I already read Heather Walter's Malice duology and the Crimson Crown is a story in a similar vein, a loose retelling of a well known fairytale with the villain as the main character.

The Crimson Crown is an origin story and has a bit of an open ending, there's room for a sequel but I do think it can also stand on its own and I think it's meant to be a standalone.

The story is gripping, with a well developed main character who's always believed she isn't good enough and that her dead sister is much better than her. The start is a bit slow but I do think this was necessary to properly set this up, and build towards a character arc.
The character arc is the main strenght of this book and I loved watching Ayleth grapple with her insecurities, her failure of being the Second her mother wants.

I found Jacquetta an interesting character too, though it's not easy to get to know her as she's very closed off and Ayleth has to make guesses as to what Jacquetta is truly after, and after a previous bad experience with Jacquetta Ayleth is inclined not to trust her. But there were some heartfelt moments and I really like her as a tragic, flawed character.

The story really picked up once Ayleth and Jacquetta are invited into the palace as part of the Queen's court. Tensions are high as witches are actively hunted and Ayleth and Jacquetta can easily end up dead if they're not careful. I could feel this tension through the writing, combined with all the strange events happening that Ayleth starts to believe she's causing.

I liked the court setting, it was developed and thought out and didn't really feel like a generic court to me, I think the author said somewhere it's inspired by the Tudor era and I think the court setting is modeled after that time period even if it's a second world fantasy.

It's difficult to say much about this book without giving spoilers but I think people who loved Malice will love this too, and I would recommend it if you like complex, morally grey characters

4.5/5

Heather Walter, how dare you? I need you to stop making me sympathize with villains like this. The amount of times that I was rooting for Ayleth when I shouldn't have. Thank you very much!

in this queer, witchy reimagining of snow white’s evil queen, we follow the queen from the time she was a young witch named ayleth. she fears that, with her gifts having yet to reveal themselves, she will never become the witch her coven needs. so, she embarks on a perilous quest to the white palace, where she’s surprised to encounter jacquetta, a fellow witch who betrayed ayleth.

i have yet to read heather walter’s duology, but they’ve been on my tbr for a while, so i was interested in reading this book when i came across it. i will say, while this initially drew me in due to the comparison to snow white’s villain, i had completely forgotten that comparison before and while reading this. so, i would go in with the expectation that this is just a loose reimagining, and wasn’t meant to heavily resemble that story!

i’d recommend this to anyone who likes witchy stories, queer and morally grey main characters, and complex family dynamics!

Overall: Special thanks to NetGalley and DelRey for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such an enjoyable retelling! Such a badass MC and story.

You may or may not know this but I love being in the perspective of the villain. I love morally grey characters and seeing the chaos that ensues to turn them into a villain.. So, with that being said, this reimagining of the Snow White tale in "Mirror, Mirror" is absolutely captivating! It flips the script, giving the infamous wicked queen, Ayleth, a voice that's both vulnerable and powerful. The story dives deep into her origins as a young witch struggling to find her magic while wrestling with a past betrayal and the looming threat of the Royal Huntsmen. The lush, dark setting of the White Palace is a character in itself, full of intrigue and danger. What really makes this book stand out is its rich portrayal of Ayleth's transformation from an uncertain girl into a formidable witch. Her journey is intertwined with complex relationships, especially with Jacquetta, blending romance and betrayal in a beautifully painful way. This isn't just a tale of becoming the 'wickedest of them all' but a profound exploration of what it means to embrace your own power and identity. A must-read for anyone who loves their fairy tales with a twist of darkness and a dose of empowerment.

This was an enjoyable read! I feel like I actually haven’t read too many villain origin stories so it was a nice change. I loved that it was a Snow White retelling but with a lot of twists. The author did a great job with the MC Ayleth and making the reader understand her motivations. I really enjoyed the magic system and the light and dark theme - the “Malum” or dark magic/shadow creatures being trapped behind the Veil and starting to creep back into the world was really interesting. There were some great side characters and definitely some infuriating ones - things weren’t fully wrapped up in the end so I’m hoping there will be a sequel because I need more answers. The ending was really wild nonetheless!!

Thank you to Random House for the ARC!

Heather Walter's "Crimson Crown" is a captivating origin story of Snow White's villain. Ayleth's journey is intriguing. We meet a lot of interesting characters throughout this story and the last 25% of the book is mind-blowing -- twist after twist. Some things did feel a little incomplete & I was left with more questions, wishing there was an epilogue; but I did enjoy the wild ride.

I think fairy tale lovers who enjoy morally grey characters and appreciate a queer twist on a classic will devour this novel up.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House of the ARC - I look forward to consuming more of Heather Walter's literature.

thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to this arc!

pretty solid story, lots of information in the beginning which made it hard for me to continue on with reading but it definitely got more interesting after a while.

i can’t wait for the next book!

