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Crimson
A ruthless queen. An ancient god. One brave girl and an impossible choice.
For over a thousand years, Queen Servilia has ruled the world of Illium. Using magical red dust mined from the earth, she has enslaved her subjects, enforcing uniformity and sameness to maintain her absolute power.
But in Village Twenty-One, wild magic is growing. Fen, a young girl whose hand has been cut off as punishment for theft, wakes one morning to discover that her hair has gone crimson: a sign that she has been invested with magic of her own, and is a threat to Servilia’s reign. For Fen, this is a death sentence.
When her village is burned to the ground and her sister captured, Fen must make an impossible choice. Will she risk unleashing the most feared magical entity of all time—an ancient god who could overthrow Servilia, but whose power may be even more terrifying—in order to save the only family she has left?
For over a thousand years, Queen Servilia has ruled the world of Illium. Using magical red dust mined from the earth, she has enslaved her subjects, enforcing uniformity and sameness to maintain her absolute power.
But in Village Twenty-One, wild magic is growing. Fen, a young girl whose hand has been cut off as punishment for theft, wakes one morning to discover that her hair has gone crimson: a sign that she has been invested with magic of her own, and is a threat to Servilia’s reign. For Fen, this is a death sentence.
When her village is burned to the ground and her sister captured, Fen must make an impossible choice. Will she risk unleashing the most feared magical entity of all time—an ancient god who could overthrow Servilia, but whose power may be even more terrifying—in order to save the only family she has left?
288 pages, Hardcover
Published May 8, 2018
192 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Slade
73 books523 followersArthur Slade was raised in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan and began writing at an early age. He is the author of the bestselling The Hunchback Assignments series of books, Dust (which won the Governor General's award), Tribes and Jolted. He lives in Saskatoon, Canada (which really is a real place). Join his creative & somewhat clever newsletter at: what a zany newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 17, 2018
This is a good book. I like the main character, but I think the ending was a bit rushed.
May 9, 2018
I discovered the writing of Arthur Slade in 2002, that year I read both Dust and Tribes and have been a fan ever since. He has written 28 books, and I have read all of them a few more than once. At the writing of this review I have read an Arthur Slade book 35 times. But this book is unlike anything that he has previously written. This book is a true fantasy novel. And I am amazed yet again at what a wordsmith Slade is and his skill with the pen. This is one of those book that I know I will be thinking about for weeks. It will come back to mind again and again.
Queen Servilla has ruled for over a thousand years. She controls through magic, through fear, and through terror. She can speak directly into the minds of her subjects. She awakens them each day, and can even penetrate their dreams. The source of her power if magic, and that magic is shaped and molded from red dust that is mined solely for her use and purposes.
Fen is a young girl, now 21, She lost a hand to the queen for stealing when she was a little girl. And she lost her father to the red cough after he spent years in the mines. Anyone with red hair, crimson hair is hunted and killed by the queen. Fen starts with a few strands of red hair that her mother covers with a dye. Then a patch, and then overnight her whole head turns crimson. And she must flee. She now has wild magic, and is running away.
In her adventures she meets another with wild magic named Ithak, a red soldier of the queen, whose life she saves more than once, and Mansren a non-human creature of pure magic. She is on a quest to save her sister and if she can stop the Queen Servilia, and maybe set Irthra free. This quest takes her through salt marshes, through an enchanted forest, into a volcano, and then she must journey back again.
Fen is a heroine, whom I look forward to sharing with my daughters as they get older. She is strong, and brave, but also tempered by compassion and mercy. She tries to be true to the way she was raised. To be honest, and caring. Her magic gives her new powers and abilities but it is not something she will abuse. She even feels remorse for defeating creatures that would kill her and turn her over to the queen.
Over the years I have read many novels, especially fantasy novels that looked amazing from their description but just did not pull it off. Some fell short on characters, some on plot, some just on execution of the concept. That is not the case here. The writing is tight. The plot and pace excellent. The story is incredible. The story bright to mind Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana and also LeGuin's A Wizard of Earthsea. Not since I read Slade's Dust has one of his books so captivated my imagination. Of the 27 books by Slade that I have read the vast majority receive 5/5 stars, and this one definitely gets a big 5 stars. An amazing read!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Arthur Slade. As well as an author profile and interview with Arthur.
Queen Servilla has ruled for over a thousand years. She controls through magic, through fear, and through terror. She can speak directly into the minds of her subjects. She awakens them each day, and can even penetrate their dreams. The source of her power if magic, and that magic is shaped and molded from red dust that is mined solely for her use and purposes.
