Henry Tudor Must Die

by Jillian Laine

One 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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Historical Fantasy, Adult, Fiction, Alternate History

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Jillian 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.

Reviews

[Liana Gold]

Divorced, 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

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[destiny ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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!!!

[Beka]

Um, 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.

[Kelly Busley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Caryl Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lilly - Fantasyandfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*, review to come

[Mai H.]

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley

[Cherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Courtney H · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[amandarose_mil · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[chapter30_april · Rating 4 out of 5]

★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 🤭💀

[BookishKB · Rating 3 out of 5]

👑✨ 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.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Amanda Hess · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Jillian Laine for the advanced reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately intrigued by the title and premise, especially as a fan of historical fiction with strong female leads. Two of Henry VIII’s wives escape death and plot their revenge against him. Living in Spain, they trade royal luxury for quieter lives spent rescuing witches and mystics from persecution. I expected a fast-paced, dark novel and eagerly dove in.

The story opens with surprising wit and brisk pacing. I was quickly drawn in by the tension of the imminent execution and the mysterious stranger who appears to save Anne. I also appreciated the subplot centered on educating and protecting women from brutality at the hands of the pseudo-pious and the cruel. The novel is filled with strong, intelligent women, which was one of its greatest strengths for me.

Around the 30% mark, however, my engagement began to wane slightly as the pacing slowed and the focus shifted more toward the evolving relationship between the two former queens. While the bond between them was thoughtfully developed, I found myself missing the urgency and energy of the opening chapters. The footnotes were consistently relevant and often very funny, which helped maintain engagement.

Jillian Laine is clearly a talented writer. The dialogue feels natural, and the descriptions are vivid without being overdone—I could easily picture each scene. The characters, however, felt somewhat distant to me, possibly because of my familiarity with their historical counterparts. Capturing such well-known figures is no easy task, and I appreciated the balance between storytelling and characterization. I appreciated the direction the author chose, even if it didn’t fully align with my expectations.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially stories centered on strong female relationships or enemies-to-friends arcs, will likely find this especially rewarding. Those seeking a darker or more fast-paced narrative may find it less compelling.

Overall, I found this to be a thoughtful and enjoyable read, even if it didn’t fully deliver on the darker, faster-paced tone I initially expected. I’ve rated it 3 out of 5 stars.

[RavenCantRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry Tudor Must Die

If Six, the jukebox musical, was set in a fantasy AU where Anne Boleyn faked her own death and somehow this world took itself less seriously, you’d get this book.

As someone who has had a fascination with Tudor history since adolescence I thought that this would be a great, fun read that would fit into a specific niche of witches and tudors and my love for Ann Boleyn but, sadly, this fell very flat for me.

The characterization of the two main characters, Catherine (Lina) of Aragon and Anne Boleyn felt like I was reading two modern young girls instead of established women (and queens) in the 1500s. The concept of Catherine of Aragon just…joining witches when she was a staunch Catholic sounded intriguing in premise but there is absolutely no discussion of her faith and how she grappled with it, she just didn’t care about this core part of her personality. Anne’s portrayed as scheming with magic to alter Henry and his decisions and none of it is attributed to her brilliance and wit, just magic. I felt it took a lot away from the real women that inspired the story.

The story itself is all tell and no show. Around 20% the queens begin to go on side quests that aren’t even fully described, you’re just told about them after the fact, and then go all around 45% the meat of the plot hits but even then it feels very superficial. We don’t delve into how Anne or Lina feel, outside of their anger.

Kat Howard’s relationship with Francis Dereham is also completely inaccurate and is portrayed as romantic, consensual and a love story etc when in reality he was a 32 year old man and she was 15. The changes to that relationship, and other ways Katherine is characterized, feel like they’re in direct contrast to the feminist “message” and tone of the book itself.

If you want something fun, entirely historically inaccurate, and don’t know much about the Tutors then give this book a shot. But if you want even a crumb of accuracy in characterization of Anne or Catherine then this probably isn’t for you.

Thanks Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Katie Bogdan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

I am so torn about this book. On the one hand, the concept of Henry's wives taking the reins and enacting their revenge with the help of a secret female society that has magic is absolutely fantastic. On the other hand, most of the excitement is sucked out of this retelling through one-dimensional characterization, tons of telling and not showing in regards to large swathes of the plot, and a few historical changes that left me feeling uncomfortable.

I will say the beginning of this novel really had me thinking this was going to be a win - we have character reveals, witchcraft, and machinations galore! However, most of the book is then taken up with a series of side quests that somehow completely drive the plot, but are mostly described as occurring off-page. This would be fine if we had really dug deep into the characters and their growth; however, these ripe opportunities were squandered in favor of a fairly surface-level reading of these relationships. Despite these issues, I still found myself enjoying the read.

