Juno Dawson never lets you down when she writes a book, her first adult novel is fabulous. A witches coven that protects the nation from magical forces. But something is stirring and friends who were torn apart in the civil war must join together to fight what is coming.

I really enjoyed this - there was magic and social commentary and complicated sisterhood. I was surprised by the ending and I think it might be a controversial one. The rest of the trilogy will prove whether the risk pays off!

Nicola Coughlan did an excellent job with the narration, there were a lot of accents to cover and most were done very well!

One thing to note - there is a character who has had children refers to her vagina as a crash site, I felt uncomfortable with this, but I don't think this necessarily reflects Juno Dawson's own feelings. It was just an offhand comment that doesn't get reflected on and I'm not sure it was necessary.

Can Juno Dawson write anything I don't like? Well she hasn't yet. Her Majesty's Royal Coven was a bit different from her contemporary stuff and even from her horror stuff, with a well defined society of witches hidden from the rest of society. I found the world building really well done and it was completely believable that witches could exist and that they could have the same struggle and politics that we ourselves face.

I found it a bit difficult to follow which character was which at the start. I will admit, I had covid when I was listening to it, so that probably didn't help, but I have talked to other people who also found it a bit of a problem. It took me until the 50% mark to figure out who everyone was, so be aware when you read it and maybe take some notes if this is a thing that you struggle with.

Everything else was fantastic though. The plot and the characters, the way that gender and race issues were addressed was really good. I can't say much about this because it's quite important to the plot, but there some diverse characters involved in the plot and the very binary gender divide between witches and warlocks is very much addressed.

The narration was perfect. I enjoyed it a lot and was very glad that I had the audiobook to listen to. I especially liked the voice that she put on for Theo.

Basically, I loved this book and I think it's an important addition to the genre. It just could have done with a character guide in the front of the book!!

Look, I will basically read anything about witches, especially if those witches also happen to be political and queer. This makes me a possibly ideal audience for Juno Dawson’s Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. Of course I loved this. It’s easy to love. The magic system is well developed, the world recognisable with its many problems heightened and the characters are devastatingly flawed in a way that leaves them loveable and forgivable (with a few notably thrilling exceptions).

I think the choice to focus this story on four (well, five, kind of) life-long friends was especially wise. Seeing the ways in which Niamh, Elle, Leonie and Helena unite and diverge as they attempt to manage the implications of an apocalyptic prophecy. Dawson turns the schisms of modern feminism (specifically along the lines of trans-inclusivity and racial intersectionality) into powerful fractures within the Coven. While not always handled perfectly, I think this idea works well enough to make the book both fun to read and reflective of the dangers of prejudice in all communities.

If you like urban fantasy, alternative history, books about witches, feminism and identity, I would really recommend this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for sending me an early copy of this book in exchange for my review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc.

This was good- but there were some glaring issues like harmful stereotypes and tokenised diversity characters. There should've been a few more sensitivity readers so this could've been avoided? The political intrigue was spot-on, which is why I'm especially surprised that the issues I pointed out were included... Intentionally or not- I wish this could be edited and fixed.

Have I found a favourite book of the year? Why yes, I could well have done. Perfectly tailored to my interests and cultural references this book was like witchy catnip!

Following four witches who have been friends since childhood but whose paths have branched apart following a magical civil war, this examines friendship and found family and the bonds we form.

A prophesied child, demonic threat and of course romantic entanglements ensue.

There is a huge amount of world building, layering in magic into our world - but being hidden.

I love the world @junodawson has created and felt settled within it, and it’s very clear there is more to come - even before you get to THAT ending.

This will be a polarising book, there’s a fascinating trans character introduced later in the book, and Dawson uses the characters situation to comprehensively dismantle transphobic TERF arguments - and it’s glorious, but there will be the usual, ‘I’m not transphobic but, it’s not my cup of tea’ or ‘I don’t get why fantasy novels have to be so issues based or woke’ or some bullshit. But they miss the point. It’s the job of genre fiction to challenge the past with a lens of the fantastical.

This has beats of The Craft, Buffy, and reads as if the teen heroes of one of these projects reached their thirties and settled down.

The writing is clear and crisp, but might not be for everyone as you can definitely tell that Dawson cut her teeth on the straightforward prose of YA - but I like that. For me, this was an excellent companion piece to A Marvellous Light.

I was surprised by how much I loved this audiobook. I have never listened to anything by Nicola Coughlan and it sounded like I was listening to Luna Lovegood reading me an adult witchy story. It was magical..but in like a dark, demony, queer, spicy kind of magical way! Her voice was so fitting to the story, her accents for the different characters were excellent and she was able to effectively build suspense and tension at integral parts.

The story is set in the UK where witches and warlocks and are governed by the HMRC, a government organisation run by witches. It follows four friends who have taken their own paths since the end of War. There has been a prophecy involving a child, who may be the living embodiment of the Demon Leviathon; which brings the four friends to cross paths once again.

