This series is absolutely amazing. It is always in the top five when I am reccomending books that arent spoken about enough. I am obsessed with this series and this author.

Lukewarm conclusion to a solid and well thought out fantasy series. The slow pace of this book was a letdown after the character building and action of "Blood Heir" and "Red Tigress." The resolution was satisfying, but it took a long time to come to that point of the book. I'm excited to read more from Amelie Wen Zhao.

This was an amazing conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. I just love these characters, the world, the magic, everything to bits and I cannot believe it's over. I would have loved more Ana/Ramson in this because I love them together.

This was a good conclusion to the trilogy, however one of the authors choices made it not as great as it could have been. There’s a lot that happens in this one (and physically they cover a lot of ground as all the players move all around the various lands) so trying to move everyone around and match the various time frames made the pacing a little off but there was plenty of tension and lots of high stakes. If you’ve read the first two books then you know she doesn’t give our protagonists very many wins, they are constantly captured, out maneuvered and beaten down only to somehow rise again. And there’s plenty of that here.

So here’s my bone to pick, if you’re stringing a romance along through a trilogy (and i mean stringinggggg) let the couple get together and have some screen time together in the final book…don’t let them get together and then immediately create some ridiculous (unbelievable) excuse/reason for them to not be together to supposedly create more tension and angst. This book would have been SO MUCH BETTER if she had allowed these two main characters to be truly joined together in this final all out war against evil (Believe me there was already enough tension & angst with all the horrible things happening to everyone!). Instead they are separated both physically and mentally for the majority of the book for a very stupid reason.

So while the first two books in the series were between 4-5 stars for me this last one was just a 3. It’s frustrating when you commit a lot of time to an author and they don’t give you the things you want/expect in return. It’s like she finally tossed you a bone you’d been salivating over through two books and then immediately snatched it back.

*Thank you to NetGalley for me eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review*

Once again, Amelie Wen Zhao hit it out of the ballpark!

I greatly enjoyed reading Crimson Reign and I thought that the story was a fantastic ending to this trilogy. Not only did the pace exceed my expectations so did the plot. I'm not usually a fan of the MC's separated for part of the book, but the author did a fantastic job and I very much enjoyed the story as a whole and for what it was, a book all on it's own .

What a crazy finish to this amazing series! Ana's story was one of heroism, bravery, but also self awareness and the way that this series can be applied to just generally the principles our world runs on is fascinating.

What I liked:
Russian Inspired, War and fighting, Unique Magic system, Fast-paced and engaging, and very little romance make for a perfect epic fantasy read. Crimson Regin is a solid finale to the Blood Heir Trilogy as Anna, who lost her powers, still has to fight to gain her world back and find peace for all those who live there. For Anna losing her control forces her to examine how she viewed those without power and how those with power have used their power. Ana evolves from a rash character who rushes to make choices to a strong ruler who thinks beyond herself and those like her. I enjoyed the romance between Ramason and Anna as it was cute and sweet and not arcing to take over the story. It played in the background and was used to make them more relatable as characters.
Final Verdict:
Overall this is a fantastic series, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes Russian-inspired stories and a unique magic system steeped in political intrigue.
Audiobook Review:
The narrator has been the same for all three books in this series, and she reads the story most engagingly. Listening to this series with this narrator has been a very entertaining experience.

This was a fantastic conclusion to a wonderful trilogy! I have been hooked on the Blood Heir books since page one and this book only cemented my love for the series. The story resolved well and I am happy with how everything ended, even if my heart hurts a bit.

I'm so excited that I waited for this book. I enjoyed Blood Heir, and felt that Red Tigress fell into that second book rut that so many second books face. I felt like Red Tigress wasn't as strong as Blood Heir and I struggled to get through it until the last fourth of the book when we get both Ramson and Sorsha. BUT, Crimson Reign was definitely worth the wait. I loved every second of it.

I think it helped that it is told in three different points of view - Ramson, Ana, and Linn. This kept the pace of the plot fast and compelling. It never felt like Ramson and Ana were separated for too long, and it was all the more exciting when all three paths cross. None of the storylines felt unnecessary. All three characters went through a lot of growth and learned a lot about who they were and what they wanted. I loved the relationship between all three of them and how they were all connected to each other in some way. All of the relationships flowed seamlessly together (even with Yuri and Kais) and it only added to the plot and overall storyline.

