#Review - The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch & Beth Revis #YA #Historical #Fantasy

Series: Spy and Guardian
Format: 368 pages, Hardcover

Release Date: October 7, 2025
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Outlander meets Holly Black in this enemies-to-lovers romantasy set in the dazzling and dangerous Scottish court where a fae guardian of the realm falls in love with a charming Elizabethan spy who could also be the key to her world’s undoing. From the New York Times bestselling authors of the Witch and Hunter duology, Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, comes an incredible historical romantasy duology. 

Nineteen-year-old Samson Calthorpe's father is a court favorite—but that alone won’t take him far without money and so many people depending on him. So when the opportunity arises to become a royal spy, he has to take it, using every bit of the skills and resolve he’s picked up on the streets of London to prove his worth in Queen Elizabeth’s court. 

Eighteen-year-old Alyth Graham has kept her eyes on Queen Mary's husband, Lord Darnley, for years—her eyes and her magic. She may be a member of the Scottish court, but she’s no lady. A bastard child of a fae prince and a human mother, Alyth is among the most powerful protectors in Scotland: guardians sworn to support the barrier keeping the Red Caps, a bloodthirtsy clan of fairies, away from the Fae Land portals. 

As Alyth and Samson circle each other in the volatile and glamorous Scottish court, both seek to uncover threats to their own countries. They have only one unifying link: their shared hatred and suspicion of Lord Darnley. Using secret codes, hidden messages, and a little bit of magic, Alyth and Samson unravel a plot centuries in the making. Lord Darnley is only a pawn, and in this game, the queen takes all. 

The Crimson Throne is the first installment in co-authors Sarah Raasch and Beth Revis' Spy and Guardian series. Eighteen-year-old Alyth Graham and Nineteen-year-old Samson Calthorpe are the main characters in this book, with appearances from Mary, Queen of Scotland, and Elizabeth, Queen of England. The story takes place mostly in Scotland. This novel has the appeal of romantic fantasy, a lush historical setting that is reminiscent of Outlander, and the evergreen topic of fairies. These authors previously came together to write Night of the Witch.

The story unfolds against the volatile backdrop of 16th-century Scotland and England, amid the rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth I. Samson Calthorpe, a street-smart Londoner burdened by a mysterious curse that isolates him from loved ones, seizes an opportunity to serve as a royal spy for Elizabeth. His mission: infiltrate the Scottish court, uncover plots (including potential assassination threats against Elizabeth), and perhaps break his curse in the process. 
On the other side stands Alyth Graham, a powerful fae guardian and bastard daughter of a fae prince and a human mother. Sworn to protect Mary Queen of Scots from both human and supernatural threats—including her own husband, Lord Darnley—Alyth maintains a magical barrier against bloodthirsty Red Caps and other fae dangers threatening the realm. When Samson and Alyth cross paths in the glittering yet treacherous Scottish court, mutual distrust sparks an enemies-to-lovers romance amid political scheming, magical threats, and questions of loyalty, duty, and destiny. 
The narrative weaves real historical tensions (the power struggle between the two queens, court favorites, and figures like Lord Darnley) with fae elements, portals, guardians, and folklore-inspired magic rooted in Scottish mythology. The intrigue and political scheming shine brightly. Court machinations, betrayals, and layered plots keep the pace engaging, with a solid mix of action, mystery, and emotional stakes. The fae magic adds whimsy and tension without overwhelming the historical foundation—many readers note it feels like a refreshing, liberally interpreted take on Mary vs. Elizabeth, enhanced by strong world-building and folklore details. 
The romance develops naturally from enemies to something more, fueled by distrust, shared dangers, and personal vulnerabilities. Character growth, particularly around duty vs. desire and the confrontation of insecurities, lands well. The pain, anger, and overconfidence of young adulthood feel authentically portrayed. If you enjoy historical fantasy with romantic tension, political scheming, and folklore-inspired magic—especially anything Scottish or Tudor-era—this is worth picking up. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it executes its premise with charm and enough heart to leave readers eager for the sequel, which will be the finale of the series since this is a duology.   

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