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The Crimson King

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He was born to kill. She was sent to destroy him.

Atlas Alston, once the Vampire King’s favorite puppet, is now his greatest liability. Hunted like prey and haunted by a past soaked in blood, Atlas would rather burn the world to the ground than return to his master’s chains.

Luna Rowe had all but given up on ever seeing the sun again. But when Victor Matthias, vampire royalty and sadistic puppet master, offers her freedom in exchange for one kill, she makes a deadly bargain. Find the rogue vampire. End him. Or die trying.

But Atlas isn’t the monster she expected. He’s scarred, dangerous and devastatingly human beneath the fangs. With every shared secret, every near-death escape, Luna begins to question who the real threat is- the vampire before her, or the one promising her freedom.

Torn between a duty she never wanted and a desire she can’t deny, Luna must make a betray the man who sees her for who she really is, or watch the only hope for vengeance slip through her fingers.

Twisted loyalties. Undeniable chemistry. And a darkness that hungers for more.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2025

4 people are currently reading
36 people want to read

About the author

Ivy James

2 books1 follower

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Meghan.
288 reviews42 followers
November 15, 2025
In my opinion, vampire romances are the absolute best. Like who doesn’t yearn for a man to be completely obsessed with you, and just wants a little nibble of you? Like hello? I’m right here? I have a perfectly great neck for you?! So of course when I came across Ivy James lookin for ARC readers for her book, The Crimson King, I was practically foaming at the mouth to get my hands on an ARC.

I honestly didn’t want this book to end. From beginning to end I was immediately pulled in and loved the story and the characters. Luna was a great FMC and someone who really did want to see the best in people, while Atlas was her complete opposite. He knew it was a harsh word and saw all the cruelty life has offered him and tried to shed Luna from it all. I was completely obsessed with Atlas from the moment I met him. Like I LOVE a broken hero, and man oh man was my poor baby Atlas broken. I think that’s why Atlas and Luna were so perfect for one another. Broken people tend to find one another and lean on each other to put their pieces back together. Also, the spice? Perfection. My pervy heart was happy with this one, and the fact that there is going to be another book! I am definitely excited to see where this story goes🩸🖤

If you love vampire romances, you definitely have to add this one to your TBR because this story was definitely different from every other vampire romance I have read so far. A huge thank you to Ivy James for the opportunity to get a chance to read the ARC!
Profile Image for Tiffany’s Tomes.
30 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️/5

Thank you to author Ivy James for allowing me to read and review an ARC of her new book The Crimson King. Available November 15th.

“The child that drinks freely may yet rise against the hand that feeds”

He’s out to kill his maker, his maker sent her to kill him. We follow Luna and Atlas as they join together to hunt down an evil king who has done them wrong, and catch each other along the way.

This is a multiple POV with perspectives from both Luna and Atlas. Not only do we get to see their relationship develop from both views, we also get to see the personal turmoil each character carries. The cause of the turmoil? Victor, the evil king. While there are no POV’s from his point of view he is a driving force in the story. Not THE driving force but he does push the story forward. He’s always there but never physically. He’s illusive and has eyes and ears everywhere. I think there could have been an opportunity to add more depths to the story and his character by having a couple of scenes from his POV and I’m hopeful that in the next book we will see something like that. Maybe some plotting, maybe a POV from one of the henchmen, who knows! But I have hope!

The relationship is fast but fun, the attraction between Atlas and Luna begins faintly. They are both drawn to each other, and slowly explore that draw as the story goes. It’s not a slow burn or an insta-love, exactly but there are characteristic of both as the relationship unfolds. Both characters were easily to love and they had great banter which made the relationship more enjoyable. There is some on page spice, but it’s tasteful and not the focal point of the relationship.

There are a couple of moments of betrayal in the story, from a couple of different characters. One scene in particular occurs between Luna and a side character and while it is predictable, it really shows the depth of Luna’s character. Our side character had some shady moments leading up to the scene. It’s the way he presented himself and speaks to others that you just know he’s up to something, but Luna holds onto hope until the very last moment. Literally the VERY LAST MOMENT. She is always trying to see the good in everyone throughout this story, and even while she feels something is off with this guy she still has hope in him.

This was a really enjoyable read. Easy to follow, great characters and fast pacing. The author stayed true to the plot, the “side quests” were purposeful and relevant. I’m looking forward to seeing where Atlas and Luna go from here!
Profile Image for Alice.thereader.
92 reviews4 followers
November 14, 2025
Thank you to Ivy James for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to dive into this one because I’m an absolute sucker for a good vampire fantasy, and with spice? Sign me up!