If you were debating whether to keep reading the trilogy after Red Tigress, I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Amelie Wen Zhao for the opportunity to read Crimson Reign in exchange for an honest review.

Crimson Reign is the third and final book in the Blood Heir trilogy, preceded by Blood Heir (Book 1) and Red Tigress (Book 2). When I describe the first book to people, I often explain it as an Anastasia retelling in a fantasy world with lots of blood. The conclusion somewhat steps away from that idea, but still holds true to government reform and wraps up the characters tales well.

SPOILERS AHEAD if you have not read the first two books in the series.

Ana: Having her Affinity siphoned, she has mere months to live. When she is captured and shortly after rescued by Yuri's group, she explains her new plan for reform. She wants to help however she can, but with her life ticking away, there's only so much she will be able to do.

Ransom: With his own fleet, he takes matters into his own hands when it comes to returing Ana's Affinity and saving her life. The researcher behind the siphones is slowly being poisoned by Kerlan's remaining power (without Kerlan, there is no antidote to be given). Ransom knows someone who might be able to postpone the man's death. He is willing to try anything to keep Ana alive, even betray the position he has always wanted in his home kingdom.

Linn: Venturing to her homland, she seeks an artifact that is rumored to have the potential to save Ana. She must find the map to the artifact before Morganya and her forces find it, otherwise an endless reign of terror is sure to destroy the world. Not to mention the need to save Ana and hopefully return her Affinity before it's too late.

With all major characters heading down their own distinctive paths, not knowing when they will cross again, the looming threat of Morganya's power brings them all together for a final battle. Who will reign supreme? What kind of world will come out of this war?

I enjoyed the romance aspect of this book, though felt there wasn't quite enough. I know that isn't the main point, but I had a lot of high hopes for more than one couple. I did enjoy the overall resolution and found it very fitting for this trilogy. Zhao's writing craft is eloquent and enjoyable. While it may not have been everything I wanted, it was everything it needed to be to conlcude this epic series and the Blood Heir trilogy will remain a series I suggest often.

2.5 - While this conclusion to the Blood Heir series makes sense and is in line with the established story, I felt like the pacing was off, probably because it seemed like two books’ worth of plot was crammed into one book. We bounce from location to location and major event to major event at a breakneck pace, without any quiet moments to spend with characters. The major “villain” from the second book is disposed of without much fanfare or difficulty; it was so anticlimactic that I struggled to enjoy the book from that point on. It felt like an event that should have had an entire book’s worth of build up to it. I rarely think YA fantasy series need more pages or books, but this series might have been stronger if it had been 4 books, with book 3 dedicated to taking down the first villain and learning more about the magic of the world, and the next dedicated to waging war on Ana’s aunt. Ultimately, I was disappointed not in what happened, but in how the pacing undercut the emotional reactions I might have otherwise had if given the time to process before jumping into the next major battle/death/explosion/betrayal. I have enjoyed and championed this series from the start - I had an original ARC before the first book was pulled and re-edited! - but I feel like this ending could have been stronger.

This is the final book in the Blood Heir Trilogy and I loved each and every book in this series. A book about power. And about revolution. And why inheriting the throne doesn’t mean you will be a good ruler. And blood. Sooooo much blood. What's not to love?

First I would like to thank Netgalley for sending me this Earc!!

"Is murder on your itinerary again? Shame, you really out to diversify your interests. Have you tried reading?"

This was a great ending to this trilogy. As I have stated in previous reviews, this book has a super cool magic system. I think is is cute and creative YA fantasy novel. It is a fun and easy read.

The characters have been interesting and loveable. I will say that Ana does piss me off with how she deals with her relationship with Ramson. I think she was wrong and then once the story ends we only get a very brief and vague ending for them. I feel like there was lost potential there.

This book didn't really wow me. It was good and I enjoyed it but there weren't any major plot twists or things that had me really on the edge of my seat. I think the author has room for growth and that this was a great start.

"If you're going to fire me, sir, I'd have to face the wrath of my mother."

