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Queens of Elben #2
Six Savage Thrones
DIVIDED HE WINS, UNITED HE FALLS.
Six Savage Thrones is the heart-stopping epic fantasy sequel to the instant Sunday Times bestseller Six Wild Crowns - this is the Tudor Queens as you've never seen them before
The kingdom of Elben is in turmoil. One of its magical palaces lies in ruins at the bottom of the ocean and the king is on the hunt for the traitor Queen Seymour. He will not stop until he brings her to her knees.
No one would ever suspect Queen Howard of treachery or spy craft, but she is no longer content to be the king's songbird. She will see to Henry's downfall. But there is a new gentleman at court, one who seems to know more about her true motives than he should - is he friend or foe?
Queen Cleves has already survived a war. She knows what she must do to protect herself, but now she finds herself fighting a longing for another queen that is so fierce it might swallow her up.
Amidst the turmoil, King Henry's sister Cecilia vies for the power she has been denied. But the queens will soon learn they must work together to break the bonds that tie them to the king. For Henry is delving deeper into strange old magics, ones that could birth a monster.
Praise for the Queens of Elben
'A glittering, magnificent epic, dripping with menace and brimming with female empowerment. Absolutely incredible' Francesca May, author of Wild and Wicked Things
'A ferocious tale of female rage and the strength of sisterhood' S.A. MacLean, author of The Phoenix Keeper
'A beautifully written tale of resistance, rebellion, and sisterhood, with an ending that will leave you heartbroken and breathless for more' M. H. Ayinde, author of A Song of Legends Lost
'Six Wild Crowns is a beautiful feminist epic, a luscious and luminous read' Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
'Enchanting and brutal. Holly Race's prose, like her queens, sizzles with power and purpose' Frances White, author of Voyage of the Damned
'Fiercely imaginative and beautifully written' Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
'Six Wild Crowns is a blade sheathed in slick, sensuous, yet sharp enough to cut' Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black
Six Savage Thrones is the heart-stopping epic fantasy sequel to the instant Sunday Times bestseller Six Wild Crowns - this is the Tudor Queens as you've never seen them before
The kingdom of Elben is in turmoil. One of its magical palaces lies in ruins at the bottom of the ocean and the king is on the hunt for the traitor Queen Seymour. He will not stop until he brings her to her knees.
No one would ever suspect Queen Howard of treachery or spy craft, but she is no longer content to be the king's songbird. She will see to Henry's downfall. But there is a new gentleman at court, one who seems to know more about her true motives than he should - is he friend or foe?
Queen Cleves has already survived a war. She knows what she must do to protect herself, but now she finds herself fighting a longing for another queen that is so fierce it might swallow her up.
Amidst the turmoil, King Henry's sister Cecilia vies for the power she has been denied. But the queens will soon learn they must work together to break the bonds that tie them to the king. For Henry is delving deeper into strange old magics, ones that could birth a monster.
Praise for the Queens of Elben
'A glittering, magnificent epic, dripping with menace and brimming with female empowerment. Absolutely incredible' Francesca May, author of Wild and Wicked Things
'A ferocious tale of female rage and the strength of sisterhood' S.A. MacLean, author of The Phoenix Keeper
'A beautifully written tale of resistance, rebellion, and sisterhood, with an ending that will leave you heartbroken and breathless for more' M. H. Ayinde, author of A Song of Legends Lost
'Six Wild Crowns is a beautiful feminist epic, a luscious and luminous read' Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne
'Enchanting and brutal. Holly Race's prose, like her queens, sizzles with power and purpose' Frances White, author of Voyage of the Damned
'Fiercely imaginative and beautifully written' Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
'Six Wild Crowns is a blade sheathed in slick, sensuous, yet sharp enough to cut' Lyra Selene, author of A Feather So Black
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 30, 2026
The first book in the Queens of Elben trilogy, Six Wild Crowns, portrayed an alternate-history fantasy version of England that was deeply invested in the history that we all think we know about the Tudor dynasty, Henry VIII, and his really messy romantic and dynastic obsessions. But this trilogy takes that old memory rhyme about the fates of his six wives, “Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.” and turns it into an entirely different saga of a king who is magically bound to have six wives AT THE SAME TIME to help him maintain the protective border around his island kingdom.
Naturally, all is not as it initially seems, or this story wouldn’t be half so fascinating. Which it absolutely is. (Of course it is, the original material has been captivating the minds of historians and historical fiction readers for literally centuries!)
By putting a fantasy twist on this well-known historical saga, rather than a retelling, the author is able to not just show these events from the many important and available female perspectives, but to recast the story as something truly magical and, fascinatingly, potentially change the ending. Something that retellings are often loath to do.
So, instead of Henry’s six wives – and various mistresses – overlapping but mostly existing sequentially, all six wives are alive and queenly at the same time. The minute they start working together in Six Wild Crowns, instead of against each other as they’re intended to by the men in power, the story was off and running.
But they slipped under the ‘radar’ in that first book because Henry and his male advisors all underestimated them. As men do. Once the queens’ plan was revealed, the powers-that-be, again, meaning men, targeted the queens and their allies individually and collectively.
This second book is what happens while they are all in the king’s crosshairs. They know they are targets. He knows they are plotting. The situation is going to get bloodier, and it does.
At the same time, more is revealed about the situation in Elben as a whole. The country is literally rotting from within. The gods are not happy with this situation – at all – but the patriarchy’s god, Cernunnos, is rapacious and determined to hold onto his power through Henry no matter who or what gets sacrificed in their collective rampage. The queens’ patron goddess, Medren, may have right on her side, but she is a nurturing goddess whose first recourse is not violence. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if she reaches that point in the third book. The cliche about “nature, red in tooth and claw”, exists for a reason and this story is likely to get there before it can end.
This reader, at least, certainly hopes so, because this second book concludes in a very dark place under very desperate circumstances. The queens may be in mourning and on the run, but the future is still in their hands. They just need to seize it before it’s too late.
Escape Rating B+: This is the middle book in a projected trilogy. And, like most middle books, the situations are always darkest just before they turn completely black. So this isn’t exactly the fun part of the story. The quintessential ‘middle book’ is Tolkien’s The Two Towers, which ended with Frodo carried off as a potentially dead captive in Mordor as Sam, now the ringbearer, follows mournfully behind. Middle books don’t get any darker than that, although this one comes close.
Which is where that B+ rating comes in. Because I adored the first book in THIS trilogy, Six Wild Crowns. I HAD to find out what happened next because THAT story ended when the queens had just ripped the bandage off all of the lies the population of Elben have been brainwashed with for centuries. But they’ve also revealed their queenly conspiracy to their kingly enemy, Henry VIII, and lost one of their number in the process.
This is the part of the story where the noose tightens around all their remaining necks, even as they do their damndest to maneuver said noose around Henry’s instead. But Henry possesses ALL the levers of power as well as the magic he’s stolen from them, and he knows how to use both to his advantage much better than they do their own combined powers.
Part of what makes this trilogy work, at least so far, is the way that it gets inside the heads of each of the queens. Not all at once, because that would probably be too much of a split focus, but one or two – or in this case three.
Six Wild Crowns was told from the alternating perspectives of Queen (Anne) Boleyn and Queen (Jane) Seymour. In that opening story, we watched Boleyn maneuver her way into Henry’s bed, discover the truth of his power and her own her part in how that power was used and how he used his queens up in the process, seduced or manipulated (or both) Seymour and eventually the other queens into her nascent conspiracy, and pay the ultimate price for it.
This time we have three perspectives, Queen (Anne of) Cleves, maintaining her own heart and her own council but in the conspiracy up to her neck, Queen (Katharine) Howard, the youngest and most seemingly twitter-pated queen, the one who no one, not even Henry, believes has enough intelligence to understand the stakes, and a new/old player on the board, Dowager Queen Cecilia of Capetia (France). Cecilia is Henry’s younger sister, and stands in for the real historical Mary Tudor – who wasn’t, at least as far as history records her – nearly so bloodthirsty. Or psychopathic.
The inclusion of Cecilia both rewrites the history of the Tudors as we know them and provides a perspective aligned with the powers-that-be that doesn’t underestimate the queens because she is one herself. But also gives the reader a new character through whom we can see just how far Henry has fallen from the heroic older brother that Cecilia once loved.
Underlying the bloody, fascinating drama of the Tudors is a fantasy about old gods being replaced by new beliefs AND about a rebellion to overthrow the entire heteropatriarchy to right the balance. Which means that the romances that occur in this saga, while they may be mostly tragic – at least so far – also take place across the spectrum of human sexuality. That love is all there is is all we know of love – even when their world is crashing down around them.
In conclusion, a few final thoughts. First, IMHO this isn’t technically a romantasy. At this point in the story I’m not sure ANY of the participants have even the hope of a happy ending. This isn’t a happy story but the real life version wasn’t either. But I do think it has some of the same feels, so if you like your romantasy on the tragic side, there’s plenty of that going on so far.
Second, because this is a middle book, the story neither begins nor ends here. Meaning that readers absolutely should not start here. And, frankly, I wouldn’t blame anyone who hasn’t already started the trilogy for waiting until the third book comes out. This one ends in a literal hell of a place. Which is right and fitting and feels like the way the story should be going at this point, but dammit I wish I knew when the conclusion was coming because I’m gasping to see how it all ends.
An end which, as I’m writing this review, is nowhere in sight. YET.
Originally published at Reading Reality
Naturally, all is not as it initially seems, or this story wouldn’t be half so fascinating. Which it absolutely is. (Of course it is, the original material has been captivating the minds of historians and historical fiction readers for literally centuries!)
By putting a fantasy twist on this well-known historical saga, rather than a retelling, the author is able to not just show these events from the many important and available female perspectives, but to recast the story as something truly magical and, fascinatingly, potentially change the ending. Something that retellings are often loath to do.
So, instead of Henry’s six wives – and various mistresses – overlapping but mostly existing sequentially, all six wives are alive and queenly at the same time. The minute they start working together in Six Wild Crowns, instead of against each other as they’re intended to by the men in power, the story was off and running.
But they slipped under the ‘radar’ in that first book because Henry and his male advisors all underestimated them. As men do. Once the queens’ plan was revealed, the powers-that-be, again, meaning men, targeted the queens and their allies individually and collectively.
This second book is what happens while they are all in the king’s crosshairs. They know they are targets. He knows they are plotting. The situation is going to get bloodier, and it does.
At the same time, more is revealed about the situation in Elben as a whole. The country is literally rotting from within. The gods are not happy with this situation – at all – but the patriarchy’s god, Cernunnos, is rapacious and determined to hold onto his power through Henry no matter who or what gets sacrificed in their collective rampage. The queens’ patron goddess, Medren, may have right on her side, but she is a nurturing goddess whose first recourse is not violence. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if she reaches that point in the third book. The cliche about “nature, red in tooth and claw”, exists for a reason and this story is likely to get there before it can end.
This reader, at least, certainly hopes so, because this second book concludes in a very dark place under very desperate circumstances. The queens may be in mourning and on the run, but the future is still in their hands. They just need to seize it before it’s too late.
