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Henry Tudor Must Die
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26One queen exiled. Another headed for the gallows. Both hungry for revenge. England’s most infamous queens set out to reclaim their story and unite in vengeance against Henry VIII.
Anne Boleyn is going to die, and neither her cleverness nor her witchery can save her. So when her late rival, Catalina de Aragón, miraculously appears in her cell at the Tower of London on the eve of her execution, very much alive and offering a daring escape plan, no one is more surprised than Anne.
Lina doesn’t have Anne’s magic—but she has just as much hate for England’s wretched king. Severed from her daughter and stripped of all her influence, Lina breathes only for the Hellebore Sisterhood, a clandestine and powerful society with a vested interest in keeping both queens alive…and using their particular skills to advance womankind.
Anne and Lina’s old rivalries pale in comparison to a common enemy. One by one, they capture their pawns, infiltrating the court, recruiting the new queens in Henry’s orbit, and eliminating the men who plotted against them. Always inching closer to their true target…
And they want his head.
Anne Boleyn is going to die, and neither her cleverness nor her witchery can save her. So when her late rival, Catalina de Aragón, miraculously appears in her cell at the Tower of London on the eve of her execution, very much alive and offering a daring escape plan, no one is more surprised than Anne.
Lina doesn’t have Anne’s magic—but she has just as much hate for England’s wretched king. Severed from her daughter and stripped of all her influence, Lina breathes only for the Hellebore Sisterhood, a clandestine and powerful society with a vested interest in keeping both queens alive…and using their particular skills to advance womankind.
Anne and Lina’s old rivalries pale in comparison to a common enemy. One by one, they capture their pawns, infiltrating the court, recruiting the new queens in Henry’s orbit, and eliminating the men who plotted against them. Always inching closer to their true target…
And they want his head.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 21, 2026
About the author
Jillian Laine
1 book60 followersJillian Laine is an author and journalist. She has written multiple children’s books and has worked as an acquisitions editor, book festival director, and literary award judge. She and her husband live with their pride of cats in the Great Lakes State. Henry Tudor Must Die is her first novel.
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Want to Read
February 27, 2026Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
When queens unite in vengeance against Henry VIII..they all want his head.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Jillian Laine for an early copy.
Publication date: July 21, 2026
When queens unite in vengeance against Henry VIII..they all want his head.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Jillian Laine for an early copy.
Publication date: July 21, 2026
February 25, 2026
It’s like “Six” but if it was a book and had witch craft.
I enjoyed the multiple queen POV.
Loved the Hellebore sisterhood and how they all worked together. I liked how Jillian weaved their various lives and timelines to cross over, grow and age together. Tudor Woman - and the injustice of it all - is my Roman Empire.
Whilst Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were usually my fave, in this it was Anna Von Kleave. She was cleaver, witty, resourceful, adaptable, resilient and very aware of her circumstance/power (or lack thereof).
The relationships, friendships and support that was built in the story was lovely to see. But to also see that there could have been circumstances that these queens would have got on, if allowed.
I enjoyed the multiple queen POV.
Loved the Hellebore sisterhood and how they all worked together. I liked how Jillian weaved their various lives and timelines to cross over, grow and age together. Tudor Woman - and the injustice of it all - is my Roman Empire.
Whilst Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were usually my fave, in this it was Anna Von Kleave. She was cleaver, witty, resourceful, adaptable, resilient and very aware of her circumstance/power (or lack thereof).
The relationships, friendships and support that was built in the story was lovely to see. But to also see that there could have been circumstances that these queens would have got on, if allowed.
March 19, 2026
“If only the world had more killer queens.” 🗡️
First of all, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Second of all, this is a DEBUT novel??! Henry Tudor Must Die is truly the story of my dreams. I mean — a fantastical, witchy retelling of a bunch of badass women plotting their revenge against one of the worst men in history? SIGN ME UP!! The absolute badass-ery and strong female voices in this novel had me gripping my kindle and flying through this book at super sonic speeds. I loved the different POVs and Jillian Lane did an absolutely amazing job at giving all of these ladies their own voices and strengths. Overall, this book is perfect and I will be deluding myself into believing it is actually all historically accurate 🥰 A true must read!!!
First of all, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Second of all, this is a DEBUT novel??! Henry Tudor Must Die is truly the story of my dreams. I mean — a fantastical, witchy retelling of a bunch of badass women plotting their revenge against one of the worst men in history? SIGN ME UP!! The absolute badass-ery and strong female voices in this novel had me gripping my kindle and flying through this book at super sonic speeds. I loved the different POVs and Jillian Lane did an absolutely amazing job at giving all of these ladies their own voices and strengths. Overall, this book is perfect and I will be deluding myself into believing it is actually all historically accurate 🥰 A true must read!!!
Want to Read
January 30, 2026Um, I NEED this book. Alt-history taking down serial killer (yes, he was, let's call a spade a spade) Henry Tudor? YES FREAKING PLEASE.
February 25, 2026
Thank you for the DRC, PRH — I fear I need to own a physical copy and preorder this book immediately!!
Goddamn. This was a wild ride and I LOVED it so much. Due to life circumstances/reading grief books, it’s been 84 years since I got so sucked into a book like this. Started it last night, had to stay up to finish it tonight.
The concept of ✨vigilante✨ Catherine of Aragon (Lina) and Anne Boleyn??? Absolutely IMMACULATE. 10/10 no notes I would read 100000 other things about this alternate historical fantasy. Their relationship was a joy to watch unfold throughout and made [redacted] all the more devastating.
The whole Sisterhood subplot was WONDERFULLY done and so well fleshed out. And the inclusions of Anna of Kleves (one of my faves!!) and Kat Howard, and the full circle moment of Catherine Parr was just brilliant.
This book made me rage and cheer and FEEL THINGS and I loved it very much. I have many a highlighted passage in my e-reader because DAMN there were some bangers. What a glorious debut. Long live the Queens.
Goddamn. This was a wild ride and I LOVED it so much. Due to life circumstances/reading grief books, it’s been 84 years since I got so sucked into a book like this. Started it last night, had to stay up to finish it tonight.
The concept of ✨vigilante✨ Catherine of Aragon (Lina) and Anne Boleyn??? Absolutely IMMACULATE. 10/10 no notes I would read 100000 other things about this alternate historical fantasy. Their relationship was a joy to watch unfold throughout and made [redacted] all the more devastating.
The whole Sisterhood subplot was WONDERFULLY done and so well fleshed out. And the inclusions of Anna of Kleves (one of my faves!!) and Kat Howard, and the full circle moment of Catherine Parr was just brilliant.
This book made me rage and cheer and FEEL THINGS and I loved it very much. I have many a highlighted passage in my e-reader because DAMN there were some bangers. What a glorious debut. Long live the Queens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2026
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed reading about this time period from the queens’ perspectives. Badass women, a bit of magic, and a revenge plot? Yes, please!
