THE CRIMSON THRONE

A fae guardian and an English spy must team up to protect Scotland from magical invaders.

In the world of this duology opener, Scotland and the fae realm are magically linked; peace in the former ensures peace in the latter. So it’s up to Alyth Graham, daughter of the fae prince and lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary, to protect the barrier that keeps the bloodthirsty Red Caps, fae who rebelled against the Seelie Court, out of Scotland. But when Red Cap weapons turn up in the Scottish court—and in the hands of Lord Darnley, Mary’s scheming husband—Alyth knows something is very wrong. Samson Calthorpe, illegitimate son of William Cecil, Queen Elizabeth’s secretary (who in this universe assumes Sir Francis Walsingham’s role as spymaster), was cursed in childhood by fae magic that causes him to black out and commit violent acts. Samson is among the few humans who knows the fae are real. When Cecil offers him a chance to be rid of the curse in return for spying on Mary, Samson agrees. A chance meeting throws Samson and Alyth together. Their attraction is immediate, but Alyth senses he’s hiding something. As danger mounts, the two work together and begin to care for each other. Samson’s and Alyth’s alternating first-person narratives keep the pace moving. The court intrigue, set against lush descriptions of Scotland, is well-balanced with the fantasy elements. Most characters are cued white.

An atmospheric fantasy brimming with intrigue and heart.