Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Blood Queen by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, which releases on October 6th 2026.

Alyth and Samson finally know the identity of the High Blade, leader of the bloodthirsty Red Cap army, and it’s someone they never suspected. They’ll use every bit of courage, smarts, and luck they have to escape her grasp and flee to the fae court, where they hope to find aid in the fight against the Red Caps.

But the fae princes have been apathetic since the Faerie Queen disappeared years ago at the hands of the High Blade. They seem unwilling to help. And if they find out Samson’s true identity, he’ll be killed and Alyth banished.

Alyth and Samson can only depend on each other and their love as they navigate fae politics, try to win allies, search for the missing queen, and face down the greatest threat the two worlds have ever known.

EXCERPT

1

SAMSON

December 1566

Scotland

All my life’s been spent manipulating or lying. Playing on sympathies to beg food off the gullible in Southwark while I picked their pockets, running cons on marks my father sent me after to steal fae magic items, even lying to myself. I’m not scared. I’m not lonely. I’m not hungry. I’m not tired. I’m not any of a dozen different weaknesses that’d see me dead in a place like London’s slum.

Eighteen years, I’ve been lying as easy as breathing.

And it’s all been training for right now.

The horse I was given sways in line with the rest, and I rock with it, huddling tight into my cloak against the bitter Scottish wind. Morning’s barely crested, but the rising of the sun did nothing to chase off winter’s determination; icy air pelts us from one angle, then the next, lashing our group of riders like beats from a whip. The people around me curse it and burrow in their own cloaks, but the fabric gets tugged away, snatched out of grasping fingers and twisted around their bodies like the wind itself is raging against them.

Furtively, I twist in my saddle, faking like I’m looking up and down the line of riders.

Two behind me on a horse connected to Cecil’s by a lead, Alyth lies across the saddle like chattel, her body still bound in some awful spell that makes her immobile. Her head’s down, the hood of her cloak hanging over her, hiding her face.

Seeing her like that, restrained and silent, digs into my belly like a thorn. Every memory I’ve got of her, she’s a force stronger than nature.

So seeing her as a prisoner?

It’s taking everything in me not to blow our cover.

I watch her now, waiting for a detail I saw a few hours back. Or rather didn’t see: The wind isn’t whipping at her.

I turn forward again.

That’s a small comfort. One tiny glowing spark in my otherwise dead, cold, and banked soul: We aren’t alone. The fae, they must know what’s happened to Alyth. They’re helping her. This winter gale has got to be Beira, the Winter Queen we met in the goblin market. She’s protecting Alyth but tearing up a good storm around the rest of us.

Around the Red Cap army.

Hail stings my cheeks, and I flinch at the bite, but when the Red Caps riding around me curse louder in complaint, I settle in my saddle, calm washing over me.

Alyth’s a captive of the Red Caps, the vicious, bloodthirsty berserkers exiled from the fae realm.

I’m lying for both of us by pretending to be the proper and obedient Red Cap son my father expects of me.

But we aren’t alone.

I stare down at the balled pieces of hail that gather on my gloves, tiny, crystalline promises. I hope they’re promises at least. Promises that Beira’ll help us. Promises that we’ll have allies to run to.

To run at all, I gotta get Alyth out of Cecil’s clutches.

My hand clenches into a tight fist. I breathe deep of the frigid, cutting air.

And look ahead at the gray horizon bringing us closer and closer to meeting the High Blade.

It takes the rest of the day, riding through increasingly angry winds, stopping twice and listening to Cecil’s brigands moan and grumble about the weather, before we make it to a castle far south. Not back in England but close enough to the border it’s nearly in that disputed no-man’s-land. So when we see a massive group around the castle, I think they might be bands of the roving mercenaries that pick through the area.

The closer we get, the more details congeal. Not mercenaries.

An English army.

Sunset’s wrapping up the whole of the land in ribbons of navy blue and snow-swollen gray by the time Cecil leads us past the army and through the castle’s gate.

Alyth’s upright on her saddle now. Has been since the first break, sitting tall and regal, every bit the barrier guardian she was born to be, though she’s gotta be exhausted. We’ve both been up for two days now, what with the husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, going stark ravin’ and getting his estate blown sky-high. Alyth’s gaze is as frigid as the wind; she’s glowering at any of Cecil’s soldiers who get too close to her, and most keep their distance. She’s still in a binding spell, her arms stiff at her sides, her face pulsing every so often in a repressed grimace.

As we dismount and one of the soldiers hauls Alyth down none too gently, she stumbles, hitting the ground on her knees with a hiss of pain.

Laughter rings out.

Every one of these people riding with Cecil is a Red Cap, and I know because I’ve seen copies of that necklace, the one that stifles magic, on them. I wore one to get through the magic barrier that previously kept all Red Caps out of Scotland. But Cecil’s people have it pinned to their belts like trophies, proudly bearing the symbol that shows they outsmarted Alyth’s fae court.