Escape Rating B+: This is the middle book in a projected trilogy. And, like most middle books, the situations are always darkest just before they turn completely black. So this isn’t exactly the fun part of the story. The quintessential ‘middle book’ is Tolkien’s The Two Towers, which ended with Frodo carried off as a potentially dead captive in Mordor as Sam, now the ringbearer, follows mournfully behind. Middle books don’t get any darker than that, although this one comes close.
Which is where that B+ rating comes in. Because I adored the first book in THIS trilogy, Six Wild Crowns. I HAD to find out what happened next because THAT story ended when the queens had just ripped the bandage off all of the lies the population of Elben have been brainwashed with for centuries. But they’ve also revealed their queenly conspiracy to their kingly enemy, Henry VIII, and lost one of their number in the process.
This is the part of the story where the noose tightens around all their remaining necks, even as they do their damndest to maneuver said noose around Henry’s instead. But Henry possesses ALL the levers of power as well as the magic he’s stolen from them, and he knows how to use both to his advantage much better than they do their own combined powers.
Part of what makes this trilogy work, at least so far, is the way that it gets inside the heads of each of the queens. Not all at once, because that would probably be too much of a split focus, but one or two – or in this case three.
Six Wild Crowns was told from the alternating perspectives of Queen (Anne) Boleyn and Queen (Jane) Seymour. In that opening story, we watched Boleyn maneuver her way into Henry’s bed, discover the truth of his power and her own her part in how that power was used and how he used his queens up in the process, seduced or manipulated (or both) Seymour and eventually the other queens into her nascent conspiracy, and pay the ultimate price for it.
This time we have three perspectives, Queen (Anne of) Cleves, maintaining her own heart and her own council but in the conspiracy up to her neck, Queen (Katharine) Howard, the youngest and most seemingly twitter-pated queen, the one who no one, not even Henry, believes has enough intelligence to understand the stakes, and a new/old player on the board, Dowager Queen Cecilia of Capetia (France). Cecilia is Henry’s younger sister, and stands in for the real historical Mary Tudor – who wasn’t, at least as far as history records her – nearly so bloodthirsty. Or psychopathic.
The inclusion of Cecilia both rewrites the history of the Tudors as we know them and provides a perspective aligned with the powers-that-be that doesn’t underestimate the queens because she is one herself. But also gives the reader a new character through whom we can see just how far Henry has fallen from the heroic older brother that Cecilia once loved.
Underlying the bloody, fascinating drama of the Tudors is a fantasy about old gods being replaced by new beliefs AND about a rebellion to overthrow the entire heteropatriarchy to right the balance. Which means that the romances that occur in this saga, while they may be mostly tragic – at least so far – also take place across the spectrum of human sexuality. That love is all there is is all we know of love – even when their world is crashing down around them.
In conclusion, a few final thoughts. First, IMHO this isn’t technically a romantasy. At this point in the story I’m not sure ANY of the participants have even the hope of a happy ending. This isn’t a happy story but the real life version wasn’t either. But I do think it has some of the same feels, so if you like your romantasy on the tragic side, there’s plenty of that going on so far.
Second, because this is a middle book, the story neither begins nor ends here. Meaning that readers absolutely should not start here. And, frankly, I wouldn’t blame anyone who hasn’t already started the trilogy for waiting until the third book comes out. This one ends in a literal hell of a place. Which is right and fitting and feels like the way the story should be going at this point, but dammit I wish I knew when the conclusion was coming because I’m gasping to see how it all ends.
An end which, as I’m writing this review, is nowhere in sight. YET.
Originally published at Reading Reality
June 23, 2026
With higher stakes, plenty of intrigue and (life threatening) challenges to wade through; Holly Race’s follow up to Six Wild Crowns was an empoweringly feminine exploration of politics, patriarchy and alternate Tudor history that I utterly ATE UP!
I will say, though this is does include characters based on historical figures and events, it is a fantasy first and foremost so don’t go into this expecting 100% accuracy. But if you enjoy reads that explore and reclaim women’s stories (by giving them voices, power and agency) then you’ll love this.
It’s intricate and lush, with magical lore surrounding female divinity (and the patriarchal rituals to surppress and steal it) that captured the emotional intensity and risks our Queens undertake. And, had me even more invested in their survival.
I don’t want to go into too much detail with the plot (for fear of spoilers), but I really liked Queens Howard, Cleves and Seymour, who have become such endearing and likeable FMCs. And the juxtaposition between new POV character, Cecilia (depraved sister of Elben’s King Henry) whose trajectory and lust for power was as intriguing as it was terrifying.
But one of the best parts for me, was the dynamics between our Queens. As they finally pool resources (and knowledge) to dismantle Henry’s oppressive rule, and showcased for some really impressive politicking. Even if I did have reservations on whether they’d remain loyal.
I also really liked Queen Howard and her transformation here. As Race strips back the naive, superficial persona and to explore the complexity and ambitions of a woman tired of being ridiculed and objectified. Cleves was pretty amazing too, and I enjoyed watching her savvy political manoeuvring in play (and growing dynamics with Seymour.)
Overall, a satisfyingly twisty and empowering read that’s perfect for fans of stories surrounding sisterhood, female rage and reclaiming power. But do check TWs beforehand.
Also, thanks to Nazia & Orbit Books UK for the HB copy.
I will say, though this is does include characters based on historical figures and events, it is a fantasy first and foremost so don’t go into this expecting 100% accuracy. But if you enjoy reads that explore and reclaim women’s stories (by giving them voices, power and agency) then you’ll love this.
It’s intricate and lush, with magical lore surrounding female divinity (and the patriarchal rituals to surppress and steal it) that captured the emotional intensity and risks our Queens undertake. And, had me even more invested in their survival.
I don’t want to go into too much detail with the plot (for fear of spoilers), but I really liked Queens Howard, Cleves and Seymour, who have become such endearing and likeable FMCs. And the juxtaposition between new POV character, Cecilia (depraved sister of Elben’s King Henry) whose trajectory and lust for power was as intriguing as it was terrifying.
But one of the best parts for me, was the dynamics between our Queens. As they finally pool resources (and knowledge) to dismantle Henry’s oppressive rule, and showcased for some really impressive politicking. Even if I did have reservations on whether they’d remain loyal.
I also really liked Queen Howard and her transformation here. As Race strips back the naive, superficial persona and to explore the complexity and ambitions of a woman tired of being ridiculed and objectified. Cleves was pretty amazing too, and I enjoyed watching her savvy political manoeuvring in play (and growing dynamics with Seymour.)
Overall, a satisfyingly twisty and empowering read that’s perfect for fans of stories surrounding sisterhood, female rage and reclaiming power. But do check TWs beforehand.
Also, thanks to Nazia & Orbit Books UK for the HB copy.
April 6, 2026
This was a great sequel to the first book in the Queens of Elben trilogy. We get more worldbuilding and although Boelyns no longer present, shes haunting the narrative and I loved that.
As someone who loves the Tudor era, I loved reading about my favourite queens carry on their stories. I especially loved Cleves and Seymour, their dynamic was absolutely perfect. The romance that was present through this story, especially through them was wonderful.
I also really appreciated that we saw more into Cecilia's mind. She's such a complex but important character and I'm really hoping in book three we see even more of her.
Also that ending??? I can't wait to see how this is going to play out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who loves the Tudor era, I loved reading about my favourite queens carry on their stories. I especially loved Cleves and Seymour, their dynamic was absolutely perfect. The romance that was present through this story, especially through them was wonderful.
I also really appreciated that we saw more into Cecilia's mind. She's such a complex but important character and I'm really hoping in book three we see even more of her.
Also that ending??? I can't wait to see how this is going to play out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2026
4.5 stars ⭐️
‘Let us all be very silly, Your Majesty. Let us wreak havoc with our silliness.’
After the ending of book one, I was equal parts excited and terrified to dive into Six Savage Thrones and somehow it managed to exceed all of my expectations. The main reason for my apprehension being the lack of Boleyn because oh how I adored her, but Holly Race manages to carry through her heart and her spirit magnificently through this sequel.
One of my favourite things about this series has been the exploration of the relationships between the queens and that continues here, with the bond between the sister-queens Cleves and Howard trancending to a whole new level. Their older/younger sister bond is one of the emotional anchors of the story and Holly Race does such a brilliant job of showing all of its complexities and the importance of this relationship through both characters’ povs. There is loyalty, frustration, love, sacrifice and moments that genuinely broke my heart. No matter how high the stakes became, I found myself constantly invested in their individual journeys and how their compassion and respect for eachother helped shape who they become.
And speaking of things I was invested in... the sapphic yearning we get a taste of in book one absolutely delivers here. Without spoiling anything, if you spent the first book desperately hoping certain feelings would be acknowledged, this sequel rewards your patience in the best way. The tension, the emotion, the payoff... perfection.
Cecilia was also a fantastic addition to the story. Sharp, determined and ambitious, she brings a completely different perspective to the narrative. I initially found her pov quite jarring because she is so removed from the queens’ ideology, but over the course of the book I found her endlessly compelling to follow. Watching her carry out her plans and discovering the truth behind the bordweal magic, I was constantly wondering which path she would ultimately decide to take.
You’ve probably seen me say this
multiple times already but this book was RELENTLESS. We pick up already in the midst of the consequences of Six Wild Crowns seriously dramatic ending and through to the final chapter, the queens are forced into impossible situations where every choice feels like a battle field comes with huge consequences. The stakes are sky-high throughout and there were multiple moments where I genuinely had no idea how anyone was going to survive what was happening. But Holly Race balances all of this action, political intrigue with softer moments with our favourite characters and relationships so that we get a few moments to breathe but gets every twist to land exactly where it needs to.
And then there is that ending.
I finished the final pages on a plane and genuinely had to stop myself from making a scene. I gasped, sat bolt upright in my seat and then spent the next few minutes quietly sobbing whilst staring out of the window. If you've read it, you know exactly why. Book three can not come soon enough!
Six Savage Thrones is dramatic, emotional, brutal and completely addictive. It expands everything that made book one so compelling whilst delivering satisfying character arcs with new povs, incredible relationship development and twists that left me reeling.
Some favourite quotes:
‘Next she must think to the future. Always ahead, for insanity lies behind.’
‘You will outwit us all in the end, little songbird,’
‘She knows pain, and she can bear it. She is a woman, after all.’
‘Six years of pleasuring men, and not once has she been pleasured in the way she now knows is possible. It calls for revenge, does it not?’
Thank you so much to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for this e-arc 🫶🏼
‘Let us all be very silly, Your Majesty. Let us wreak havoc with our silliness.’
After the ending of book one, I was equal parts excited and terrified to dive into Six Savage Thrones and somehow it managed to exceed all of my expectations. The main reason for my apprehension being the lack of Boleyn because oh how I adored her, but Holly Race manages to carry through her heart and her spirit magnificently through this sequel.