There are quite a lot of characters to remember but I found the story was so enthralling I was happy to slowly learn about them all. The story explores lots of very sensitive themes and it does it well. I look forward to the next instalments of the story because the ending was incredible.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to experience the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the narrator, her lilting Irish accent really helped the story along...the story itself? It didn't quite give what I wanted it to give. I found it pretty slow, not enough magic and not enough intrigue. Their friendships could have done with a bit more padding at the start as I really couldn't care less about them in relation to each other. Hopefully the next one will have a bit more excitement but we'll see.

This was my first Juno Dawson, and I have to admit- I can certainly see why so many people are die hard fans of her stories. I found the lore and politics of this world to be lush and compelling, the characters so lifelike that regardless of what they confess or withhold you are drawn right into their stories, and the plot just the right kind of off-the-rails.
Dawson writes with such compassion and depth that she paints humanity in such detail that you come to understand (if never quite excuse) even the most despicable of her characters (and boy is she great at writing an unlikeable character). As one might expect, due to this tenderness and care it is so unbelievably easy to become attached to the characters you are supposed to like, and god do they carve a place into your heart.
I cannot stress who timely and important this novel is; if ever there was an urban fantasy and feels so deeply rooted in a familiar immediate socio-cultural climate, this is it. While trans rights, identity politics and inclusion rest at the very core of the novel, Dawson also skillfully throws in mentions of abortionand the novel feels, at times, like a love letter to the NHS and healthcare workers. HMRC also explores the ways in which societies still recovering from trauma may have their fear exploited by bigots and turned towards the most vulnerable as they are used as scapegoats in furthering the aforementioned bigots' agendas.
Needless to add, the story itself was FANTASTIC and enthralling and I never wanted to put it down. Extra points for Nicola Coughlan's narration, as I simply think she should narrate every book ever.

Massive thank you to HarperVoyager and NetGalley for sending me an early audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It takes a very skilled author to make the reader hate a character as if they were a real person- that is how I felt about Helena. While there were a few other characters that were morally grey, Helena was by far the worst villain in the story since she was so deluded into thinking she was in the right. Her actions bore very serious consequences for her loved ones and even up to her last moments, was very vindictive. Juno Dawson did a wonderful job at explaining the magic system especially through Naeve teaching the kids. There was a consistent mention of a wide range of LGBT+ characters (many of which were main characters) as well as POC characters. That cliffhanger ending was amazing and I would definitely read the next book.

Overall a good book and a well constructed plot. Lots of characters which took a little while to settle in my imagination. It’s set in an alternative world to the one we live in now but with lots of similarities which makes it fun for the reader to compare and contrast.

Ok I really like this I went between four and five stars throughout this one but the last quarter pushed it to five. Her majestys royal coven is set in an alternate England after a civil war
The narrator was fabulous and did really well with all the different accents and was easy to listen to.
This story follows four freinds who scatter after the war I liked all the characters except I did struggle with Helena and how she felt about theo the transgender witch. So many topics were covered in this racism, transgender,feminism,sexuality, misogyny the list is endless. It wasn't always an easy read and I did struggle with the pacing of the story sometimes and the sheer amount of characters ment it took a while to get used to who's who it did set everything up well for the rest of the series and I will definitely read the next one.

Her Majesty's Royal Coven is simply outstanding. Juno Dawson's first adult fantasy has the most fascinating concept and expertly tackles some of the issues in todays society. HMRC is a secret coven of witches who work for the government to protect mundanes from supernatural threats but in the wake of a civil war there are fractures among witchkind. The theme of trans rights and the need to protect them is a pillar of Dawson's plot and expertly makes the case for the power to be found when all women support each other.
Should you get the opportunity I highly recommend the audio (to go alongside the gorgeous Waterstones edition!) Nicola Coughlan makes an excellent narrator and told the story so clearly.
I'm so pleased I got the opportunity to read this early so thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins! I will be recommending this to everyone who comes within earshot for months!
Read this book if you love unique fantasy concepts set it the real world with a splash of queer love, a sprinkling of female friendship and a whole lot of witchy action, all in all it makes the perfect potion for a instant hit!

The was a wonderful book a great strategy to the series. It had me from the beginning, witches and magic what's not to love! The world buliday was great, its our world but not quite as we know it. And the characters all had there unique personalities and powers. I love the narrator to how she was able to differentiate between characters.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven is a brilliant, witchy read which also tackles some big societal issues.

The book is set in an alternate modern day U.K. where witches and warlocks exist, in fact there’s a secret government organisation made up entirely of witches! It’s such a fun concept and I really enjoyed learning about the fictional history of this alternate world, the world building and the magic system. I’m hoping future books will expand on this foundation, I’m so intrigued to find out more about witches in other countries and how HMRC fits alongside the other non-magical governmental departments.