April 6, 2026
The Verdict: A Masterclass in Revisionist History
As a reader with both a BA and an MA in History, specifically concentrating on Women’s History, I am well-acquainted with the countless interpretations of Henry VIII’s court. From the sensationalism of the Showtime series The Tudors and the dramatic liberties of The Other Boleyn Girl to the modern pop-reclamation of Six the Musical, this era has been dissected through every imaginable lens of entertainment and academic research. Yet, Jillian Lane’s “Henry Tudor Must Die” managed to surprise me. This particular take is extremely unique and stands out among the rest, making me feel like the perfect niche reader this book was designed to reach.
The story manages to balance the rigid political stakes of the 16th-century court with a speculative edge that feels entirely earned. It isn't just another addition to the saturated market of Tudor fiction; it’s a smart, layered exploration of power where Lane honors the historical record while fearlessly deviating from it.
History with a Sharp, Supernatural Edge
The narrative centers on the two most famous figures of the era: Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. While their rivalry is well-documented in every textbook, Lane breathes fresh life into the conflict by introducing a clandestine element. In this version of the Great Matter, Anne Boleyn is a witch.
However, readers expecting the stereotypical tropes of Salem or the whimsical aesthetic of Wicked should look elsewhere. Lane treats magic not as a sparkly plot device, but as a grounded, atmospheric force that feels like a natural extension of the era’s superstitions, making the stakes feel visceral rather than cartoonish.
Anne’s power is subtle and dangerous, but she isn't the only powerhouse in the room. Catherine, while possessing no magical talents, serves as the shrewd, strategic brain power behind the duo’s success, ensuring their planning is as intellectually stimulating as the magic is potent.
Sisterhood Over Rivalry and Reclaiming the Narrative
The most striking departure from history—and indeed, the very heartbeat of this beautiful book—is the relationship between Catherine and Anne. Traditional narratives often pit them against each other, casting Anne as the temptress who ruined Catherine's marriage. Lane reimagines this as a powerful partnership between two women who have been systematically taken advantage of by the same man and who find strength in one another.
This alliance eventually expands to include Henry's later wives, with the ultimate goal of bringing down their ex-husband and protecting their daughters’ futures after the King attempts to cast them aside following the birth of Jane Seymour’s heir. This brings a beautifully diverse group of women into the main narrative.
Anne of Cleves is written with a queer identity, navigating the court alongside a female lover, while Catherine Parr is seen through an asexual lens, standing firm in her identity without conforming to the demure expectations of the era. The inclusion of Katherine Howard provides a poignant look at young love and loss. Lane even weaves in a character who serves as a powerful representation of a trans man, integrating these marginalized identities with superb artistry so they feel like a natural, vibrant part of the historical tapestry.
Ultimately, this is a story of women reclaiming their identities from a world designed to diminish them, a hauntingly relevant theme that Lane encapsulates in a particularly moving passage:
"Not everyone is ready. Not just the men – many of them will never be ready to see women as their equals. But there are thousands upon thousands of women who have been told all their lives they are less clever, less important, less valuable than men. It is up to us to start a movement that convinces women to question or reject what society has told them. But it might take more than a few years to accomplish that."
I could not put this book down and I am already planning my second read-through.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Special thanks to Penguin Random House for providing an advanced reader's copy.
Henry Tudor Must Die hits shelves on July 21, 2026.
As a reader with both a BA and an MA in History, specifically concentrating on Women’s History, I am well-acquainted with the countless interpretations of Henry VIII’s court. From the sensationalism of the Showtime series The Tudors and the dramatic liberties of The Other Boleyn Girl to the modern pop-reclamation of Six the Musical, this era has been dissected through every imaginable lens of entertainment and academic research. Yet, Jillian Lane’s “Henry Tudor Must Die” managed to surprise me. This particular take is extremely unique and stands out among the rest, making me feel like the perfect niche reader this book was designed to reach.
The story manages to balance the rigid political stakes of the 16th-century court with a speculative edge that feels entirely earned. It isn't just another addition to the saturated market of Tudor fiction; it’s a smart, layered exploration of power where Lane honors the historical record while fearlessly deviating from it.
History with a Sharp, Supernatural Edge
The narrative centers on the two most famous figures of the era: Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. While their rivalry is well-documented in every textbook, Lane breathes fresh life into the conflict by introducing a clandestine element. In this version of the Great Matter, Anne Boleyn is a witch.
However, readers expecting the stereotypical tropes of Salem or the whimsical aesthetic of Wicked should look elsewhere. Lane treats magic not as a sparkly plot device, but as a grounded, atmospheric force that feels like a natural extension of the era’s superstitions, making the stakes feel visceral rather than cartoonish.
Anne’s power is subtle and dangerous, but she isn't the only powerhouse in the room. Catherine, while possessing no magical talents, serves as the shrewd, strategic brain power behind the duo’s success, ensuring their planning is as intellectually stimulating as the magic is potent.
Sisterhood Over Rivalry and Reclaiming the Narrative
The most striking departure from history—and indeed, the very heartbeat of this beautiful book—is the relationship between Catherine and Anne. Traditional narratives often pit them against each other, casting Anne as the temptress who ruined Catherine's marriage. Lane reimagines this as a powerful partnership between two women who have been systematically taken advantage of by the same man and who find strength in one another.
This alliance eventually expands to include Henry's later wives, with the ultimate goal of bringing down their ex-husband and protecting their daughters’ futures after the King attempts to cast them aside following the birth of Jane Seymour’s heir. This brings a beautifully diverse group of women into the main narrative.
Anne of Cleves is written with a queer identity, navigating the court alongside a female lover, while Catherine Parr is seen through an asexual lens, standing firm in her identity without conforming to the demure expectations of the era. The inclusion of Katherine Howard provides a poignant look at young love and loss. Lane even weaves in a character who serves as a powerful representation of a trans man, integrating these marginalized identities with superb artistry so they feel like a natural, vibrant part of the historical tapestry.
Ultimately, this is a story of women reclaiming their identities from a world designed to diminish them, a hauntingly relevant theme that Lane encapsulates in a particularly moving passage:
"Not everyone is ready. Not just the men – many of them will never be ready to see women as their equals. But there are thousands upon thousands of women who have been told all their lives they are less clever, less important, less valuable than men. It is up to us to start a movement that convinces women to question or reject what society has told them. But it might take more than a few years to accomplish that."
I could not put this book down and I am already planning my second read-through.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Special thanks to Penguin Random House for providing an advanced reader's copy.
Henry Tudor Must Die hits shelves on July 21, 2026.
