The Blood Queen

The Crimson Throne #2

by Sara Raasch, Beth Revis

In this stunning sequel to The Crimson Throne, Alyth and Samson must infiltrate the fae court to prepare to face the bloodthirsty army of the High Blade who is intent on destroying both the mortal and fae worlds. From the New York Times bestselling authors of the Witch and Hunter duology, Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, comes the conclusion to this incredible romantasy duology. Alyth and Samson finally know the identity of the High Blade, leader of the bloodthirsty Red Cap army, and it's someone they never suspected. They'll use every bit of courage, smarts, and luck they have to escape her grasp and flee to the fae court, where they hope to find aid in the fight against the Red Caps. But the fae princes have been apathetic since the Faerie Queen disappeared years ago at the hands of the High Blade. They seem unwilling to help. And if they find out Samson's true identity, he'll be killed and Alyth banished. Alyth and Samson can only depend on each other and their love as they navigate fae politics, try to win allies, search for the missing queen, and face down the greatest threat the two worlds have ever known.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then — her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. Her debut YA fantasy, SNOW LIKE ASHES, the first in a trilogy, came out October 14, 2014 from Balzer + Bray. It does not feature her hand-drawn pictures.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

The Blood Queen (The Crimson Throne #2) by Sara Raasch, Beth Revis
Book Blurb: In this stunning sequel to The Crimson Throne, Alyth and Samson must infiltrate the fae court to prepare to face the bloodthirsty army of the High Blade who is intent on destroying both the mortal and fae worlds.

Rating: ****
Feels: Tension, Wonder, Intrigue, Satisfaction
Style: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romantasy
First published October 6, 2026: 304 pages

Themes & Setting: All the court politics and drama of an Elizabethan court but make it Fae with magic !!! Bring in Samson and Alyth, from two warring sides and add some love and spice in, the fate of nations in the balance, and its a recipe for a good time !!!
FMC: Alyth continues to be just everything you could ever want in a heroine and I love her attitude !! She is the type to just get the job done and get it done right while looking good.
MMC: Samson is rather enticing eye candy and I suppose rather useful as well. I do enjoy their dynamic and all that he does for her.
Conclusion: I have to say I thought I would enjoy this one about the same as the previous book as its the second in the duology and I enjoyed this one quite a bit more !! I think after the main storyline was fleshed out in the first book we really got to dig in and have fun in this read. Fast paced, so much going on and just highly entertaining through out. Really also enjoy how the behaviors vary between all the different races and you do not just have everyone being so humanistic. It makes the plot just a bit more wild and varied which I loved !! Really enjoyed this series and its magical historic bent !!!

Favorite Quote: No. No. I cannot turn this man I love into a weapon, not even to escape.

This book has:
History + Magic
Court Intrique
Fae world vrs Human world
Mythical Creatures
Historical retellings with a twist
Hidden Identities
Forbidden Love

[Meredith]

Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted ARC. All opinions are offered honestly and voluntarily.

This was such a fantastic conclusion to Raasch & Revis’s Scottish fae YA romantasy duet. It picks up right where The Crimson Throne left off. It’s fast paced, action packed and full of the small touches of humor and intimacy between Alyth and Samson that peppered the first book. It makes me feel like I’m part of the inside joke, the earnest emotions and gentle teasing that form the basis of their relationship.

I really loved how devoted these two are to finding success in their quest to stop the High Blade and protect the Seelie Court. And all the mythical beings are BACk! And Alyth learns to accept her own importance and how much impact she’s had!

Absolutely a fantastic YA duet. Would recommend to any reader of fast paced and fun romantasy, but I’ll particularly be recommending this to my book club students.

[Elle]

4 stars

I really enjoyed the conclusion to the Spy and Guardian duology! Having loved The Crimson Throne, I had high hopes for The Blood Queen, and I'm happy to say I was not let down.

Picking up right where The Crimson Throne ended, this book was full of action and twists, with no slow parts. Even when there was no fighting, there was not one moment of filler.

Alyth and Samson are working together to stop the High Blade's plan of plunging Scotland in war, and for it they need all the help they can get. Thus they find themselves on their way to the Seelie Court to ask Alyth's father and the other Fae princes for aid. But the path to the Seelie Court is not without obstacles, and once there, convincing them might be the most difficult task yet.

One thing I loved was Alyth and Samson's unwavering trust and love for each other. It's not something that you always see in books, so it was really nice to see a relationship where the only drama came from outside forces.