I liked how we got a lot of POV from other characters. I enjoy when we do not see the story from one characters side the entire time. This really helped the story along and broadened the setting.

Overall I liked this story and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, easy, ya fantasy - read.

Amelie Wen Zhao wrote a great series, and Crimson Reign is a great conclusion. If a fan of young adult fantasy reads it without reading any of the social media complaints, they will love it. It has intrigue, magic, empires, culture, romance, death, betrayal, coming of age, and so much more. The entire series is a fun read, and its negative press should be avoided, because it will unjustly sour the minds of potential readers.

A fitting conclusion to a really strong debut trilogy, "Crimson Reign" proves that the story of this series was never just about whether one princess would reclaim her throne. Great characters, actual thoughtful discussion about whether the much-idealized monarchy is actually what's best for the people it claims to serve.

Such a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy!
Right from the start of book you are plunged into the action and it doesn't let up until the very end.
I loved that we got to see so much of Linn's story/journey in this book. (Side note I'd love a book or even just a novella about Daya hunting down traffickers. She's a character I could read a lot more of!)
Just and overall wonderful fun story.

I really liked this conclusion to the Blood Heir trilogy. A satisfying wrap-up of the storyline and a fitting conclusion for each of the beloved characters.

The ending makes sense and sits soundly on the foundations Zhao laid back in Red Tigress. Ana's character development is satisfying and the ending honors that.

In terms of writing style and prose, I do think Zhao has developed and improved with each new installment since Blood Heir. I soundly enjoyed this book.

But there's just a little something missing here. It doesn't quite have that "un-put-down-able" quality that I want in the conclusion of a high fantasy trilogy. And while the pairings (Ana and Ramson, and Linn and Kais) are definitely sweet, my investment in the romance wasn't what I'd hoped, and I found myself reading on more for the conclusion of the plot than for the resolution of these "will they/won't they" relationships.

One standout aspect of this series for me was Sorsha Farrald. She's a really intriguing antagonist and I found myself feeling the most suspense when she was in a scene. I really think the author did well with this character who isn't quite as trope-y and predictable as many other YA villains.

All in all, a very solid close to the trilogy. Pleasant to read, if somewhat lacking in "wow factor." Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC!

One of the best series I've read in a long time. I love that all the action (and there is a TON happening in this whole series) doesn't come at the cost of character development. You see each character change and grow throughout the series. This book really makes the reader think about the costs of our actions and forces us to examine our conceptions of what makes a hero.

If it has been a minute since you've finished Blood Heir and Red Tigress, feel free to dive right in Crimson Reign when it releases in March. All the important information is woven naturally into the story without info-dumping. Prepare for bloody battles, angst, beautiful writing, chills from page-turning events, and an ending leaving you in a satisfied book-hangover. I'll miss the atmosphere, characters, and world so much. A wonderful fantasy retelling of Anastasia.

<I>Crimson Reign</i> is the final book in the Blood Heir trilogy. I gave the first book four stars, the second three and this one well...I was nervous about starting it because I didn’t love book two. In fact I had some serious problems with it that really limited my enjoyment of the book. I really wanted to see Ana succeed in this book, and I think that was what was throwing me off in book two. I just struggled with that. In the end I went into this book nervous, but hoping that this was going to be an epic conclusion to the series.

This book is divided between three main POVs, Ana, Linn and Ramson’s. The three of them tell the story and how things are happening in each area. Each POV leads up to how they’re all linked together. Sometimes multiple POVs can be difficult, but in this case I think it worked overall. I wasn’t as big a fan of Linn’s POV as Ana and Ramson’s.

Zhao’s writing is still good in this book. I can see where she has improved and perfected her craft in writing and therefore it works well for the book. Once again, a bit like book two, I found the pacing a little stilted, and I think that is why the triple POV was a bit of a problem, because Ana and Ransom were doing more interesting things than Linn was. Theirs were more action packed and held more interest for me.

One thing I was excited to see resolve in this book was Ana and Ramson’s relationship. And it was splendid. I really love how some of the scenes unfolded between them. It was beautiful. It made me very happy. And at times angry! I had a lot of emotions regarding that.

In the end, this was a solid conclusion to the series! The buildup was more intense than the end of the book. But overall, a good conclusion.