February 8, 2026
History… but make it witchy, rebellious, and ridiculously addictive 👑🔥
I absolutely LOVED Henry Tudor Must Die. Give me historical fiction ANY day… but add witchcraft, powerful women, revenge energy, and a bit of Tudor drama? I’m SOLD 😍
This felt fresh and bold, like history finally letting the women grab the quill (and maybe a spell book 😉)
Anne Boleyn with attitude, magic woven into real events, and that constant tension of what if history had gone differently? Chef’s kiss.
It’s clever, atmospheric, slightly dark, and honestly so satisfying watching these women take control of their narrative. I flew through it way faster than expected because I just needed to know how it would all unfold.
If you love:
✨ Historical fiction with a twist
✨ Strong female characters
✨ A touch of witchcraft/magic
✨ Tudor intrigue & revenge plots
…this needs to be on your TBR immediately.
Historical fiction + witchy vibes = my perfect combo. More like this please 🙌📚
Thank you #Netgalley for this ARC 😊
#HenryTudorMustDie
I absolutely LOVED Henry Tudor Must Die. Give me historical fiction ANY day… but add witchcraft, powerful women, revenge energy, and a bit of Tudor drama? I’m SOLD 😍
This felt fresh and bold, like history finally letting the women grab the quill (and maybe a spell book 😉)
Anne Boleyn with attitude, magic woven into real events, and that constant tension of what if history had gone differently? Chef’s kiss.
It’s clever, atmospheric, slightly dark, and honestly so satisfying watching these women take control of their narrative. I flew through it way faster than expected because I just needed to know how it would all unfold.
If you love:
✨ Historical fiction with a twist
✨ Strong female characters
✨ A touch of witchcraft/magic
✨ Tudor intrigue & revenge plots
…this needs to be on your TBR immediately.
Historical fiction + witchy vibes = my perfect combo. More like this please 🙌📚
Thank you #Netgalley for this ARC 😊
#HenryTudorMustDie
Did Not Finish
June 19, 2026Rtc
March 22, 2026
4.5*, review to come
2026
February 10, 2026📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
May 8, 2026
England, 1536. Anne Boleyn is imprisoned in the Tower of London, awaiting the executioner. Out of the shadows steps the last person she expected to see: Catherine of Aragon is here to save her. Now known as Lina, the surprisingly alive Queen invites Anne to the clandestine Hellebore Sisterhood. Hungry for revenge, the former rivals join forces to recruit powerful women, including their successors. As they work to advance the Sisterhood, they never lose sight of their true target, and their determination to make him pay - with his life.
This is a razor-sharp feminist retelling that dares to rewrite history. It centres the maligned and mistreated women we all know from a children’s rhyme. I was gripped from the opening - Anne and Lina’s plots to take new identities were audacious but entertaining. I really enjoyed their journey over the years and the way their friendship formed and blossomed. This is more of a supernatural alternate history, full of mystics and witches - and I loved it. I have spent a lot of time around Tudor history and with Tudor artefacts, so trust me when I say I know a lot about this nasty king and his beleaguered wives. I really felt for the women here and I love the way this book puts them front and centre and finally spotlights how insane it was to treat the women the way he did! Seeing the queens form a sisterhood was so invigorating and thrilling - it’s a fantastic premise for a book. The story built up over Henry’s reign and I couldn’t look away. I was angry, I was emotional, and I was absorbed.
This is perfect for fans of Queen B, My Lady Jane, The End Crowns All - and, of course, the iconic musical Six.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
This is a razor-sharp feminist retelling that dares to rewrite history. It centres the maligned and mistreated women we all know from a children’s rhyme. I was gripped from the opening - Anne and Lina’s plots to take new identities were audacious but entertaining. I really enjoyed their journey over the years and the way their friendship formed and blossomed. This is more of a supernatural alternate history, full of mystics and witches - and I loved it. I have spent a lot of time around Tudor history and with Tudor artefacts, so trust me when I say I know a lot about this nasty king and his beleaguered wives. I really felt for the women here and I love the way this book puts them front and centre and finally spotlights how insane it was to treat the women the way he did! Seeing the queens form a sisterhood was so invigorating and thrilling - it’s a fantastic premise for a book. The story built up over Henry’s reign and I couldn’t look away. I was angry, I was emotional, and I was absorbed.
This is perfect for fans of Queen B, My Lady Jane, The End Crowns All - and, of course, the iconic musical Six.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 15, 2026
Thanks to Berkeley and NetGalley for this eARC!
For fans of Reign, comes historical fiction based on Henry Tudor’s six wives with a twist: magic, fake death, and a secret sisterhood out to change the fates of women.
Henry Tudor Must Die is a slow-paced story featuring an intimate look on what could’ve been history, with magic involved. I enjoyed being in this world for a little bit, hearing from female character POVs only throughout the book was a breath of fresh air. Very well-written, makes you think deeply about what women sacrifice and endure for the well-being of others.
I’m not too super educated on Tudor history, but I do enjoy royal drama and witches, so this was an interesting read. I liked it, there’s even sapphic and trans rep in this book (all happy endings for them).
Definitely could use a sequel for this - love hearing about secret societies full of women.
For fans of Reign, comes historical fiction based on Henry Tudor’s six wives with a twist: magic, fake death, and a secret sisterhood out to change the fates of women.
Henry Tudor Must Die is a slow-paced story featuring an intimate look on what could’ve been history, with magic involved. I enjoyed being in this world for a little bit, hearing from female character POVs only throughout the book was a breath of fresh air. Very well-written, makes you think deeply about what women sacrifice and endure for the well-being of others.
I’m not too super educated on Tudor history, but I do enjoy royal drama and witches, so this was an interesting read. I liked it, there’s even sapphic and trans rep in this book (all happy endings for them).
Definitely could use a sequel for this - love hearing about secret societies full of women.
April 16, 2026
This book is truly fantastic. It has an excellent combination of magic, witchcraft, Tudor queens being their extraordinary selves with a dash of accuracy. This book is fun, it gives us the Tudor world in its distorted form.
I honestly loved this book, and sad that I’ve finished it far too quickly.
I honestly loved this book, and sad that I’ve finished it far too quickly.
March 1, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 In the peak of our homeschooling days, I found cheap tickets to London and booked them. My daughter had been on a months-long independent study on the six wives of Henry VIII and we were not going to miss the opportunity to take a field trip to walk in the footsteps of the wives he so famously wronged. Even in his death, Henry VIII looms large, but historians are not clueless to the misogyny of his reign, and we should all take notes…
Jillian Laine brings an amazing new read that just might have Henry Tudor rolling over in his final resting place of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Anne Boleyn met her fate with the executioner’s sword on the Tower Green…but what if a little magic and the help of her enemy, the presumed dead, Catalina de Aragon, could change the course of history? I may have never wanted something to be more true in my life.