What ended up souring me on this book was the choice by the author to frame Katherine Howard's relationship with Francis Dereham as a consensual romance between two teenagers when in actuality, he was 32 and she was only 15. Why, in a book that explicitly states that its entire mission is about giving agency and power back to these women defined by their horrible relationships with men, are we glossing over and romanticizing this relationship? As someone who literally reenacts Tudor history for a living, this is a particular pet peeve of mine and it disappointed me incredibly to see it happen in a retelling that, based on the fact that it is literally an alternative history, could have taken the opportunity to deepen the story by calling this out as wrong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

[RobbyReadsActually · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Jillian Laine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book rating: 3
Release Date: 7/21/2026

I want to start by saying I absolutely love the cover of this book. It's one of the reasons I wanted to read it. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but here we are. Secondly, the premise of this book is absolutely fantastic. I love any media set in the Tudor era and the concept of all of Henry's wives teaming up to take him down is *chefs kiss* I loved the magic system that was incorporated and the alternating perspectives from all of the queens was another plus.

With that said, there were some things that didn't completely do it for me. The pacing was a bit odd for in parts, and I think the book sometimes suffered from "telling rather than showing." The ending felt really abrupt as well. We spend the majority of the book recruiting and scheming against those that wronged them, but when it finally came down to it, it was over so quickly. The actual act of revenge against Henry lasted a short chapter and then we have Thomas Cranmer that was left unscathed. I guess I was just expecting more in terms of rage and vengeance, and I think the payoff wasn't completely worth it in the end. As someone else pointed out, the relationship between Katherine Howard and Francis Dereham was characterized as consensual even though she was 15 and he was 32 at the time. It seemed like a missed opportunity not to call out this imbalance of power.

Nevertheless, this was still a fun and entertaining read for me. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Tudor era retellings with a heavy dose of blood magic. If you are looking for a retelling that is faithful to history, keep in mind there are some historical inaccuracies.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful treat to bring Anne Boylen and Catherine of Aragon back to life - and restore their legacy to doing good for women! Both women have been vilified in history - men usually get to write the histories so is there any reason they don't come out nice - but maybe they had their own secrets and demons to resolve. This is a fun-filled historical fiction treat with magical realism, witchcraft, beautiful make-believe, and a feminist theme that is sure to delight a lot of readers.

We meet Anne on the day before her execution. She is being rescued by "Lina" AKA Catalina (Catherine of Aragon) and given magic to save her from beheading. It seems Anne already possessed this power, but she needed a boost. Lina had been sent by Marguerite of Angouleme who represents an order of medieval women, the Hellebore Sisters, she has assembled to fight misogyny and empower women. The two start of journey of building the sisterhood and meet others like the sister of Joan of Arc. But once Jane Seymour is dead, Lina and Anne return to England to complete their quest - as we know from history, Henry was a "bad" guy when it came to women. There they meet Anna of Kleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr.

This story is pure make-believe of course but it's such fun to read. However, when it comes to actual historical events, the book is spot on. I've always detested the period of history of Henry VIII because of his greed, the terrible men he surrounded himself with, and his despicable treatment of women - especially Catherine of Aragon - so I was happy to enter the world of make-believe and see him get his comeuppance!

This is a book for lovers of historical fiction who like to see history twisted to see the bad guys thwarted. Highly recommend.

I'd like to thank BookBrows/Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Jordan Ladouceur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the e-ARC!

4.5 ⭐️

There was almost no world in which I wasn't going to love Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Lane. Historical fiction, feminist themes, and the Tudor's??? You had me immediately.

(As someone who definitely spent far too many late nights deep diving Tudor history as a teen, this one felt especially personal and decadent🙃)

This novel blends historical fiction with a unique magical system and a secret society, creating a story that feels true to history and subversive in nature. You can tell the author did her research: the world is immersive, detailed, and richly rooted in the realities of English court in the 1500s (wouldn't I know...lol).

What stood out most to me was how deeply this story centers women. By weaving the narrative through the lives of real women, the Lane brings us into their inner worlds in a way that feels intimate, emotional, and unsettling. These aren't just figures in history, they feel real, complex, and painfully aware of the limitations placed on them.

Reading this as a woman, it was impossible not to draw connections between past and present. The novel highlights how far women have come since the 1500s, though it also reminds us of the ways patriarchal systems still reign. This made it feel entirely relevant, and definitely made me sit and think of the parallels I have experienced in my own life.

This was such an engaging, thought-provoking read filled with history, magic, and feminist rage... all things I will be sat for.

&& loved the fire captured in Anne Boleyn, as well as the narrator with her footnotes! (these unfortunately didn't display well in the e-ARC, but I can't wait to see them when the book releases in July!)