One of my favourite things about this series has been the exploration of the relationships between the queens and that continues here, with the bond between the sister-queens Cleves and Howard trancending to a whole new level. Their older/younger sister bond is one of the emotional anchors of the story and Holly Race does such a brilliant job of showing all of its complexities and the importance of this relationship through both characters’ povs. There is loyalty, frustration, love, sacrifice and moments that genuinely broke my heart. No matter how high the stakes became, I found myself constantly invested in their individual journeys and how their compassion and respect for eachother helped shape who they become.
And speaking of things I was invested in... the sapphic yearning we get a taste of in book one absolutely delivers here. Without spoiling anything, if you spent the first book desperately hoping certain feelings would be acknowledged, this sequel rewards your patience in the best way. The tension, the emotion, the payoff... perfection.
Cecilia was also a fantastic addition to the story. Sharp, determined and ambitious, she brings a completely different perspective to the narrative. I initially found her pov quite jarring because she is so removed from the queens’ ideology, but over the course of the book I found her endlessly compelling to follow. Watching her carry out her plans and discovering the truth behind the bordweal magic, I was constantly wondering which path she would ultimately decide to take.
You’ve probably seen me say this
multiple times already but this book was RELENTLESS. We pick up already in the midst of the consequences of Six Wild Crowns seriously dramatic ending and through to the final chapter, the queens are forced into impossible situations where every choice feels like a battle field comes with huge consequences. The stakes are sky-high throughout and there were multiple moments where I genuinely had no idea how anyone was going to survive what was happening. But Holly Race balances all of this action, political intrigue with softer moments with our favourite characters and relationships so that we get a few moments to breathe but gets every twist to land exactly where it needs to.
And then there is that ending.
I finished the final pages on a plane and genuinely had to stop myself from making a scene. I gasped, sat bolt upright in my seat and then spent the next few minutes quietly sobbing whilst staring out of the window. If you've read it, you know exactly why. Book three can not come soon enough!
Six Savage Thrones is dramatic, emotional, brutal and completely addictive. It expands everything that made book one so compelling whilst delivering satisfying character arcs with new povs, incredible relationship development and twists that left me reeling.
Some favourite quotes:
‘Next she must think to the future. Always ahead, for insanity lies behind.’
‘You will outwit us all in the end, little songbird,’
‘She knows pain, and she can bear it. She is a woman, after all.’
‘Six years of pleasuring men, and not once has she been pleasured in the way she now knows is possible. It calls for revenge, does it not?’
Thank you so much to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for this e-arc 🫶🏼
June 16, 2026
The queens of Elben are back, and this sequel absolutely delivers. Packed with political intrigue, dangerous magic, fierce female friendships, sapphic longing, and unforgettable twists, Six Savage Thrones had me completely enthralled from beginning to end.
Holly Race continues to weave a stunning story of resistance, power, and sisterhood, with characters who refuse to be confined by the roles they've been given. I particularly loved that Howard came into her own in this instalment. She learns to weaponise the fact that people underestimate her, transforming from a seemingly powerless queen into a formidable political player.
We are introduced to a new character who is very interesting to read 👀 Ambitious, complex, and often difficult to predict, she brings a fresh dynamic to the political landscape of Elben. I loved getting inside her head and seeing events unfold through her eyes, especially as her goals don't always align with those around her. She's the kind of character who keeps you questioning her motives, and I can't wait to see where her story goes next.
This sequel is darker, more emotionally complex, and more politically driven than its predecessor, raising the stakes in every possible way. The twists kept me hooked, the character development was fantastic, and now I'm desperately counting down the days until Book 3!
Holly Race continues to weave a stunning story of resistance, power, and sisterhood, with characters who refuse to be confined by the roles they've been given. I particularly loved that Howard came into her own in this instalment. She learns to weaponise the fact that people underestimate her, transforming from a seemingly powerless queen into a formidable political player.
We are introduced to a new character who is very interesting to read 👀 Ambitious, complex, and often difficult to predict, she brings a fresh dynamic to the political landscape of Elben. I loved getting inside her head and seeing events unfold through her eyes, especially as her goals don't always align with those around her. She's the kind of character who keeps you questioning her motives, and I can't wait to see where her story goes next.
This sequel is darker, more emotionally complex, and more politically driven than its predecessor, raising the stakes in every possible way. The twists kept me hooked, the character development was fantastic, and now I'm desperately counting down the days until Book 3!
June 18, 2026
It was really exciting to return to this alternate-England world and see how this unique reimagining of Henry VIII’s wives continued after the events of the first book.
Six Savage Thrones picks up soon after the first instalment, shifting focus onto different queens as they rally together against Henry’s unchecked power while navigating shifting alliances and dangerous political games. Henry’s sister, Cecilia, also takes on a more central role as she tries to carve out her own place within the balance of power. The story continues to centre the wives reclaiming agency and defying the roles forced upon them, with the dynamics between them and court politics driving much of the narrative.
I rated this 3 stars, as unfortunately I wasn’t as taken with it as I was with book one. It took me quite a while to get into the story. The slow pace combined with extended political manoeuvring that felt quite drawn out (even though it's something I usually really enjoy!) had me reading much slower than I expected. I also struggled with Cecilia as a character, despite feeling sympathy for her circumstances. Additionally, I think the marketing emphasis on dragons feels slightly misleading, as they play a very minor role in the story.
That said, I did enjoy certain character arcs, particularly Cleve and Seymour’s development, as well as Howard’s storyline and her step out of the shadows into a more active role in shaping her own future. The magic system remains interesting and I still really like Holly Race's writing style, so I will continue to read her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Six Savage Thrones picks up soon after the first instalment, shifting focus onto different queens as they rally together against Henry’s unchecked power while navigating shifting alliances and dangerous political games. Henry’s sister, Cecilia, also takes on a more central role as she tries to carve out her own place within the balance of power. The story continues to centre the wives reclaiming agency and defying the roles forced upon them, with the dynamics between them and court politics driving much of the narrative.
I rated this 3 stars, as unfortunately I wasn’t as taken with it as I was with book one. It took me quite a while to get into the story. The slow pace combined with extended political manoeuvring that felt quite drawn out (even though it's something I usually really enjoy!) had me reading much slower than I expected. I also struggled with Cecilia as a character, despite feeling sympathy for her circumstances. Additionally, I think the marketing emphasis on dragons feels slightly misleading, as they play a very minor role in the story.
That said, I did enjoy certain character arcs, particularly Cleve and Seymour’s development, as well as Howard’s storyline and her step out of the shadows into a more active role in shaping her own future. The magic system remains interesting and I still really like Holly Race's writing style, so I will continue to read her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 11, 2026
Many thanks to Orbit for the preview. All opinions are my own.
OMG THAT ENDING?! I am SCREAMING! My heart could barely handle this book, so I know it will just burst for book 3. But I need it now!
Six Savage Thrones is an incredible followup to Six Wild Crowns. (Slight spoilers for book 1 are likely). The tension is ratcheted way up, as are the stakes. Seriously, I was SO TENSE the entire time reading this book--edge of my seat, both barely able to continue and not able to put the book down. The queens are in the thick of their plots now, but Henry has more up his sleeve than they can anticipate. Trust is a rare commodity, and to trust the wrong person means death.
In this book we really focus on Cleves and Howard. We still see a good amount of Seymour, but she's not a POV character in this book. We also get Cecilia's POV (Henry's younger sister, modeled on his real youngest sister Mary). Cecilia is a real piece of work. I hated her, but we also see an even darker side of her family through her. Cleves is clever, but her walls are so freaking high, and she shows her real self to no one. And oh Howard. She absolutely broke my heart. Her character growth and journey throughout this book was my favorite. I desperately miss Boleyn, but Howard is now my favorite of the queens.
This book covers a lot of really dark topics, so take care while reading. But damn they're all handled so well. The trauma these women have all been through is insane, but seeing them come out the other side is amazing. Though it's no where near done yet! Like I said the end is absolutely insane. I can't even imagine what Race has in store for us in the final book, but I am feral for it.
Highly recommended!!
OMG THAT ENDING?! I am SCREAMING! My heart could barely handle this book, so I know it will just burst for book 3. But I need it now!
Six Savage Thrones is an incredible followup to Six Wild Crowns. (Slight spoilers for book 1 are likely). The tension is ratcheted way up, as are the stakes. Seriously, I was SO TENSE the entire time reading this book--edge of my seat, both barely able to continue and not able to put the book down. The queens are in the thick of their plots now, but Henry has more up his sleeve than they can anticipate. Trust is a rare commodity, and to trust the wrong person means death.
In this book we really focus on Cleves and Howard. We still see a good amount of Seymour, but she's not a POV character in this book. We also get Cecilia's POV (Henry's younger sister, modeled on his real youngest sister Mary). Cecilia is a real piece of work. I hated her, but we also see an even darker side of her family through her. Cleves is clever, but her walls are so freaking high, and she shows her real self to no one. And oh Howard. She absolutely broke my heart. Her character growth and journey throughout this book was my favorite. I desperately miss Boleyn, but Howard is now my favorite of the queens.
This book covers a lot of really dark topics, so take care while reading. But damn they're all handled so well. The trauma these women have all been through is insane, but seeing them come out the other side is amazing. Though it's no where near done yet! Like I said the end is absolutely insane. I can't even imagine what Race has in store for us in the final book, but I am feral for it.
Highly recommended!!
July 5, 2026
I will never get tired of a Tudor history x fantasy mashup. It’s the perfect combination of two of my favourite things, and Six Savage Thrones continues to deliver. Picking up directly where Six Wild Crowns left off, everything is dialled up from the first book. The worldbuilding, the scheming, the court politics, and the intrigue all feel even bigger.
One of my favourite parts of this series continues to be the queens themselves. I loved returning to Elben and spending more time with Aragon, Cleves, Parr, Howard, and Seymour. Every queen feels completely distinct, each with her own voice, motivations, and journey. Cleves and Howard, in particular, had some fantastic character development in this book.
We also meet Cecilia, Henry’s sister, who is delightfully chaotic. She’s definitely a character you love to hate, and honestly… I’m always here supporting women’s wrongs as much as women’s rights.
My only real criticism is that this one was noticeably slower paced, so it took me a little longer to become fully invested. That said, the final 25% absolutely flew by, and now I can’t wait to see how this trilogy comes to its conclusion.
Thank you so much to Orbit for the eARC and finished copy!
One of my favourite parts of this series continues to be the queens themselves. I loved returning to Elben and spending more time with Aragon, Cleves, Parr, Howard, and Seymour. Every queen feels completely distinct, each with her own voice, motivations, and journey. Cleves and Howard, in particular, had some fantastic character development in this book.
We also meet Cecilia, Henry’s sister, who is delightfully chaotic. She’s definitely a character you love to hate, and honestly… I’m always here supporting women’s wrongs as much as women’s rights.
My only real criticism is that this one was noticeably slower paced, so it took me a little longer to become fully invested. That said, the final 25% absolutely flew by, and now I can’t wait to see how this trilogy comes to its conclusion.
