidden tension, the mystery surrounding their pasts, the chemistry—oh, the chemistry! My heart was ready to burst. I’m completely invested in these characters, and the dual POVs gave me everything I craved, allowing me to dive into their thoughts and emotions, seeing that little bit deeper.
Seraphine—what an outstanding FMC. Despite her past, she’s resilient, strong, and kind. “One nightmare at a time.” Oh, how that resonates. It’s a journey of navigating trauma, trust, and desire, and you’ll be right there with her through every twist and turn.
The Grim Wanderer is that character who will have you questioning everything he does while simultaneously making you fall hard for him. Mysterious? Absolutely. Questionable? Yes. But once you dive deeper into his character and unlock the reasons for his actions? Yep… you’ll be hooked.
The worldbuilding is rich and captivating, transporting me right into the heart of the story. So much so, I could reach out and convince myself I could feel those snowflakes too. I could see, hear, and feel everything the characters did. The atmosphere dripped with mystery and magic—the protective animals, the multiple realms, the creatures—it was all utterly fascinating, what a unique, incredible story. Yes, I tried to tread carefully, knowing things aren’t what they seem, but just as I tried to outsmart the twists, they had me free falling, leaving me wondering what the heck just happened and in great need of answers.
This is a story that doesn’t just enchant—it consumes. And I willingly gave it my heart. Now, I’m absolutely desperate for book 2.
This first installment of A Realm of Chaos and Void series is absolute perfection! There’s not a single thing I would change about this hauntingly beautiful dark fantasy romance masterpiece. The Crimson Rose is a dual POV that follows a snowflake loving, crimson eyed, isolated FMC, Seraphine, and a villain protagonist, the mysterious cloaked Grim Wanderer. Seraphine lives with her father in the human realm but has never been accepted due to her strangely colored eyes. She often escapes her harsh reality and slips through a magic veil into another realm, the Otherworld. The Otherworld is filled with dark magic and mythical creatures. However, this is where Seraphine feels most at home. Her life has been one hardship after another, and it’s no surprise when she is betrayed with carefully calculated tricks and deceits. Seraphine finds herself blood bound to her enemy as she travels through the Otherworld looking for answers and fighting for her freedom.
This wasn’t just a story. This was a whole experience. I feel like this book is a part of me now. The writing is mesmerizing. The epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter are poetically written and complement the story so well that it just enhances the whole experience. The characters are written so well that I feel like I know them personally. Like Seraphine is my bestie and I just want to take her to get coffee and give her a hug. The world building and magic system are unique and easy to follow. The tension from the slow burn enemies to lovers romance was intoxicating. There’s mild spice which I think was perfect for this book. There’s a magical hidden library called the Mystweave Library that has other hidden libraries within. Like, WHAT?? Just amazing and so creative. I’m convinced that the author is absolutely brilliant. The conflicts and tragic backstory had my heart breaking for Seraphine. This is definitely one of my top books of the year. I will be obsessing over this book until I get the sequel.
Thank you to the author, Laura Vega, for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed it so much! It is such a honor to be on your street team and be a small part of your journey 🖤 you are so talented and creative, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers Slow Burn Magic Other Creatures Villain Protagonist Secrets/Betrayal
The Crimson Snow was definitely a new take a romantsy story for me, and I liked it! Usually we're reading a romance with maybe a morally grey character and another who save the world. I said usually....
But the Crimson Snow is focused on the villain! But who's the villain? Is it FMC Seraphine who is a human that can realm jump but also has CRIMSON eyes? or is it MMC Grim Wanderer who has magic abilities and seems to be there when Seraphine needs him? I won't put any spoilers but I loved the evolution of this story, the characters, and the world building.
Seraphine is a human who is able to cross into the Otherworld realm. Because of her crimson eyes, her village doesn't trust her and a series of heartbreaking events leads her down the path of making a deal with her enemy. A man who's helped contribute to her unending heartbreak. Together, they enter the Otherworld, to break a curse, and maybe they'd discover other secrets and emotions too.
