Crimson Stained Catalyst Book Review

REVIEW

Crimson Stained Catalyst by Rebecca Ethington is an incredible start to The Last Fae King series. This book pulls you into a world of fae and power-wielding humans (unlike any you’ve experienced before), magic, and multidimensional characters that you’ll quickly get hooked on.

From the first few pages, you can tell Ethington has a knack for vivid descriptions and creating intense, dark moments that set the tone perfectly. The story revolves around Caspyn, a relentless fae hunter driven by his sister’s death, and Princess Elara, who’s been confined and kept away from the world. Their paths cross in the most unexpected (yet … not) ways, making for an intriguing plot.

Additionally, Ethington keeps you on your toes with constant twists and turns. Just when you think you know what’s coming or you’re starting to figure something out, she surprises you again. The world-building is fantastic, drawing you into the rich and dangerous land of Okivo and the Qits, where magic and political intrigue abound. The dual POV lets you connect with both Caspyn and Elara, as well as the secondary characters important to each of them, making their struggles and growth feel personal and real. 

One of the highlights of the book is the relationship between Elara and her enigmatic guard, known only as “the Boy.” Their dynamic is charming and layered, promising even more development in coming books. I also really enjoyed the characters of Lyani and Vaelar, and can’t wait to read more about them in future as well. In general, the characters are all well-crafted, each with their own flaws and strengths, though Elara’s character does have a notable inconsistency regarding her best friend, Aeinya, that is out of character for her, in my opinion. 

While the book is undeniably well-written, it does need a thorough copyedit. The grammatical errors and awkward phrasing can momentarily pull you out of the story, which is the only reason Crimson Stained Catalyst is a 4.5-star read for me (instead of a perfect 5 stars). However, Ethington’s storytelling is strong enough to keep you engaged despite these hiccups and it is otherwise one of the best books I’ve read this year. 

The book ends on a bit of an uncertain, heart-racing note (though not quite a cliffhanger), leaving you desperate for the next installment. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Sarah A. Parker, Stacia Stark, and the like will find much to love in this story (and subsequent books). Trust me when I say that if anything in this review interests you, you have to read this book. I very rarely give perfect or near-perfect ratings, but this is one of the few books I will always recommend if you are even remotely interested in the genre. 

Crimson Stained Catalyst is a unique epic fantasy that promises an exciting journey filled with danger and magic,  a mysterious male main character and relatable female main character, a villain you’ll love to hate, an interesting take on both the “enemies to lovers” and “friends to lovers” tropes, and more. While the romance in this first book is minimal, the slow-burn and sweet moments certainly hint at more to come. If you’re a fan of unpredictable plots, complex magic systems, and well-crafted characters just primed for some amazing growth, this book is a must-read. I’ve got some theories on different plot points that need proving (or disproving, I suppose), and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

Content warnings include abandonment, imprisonment, violence, gore, death, and genocide.

Publication date was 14 July 2024.