Fen is a young girl, now 21, She lost a hand to the queen for stealing when she was a little girl. And she lost her father to the red cough after he spent years in the mines. Anyone with red hair, crimson hair is hunted and killed by the queen. Fen starts with a few strands of red hair that her mother covers with a dye. Then a patch, and then overnight her whole head turns crimson. And she must flee. She now has wild magic, and is running away.
In her adventures she meets another with wild magic named Ithak, a red soldier of the queen, whose life she saves more than once, and Mansren a non-human creature of pure magic. She is on a quest to save her sister and if she can stop the Queen Servilia, and maybe set Irthra free. This quest takes her through salt marshes, through an enchanted forest, into a volcano, and then she must journey back again.
Fen is a heroine, whom I look forward to sharing with my daughters as they get older. She is strong, and brave, but also tempered by compassion and mercy. She tries to be true to the way she was raised. To be honest, and caring. Her magic gives her new powers and abilities but it is not something she will abuse. She even feels remorse for defeating creatures that would kill her and turn her over to the queen.
Over the years I have read many novels, especially fantasy novels that looked amazing from their description but just did not pull it off. Some fell short on characters, some on plot, some just on execution of the concept. That is not the case here. The writing is tight. The plot and pace excellent. The story is incredible. The story bright to mind Guy Gavriel Kay's Tigana and also LeGuin's A Wizard of Earthsea. Not since I read Slade's Dust has one of his books so captivated my imagination. Of the 27 books by Slade that I have read the vast majority receive 5/5 stars, and this one definitely gets a big 5 stars. An amazing read!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Arthur Slade. As well as an author profile and interview with Arthur.
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August 9, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/9/2018)!💝
Blurb:
The world of Irthra has been ruled by Queen Servilia for over a thousand years. She uses magic to control every aspect of her subjects’ lives. The source of the queen’s magic is red dust mined from the ground. But the dust mines are running low, and her grip on power is slowly weakening.
In Village Twenty-One, a young girl named Fen has had her hand cut off as punishment for theft—she has broken one of the queen’s laws. But one morning Fen awakens to find that she has turned crimson and that her hair is now red. It’s a sign that she’s becoming a wild magic—one of the rare individuals who is invested with magic of her own. For Fen, this is surely a death sentence.
Fen flees, only to find that her village has been burned by the queen, her mother murdered and her sister imprisoned. Fen must save her sister but has no means to do so. The magic in her blood seems only to be slowly growing a new, wooden hand. A hand that can grow vines, but not conquer queendoms.
With the help of another wild magic named Ithak, Fen is taken to a secret place and given the choice to help raise Mansren, the most powerful wild magic of all time, from his prison. Mansren was never human; he is a creature of pure magic, and he is the only power strong enough to take on the queen. But will his own rule be something much worse?
Blurb:
The world of Irthra has been ruled by Queen Servilia for over a thousand years. She uses magic to control every aspect of her subjects’ lives. The source of the queen’s magic is red dust mined from the ground. But the dust mines are running low, and her grip on power is slowly weakening.
In Village Twenty-One, a young girl named Fen has had her hand cut off as punishment for theft—she has broken one of the queen’s laws. But one morning Fen awakens to find that she has turned crimson and that her hair is now red. It’s a sign that she’s becoming a wild magic—one of the rare individuals who is invested with magic of her own. For Fen, this is surely a death sentence.
Fen flees, only to find that her village has been burned by the queen, her mother murdered and her sister imprisoned. Fen must save her sister but has no means to do so. The magic in her blood seems only to be slowly growing a new, wooden hand. A hand that can grow vines, but not conquer queendoms.
With the help of another wild magic named Ithak, Fen is taken to a secret place and given the choice to help raise Mansren, the most powerful wild magic of all time, from his prison. Mansren was never human; he is a creature of pure magic, and he is the only power strong enough to take on the queen. But will his own rule be something much worse?
June 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. To begin with . . . well, the beginning. From the very first line, Slade draws—no, yanks—you into his character's world and ensnares you in the grip of her predicament. Secondly, I just loved the . . . attribute given to the main character, Fen. It was original and made interesting by it unpredictability. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it was refreshing to see a world built on a model of Medieval Asia rather than Medieval Europe. This is not overly explicit in the book—you're not hit over the head with this concept—but it's apparent in all the minute details. I can’t wait to share it with my students, so many of whom have Asian heritage.