The FMC and MMC are both captives of an evil vampire king, she’s a human awaiting her demise, and he’s a turned vampire who has broken free of the king’s control. The king sends the human girl after the monster, threatening her family if she doesn’t obey: return the spawn to him, dead or alive.

But when the FMC and MMC find one another, they make a different choice-to work together and take down the king instead.

The writing is poetic and engaging, full of intensity and atmosphere, but I did not care for the pacing of the story, I felt like it was a little too quick at times (or maybe I just wanted more of it!).

And the MMC had me melting with this line:

“I don’t want to pretend you’re just a girl in a bar,” he begins, voice low and deliberate. His gaze locks with mine, steady, unblinking. “I’d rather pretend you are the sun, and tell you that I would stand before you, knowing you had the power to turn me to dust. I would stand before you and bask in your warmth, be brought to my knees by your beauty, and thank you for killing me so graciously.”

I mean… come on. Swoon. 🖤

A dark, fast-paced vampire fantasy with poetic writing, heart-stopping moments, and a romance that burns bright and dangerous.
Profile Image for Dayna Smith.
498 reviews24 followers
November 6, 2025
The Crimson King by Ivy James is a darkly elegant fantasy romance that draws you into a world of power, peril, and passion from the very first page. With its haunting atmosphere and morally complex characters, this story is as much about survival and sovereignty as it is about love and vulnerability.

The world Ivy James has created feels rich and dangerous, full of political intrigue, ancient magic, and the weight of legacy. Every scene drips with tension—both emotional and romantic. The titular Crimson King is the perfect mix of ruthlessness and restraint, a man shaped by shadows but not entirely consumed by them. And the heroine? Fierce, flawed, and resilient, she matches him in every way. Their dynamic crackles with intensity—equal parts fire and frost, hate and desire.

James’s writing is beautiful—poetic without being overdone, and laced with emotion that hits just right. There’s a steady undercurrent of longing throughout the book, the kind that makes every touch and every betrayal feel significant. It’s not just a love story—it’s a battle of wills, a study in power and surrender, and ultimately, a tale of redemption.

If I had one small critique, it’s that a few moments in the middle could have used a touch more breathing room. The pacing sometimes rushes where I wanted to linger, especially in the emotional scenes. But the ending? Absolutely worth it—satisfying, cathartic, and full of hope without losing its bite.

The Crimson King is a dark, romantic journey through loyalty, sacrifice, and the fragile beauty of trust. It’s perfect for readers who love fantasy that bleeds emotion and romance that walks the edge between danger and devotion.
Profile Image for Jan.
204 reviews12 followers
November 11, 2025
Thank you Ivy James for an ARC book! Glad you chose me :) I love a no nonsense vampire who doesn’t shy away from his true nature, who knows what he needs to do, and will accomplish it the way he knows he must. That vampire is Atlas, and I could feel his strength from the very first page. Can’t wait to dive in 😈🧛

Luna works for The Monster Hunters Association. She’s looking into the death of a girl who had puncture wounds on her neck. She’s seen this particular monster before so she recognizes whose work it is.

It seems like Luna has a thing for Atlas even though she knows he’s a monster. Luna finds in a book about vampires that atlas has broken his bond to his sire Victor so he must be extremely dangerous. She goes on a journey to track him down.

Atlas and her have the same thoughts that there is something maybe a physical or mental connection between them.
Atlas just said something swoon worthy, and I am SO here for it! I love him even more 😍

Sexy time with a vampire? Yes please. You’ll fall in love with Atlas and Luna, and you’ll want to root for both of them. Definitely a book that you should check out if you love vampires as much as I do 😈🧛😄
Profile Image for Amber Leach.
21 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2025
Possible spoilers: The Crimson King is an exciting, fast-paced story with a beautiful romance. Atlas is a Vampire who has fled his sire Victor in an attempt to free himself from the cruelty of the one has maintained control over him for over 100 years. Luna, is a human, kidnapped by Victor and given the task of finding Atlas with the threat of Victor killing her family should she fail looming over her.