Thank you so much to Orbit for the eARC and finished copy!
June 10, 2026
'Howard has been called a goddess by many men, her husband included. But what they was meant was: you make me feel like a god. You are a goddess by right of belonging to me. She wants to own herself. She deserves to own herself.'
I was a huge fan of book one of the Queens of Elben and book two has not disappointed me at all. Race's writing is well-paced, gorgeous and engaging and I was once again immersed in the beautiful, deadly world of Elben and its Queens. We follow five queens as they work together to take down the king who has stolen their goddess' magic. In this novel we follow Howard, Cleves, and Henry's dastardly sister, Cecilia. The stakes are even higher, the sapphic yearning even more intoxicating, and the rebellion even hotter. Cleves is my favourite Queen in this series and I was so happy to read her perspective and get to know her more. Howard has grown on me immensely in this book, whilst young and naïve, she really has grown in this sequel and I can't wait to see where her arc leads.
Overall, a beautifully written sequel with gorgeous prose, high stakes, and a sprinkle of sapphic romance.
Ms Race I know pain, and I can bear it, but that ending! I am an angry queen (iykyk).
Thank you Little Brown Books and Holly Race for the ARC!
I was a huge fan of book one of the Queens of Elben and book two has not disappointed me at all. Race's writing is well-paced, gorgeous and engaging and I was once again immersed in the beautiful, deadly world of Elben and its Queens. We follow five queens as they work together to take down the king who has stolen their goddess' magic. In this novel we follow Howard, Cleves, and Henry's dastardly sister, Cecilia. The stakes are even higher, the sapphic yearning even more intoxicating, and the rebellion even hotter. Cleves is my favourite Queen in this series and I was so happy to read her perspective and get to know her more. Howard has grown on me immensely in this book, whilst young and naïve, she really has grown in this sequel and I can't wait to see where her arc leads.
Overall, a beautifully written sequel with gorgeous prose, high stakes, and a sprinkle of sapphic romance.
Ms Race I know pain, and I can bear it, but that ending! I am an angry queen (iykyk).
Thank you Little Brown Books and Holly Race for the ARC!
Want to Read
March 24, 2026👑🔥 Six Savage Thrones by Holly Race 🔥👑
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🖤 What to Expect
• Court politics
• Sapphic longing
• Dragons
• Power struggle
_ __ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
🖤 What to Expect
• Court politics
• Sapphic longing
• Dragons
• Power struggle
_ __ _ _
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
June 10, 2026
The best little lap dragon, angry Queens, and lesbian yearning - need I say more?
The worldbuilding certainly continues to grow as this series progresses, with more cultural and religious elements referenced, more geographical locations, and more fantasy components! Act One, going into Act Two, really started to deepen my interest in the story.
We have some new POV’s as this series continues, with my favourite being Queen Howard. I believe I would have enjoyed this story even more if I had read book one directly beforehand to retain all the character information and some of the story elements. However, this story still managed to bring tears to my eyes.
Thank you to Orbit Books | Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC of Six Savage Thrones by Holly Race.
The worldbuilding certainly continues to grow as this series progresses, with more cultural and religious elements referenced, more geographical locations, and more fantasy components! Act One, going into Act Two, really started to deepen my interest in the story.
We have some new POV’s as this series continues, with my favourite being Queen Howard. I believe I would have enjoyed this story even more if I had read book one directly beforehand to retain all the character information and some of the story elements. However, this story still managed to bring tears to my eyes.
Thank you to Orbit Books | Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC of Six Savage Thrones by Holly Race.
June 22, 2026
I recieved an ARC of this from Netgalley and proceeded to purchase a copy.
I really love this feminist retelling of the wives of King Henry VIII. I love how all the wives feel like distinct and different characters. They all have their own drives and goals and that plays out well in the story. I loved how this book gave us the perspective of three different characters to the first book and I feel that really drove the story forward. I loved how we got to see more of the creatures in this world in this book and how the magic is being used differently by the different sides of this silent war. I cannot wait to finish out this trilogy whenever the next book comes.
I really love this feminist retelling of the wives of King Henry VIII. I love how all the wives feel like distinct and different characters. They all have their own drives and goals and that plays out well in the story. I loved how this book gave us the perspective of three different characters to the first book and I feel that really drove the story forward. I loved how we got to see more of the creatures in this world in this book and how the magic is being used differently by the different sides of this silent war. I cannot wait to finish out this trilogy whenever the next book comes.
June 7, 2026
4.5 stars rounded because it took a while to click for me but OH WHEN IT DID.
We are with three entirely new POVs for this installment and I won’t lie and say it didn’t take me a time to adjust to their perspectives. But watching every character grow and seeing old narrators through the new narrators’ eyes was enthralling. Cleves and Howard take over as our new main queens and I’m fascinated to see if the third book in the trilogy lets us see through Aragon and Parr’s eyes.
HEAVY TRIGGER WARNING involving child bride, adult/minor relationships, and graphic sexual content relating to both. My main qualm with this book is how queasy I felt reading a lot of Howard’s perspective and her “relationship” with Henry. Girl is a girl, a literal child, who has been taught her only asset is her beauty and her body and seeing how the men around her, including her LITERAL HUSBAND, treat her – nausea inducing. Be aware that the author does not shy away from the details.
The feminist message may be a touch on the nose but nevertheless so incredibly powerful and necessary. As a Tudor history nerd, I love how this author takes stereotypes, myths, and quotes attributed to our main players and turns them on their head. And on a sentence level, the prose is absolutely stunning. Growth on growth on growth, for characters, story, and worldbuilding.
The ending takes this story in a direction I’m not sure I’m excited about (think eugh-creepy not excited rather than bleagh-boring not excited) but I will 100% be seated for it.
Content warning: sexual assault and abuse, multiple adult/minor relationships, emotional/domestic abuse, body horror, grief.
*Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!*
We are with three entirely new POVs for this installment and I won’t lie and say it didn’t take me a time to adjust to their perspectives. But watching every character grow and seeing old narrators through the new narrators’ eyes was enthralling. Cleves and Howard take over as our new main queens and I’m fascinated to see if the third book in the trilogy lets us see through Aragon and Parr’s eyes.
HEAVY TRIGGER WARNING involving child bride, adult/minor relationships, and graphic sexual content relating to both. My main qualm with this book is how queasy I felt reading a lot of Howard’s perspective and her “relationship” with Henry. Girl is a girl, a literal child, who has been taught her only asset is her beauty and her body and seeing how the men around her, including her LITERAL HUSBAND, treat her – nausea inducing. Be aware that the author does not shy away from the details.
The feminist message may be a touch on the nose but nevertheless so incredibly powerful and necessary. As a Tudor history nerd, I love how this author takes stereotypes, myths, and quotes attributed to our main players and turns them on their head. And on a sentence level, the prose is absolutely stunning. Growth on growth on growth, for characters, story, and worldbuilding.
The ending takes this story in a direction I’m not sure I’m excited about (think eugh-creepy not excited rather than bleagh-boring not excited) but I will 100% be seated for it.
Content warning: sexual assault and abuse, multiple adult/minor relationships, emotional/domestic abuse, body horror, grief.
*Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Six Savage Thrones hits a lot of the same notes as the first book, but there are also a few elements that left me underwhelmed or just caught me off guard, like the ending. The third book is going to make or break the series for me, but just by reading this one I was reminded of how much I loved Six Wild Crowns.
In this second book, we follow Cleves and Howard. I didn’t like them as much as Boleyn and Seymour, but their characters and arcs were magnificently done. They ended the book as very different people than they were at the beginning, and you can track the change through every choice they were forced to make and every injustice they were forced to endure. Howard especially was a surprise. In the previous book, she was the youngest and silliest of the queens, and I love how she managed to come into her own without losing all of her sweetness. Cleves’s arc was less impactful for me, mostly because we are only told and not shown what has made her the fun-but-ruthless woman she is now, but I’ve been waiting for her romance since the first “my angry queen” was uttered in the previous book, and I was not disappointed. I only wish I could’ve seen it unfold from Seymour’s point of view, too, especially after following the trainwreck of her love life in the first book. The woman deserves some happiness.
Female empowerment is still the main theme of the story, with a lot of plotting and stratagems and politics. There are more sex scenes compared to the first book, and they are written quite well. One toward the end, involving two people who had never learned to express their desires due to abusive relationships, actually moved me, which is not something I ever thought I’d say about a sex scene. The action, unfortunately, wasn’t as good, and there was a lot of it, too. It is the one thing that negatively impacted my reading experience.
By that I mean both the proper action scenes – which are clearly there only to progress the plot without taking into account any question of realism, not to mention survivability – and all the elements leading to and following from those scenes. There are no consequences for some very careless acts by both the protagonists and antagonists, and if there are, they are brushed aside with a “I’ll have my people take care of it” comment and never mentioned again. People who, we are told, are very smart fail to take simple precautions or give their enemies liberties that inevitably backfire. I can only think the author had to hurry things along to set up everything for the finale, but it’s a real shame. At times, it even turned usually compelling characters into caricatures.
I’m not sure what I feel about the ending yet. It takes an unexpected and quite supernatural turn, but it’s not as if the series has lacked fantastical elements up to this point. Half the book is set in the castle of Plythe, which straddles a waterfall, and we briefly explore the city of Perfugi, built on solidified lava where the houses are made of dragon bone. But until now they've been confined mostly to the background, a magical setting for a story about real political scheming. I'm not sure how I feel about it taking over the plot, but it may yet win me over. Next book is Aragon and Parr’s turn, and after what we learned of the latter’s past I’m quite excited to read her POV.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an early copy of this book! My opinions are my own.
In this second book, we follow Cleves and Howard. I didn’t like them as much as Boleyn and Seymour, but their characters and arcs were magnificently done. They ended the book as very different people than they were at the beginning, and you can track the change through every choice they were forced to make and every injustice they were forced to endure. Howard especially was a surprise. In the previous book, she was the youngest and silliest of the queens, and I love how she managed to come into her own without losing all of her sweetness. Cleves’s arc was less impactful for me, mostly because we are only told and not shown what has made her the fun-but-ruthless woman she is now, but I’ve been waiting for her romance since the first “my angry queen” was uttered in the previous book, and I was not disappointed. I only wish I could’ve seen it unfold from Seymour’s point of view, too, especially after following the trainwreck of her love life in the first book. The woman deserves some happiness.
Female empowerment is still the main theme of the story, with a lot of plotting and stratagems and politics. There are more sex scenes compared to the first book, and they are written quite well. One toward the end, involving two people who had never learned to express their desires due to abusive relationships, actually moved me, which is not something I ever thought I’d say about a sex scene. The action, unfortunately, wasn’t as good, and there was a lot of it, too. It is the one thing that negatively impacted my reading experience.