Anne and Lina are the most unlikely pair that I absolutely love more than anything. Anne has always been known for her fiery spirit but Jillian Laine brings a unique look to Henry’s first wife, showing a fiercer, more spirited side to this Spanish princess who became one of the most famous queens of England.
Henry Tudor Must Die is not your typical historical fiction, Laine is reinventing history with a feminist lens in her genre-blending journey through the Renaissance. These powerful queens are here for revenge and to pave the way for a brighter future for women in this refreshing, fast-paced, and brilliant novel and we should all sit down and have a lesson.
📖 Book Review 📖 In the peak of our homeschooling days, I found cheap tickets to London and booked them. My daughter had been on a months-long independent study on the six wives of Henry VIII and we were not going to miss the opportunity to take a field trip to walk in the footsteps of the wives he so famously wronged. Even in his death, Henry VIII looms large, but historians are not clueless to the misogyny of his reign, and we should all take notes…
Jillian Laine brings an amazing new read that just might have Henry Tudor rolling over in his final resting place of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Anne Boleyn met her fate with the executioner’s sword on the Tower Green…but what if a little magic and the help of her enemy, the presumed dead, Catalina de Aragon, could change the course of history? I may have never wanted something to be more true in my life.
Anne and Lina are the most unlikely pair that I absolutely love more than anything. Anne has always been known for her fiery spirit but Jillian Laine brings a unique look to Henry’s first wife, showing a fiercer, more spirited side to this Spanish princess who became one of the most famous queens of England.
Henry Tudor Must Die is not your typical historical fiction, Laine is reinventing history with a feminist lens in her genre-blending journey through the Renaissance. These powerful queens are here for revenge and to pave the way for a brighter future for women in this refreshing, fast-paced, and brilliant novel and we should all sit down and have a lesson.
April 23, 2026
This book is what I wanted Rebecca Lehmann's
The Beheading Game
to be.
Anne Boleyn receives a surprise visitor the night before her execution -- the dead former queen Catherine (here called Lina, short for Catalina). Lina brings Anne the supplies she needs to fake her beheading using the magic she already possesses.
Anne and Lina leave London to plan their revenge on the king who discarded them both.
Recommended for Tudor historical fiction readers who don't mind a dose of the supernatural.
I received an electronic galley of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anne Boleyn receives a surprise visitor the night before her execution -- the dead former queen Catherine (here called Lina, short for Catalina). Lina brings Anne the supplies she needs to fake her beheading using the magic she already possesses.
Anne and Lina leave London to plan their revenge on the king who discarded them both.
Recommended for Tudor historical fiction readers who don't mind a dose of the supernatural.
I received an electronic galley of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2026
I’m writing this review with tears in my eyes. What an amazing book. Royal history, well- women’s history, especially that which recalls the unjust treatment and terrible abuse so often suffered throughout time, for as long as time can be recalled. I have several, smaller Roman empires inside of this giant one. A matryoshka of Roman empires, if you will. Speaking of Russian culture and history, there is definitely a Roman Empire of the Romanov empire inside one of those dolls. Cleopatra. Hypaxia. Joan of Arc. Boudicca. The women of the Wars of the Roses, and of course, the wives of Henry VIII; Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I sadly, were also privy to tragedy at the behest of the men who thought they knew best, especially more than some woman.
Imagine my glorious surprise to learn that author Jillian Laine wrote a book about the very fantasies I have always harbored in my thoughts. Imagining Henry’s queens as a force to be reckoned with, orchestrating the most thorough and satisfying downfall of the men who thought naught of doing them harm. None of them ever cast aside like a forgotten plaything. None of them abused, used and discarded, utterly disposable. What if instead of enemies, they were friends? What if they banded together and did something about it? A formidable sisterhood taking on the patriarchy and breaking the wheel.
Jillian managed to take each Queen’s survived written account and history, hundreds of years old, and flesh them out into living, breathing characters of an alternate history of vengeance, rescue, and survival. I loved reading how Catherine, the strong, sound minded tactician, and Anne, the passionate spellbinding witch, as different in temperament as could be, working together for a new generation of queens and a new world where women are free to learn, express themselves, and live without fear. Queen Marguerite as their mastermind was the absolute cherry on top!
Jillian’s ability to give every woman in this book their own voices, characteristics and beliefs has me in awe. I could not put this down. If you enjoy stories with magic, witches, secret heists and secret societies, feminism, and f*cking the patriarchy, this book is for you. This is a historical fiction, women’s fiction book with multiple POVs, with a few of those being main POVs. The storyline feels entirely plausible in a “what if magic was real” timeline, and the absence of the magic would still keep the story firmly into a very well written historical fictional account. This is not a fantastical, warm and fuzzy tale of good versus bad. It is grittier, and beautifully written to impart the brutality and danger of life at court.
The stakes are very much felt throughout, and it was impossible to guess each character’s destiny.
If you enjoy Phillipa Gregory books, as well as Alison Wier, Jean Plaidy, Elizabeth Chadwick and Anne O’brien, you will absolutely love Jillian Laine.
Huge thanks to NetGalley author Jillian Laine, Berkeley Publishing Group for opportunity to enjoy this ARC.
Imagine my glorious surprise to learn that author Jillian Laine wrote a book about the very fantasies I have always harbored in my thoughts. Imagining Henry’s queens as a force to be reckoned with, orchestrating the most thorough and satisfying downfall of the men who thought naught of doing them harm. None of them ever cast aside like a forgotten plaything. None of them abused, used and discarded, utterly disposable. What if instead of enemies, they were friends? What if they banded together and did something about it? A formidable sisterhood taking on the patriarchy and breaking the wheel.
Jillian managed to take each Queen’s survived written account and history, hundreds of years old, and flesh them out into living, breathing characters of an alternate history of vengeance, rescue, and survival. I loved reading how Catherine, the strong, sound minded tactician, and Anne, the passionate spellbinding witch, as different in temperament as could be, working together for a new generation of queens and a new world where women are free to learn, express themselves, and live without fear. Queen Marguerite as their mastermind was the absolute cherry on top!
Jillian’s ability to give every woman in this book their own voices, characteristics and beliefs has me in awe. I could not put this down. If you enjoy stories with magic, witches, secret heists and secret societies, feminism, and f*cking the patriarchy, this book is for you. This is a historical fiction, women’s fiction book with multiple POVs, with a few of those being main POVs. The storyline feels entirely plausible in a “what if magic was real” timeline, and the absence of the magic would still keep the story firmly into a very well written historical fictional account. This is not a fantastical, warm and fuzzy tale of good versus bad. It is grittier, and beautifully written to impart the brutality and danger of life at court.
The stakes are very much felt throughout, and it was impossible to guess each character’s destiny.
