The Crimson Crown (The Crimson Crown Duology)
Heather Walter
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most villainous of them all? Snow White’s dark queen tells her side of the story in this queer, witchy reimagining of the classic fairy tale from the author of Malice. Legends tell of a witch who became a queen—the heartless villain in the story of Snow White. But now the wicked queen is stepping out of Snow White’s shadow to become the heroine of her own legend. Her real “once upon a time” begins when she is just Ayleth, a young witch who lives in the forest with her coven. The witches practice their magic in secret, hiding from the White King and his brutal war against witchcraft. Ayleth, however, faces a war of her own. Her magical gifts have yet to reveal themselves, and as the threat of the Royal Huntsmen intensifies, Ayleth fears she will never become the witch her coven needs. To prove herself, Ayleth sets out on a perilous quest that sends her to the White Palace, a decadent world of drama and deceit. There, Ayleth encounters an unlikely figure from her Jacquetta, a witch who once held Ayleth’s heart—and betrayed her. As events at the palace escalate, Ayleth finds herself caught in the web of the White King, whose dark charisma is as dangerous as the sinister force that seems to be haunting the palace—and perhaps even Ayleth herself. With the threat of discovery looming, Ayleth and Jacquetta must set aside the wounds of their past and work together to survive. As she uncovers the secrets of the White Court—and those of her own heart—Ayleth must find the strength to transform into someone she never imagined she could be. A powerful witch, the very wickedest of them all.
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Heavy is the Crown 3.5 Stars
As a fan of fairytale retellings and villain origin stories, The Crimson Crown naturally caught my attention, and I’m glad I gave it a chance. While it has its flaws, there’s plenty to appreciate in this intriguing take on how the Evil Queen came to be.
One of the standout elements of this book is its premise. The worldbuilding and the imaginative twists on familiar tropes are captivating. Walter weaves a story that feels both fresh and rooted in the dark, magical atmosphere one expects from a tale of villainy. However, the execution didn’t always deliver. At times, the narrative wandered, losing focus amid its ambitious scope.
A notable drawback is the repetition. Certain phrases, like Ayleth’s “force behind her ribs,” appeared so frequently that they became a distraction, detracting from the intensity of key moments and breaking immersion.
The character dynamics, on the other hand, are a highlight. Blodwyn, with her fierce loyalty and sharp wit, quickly became a favorite, while Joan and Roland brought a sense of camaraderie to the cast. Although Ayleth is complex and layered, her interactions with Jacquetta sometimes felt repetitive and unresolved, leaving a sense of frustration.
The book's ending is its saving grace. While the story builds slowly, the climax is a thrilling, unforgettable conclusion. Walter's ability to deliver such a breathtaking finale made the journey worthwhile and left me eager for what comes next.
Interestingly, I own Malice by Heather Walter but haven’t read it yet. After finishing this book, I’m more intrigued to explore how her storytelling evolves across different works.
Overall, The Crimson Crown is an enjoyable read that shines in its high points but stumbles in its execution. If you can get past the repetition, it’s worth a read for the compelling characters and a truly spectacular ending.
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