Another aspect that needs to be highlighted is the world building. I loved how they described Scotland and the Fae realm, all the different types of faeries and the historical elements. It's very clear that a lot of research went into this book and it needs to be appreciated!

The story flowed easily and it was a very fast read. Although, I wish the battle at the end was a little bit longer and dramatic.

All in all, I'm very happy with this book and I can't wait to read more from the authors!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my early copy.

[Cindy ✩☽♔]

*Review to come*

[Jefferz]

The second half of Beth Revis and Sara Raasch’s Scottish-inspired historical romantasy duology, The Blood Queen is an intense assault of a YA fantasy novel. Picking up the story right where The Crimson Throne’s cliffhanger ending leaves off, this book is a fast-paced fantasy read packed with action, lore, and bringing the conflict of the invading red caps to a dramatic conclusion. Featuring likeable characters, snappy pacing, and strong Scottish folklore, The Blood Queen is a solid YA read only mildly hindered by uneven content between POV’s, pacing that can feel rushed, and a notable lack of historical fiction elements compared to its predecessor. (On Goodreads, 3.5-star rating rounded up)

Highlights:
☕︎ Fast-paced, intense, and energetic action-forward story full of fantasy adventure content. Plotting and development feel closer to a fantasy romance story versus a romantasy one like The Crimson Throne.
☕︎ Alyth’s POV continues to be compelling with great character writing and development. While less notable, Samson’s POV has more substance, feels better balanced, and doesn’t have repeated details or recapped narrative material prevalent in the first book.
☕︎ Fantasy elements and world-building continue to be intriguing, albeit slightly rushed, with a strong blend of fae and Scottish folklore.

Considerations:
-Historical fiction elements take a back seat in the story and are largely absent, and do not add or reference most of the first book’s more interesting historic figures and details.
-While more balanced in terms of content, Samson’s POV continues to feel more simple, one-dimensional, and standard romantasy MMC content compared to Alyth’s POV.

After the dramatic cliffhanger ending of The Crimson Throne, this book resumes the story and rounds out the battle between the red cap forces and Alyth’s fae connections with both the human and fae worlds at stake. The first book featured a wide array of narrative elements that covered fae and human portal-based worldbuilding, Scottish folklore, and historical fiction elements featuring real historical figures. Given that the villain is only just revealed at The Crimson Throne’s conclusion, this book has a lot of material to cover while wrapping up the story.

In my previous review for the ARC of the first book, I found the pacing to be quite quick. This book cranks the speed and intensity up even further and can feel like a blitz assault of action and plot. Those that may have found the first book to be a bit dry will more than certainly find this one to be more entertaining, with most of the book spent with Alyth and Samson either on the run, crossing huge distances in both the human and fae worlds. Besides the necessary and expected fae lore and politics, the story also continues the series' notable influence of Scottish folklore that adds great flavor to the fantasy adventure. All of the Scottish creatures and beings previously introduced play a notable role in this book’s story, particularly in the back half where the different storylines and narrative elements begin to connect. Real locations are given light fantasy dressings or history, the Gulf of Corryvreckan being a particularly unexpected yet personal favorite. Despite featuring quite a few battles, confrontations, and folklore, this book is crafted to meet the conventional YA novel format and actually comes out over sixty pages shorter than the first book, meaning the pacing is quite snappy, even quicker than the first book’s which already felt fairly fast-paced.

Continuing the series’ dual POV presentation, this book handles the perspective switches better than the first book, aided by the story largely keeping Alyth and Samson together (I previously reviewed that I found their chemistry and stories less interesting when they were separated, particularly Samson’s). Where the parts of the first book could feel repetitive due to Alyth having to repeat previously introduced or covered information to the reader again for Samson’s knowledge, this book avoids that problem entirely, largely using Alyth’s POV to cover the core narrative and plot developments while using Samson’s as an outside, from-the-sidelines view, particularly during the fae court arc. Additionally, with the cat out of the bag, Samson’s POV has added interest and insight to his powers, which gives his perspective more material to work with, improving on another point I previously critiqued where his chapters felt notably less interesting than Alyth’s.