By that I mean both the proper action scenes – which are clearly there only to progress the plot without taking into account any question of realism, not to mention survivability – and all the elements leading to and following from those scenes. There are no consequences for some very careless acts by both the protagonists and antagonists, and if there are, they are brushed aside with a “I’ll have my people take care of it” comment and never mentioned again. People who, we are told, are very smart fail to take simple precautions or give their enemies liberties that inevitably backfire. I can only think the author had to hurry things along to set up everything for the finale, but it’s a real shame. At times, it even turned usually compelling characters into caricatures.
I’m not sure what I feel about the ending yet. It takes an unexpected and quite supernatural turn, but it’s not as if the series has lacked fantastical elements up to this point. Half the book is set in the castle of Plythe, which straddles a waterfall, and we briefly explore the city of Perfugi, built on solidified lava where the houses are made of dragon bone. But until now they've been confined mostly to the background, a magical setting for a story about real political scheming. I'm not sure how I feel about it taking over the plot, but it may yet win me over. Next book is Aragon and Parr’s turn, and after what we learned of the latter’s past I’m quite excited to read her POV.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an early copy of this book! My opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Really Enjoyed It, 4 stars
I really enjoyed returning to the world of Elben and it's queens. I do think that this book suffered a little bit of middle book syndrome, but ultimately I enjoyed it and am very curious to see where this trilogy goes.
In this, we pick up not too long after the events of the first book - my guess was a couple of months. It is interesting because in this we followed two different queens from the first book - in this one Howard and Cleves. We also followed Cecilia, Henry's sister. I was a bit put off by this change in perspectives to start because I felt like I didn't take to either of them as quickly as I did to Boleyn. I think it also slowed some of the momentum going into this one. However, ultimately I really feel like it was the best choice because we will presumably get to know each of the women in their own right now, which I am excited for.
I ended up really loving Howard and the journey that she went on, which was a bit of a surprise to me. After reading the first book, I definitely thought that Cleves would be my favorite. But I loved Howard and the growth that we see in her over the course of this book. Not to say that I didn't like Cleves, because I certainly did. I just felt that Howard really came into her own. But I am very proud of Cleves as well and how she ended this installment.
I think that the pacing in this was a bit inconsistent, and the momentum didn't build quite the same way it did in book 1. I was just a little less invested, which is why this isn't a full 5 stars. However, I ultimately am really enjoying this reimagining of Henry VIII and his wives. I think it's really creative, I love how diverse all the women are, and I am enjoying how the author is playing with the expectations that we have from history. So I really like the project of this series.
While I had a better time with book 1, I still really enjoyed book 2 and look forward to seeing how it all wraps up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Six Savage Thrones releases on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Update on the fate of our animal friends - beware of spoilers:
I really enjoyed returning to the world of Elben and it's queens. I do think that this book suffered a little bit of middle book syndrome, but ultimately I enjoyed it and am very curious to see where this trilogy goes.
In this, we pick up not too long after the events of the first book - my guess was a couple of months. It is interesting because in this we followed two different queens from the first book - in this one Howard and Cleves. We also followed Cecilia, Henry's sister. I was a bit put off by this change in perspectives to start because I felt like I didn't take to either of them as quickly as I did to Boleyn. I think it also slowed some of the momentum going into this one. However, ultimately I really feel like it was the best choice because we will presumably get to know each of the women in their own right now, which I am excited for.
I ended up really loving Howard and the journey that she went on, which was a bit of a surprise to me. After reading the first book, I definitely thought that Cleves would be my favorite. But I loved Howard and the growth that we see in her over the course of this book. Not to say that I didn't like Cleves, because I certainly did. I just felt that Howard really came into her own. But I am very proud of Cleves as well and how she ended this installment.
I think that the pacing in this was a bit inconsistent, and the momentum didn't build quite the same way it did in book 1. I was just a little less invested, which is why this isn't a full 5 stars. However, I ultimately am really enjoying this reimagining of Henry VIII and his wives. I think it's really creative, I love how diverse all the women are, and I am enjoying how the author is playing with the expectations that we have from history. So I really like the project of this series.
While I had a better time with book 1, I still really enjoyed book 2 and look forward to seeing how it all wraps up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Six Savage Thrones releases on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Update on the fate of our animal friends - beware of spoilers:
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!
A stunning second volume of high fantasy inspired by King Henry VIII. When the first book focused solely on Boleyn and Seymour, the sequel is devoted to Cleves and Howard.
The characters’ expositions, development, and arcs are of the highest quality. Originally, Cleves was introduced to us as an animal lover who surrounded herself with creatures and avoided humans. It was twisted by her own design to make her appear less attractive and therefore avoid Henry’s attention. She was a pariah, a strange creature herself, but throughout the book, we finally get to discover her true nature, the reasons behind her people's shunning, the deeply hidden heart, protected from risk of suffering, trust, love, betrayal. Her developing relations with her family, her lovers, and her ultimate bravery against all odds.
Howard, then, a silly child, a girl focused on dresses, with a kind, little heart, who seemingly cannot comprehend anything beyond her lovely looks. Who, inspired by Boleyn, learned to read and write, and surprises everyone with the depth of her conversation, her creativity, and ideas that may just save everyone’s lives and futures. So desperate to be seen, to be valued by queen sisters, as she fully understands how little attention they paid to her originally. She becomes a power to be reckoned with, and the rose without a thorn grows into a beast.
Additionally, apart from the queen wives, we get to know Cecilia, Henry’s sister, the Dowager Queen, who enjoys inflicting pain. As a means of torture, control, and for the sake of pleasure, it gives her. At first, a crazed sadist, with little to no regard for human life or suffering, shows us her hidden side, the hurt little girl, a broken soul, sold and rid of, in order to achieve the bigger goal. When faced with her mentor’s suffering, she displays compassion, sadness, and kindness, and her anger at the deception leads to the ultimate choice.
The second book takes the queens into a deeper understanding of their powers, tests their alliances, forces their trust, and builds them stronger than ever. The plot itself was so well explained in the first story that it does not suffer from the typical middle-book syndrome. It continues on the high note of quality and incredible pacing. The deeper thoughts, conclusions, and personal development of characters fuel the story. Never a dull moment, when the queens constantly face their fears and risk their lives to get their powers back. The ease of reading, the pleasure of following each chapter, and the satisfying yet heartbreaking ending. The crescendo of the book culminates at the Moon Ball, leaving us craving more, desperately needing book three.
A stunning second volume of high fantasy inspired by King Henry VIII. When the first book focused solely on Boleyn and Seymour, the sequel is devoted to Cleves and Howard.
The characters’ expositions, development, and arcs are of the highest quality. Originally, Cleves was introduced to us as an animal lover who surrounded herself with creatures and avoided humans. It was twisted by her own design to make her appear less attractive and therefore avoid Henry’s attention. She was a pariah, a strange creature herself, but throughout the book, we finally get to discover her true nature, the reasons behind her people's shunning, the deeply hidden heart, protected from risk of suffering, trust, love, betrayal. Her developing relations with her family, her lovers, and her ultimate bravery against all odds.
Howard, then, a silly child, a girl focused on dresses, with a kind, little heart, who seemingly cannot comprehend anything beyond her lovely looks. Who, inspired by Boleyn, learned to read and write, and surprises everyone with the depth of her conversation, her creativity, and ideas that may just save everyone’s lives and futures. So desperate to be seen, to be valued by queen sisters, as she fully understands how little attention they paid to her originally. She becomes a power to be reckoned with, and the rose without a thorn grows into a beast.
Additionally, apart from the queen wives, we get to know Cecilia, Henry’s sister, the Dowager Queen, who enjoys inflicting pain. As a means of torture, control, and for the sake of pleasure, it gives her. At first, a crazed sadist, with little to no regard for human life or suffering, shows us her hidden side, the hurt little girl, a broken soul, sold and rid of, in order to achieve the bigger goal. When faced with her mentor’s suffering, she displays compassion, sadness, and kindness, and her anger at the deception leads to the ultimate choice.
The second book takes the queens into a deeper understanding of their powers, tests their alliances, forces their trust, and builds them stronger than ever. The plot itself was so well explained in the first story that it does not suffer from the typical middle-book syndrome. It continues on the high note of quality and incredible pacing. The deeper thoughts, conclusions, and personal development of characters fuel the story. Never a dull moment, when the queens constantly face their fears and risk their lives to get their powers back. The ease of reading, the pleasure of following each chapter, and the satisfying yet heartbreaking ending. The crescendo of the book culminates at the Moon Ball, leaving us craving more, desperately needing book three.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
SIX SAVAGE THRONES is a book of uncertain trust as the Tudor queens try to retake their power.
While SIX WILD CROWNS was a re-imagining of the Tudor Queens (while there were massive changes, the events inspiring the book were much clearer), SIX SAVAGE THRONES is only loosely inspired by history. The events are not obviously drawing on history, but rather taking the world and characters set up in the previous book and following the consequences of their actions. I was quite glad that the author note at the start sets this out as it set my expectations accordingly and I could therefore enjoy this as a fantasy book full of uncertain loyalties and dangerous desires.
The strength of this book is the uncertainty over who can be trusted. The kings have maintained their hold by playing the queens off one another, isolating them, and Henry is very alert to betrayal after Boleyn's actions. Therefore it is impossible to know whether the people offering help are really trustworthy or have been planted to gather information. The character of Culpepper is a great example of this - and an interesting re-working of a historical figure.
There is also so much romantic and sexual tension in this book. Cleves and Seymour are very much attracted to each other, but holding out for various reasons. The tension between them is so good - a push and pull that is so much fun to watch. Howard's journey with understanding her own desires was very sweet by contrast.
I was surprised to see that Seymour wasn't narrating this book, being the surviving POV from the previous book. Instead, Howard, Cleves, and Cecilia (very loosely inspired by Henry's sister Mary) narrate the book. I really liked seeing Cleves and Howard's perspectives - they are some of the most ignored of Henry' VIII's wives - the strange foreign wife and the young, promiscuous one. As with Boleyn and Seymour, Holly Race interrogates those stereotypes and makes them well-rounded, realistic characters. Cleves has deliberately forged her image while Howard is struggling with an image forced upon her.
Cecilia was the POV it took me the longest to appreciate. She's deeply unlikeable as someone who revels in pain. She is as strong willed and determined to get her own way as the other queens, but it come across far more viciously in a way that's very hard to get behind. Eventually I decided I liked that there was someone this unashamedly awful as a narrator, but I never really liked her - and mostly wanted her to be outwitted by the others.
I am looking forward to seeing where the final book goes - and if Aragon and Parr will narrate it.
SIX SAVAGE THRONES is a book of uncertain trust as the Tudor queens try to retake their power.
While SIX WILD CROWNS was a re-imagining of the Tudor Queens (while there were massive changes, the events inspiring the book were much clearer), SIX SAVAGE THRONES is only loosely inspired by history. The events are not obviously drawing on history, but rather taking the world and characters set up in the previous book and following the consequences of their actions. I was quite glad that the author note at the start sets this out as it set my expectations accordingly and I could therefore enjoy this as a fantasy book full of uncertain loyalties and dangerous desires.
