If you love HMRC, this is a good novella to read.
I loved that we got to learn how HMRC got started, altough I had to look up some of the words as a non native English speaker. Especially the older words.

This is an exceptional addition to the world of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, establishing not only the idea of a community of witches and warlocks at the highest levels of British society, but also the rich diversity of magic and its grey relationship with heaven and hell alike.

But the incredible success of this slim volume is how it manages all of the above in a story that is so intimate and focused. And how it takes the elephant in the room about any story about Anne Boleyn and manages to keep you guessing, even when you thought you knew the ending before you began.

Anne Boleyn, queen of witches, was condemned for treason and beheaded. Any story about her as a hero, a leader, a woman who was loved and respected, is undercut by the tragedy you know is coming. Which is probably why Dawson makes the whole story about her death, and fashions what essentially unfolds as an unlikely whodunnit, weaving new mysteries, fresh tragedies and unexpected joys around an injustice we all think we know every detail of and which has been plumbed for all it can yield.

Anne’s death is the subject and her sister witches, chief amongst them Lady Grace Fairfax, are the focus, as they scramble to avenge their fallen high priestess and protect themselves and their kind from a changed climate at court. A capricious king, new favourites and newly appointed witchfinders threaten a coven that has plunged from having all the power to having precious little, but all that must wait while those closest to be late queen hunt for the traitor who ultimately cost Boleyn her head.

All of this is covered with precision and economy in less than 200 pages. Dawson moves back and forth in time between moments of passion and high emotion, picking and choosing her beats exactly right and letting the heightened moments reveal the whole of her world without a wasted word. It’s confident, clever plotting that relies on, rather than getting in the way of, the emotions and characterisations of these spectacular women.

I just adored this book. Its sadness. its faith, its unapologetic messiness, its complicated love story, its focus on small moments that change the world. The world of HMRC is a treasure and this book is a crown jewel. Bravo, Juno.

I loved this novella based on Anne Boleyn. It was fabulous to be transported back to these times and read about the coven in court. The characters are brilliant and I was hooked from the start!

Stunning little tease of the origins of the HMRC. Lovely tight writing, economical background and impactful characters. This is classic Juno Dawson, draws you in and then leaves you wanting so much more. Fabulous.

I love the HMRC series and could not wait to read this novella. I find the story of Henry VIII intriguing and interesting to learn about so the fact this novella is based around him and Anne Boleyn only peaked my interest.

This Novella takes us back to the beginning and tells us the story of how it all started and how the coven was formed by Anne.

Although I love the first 2 books, I found myself reading this book but not really focusing on it. I wanted to see how it ends but I skipped though some pages to get there. None of the characters really grabbed me and the story line was a bit predictable.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series but I would probably never read this book of the series again.

Thank you net galley for this ARC and for letting me give an honest review.

I just reviewed Queen B by Juno Dawson. #NetGalley

This is an interesting sidestep to the HMRC books (which I generally devour over a couple of days). Presumably the next (and possibly final) book in the trilogy ‘Human Rites’ is out next year.

Anyway, I digress, this is the Tudor backdrop to HMRC, with Anne Boleyn plotting to establish a matriarchy of witches and is betrayed by a member of her own coven. If you read the books as quickly as I do, be aware: this is less than half the size of the average book. Plus, Dawson writes it in style of a historical novel, but a historical novel with grime, dirt, sex and magic.

She is always in control of the broader narrative and messages explored much further in the other books. So much so, that this could be read by someone wanting to sample the series, or maybe this hints at the apocalyptic future that began in the last book.

It’s published by Harper Collins on 18th July and I thank them for a preview copy.

I love Juno Dawson. I think she kicks ass and as usual her books do likewise. I enjoyed this romp through history and fantasy and her characters are always very strong. Great fun.

Queen B by Juno Dawson
Rating 5 stars 9.28 Cawpile

What can I say about this novella, except it was everything I loved and needed I am a huge fan of Tudor England and since the start of this series I hoped that we would see into the world of it. I practically squealed when I saw the names I recognised from the pages of history and I love the way that it it was intertwined because who would be the best person to do this with but Queen Anne Boleyn. The woman who was accused of witchcraft and awful things that we know was never true. But this had me feeling all the feelings as we see it all through the eyes of Grace Fairfax, and when it came to who she is and who she becomes I loved every moment. I adored it all, it was enough that I could tell where in history we were what was happening which was extremely accurate and the sprinkling of the what if history that I adore with this series. I also would not be upset if we dip back into the tudor court from now and then because Juno did it so well.

I cannot wait to gush about this book more when people have read it and thank you to Harper Collins for asking me to review this book because I feel it was what I needed and a reminder that we all have the power to become anything if we set our minds to it, even when our destiny is not what we thought it was. Now I will wait patiently for the last book in this series patiently or shall I say not so patiently.


Review will go live on instagram 2nd April.

This was a great story and while only being a short novella it still managed to invest me in the characters and get me emotionally invested in their story lines. This is a heart breaking story of strength, love, betrayal all set among the 1500s where women were hunted for being witches.

