#BBNI2025

I really enjoyed reading the first few chapters in this as part of the readathon. My initial thoughts are that the story sounds very intriguing. It also isn't a time I've read much about so that definitely adds to the interest.

The Pretender
By Jo Harkin

What caught my eye when I chose this book was it's description of Wolf Hall meets Demon Copperhead. I didn't love DC but Wolf Hall remains one of my Top Ten reads of all time, so anything that can entrance me so completely is worth my time.

I fell instantly back into that space with The Pretender. Harkin's world building is fabulous. Like Mantel, her blend of historical details with contemporary wit expands the reader's imagination to visualise and become emotionality immersed in the late 1400s.

I love her use of language, studded with archaic words and phrases. It has the bawdiness of Monty Python, the quipiness of Blackadder, the political satire of Wolf Hall. It adds a voiciness that I like in my reading. However the repeated use of the same few words soon began to grate and at times I feel it if the story by noticing the mechanics of it.

The structure is simple, it could be represented by a map with arrows, but the journey is complex. As the protagonist makes his way through kingdoms and baronies and through various iterations of himself, the narrative is in present tense, and we are only privy to the world as he sees it. As he grapples with upward social mobility and sexual awakening, we experience the confusion alongside him.

This is a particularly complicated time in British and Irish history. Allegiances were a fickle thing and political agendas, personal motivation, legacy building and power dynamics shifted on sand. Loyalty was ephemeral. Nobody was immune from betrayal. Not even a king was sure of his power, the hunt for spies and traitors was an ongoing exercise. What this novel does well is to deny the reader any feeling of being certain who is friend and who is foe. It makes for an authentic atmosphere. I'm a reader who likes to keep track of the ins and outs, and I felt baffled at times, but surely that's the point.

I was very impressed by Harkin's research while I was reading the section where he stays with the Fitzgerald family in Kildare. Tiny details throughout the descriptions of the Irish scene delighted me. Mentions of place and people that may seem inconsequential, but are thrilling to anyone who recognises them. At times I thought "sure she's just showing off now".

Lovers of emmersive historical fiction are bound to love this. I don't know if it's a good place to start if you're not familiar with the War of the Roses, the Plantagenet period, Tudor or Anglo Irish history owing to the political complexities, but if you can meet it where it is, a time when a person had very little value other than a bargaining chip, when, regardless of being a peasant or a noble, a person might have been used as a pawn in the power plays of others, then it's an entertaining coming of age story with themes of identity, overcoming adversity, found family and personal growth. Just like Demon Copperhead.

Publication date: 24th April 2025
Thanks to #Netgalley and #bloomsburyuk for providing an eGalley for review purposes.

This book is wild in the best way. The Pretender follows John, a 12-year-old peasant boy who gets yanked from his quiet life and told he’s actually the lost heir to the English throne. Cue the identity crisis, courtly scheming, and constant fear of execution.

What makes it so good? John isn’t some flawless hero—he’s confused, scared, and just trying not to get played by the power-hungry nobles around him. Then there’s Joan, the sharp, rebellious daughter of his Irish hosts, who steals every scene she’s in. Their dynamic—part mentorship, part romance—gives the story heart amid all the backstabbing.

Harkin’s writing is sharp and immersive, making 15th-century England feel fresh and urgent. It’s funny, tense, and surprisingly emotional—I gasped, laughed, and definitely yelled at my book a few times. And knowing it’s loosely based on a real historical figure (Lambert Simnel) adds an extra layer of intrigue.

If you like historical fiction with wit, heart, and high-stakes drama, The Pretender is a must-read. 10/10—just be prepared to lose sleep over it.

During the War of the Roses, it was alleged that Edward, son of the late Duke of Clarence, was hidden away as a child, to be brought forward at the right moment to become the rightful King of England.

John who been brough up on a remote farm, is told that he is in fact Edward, and he gets taken away on an adventure, and given different names as he goes along. This covers the time period from Richard III to Henry VII and all of the plots afoot during that time.

The book is written in a very authentic feeling way, including words and phrases that would have been used at the time. The author shows a very bawdy side to this history, which was very amusing to read about.

At its heart, this book of historical fiction is a coming-of-age story, about a boy going through adolescence through the turmoil of not knowing where he belongs and who to trust.

I really enjoyed this book, and always love revisiting the Tudors through the eyes of side characters in history. I love that the author chose this character from a footnote that she found.

Thank you to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this ebook.

A sweeping historical premise with echoes of Mantel and O'Farrell—sounds intriguing. But unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me.

Set in the late 1400s, The Pretender follows Lambert Simnel, a peasant boy groomed to be the Yorkist heir to the throne during a turbulent moment in English history. While I was intrigued by the real-life inspiration and appreciated the fresh lens on a lesser-known historical figure, I struggled to stay immersed—and ultimately put it down at 18%.