Mirror, Mirror on the wall. Who’s the wickedest of them all? 🍎
I’m such a sucker for a new spin on a classic fairytale. And Heather Walter is one of the best in the game in my personal opinion.
After getting swept away in her Malice Duo-logy, which was inspired by Sleeping Beauty, I jumped at the chance to have access to this book so quickly.
This is a story a reimagining of Snow White from the point of view of The Evil Queen and girl, it didn’t disappoint whatsoever.
I just love how Heather is able to take such iconic fairytales and spin them into new tales that stand on their own. Add in the Queer aspects and I’m sold.
We meet Ayleth, the evil queen character, who in this story is a young woman who is unsure of her place in the world after her sister is murdered by The Huntsman in a raid. Her mother has become cold and distant after the loss of her daughter.
When Ayleth is presented with an opportunity to bring her sister back. Willing to do anything to bring back the only person that really saw her
She must travel to the White City, the place that is so drenched in the blood of her kind, in hopes these Bloodstones to get her sister back.
Of course you know it can’t be easy. Her Ex is there. Right? Talk about major FML moment.
Overall this book was a pretty solid reimagining of Snow White. It had its moments of sluggishness but for sure shined with the finale that had my aching to see where this Duo-logy will end. I absolutely loved getting to know Ayleth and her world. It honestly reminded me of the live action film Maleficent in a lot of ways.
A misunderstood villain who of course did bad things but had this backstory of loss and pain that pushed them in that direction of perceived villainy.
I loved that Heather was able to showcase how women of power and intelligence are painted as villains because of them being women. While men are celebrated.
I’m for sure a big fan of Heather Walter and she has quickly became one of my favorite authors. For sure an auto buy for me.
Would I recommend this book?
If you love fairytale reimagining with a queer twist. This book is for you.
5⭐️
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a ARC of this book. Y’all are the best.

I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy The Crimson Crown based on the first few pages, but as the story unfolds, it becomes an amazing read! It’s very relatable if you are someone who constantly feels like you're walking in someone else’s shadow. And I enjoy Ayleth’s transition. Although I’m not the biggest fan of retellings, I thought this one was done perfectly.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley, the Author, and Random House Publishing for the invaluable opportunity to delve into this ARC!

This wasn't what I had expected, so I am having a hard time continuing this, so I will need to try and come back and read this in the future. Great world building and writing style, I just couldn't get myself in the right mindset to continue. Sorry :(

"Are we not all monsters, somewhere inside?"

This is the question asked in The Crimson Crown. Walter's previous books featured a different morally grey protagonist and her latest novel creates a fascinating new one along with richly detailed secondary characters and world building. I read this in a day, I couldn't put it down. The storytelling is steady and engaging... while I read the book quickly I didn't feel like I was rushing through it or it ended too quickly. It's delightfully and gently sapphic, perfect for teens (12 year old me would have ADORED this book). The author has talked openly about how this is a mashup of Snow White and Anne Boleyn and the Snow White elements are for sure there but I didn't perceive the Boleyn aspect except in a few architectural references, but that could be just how I read it. Not recognizing that component didn't impact my enjoyment. I'm happy to add this book to my shelf of queer fairytale retellings.

Holy moly. The last 25% of the book!?!? Wow. I mean, you knew you would be in for quite the reveals- but one after another after another and then the ending? Face fell on the floor, eyeballs rolling around on the ground... total shocking amazement. All hail this book.

The beginning of the journey, 100% invested... the middle of the book pushed the plot along but I kept getting torn in too many directions between the mother, lover, friend, royal kid, dwarf, and so on... a wee too many ingredients in the soup for me, but the ending?? Plow through the soup and revel in dessert because it's gonna knock you outta your socks. Cannot wait for book 2!!

This was a very interesting and unique retelling that also acts as an origin story. The characters were all unique and really added to the narrative whether it be as antagonists or as someone beneficial to the protagonist in some way. The romantic tension was so well-written and for me personally, a major draw that I wanted to keep reading about. I'm a sucker for a tragic story that doesn't exactly end with rainbows and sunshine while still giving the protagonist what they want (or at least what they want at that moment) and this book more than delivers on that.

Absolutely phenomenal!!! I’ve been a fan of Walter since she released Malice. This is a fantastic take on the origins of the Evil Queen. Ayleth is an amazing and complex character and I want nothing more than to see her rise to power as queen.

First I'd like to thank Net Galley and Random Publishing Group for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

This review will seem harsh but I really did like the book. I just had some gripes.

Starting with the synopsis "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the wickedest of them all? Snow White’s dark queen tells her side of the story in this queer, witchy reimagining of the classic fairy tale"
I guess I didnt realize this was going to be a semi prequel to Snow White, and if it is marketed as such, I feel like it maybe fell a little short on making me associate Snow White with it.
This "villain" story didnt seem to fit with a villainous person other than the fact that she is now able to wield the darkness at her whim.
There's a lot to this story that doesn't seem to add up.