I loved this. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review,

Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the chance to read this ARC, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I loved Queen B, it has all the heart, magic, devastation, peril and romance that made me love the previous books, only this time, it is in a
shorter novella, highlighting none other than Anne Boleyn and a brilliant cast of characters. The time and perspective changes, we’re a little fast for me, but, overall, a terrific read. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the world of HMRC.

A captivating addition to the HMRC series, this book delves into the intrigue of Henry VIII's court with a focus on Anne Boleyn and her inner circle. Following Anne's ascent to power and subsequent downfall, the narrative delves into themes of feminism, misogyny, witchcraft, and religion with remarkable intensity. Through skilful storytelling, the story of Anne's coven unfolds primarily through flashbacks, while the present narrative follows coven members Grace Fairfax & Cecilia de la Torre as they navigate the aftermath of Anne's demise.

This instalment lays the groundwork for the series' future while also serving as a standalone read or a prequel for those familiar with the existing series, as it contains no spoilers.

A very fast, but by no means lacking, read exploring the creation and backstory behind the birth of the HRMC.

We start on the aftermath of Anne Boleyn’s beheading, her coven (yes, she was a witch) is in absolute turmoil as not only have they just lost their leader and figurehead, they realise that to have gotten to this…they have a traitor in their midst.

We flit back and forth timelines to before Boleyn’s execution to see what her ultimate goal was for the coven, to the aftermath where the coven scramble to bring themselves together and seek revenge.

As always Juno Dawson is a master storyteller, you find yourself both invested in the story that’s unfolding and the characters themselves.

I’ll happily read any and all works by Dawson, cannot recommend enough!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication

An interesting novella set in the mid 1500s where some members of the court, of Henry the 8th, are witches including Anne Boleyn.

The story is set in two timelines: the present tense where Grace and other witches are hunting for the witch that led to Anne Boleyns death. Past tense we get to see Grace and Anne’s first meeting and revelations about the witch court coven.

I love the HMRC series and was super excited when I heard a prequel was being released as I hoped to learn about the origins and start up of the coven. However, this is more of a prequel to that so bear that in mind when starting the book.

Having said that I did overall enjoy the story and liked seeing the witches in the time period it was set in. I liked the character of Grace and the two interwoven timelines but there is a lot of side characters to keep track of and felt the main characters didn’t develop as well as they could have. Obviously with the story being a novella the author had to chose between character growth and plot and the plot overall was well done. I would have happily read a full length book.

I think the book could be read before the first HMRC book as it didn’t include any spoilers.

Unsurprisingly, I adored this book. Juno Dawson's flair for plotting, characterisation and meaty world-building is second to none. This is not her first historical novel, but it is her first set during this fascinating period in history, which she reworks from a feminist perspective. She handles dark matter with a light and respectful touch, and fans of Antonia Fraser's The Weaker Vessel, or Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl will find plenty to enjoy in Queen B.

First thoughts about this book - "awww it's only a novella?!?" Secondly - how the hell did Juno Dawson manage to rewrite Tudor history into a sapphic witchcraft story in under 200 pages?!? The HMRC series is one of my absolutel favourites and this fit in perfectly as a historical segue before the final book of the trilogy (the cliffhanger at the end of book two was BRUTAL!!). The same wit and humour appears even in a historical setting and the story flips between time periods - from just after Anne Boleyn has been beheaded and the decade before this when her ladies in waiting were forming a coven and she was attempting to attract the atention of Henry VIII.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

As someone who loved the HMRC book series I was really intrigued by the novella prequel. This was a really interesting retelling of the Ann Boleyn story with some witchy elements. This is a story that jumps between the past and present day to explain how Boleyn's downfall occurs which I do think works. Overall I think it does fit into the same universe as the the main book series and does explain a lot of the overall lore but overall a lot of the characters felt under developed. The thing with a novella is you only get limited time with the characters to build a meaningful connection and at points it was very much more tell than show. As well, even though the coven was 7 women we only really explore three women in it with any real depth which is a shame. This was an overall enjoyable read but I almost wish the novella was more of a novel so I could truly sink my teeth into it.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me access to this book early in exchange for a fair review.

With Queen B Juno Dawson takes us back to the court of Henry the Eighth and his second wife Anne Boleyn for the genesis of HMRC. It's a tale packed with all the witches, warlocks, intrigue and betrayal expected of the series. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough, but that's not necessarily a bad thing if you're new to the series and looking for a jumping on point.

Thanks to HarperVoyager and NetGalley for an advance copy.

Queen B is a carefully crafted historical fantasy that seamlessly weaves the past with witchcraft. Fulfilling the fears of the time that all powerful women are sent from the devil.

As a prequel Queen B tells the story of the very first HMRC while also standing up as a stand alone story. Lady Grace has fled her husband to serve in Hampton court where the young but powerful Anne Boleyn is rising through the ranks to be the next in line for the kings affections.

This story is full of found family and strength in the coven with an undercurrent of sapphic yearning throughout.

I came to this story with quite a lot of historical knowledge around the period that really enhanced this story for me but I really loved the little summary’s from history at the end that make the magic in this story feel so real.

Overall a really fun prequel that transported me to another time and place I only wish it was a little longer but for a novella it was great!

If you like historical fiction based off of actual history. You will like this book. I would have preferred the continuation of the series rather then this prequel.