[Kate (k8tsreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if three of Henry VIII's wives didn't die? What if Anne Boleyn really was a witch? What if Katherine Parr only survived because she was part of a plot to kill Henry? What if Henry, in the end, was at the mercy of his wives?

Personally, I don't know how I feel about all those questions. But if I see a book about the Tudors, I read it. It's just as simple as that.

This book feels kind of like a pop science book written about an alternative history. Oh, and also with magic included. Pop science because the way it's written is very modern. The characters talk like they are from present day, and there is little time spent on descriptions of the political context or historical setting. Alternative history because...well, for obvious reasons. And it's fantasy, but like, in a way that doesn't feel super important to the story. And I'm still a little unsure about the decision to write Anne Boleyn as an actual witch.

There's something about historical fantasy books that focus on female societies of witches that is just getting...a little bit old to me? I think there are much more interesting ways to insert magic into a historical fiction. But this seems to be the strategy that so many authors fall back on for some reason. And it's just not the most interesting angle for me.

I found this book weak in a lot of ways, but my biggest disappointment was with the characters, which were flat and didn't have very unique personalities. Still, I thought it was a fairly quick, easy read, and a fun introduction to Henry VIII and his wives (as long as you go fact check things, because this book was certainly not historically accurate).

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for review
As a historical fiction/fantasy fan I was really excited to read Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine. This book puts a revenge driven feminist spin on the wives of Henry VIII.

We are introduced to the Hellebore sisterhood, a sisterhood dedicated to taking down the patriarchy. Throughout the book we see former wives of Henry VIII come together as a team, to take down the men in power, who ultimately lead to their demise, with the end goal being taking down Henry himself.

I did enjoy this book, it was a fun read with a great premise, if you enjoy the play 'Six' I think you'd really enjoy this.
This book does feature different POV's which I personally think worked well and allowed the reader to connect more with the characters and see different elements of the plot.

Personally, I did find the characters just a bit too modern for the time period, I understand the author was putting a witty spin on them, and Jillian definitely achieved that, but I think a bit more historical accuracy would have been good.
The pacing was also a bit up and down for me, there were some points that felt a bit 'filler' and other points that I would liked to have explored more.
We do see witchy elements in the book that are more practical than fantastical, which fit well in to the book, but if you are more of a 'magical witches and broomsticks' kind of fan, you might find this book to be a bit lackluster.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend for anyone wanting to get in to historical fiction.

[T. Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine is the kind of book that feels like a total guilty pleasure, in the best way possible. And the fact that this is a debut novel? Honestly, it makes it even more impressive. It reads with confidence and a sense of fun that many seasoned authors are still chasing.

I will admit I came into this one a little biased. I have always had a fascination with Henry VIII and the drama surrounding his six wives, so a fictionalized, revenge-driven take on that history was already right up my alley. What Laine does here is take that familiar framework and twist it into something that feels both playful and sharp. The idea that Catherine of Aragon secretly aids Anne Boleyn, forming an alliance to take control of their own narratives and plot revenge, is such a satisfying reimagining. It leans into the “what if” in a way that feels clever without losing sight of the emotional stakes.

Beyond the central revenge plot, I really appreciated the emphasis on sisterhood. There is a strong undercurrent of women supporting women, even in a setting where history often paints them as rivals. That dynamic adds another layer to the story and gives it more heart than you might expect going in.

At the end of the day, this is just a fun, engaging read. It does not take itself too seriously, but it still delivers on character, intrigue, and entertainment. If this is what Jillian Laine can do right out of the gate, she has a very bright future ahead.

Thank you to Jillian Laine, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[britta ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun with this fiesty historical retelling of Henry VIII’s wives, banding together in a feminist secret society for vengeance complete with witchcraft and swordplay. 👑 ⚔️

Highlights (mildly spoilery!)

-Catherine of Aragon (Lina) visiting Anne Boleyn in the tower to help save her from the gallows, and their eventual friendship

-Anna von Kleve tricking Henry so she doesn’t have to stay married to him and can be with her lover 😂

-Gisa D’Arc, defendant of Joan who can see the future and wields her sword

-all the delish little annotations from the author throughout the book

-Catherine Parr as an herbalist and poisoner ☠️

Lots of little surprises and details. Amazing debut!
I really enjoyed the character development and the fantasy aspects as well. This is a retelling and historical aspects are massaged a bit for the story. The beginning felt a bit slow in bits but it got going full steam. Read it in a day.

P.S. Based on hints in the story mentioning three queens I guessing there may be a future book with Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots?! If so I’m here for it!! 💖

Recommend if you liked the Mindf*ck series and you want a witchy standalone version.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkeley for the copy. All opinions my own.

CW: Blood magic and associated cuts, Death of characters, murder, discussion of miscarriage and child death, coerced marriage

[Charla Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.