Let's start with Ayleth and her mother. There's a lot of push pull there, that I understand then I don't understand. Ayleth can see where her mother was coming from as well as understand why she was doing what she was doing, due to the trauma of having her own mother killed. Yet, she blames her whole life on having to live up to what her mother expects of her.
Pick a side.
Do you understand your mother's position on making you a second, because all your mother has known was the need to survive and take care of the line to protect the stones. OR is your mother a horrible person who only used you and looked over you. (which she was apparently a good mom till Rhea died, so was she really that bad or was she just afraid of the Veil falling and doing everything she can to make her daughter see it her way, which was the only way she knew)

Now Ayleth and Jacquetta. This relationship didnt feel at all fluid or natural. I knew she was going to betray her almost immediately when she poisoned someone to get to the White Palace with Alyeth. Then for Jaquetta to come back alone to keep apologizing but then turn her back on her again made ZERO sense. Sure she was a coward, but after turning her over to the King, that betrayal I thought was the turning point for Alyeth in the book, I was wrong more had to happen for her to finally see that the relationship was toxic.

The Wayward witch dying did little to nothing for the plot it didnt make Ayleth understand anything, or be a better person. It felt like it was just filler to make the book longer.

Also after how the whole book ended, almost her entire time in the castle meant little to nothing. All those times she spent searching and trying to avoid the King had no impact on the end of the book.
There was also no closure to anything with the Princess. She just disappeared. Ayleth abandoned her almost as fast as Jacquetta abandoned Ayleth

Was the White King a bad guy because he was sleeping with women other than his wife? I mean what did he do other than follow in all the other Kings footsteps? use up women? He wasn't even the bad guy Ignatius was! so why didnt his heart get cut out and put in a mirror.

What happens to the Dwarves/Roland now that Malum is being wielded by an angry 20 something year old girl who blames everyone else for how her life turned out.

I know this review seems harsh, for that I am sorry, I did like the book.

If there's a second book, I will read it because I want to tie up these loose ends and see how it fits in with the Snow White narrative.

The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter was an intriguing take on a villain origin story, and Walter excels at making you root for the main character as she descends into darkness. Ayleth's journey is filled with betrayal and hardship, and despite her best efforts to do the right thing, she is constantly wronged by those around her. Her transformation into a formidable and fearsome figure by the end of the book is both satisfying and well-earned.

The book does have a slow start, which allows for a deep understanding of Ayleth as a person and the difficult circumstances she faces from the beginning. However, the plot really picks up around the 100-page mark, and from there, it's hard to put down.

The romance in this story is notably angsty. The tension and miscommunication between Ayleth and her ex-partner add layers of emotional complexity, making their interactions charged and compelling. The unresolved issues and hurt feelings between them kept me engaged and eager to see how their relationship would evolve.

Overall, this book did not disappoint, and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel. If you enjoy villain origin stories and complex, flawed characters, this is a book worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc.

I love a good villain origin story and this one is up there. Having grown up on the story of Snow White, I never thought much about the "evil" queen/step mother. Walter starts the story when the queen is an innocent teenaged witch, reeling from the death of her sister and trying to please her family and her coven. What starts as a journey to protect the world she lives in and hopefully bring her sister back from beyond the veil becomes a convoluted and dangerous life in the royal palace.
This one sucked me in, I simultaneously wanted to read as fast as I could, and wanted to make it last as long as I could. I highly recommend this fabulous fantasy.

thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.
**4.5 stars on storygraph**

i don’t normally read fairy tale retellings so i’m really glad to have enjoyed one of my first ones. based on the synopsis, i just knew i was going to enjoy it. it took me a little longer than usual to read through it, but that had nothing to do with the book. it did take me a few chapters to get into it, but when i did, i was hooked and wanted to fly through it.

this was my first heather walter book and she did not disappoint. the world building was done beautifully and all the characters were written really well. i even liked the characters who were meant to be unlikable.

the romance building was definitely a slow burn, but then it happened so quickly after they got together which i’m not that big a fan of. it worked out in the end i think. lots of gay pining and telling herself not to.

i felt bad for ayleth throughout the whole book. she definitely struggled a lot as a witch and a person. i think the ending was perfect for her. it’s an ending that i wish i saw more of for this particular type of character.

i will definitely be reading the next book to see how it ends. it wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger ending, but i do want to know more about the world and where ayleth goes next. i plan to read more of this author’s books.

I wish I could give this more than five stars. The storytelling is unparalleled, and journey the characters go on was fantastic to read. The novel starts with Ayleth, a young witch preparing to ascend in her coven as her mother's Second. Soon she's on her way to the White Palace, and finds herself desperately trying to hide that she's a witch while serving the royals. There's mystery, court politics, and a sprinkle of romance.

I loved "Malice" and "Misrule", so I knew I'd fall in love with "The Crimson Crown". This author never disappoints.