The Duty of Women by Caroline Willcocks is a captivating journey into the treacherous world of the Tudor court, where danger and intrigue lurk around every corner. This second installment in the Tudor Queens series continues to follow the resilient and talented Kat Cooke, who now serves as a musician for Anne Boleyn.

Willcocks masterfully portrays the complexities of life at court, where loyalty is constantly tested, and survival often depends on one's wits and courage. Kat's struggle to balance her professional duties and personal life is both relatable and compelling, making her a character readers will root for. Her marriage faces numerous challenges as she navigates the perilous waters of court politics, risking her heart and her life.

The novel shines a light on Queen Anne Boleyn's reign, highlighting her efforts to champion new ideas and liberties despite the looming tragedy of her fate. Willcocks' depiction of Anne is both sympathetic and nuanced, offering a fresh perspective on this iconic historical figure.

The rich historical detail and vivid descriptions transport readers back to the 16th century, immersing them in the sights, sounds, and tensions of the Tudor court. The narrative is well-paced, with a perfect blend of romance, drama, and suspense that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

In summary, The Duty of Women is a beautifully written and thoroughly researched historical novel that will appeal to fans of Tudor history and strong female protagonists. Caroline Willcocks has crafted a story that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, showcasing the resilience and determination of women in a time of great uncertainty.

The Tudor court during the reign of King Henry VIII was a treacherous place to be, even for the humble female musician. It was full of men and women vying for a position of power, and they were ready to give anything and everything for that power. This is the world that Kat Cooke finds herself in. After faithfully serving Queen Katherine of Aragon for years, she must switch her loyalties to Anne Boleyn, but when things get dangerous, where will Kat’s loyalties lie? Can Kat survive such turbulent times or sacrifice everything she holds dear? Kat’s story is told in the second book of Caroline Willcocks’ Tudor Queens series, “The Duty of Women.”

I want to thank Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this novel. While I have not read the first book in this series, “Of Aragon,” I did want to read this book because the premise sounded intriguing, and I have seen this book floating around on social media. I have not read any books by Caroline Willcocks, so I was looking forward to seeing what her writing style and approach to the Tudors was like.

Kat Cooke is an adopted foundling living in the court of Henry VIII. She is a married woman, and throughout,t she tells her story to her daughter. It should be noted that Kat is not an ordinary adopted foundling; she is the daughter of Katherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, who was believed to have been born stillborn, which was revealed in book one of this series. Having Kat in the court as the unknown child of Katherine of Aragon and Henry VIII adds depth to her character as Kat is both inside and outside the court circle. We enter the story with Queen Katherine of Aragon away from court and Anne Boleyn starting to create her influence over the court. It is at the height of the Great Matter, and we get a chance to see Thomas Cromwell working with Kat’s husband, Will, to put Anne Boleyn on the throne while dismantling the Catholic church in England.

It is through Kat’s story to her daughter that we get to see how the court interacts with one another during this tumultuous time. Willcocks portrays the relationship between Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour as a Mean Girls situation. We also get to see the relationship between Anne and Henry, Anne and Cromwell, and Sir Thomas Wyatt’s affection for Anne. Although Sir Thomas Wyatt and Anne Boleyn never were a couple, Kat and Thomas do develop quite an interesting relationship that will shape her entire future and shake her relationship with Will forever.

Overall, I think this was a decent book with a unique take on the story of the Great Matter, the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, and the short reign of Jane Seymour. The story of Kat and Will Cooke is fresh and welcoming when compared to other Tudor novels. I am interested in reading the first book in this series and the other books in the series when they are published. I think if you want a fresh take on the Great Matter, “The Duty of Women” and the Tudor Queens series by Caroline Willcocks should be something you check out.

A wonderful story about Tudor England. It is not my usual genre, but it was so well written it was easy to read and follow along. I look forward to reading more of Caroline Willcocks.