The issue? Language. I can get behind modernized dialogue in historical fiction when it's done with finesse, but here it felt jarring. Terms like “parabola” and “dendritic”—even if they technically existed—felt wildly out of place, especially in the mouth of an 8-year-old village boy. It broke the illusion of time and place for me.

The main character had potential, and I enjoyed his voice, but the overall story didn’t grip me, despite my usual love for the genre. If you’re drawn to Tudor-era tales and don’t mind a little linguistic looseness, this might still work for you. But for me, it just didn’t click.

No rating since it's a DNF, but I’ll be watching to see what Jo Harkin writes next—there’s definitely talent here.

An audacious reimagining of a footnote in Tudor history, The Pretender is that rare historical novel that manages to be both whip-smart and wildly entertaining, a gripping political drama infused with wit, charm, and unexpected heart.

Set in 1480s England—a kingdom teetering on the edge of dynastic upheaval—this novel takes the true story of Lambert Simnel and spins it into a richly imagined coming-of-age tale that’s as clever as it is compelling. At its center is John Collan, a 12-year-old boy whose quiet life in a remote village is upended when he's plucked from obscurity and molded into a royal impostor: Edward Plantagenet, rightful heir to the English throne.

What follows is a dazzlingly plotted journey through court intrigue, backroom deals, and moral ambiguity, as John is trained to be a puppet king in someone else’s power game. But this is no dry history lesson. Through the sharp eyes of its young protagonist—and the fiercely intelligent, often hilarious Joan, daughter of his host—The Pretender explores big themes: identity, truth, survival, and the strange ways power finds (and uses) us.

Harkin’s prose is agile and alive, capable of shifting from poignant insight to sly humor in a breath. The novel’s voice is what truly sets it apart—earthy and immediate, full of modern vitality yet grounded in the texture of the time. It’s Wolf Hall meets Demon Copperhead not just in scope, but in narrative innovation: historical fiction with soul, bite, and blistering relevance.

If you’re craving a fresh take on the Tudor era, one that doesn’t just dramatize the facts but reanimates them with heart and brilliance, The Pretender is a must-read. Bold, buoyant, and unforgettable.

📖✨ The Pretender by Jo Harkin ✨📖

A crown, a game of chess, and the turn of a tarot card; fate is a slippery thing, and power even more so.

Imagine being plucked from obscurity and shaped into a pawn in one of history’s most dangerous games. That’s the reality for John Collan, a boy forced to become Edward Plantagenet, rightful heir to the throne of England. As political schemers pull the strings, John must decide: will he rise to the challenge or be consumed by it?

Jo Harkin has crafted a novel that is as sharp as a dagger and as captivating as a court intrigue. Fans of Wolf Hall and Demon Copperhead will love the wit, heart, and sheer brilliance of this historical tale. It’s funny, clever, and utterly immersive; a rare novel that manages to be both wildly entertaining and deeply moving.

If you love history, power struggles, and unforgettable characters, this one’s a must-read! 📚👑

#BBNI2025

My initial thoughts about the first chapters:
I love history, so I'm quite sure I am going to like this.
I don't vibe a lot with the writing style, the narration is set in present and I don't usually like it.
But I enjoy how the events are presented and depth of the storytelling.
I have not studied a lot about this age, so hopefully I will learn something with The pretender!

I went into this one really excited—the concept of a boy being pulled into a royal conspiracy during the Wars of the Roses had so much promise. And to be fair, the first half of the book really worked for me. I was hooked by John’s story as this innocent, quiet boy caught in something much bigger than himself. Watching him be molded and used by powerful people was fascinating.

But somewhere around the halfway point, it lost its grip on me. The pacing slowed down, and the emotional pull started to fade. John changes a lot over the course of the book—he goes from being unsure and passive to someone who’s cold, calculating, and only looking out for himself. I get that it’s part of the point, but it left me feeling a bit detached from him.

His relationship with Joan also felt strange. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be romantic, maternal, manipulative… or all three? It added to the unsettling vibe, but it never quite landed for me.

That said, I loved the writing style and how the story made me think about identity, power, and who gets to shape history. I just wish the second half kept the same intensity as the beginning. A solid read, but not a new favourite.

🌷Thank you to Tandemcollectiveglobal and Bloomsbury_export for the gifted copy!

An unforgettable journey through 15th-century England. The story of young John Collan, who’s pulled from his quiet life and groomed to impersonate a royal heir, is full of tension, heart, and surprising humor. Harkin’s writing is sharp and vivid, drawing you into the chaos of a world where ambition and deception rule. I couldn’t help but root for John as he navigates treacherous waters with only his wits and the help of the fierce Joan. A truly captivating, emotional ride through history.

