The Crimson Crown (The Seven Realms Series, Book 4)

Cinda Williams Chima

Jul 2013 · The Seven Realms Series Book 4 · HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

The stunning final book in the critically acclaimed Seven Realms epic fantasy series from Cinda Williams Chima

A thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed – Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea, Queen of the Fells, to a life without love.

Now, once again, the Queendom of the Fells seems likely to shatter apart. For young queen Raisa ana’Marianna, maintaining peace even within her own castle walls is nearly impossible; tension between wizards and Clan has reached a fevered pitch. With surrounding kingdoms seeking to prey on the Fells’ inner turmoil, Raisa’s best hope is to unite her people against a common enemy. But that enemy might be the person with whom she's falling in love.

Through a complicated web of lies and unholy alliances, former streetlord Han Alister has become a member of the Wizard Council of the Fells. Navigating the cut-throat world of blue blood politics has never been more dangerous, and Han seems to inspire hostility among Clan and wizards alike. His only ally is the queen, and despite the perils involved, Han finds it impossible to ignore his feelings for Raisa. Before long, Han finds himself in possession of a secret believed to be lost to history, a discovery powerful enough to unite the people of the Fells. But will the secret die with him before he can use it?

A simple, devastating truth concealed by a thousand-year-old lie at last comes to light in this stunning conclusion to the Seven Realms series.

Ratings and reviews

The Crimson Crown is a fantastic end to a brilliant set of books based in the Seven Realms. I have no complaints about this book, however, I hope that China can write more books within this series, I am eager to discover what happens with Raisa and Han, and the rest, as the war in Arden continues. Fantastic read, eagerly hoping that another installment is along the way and possibly a well made film with China overseeing it. Absolutely brilliant

As a finale, The Crimson Crown raises all the stakes - there is civil unrest, invasion, political deals, a queen trying to bring her broken kingdom together in the midst of it all. This was more of a Han-centric book since he was trying to find a way to be able to marry Raisa, and not cause a civil war. First half is mostly the rising suspicions against him threatening to separate him from her, and when his machinations crumble back on him, he in a world of trouble. Without allies and help, he is trapped and apart from her. Meanwhile, Arden has brought war at Fells' doorstep and Raisa is stuck defending her city and palace. Ultimately, the warring clans and wizards have to find a way to peace through them both. This book kept me more on my toes than any of the previous ones - partly because in a finale book there are good chances for secondary (or sometimes even main) characters to die, and also because the stakes were high in this one. Raisa is being plagued by marital choices, and the one she wants, she doesn't know she can even have. Han's propensity to keep his cards close to his chest are his downfall in the first half, as his caginess comes out as fishy to most. And with his ambition taking him higher, people are not happy with his meteoric rise. Micah continues to remain a thorn to them both, as well as many other secondary characters. The plotline called out on the starcrossed lovers Alger and Hanalea frequently, equating their story to this one. Speaking of Alger, who would have known I would come to like this arrogant ancestor of Han's? He gains more characterization in this one, with his story and past laid out, as well as the continued support and protectiveness he lends to Han once he finds out who he is. It sucks that his name was equated to evil, but he at least got his happy ending, somewhat. Dancer, another secondary character, really shone through in this book - he is a precious cinnamon roll and I was so happy that he got his peace finally. The book ended very well, but was a bit anti-climactic, with a sudden reveal about a previous plot arc thrown in after what I had assumed was the main ending. It felt very out of place and something that was done to tie up loose threads. But overall, this was one hell of a finale, and a great ending to the series.

Brilliant! The romance and everything else was amazing! I couldn't seem to put this book down. Though I did notice the last chapters were a bit rushed starting from when Han killed Gavan Bayar but I still loved it especially the last part where Alger and Hanalea got to see each other again because I've been expecting it. loved how you never could expect when conflict occurred because it came out of nowhere. Sadly we never get to see the affairs of the newlyweds after the marriage but a small scene. I hope I find some kind of sequal to this because I'm absolutely mesmerized by this world with Han and Raisa.

About the author

Cinda Williams Chima began writing romance novels in middle school, which were frequently confiscated by her English teacher. A graduate of the University of Akron and Case Western Reserve University, Cinda has been a freelance writer and columnist for the Plain Dealer and other publications. Cinda has a marginal knowledge of popular culture, but she has never forgotten what it was like to be a teen. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two sons.