Like the first book, Alyth continues to be a wonderful protagonist who is easy to root for. A great mix of resilience and resourcefulness wrapped up in a scrappy demeanor, she avoids the common edgy character pitfall of coming off as overly angsty or insufferably overconfident. Though Samson’s character loses some of the smooth, charismatic air that is used as a mask and tool of the trade, he has more going on following the twist developed at the end of the first book which gives his character more depth and conflicted emotions. While some other readers negatively reviewed their romance as being insta-love or moving too fast, being this far along allows this book to use their devotion to each other to up the tension and ante. The story utilizes the fated lovers and sacrificing oneself for the other tropes quite effectively while also avoiding the surface-level and typical romantasy content or longing and thirsty gazes that can cheapen the feel of the book. Combined with a dense plot, this book feels better classified as a YA fantasy romance novel versus the first book, which had a more overt romantasy flair and lingo that could feel out of place.

While this book’s intense plot and better handling of its two POV’s and character developments can make this story feel more engaging, there are a few other areas that can feel like a step down compared to its predecessor. Most notably is the nearly complete absence of the historical-fiction elements that gave the first book great context and narrative creativity. Aside from featuring the two Queens and William Cecil, who were previously introduced, this book doesn’t have any prominent historical connections or references, which is disappointing. Considering how infamous and colorful the history between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary were towards the end of their conflict, it was a bit of a letdown how this book from the get-go completely separates this book from history via an in-universe explanation. It functionally works for the novel but feels like it drops a key aspect that made the first book more distinctive to me in the sea of fae-based romantasy books. The Blood Queen partially redeems itself with its ending which has a clever mechanic to reframe its place in loosely inspired history, but the creative choice to isolate this book’s story wasn’t to my personal taste.

Additionally, while Samson’s POV and character is largely improved in this book, his perspective still feels like it's lacking in content and playing a supporting role to Alyth’s. His devotion to Alyth feels like an overused crutch for his chapters to lean on, where his love of her becomes most of his personality, mostly losing the spy and guardian dynamic the series is based on and using very little of his skillset outside of the first few chapters. His added powers and their ramifications add more substance, but Alyth’s chapters still feel more interesting and have notably better development. The difference is so noticeable that her chapters can be read like a solid fantasy romance story, while his read akin to a more generic romantasy one instead.

Another casualty of the book's ambition and pacing is some of the ambiance and worldbuilding details present in the first book. The strong sense of fantasy adventure and otherworld awe while in the fae realm is present at times, but is far less prominent due to how fast the story has to move to fit everything within only three hundred pages. The backstory of the red caps, the invading forces, nuances of fate, and the missing fae queen are all great ideas and concepts, but they consistently felt rushed and underdeveloped due to the speed of the story. Particularly for the Scottish folklore elements and those involving the fae queen’s association with spiders, it sometimes felt like the fantasy mechanics were being introduced on the fly compared to how purposeful and well-placed the previous book’s details and court politics were. The book is appropriately pitched for YA readership or those that have shorter attention spans that want an exciting story, but for more detailed readers that value immersion and depth in the story, this one can feel a bit lacking.

Full of action, fantasy folklore, and devoted romance, The Blood Queen is an exciting and largely successful conclusion to Revis and Raasch's second collaborative series, ending Alyth and Samson's stories on a high note. Leaning heavier into the fae aspect and red cap fantasy content, this book is engaging and intense, though noticeably lacking the first book's prominent historical-fiction references. While its fast-pacing results in less atmosphere and rushed lore that doesn't have the level of detail or time invested for its ideas to reach their full potential, it's a well-pitched YA novel that will likely satisfy younger and casual readers looking for an action-forward romantasy series with respectable Scottish folklore.

This review is based on a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy provided by Sourcebooks Fire.

*For more reviews, book lists and reading updates, check out my blog TheBookGrind!

[Brittney]

The Blood Queen • Sara Raasch & Beth Revis
The Crimson Throne #2

One phrase: fae politics, fate, and bloodthirsty armies 🩸👑

“Fate and time are tangled together.”

The Blood Queen was such an emotional conclusion to The Crimson Throne duology.

Alyth and Samson finally know the identity of the High Blade, and now they have to escape her grasp, survive the Red Caps, and somehow convince the fae court to help before both the mortal and fae worlds fall apart.

Easy, right?

Absolutely not.

This book had so much going on in the best way. Fae politics, dangerous secrets, hidden identities, a missing queen, reluctant princes, impossible choices, and the constant threat of the Red Cap army pressing closer.

I was genuinely worried about how everything was going to go down.

Alyth was amazing in this. She is determined, brave, and willing to make hard choices even when the cost is heavy. I loved watching her keep pushing forward, especially when facing her father and asking for help was its own kind of battle.