If you enjoy Phillipa Gregory books, as well as Alison Wier, Jean Plaidy, Elizabeth Chadwick and Anne O’brien, you will absolutely love Jillian Laine.
Huge thanks to NetGalley author Jillian Laine, Berkeley Publishing Group for opportunity to enjoy this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
Every time I opened this book, I couldn’t help but think of the line “welcome to the show, to the historemix” from SIX the musical. It is more than fitting, considering Henry Tudor Must Die turns history on its head.
From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the blend of magic and history. Between witches, queens, and secret feminist societies, what more could you want? The political intrigue was balanced with the perfect amount of humor and heart, making for a fun and engaging read. What I expected to be a murder plot between six wronged women became something so much deeper.
While this is surely not how things played out back then, it was satisfying to see the queens have their vengeance and form unbreakable bonds along the way. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys witchcraft, strong women, and/or good old fashioned revenge.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!
From the very beginning, I was drawn in by the blend of magic and history. Between witches, queens, and secret feminist societies, what more could you want? The political intrigue was balanced with the perfect amount of humor and heart, making for a fun and engaging read. What I expected to be a murder plot between six wronged women became something so much deeper.
While this is surely not how things played out back then, it was satisfying to see the queens have their vengeance and form unbreakable bonds along the way. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys witchcraft, strong women, and/or good old fashioned revenge.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!
Did Not Finish
June 25, 2026One queen exiled. Another headed for the gallows. Both hungry for revenge. England’s most infamous queens unite in vengeance against Henry VIII.
I wanted to love Henry Tudor Must Die so much. I mean, the synopsis sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love this book, I struggled with everything from the pacing to my inability to connect with the characters and plot. I gave it a valiant effort, but ended up DNFing around 40%.
Thank you so much to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
I wanted to love Henry Tudor Must Die so much. I mean, the synopsis sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love this book, I struggled with everything from the pacing to my inability to connect with the characters and plot. I gave it a valiant effort, but ended up DNFing around 40%.
Thank you so much to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
April 3, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for a review.
I went into Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine already having read The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann this year, so I had a certain expectation—mainly a revenge-driven narrative centred on Henry VIII. But this book takes a broader and more layered approach.
Told through multiple POVs, it brings together several wronged women, each with their own story, voice, and motivation. What stood out most was how their narratives intertwine to explore not just revenge, but also justice—what it means, who gets to claim it, and at what cost.
This is a satisfying retelling—reshaped through fantasy and female rage—of a story we think we already know. It reclaims the narrative from a king more famously remembered for marrying and discarding women than for anything else, and instead centres the perspectives of those who were silenced.
I went into Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine already having read The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann this year, so I had a certain expectation—mainly a revenge-driven narrative centred on Henry VIII. But this book takes a broader and more layered approach.
Told through multiple POVs, it brings together several wronged women, each with their own story, voice, and motivation. What stood out most was how their narratives intertwine to explore not just revenge, but also justice—what it means, who gets to claim it, and at what cost.
This is a satisfying retelling—reshaped through fantasy and female rage—of a story we think we already know. It reclaims the narrative from a king more famously remembered for marrying and discarding women than for anything else, and instead centres the perspectives of those who were silenced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2026
★4
ARC READ | release day 23rd July 2026
Beyond grateful to the Sirens for this gorgeous gifted proof.
𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨. 𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚.
I have always been a Tudor girl… it’s my favourite era of history. I have watched every drama series pretty much relating to Henry VIII and his wives.
Think I’ve always been a Boleyn girl 🤭
This story was an incredible shake up on historical events. I ate it up! The dark magic aspect of this story was incredible. The friendships and hardships these women faced were both beautiful and tragic. I really wish the sisterhood was a real thing 🤭 all these queens having their own twist was written so incredibly well and Kat Howard’s story had me welling all the way up.
For my history loving girlies I cannot recommend this enough 🤭💀
May 1, 2026
If you have ever wondered how things might have turned out if Henry VIII had not had Anne Boleyn executed, this book is for you. What would be different, if by magic, Anne didn’t die by being beheaded? Again, this book gives answers to this possibility. Not only does Anne live in this story, but she also becomes best friends with Catherine de Aragon, Henry’s first wife who was also supposed to be dead. The two women are members of the Hellebore Society which is an all female organization where women look after each other, as well as all of society. Through the network of the Hellebore Society Anne and Catherine are tasked with looking after Henry’s wives that came after them. As you can imagine this is a huge undertaking. Both women want Henry to get what he deserves, Anne wants Henry dead and has made her life’s goal to see that her deepest desire comes true.
The women are in constant danger of being found out. They both miss their daughters terribly, but for the daughter’s safety as well as their own, Anne and Catherine can’t even be around their daughters, nor can they touch or talk to them, This is a heartache that never stops and it only makes them want to stop Henry’s trail of heartache and destruction even more. The ladies meet many dangerous situations and make many sacrifices on the road to the end goal.
The women are in constant danger of being found out. They both miss their daughters terribly, but for the daughter’s safety as well as their own, Anne and Catherine can’t even be around their daughters, nor can they touch or talk to them, This is a heartache that never stops and it only makes them want to stop Henry’s trail of heartache and destruction even more. The ladies meet many dangerous situations and make many sacrifices on the road to the end goal.
June 20, 2026
I have always been fascinated by Henry VIII of House Tudor. A once-handsome man born to be the spare, but forced on to the throne after the death of his brother. He was haughty and lustful and unkind and uncouth. Would things have turned out differently for Catalina, Anne, Jane, Anne, Katherine, and Catherine had Arthur lived? Would they have been different had Catalina’s children survived infancy?
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Also, in general, I’m a huge Anne Boleyn supporter & apologist and I was beyond delighted to see her FINALLY get revenge on that bloated, smelly, gangrenous, adulterous, vile, good-for-nothing, balding ginger man.
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Thank you the publisher, and to Jillian herself for this ARC!!
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Also, in general, I’m a huge Anne Boleyn supporter & apologist and I was beyond delighted to see her FINALLY get revenge on that bloated, smelly, gangrenous, adulterous, vile, good-for-nothing, balding ginger man.
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Thank you the publisher, and to Jillian herself for this ARC!!
May 13, 2026
I had such a fun time reading this book!
If you like the Tudor era, are fascinated by Anne Boelyn or any of Henry VIII's wives and their plight, I highly recommend picking this up!
This won't give you any additional history that you didn't know, but it will give you some really fun alternate history surrounding Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boelyn, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr (that is a lot of K/Catherine's). Imagine if Henry did not have the power, if a group of fierce, determined women were working behind the scenes to make sure the women Henry tried to rid himself of were saved from their fate!
