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.

I absolutely adored this novella! Juno Dawson's expansion of the HMRC series into the Tudor era, with Anne Boleyn at the helm of a burgeoning coven, adds a thrilling dimension to the already fantastic series. Navigating a perilous time for witches, Dawson masterfully intertwines historical intrigue with supernatural elements.

The characters are wonderfully crafted, each with their own complexities and motivations. I particularly enjoyed the narrative's exploration of Anne Boleyn's journey, as well as the clever use of multiple timelines, which provided rich context and allowed for a deeper understanding of the events unfolding.

For fans of Juno Dawson's previous works, this novella is an absolute must-read. It stays true to Dawson's signature style of captivating storytelling, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more from this talented author. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting future installments in this captivating historical fantasy series.

I learnt so much in this book. Growing up in England I knew the basics of King Henry, but this delved so much deeper in. I think the big reveal at the end would have impacted me more had I known more of the history, but that's on me and I feel like it would be mind blowing had I known

This took me back to my days of studying A-Level history and it was wonderful. The Tudor period meets witches and it was so well written. I loved the back and forth between the timeline of events, as well as seeing how the characters interacted and how it all played out.

I do however wish that I felt stronger attachment to the characters. I feel they didn’t all get a chance to shine to determine how much I should have liked/disliked them in the context of the story.

Still, I really enjoyed this prequel novella that dived into the background of HMRC from the beginning. Definitely a fun and quirky read to accompany the HMRC series. I can’t wait to have the physical copy in my hands later this year!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperVoyager and Juno Dawson for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this! Juno Dawson’s HMRC series is fantastic and I loved that this novella focused on the Tudor era with Anne Boleyn starting the coven and navigating a time when it was incredibly dangerous to be a witch. I found the characters really interesting and liked the back and forth with the timelines, as it allowed me to see events from different perspectives. I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of any of Juno’s other books, as this one does not disappoint! I can’t wait to hopefully read more like this in the future.

This was a fun little novella, I don't think you need to have read the main HMRC books to understand it, but you might enjoy it more if you have. I think it's length meant not all the characters were as fleshed out but it was definetly fun to read as a historic retelling, and it's strength definetly lay in the relationship between Grace and Anne.

I was maybe hoping to see a bit more around the founding of HMRC but that's on me because I didn't remember who founded the org from the original books!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Queen B is a novella, a historical prequel to the Her Majesty’s Royal Coven series. We are transported to the 1500’s, back to the beginnings of HMRC.

A fast paced quick read that packs a punch. I highly recommended Queen B for established fans of the popular series. For those who have HMRC on their TBR this will be the perfect taster that will have you immediately reaching for the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the history of HRMC and I’m absolutely bursting for the next instalment. I would love this to be the beginning of a string of novellas exploring the foremothers of HMRC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this digital review copy

The tagline reads: Bow Down Witches! And I say, "All Hail Juno Dawson, the Queen of witchy fantasy".

Queen B is the delicious prequel to the Her Majesty’s Royal Coven trilogy. Her "Majesty’s Royal Coven" and "HMRC: Shadowcabinet" are already available and the final book is due for publication in 2025.

Now, I'm a big fan of this series, owning both digital and physical copies of the first two books. So, you can imagine my excitement for a prequel, especially one concerning such an infamous figure as Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII.

Our protoganist is one Lady Grace Fairfax, contemporary of Anne, and a member of both her household and Coven. Treachery is ever-present at the Court, and our Coven face multiple betrayals, which becomes a focus of the novel, beginning with the execution of the Queen, and then jumping back to relate the events leading upto this stage. Through Grace's eyes, we see the rise of Anne at court, through her complex marriage and eventual death, and the attempts by the Coven to seek revenge.

The mix of historical facts, with fiction provides for an intriguing storyline with a refreshing take on real events. Also, as Anne is also shown through Grace's memories, she remains a somewhat enigmatic figure in the storyline. And though the storyline is about Anne, this approach allows the theme of the importance of sisterhood sign through - an essential theme in the HMRC trilogy.

Title: A Unique Blend of History and Fantasy - A Review of Juno Dawson's Book

As a newcomer to Juno Dawson's work, I was intrigued by the title and the incorporation of Anne Boleyn, which instantly captivated me. Combining historical fiction with elements of fantasy, this book offers a perfect blend for readers looking to explore new genres. Beginning with Anne Boleyn's beheading and then delving into the events preceding her death, the narrative skillfully weaves together history and imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed this refreshing take and now find myself eager to explore more of Dawson's works.

NETGALLEY ARC

The premise was promising, history but make it witchy!

I found this quite a let down to be honest, nothing really happened til around the 50% mark. I wasn't a fine of the timeline jumping.

I didn't connect with any characters but is that because they are people already existing in the world? Maybe

3.5*

GET READY, THE QUEEN RETURNS. So much shorter than I would have liked, but absolute brilliance on every page. I’m a tremendous fan of Juno and the HMRC series and this latest venture into historical fiction (who knew?) is phenomenal, I could have easily spent 600 pages in Queen B’s world. An enchanting interlude and I cannot wait for the final book in the series!