May 20, 2018
Review: CRIMSON by Arthur Slade
Generally, Fantasy is not my forte. I regret that, as there are so many contemporary, and classic, authors of fantasy whom I am sure are fantastic (unintentional pun). Among these are beloved science fiction authors who turn their attention to fantasy and "sci fantasy." So when I started Arthur Slade' s CRIMSON, I expected "oh, well," but did I get fooled! From my "oh no! Stop that!" bated breath from the first page, I was immediately and persistently engrossed! I LOVE THIS STORY!! Fen is a superb heroine; she's suffered SO much, but she's SO strong. And the Magic! A Queen that's ruled more than 1000 years, a medieval sense of justice, feudalism--and Wild-Magic!! What is NOT to love? Nothing! Wonderful! This man can WRITE!
Generally, Fantasy is not my forte. I regret that, as there are so many contemporary, and classic, authors of fantasy whom I am sure are fantastic (unintentional pun). Among these are beloved science fiction authors who turn their attention to fantasy and "sci fantasy." So when I started Arthur Slade' s CRIMSON, I expected "oh, well," but did I get fooled! From my "oh no! Stop that!" bated breath from the first page, I was immediately and persistently engrossed! I LOVE THIS STORY!! Fen is a superb heroine; she's suffered SO much, but she's SO strong. And the Magic! A Queen that's ruled more than 1000 years, a medieval sense of justice, feudalism--and Wild-Magic!! What is NOT to love? Nothing! Wonderful! This man can WRITE!
January 8, 2019
This was a book chosen for Book Club and at first I just didn't really have much interest in reading it. Restarted though when I could spend more time reading and sunk right in. It's a quick and easy read but was very well done. I liked the characters and the development of the story and ended up really enjoying the story.
My favourite character ended up being Ithak as he was sassy and confidant, and was a lot of fun to read. I liked the friendship that developed between him and Fen as well as between him and Marcus. It would be good to read his origin story in more depth than what is told in this book.
While the book technically had an ending that could be considered closed it was open enough that there could be a sequel. I hope there is one as I would enjoy reading it.
My favourite character ended up being Ithak as he was sassy and confidant, and was a lot of fun to read. I liked the friendship that developed between him and Fen as well as between him and Marcus. It would be good to read his origin story in more depth than what is told in this book.
While the book technically had an ending that could be considered closed it was open enough that there could be a sequel. I hope there is one as I would enjoy reading it.
July 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this fast-paced, fantasy novel. The characters have depth and nuance, the story never dawdles and the conclusion is satisfying and different.
May 11, 2020
3.5-it was a fun quick read. A couple of plot holes and the story moved a little to quick especially near the end, but I love the characters and the concept
November 3, 2019
I have read numerous books by Arthur Slade, so was intrigued to read a fantasy novel.
This story is a many layered plot, centred around a young girl called Fen and the struggle to find truth and justice in a world corrupted by a power mad queen and an ever changing landscape of magic, lies and deceit. As usual, the characters are solid and you are caught up in the story from the very beginning. The power struggles that evolve and the questions raised about what actually occurred in the history of the people, ring true with events in our own lives and as the story progresses, parallels are raised time and again with questions about who is worthy to lead and what is acceptable to obtain power. The sense of injustice and wronging will have you fuming whilst the changes in the plot keep you off balance until the end. Although quite involved, this never gets too complicated to follow and this is well suited to casual fantasy fans to pick up and enjoy too.
A great story with a positive, strong, female character that would be worthy of a sequel.
This story is a many layered plot, centred around a young girl called Fen and the struggle to find truth and justice in a world corrupted by a power mad queen and an ever changing landscape of magic, lies and deceit. As usual, the characters are solid and you are caught up in the story from the very beginning. The power struggles that evolve and the questions raised about what actually occurred in the history of the people, ring true with events in our own lives and as the story progresses, parallels are raised time and again with questions about who is worthy to lead and what is acceptable to obtain power. The sense of injustice and wronging will have you fuming whilst the changes in the plot keep you off balance until the end. Although quite involved, this never gets too complicated to follow and this is well suited to casual fantasy fans to pick up and enjoy too.
A great story with a positive, strong, female character that would be worthy of a sequel.
August 3, 2022
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/crimson-by-...
This is a well-written page-turner, which I found myself looking forward to reading each night. It poses some interesting more dilemmas, without ever getting bogged down in them, such as the limits of personal responsibility, the veracity of the past (as Ithak says, “Those who win wars write the histories”) and the balancing of evils against each other. Fen is initially prepared to do anything to rescue her sibling; however, she gradually realizes that by doing so, she may have unleashed a more destructive force on the entire world. For Mansren’s mind has been imprisoned by Servilia in the middle of a lava lake for centuries, which hasn’t exactly improved his state of sanity, charming and eloquent as he may be.