Every one of them could flip into a raging monster at the slightest provocation.

Every one of them could go feral and bloodthirsty in a snap.

Including me.

I lean against my horse, eyes on Alyth, seeing her, but seeing spots of black too. Speckles like the snow that’s falling, only it’s rage dusting across my vision.

My muscles are cramped from holding myself back this whole ride. Every flare of anger and worry and grief has been packed in a neat little box and set deep, deep in my gut, and seeing her on the ground, on her knees in front of these bloody fools, has that box swelling, breaking, straining.

They’re hurting her.

Not days ago, I found out I’m a monster. One of these damned Red Caps bent on invading the fae realm, the type of fae that feasts on havoc. I’m a monster.

But I’m her monster now. The rage, the blackouts, the bloodlust—it’s all hers.

Alyth looks up. Her eyes meet mine across the stable yard, and she’s wearing a mask, like mine. Hiding behind her facade, like I am.

She holds my gaze a beat longer than either of us should, her gaze on me tactile.

It’s command enough.

The rage settles. A simmer, not a boil.

Not yet. Not yet.

Cecil slaps my shoulder, making me bite back a snarl. “Come, Samson.” To the soldiers, “Bring the girl.”

Someone hefts Alyth to her feet. “C’mon, barrier bitch,” he taunts.

I’m walking toward him before I can think it through. Alyth’s eyes briefly widen when I slam both fists into the soldier’s chest and send him toppling onto the cobbled ground.

“Mine,” I bark.

It echoes through the stable yard. The Red Cap soldiers pause around me; even the winter wind calms a bit, listening.

And behind me, Cecil’s watching. Has been watching. Will keep watching.

Not yet.

I grab Alyth’s arm and face my father. “She’s mine to present to the High Blade,” I say through my teeth.

Cecil doesn’t react for a drawn-out beat. Neither do any of his soldiers. The one I knocked to the ground stays there, scowling up at me.

One word, and I’d be in a binding spell just like Alyth. That won’t do a lick of good in helping her escape.

So I hold my father’s eyes and hope he interprets my rage as righteous.

Cecil nods, thoughtful. “Bring her,” he says again, and he walks off into the stone castle.

The Red Cap I shoved scrambles up and catches my shoulder with his as he passes, but I’m braced, expecting the attack.

I don’t even look at him as I pull Alyth after Cecil. None of them matter.

We duck inside a hall, the dark stones swallowing the last of the feeble light outside, the air so cold our breath mists. A wall sconce flickers a ways down, highlighting Cecil as he marches ahead. A few soldiers follow us, but they’re paces back.

Alyth and I are as alone as we’re likely to be.

The stone echoes though. Footsteps ring off the walls, and our harsh breaths rebound like a roar.

I run my thumb in circles on Alyth’s arm, soaking up that contact, trying to reassure her through touch.

“Alyth,” I risk the whisper. I just want—just need something.

She walks alongside me, chin level, silent, not even glancing at me. My chest sinks; she knows this is the game I have to play, doesn’t she? She has to know I’m hers now, even now, especially now—

After a few more steps, she lists toward me like she stumbled, pressing her body against mine in the narrow hall. Her eyes fly to mine, her expression opening like a door flooding a room with sunlight, yearning and comfort flaring deep inside her.

“Partridge,” she whispers.

My brain flounders. What’s she—

I damn near forgot. The bird signals, the ones I used back in Southwark that I taught her.

Partridge means all clear. Everything’s fine.

She’s fine.

That’s a lie, but it’s the most she can do right now.

I pulse my fingers on her arm, telling her I understand. Hoping she understands too—I’ll get her out of this. I’ll keep her safe. I’ll—

Cecil pushes open a heavy wooden door, and the castle’s great hall unfolds around us.

Excerpted from The Blood Queen by Sara Raasch & Beth Revis, Copyright © 2026 by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis. Published by Sourcebooks

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Hi, Sara and Beth! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourselves?

Sara: Hello hello! I’m the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of multiple books for teens and adults, spanning fantasy to historical romantasy to contemporary romcoms, including The Nightmare Before Kissmas and Night of the Witch.

Beth: I live in the Appalachian Mountains with my husband and son, and I write a mix of fantasy and sci fi novels. I’m a huge nerd who loves Star Wars, history, and travel.

Your latest novel, The Crimson Throne, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Sara: Scotland, enemies-to-lovers (that’s totally one word, trust me), Outlander meets Reign

Beth: Scotland fae meets royal intrigue!

What can readers expect?