And Samson?

His loyalty to Alyth had my whole heart. I loved that it was not rage or bloodlust that triggered his Red Cap side, but his need to protect her. That detail made their relationship feel even more powerful.

The fae princes were interesting and also deeply annoying, which honestly feels correct. I did enjoy meeting new characters and seeing the world expand through the fae court. The fate tapestry and fate weavers were some of my favorite pieces of the story, especially with how they came together for Alyth in the end.

The High Blade made me so mad, which means she did her job.

And that ending? I did not fully see it coming, but it fit the story so well. It was emotional, intense, and satisfying in a way that made this duology feel complete.

✨ Tropes and vibes:
👑 fae court politics
🩸 Red Cap army
⚔️ romantasy duology finale
💔 impossible choices
🧵 fate tapestry
🔮 fate weavers
🔥 protective love
👀 hidden identities
🗡 missing queen
😤 villain you love to hate
🌿 mortal and fae worlds
💞 love against the odds

📚 Read this if you like:
YA fae fantasy, romantic stakes, dangerous courts, fate and prophecy, morally complicated magic, protective love interests, bloodthirsty armies, and duology finales that bring the emotion and the chaos.

This was emotional, magical, tense, and such an enjoyable ending to Alyth and Samson’s story.

#TheBloodQueen #SaraRaasch #BethRevis #YAFantasy #BookReview @SourcebooksFire

[Nannette Demmler]

ARC provided by Sourcebooks Fire via Netgalley for an honest review.

This was wonderful conclusion to this historical fantasy duology. Everything that I was hoping would happen did, although it was a bit of a nail biter toward the end.

We continue to get the dual narrations of Alyth and Samson. They have both grown so much over the course of this story. I continued to enjoy Alyth’s tenacious attitude when it came to protecting the people she loves and her country. She has a marvelous mix of resilience and resourcefulness whenever she hits an obstacle or resistance to what needs to be done. Samson on the other hand, comes to embrace his true nature and learns to control it. I felt like his character developed more depth and more control over his emotions.

Their romance was perfect. Many people might think that is was a little on the insta love side, but I see it more as a fated lovers story with a bit of a slow burn as well. It takes a lot for them to finally admit to each other their feelings. I also enjoyed the lovers who feel that they need to sacrifice themselves for the other troupe. It got a bit tense at the end because of this.

We finally meet the High Blade in this one and wow, what a piece of work she is. She is bloodthirsty and revels in the pain of others. Some of her scenes are a bit hard to read as they are so full of pain and suffering.

The story is well paced, picking up intensely after about the halfway mark. It is a mad scramble across Scotland to protect both Queen Mary and the Fae Court. I really enjoyed the Fae Court, but those Princes really need to get their acts together. I loved how Alyth is able to outsmart them and beat them at their own games. The only thing that I would have liked to see more of is perhaps the rivalry between Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. It felt like the historical side of the story took a back seat in this book.

Overall this is a great ending to the story. I loved the historical setting and the parallels to the historical conflicts of these to Queens. I also really enjoyed the magical system and all of the magical fae creatures that are part of the Scottish mythology. Highly recommend this duology to anyone who enjoys historical fantasy.

https://elnadesbookchat.com

[Cindieslibrary]

👑 Never trust a High Fae queen with a taste for torture...
​I am completely obsessed with this dark fantasy world! This book was a gripping, high-stakes ride packed with ancient curses, portal magic, and a plot twist that will quite literally make your skin crawl. 🏛️✨

​The Setup: Alyth is captured by the ruthless Red Caps and dragged before Queen Elizabeth—a banished High Fae known as The High Blade. Elizabeth is desperate to break back into the Fae realm she was exiled from, and she will brutally torture Alyth until she surrenders the location of an active portal. 🩸⚔️

​The Catch: Samson, the son of a high-ranking Red Cap, has to watch the girl he secretly loves endure this nightmare. He has to play the part of a cold loyalist just to keep her alive. When a portal run descends into absolute monster-filled chaos, the two manage to escape straight into the Fae realm to beg the indifferent Fae princes for reinforcements. 🌲🕊️

​Why it’s a must-read:
​🤫 The Spy Dynamic: Samson walking the ultimate tightrope, pretending to be a villain while desperately scheming to protect Alyth, keeps the tension sky-high.
​🕷️ A Total Nightmare Twist: Sneaking into the sealed, long-abandoned throne room leads to a jaw-dropping discovery. The entire room is draped in spider silk, and an ancient spider entity reveals a cryptic prophecy about a royal loom that could defeat The High Blade.
​It sets up an epic, high-stakes quest that leaves you breathless and dying to know what happens next. A perfect addition to any fantasy lover's TBR! 🤯🌪️

​⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars
​📌 Tropes: Dark Fae Romance, High-Stakes Portals, Spy in the Camp, Hidden Royalty, Arachnophobia Warning, Ancient Prophecy

My full review on this book can be found here; https://cindieslibrary.com/the-blood-...

