Review & #Giveaway: Crimson Jewel by A. Gordon
- Debbie
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
About the Book:
Publication Date: June 18, 2025
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A Deadly Game of Dating.
Choose One.
FEE. FIE. FOE. FUM.
Bea spends her days fighting to stay alive in post-apocalyptic Alaska. She doesn’t have time to believe in giants, true love, or fairy tales. That is, until she uses a strange staircase concealed in the forest to escape the latest predator trying to kill her. While hiding, she’s caught by Raiden, a giant with stormy eyes and disturbingly sexy fangs. For trespassing, he forces her up the stairs to his realm.
Upon arrival in the Fiefdom, she discovers that she’s the key to unlocking an ancient prophecy. Desperate for her to stay, the giants offer a deal—if she agrees to marry a First-Born son of nobility and become queen, they promise sanctuary to her family. Determined to give her loved ones a better life, Bea signs a blood oath that gives her four weeks to choose a husband from the Fiefdom’s most eligible bachelors.
But some giants want her dead. To survive, she’ll need to navigate a web of lies, discern friend from foe, and thwart multiple assassination attempts, all while balancing a complicated social life. Will she make it to the altar before she loses her life—or her heart?
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Sitting down on the bed, I stared at the heels. They were the final straw of imposter syndrome. You could clean me up, dress me in fancy clothes, and decorate me in jewels, and I still wouldn’t fit in. But it was better than starvation or being eaten by a pack of wolves, so I pulled on the ridiculous shoes. Unsteady as a newborn filly, I wobbled over to the full-length mirror. I yanked on the crop top, trying to make the fabric longer.
I glanced at Sid, who was watching me intently. “No, judgment,” I chided, not used to so much exposed skin.
Together, we peered out the door, confirming the hallway was empty. With a hand pressed against the wall for balance, my stilettos and I teetered along. I was about to give up and go back to the room to find a different mode of transportation when somebody chuckled. Recognizing the deep timbre, my irritation flared and heat crawled up my cheeks.
I spun around as fast as possible without falling on my derriere. “What? You don’t have anything better to do than laugh at me? Don’t worry, I’m headed back to the room to change out of these stupid shoes.”
“No, I’m sorry. I apologize.” Raiden held up a hand. “You’re just so fierce most of the time, I didn’t think a stupid pair of shoes would be your demise.”
I had to give him an A for effort. He was trying to control his laughter.
“Everyone has their kryptonite,” I said.
His gaze slid down the length of my body. “That they do.” He sounded resigned.
I was surprised he understood the reference, but I didn’t have time to ask before my ankle buckled.
Raiden caught me under both arms, gripping almost my entire ribcage with his hands. The weight of my breasts rested on his thumbs. An uncomfortable warmth pooled in my stomach, and shivers skated over my skin. He didn’t seem to notice.
“Are you okay?” His gray eyes were level with mine. The pulse in his neck, right above the open collar of his shirt, thumped in rhythm with the rapid beat of my heart.
I took a deep breath and released it slow. “Yes. Thank you.”
He helped me stand, then let go, leaving behind tingling imprints of his hands around my chest. “Do you think if I escort you, you can walk in those things?”
“Yeah, but can’t I just go change?” I whined. I didn’t like relying on anyone. Besides, being close to him made me feel weird. The force was strong in this one. It wasn’t the same as being around Loch—he made me feel self-conscious, like a peasant around a prince.
He glanced down and checked his silver watch. “You can, but being late is heavily frowned upon around here.”
“Okay,” I said, not wanting to be rude.
He held out an elbow, and when I looped it with my own, his skin was searing hot against mine.
“Do you feel okay?” I touched his arm with my free hand.
“Yeah, why?”
“You’re so hot.”
A charming but cocky smirk curled his lips. “Thank you.”
I smacked his arm lightly. “No. That’s not what I meant and you know it. It’s like you have a fever.”
“We naturally run hotter than humans.”
Funny, my temperature ran around 100 degrees, which I’d always thought odd, but my mom had assured me it was normal. She’d convinced me a lot of strange things were normal. Like taking vials of mine and Kevin’s blood to work with her. She said she did it because of her job.
“Earlier, you referred to me as a young lady, and now I’ve been demoted to human again?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, about that. I owe you an apology. I was mad. You interrupted my investigation and I let my irritation get the better of me.”
“Is human a derogatory term?”