There are quite a lot of characters, it took me a little while to get them all straight in my head but it was worth it for such diversity. It was so nice to explore the world from the point of view of characters from different backgrounds. The relationships between characters were also well developed, in particular between the main group of 4 childhood friends but also between one of them, Niamh, and a younger generation of witches

Plot wise, it feels like this book was laying a lot of foundation which I think will pay off in later books. There’s a clear commentary on societal and political issues (primarily transphobia/TERFs but also those around race, misogyny and being queer), It was so nice to have these issues directly addressed and for the most part they where well woven into the story. I did find that it slowed the pace of the book down a bit but these issues need to be discussed and it’s worth it for that.

I have to say the ending was a big wow moment! The book never shy’s away from a brutal moment but I really wasn’t expecting the final chapter, I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next.

The audiobook was beautifully read with some fantastic voice work and superb accents. It was such a good way to read and fully absorb yourself in this book!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Bloody well loved this! Nicola Coughlan narrating it was a stellar choice, her accents are flawless and her pace for reading it perfect. I can't rave about her enough as the narrator because that's what makes or brakes an audiobook, I really hope she narrates the rest of the series.
The story is fab and I defiantly will buy a physical copy when it's out!

What a corking book! As well as being highly enjoyable, it also holds some important topics such as gender identity, race and misogyny at its very core. Every single character is well written and necessary to the story; each being unique both from a witchy perspective as well as from a human one. The world building is ace and will really come into its own in book 2, which, if it isn’t already obvious, I’m massively excited for. I loved it for so many reasons not least that it’s just all-round fabulous.
The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Nicola Coughlan too.
Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

A thoroughly grown-up and entertaining tale of witches and magic set in modern times. Dramatic, political, exciting and relatable with a twist in the tail. I loved it and can’t wait for more of the series. Fantastic!

The narrator was excellent - she has a great reading style and a lovely accent which suited the story. She made each of the characters recognisable with her voicing.

Juno Dawson’s latest book Is an Intoxicating mix of ancient influence and modern sensibilities!

In Somewhat unlikely location of Hebden Bridge and the Manchester environs live three witches linked by their upbringing, their training unbreakable bond of sisterhood. The fourth In this magical quartet has decamped to London to found a more progressive And inclusive coven but remains linked to the others through bonds of love and shared history. Into this group comes Theo a powerful young witch, who might well be the living incarnation of the male devil leviathan but Theo has a secret and how the women embrace them it’s absolutely key to the unfolding of the plot. I won’t be giving any spoilers here But Dawson handles a complicated and sensitive issue with great dexterity, sensitivity and above all kindness and compassion.

This book zips along at a satisfying pace Which is quite the achievement when one takes into account the fact that the setting up a whole new lore for an upcoming series of stories. Dawsons female characters are richly drawn and fully realised, her male characters perhaps not so much.

What I will say, is that this book could have slipped into YA territory But actually negotiates that line between YA and adult fiction with remarkable skill and nimbleness. Although Dawson‘s ability to write for young people is well served in her creation of teenage characters who are neither two-dimensional no immune from the vagaries of growing up in the 21st-century.

This book is terrific fun and I recommend it to anyone who likes modern magical realism a little particular appeal to fans of series such as Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London. Fun aside however, this is an important book Which deals with perhaps some of the most pressing social issues in today’s society. The metaphors are perhaps sometimes a little strained But the message is clear and beautifully rendered. Read this book, read it to understand Generation Z and intersectionality. read it to revel in the idea of a whole community Witches is at work in the UK read it because it’s great fun! Loved it and can’t wait for the next instalment!

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven is a fantasy novel which addresses some very real and prevalent issues faced by the transgender community, from an own-voice author.

The book focuses on four friends living in the UK who were, at one point, all part of HMRC. After a civil war, they have gone their own ways, and only one of them remains with HMRC as its High Priestess. These four friends - Helena, Niamh, Elle, and Leonie - are our four POVs throughout the book, and through them we see the different ways they have chosen to cope with the horrors they experienced.

When a young transgender witch comes into Niamh’s care, many witches - Helena chiefly amongst them - are against allowing her to join their coven, and instead want her to go and join the cabal of warlocks. For this reason, Helena’s later POV chapters (once we learn Theo is transgender) are quite awful to read due to the rampant transphobia she displays, and will undoubtedly be very triggering for some readers. I also found Helena’s ‘descent into evil’ to be fairly abrupt, and thought a little more build up could have been used around her character.

However, I really enjoyed the other POV chapters - particularly Niamh, for whom the arrival of Theo has forced her to live again, rather than simply exist after the death of her partner. She welcome Theo wholeheartedly into her home and her family, and wants to support Theo however she can.

Overall, this was a really interesting read which addressed some pressing social issues, and being from an own-voice author is especially important in highlighting the prejudice transgender individuals face. I’m interested to see where it goes in the sequel.