[Elizabeth]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC!! The Blood Queen was a fast paced and gripping historical fantasy!! I thought this was a great conclusion to the duology!

I loved The Crimson Throne, and was so excited to continue Alyth and Samson's story. The Blood Queen picked up right where book one ended, and I really appreciated that!! Just like the first book, The Blood Queen had me on the edge of my seat. When they had a planned formed but there was still 30% left in the book, I was stressing. This book had me guessing to the end, and I had no idea how it was going to turn out. But I truly loved the ending and though it was fitting for Alyth and Samson!!

I think I fell in love with the characters even more in this one!! Alyth was such a strong FMC!! She's incredibly intelligent, and I loved her plotting and scheming. The best part of her character was how she cared for not only for her country but for all those that lived there. I loved how down bad Samson was for Alyth!! He was constantly lifting her up and praising her talents and character. Plus he would have done anything for her! I loved that pretty much every chapter of his, he mentioned how much he loved her! Their scenes together were some of my favorites, and despite the more violent nature of the story they were often pretty funny. I loved that Alyth and Samson joked with each other, and there were many times where I was laughing out loud!

I think I mentioned this in my review of The Crimson Throne, but I loved the setting. Scotland feels like the perfect choice and many times felt like a character itself. I also loved that we got to spend more time in the fae realm in this one and learning about the portals between the worlds!! And once again there were so many different fae creatures, goddesses, etc. that made the story even more interesting!!

[Michele]

The Blood Queen (The Crimson Throne Duology, #2)
Sarah Raasch and Beth Revis have done it again. After being completely swept away by The Crimson Throne, I had sky-high expectations for this conclusion, and The Blood Queen delivers on every single front. Raasch and Revis remain a powerhouse writing partnership, masterfully striking that rare, perfect balance between immersive fantasy world-building, high-stakes action, and deeply emotional, thoughtful romance.
Picking back up with Alyth and Samson, their dynamic has evolved into something truly resonant. Knowing and loving each other now, their bond feels earned, especially as they face an almost impossible fight. Beyond the grand conflict, what gives this story such rich emotional depth is how both characters navigate the heavy lingering shadows of their fathers. The authors don't force neat, positive resolutions to those complex familial relationships, and the story is all the stronger and more realistic for it.
The setting of Scotland and its hidden Fae Kingdom is as vivid and rugged as ever, but the stand-out element remains the historical integration. Facing off against Queen Elizabeth (the High Blade), whose ruthless ambition threatens to consume both Scotland and the Fae realm, adds incredible weight to the plot. The authors’ dedication to diving deep into historical research shines throughout the book, and as always, the detailed historical note at the end was a complete joy to read.
The Blood Queen is a breathless, thrilling, and satisfying conclusion to a phenomenal duology. I flew through it so fast, yet immediately wanted to turn back to page one just to experience reading it for the first time all over again. An absolute five-star read! I can’t wait to see what this incredible duo creates next!

[Jessica]

I received a NetGalley eARC of this book.

This book was a really good continuation of the story established in The Crimson Throne. In this magical historical fiction, Alyth and Samson are still on the path to stop the High Blade from ending the Seelie Court and plunging Scotland into war. As Alyth and Samson beg for help from the fae kingdom, the High Blade is on the warpath, ravaging Scotland with her Red Caps and attempting to break into the magical realm via portals scattered throughout Scotland. The tension is ratcheted sky-high as Alyth and Samson have to race against the clock to figure out a way to stop the High Blade before it's too late.

I really enjoyed the progression of Alyth and Samson's relationship and how much they supported each other in such dire circumstances. Samson and Alyth continued to struggle with their identities throughout the story, and their introspections felt realistic and poignant. Although they came from wildly different backgrounds, they were both willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Their love story was very sweet, and I appreciated that the intimate scenes were closed-door so that the reader could focus on the romance and history rather than taking time out for spice.