The romance between Atlas and Luna developed quickly. There was a connection between them present before they even officially met. Atlas and Luna team up and head off on a journey to take down Victor.
Luna sees the goodness in Atlas; that he is not the monster he believes himself to be. If you are looking for a story with an intriguing storyline, strong FMC and swoon-worthy MMC (seriously every time Atlas called Luna “darling” I melted a little) then this is the book for you. There were a few moments in the story that felt slightly rushed but I appreciated the pace of the story stayed pretty consistent. The ending leaves it open for the possibility of a continuation of their journey; one I would happily take with them.
Profile Image for Kira C..
10 reviews
November 15, 2025
4.5/5

I was drawn to this book instantly by the cover. I immediately hit follow and needed to be IN ON WHATEVER THIS WAS.
And wow it didn’t disappoint.

I have always had a love for the spooky/vampire vibes. And the MMC is a vampire named Atlas… yep he will 100% be on my top book boyfriend list.

Let’s rewind though and here’s what’s it’s about:

Luna and Atlas have been under the control of a ruthless Vampire King, Vincent.
Atlas has been under Vincent’s control for over a century.. And they aren’t the only ones.
Luna, a kidnapped mortal human, being used a pawn. Trying to save not only herself but her family.
Atlas, a turned vampire spawn, trying to erase his dark past and the monster who did this to him.
Together they’re a “doomed to fail pair”. Full of fast burn, lies, twists, and vengeance worth giving everything for. 🖤🔥

I loved this. It was easy to get into, to relate to the characters, and hit all those things I really wanted in a vampire romantasy.
The ending left a lot of promise so I can’t wait to see.

Thank you so so much @ivyjamesauthor for letting me read this. I Can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this and for MOOOORE. Pls. I need art and a second book pronto. Ty. 😂❤️
Profile Image for The Bookish Britt.
14 reviews6 followers
November 11, 2025
Thank you, Ivy James, for the opportunity to read this ARC. I really enjoyed this book! The MMC was just the right mix of harsh and tender. He was rough around the edges but soft when it came to Luna.

“Love is meaner and kinder than that. Sometimes it asks you to be on the shore while the man you love swims toward the storm. Sometimes it asks you to pray for a man who would never ask to be saved.”

That line hit me right in the chest. I felt it. The writing in this book was beautiful and emotional.
I especially loved the world-building and the deep devotion between Atlas and Luna. I only wish the falling-in-love moments had been drawn out a little more so we could really see their connection growing. And while I enjoyed the action, some of those scenes flew by too quickly. I would’ve loved even more fight moments!
All in all, I absolutely loved this story, and I can’t wait to read more about Atlas and Luna — and honestly, anything Ivy James writes next
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Aria .
209 reviews
November 7, 2025
The Crimson King by Ivy James presents a richly imagined fantasy world with strong magical elements and intriguing secrets. The story’s foundation is promising and offers moments that truly captivate. The writing is clear and immersive, painting vivid scenes and atmospheres. While some plot points may feel predictable and the pacing uneven at times, the book still manages to hold interest with its layered worldbuilding and thoughtful storytelling.The characters show potential, and with a bit more depth and development, they could truly shine. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric fantasy with a slower, steady build rather than fast-paced action. Overall, it’s a solid read with plenty of promise, and I look forward to seeing how the author refines her craft in future works.
Profile Image for Alexandra Vlaming.
219 reviews
November 9, 2025
The Crimson King has an interesting premise, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

The concept of a vampire hunter falling for the vampire sounds interesting, but this felt like an unearned romance, with the two leads falling in love very early on, and seemingly without much conflict at all. The twists and betrayals felt pretty transparent, and the final confrontation also felt perfunctory. Ultimately this story would have benefited greatly from improved characterization and backstory, hopefully the next part of the story offers more, and fills in those gaps.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Margeaux (meg_booklover7).
25 reviews3 followers
November 17, 2025
He’s a vampire. She’s sent to kill him. This novel is a fast burn, enemies-to-lovers story that focuses on the journey of the MMC and FMC as they evade and then hunt the monster after them. It is as fast a read as the fast burn romance in the story. Centered on plot and conflict, I do wish there were more descriptions of the settings and development of some scenes. I couldn’t gauge a style or time period or fashion but that is a preference and doesn’t affect the story. Engaging and entertaining, the novel builds a new vampire lore and mythology.
Profile Image for Katie McJunkin.
45 reviews
November 13, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot!

The relationship between Atlas and Luna was beautiful and raw and real. It wasn’t rushed and it wasn’t an immediate love thing but still the way they were drawn to each other was so nice to read, a nice change of pace!!