I loved this book, it was well written, well plotted, and got me right back into my obsession with the Tudor women. I am truly excited to see what this author does next, and I hope we see some more historical fiction from her very soon!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Book Browse for the advanced e-copy
If you like the Tudor era, are fascinated by Anne Boelyn or any of Henry VIII's wives and their plight, I highly recommend picking this up!
This won't give you any additional history that you didn't know, but it will give you some really fun alternate history surrounding Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boelyn, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr (that is a lot of K/Catherine's). Imagine if Henry did not have the power, if a group of fierce, determined women were working behind the scenes to make sure the women Henry tried to rid himself of were saved from their fate!
I loved this book, it was well written, well plotted, and got me right back into my obsession with the Tudor women. I am truly excited to see what this author does next, and I hope we see some more historical fiction from her very soon!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Book Browse for the advanced e-copy
April 4, 2026
👑✨ Henry Tudor Must Die ✨👑
This unfortunately wasn’t a great fit for me. I found the pacing really slow and had a hard time staying interested. It got to the point where I was struggling to pick it back up.
That said, I think others can and will still enjoy this book.
🖤 What to Expect
• Alternate history
• Anne Boleyn
• Catherine of Aragon
• Rival queens
• Court intrigue
• Feminist rage
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 21, 2026
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This unfortunately wasn’t a great fit for me. I found the pacing really slow and had a hard time staying interested. It got to the point where I was struggling to pick it back up.
That said, I think others can and will still enjoy this book.
🖤 What to Expect
• Alternate history
• Anne Boleyn
• Catherine of Aragon
• Rival queens
• Court intrigue
• Feminist rage
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 21, 2026
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 18, 2026
I love the Tudors, I love witchcraft, I love this book. A massive thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book.
When I saw the cover and the synopsis, I hit request so fast.
This was such a fun read and reimagining of the fates of Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon. I especially loved the friendship and camaraderie they developed.
I also really enjoyed Anne of Cleves and her role in how the story unfolded.
This story had everything. It was honestly a badass blend of friendship, revenge, witchcraft, and real emotional depth. There’s so much heart woven through the magic and the rage, and it made the whole journey feel powerful instead of just dark. Watching these women reclaim their stories felt satisfying in a way that stuck with me after I finished.
Highly recommend for fans of Six, Tudor history, and anyone who enjoys a sharp, witchy twist with a strong dose of revenge against the men who did you wrong. A stunning debut that absolutely delivers.
When I saw the cover and the synopsis, I hit request so fast.
This was such a fun read and reimagining of the fates of Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon. I especially loved the friendship and camaraderie they developed.
I also really enjoyed Anne of Cleves and her role in how the story unfolded.
This story had everything. It was honestly a badass blend of friendship, revenge, witchcraft, and real emotional depth. There’s so much heart woven through the magic and the rage, and it made the whole journey feel powerful instead of just dark. Watching these women reclaim their stories felt satisfying in a way that stuck with me after I finished.
Highly recommend for fans of Six, Tudor history, and anyone who enjoys a sharp, witchy twist with a strong dose of revenge against the men who did you wrong. A stunning debut that absolutely delivers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Anne Boleyn is preparing to be executed while imprisoned in the Tower of London when she is visited by her former rival, Catherine of Aragon. Catherine gives her the tools to free herself using her magic, and gives her the opportunity to live and seek vengeance against her former husband. Later, most of Henry’s other wives also end up part of the vengeance plot.
This was one of those historical fiction novels that felt too modern. The messages about women and the agency they have or don’t have due to the patriarchy are certainly accurate, but most of the characters do not have dialogue that sounds like genuine figures from their time period, which disrupted my immersion into the novel. It’s a lot more like if the musical Six was a fantasy novel than a period drama with fantasy elements. Generally speaking, the men sounded relatively like products of their time but the women sounded contemporary. It’s possible that this was a purposeful stylistic choice that the author made, but I didn’t like it. If this is the sort of thing that doesn’t bother you, though, you may like it.
One of the most powerful parts of the novel was the relationship between the two POV characters, Catherine (in this novel called “Lina”, short for the Spanish version of her name, Catalina) and Anne. Their relationship evolves from hatred to grudging mutual respect to a true friendship. I did feel that the ending of the book somewhat cheapened that selling point of the novel, unfortunately, as well as somewhat undermining the overall message of the book about women teaming up to protect other women from men.
It was nice to read a fantasy novel that focused on all the female characters but was not primarily a romance, though. Interestingly, Anne of Kleves is portrayed as a lesbian in this alternate history. Some people may think this was just shoehorned into the story to make there be more queer characters, but I thought it added to the story well. The point of the novel as a whole seems to be that it’s telling an alternate “true” story of Henry’s wives that were overlooked by history. It’s a reasonable reason to have in this version for why the marriage between Anne and Henry was never consummated, but again, if you care a lot about historical accuracy it may irritate you.
My most significant history issue is the way in which Katherine Howard’s relationships are portrayed. Her relationship with Francis Dereham, who was 32 when she was 15, is portrayed as consensual and loving, despite the occasional sentences by the other main characters condemning men who pursue girls just after they started having their periods. There’s also no mention of Henry Mannox’s molestation of/”relationship with” Katherine. She had few POV chapters in this book and her history is not really talked about much, so I’m left wondering if it was truly necessary to have her as a POV character. She also has the only sex scene that’s described on-page (with her lover of a close age, not Dereham or Mannox), and it seems as if the narrative wants to portray her as promiscuous and flighty as her primary character traits. For a novel that is ostensibly supposed to be feminist, this seems to me to be a poor way to handle the character of a girl who was groomed by up to three older men (depending on whether you’re considering her relationship with Henry grooming, which you certainly could).
If you’re looking for a fairly lighthearted fantasy novel that feels like the fantasy version of Six (although with less acknowledgement of how Katherine Howard was groomed) you may enjoy this one. If you’re looking for something grounded in history or that reads like a period drama, you may want to pass it up.
Henry Tudor Must Die releases July 21 from Berkley Publishing Group. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and Jillian Laine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was one of those historical fiction novels that felt too modern. The messages about women and the agency they have or don’t have due to the patriarchy are certainly accurate, but most of the characters do not have dialogue that sounds like genuine figures from their time period, which disrupted my immersion into the novel. It’s a lot more like if the musical Six was a fantasy novel than a period drama with fantasy elements. Generally speaking, the men sounded relatively like products of their time but the women sounded contemporary. It’s possible that this was a purposeful stylistic choice that the author made, but I didn’t like it. If this is the sort of thing that doesn’t bother you, though, you may like it.
One of the most powerful parts of the novel was the relationship between the two POV characters, Catherine (in this novel called “Lina”, short for the Spanish version of her name, Catalina) and Anne. Their relationship evolves from hatred to grudging mutual respect to a true friendship. I did feel that the ending of the book somewhat cheapened that selling point of the novel, unfortunately, as well as somewhat undermining the overall message of the book about women teaming up to protect other women from men.