“It can be. Some giants don’t like humans. Others, well . . . they like them a little too much.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Redness crept up his neck, staining his face pink. “Oh, for Fie’s sake. I’m just making this worse.”
I didn’t argue.
“I don’t dislike humans,” he clarified.
“Dude, should I get you a shovel so you can dig this hole deeper?”
He snorted, then choked out a laugh, his deep-set eyes all but disappearing behind his wide smile. “Yes, please, so I can finish burying myself.”
5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The thing I love most about reviewing is finding brand spanking new authors. Finding those new authors who smash it out the park with their first book is just the icing on the cake! This is such a book.
But while I loved this book, I really did, I hated it too. And I'll tell you why in a little bit!
It's a kind of fairy tale retell: Jack and the Beanstalk. I loved the play on words with that.
It's a kind of why choose, but Bea HAS to choose. Except her choice isn't one she is allowed to make, as Raiden forsaked (not sure that's a word, but I'm keeping it!) his First-Born Son status.
Bea has multiple partners, but not at the same time. I liked that she did that, to be honest, and it made the connection she had with Raiden more intense.
It's dark and deadly in places: Bea gets kidnapped, thrown into a ravine, and almost drowned, after all. Someone doesn't want her to make her choice, and I was a little surprised who was behind it.
Not totally surprised, there were some very VERY obvious culprits but a couple threw me!
I really REALLY want there to be more books, about the First-Born Sons and what happens to them! They play a huge part here, even if only for a week or two, but they too need a happy ever after and I hope the author writes them.
So, I loved this book, yes. But as I said, I hated it too. Why??
Single person point of view!
Only Bea gets a say and I wanted, needed, so DESPERATELY needed to hear from Raiden, and I do not get him. I wanted to know what he felt when he first met Bea. When he realised what she had done, and what that meant. When he found out she had been with others before him. And when that happened all at the end (not saying what, for spoilers!) I needed to hear from him when he found out what finally happened to his parents.
And I don't get him and this is the only reason I gave this book . . .
4.5 stars (but rounded UP for the blog!)
Well done, Ms Gordon (apologies if you go by anything else, I couldn't see otherwise!) seriously, VERY well done!
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
OMG, YOU GUYS!!
If you love romantasy, DON'T SLEEP ON THIS ONE! It's on KU, but with a cover like that, I had to order a paperback for my shelf. ❤️
FEE FIE FOE FUM. Jack and the Beanstalk for grownups with a Bachelorette twist? Yeah, count me in. 😏
Bump it to the top of your TBR...STAT.
Crimson Jewel was an amazing read from beginning to end! Immersive, lush world building, high stakes, and scorching spice had me turning the pages and staying up late just to see what would happen next!
Bea is a strong, savvy FMC that you instantly root for. Each decision she makes is relatable... whether for good or not so good.
Crimson Jewel is a fresh take on romantasy. It's unique, cleverly plotted, and the writing is vivid, bringing the world to life in cinematic fashion. I loved this book from start to finish and very, very highly recommend it!
Alex Gordon you knocked it out of the park! – A.A. DaSilva (Award Winning Author of Periphery)
Like any good millennial, romantasy books are my secret guilty pleasure. I'll be the first to admit I thought the ACOTAR series was top tier in this category- until I read this book. Forget fairy bat boys, this book unlocked a fantasy I didn't even know I had- getting smashed by giants. Action, romance, sass, adventure, this book has it all. The characters are raw and real and this is a brilliant take on an old nursery rhyme. I read it in two days, I couldn't put it down and I'm definitely adding A Gordon to my list of favorite authors so I don't miss any of her next works. (PLEASE tell me there will be a next work!) Seriously run, don't walk, to buy this book. 10/10 recommend.
And another one
If you put together Jack and the Beanstalk with a genderbent The Bachelor you get this refreshing and spicy fantasy romance with GIANTS, prophecies, magical kingdoms and HOT bachelors that will keep you turning pages – Anonymous
A. Gordon/Alex Gordon writes Fantasy Romance and YA/NA Paranormal Romance. She’s a bit of a wanderer, having lived in Washington, Montana, Germany, Alaska, and Tennessee where she currently resides with her husband and two rescued German shepherds. When not writing, you can probably find her hiking, or if she’s lucky—fishing, though she’s not opposed to camping on the couch with dessert and bingeing murder mysteries.
Contact Links:
Website: https://www.alexgordonauthor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexgordonauthor/
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