It's easy to see how this fantasy epic earned its finalist spot in SPFBO 2017. Skillful world-building, and an intricate plot make the Crimson Queen an enthralling read.

I'll admit that early on I began to worry I was in for just a world-building info dump that would never reach the resolution -- it kept adding more and more detail, easy enough to follow, but it was hard to see how the elements of setting were more than just set dressing. At it proceeded, however, more and more of it wove together until assembling neatly at the climax, with only a few stray threads left to lead onward into the rest of the series.

The Crimson Queen is a classic fantasy adventure. A young boy has an inborn magical talent, various governments and magical orders get involved, they travel through ruins and are confronted by ancient secrets. In silhouette, it seems somewhat generic, and I'll admit I've lowered my score on past reads for hewing too closely to well-trodden paths, but The Crimson Queen managed to keep me hooked throughout, with compelling twists and elaborations that made it a real page-turner.