I did like it better than the first book but still found it hard to connect with the main character Kat. However, the elder Kat narrating parts of the story I did like. Maturity seemed to be the key. As with the first book the constant reminder that Henry VIII and Katherine were her parents wasn't needed. I don't believe we as readers needed the reminders and certainly she didn't. I also questioned the authors choice of the relationship between Henry and Jane but will leave it up to each reader to make their own conclusions. Thanks to Netgalley, author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Duty of Women" by Caroline Willcocks is the second installment in her Tudor Queens series, following "Of Aragon." This novel focuses on the last four years of Anne Boleyn's life, as seen through the eyes of Kat Cooke, an everywoman heroine who serves as a musician for Anne. The story delves into the political intrigue and personal challenges faced by women in Henry VIII's court, particularly Anne Boleyn, who is portrayed as a complex figure driven by ambition and conviction.

Kat Cooke's narrative highlights the sacrifices and compromises required of women in the Tudor court, as she navigates her hidden lineage, a strained marriage, and loyalty to a shifting court environment. The novel explores Anne Boleyn's push for religious reform, Henry VIII's quest for a male heir, and the emergence of Jane Seymour, while also touching on lesser-known aspects of Tudor history.
The book was released on December 10, 2024, and has been positively reviewed for its accessible portrayal of familiar Tudor milestones and its focus on the human aspects of the era. It provides an intimate look at the lives of women in the Tudor court, emphasizing the importance of their resolve and the challenges they faced.

I really enjoyed this book, from the writing to the characters, everything just stood out to me. Anne Boleyn is one of my favourite historical figures and I felt like she was captured perfectly in this book.

This is a followup to the original book "Of Aragon" tracking an adopted foundling named Kat. In the first book Kat learns some explosive news about her true parentage while working at the Tudor Court during the reign of King Henry VIII. It was a cleverly written piece of historical fiction involving King Henry's first wife, Katharine of Aragon. In this sequel Kat continues to work as a lute player closely shadowing the admired Queen Katharine and her ladies, but also bears witness to King Henry's scandalous affair with Anne Boleyn. Kat's now married to a young man in the employ of royal lawyer Thomas Cromwell, so finds herself torn between alliances to Katharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn as King Henry demands a divorce. Kat is a reliable witness to a wild time in British Royal history as she navigates the politics, palpable fear, and divided loyalties of the court of King Henry VIII, serving Queen Katharine of Aragon, Queen Anne Boleyn, and Queen Jane Seymour.

Although you could read this as a standalone, I feel that the first book was such a rich predicate for this one that the reader would be sold short without reading that one first. While I enjoyed this continuation, the palpable mystery that unfolded of Kat's true familial origins in the first book was a richer experience for me. Even so, I look forward to any future installments that might be forthcoming in this series.

Thank you to the publisher Atmosphere Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Another excellent novel about Tudor England during the reign of Henry VIII. This is the second book about a common woman at court. It is so very interesting and you get a real feel for the life and times. It is a stand alone story, but reading the preceding book does add to your enjoyment. I am anxious to read anything by this author. She is an interesting writer that is able to really give full development to her characters. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this to read.

A surprisingly refreshing look at the life and times of the Tudors. I can honestly say I enjoyed this book much more than expected. The novel is vaguely epistolary, from a mother to her daughter about her experiences as a musician to two of Henry VII's queens, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour.

Technically, this book is a sequel, but it stands alone quite well.

Thank you, Atmosphere Press, for providing this free book through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The book's main premise is intriguing enough: a secret child of King Henry VIII and Queen Katherine of Aragon navigating the dangerous waters of the Tudor court.

While the story is certainly unique (if a little farfetched), I struggled to related or even really feel attached to the character. The pacing is uneven, and the characters lack the depth and complexity needed to make the story really interesting. This is particularly disappointing given the fascinating backdrop of Tudor England and the high-stakes premise of a royal secret.

The book is simply written so it was easy enough for me to understand. However, there were very small things in how the dialogue was written that made it confusing for me to keep track who is saying what.

In the end, The Duty of Women is an easy read but not a particularly memorable one. Would I recommend it to someone who loves Tudor-era fiction? Maybe, but only if they’re looking for something light and undemanding.

This book offers a well researched depiction of life at the Tudor Court. The writing style is clear and allows the reader to see this period of history from a woman's perspective in a time dominated by male figures. I would recommend this to all those interested in English history and would be interested in other books by the same author.