This is a well-written page-turner, which I found myself looking forward to reading each night. It poses some interesting more dilemmas, without ever getting bogged down in them, such as the limits of personal responsibility, the veracity of the past (as Ithak says, “Those who win wars write the histories”) and the balancing of evils against each other. Fen is initially prepared to do anything to rescue her sibling; however, she gradually realizes that by doing so, she may have unleashed a more destructive force on the entire world. For Mansren’s mind has been imprisoned by Servilia in the middle of a lava lake for centuries, which hasn’t exactly improved his state of sanity, charming and eloquent as he may be.
July 14, 2020
Different!
Great story...couldnt put down until done...
Love his work! I'm ready to read more of his writing!
Great story...couldnt put down until done...
Love his work! I'm ready to read more of his writing!
July 8, 2024
My first Arthur Slade book. I liked the premise, although it had echoes of LOTR and other quest type storylines. My only complaint was when they ate the horse creature. An unnecessary violence toward an animal.
April 2, 2022
☀️🧡⭐CRIMSON⭐🧡☀️
2.5 Stars
Fen, from living in Village Twenty-One, has been cursed. Her hair is crimson, a sign that she has wildmagic. To some a blessing, to most a curse. The queen would want her killed. Fen runs away, but her sister gets captured. Fen must create allies, and choose to awaken a great magical entity in order to save her sister.
A Ruthless Queen
A Ancient God
One brave girl with a impossible choice
The marketing and catchlines for this book are incorrect.
𝐀 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧.
Queen Servilia isn't exactly evil; she's more morally grey. It was very anti-climatic, the fact that she only shows up for around one scene. Other then, that all she did was send a message to Fens head every morning. Then when she does happen to show up, she makes the shortest cameo I have every read in a book. She just pops into the plot. Fen fears her so much! Oh no! Everyone fears her! She's all-powerful, ruthless, horrifying, scary... and then she's defeated. Defeated by someone literally touching her forehead. Yay.
𝐀 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝
Again, Mansren isn't evil, but seems to be neither bad nor good. He's scary... ruthess... the oh so bad guy. And yet he heads in (his head, literally) and Fen carries a talking head. Great. Next he fools her into trusting him... and then when she finds out he's evil, she has a freak-out. Oh, and then after he defeats the bad guy, he becomes the bad guy. Now 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝. By someone touching him, and then spreading their magic in to him. Sadly, our main character passes out so it's unclear... what exactly happened.
wow. I guess touching people in Illium can be deadly.
𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞.
She had made a choice already. So that states that it's not impossible. Unless this is hyperbole.
What I liked about this book, was the fact that there was no really bad guy. They weren't exactly super evil. But both bad guys have really underdeveloped characters. The main character was okay, but seemed to switch and not stay consistently with her character. Sometimes she would not trust anyone; others she trusted them almost immediately. I also wanted to point out the fact that Fen basically just calls people her friends, after meeting them once and walking with them for a few days. Marcus and Fen's relationship feels very undeveloped. Ithak didn't exactly do much but be comedic relief. At first I was annoyed at him... but I'm starting to like him better than Fen. The ending was very rushed. Extremely anti-climatic. First of all, the character passes out at what was supposedly supposed to be the climax. The character loses someone they love but then completely stops thinking about them after that. Also, the fact that the book ending is unconclusive. I guess it's one of those books where the reader has to see what happens next. BUT. Basically important people did, and without them then who would rule the country? Now the next "Big Bad" evil will come. And another girl can go touch that person on the forehead.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚗𝚍
2.5 Stars
Fen, from living in Village Twenty-One, has been cursed. Her hair is crimson, a sign that she has wildmagic. To some a blessing, to most a curse. The queen would want her killed. Fen runs away, but her sister gets captured. Fen must create allies, and choose to awaken a great magical entity in order to save her sister.
The marketing and catchlines for this book are incorrect.
𝐀 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧.
Queen Servilia isn't exactly evil; she's more morally grey. It was very anti-climatic, the fact that she only shows up for around one scene. Other then, that all she did was send a message to Fens head every morning. Then when she does happen to show up, she makes the shortest cameo I have every read in a book. She just pops into the plot. Fen fears her so much! Oh no! Everyone fears her! She's all-powerful, ruthless, horrifying, scary... and then she's defeated. Defeated by someone literally touching her forehead. Yay.