Sara: Samson, an Elizabethan slum orphan turned spy, is just doing his best. Alyth, a fae guardian hiding in plain sight amidst the court of Mary Queen of Scots, has no time for anyone’s nonsense. They, of course, find themselves needing to rely on one another, and oops is that a murder plot we’ve stumbled on? Oh dear.

Beth: A star-crossed romance wrapped up in the lush world of Scotland, built on the actual legends and lore and history that’s already there. This is one of my favorite time periods to research, where the royals acted in the wildest ways in real life, and we just added in some magic, some kissing, and some portals into the fae world.

Where did the inspiration for The Crimson Throne come from?

Sara: This one was all Beth! She’s a fount of knowledge re: Mary Queen of Scots and this whole era, so when she suggested this as our next historical adventure, I just kind of sat back and let her fly!

Beth: Sara and I finished doing an event to support our first duology, Night of the Witch and The Fate of Magic, and were eager to work together again, but we were going back and forth on ideas. Our first books together were set in Germany during the Trier witch trials, and we knew we wanted to blend magic and history together again. I might have strong-armed Sara into the idea of fae and Mary, Queen of Scots court by wooing her with the actual history of Lord Darnley and all the things he did during his short marriage to the queen, but Sara was the genius who figured out who the High Blade was—and once we had those pieces, we had the whole story!

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Sara: Samson is my POV character, and he truly is the definition of “just doing his best.” He’s completely new to much of the world that Alyth has been dealing with her whole life, so his innocence and awe was a fun contrast to Alyth’s oftentimes jaded, tunnel-visioned focus. An unintentional grump/sunshine dynamic!

Beth: I wrote the character of Alyth, a lady-in-waiting for Mary, Queen of Scots, who has a big secret: she’s half-fae and works to maintain the barrier between the mortal world and the magical world, protecting them both from invasion of the deadly, bloody Red Cap fae. Alyth is a girl who was born to fulfill the duty, and she wraps up her worth with her work, unable to see that she does not have to fulfill responsibility in order to be loved and appreciated…at least until Samson comes along. This workaholic nature and false belief that her only value is in her tasks completed is definitely something I identify with as well…

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Sara: Co-writing comes with a built in extra brain who knows the story as well as I do, so whenever either of us get stuck, it usually doesn’t take us long to unpick the knot. We do a lot of Facetime calls and collaborate over Google docs; and typically, if we hit a plot point where we have competing ideas, it just pushes us to collaborate on an entirely new idea that makes the story even better than we could’ve gotten to individually!

Beth: One of the best things about co-writing is that whenever I get stuck or panic about the story, I can call up Sara to talk me down off the ledge! I think the most difficult part for me, though, was narrowing down with areas the characters explore. Scotland is so rich in legend with so many lovely and amazing locations that I really did have to selectively limit which spots they go to. (That said, one of my favorite locations is going to be in Book 2, and I am very excited about that!)

What’s next for you both?

Sara: I’ve got the sequel to one of my adult romcoms coming in May, The Fake Divination Offense, a fantasy sports romance about a pro athlete who falls for a cheerleader; and next Fall, I’ve got the sequel to The Crimson Throne, as well as the first book in my next adult romcom series, this one about superheroes!

Beth: In February, I’ve got the omnibus edition of Chaotic Orbits releasing, and then the following year, I’m making my adult romantasy debut with a book near and dear to my heart that I am ecstatic to finally see released into the world after so many years!

And, of course, I’m working on the sequel to The Crimson Throne and the next duology with Sara!

Lastly, what 2026 books do you have your eye on?

Sara: I adored the first two books in Danielle Allen’s Curve series, so I am frothing at the mouth for Big Girl Blitz next summer. I also desperately need the sequel to I Killed the King by Rebecca Mix and Andrea Hannah! Such a cruel ending!!

Beth: Look, I have been devouring Sara’s fun and rompy romances, so my big plan is to hack into her computer and steal her next project. I’ve also been waiting on Rachel Gillig’s sequel to The Knight and the Moth (that ending!!!), Demi Winter’s conclusion to The Road of Bones books, and Tanaz Bhathena’s recently announced Witch Daughter!

Will you be picking up The Crimson Throne? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sara Raasch & Beth Revis, Co-Authors of ‘The Crimson Throne’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Full Speed To A Crash Landing by Beth Revis, which is out now.

Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission.

But Ada doesn’t care—all that matters to her is enjoying their fine food and sweet, sweet oxygen—until Rian White, the government agent in charge, starts to suspect that there’s more to Ada than meets the eye. He’s not wrong—but he’s so pretty that Ada is perfectly happy to keep him paying attention to her—at least until she can complete the job she was sent to pull off. But as quick as Ada is, Rian might be quicker—and she may not be entirely sure who’s manipulating who until it’s too late…

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There’s also new authors breaking on to the scene with their debuts including Isabel Ibañez, Emma Lord, Echo Brown, and Rebecca McLaughlin.