I really really liked the Grim Wanderer. At first, I disliked his true character but he grew on me 100%. I feel for him and can't imagine what the pain he's felt over the centuries. Seraphine was great too. her heartbreak in the first 50% of this book pulled on me so hard that it was starting to make me mad lol. I just broke for her. But to watch her remain almost true to herself throughout everything was beautiful.
But that ending. While there's a lot of world building in this book, the last few chapters, everything escalates and comes to a shocking head. I'm still trying to process what certain things mean. Why people did what they did. What's going to happen next? Like.... WHOA! HAHA I cannot wait to read the next one because I have so many questions, that I'm hooked!
Everything about this book, from the story to receiving the ARC was a journey I wish I could start all over again. Laura Vega did the best job making the experience as immersive as possible and they only thing I'm mad about is that I have to wait for the next book.
The Crimson Snow is not your typical fantasy book. The book follows Seraphine Ashcroft, a young woman marked by her crimson eyes. As she meets the Grim Wanderer, she learns more about herself and her past. Ultimately, she has to choose between succumbing to darkness or rising as a force of vengeance that could alter the balance between worlds.
"Fairytales aren’t kind, Crimson Eyes."
I have to be honest, in the beginning I had no clue what was going on, but I feel like that was the entire point as you uncover more of Seraphine's story as you go along. I was deeply invested and I just wanted to know if my suspicions were correct. The story telling was very well done and the magic system really intrigued me. It's a story about feeling lost, finding yourself, and acceptance. Also, the yearning and the romance left me craving for more. I don't want to give away too much about the MMC, so you'll just have to find out for yourself.
"How much can your heart hold before it breaks completely?"
I would recommend this book to any romantasy lover, but please be warned because I needed a few working days to recover from the ending. I can't wait for the next book as I need to know what's going to happen next. I'm really rooting for them. I was really surprised by this book and I really loved it.
A major thank you to Laura Vega for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
”A lone wolf wanders, bound to weep, Loveless through the endless night.”
This was really impressive for a debut novel! The story exudes a magical fairytale vibe, with a darker, more tragic twist. With autumn soon transitioning to winter, the frozen lands and haunting winterscape setting felt particularly fitting.
What stood out to me most was how thoughtfully the story was constructed. As a reader, I could genuinely feel that Laura, the author, poured a lot of love, care, and passion into the entire project. This passion is evident not only in her writing, characters, and storytelling but also in her engagement with her ARC readers!!
The metaphors and similes were used beautifully throughout the narrative, often adding a lyrical quality that I appreciated. However, there were times when the repetitiveness felt as though it could dilute their impact, potentially causing the metaphors and similes to lose their artistic or magical touch throughout the story.
As for the ending and its reveals, considering all the buildup, it felt somewhat rushed and didn’t quite land as strongly as I had anticipated. However, the final part of the epilogue, in a very bittersweet way, drew me back to the core story and really made me look forward to the sequel! There’s definitely a lot left to uncover and learn, and I’m excited to do so!
“May she find herself once more in the labyrinth of time.”
I received The Crimson Snow as an ARC copy from the author, and these are my honest thoughts on it.
I don't know why but my review is missing? I know I reviewed it because it shows on my Read list but now here... Well let's try this again!
The Crimson Snow is a dark fantasy romance that features immersive world building with intricate poetry, captivating lore and so many secrets to unravel. It is beautifully written.
This is a tale like no other. It honestly gives mini vibes from your favorite classics as well! I caught breif feelings of Snow White, Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. But be certain this is a tale all on its own! (I could live in the Mystweave Library, it's giving a subtle Beauty and the Beast vibes ~ )
The Grim Wanderer is quite the clever one. Weaving paths and manipulating Fate. But it seems even he is not able to see the consequences of his own actions. Will he and Seraphine both end up paying in the end ?
I love that the journal entries and poems both give you inportant info and have you asking more questions. I found quite often I was returning and rereading certain parts discovering they were layered with hidden intent.
This story consistently pulled on my heart ! The tragic tale weaved through these pages... Ack ~ this will be a new Roman Empire for me ! The emotions run so deep and are so powerful and the tension is thiiick. Seraphine's character is so very relatable to anyone who has ever been the outsider in life ! The Grim Wanderer is as clever as he is a fool and I need more!