𝐀 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝
Again, Mansren isn't evil, but seems to be neither bad nor good. He's scary... ruthess... the oh so bad guy. And yet he heads in (his head, literally) and Fen carries a talking head. Great. Next he fools her into trusting him... and then when she finds out he's evil, she has a freak-out. Oh, and then after he defeats the bad guy, he becomes the bad guy. Now 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞'𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝. By someone touching him, and then spreading their magic in to him. Sadly, our main character passes out so it's unclear... what exactly happened.
wow. I guess touching people in Illium can be deadly.
𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞.
She had made a choice already. So that states that it's not impossible. Unless this is hyperbole.
What I liked about this book, was the fact that there was no really bad guy. They weren't exactly super evil. But both bad guys have really underdeveloped characters. The main character was okay, but seemed to switch and not stay consistently with her character. Sometimes she would not trust anyone; others she trusted them almost immediately. I also wanted to point out the fact that Fen basically just calls people her friends, after meeting them once and walking with them for a few days. Marcus and Fen's relationship feels very undeveloped. Ithak didn't exactly do much but be comedic relief. At first I was annoyed at him... but I'm starting to like him better than Fen. The ending was very rushed. Extremely anti-climatic. First of all, the character passes out at what was supposedly supposed to be the climax. The character loses someone they love but then completely stops thinking about them after that. Also, the fact that the book ending is unconclusive. I guess it's one of those books where the reader has to see what happens next. BUT. Basically important people did, and without them then who would rule the country? Now the next "Big Bad" evil will come. And another girl can go touch that person on the forehead.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚗𝚍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2018
Written in the tradition of a quest fantasy (a la Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time) but not so heavy and dense, Crimson tells the story of a people repressed by the lying and all-powerful Queen Servilia and a wildmagic (i.e., a magic person not created or born by influence of the queen) girl named Fen who must try and free Illium (i.e., the world in which they all live). For a thousand years the queen has kept the people of Illium mining a magical red dust to power her magic and grow her empire. She rules with cruelness and severely punishes anyone who doesn't obey her laws. Fen loses her hand by such a punishment - a queen's guard chops it off because Fen stole something. But something grows back in place of her hand - a magic vine marking her as an illegal wildmagic. The queen moves to have Fen killed but she escapes and a solid and exciting adventure begins.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially the escalation of problems from the moment Fen wakes up with a full head of read hair (i.e., a sign that she's a wildmagic), sets off to a dangerous wood, fights off the queen's soldiers with her magic vine hand, gains a couple of unlikely companions, learns of an ancient magic entity who can free Illium, and sets off on a quest to retrieve an item that would allow the possible overthrow of the queen. Slade keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how Fen is going to overcome all the obstacles - it's awesome!
My favorite part of the story, however, is the twist Slade employs with regard to the magic entity - a powerful and ancient man named Mansren - who will free the world of the queen. It'll keep you wondering up until almost the end.
I think Crimson is a great book for younger readers cutting their teeth on fantasy. It's got all the elements of a quest fantasy yet isn't overly long or complicated and it's quite entertaining.
Fantastic job, Mr. Slade!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially the escalation of problems from the moment Fen wakes up with a full head of read hair (i.e., a sign that she's a wildmagic), sets off to a dangerous wood, fights off the queen's soldiers with her magic vine hand, gains a couple of unlikely companions, learns of an ancient magic entity who can free Illium, and sets off on a quest to retrieve an item that would allow the possible overthrow of the queen. Slade keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how Fen is going to overcome all the obstacles - it's awesome!
My favorite part of the story, however, is the twist Slade employs with regard to the magic entity - a powerful and ancient man named Mansren - who will free the world of the queen. It'll keep you wondering up until almost the end.
I think Crimson is a great book for younger readers cutting their teeth on fantasy. It's got all the elements of a quest fantasy yet isn't overly long or complicated and it's quite entertaining.
Fantastic job, Mr. Slade!
July 9, 2020
I got this Audiobook for free. My opinions are my own.
I think I might not be the right audience for this one. I like a lot of YA dystopian fantasy, but this one left me with too many questions and didn't seem to have enough depth for me. Note: the main character is a teenager (15), but I think this reads more like a middle grade (although it might be a bit brutal for them).
I would consider it a solid 3.5* - which for me means that I enjoyed listening to it, and don't regret doing so, but don't plan to re-listen to it any time soon.