Overall, this is a good twist on historical fiction, and the driving relationships felt real and well thought out. I would recommend this series if you have an interest in Mary, Queen of Scots and/or the magical legends of Scotland.

[sue_zees_bookshelf]

The Blood Queen
by Sara Raasch, Beth Revis

4.5⭐️

Definitely loved “The Blood Queen “ a tad bit more than the first book
“The Crimson Throne “
First …I knew what was going on compared to the first book …where I was a little confused.
And I just loved how much of a bad a** Alyth becomes !

Both these books are a blend of historical fiction and fantasy and a very unique magic system! Loved the “Fate Tapestry and the Fate Weavers “

So this story resumes where Alyth and Samson team up to rid their world of the High Blade( who is Queen Elizabeth)
I loved how the authors portrayed her because she was definitely a villain that I despised!
The High Blade is trying to take over the Fae kingdom and Alyth and Samson try to find a way to destroy her.
They are also trying to find out why the Faerie Queen mysteriously disappeared.
I was also satisfied with the ending which left no unanswered questions!

Overall I really loved this action packed historical/ fantasy, with mortal x fae worlds , Fae court Politics, villains you love to hate, a strong FMC and a lovable MMC. And I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Source Books for the arc! These opinions are my own!

[Katie Lavoie]

What a great sequel to the Crimson Throne duology!

If you enjoyed The Crimson Throne, you’ll enjoy this one. If you haven’t read The Crimson Throne yet and enjoy Scottish folklore, political turmoil, and YA fantasy, then go give that a read (a more detailed review is available).

In Blood Queen, I was excited to see how everything would be handled once all the secrets and problems were out in the open. This book read a little more like a treasure map, following the clues to over come the evil afoot to build to a happily ever after. And while I knew that was the basis of the plot going into the book, I never would have guessed how we got there, which personally I find joy in the surprises and unexpected.

I loved watching Alyth stand up to the other fae, while also showing compassion and care for all living creatures. She made for such a likable and capable FMC. Samson was a great spy (and obviously Alyth taking a Red Cap into the fae world was going to create all the drama).

Thank you to Sara Raasch, Beth Revis, Sourcebook Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tara]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Favorite quote(s):

"Fate and time are tangled together,”


Review:

This book really made me emotional. I honestly was worried about how things were going to go down. Alyth and Samson had not just the issue of the Red Caps but had to face Alyth's father and ask for help. The fae princes were both interesting and annoying. I did enjoy meeting new characters and seeing the world expand. Alyth was amazing and determined even when there were hard choices to be made. I adored Samson's loyalty to Alyth and how it wasn't rage or blood that triggered his red cap side, but his want to protect her. The fate tapestry and the fate weavers were interesting, and I loved how they helped Alyth at the end. The High Blade was something. She pissed me off so much. I didn't see that ending coming, not totally, but I think it fit the story, and I loved it a lot. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to see what these authors do next!

[Katie May]

An excellent conclusion, I actually enjoyed this more than the first book. This one leans much more toward the fantasy aspect; if the historical backdrop wasn’t your vibe from book 1, I would recommend continuing!

We finally get more of Alyth’s people and see how they band together against the High Blade. I liked seeing how the different fae types interacted. I absolutely adored the romance in this. It’s like a romance for the ages. Two beings that just can’t help be drawn together. The romance is understated but their coming together really turned the tides of the plot. Get you a man that activates Terminator mode just because you are in need. Accept nothing less.

This is actually a pretty quick read but I have no comments on the length; I thought it was well paced and set out to do everything it needed to story-wise. Highly recommend this series and hope that this duo writes more stories together at some point as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and SourceFire Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo-Anne]

This was fantastic ending to Alyth and Samson's story. With the fate of both the human and fae realms on their shoulders Alyth and Samson head to the fae world to try and convince the Princes to aid them against the High Blade. The drama and court politics continue to frustrate our leads and I felt all their emotions as they tried to play the game hoping to get the support they desperately need. Alyth is strong and self-sacrificing, willing to do whatever it takes to save everyone. Samson won't let Alyth sacrifice herself for everyone, and shows her that she is more than the guardian of realms she's been forced to be. Their love and trust in each other was great, the built each other up which I really enjoyed.

The worldbuilding is wonderful, the way the authors describe Scotland and the fae realm makes everything seem so vivid. You can tell they did a lot of research into the historical elements, it really pays off throughout the whole story. The conclusion is fast-paced and full of action. For me, it was a satisfying ending to the story.