The strength of this book is the uncertainty over who can be trusted. The kings have maintained their hold by playing the queens off one another, isolating them, and Henry is very alert to betrayal after Boleyn's actions. Therefore it is impossible to know whether the people offering help are really trustworthy or have been planted to gather information. The character of Culpepper is a great example of this - and an interesting re-working of a historical figure.
There is also so much romantic and sexual tension in this book. Cleves and Seymour are very much attracted to each other, but holding out for various reasons. The tension between them is so good - a push and pull that is so much fun to watch. Howard's journey with understanding her own desires was very sweet by contrast.
I was surprised to see that Seymour wasn't narrating this book, being the surviving POV from the previous book. Instead, Howard, Cleves, and Cecilia (very loosely inspired by Henry's sister Mary) narrate the book. I really liked seeing Cleves and Howard's perspectives - they are some of the most ignored of Henry' VIII's wives - the strange foreign wife and the young, promiscuous one. As with Boleyn and Seymour, Holly Race interrogates those stereotypes and makes them well-rounded, realistic characters. Cleves has deliberately forged her image while Howard is struggling with an image forced upon her.
Cecilia was the POV it took me the longest to appreciate. She's deeply unlikeable as someone who revels in pain. She is as strong willed and determined to get her own way as the other queens, but it come across far more viciously in a way that's very hard to get behind. Eventually I decided I liked that there was someone this unashamedly awful as a narrator, but I never really liked her - and mostly wanted her to be outwitted by the others.
I am looking forward to seeing where the final book goes - and if Aragon and Parr will narrate it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars.
It was such a delight to return to Holly Race's Tudor Queens x dragons story! Book two of a trilogy is infamous for the second book slump, but I thought this was an excellent second installment.
This time, instead of focusing on Seymour and Boleyn, our POV characters are Howard, Cleves and a new queen, Cecilia. Of course, Seymour still plays a significant role in the plot, but we mainly see her from other people's POVs.
I thought I would be disappointed at leaving Seymour's and Boleyn's POVs behind. But, I finished the novel so fond of both Howard and Cleves. I enjoyed their storylines and personalities a lot, and they both had beautiful, moving character arcs. Howard's backstory is particularly disturbing due to the amount of childhood sexual abuse she received, so I'm really glad we got a chance to see her evolve beyond that. I suspect that the third book might focus on the POVs of Aragon and Parr, and while I'm sure they will be done justice, I'm currently feeling sad at the idea of leaving Howard and Cleves behind.
As for Cecilia, she's certainly a complex villain. I didn't always find the way she felt to be completely believable, but I did both hate and sympathise with her throughout the novel.
Just like with book one, I loved all the references to specific historical characters and events throughout the novel, even as the trilogy makes some big changes.
As for the magic system, I still love the depth of it, and particularly, all the different types of magical beings and the ways that they exist or are used/abused in this world. I found the crones to be one of the most intriguing magical beings from book ones, so I really enjoyed seeing them play a bigger role in book two. On the other hand, I was hoping for a little bit more from the dragons — but, I remain optimistic about their role in book three!
Finally, I really appreciate that for both books in this trilogy, Holly Race has managed to wrap up with a shocking cliffhanger-style twist while also writing really satisfying conclusions for the main characters' arcs. It means that I'm eager to read the next book, but I also feel really good about how the story has — for now — finished.
It was such a delight to return to Holly Race's Tudor Queens x dragons story! Book two of a trilogy is infamous for the second book slump, but I thought this was an excellent second installment.
This time, instead of focusing on Seymour and Boleyn, our POV characters are Howard, Cleves and a new queen, Cecilia. Of course, Seymour still plays a significant role in the plot, but we mainly see her from other people's POVs.
I thought I would be disappointed at leaving Seymour's and Boleyn's POVs behind. But, I finished the novel so fond of both Howard and Cleves. I enjoyed their storylines and personalities a lot, and they both had beautiful, moving character arcs. Howard's backstory is particularly disturbing due to the amount of childhood sexual abuse she received, so I'm really glad we got a chance to see her evolve beyond that. I suspect that the third book might focus on the POVs of Aragon and Parr, and while I'm sure they will be done justice, I'm currently feeling sad at the idea of leaving Howard and Cleves behind.
As for Cecilia, she's certainly a complex villain. I didn't always find the way she felt to be completely believable, but I did both hate and sympathise with her throughout the novel.
Just like with book one, I loved all the references to specific historical characters and events throughout the novel, even as the trilogy makes some big changes.
As for the magic system, I still love the depth of it, and particularly, all the different types of magical beings and the ways that they exist or are used/abused in this world. I found the crones to be one of the most intriguing magical beings from book ones, so I really enjoyed seeing them play a bigger role in book two. On the other hand, I was hoping for a little bit more from the dragons — but, I remain optimistic about their role in book three!
Finally, I really appreciate that for both books in this trilogy, Holly Race has managed to wrap up with a shocking cliffhanger-style twist while also writing really satisfying conclusions for the main characters' arcs. It means that I'm eager to read the next book, but I also feel really good about how the story has — for now — finished.
July 5, 2026
Queens of Elben took everything I loved about Six Wild Crowns and expanded it in the best possible ways. The world grew larger, the stakes became even higher, and I found myself completely invested in every perspective.
One of my favorite character arcs was Howard's. History often remembers her as an underestimated queen, but Holly Race gives her so much depth. Forced into her role at such a young age, watching her grow into the queen she was meant to be was incredibly rewarding. Her resilience, compassion, and quiet strength made her one of my favorite characters.
I also adored following Cleves and Seymour. Seymour has already lost everything, so she doesn't hesitate to hold tightly to the good she finds. Cleves, however, is so afraid of losing everything that she's hesitant to take that leap. Watching every fleeting moment of happiness be overshadowed by duty made their relationship all the more heartbreaking. When Cleves finally allows herself to be vulnerable, she doesn't become weaker, she becomes a stronger version of herself, both as a woman and as a queen.
Cecelia completely surprised me. Watching her begin to question everything she believed while wrestling with the same ambition and hunger for power that drives her brother made her perspective fascinating. Her internal conflict was one of my favorite parts of the story.
There were moments that genuinely broke my heart (I'm still not over Howard losing her dragon), and others that left me completely stunned. By the final chapters, I couldn't put it down.
The only reason this wasn't a full five stars is because there were a few moments where I wanted just a little more, but they weren't enough to take away from an incredible reading experience.
If you enjoy historical fantasy filled with dragons, political intrigue, morally complex characters, and deeply emotional character arcs, this is a series you shouldn't overlook. It's one of the most underrated fantasy series I've read, and I already can't wait for Book 3
Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Race, and Orbit US for the gifted eARC of Queens of Elben in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One of my favorite character arcs was Howard's. History often remembers her as an underestimated queen, but Holly Race gives her so much depth. Forced into her role at such a young age, watching her grow into the queen she was meant to be was incredibly rewarding. Her resilience, compassion, and quiet strength made her one of my favorite characters.
I also adored following Cleves and Seymour. Seymour has already lost everything, so she doesn't hesitate to hold tightly to the good she finds. Cleves, however, is so afraid of losing everything that she's hesitant to take that leap. Watching every fleeting moment of happiness be overshadowed by duty made their relationship all the more heartbreaking. When Cleves finally allows herself to be vulnerable, she doesn't become weaker, she becomes a stronger version of herself, both as a woman and as a queen.
Cecelia completely surprised me. Watching her begin to question everything she believed while wrestling with the same ambition and hunger for power that drives her brother made her perspective fascinating. Her internal conflict was one of my favorite parts of the story.
There were moments that genuinely broke my heart (I'm still not over Howard losing her dragon), and others that left me completely stunned. By the final chapters, I couldn't put it down.
The only reason this wasn't a full five stars is because there were a few moments where I wanted just a little more, but they weren't enough to take away from an incredible reading experience.
If you enjoy historical fantasy filled with dragons, political intrigue, morally complex characters, and deeply emotional character arcs, this is a series you shouldn't overlook. It's one of the most underrated fantasy series I've read, and I already can't wait for Book 3
Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Race, and Orbit US for the gifted eARC of Queens of Elben in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for letting me read this book!
!!!this review contains spoilers!!!
The Queens of Elben are back but their second outing unfortunately failed to live up to its predecessor.
Six Savage Thrones features three new POVs only one of which I actually found to be compelling.
Howard is my favourite of the three by far and while her story wasn’t perfect it was still the most interesting to me because I really enjoyed seeing her find herself and break free from her doubts.
I connected significantly less with Cleves as a character, and I didn’t really care for the romance between her and Seymour either. I liked her interactions with Johana but his death felt like one massive contrivance because characters that are supposedly as intelligent as the ones involved in holding Cecilia should certainly know to be more cautious and not just lee her roam the lodge freely.
Speaking of Cecilia, she is definitely the worst new point of view. While I can sort of see what the author was trying to achieve with her character, the execution left much and more to be desired. Any emotional weight that her story could have carried is negated by the fact that 90% of the time she just feels like a comically evil caricature instead of a deeply flawed but still well-rounded character.
I don’t know why the author chose to not have Seymour be a PoV in this book but even if I knew the reasoning I doubt I’d agree with it. There are multiple times where it feels like the story has to bend over backwards to not show things from her perspective and it just feels odd.
This book also suffers from some pacing issues, which leads to the first third feeling like we’re just treading water and other aspects just feeling painfully slow and making the story drag.
I really enjoyed the first book and the note we ended this book on feels promising so I’m hoping this is just another case of middle book syndrome but this was a slog to get through and if I didn’t want to be able to give book 3 a chance I would have probably stopped reading at around 40%.
1.75 ⭐️
!!!this review contains spoilers!!!
The Queens of Elben are back but their second outing unfortunately failed to live up to its predecessor.
Six Savage Thrones features three new POVs only one of which I actually found to be compelling.
Howard is my favourite of the three by far and while her story wasn’t perfect it was still the most interesting to me because I really enjoyed seeing her find herself and break free from her doubts.
I connected significantly less with Cleves as a character, and I didn’t really care for the romance between her and Seymour either. I liked her interactions with Johana but his death felt like one massive contrivance because characters that are supposedly as intelligent as the ones involved in holding Cecilia should certainly know to be more cautious and not just lee her roam the lodge freely.
Speaking of Cecilia, she is definitely the worst new point of view. While I can sort of see what the author was trying to achieve with her character, the execution left much and more to be desired. Any emotional weight that her story could have carried is negated by the fact that 90% of the time she just feels like a comically evil caricature instead of a deeply flawed but still well-rounded character.
I don’t know why the author chose to not have Seymour be a PoV in this book but even if I knew the reasoning I doubt I’d agree with it. There are multiple times where it feels like the story has to bend over backwards to not show things from her perspective and it just feels odd.
This book also suffers from some pacing issues, which leads to the first third feeling like we’re just treading water and other aspects just feeling painfully slow and making the story drag.
I really enjoyed the first book and the note we ended this book on feels promising so I’m hoping this is just another case of middle book syndrome but this was a slog to get through and if I didn’t want to be able to give book 3 a chance I would have probably stopped reading at around 40%.