DIVERSITY: The main character is an amputee (she had her right hand cut off); but, due to a time jump, we don't get much of a chance to see how that affects her before the magic kicks in. / The main character's lineage is "Chin," this world's version of chinese, but very little of that remains due to the circumstances of the story. / There is a minor character with a speech impediment & possible developmental disability
CONTENTS: This is a book with a lot of violence (inc harm to children + a magical animal), but most of it isn't descriptive. There is more detail of the amputation & cauterization suffered by the main character as a child. / Brief minor swearing (I think, I couldn't find it again)
NARRATION: Rating 4* / Speed = Good, my usual 1.25 was perfect / Emoting = Good / Voices = Good (sufficient distinction between characters - inc crows that speak, a disabled character, and a crazy haughty queen)
I think I might not be the right audience for this one. I like a lot of YA dystopian fantasy, but this one left me with too many questions and didn't seem to have enough depth for me. Note: the main character is a teenager (15), but I think this reads more like a middle grade (although it might be a bit brutal for them).
I would consider it a solid 3.5* - which for me means that I enjoyed listening to it, and don't regret doing so, but don't plan to re-listen to it any time soon.
DIVERSITY: The main character is an amputee (she had her right hand cut off); but, due to a time jump, we don't get much of a chance to see how that affects her before the magic kicks in. / The main character's lineage is "Chin," this world's version of chinese, but very little of that remains due to the circumstances of the story. / There is a minor character with a speech impediment & possible developmental disability
CONTENTS: This is a book with a lot of violence (inc harm to children + a magical animal), but most of it isn't descriptive. There is more detail of the amputation & cauterization suffered by the main character as a child. / Brief minor swearing (I think, I couldn't find it again)
NARRATION: Rating 4* / Speed = Good, my usual 1.25 was perfect / Emoting = Good / Voices = Good (sufficient distinction between characters - inc crows that speak, a disabled character, and a crazy haughty queen)
June 11, 2018
As usual, Arthur Slade’s writing is superb. This imaginative fantasy busts a lot of stereotypes, with its brave, female main character. Fen is willing to do whatever it takes to save her sister, and to do what is right, regardless of the consequences to her own safety. Slade has original elements in the story, that, as a fantasy enthusiast, I found refreshing. Fen’s powers stem from a source that is near and dear to my heart as an environmentalist, and gives a strong message to young people without verging into preachiness. My one critique would be that I felt the characters could have been driven a little deeper, for a little more depth combined with the action. Overall, a very enjoyable read—imaginative, original, and inspiring. Excellent for both boys and girls.
July 26, 2018
As usual, Arthur Slade’s writing is superb. This imaginative fantasy busts a lot of stereotypes, with its brave, female main character. Fen is willing to do whatever it takes to save her sister, and to do what is right, regardless of the consequences to her own safety. Slade has original elements in the story, that, as a fantasy enthusiast, I found refreshing. Fen’s powers stem from a source that is near and dear to my heart as an environmentalist, and gives a strong message to young people without verging into preachiness. My one critique would be that I felt the characters could have been driven a little deeper, for a little more depth combined with the action. Overall, a very enjoyable read—imaginative, original, and inspiring. Excellent for both boys and girls.
November 6, 2018
Crimson is a gripping story centering around Fen whose hair suddenly goes red indicating she has inherited magic which is forbidden. She must flee her village but later learns that her mother has been executed and her sister captured. This gives her the motivation to work with Marsden whom she was taught is a demon long dead, destroyed by the Queen.
The novel storyline carries the reader through Fen's exciting adventure. The characters are well rounded, particularly Ithak, a sort of prankster/madman whose comedic commentary balances the gravity of the story well. The loose ends are all tied up nicely at the end, leaving readers satisfied with the outcome.
Recommended for older middle grade readers and teens who enjoy high fantasy.
The novel storyline carries the reader through Fen's exciting adventure. The characters are well rounded, particularly Ithak, a sort of prankster/madman whose comedic commentary balances the gravity of the story well. The loose ends are all tied up nicely at the end, leaving readers satisfied with the outcome.
Recommended for older middle grade readers and teens who enjoy high fantasy.
March 26, 2019
Quite Entertaining
I enjoyed this unusual and entertaining story. A world full of magic but no wild magic is allowed. A world where the powerful control everyone else. A world crying out for rebellion. Our powerless characters find themselves in dire situations as they try to bring about change.