The story was very well written and it was so easy to follow and the story line was great! A few parts felt a little rushed but all in all it was a really good story and I can’t wait to see where the characters go next!!
Profile Image for Johanna.
1,480 reviews36 followers
November 15, 2025
This is book 1 of The Crimson Court series. And it starts things off on a high note.

The characters were very well designed and complex and complicated and compelling and perfect for each other. The plot was intriguing, exciting, action packed and fast paced. World building was excellent and expertly wielded. Highly recommend this book.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lav's Library.
38 reviews
November 15, 2025
Happy release day!!

3.5/5 ⭐️

This book had me instantly hooked. The dual POVs before the two MCs met were so addicting…it honestly took me a few hours to finish reading as there was always something going on. It had everything! The reason why it’s 3.5 stars is because I felt like there were missing pieces to the story. I don’t want to put spoilers in my review so the most I’ll say is I wished it went into depth about Atla’s past and his family as well as the MCs being fated mates.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Smith.
45 reviews
December 1, 2025
The relationship between Atlas and Luna jumps off really quickly a little too quickly really but then they are forced to work together to fight a common enemy. You see their relationship build and cement itself later in the story which is nice. The story does tend to linger a bit in the middle but then picks up towards the end and the final battle is energizing. I can’t wait for the story to continue in book two.
Profile Image for Melanie Watts.
101 reviews
November 12, 2025
This book was a different take on vampirism. It’s is really awesome to see how Atlas instead of just going with the status quo he wanted something different for himself. Luna is the one trying to find Atlas and I am glad they see something else in each other. It was a good book. Great job Ivy James. 2.5 🌶️
Profile Image for Baileyreadsnow.
36 reviews
November 22, 2025
This was well written book that followed the standard outline for a romantasy novel. I enjoyed reading it as I liked the two main characters and their banter back and forth. This was someone a predictable book but I did like the “twist” at the end. If you love romantasy and like vampires this a good book for you.
Profile Image for Ashlyn Boozenny.
85 reviews
November 10, 2025
4.5⭐
This book was pretty good! I love anything with vampires so I definitely enjoyed it! It follows Atlas (a vampire on the run) and Luna (a young woman tasked with tracking him down) and there are a lot of twists and turns along the way. I totally recommend this book to others!
Profile Image for Harley.
499 reviews15 followers
November 16, 2025
not it was ok

I loved the idea of the story but I’ll be honest. About 50% I kept losing interest because it wasn’t keeping mine. I forced myself to continue and stopped about 85% in just to see. But just because this book wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it’s not for someone else
Profile Image for Sarah.
53 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2025
Thank you for the ARC! I enjoyed reading this.
Profile Image for Marie smith.
87 reviews
November 24, 2025
I absolutely loved this book and it was such an amazing page turner where I could not put it down. I loved how the story came together and the ending had me wanting more
Profile Image for Sian Atherton.
100 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2025
"A bond eternal. A servitude without end."

He has sworn to kill his creator, but she has been ordered to kill him. Atlas and Luna were destined to meet. Drawn together, they embark on a journey that could destroy or save them. Ivy James creates a dazzling perilous world, rich in history, political intrigue, and a fragile romance between a vampire and a human that is hauntingly beautiful.

The Crimson King is a gorgeous novel. It is so simplistic, but the depth of emotion and the steadily built relationship on trust and an undeniable link. It's a romance that claws its way into your heart, and I was 100% enthralled by this dark paranormal romance.
________________
Favourite Quotes:

But quiet minds make space for old ghosts.

I want to protect her even more than I want her blood.
________________
🌶🌶/5

I found it difficult to tell the when of the thr novel, I think it was a blend of modern and historical time periods with fashion and setting. I just wish there was some more detail to place the narrative more fitmly in my mind.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Fast-paced, torturous, dark, with some nice twists and a different take on vampires. The tension at the end had me holding my breath. It was wholesome and heartbreaking in one. If you love the exploration of what makes a monster, i can't recommend this book enough.
Profile Image for Nessie.
36 reviews4 followers
December 30, 2025
If you like a soft enemies to lovers story this is it for you. While Luna (FMC) isn’t a “hunter” per se but she’s as close to one as you can get. Atlas is your typical vampire with a hidden agenda. While hunting Atlas, Luna finds herself being hunted by Atlas but he’s more curious about her than wanting to eat her. Once they connect they realize that they are on the same side and want to take out Victor and team up together. One thing leads to another and love blooms out of darkness. This book keeps you wanting more and delivering it. I enjoyed reading this book and am so thankful to be able to read this as an Arc read and really did love reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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