1.75 ⭐️
June 26, 2026
This was a great continuation of the series. I cannot reiterate how much I am loving this fantasy retelling of King Henry VIII and his wives. I re-read Book 1 ahead of this eARC to reimmerse myself in the land of Elben. Definitely a wise decision on my part because I had forgotten a lot of key plot points. Looking back at my original review, I felt the same as I did then. A story about some badass women taking back their power and sticking it the man (Henry)? Yes, please. They definitely started a revolution, and Book 2 throws you immediately into the middle of the consequences of Boleyn and Seymour’s actions.
I missed the POVs of Boleyn and Seymour. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the change in the beginning, but I did ultimately enjoy both Cleves and Howard. Cleves is so interesting and quirky. She’s clever in the mind, but sort of dumb in the heart, if you know what I mean. My god, the yearning and the denial of feelings. It was painful, but oh so rewarding when she finally gives in. But the real stand out for me was Howard. Consistently underestimated, watching her gain confidence to grow in her queenly duties and in her own magical power was glorious. I was rooting for her the entire time, especially considering what happened to her real-life counterpart.
And then there was the third POV, Henry’s sister, Cecilia. Cecilia’s POV was hard to read because she is just such an awful person. Every time her POV came up, I was tempted to skip it. 👀 I didn’t, but I wanted to. I didn’t understand why she’s there. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her? I don’t know.
The writing and worldbuilding continued to keep me engaged and interesting, despite its slow start. Watching the five queens discover their power and bond together in sisterhood was everything. They are going against their religion, their husband, and risking their lives in the process. And their husband gets big mad about it? OMG. YES!! Nothing like watching a mediocre man falter in the presence of amazing women.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this eARC!
I missed the POVs of Boleyn and Seymour. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the change in the beginning, but I did ultimately enjoy both Cleves and Howard. Cleves is so interesting and quirky. She’s clever in the mind, but sort of dumb in the heart, if you know what I mean. My god, the yearning and the denial of feelings. It was painful, but oh so rewarding when she finally gives in. But the real stand out for me was Howard. Consistently underestimated, watching her gain confidence to grow in her queenly duties and in her own magical power was glorious. I was rooting for her the entire time, especially considering what happened to her real-life counterpart.
And then there was the third POV, Henry’s sister, Cecilia. Cecilia’s POV was hard to read because she is just such an awful person. Every time her POV came up, I was tempted to skip it. 👀 I didn’t, but I wanted to. I didn’t understand why she’s there. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her? I don’t know.
The writing and worldbuilding continued to keep me engaged and interesting, despite its slow start. Watching the five queens discover their power and bond together in sisterhood was everything. They are going against their religion, their husband, and risking their lives in the process. And their husband gets big mad about it? OMG. YES!! Nothing like watching a mediocre man falter in the presence of amazing women.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Orbit and Netgalley for this eARC!
I’m thinking 5/6!!
I think this sequel was honestly better than the first one!! I feel like the second book is the hardest to write, and get right, as it’s usually more of a bridge between books one and three. This did not feel like just a bridge though. The characters were great, and I think Howard is my favorite of all the queens! She showed so much growth over the course of this book, I was rooting for her the whole time! (I also felt bad for her. I may have did the math wrong, but she claims to be about 16, and then has been married to Henry for about 4 years??? Married at 12??? Maybe I misunderstood I’m not sure).
The POV characters in this book are different from the first. In the first we had Seymore and Boylen; this time it was Cleves, Howard, and Cecilia (Henry’s youngest sister, the dowager Queen of another country). Each character had different quirks and strong points, or bad points in Cecilia’s case, and over the course of the story, all three of them grew or came to understand themselves just a little more.
As I mentioned before, Howard is my favorite lol. I don’t think she’ll be a POV character in the next book (I don’t think any of these three will be lol) but I look forward to seeing more of her through the other queen’s eyes. I think it’ll be Aragon and Parr, as they’re the last two. Though maybe Mary Boleyn might be the third?
I would highly recommend this sequel (and series!) to anyone who enjoys Tudor history, fantasy, and strong women! I’m def going to buy this when it comes out in paperback (to match the first one lol) and I’m looking forward to the conclusion!!!!
I’m thinking 5/6!!
I think this sequel was honestly better than the first one!! I feel like the second book is the hardest to write, and get right, as it’s usually more of a bridge between books one and three. This did not feel like just a bridge though. The characters were great, and I think Howard is my favorite of all the queens! She showed so much growth over the course of this book, I was rooting for her the whole time! (I also felt bad for her. I may have did the math wrong, but she claims to be about 16, and then has been married to Henry for about 4 years??? Married at 12??? Maybe I misunderstood I’m not sure).
The POV characters in this book are different from the first. In the first we had Seymore and Boylen; this time it was Cleves, Howard, and Cecilia (Henry’s youngest sister, the dowager Queen of another country). Each character had different quirks and strong points, or bad points in Cecilia’s case, and over the course of the story, all three of them grew or came to understand themselves just a little more.
As I mentioned before, Howard is my favorite lol. I don’t think she’ll be a POV character in the next book (I don’t think any of these three will be lol) but I look forward to seeing more of her through the other queen’s eyes. I think it’ll be Aragon and Parr, as they’re the last two. Though maybe Mary Boleyn might be the third?
I would highly recommend this sequel (and series!) to anyone who enjoys Tudor history, fantasy, and strong women! I’m def going to buy this when it comes out in paperback (to match the first one lol) and I’m looking forward to the conclusion!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No Second Book Syndrome here!
Six Savage Thrones is a sequel, so I will synopsize the first book/the universe as a whole. The Queens of Elben series is about the six Queens married to King Henry the Eighth, but with a fantasy spin. In this universe the six Queens are given their power by Henry when they marry him, and are tasked with serving the King in everyway possible. That is until Boleyn and Seymour (the two queens the first book follows) start to realize strange happenings with their powers, and stranger tellings of the history of Elben.
The second book follows the two queens Cleves and Howard (as well as a third person), as they continue with the plot set in motion by Seymour and Boleyn in the first book.
I loved this continuation. I thought the plot was excellently continued, everything made sense, and I was hooked into the drama and action right away (and throughout the entirety of the book). I really liked Cleves's POV, and her character interested me the most, but getting to see the development of the relationships between the six queens is what I live for with this series. It's very woman forward (as it should be) and I live for it.
The writing fits the time period as well too, and I often find myself singing Six songs to try to see if I can guess what will happen next - which I often fail at because the fantasy element really allows Holly Race to play with the story in an exciting new way.
Perfect for fans of historical fantasy, presenting the sequel to the Tudor Queens like you've never seen them before!
Thank you so much to Orbit Books, NetGalley, and Holly Race for an eARC of this book!
Six Savage Thrones is a sequel, so I will synopsize the first book/the universe as a whole. The Queens of Elben series is about the six Queens married to King Henry the Eighth, but with a fantasy spin. In this universe the six Queens are given their power by Henry when they marry him, and are tasked with serving the King in everyway possible. That is until Boleyn and Seymour (the two queens the first book follows) start to realize strange happenings with their powers, and stranger tellings of the history of Elben.
The second book follows the two queens Cleves and Howard (as well as a third person), as they continue with the plot set in motion by Seymour and Boleyn in the first book.
I loved this continuation. I thought the plot was excellently continued, everything made sense, and I was hooked into the drama and action right away (and throughout the entirety of the book). I really liked Cleves's POV, and her character interested me the most, but getting to see the development of the relationships between the six queens is what I live for with this series. It's very woman forward (as it should be) and I live for it.
The writing fits the time period as well too, and I often find myself singing Six songs to try to see if I can guess what will happen next - which I often fail at because the fantasy element really allows Holly Race to play with the story in an exciting new way.
Perfect for fans of historical fantasy, presenting the sequel to the Tudor Queens like you've never seen them before!
Thank you so much to Orbit Books, NetGalley, and Holly Race for an eARC of this book!
June 18, 2026
It's great when a saga keeps surprising you!
This volume had everything: strong and complex female characters, sorority and a predominantly female cast, intrigue and danger. The writing style was lush and enchanting. It just pulls you in. The pacing was slow at the beginning, but it's a character-driven story. And the characters are so compelling.
The stars of this volume were Howard and Cleves. Both were complex and interesting characters! Cleves is such a clever, ruthless strategist behind her bookish, plain façade
Howard/Katheryn was a heartbreaking portrayal of a teenage girl who has been groomed from early on by adult men, tricked into believing that her only value lies in her body. Once again, it's such a clever dialogue with history and this woman's popular perception. I was terribly worried for her all along and wanted nothing bad to happen to her. She showed so much strength over the course of the story!
The darker themes were handled with care and never felt gratuitous.
I wasn't found of the ending, though.
However, I'm terribly worried for our queens! I can't wait to see what happens next. Also, I hope we will see more of Aragon and Parr in the last volume.
This volume had everything: strong and complex female characters, sorority and a predominantly female cast, intrigue and danger. The writing style was lush and enchanting. It just pulls you in. The pacing was slow at the beginning, but it's a character-driven story. And the characters are so compelling.
The stars of this volume were Howard and Cleves. Both were complex and interesting characters! Cleves is such a clever, ruthless strategist behind her bookish, plain façade
Howard/Katheryn was a heartbreaking portrayal of a teenage girl who has been groomed from early on by adult men, tricked into believing that her only value lies in her body. Once again, it's such a clever dialogue with history and this woman's popular perception. I was terribly worried for her all along and wanted nothing bad to happen to her. She showed so much strength over the course of the story!
The darker themes were handled with care and never felt gratuitous.
I wasn't found of the ending, though.
However, I'm terribly worried for our queens! I can't wait to see what happens next. Also, I hope we will see more of Aragon and Parr in the last volume.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**My thanks to Orbit Books for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
4.5 stars
In a rare feat, Holly Race has written a sequel even better than the first novel in the series.
I was worried going into this book that I would have forgotten important plot points and characters from the previous book, but to my delight I found Race’s world easy to slip back into. While Six Wild Crowns focused primarily on Boleyn and Seymour, this title shifted focus to Cleves and Howard, two of the characters that had most intrigued me in the previous title. The bonds between all the queens grow, along with the story’s stakes. We continue to learn about the magic of Elben and the creatures within it, but I feel that this book just scratches the surface of the mysteries on this island; needless to say I am very excited for the third book to come out.
Fascinatingly we are also introduced to Henry’s sister, who provides insight into Henry’s childhood and upbringing, and hints as to how an apparently kind boy grew into the cruel tyrant he is today. I always appreciate a story’s villain being a complex character in his own right, and I only wish that we had been given more scenes with adult Henry in this title. Henry’s patron god, Cernunnos, also shows that he has teeth beyond the power that he has stolen from the goddess Medren, and threatens to be a major obstacle in book 3.
If you liked Six Wild Crowns at all, definitely pick up the sequel; it only gets better.
4.5 stars
In a rare feat, Holly Race has written a sequel even better than the first novel in the series.