I enjoyed this unusual and entertaining story. A world full of magic but no wild magic is allowed. A world where the powerful control everyone else. A world crying out for rebellion. Our powerless characters find themselves in dire situations as they try to bring about change.
June 29, 2024
Highly enjoyable! The world the story is set in is very colourful and unique compared to a lot of young adult fantasy, and all of the characters are interesting and compelling. It is fast paced and a good quick read. Some of the exposition and worldbuilding can feel two dimensional at times, but it is meant for younger readers so that is to be expected.
August 15, 2018
This story was a high action drama with fantastic creature and wonderous lands. The plot kept me off balance with all of the unexpected developments and results from Fen's decisions as she struggled to survive and save her family and friends. It was a very fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed!!!!!
August 29, 2018
Loved Slade's YA novel, Dust, so I looked forward to reading Crimson with anticipation. I was not disappointed - he weaves a wonderful fantasy of a young woman with wildmagic that keeps her alive in the direst of situations.
December 17, 2018
Divertissant et captivant. Les choix que Fen devait faire pour arriver à son but, on ressentait avec elle l'incertitude et les dilemmes tellement c'était bien écrit. J'ai aimé découvrir sa magie et le monde dans lequel elle vivait. Une histoire d'amitié, de fraternité et de "coup d'état".
February 9, 2019
Fantastic self-contained fantasy story
A fantastic single-volume fantasy novel with immensely likeable heroes. The author weaves together a new world, with its many rules in a comfortable, well-paced manner. Highly recommended.
A fantastic single-volume fantasy novel with immensely likeable heroes. The author weaves together a new world, with its many rules in a comfortable, well-paced manner. Highly recommended.
January 14, 2019
I LOVED this book!!! I really hope that Arthur Slade makes a sequel!!
May 8, 2019
Enough kids and teachers have told me I need to read this.
Drawing a bit from Chinese fantasy. Enjoyed a talking stone head.
Drawing a bit from Chinese fantasy. Enjoyed a talking stone head.
January 29, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author and I am completely in love with his style of writing. Queen Servilia rules her kingdom with an iron fist, she has red magic and her red guards make sure that they are the only ones who possess magical powers. The rest of the people are used as slaves to mine red dust for the queen. Servilia has been ruling the land for a thousand and ten years of 'peace' which she brought about when she took down Mansren, who she claims was a demon. Fen is just an eleven year old who has lost her father to the red dust, sees her mother working tirelessly in the mine to feed her and May, her younger sister and when she stole a trinket from the market she lost her hand to the queen's justice. She hated the queen, so when one fine day she woke up with red hair, a sure sign that she was a wild magics, she was forced to flee her village which was anyway burnt to the ground, her mother killed and her sister imprisoned. Fen escapes to Helwood, the only place the queen and her guards would not find her but the road is beset with problems and once she gets there she is set on a quest to bring back the head of Mansren, who claims he is a god, from the volcano in the far off mountains of Vulchan's Forge. Fen travels with Ithak and Marcus, a traitorous red guard who owed her his life. This young adult fantasy adventure story is jam-packed with action, magic and a tyrannical queen and an evil God both vying for power through the enslavement of their people. Would Fen's actions destroy her people? Was returning the God a much worse evil than the queen, a case of better the devil you know? This is a book I could not stop reading till the last page as I loved the world building, the characters, and the almost Alice in Wonderland feel to the book where imagination runs rampant!
July 5, 2019
This is the first time I've read a YA fantasy that features a female Asian amputee heroine.
Fen lives in a world where magic is outlawed for commoners like herself - only Queen Servilia and her guards are permitted to have the red hair that comes with magic. That is, until one day, Fen suddenly wakes up to a head full of magical red hair that cannot be dyed or cut along with strange abilities.
Faced with a death sentence, Fen ran for her life. But when Queen Servilia destroys Fen's village and takes her sister hostage, Fen decides to do whatever she can to fight back and free her sister, even if it means teaming up with an ancient, powerful, and potentially dangerous being.
I quite enjoyed the worldbuilding but didn't really connect with any of the characters. Also, I was hoping that Fen would meet other wildmagics like herself, who were also running from the Queen. Instead, we meet a really strange wildmagic called Ithak with dubious intentions. Finally, I think an epilogue would be nice...
Although marketed as young adult fantasy, the writing seemed a bit juvenile at times. I'd probably recommend this to readers aged 12-15.
*** #48 of my 2019 Popsugar Reading Challenge - Two books that share the same title (2) ***
Fen lives in a world where magic is outlawed for commoners like herself - only Queen Servilia and her guards are permitted to have the red hair that comes with magic. That is, until one day, Fen suddenly wakes up to a head full of magical red hair that cannot be dyed or cut along with strange abilities.