[Kelly]

4 ⭐️ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was LEAPS better than the first. Where the first book felt like a first draft, this one felt like a fully fleshed-out final draft. The world had more depth, the story felt more intentional, and everything just clicked in a way it didn’t quite manage to the first time around.

And can we just take a moment for Samson? Because that level of devotion is the dream. 😭 If you can look past where the first book fell a bit short in the depth department (🙈 okay, a lot short) and just pretend there’s a reason for said devotion, you will absolutely eat up the romance in this book.

I can’t even lie… by the end, I was ignoring all of my parenting responsibilities because I NEEDED to know how this was going to wrap up. 😂

I truly ended up loving this book, and am really happy with how everything concluded. This felt like the story finally became what it was always supposed to be, and I’m so glad I stuck with it!!

[Bluesworldofbooks]

I love how fast-paced this book was. It had me glued to my seat from start to finish. I did not know I could love Alyth and Samson this much.

The story picks up right after book one ends, and we learn more about the faes and the secrets surrounding both kingdoms. The high stakes had my heart racing, and I loved how much Alyth and Samson relied on each other. Their love and care for one another was my favorite part of the book. It did not matter what happened as long as they were together; everything would be fine.

I also loved the historical aspect, especially learning more about the high blades and the red cap army, as well as how they could be stopped. I was not expecting that ending, but honestly, seeing Samson and Alyth together had me melting. They truly felt like each other’s soulmates.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Fire For the eARC!

[Entisar Ali]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
A fast paced, gripping conclusion to the Crimson Throne duology that picks up right where the cliffhanger left off. Alyth remains a standout heroine, intelligent and resourceful, and her partnership with Samson drives the story through fae court politics, hidden identities, and a race to stop the Red Cap army before it destroys both worlds. Their devotion to each other gives the romance real heart, with plenty of banter adding welcome levity amid the violence. The Scottish folklore and fae world building continue to shine, and the pacing rarely lets up. Samson's chapters gain more depth here once his true identity surfaces. The historical fiction thread from the first book takes more of a back seat, but the fantasy and romance carry the story well. A satisfying, action packed finale for fans of the duology.

[Mrs. Kenyon]

Now that Alyth and Samson know who the High Blade is, they are on a quest to find the help they need to defeat the Red Cap army. Unfortunately, the princes of the fae court don’t have much drive since the Faerie Queen went missing years earlier. Alyth and Samson know they can only count on each other and the love they have. Can they find the missing queen? Will they defeat the High Blade?

The Blood Queen is the conclusion to The Crimson Throne duology. This fantasy adventure takes readers into and out of faery and Scotland as the protagonists seek allies in their fight. As a reader of many faery stories and Scottish adventures, I was thoroughly entranced by this tale, but I could also see readers new to these settings having some issues. I highly recommend this conclusion to those who enjoyed the first book.

[KDRBCK]

The Blood Queen by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis is the second book in the Crimson Throne Duet. The books are published by Sourcebooks Fire.
This is not a stand alone, I recommend to read the books in order. The previous book is The Crimson Throne.
In this book Alyth and Samson story concludes. They barely escaped and are on the run from fae, fate, secrets and danger.
Fast paced, complex in the best way, I greatly enjoyed the story.
My review of book one Crimson Throne: The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, published by Sourcebooks Fire, is an enemies-to-lovers romantasy, set in Scotland. A pnr novel, captivating, suspenseful, full of drama and intrigue that had me from start til the last page.

[marissa pekurny]

i loved this book just as much as the first one and i could not put it down! this book picks up right where the first one leaves off and it’s right into the deep end. i loved alyth and samson so much and loved how their story played out. the twists were wild and i really enjoyed them. both characters dads sucked and they didn’t deserve alyth and samson whatsoever. i loved all the side characters and how they supported alyth with whatever she needed. this book was so good and that ending was crazy but perfect. the last chapter was so so good and im thankful to the authors and the publisher for the early copy of this book! definitely recommend reading!!

[Emily Hourihan]

I liked it. I loved Samson and Alyth. I loved the writing. I loved the fae creatures. I liked the political intrigue within the story. I did loved where the war took us. I loved the ending. I thought that the Red Cap army were evil in the story, and I liked how they tried to take over them. I felt like this novel felt like an old school YA novel, which I love. It also was nice to see a novel with little to no romance in it just pure fantasy. I did loved the high stake action we got within the battle scenes. Overall, I loved it. It was a great end to book two. I want to thank the authors, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an early earc copy of the book.