A historical fiction set around tudor time and tells the story of Lambert Simnel, who was raised in obscurity as a peasant boy to protect his safety, believed to be the heir to the throne occupied by Richard III, and briefly crowned, at the age of ten, as King Edward the Sixth, one of the last of the Plantagenets.

It's an excellent concept for a historical fiction as we know enough facts about the situation to lay out a storyline but there's enough ambiguous areas the author can take creative license and create a compelling story.

I fear overall it wasnt my style as it was so far out my comfort zone. It felt a little too long, and the humour a touch too modern. But it has excellent reviews and I feel people who regularly read historical fiction, or have an interest in that time period would really enjoy! Harkin also does an excellent job at helping you keeps everyone's names and titles straight as that can be difficult at times in historical fiction!

This was a fascinating read, immersing the reader in a world of politics, intrigue and human emotion. It was so interesting being exposed to the vocabulary with words such as cupshotten meaning drunk, And to understand John's emotions to have lost the people that he loved and his very identity, you can't help but identify with his anger, his need for revenge.

Overall a great read that I enjoyed.

Thank you Bloomsbury for providing this as a part of Bloomsbury Big Night In

What a journey!!

Absolutely love the way Lambert Simnel’s story was imagined, it had it all: intrigue, politics, irony and love.

We follow Lambert’s life since he was a little kid to his adult years. I especially loved the first half of the book as 10-years-old Lambert’s naivety made me giggle so much.

PLUS I loved loved LOVED the female characters Lambert gets surrounded with, they’re all so complex and witty and really shape the person he becomes (especially Joan, you and your “if people stop annoying me then people won’t get killed” will always be famous!!)

AD/PR product: Thank you Tandem Collective Global, Bloomsbury Export and Netgalley for the copy #BBNI2025!

👑 History just got a wild twist! 👑

“The Pretender” by Jo Harkin plunges you into 15th-century England, where a simple farm boy is thrust into the dangerous game of thrones and is just one of 6 books being showcased at Bloomsbury Big Night In with @bloomsbury_export & @tandemcollectiveglobal on the 10th of April.

🤯 Think you know your history? This novel reimagines the story of Lambert Simnel, a “pretender” to the crown, with all the grit, humor, and intrigue you could ask for.

⚔️ From humble beginnings to royal courts, follow John Collan’s journey as he’s transformed into a pawn in a deadly political game.

💃 And let’s talk Joan! A sharp-witted, fiercely independent woman who steals every scene.

🔥 Expect: political machinations, unexpected alliances, and a whole lot of “wait, what?!” moments.

📚 Perfect for fans of historical fiction with a dash of rebellious spirit.

I was supposed to just be 'taste testing' this as part of the Bloomsbury Books Big Night. You know, read a couple of chapters to get the vibe so I could post about it, but I got SO HOOKED right away that I couldn't put it down. I pushed aside everything else I was reading so I could binge this story of a young pretender to the English throne in 1487.

I thought John was a hilarious POV character. I wasn't sure I'd get along with a child POV in historical fiction but his interpretation of events ended up being why this was so engrossing. There's a lot of political machinations in this, trying to overthrow the King and all. It had the potential to be quite dry but seen through John's eyes, everything was endless entertaining. The final section is significantly more sombre (or dole, as John would say) which wasn't the ending I was hoping for but historical fiction can only stray so far from actual history, so what can you do.

What a journey!!

Absolutely love the way Lambert Simnel’s story was imagined, it had it all: intrigue, politics, irony and love.

We follow Lambert’s life since he was a little kid to his adult years. I especially loved the first half of the book as 10-years-old Lambert’s naivety made me giggle so much.

PLUS I loved loved LOVED the female characters Lambert gets surrounded with, they’re all so complex and witty and really shape the person he becomes (especially Joan, you and your “if people stop annoying me then people won’t get killed” will always be famous!!)

AD/PR product: Thank you Tandem Collective Global, Bloomsbury Export and Netgalley for the copy #BBNI2025!

It's Day 6 of #BBNI2025 Bloomsbury’s Big Night In.

Book 2 is The Pretender by Jo Harkin. Book review. Unfortunately this book was not up my alley, but anyone who loves historical fiction will love this. It's based on a true story.

Read further about the book

In 1480 John Collan’s greatest anxiety is how to circumvent the village’s devil goat on his way to collect water. But the arrival of a well-dressed stranger from London upends his life forever: John is not John Collan, not the son of Will Collan but Lambert Simnel, the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence, and has been hidden in the countryside after a brotherly rift over the crown—and because Richard III has a habit of disappearing his nephews.