Faced with a death sentence, Fen ran for her life. But when Queen Servilia destroys Fen's village and takes her sister hostage, Fen decides to do whatever she can to fight back and free her sister, even if it means teaming up with an ancient, powerful, and potentially dangerous being.
I quite enjoyed the worldbuilding but didn't really connect with any of the characters. Also, I was hoping that Fen would meet other wildmagics like herself, who were also running from the Queen. Instead, we meet a really strange wildmagic called Ithak with dubious intentions. Finally, I think an epilogue would be nice...
Although marketed as young adult fantasy, the writing seemed a bit juvenile at times. I'd probably recommend this to readers aged 12-15.
*** #48 of my 2019 Popsugar Reading Challenge - Two books that share the same title (2) ***
December 15, 2019
I really liked this. I don't know that it is quite there at the top of my list with some other epic fantasy stories, but it's close. It started off strong, really grabbing the reader ... is that really happening? Yikes. The world set up was interesting, with the Queen and those with crimson hair being her magically connected soldiers, others whose hair turns crimson later are thought to have "wild magic" and are hunted down and killed. The various creatures ... corvuses, shirkers, equusa. The magic of the Helmwood and other crimson creatures. A lot of action, and it kept my attention.
Ithak was definitely a favorite character. Comic relief in so much he said and how he always referred to himself in the 3rd person.
I really had no idea where the story would end. I think this will stick with me in my mind for a while. On the one hand, sometimes it is nice to have a book that is just "one and done" ... and on the other hand, I was intrigued by this world, and wouldn't have minded a multi-set series.
While not overtly Asian, especially to start, that was the fantasy setting as the Zhuang, the Chin language, the official names (Nong Fu Fen), the rice fields, paper dragons were all mentioned.
I received a free audio edition (AudiobookBoom, my request in exchange for an honest review). I was able to also get the Kindle copy, as it is included in Kindle Unlimited. I like having the text as well as audio, just to quickly review and double check things. I did go with the audio edition almost entirely here. The narrator was very good.
Ithak was definitely a favorite character. Comic relief in so much he said and how he always referred to himself in the 3rd person.
I really had no idea where the story would end. I think this will stick with me in my mind for a while. On the one hand, sometimes it is nice to have a book that is just "one and done" ... and on the other hand, I was intrigued by this world, and wouldn't have minded a multi-set series.
While not overtly Asian, especially to start, that was the fantasy setting as the Zhuang, the Chin language, the official names (Nong Fu Fen), the rice fields, paper dragons were all mentioned.
I received a free audio edition (AudiobookBoom, my request in exchange for an honest review). I was able to also get the Kindle copy, as it is included in Kindle Unlimited. I like having the text as well as audio, just to quickly review and double check things. I did go with the audio edition almost entirely here. The narrator was very good.
May 27, 2018
In Crimson, Arthur Slade has created an enchanting world akin to a mashup of the films of Hayao Miyazaki and the layered fantasy works of Guy Kay.
This is Slade's twenty second novel, and first foray into high fantasy. His previous work has generally included fantastic elements, but this is his first wholly other world.
There is a vast cast of characters with nuanced personalities in Illium. For instance, the main villain Queen Servilia has observational and authoritarian powers similar to 1984 (think Big Mother).
The story is told with a relentless pace, and is a quick read. That is the main weak point of the story. Slade himself mentioned that the story was much longer in the original edit. I wonder if some of the slower paced sections were excised, but could've remained to contrast with the frantic action. Perhaps not expanding to the 700 page territory of Tad Williams or George RR Martin.
It isn't a bad thing to want more from a story, and I'm certain that this won't be the sole
entrance into Illium.
This is Slade's twenty second novel, and first foray into high fantasy. His previous work has generally included fantastic elements, but this is his first wholly other world.
There is a vast cast of characters with nuanced personalities in Illium. For instance, the main villain Queen Servilia has observational and authoritarian powers similar to 1984 (think Big Mother).
The story is told with a relentless pace, and is a quick read. That is the main weak point of the story. Slade himself mentioned that the story was much longer in the original edit. I wonder if some of the slower paced sections were excised, but could've remained to contrast with the frantic action. Perhaps not expanding to the 700 page territory of Tad Williams or George RR Martin.
It isn't a bad thing to want more from a story, and I'm certain that this won't be the sole
entrance into Illium.
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