It was nice to read a fantasy novel that focused on all the female characters but was not primarily a romance, though. Interestingly, Anne of Kleves is portrayed as a lesbian in this alternate history. Some people may think this was just shoehorned into the story to make there be more queer characters, but I thought it added to the story well. The point of the novel as a whole seems to be that it’s telling an alternate “true” story of Henry’s wives that were overlooked by history. It’s a reasonable reason to have in this version for why the marriage between Anne and Henry was never consummated, but again, if you care a lot about historical accuracy it may irritate you.
My most significant history issue is the way in which Katherine Howard’s relationships are portrayed. Her relationship with Francis Dereham, who was 32 when she was 15, is portrayed as consensual and loving, despite the occasional sentences by the other main characters condemning men who pursue girls just after they started having their periods. There’s also no mention of Henry Mannox’s molestation of/”relationship with” Katherine. She had few POV chapters in this book and her history is not really talked about much, so I’m left wondering if it was truly necessary to have her as a POV character. She also has the only sex scene that’s described on-page (with her lover of a close age, not Dereham or Mannox), and it seems as if the narrative wants to portray her as promiscuous and flighty as her primary character traits. For a novel that is ostensibly supposed to be feminist, this seems to me to be a poor way to handle the character of a girl who was groomed by up to three older men (depending on whether you’re considering her relationship with Henry grooming, which you certainly could).
If you’re looking for a fairly lighthearted fantasy novel that feels like the fantasy version of Six (although with less acknowledgement of how Katherine Howard was groomed) you may enjoy this one. If you’re looking for something grounded in history or that reads like a period drama, you may want to pass it up.
Henry Tudor Must Die releases July 21 from Berkley Publishing Group. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and Jillian Laine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received and advance copy from NetGalley
As an avid reader of both nonfiction history and historical fiction, I’ve read many well-researched books set in Tudor England, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to read an alternate history/fantasy centered on the Tudors. What intrigued me most was knowing from the start that this would not be a traditional Tudor story. And while Henry Tudor is prominent in the title, the novel is really an entertaining revisionist story about the women in his life who wanted him dead.
What worked for me most was the author’s willingness to fully embrace the fantasy elements while reimagining these historical women in ways that felt fresh and engaging. The rumor that Anne Boleyn was a witch is woven directly into the story, and her powers are used not only for revenge but also for good. I also appreciated that Anne was allowed to recognize her own faults and grow as a character.
The portrayal of Catherine of Aragon (“Lina”) was another strength. She is often written as cold, aloof, or rigidly religious, but here she is shown as strong while also caring, generous, and forgiving. The story avoids reducing her Catholic faith to intolerance, which made her characterization feel more nuanced. I also appreciated the author’s inclusion of same-sex relationships as something natural and historically plausible, rather than treated as modern invention.
The depictions of Anne of Cleves and Catherine Parr were highlights for me as well. Their roles in this version of the story were compelling, and I especially liked the broader theme that a woman’s value is not tied solely to bearing children. Some reviewers have criticized the book for being “full of feminist views,” but that was actually part of what made it appealing to me. It gives today’s readers a chance to see these women in a positive, feminist light, rather than solely through historical narratives so often shaped by male writers. As a historical fantasy, it isn’t trying to replicate the social attitudes or events of the period exactly, and I enjoyed that contemporary perspective.
There were, however, a few things that held it back for me. At times, the pacing dragged, and I found myself wanting more dramatic action and stronger visual details. In several scenes, the book relied too much on telling readers what to feel instead of letting the story create that emotional response on its own.
I was also uncomfortable with the references to the relationship between Catherine Howard (“Kat”) and Francis Dereham without acknowledging the significant age difference between them—she was in her early teens, while he was in his thirties. This could have been an effective opportunity to address how young girls have historically been groomed, exploited, and abused, especially in contrast with the similarly troubling age gap between Kat and Henry VIII.
Spoiler:
The introduction of the character Gisa felt abrupt and somewhat contrived. I wanted more explanation about who she was, why she mattered, and how she fit into the larger story. I was also a little disappointed by the ending. I had been looking forward to seeing the future of Lina and Anne, along with Kat, Anna, and Marguerite, and the good they might go on to accomplish together.
As an avid reader of both nonfiction history and historical fiction, I’ve read many well-researched books set in Tudor England, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to read an alternate history/fantasy centered on the Tudors. What intrigued me most was knowing from the start that this would not be a traditional Tudor story. And while Henry Tudor is prominent in the title, the novel is really an entertaining revisionist story about the women in his life who wanted him dead.
What worked for me most was the author’s willingness to fully embrace the fantasy elements while reimagining these historical women in ways that felt fresh and engaging. The rumor that Anne Boleyn was a witch is woven directly into the story, and her powers are used not only for revenge but also for good. I also appreciated that Anne was allowed to recognize her own faults and grow as a character.
The portrayal of Catherine of Aragon (“Lina”) was another strength. She is often written as cold, aloof, or rigidly religious, but here she is shown as strong while also caring, generous, and forgiving. The story avoids reducing her Catholic faith to intolerance, which made her characterization feel more nuanced. I also appreciated the author’s inclusion of same-sex relationships as something natural and historically plausible, rather than treated as modern invention.
The depictions of Anne of Cleves and Catherine Parr were highlights for me as well. Their roles in this version of the story were compelling, and I especially liked the broader theme that a woman’s value is not tied solely to bearing children. Some reviewers have criticized the book for being “full of feminist views,” but that was actually part of what made it appealing to me. It gives today’s readers a chance to see these women in a positive, feminist light, rather than solely through historical narratives so often shaped by male writers. As a historical fantasy, it isn’t trying to replicate the social attitudes or events of the period exactly, and I enjoyed that contemporary perspective.
There were, however, a few things that held it back for me. At times, the pacing dragged, and I found myself wanting more dramatic action and stronger visual details. In several scenes, the book relied too much on telling readers what to feel instead of letting the story create that emotional response on its own.
I was also uncomfortable with the references to the relationship between Catherine Howard (“Kat”) and Francis Dereham without acknowledging the significant age difference between them—she was in her early teens, while he was in his thirties. This could have been an effective opportunity to address how young girls have historically been groomed, exploited, and abused, especially in contrast with the similarly troubling age gap between Kat and Henry VIII.
Spoiler:
The introduction of the character Gisa felt abrupt and somewhat contrived. I wanted more explanation about who she was, why she mattered, and how she fit into the larger story. I was also a little disappointed by the ending. I had been looking forward to seeing the future of Lina and Anne, along with Kat, Anna, and Marguerite, and the good they might go on to accomplish together.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I've read a lot of Henry VIII-related books recently - I've even tentatively started working on my own - and it's a theme I'm finding very enjoyable, but there is a risk of there being too many, but this one sounded fresh. And add a bit of magic and everyone's happy.