I was worried going into this book that I would have forgotten important plot points and characters from the previous book, but to my delight I found Race’s world easy to slip back into. While Six Wild Crowns focused primarily on Boleyn and Seymour, this title shifted focus to Cleves and Howard, two of the characters that had most intrigued me in the previous title. The bonds between all the queens grow, along with the story’s stakes. We continue to learn about the magic of Elben and the creatures within it, but I feel that this book just scratches the surface of the mysteries on this island; needless to say I am very excited for the third book to come out.
Fascinatingly we are also introduced to Henry’s sister, who provides insight into Henry’s childhood and upbringing, and hints as to how an apparently kind boy grew into the cruel tyrant he is today. I always appreciate a story’s villain being a complex character in his own right, and I only wish that we had been given more scenes with adult Henry in this title. Henry’s patron god, Cernunnos, also shows that he has teeth beyond the power that he has stolen from the goddess Medren, and threatens to be a major obstacle in book 3.
If you liked Six Wild Crowns at all, definitely pick up the sequel; it only gets better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I almost DNFed this book cause the momentum the first book built came to a screeching halt. I wish Seymour was the PoV or at least a PoV, instead we get Cecilia who I honestly hated. She was so cartoonishly evil I was rolling my eyes during her chapters. She just felt so out of place in a book about these women taking back their power from a horrible man. She really, really didn’t need to exist. There was a perfect end to her story halfway through the book, but then again that really would have made her useless, so I would’ve cut her out entirely and made Seymour a PoV.
The other wives are fine I guess. I like Cleeves but idk about having her be with Seymour idk. The line about it being hard to seduce with a metaphorical ghost in the room felt true. Like it’s too soon after what happened with Boleyn. I feel like a little more of a slow-burn would do them good. I did love the relationship between Cleves and Johana. Probably my favourite characters in this book. Howard was fine but at times she was just kinda there.
The book picks up in the last third and it is pretty entertaining to see how things fall into place (or completely fall apart for that sweet emotion damage). The climax had a lot of great moments and sad ones too. I just didn’t really like the direction of this one, the middle was slower paced. It is more expansive when exploring the world, the god, the magic, and the wives, but it just couldn’t captivate me at all. I don’t know if I’d continue it.
The other wives are fine I guess. I like Cleeves but idk about having her be with Seymour idk. The line about it being hard to seduce with a metaphorical ghost in the room felt true. Like it’s too soon after what happened with Boleyn. I feel like a little more of a slow-burn would do them good. I did love the relationship between Cleves and Johana. Probably my favourite characters in this book. Howard was fine but at times she was just kinda there.
The book picks up in the last third and it is pretty entertaining to see how things fall into place (or completely fall apart for that sweet emotion damage). The climax had a lot of great moments and sad ones too. I just didn’t really like the direction of this one, the middle was slower paced. It is more expansive when exploring the world, the god, the magic, and the wives, but it just couldn’t captivate me at all. I don’t know if I’d continue it.
June 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the ARC
Part two of Holly Race’s Queens of Elben series follows on from the events of Six Wild Crowns. Holly continues to pack this story with political intrigue, sapphic yearning, magic, and powerful women.
There is a shift in POV from the first book, moving from Boleyn and Seymore as the leads to Cleves and Howard. I didn’t mind this; getting inside the heads of the different queens and seeing the world through their perspective adds an extra layer of narrative to the series, one that wouldn’t be possible with a limited POV. Both Howard and Cleve’s have a lot to say and to prove. I love that their individual characters shine through; it was particularly satisfying watching Howard grow her thorns.
We’re also introduced to some interesting new characters. Cecilia’s POV is designed to be challenging. She is ambitious and vindictive, which is refreshing in contrast to our kinder and more righteous queens.
I personally loved this book even more than book one, though this might be due to a slight bias as it features more of my two favourite historical queens, Cleves and Parr. I was particularly delighted to see more of the real Parr shine through, and I’m excited to get chapters from her POV.
The ending of this book is brilliant. It had me on tenterhooks as everything built towards the climax, and after reading the epilogue, I can’t wait to get my hands on book three!
Part two of Holly Race’s Queens of Elben series follows on from the events of Six Wild Crowns. Holly continues to pack this story with political intrigue, sapphic yearning, magic, and powerful women.
There is a shift in POV from the first book, moving from Boleyn and Seymore as the leads to Cleves and Howard. I didn’t mind this; getting inside the heads of the different queens and seeing the world through their perspective adds an extra layer of narrative to the series, one that wouldn’t be possible with a limited POV. Both Howard and Cleve’s have a lot to say and to prove. I love that their individual characters shine through; it was particularly satisfying watching Howard grow her thorns.
We’re also introduced to some interesting new characters. Cecilia’s POV is designed to be challenging. She is ambitious and vindictive, which is refreshing in contrast to our kinder and more righteous queens.
I personally loved this book even more than book one, though this might be due to a slight bias as it features more of my two favourite historical queens, Cleves and Parr. I was particularly delighted to see more of the real Parr shine through, and I’m excited to get chapters from her POV.
The ending of this book is brilliant. It had me on tenterhooks as everything built towards the climax, and after reading the epilogue, I can’t wait to get my hands on book three!
May 31, 2026
**Spoilers below for Book 1**
Six Savage Thrones picks up where book one left off, with Seymore MIA, and the remaining queens trying decide what to do now that they are without their leader, Boleyn.
Things I liked:
* Howard - I already loved her in book one, and I loved her even more having been in her perspective in this book. I loved the character growth she went through, and also the focus on female friendships
Things I didn't like so much:
* Cleves - this hurts, because I was so excited for her perspective. But, it feels like as the book went on, she went through the reverse character development as Howard, going from an independent woman to a whinger who would give up everything for some attention.
* Cecelia - I don't think we were supposed to like her, and I didn't. However, I feel like her perspective was mainly a tool to follow Henry's actions, and more could have been done with her as a character.
* The middle book syndrome - it was strong.
* The fact that a solid 10% of this book was sex scenes. They were a means to show the relationships between characters, but they felt repetitive, and by the end, a lazy way to show Howard's independence and Cleve's lack thereof.
I'm still excited for the third book, and hopefully Parr and Aragon's perspectives, but this middle book was middle booking hard.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
Six Savage Thrones picks up where book one left off, with Seymore MIA, and the remaining queens trying decide what to do now that they are without their leader, Boleyn.
Things I liked:
* Howard - I already loved her in book one, and I loved her even more having been in her perspective in this book. I loved the character growth she went through, and also the focus on female friendships
Things I didn't like so much:
* Cleves - this hurts, because I was so excited for her perspective. But, it feels like as the book went on, she went through the reverse character development as Howard, going from an independent woman to a whinger who would give up everything for some attention.
* Cecelia - I don't think we were supposed to like her, and I didn't. However, I feel like her perspective was mainly a tool to follow Henry's actions, and more could have been done with her as a character.
* The middle book syndrome - it was strong.
* The fact that a solid 10% of this book was sex scenes. They were a means to show the relationships between characters, but they felt repetitive, and by the end, a lazy way to show Howard's independence and Cleve's lack thereof.
I'm still excited for the third book, and hopefully Parr and Aragon's perspectives, but this middle book was middle booking hard.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
June 10, 2026
Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit) and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
In Six Savage Thrones we return to Holly Race’s fantastical realm of Elben, with her protagonists (inspired by the six Tudor queens) and their mysterious quest to wrest back their lost and rightful magic from the god Cernnunnos and their infamous husband Henry VIII.
Continuing on from Six Wild Crowns, this sequel comes from two new POVs of the existing cast of historical figures and a fascinating new character, in the form of the King’s sister Cecelia.
The two new POVs focus on the exploration and character development of Howard and Cleves in this next installment, which besides being a necessary pivot especially given where book one left us, are also what drives the plot of book two forward. As with any good versus evil story, I particularly enjoyed the moments where we see the efforts, comradery and intelligence of the united Queens shine through - and the odd witty line of dialogue.
The book’s ending, magical and intriguing still leaves unanswered questions that will bring me back one last time to see how this trilogy concludes.
Like myself, anyone who enjoyed learning about the Tudors, will likely also enjoy discovering Elben and its iconic inspired characters.
In Six Savage Thrones we return to Holly Race’s fantastical realm of Elben, with her protagonists (inspired by the six Tudor queens) and their mysterious quest to wrest back their lost and rightful magic from the god Cernnunnos and their infamous husband Henry VIII.
Continuing on from Six Wild Crowns, this sequel comes from two new POVs of the existing cast of historical figures and a fascinating new character, in the form of the King’s sister Cecelia.
The two new POVs focus on the exploration and character development of Howard and Cleves in this next installment, which besides being a necessary pivot especially given where book one left us, are also what drives the plot of book two forward. As with any good versus evil story, I particularly enjoyed the moments where we see the efforts, comradery and intelligence of the united Queens shine through - and the odd witty line of dialogue.
The book’s ending, magical and intriguing still leaves unanswered questions that will bring me back one last time to see how this trilogy concludes.
Like myself, anyone who enjoyed learning about the Tudors, will likely also enjoy discovering Elben and its iconic inspired characters.
July 1, 2026
Thank you to Orbit Books and Holly Race for the earc in exchange for my review. All opinions that follow are honest and my own.
After the events of book one, the remaining queens plus an unexpected newcomer must work together to change their fates. They’re not the only ones working towards something bigger though, and what king Henry is bringing forth could alter everything.
It took me quite a bit to get into this second book. Not only with the character switch ups but just the heaviness of the continued world building. But after about 20% the story really started to pick up and I found myself so incredibly intrigued to see where Holly was going to take her fantasy interpretation next!
Now, this is an epic high fantasy, while there is some moments of romance it cannot truly be classified as romantasy and it’s been such a nice change in terms of what I normally read.
The way Race paints each scene with such fantastical detail, each personality of the queens making them so unique but also the perfect group. And the action and twists? Wooooww!
My favourite Queen of this book was by far Howard. Seeing her gain her confidence and power was so inspiring.
That’s about as much detail as I can get into without spoiling anything, especially with that wild ending! I look forward to completing this trilogy!
After the events of book one, the remaining queens plus an unexpected newcomer must work together to change their fates. They’re not the only ones working towards something bigger though, and what king Henry is bringing forth could alter everything.
It took me quite a bit to get into this second book. Not only with the character switch ups but just the heaviness of the continued world building. But after about 20% the story really started to pick up and I found myself so incredibly intrigued to see where Holly was going to take her fantasy interpretation next!
Now, this is an epic high fantasy, while there is some moments of romance it cannot truly be classified as romantasy and it’s been such a nice change in terms of what I normally read.
The way Race paints each scene with such fantastical detail, each personality of the queens making them so unique but also the perfect group. And the action and twists? Wooooww!
My favourite Queen of this book was by far Howard. Seeing her gain her confidence and power was so inspiring.
That’s about as much detail as I can get into without spoiling anything, especially with that wild ending! I look forward to completing this trilogy!
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