[Haley Lipe]

3.5/5 rating

Review received as advanced copy on NetGalley. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sending me this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and was invested in the story and characters from beginning to end. The world-building, twists, and tension kept me turning the pages, and I was genuinely eager to see how everything would come together. That said, I did struggle a bit with the ending. It felt somewhat rushed, and I was left with a few questions and a feeling that some things weren’t fully resolved. While I didn’t love this one quite as much as the first book in the duology, I still had a great time reading it and thought it was an engaging conclusion overall.

[Jenifer Thomas]

The Blood Queen is a satisfying conclusion to The Crimson Throne duology that weaves historical fiction and fantasy together to create an enchanting tale. The story resumes with Alyth and Samson working together to keep the High Blade from overtaking the fae world while utilizing allies both new and old.

The story is paced well and anyone that loves stories about Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots will enjoy the duology. The romance is good and remains closed door. A great read.

[Skye Suarez]

Great sequel. I would’ve liked more of the historical notes and a smidge less of the fantasy but it was a great wrap up from book 1. I think I would’ve liked it more without the happy ending. It would’ve been closer to the reality of the English and Scottish queens. Maybe that was the point though- to give a happy ending where there could’ve been one. Still love Samson and Alyth. Very much recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review

[Cheyenne Mcdonald]

Why does this have to be a duology 😭😭😭

I loved this. I haven’t read many historical fiction fantasy type books and for this to be based on very popular queens, is just even more intriguing. This was fast paced and had a lot going on but it was extremely easy to follow. I recommend this to anyone who loves history, Fae, MMC you love to hate, politics, hidden identities, and forbidden love.

I plan to circle back and annotate my copies because I definitely need to reread these!

[Hannah O]

One of my top reads of 2026--my only issue with this book is that it ended. The immersive worldbuilding in the Scottish setting made me feel as though I were a part of the story too. The complicated blending of the Fae world and the human world was done flawlessly. I quite enjoyed learning about the portals, the fairy mythology, the weaving of fates, etc. And I found the main characters, Alyth and Samson, to be endearing through their devotion not just to each other but also to the cause they were fighting for. Honestly, I was quite pleased that these two did not stray from each other, and there was no relationship drama besides the impossibility of them both surviving to the end. The ending, might I add, was truly emotional as well as satisfactory. I would happily revisit this story again.

[Megan]

It's been a while since I read book one, also as an ARC, so it took me some time to get back into this one. Who were the people? Why were they fighting? Slowly it came back to me. It's a decent continuation of the first book, but there are still things left unexplained and vague. It was an okay read, overall. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jayne K. (Fyrefli Fictionary)]

An unlikely alliance is all that stands between the High Blade and her vicious Red caps as they seek to rule the human and fae realms. Alyth and Samson are left reeling after the High Blade’s identity and power are revealed. They try to earn allies but the cowardly fae princes are no help against this ancient power. Together they must embrace their true selves and figure out how to defeat the High Queen without destroying the fae realm and their futures.

Y’all I love this writing team. Sara and Beth have the best mix of plot and angst and action and personal growth. This historical fantasy is a blast. The very real historical elements are woven in and retold in a way that perfectly blends with the folklore born of England and Scotland. If you love all things Mary Queen of Scots adjacent this might be a fun duo for you. If you love fae court drama with a couple of resourceful outsiders saving the day, then you need these books.

I love this story because as much action and YA romance we get on the page, we also get these fantastic characters that we get to see grow and change together. Alyth and Samson are your perfect opposites attract pair but they are both resourceful and can adapt, even if it means embracing some growing pains. Their romance is so sweet and real. I can’t get enough of them.

I really appreciated the villain as well. Sometimes we get teens in crazy situations and you think, how do we have this? The High Blade is truly awful and the stakes are overwhelmingly bad. But because of their resourcefulness and kindness our duo finds aide in all the right places in all the right moments. We see the story unfold and it’s so satisfying.

As for the ending. No spoilers. But let me tell you I was worried. And then I was more worried. Worried-est, even. But this was one of the best treatments of this type of ending I’ve ever read. Chef’s kiss and sunshine and rainbows and hugs to my favorite writing duo for making another great duology romance duo.

Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books Fire for a copy of this book for review.