As someone who lives in Hertfordshire, I love that Jillian has kept the historical element of Hatfield, a part of Tudor history that seems to get ignored.
There are footnotes and whilst they're interesting, you wouldn't be at a disadvantage if you didn't read them.
The narration flits between Lina and Anna and whilst it does say at the start of each chapter whose POV it is, I only noticed it about half way through. It reads as if its own POV and so I don't think it's necessarily needed.
It's written as if someone other than the characters is speaking to us. The whole book is like a story within another story inside this book....that'll make sense once you read it.
It does get a little slow and repetitive about 30-35% of the way through. Not much happens, and what does happen, happens over and over again. Which is fine. It is needed in context of hte overall story. But it did get slightly boring in parts. I think it would have benefited by being a bit shorter. Make some scenes more concise and less repetitive because at 400 pages, it's not especially long, but it was stretched a bit thing at times.
I liked the angle of this. Yes it gives us the female perspective, but she hasn't just rehashed the original Henry VIII story from the women's side. She has made them powerful and stars in their own right.
What is weird is that earlier I read The Beheading Game, which is another book about Anne surviving her execution, only to team up with other women in order to kill the King. Which in effect, is what this book is - with some magical details. That's fine, ideas are bound to get repeated and I have no problems with that. The only problem is I LOVED The Beheading Game and whilst I try not to compare books in reviews, sometimes it's difficult not to, especially when they've been read close together. And I have to say, whilst this was really good and I very much enjoyed it, it didn't quite have the same spark as the other.
I believe this is Jillian's debut novel, which is impressive as it is very good and promises a very good career.
The story is interesting, the characters well written, and the storytelling good. It does have pacing issues and is quite same at times, and unfortunately struggles under the weight of previous books read on the same topic. But it does hold a lot of promise. She's managed to give us the true historical aspects, but weaved the fun, magic, and witchy stuff into it which elevated it above the same story we already know.
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I've read a lot of Henry VIII-related books recently - I've even tentatively started working on my own - and it's a theme I'm finding very enjoyable, but there is a risk of there being too many, but this one sounded fresh. And add a bit of magic and everyone's happy.
As someone who lives in Hertfordshire, I love that Jillian has kept the historical element of Hatfield, a part of Tudor history that seems to get ignored.
There are footnotes and whilst they're interesting, you wouldn't be at a disadvantage if you didn't read them.
The narration flits between Lina and Anna and whilst it does say at the start of each chapter whose POV it is, I only noticed it about half way through. It reads as if its own POV and so I don't think it's necessarily needed.
It's written as if someone other than the characters is speaking to us. The whole book is like a story within another story inside this book....that'll make sense once you read it.
It does get a little slow and repetitive about 30-35% of the way through. Not much happens, and what does happen, happens over and over again. Which is fine. It is needed in context of hte overall story. But it did get slightly boring in parts. I think it would have benefited by being a bit shorter. Make some scenes more concise and less repetitive because at 400 pages, it's not especially long, but it was stretched a bit thing at times.
I liked the angle of this. Yes it gives us the female perspective, but she hasn't just rehashed the original Henry VIII story from the women's side. She has made them powerful and stars in their own right.
What is weird is that earlier I read The Beheading Game, which is another book about Anne surviving her execution, only to team up with other women in order to kill the King. Which in effect, is what this book is - with some magical details. That's fine, ideas are bound to get repeated and I have no problems with that. The only problem is I LOVED The Beheading Game and whilst I try not to compare books in reviews, sometimes it's difficult not to, especially when they've been read close together. And I have to say, whilst this was really good and I very much enjoyed it, it didn't quite have the same spark as the other.
I believe this is Jillian's debut novel, which is impressive as it is very good and promises a very good career.
The story is interesting, the characters well written, and the storytelling good. It does have pacing issues and is quite same at times, and unfortunately struggles under the weight of previous books read on the same topic. But it does hold a lot of promise. She's managed to give us the true historical aspects, but weaved the fun, magic, and witchy stuff into it which elevated it above the same story we already know.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hell hath no fury like the ex-wives of Henry Tudor in this feminist historical reimagining of the lives of these infamous women. Dead and “beheaded,” respectively, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn move through the shadows to right the wrongs done to them, and other women, by their abusive husband. This novel examines gender equality against the backdrop of a profoundly inequitable historical period, illustrating how strong, independent women can come together to harness their resilience and agency to uplift not only themselves but other women as well.
As a lover of Tudor history, I was really excited to receive an ARC of this title. However, I was ultimately disappointed with the story itself. Painted as a tale of revenge and murder, I was expecting more of a dark historical thriller. The story of revenge on Henry takes a backseat to a larger tale of saving witches across Europe for a large chunk of the book, which although interesting, took me out of the Tudor narrative completely. Catherine and Anne could have been any women working for the Hellebore Sisterhood. This disjointed section created issues with the book’s overall pacing, which I found started strong but then dragged on, ultimately finishing with a whimper rather than a bang. I thought the author did a good job of placing the characters in her imagined world and readers looking for a slower paced historical reimagining will likely enjoy the world-building. The other glaring issue I found with this book is the tendency to have much of the action either occur “off screen” or to rush through it. The relationship between Catherine and Anne, their time saving witches, the take down of Henry’s lackeys, and Henry’s demise were mostly told rather than shown, or reduced to brief moments of action surrounded by exposition.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a feminist story of friendship and magic set in a historical period. However, anyone looking for a thrilling story of vengeance against one of history’s worst husbands might not find what they are looking for.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Jillian Laine for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
As a lover of Tudor history, I was really excited to receive an ARC of this title. However, I was ultimately disappointed with the story itself. Painted as a tale of revenge and murder, I was expecting more of a dark historical thriller. The story of revenge on Henry takes a backseat to a larger tale of saving witches across Europe for a large chunk of the book, which although interesting, took me out of the Tudor narrative completely. Catherine and Anne could have been any women working for the Hellebore Sisterhood. This disjointed section created issues with the book’s overall pacing, which I found started strong but then dragged on, ultimately finishing with a whimper rather than a bang. I thought the author did a good job of placing the characters in her imagined world and readers looking for a slower paced historical reimagining will likely enjoy the world-building. The other glaring issue I found with this book is the tendency to have much of the action either occur “off screen” or to rush through it. The relationship between Catherine and Anne, their time saving witches, the take down of Henry’s lackeys, and Henry’s demise were mostly told rather than shown, or reduced to brief moments of action surrounded by exposition.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a feminist story of friendship and magic set in a historical period. However, anyone looking for a thrilling story of vengeance against one of history’s worst husbands might not find what they are looking for.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Jillian Laine for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
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