Outlander Fans Will Love The Crimson Throne — Read an Excerpt! (Exclusive)

A new young adult book by bestselling authors Sara Raasch and Beth Revis puts a romantasy spin on the classic enemies-to-lovers trope.

In The Crimson Throne, set against the backdrop of the Scottish court, a fae guardian and a royal spy for Queen Elizabeth's court fall into each other's orbits as they attempt to weed out threats to their respective countries. Set to hit shelves on Oct. 7, The Crimson Throne merges elements from the beloved series Outlander and the work of celebrated fantasy writer Holly Black.

Desperate for any chance to assist his father, Samson Calthorpe jumps at the opportunity to become an English court spy. Alyth Graham, an illegitimate child born of a fae prince and human mother, has kept her eye on the Scottish queen's husband, Lord Darnley, for years — and it appears that disdain for Lord Darnley is all that she and Samson have in common.

"Using secret codes, hidden messages, and a little bit of magic, Alyth and Samson unravel a plot centuries in the making," a synopsis reads. "Lord Darnley is only a pawn, and in this game, the queen takes all."

Raasch and Revis are also the authors of the Witch and Hunter duology, a New York Times bestselling set. The Crimson Throne will also be a duology, according to its publisher.

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Read an exclusive excerpt shared with PEOPLE below.

Something sharp presses to my lower back.

“Give me that amulet,” comes Alyth’s voice. “Now.”

My pulse lurches, sets a quicker pace. Not out of fear; I’m stretched too thin for that.

Because she’s in my room. At night. And I’m half dressed. 

The fact she’s got a knife on me should dissuade at least some of that, but try telling that to my heart. 

Deliberately, I lift my hands from the mantel in surrender and turn to face her. The tip of the blade drags lightly across my back, around my hip and rests just above the dip of my navel. 

The fire hits her full on, throws me in shadows. But she can see me, I know she can, in that odd way of hers where she’s not seeing me in the physical. She’s in the same gown from earlier, simple and functional, meant to keep her from being noticed. That’s everything about her demeanor in public: not wanting to be noticed, not wanting to draw attention. It works for her, somehow, which is the weirdest thing I’ve encountered being here, how this whole bloody court could let this woman pass unseen among them. She’s so bright, gleaming even when she’s got her mask on, even when she’s holding that knife to my stomach. 

There are three cats with her. My eyes go to the door, but it’s shut. I didn’t even hear her creep in. And what’s with the cats? Did they follow her? 

I focus back on Alyth. “Didn’t take you for the thieving sort. I’ve not got a lot of value on me.” I bob my head, referring to my shirtless state, and give a coy smirk. “You’ve caught me a bit indecent.” 

Her knife bobs slightly, dragging down, falling in the hollow of my belly button. It isn’t until her eyes — those dark eyes — drop, see the knife resting there, that a tidal rush of shivers sets off, peppering goosebumps over my skin. 

She quickly fixates on that necklace. 

“The amulet,” she repeats. “Now.” 

My grin wavers. “Why? What’s it to you?” 

Do you know what this is? 

I drop my eyes to that dagger in her grip. It doesn’t have the glow about it that fae magic items do, and my shoulders droop with relief. Though feeling grateful I’m being threatened with a regular knife is a bit foolish. 

“Give it to me,” she says through her teeth. 

I put one hand on the necklace. “My father gave me this. It’s got great sentimental value. You’ve no—” 

“I know it’s from Lady Lennox,” she snaps. “I know it’s got something to do with Darnley. And I’m telling you that I will not allow Red Cap magic in my home.” 

The cats let out incensed mews. The air fills with the smell of ash and charred wood, and the flames turn scorching at my back, making me hiss and jump a step forward. 

It puts me up against her blade again. 

Up closer to her. 

I stare down at her, pieces starting to circle ’round. 

Magic in my home. 

How she looks at me, through me, seeing other things. The way she used a magic item in the border town. 

“What are you, Alyth?” I whisper. 

“Your ruin,” she says, then reaches for the necklace. 

Excerpted from The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch & Beth Revis, Copyright © 2025 by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis. Published by arrangement with Sourcebooks

The Crimson Throne by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis comes out Oct. 7 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.