Removed from his humble origins and sent to Oxford to be educated in a manner befitting the throne’s rightful heir, Lambert is put into play by his masters. He learns the rules of etiquette in Burgundy and the machinations of the court in Ireland, where he encounters the intractable Joan, the delightfully strong-willed and manipulative daughter of his Irish patrons, a girl imbued with both extraordinary political savvy and occasional murderous tendencies. Joan has two paths available to her—marry or become a nun. Lambert’s choices are similarly stark: he will either become king or die in battle. Together they form an alliance that will change the fate of the English monarchy.

Inspired by a footnote to history—the true story of the little-known Simnel, who was a figurehead of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion and ended up working as a spy in the court of King Henry VII—The Pretender is historical fiction at its finest, a gripping, exuberant, rollicking portrait of British monarchy and life within the court, with a cast of unforgettable heroes and villains drawn from fifteenth-century England.

In 1480 John Collan’s greatest anxiety is how to circumvent the village’s devil goat on the way to collect water. But the arrival of a well-dressed stranger from London upends his life forever: John is not John Collan, not the son of Will Collan, but the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence, hidden in the countryside after a brotherly rift over the crown, and because Richard III has a habit of disappearing his nephews.
Inspired by a footnote to history—the true story of the little known Simnel, who was a figurehead of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion and ended up working as a spy in the court of King Henry VII.

The Pretender is historical fiction at its peak, classically written and politically driven this book was an educational delight.

A gripping, fast paced historical novel that had me hooked from the first page. The world felt gritty and real, full of betrayals, shifting alliances, and characters who felt like actual people rather than distant historical figures. The political intrigue kept me on edge, and the emotional depth especially in the protagonist’s journey which made it hard to put down.

Harkin’s writing is sharp and immersive, pulling you straight into 15th century England without ever feeling dry or overly complex. The blend of historical accuracy and compelling storytelling makes this a must read for anyone who loves medieval historical fiction. The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of five is that some parts felt a bit rushed, and I wanted more time to sit with certain events (because I was enjoying it so much!)

This is one of the best historical novels I’ve read in a while rich, highly recommend!!

Huge thank you to the author, NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this ARC 🥰

Jo Harkin’s The Pretender is historical fiction at its finest: a masterful blend of political intrigue, shifting identities, and wry humour. Sweeping through 15th-century England, Ireland, and Burgundy, the novel follows Lambert Simnel, a boy plucked from obscurity and thrust into the dangerous game of monarchy. As a pawn in the Yorkist rebellion, he is shaped, educated, and molded into the rightful heir to the throne—or at least, that’s what his handlers claim. But what happens to a boy who has been turned into a king, only to have the world yank the crown away?

From the very first page, Harkin’s prose is electric. There is a wit here that is rare in historical fiction—a modern sensibility that never breaks the authenticity of the 15th-century setting. She captures the absurdity of power, the precariousness of identity, and the human need for recognition and belonging. Through Lambert’s various incarnations—John Collan, a farm boy; Edward, Duke of Clarence; Simnel, a rebel king; and finally, John Crossley, a royal spy—the novel examines what it means to be a person shaped entirely by the ambitions of others. As Lambert himself wonders, How does one live when nothing is certain, no firm ground?

But let us shift to the style of the book itself—why not join in the fun?

Ah, but see, dear reader, how the boy stands there, trembling, clad in fine velvet, uncertain whether he is a prince or a pawn. Aye, ’tis a grand trick they have played on him, these men of books and swords, whispering of destiny, of crowns within reach. But what be the truth of it? What does he know of kingship, save that it makes one a target? Would he not be better off back at the farm, dodging the devil goat and swiping apples from the orchard? And yet, the world moves ever forward, and here he stands, a lad turned legend, whether he wills it or no.

Harkin’s handling of historical fact and fiction is exquisite. She takes the bones of recorded history and animates them with flesh and breath, filling the gaps with intrigue, emotion, and razor-sharp dialogue. She also makes a bold choice in her use of period-appropriate language—not so much as to make the text impenetrable, but enough to immerse the reader in the time period fully. The humour is biting, the characters complex, and the courtly machinations deliciously tangled. Joan, the fiery, politically savvy daughter of his Irish patrons, is a standout, a woman wielding what little power she can in a world determined to box her in.

If there is any flaw to be found, it is merely that the novel is so rich, so detailed, that it demands a reader who is willing to engage with its depth. Those looking for a quick, surface-level historical drama may find themselves lost in the labyrinth of shifting alliances and double-crosses. But for those who revel in literary fiction with historical weight, The Pretender is an absolute triumph.

A novel of transformation, deception, and survival, The Pretender is both a rollicking adventure and a profound meditation on identity. A must-read for lovers of Hilary Mantel and Maggie O’Farrell, and without question, one of the finest historical novels of the year.

Easy 5/5.