January also sees releases from authors Stacie Ramey, M.K. England, Lana Popović, Eric Smith, Sarah Henning, and Laurie Faria Stolarz. Plus there’s also an exciting collaboration with authors such as Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, and Cheryl Rainfield, which is inspired by the #MeToo movement.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us if you will be picking up any of these releases!

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the sequel to New York Times bestselling A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Brigid Kemmerer returns to the world of Emberfall in a lush fantasy where friends become foes and love blooms in the darkest of places.

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

It’s My Life by Stacie Ramey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Jenna’s never let her cerebral palsy get her down. But when she discovers that her condition was actually caused by an injury at birth, she’s furious with her parents, who also push her to get yet another difficult procedure. Enter Julian, Jenna’s childhood crush. She reaches out to him―anonymously―to help. Soon, their conversations are about so much more than class. But would Julian still be interested in her if he knew who she really was? And can she find a way to take back her own narrative before she pushes away everyone she loves?

Spellhacker by M.K. England
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of The Disasters, this genre-bending YA fantasy heist story is perfect for fans of Marie Lu and Amie Kaufman.

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism―all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson’s Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi’s American Street.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Blood Countess by Lana Popović
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A historical YA horror novel based on the infamous real-life inspiration for Countess Dracula.

Nameless Queen by Rebecca McLaughlin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One girl must make a name for herself–or die trying –in this royal fantasy where an unknown peasant becomes the ultimate ruler. But how long can she keep the crown if everyone wants her dead? Perfect for fans of Furyborn, Red Queen, and Everless.

Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Slay meets Eliza and Her Monsters in Eric Smith’s Don’t Read the Comments, an #ownvoices story in which two teen gamers find their virtual worlds – and blossoming romance – invaded by the real-world issues of trolling and doxing in the gaming community.

Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz’s thrilling novel Jane Anonymous is a revelatory confessional of a seventeen-year-old girl’s fight to escape a kidnapper―and her struggles to connect with loved ones and a life that no longer exists.

You Too? by Janet Gurtler
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed young adult and middle-grade author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield and many more.

Throw Like a Girl by Sarah Henning
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Friday Night Lights meets Morgan Matson’s The Unexpected Everything in this contemporary debut where swoonworthy romance meets underdog sports story.

Will you be picking up any of these January YA releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post January 2020 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Inspired by the #MeToo movement, twenty five voices share their own stories in Janet Gurtler’s latest anthology You Too?. In a powerful push to let young adults know they are not alone, these stories tackle sexual assault in a deeply meaningful way, from a diverse set of voices including both authors we know and ones we don’t quite yet.

Before I begin, of course I need to say that this anthology includes a lot of potential triggers, so please be aware of a content warning for sexual assault, rape, incest, and exploitation. Personally, these topics are quite sensitive but immensely important to me, but I made sure to read this anthology in small amounts and when I was in the right headspace. It was so powerful and meaningful to me and has had a positive impact on my mental health, but make sure you do what is right for you.

You Too? is made up of twenty five essays, each one telling a different story that centres around sexual assault. They each tackle the subject in a different and powerful way, sharing their different and yet so similar experiences and discussing the impact and inference of these experiences. This anthology discusses rape culture, paedophilia, objectification, racism, toxic masculinity, society’s expectations pushed on girls, homophobia, speaking up, and so much more in such an important, timely, and poignant way.

It’s hard to review non-fiction like this except for saying how so very important this anthology is. I hope it reaches the hands of all genders everywhere, especially teenagers, and perhaps it will help some feel less alone, help them to understand, help them to speak up, and to notice and to help themselves. This anthology made me cry with happiness and of sadness and anger too, but I am so so glad to have read it. I hope this book truly succeeds and I am so thankful it exists.

You Too? is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be picking up You Too? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A timely and heartfelt collection of essays inspired by the #MeToo movement, edited by acclaimed young adult and middle-grade author Janet Gurtler. Featuring Beth Revis, Mackenzi Lee, Ellen Hopkins, Saundra Mitchell, Jennifer Brown, Cheryl Rainfield and many more.

When #MeToo went viral, Janet Gurtler was among the millions of people who began to reflect on her past experiences. Things she had reluctantly accepted—male classmates groping her at recess, harassment at work—came back to her in startling clarity. She needed teens to know what she had not: that no young person should be subject to sexual assault, or made to feel unsafe, less than or degraded.

You Too? was born out of that need. By turns thoughtful and explosive, these personal stories encompass a wide range of experiences and will resonate with every reader who has wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” or secretly felt that their own mistreatment or abuse is somehow their fault—it’s not. Candid and empowering, You Too? is written for teens, but also an essential resource for the adults in their lives—an urgent, compassionate call to listen and create change.

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