Queen B is a prequel to the Her Majesty's Royal Coven series. It is short and fast-paced, with chapters jumping between before and after Anne Boleyn's death. Fans of the series will enjoy this glimpse into the past to see the beginning of what becomes HMRC, but I think it's a good read either way round and nothing is spoiled for the main series.

A fun mix of well-known historical figures with behind the scenes fantastical goings on. Recommended for fans of the series and those curious about it as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!

An entrancing take on the rise and fall of the ambitious and bewitching Anne Boleyn, Witch and Queen.

Dawson’s latest installment of her popular HMRC series leads us back to the beginning; a beginning that starts with the beheading of a witch who became queen. Her coven in turmoil, a traitor on the run and her dream of witches in power dashed, Anne faces the executioner’s axe with grace & poise, knowing she still has one last move to play.

Intricately weaving together the times before and after Anne’s death, Dawson lays the foundation for her HMRC series through the eyes of Lady Grace Fairfax and Cecilia De La Torre, witches and ladies-in-waiting. This prequel excellently explores the theme of women’s power and struggles through love, fear, birth and death. While compact in length, Dawson really packs in the romance, drama and danger with this one.

I love reading books in an around the Tudor time and Henry VIII and his six wives, and I love Juno's HMRC series so I couldn't resist getting a copy of Queen B to review.

The book is both fast paced and interesting with a flowing mixture of fact and fiction intertwined.

I was hooked from the start and following the women on their paths of heartache, love and loyalty was just binge worthy.

Juno clearly did a lot of research when writing this book and it shows throughout the story. The way she includes this in her story is both flawless and satisfying.

I would recommend Queen B to fans of historical fiction, fantasy fiction, and obviously those that love the women in the HMRC series!

‘Queen B’ by Juno Dawson is a novella set within the ‘Her Majesty’s Royal Coven’ universe; you don’t need to have read the first two to enjoy this. The novella focuses on Anne Boleyn’s coven at court and is told in a dual timeline - 10 years prior when Lady Fairfax joins court and ‘present-day’, the days proceeding Boleyn’s beheading. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and certainly well written and despite an alt-history narrative well researched. However it fell flat to me, it felt in parts despite being a novella, it was trying to say too much and the ending was, for me, rushed. It would have stood well as a full-length novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC

Perhaps this was a wrong place, wrong time sort of situation, but I decided to DNF at 70%. I absolutely adored HMRC so I was really looking forward to this, but the characters just didn't do it for me and I wasn't curious enough to continue.

This was a nice little continuation from the main series, and I really enjoyed the historical fantasy feel of it. Grace was a compelling character, and I enjoyed the nuance of her relationships with the other women in the coven.

It was slightly harder to get into this than Dawson's other books - maybe because it was a shorter read. As much as I enjoyed the connection to Tudor history, there was definitely less space for the characters to express and develop their feelings in this setting compared to HMRC.

But it definitely reminded me how much I enjoy the magic of this series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book goes!

Books with similar vibes - Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson, Torn by Rowenna Miller, Smile and Be a Villain by Yves Donlon, The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow, and Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness.

Queen B is a novella from Her Majesty’s Royal Coven series and gives us the origin story of the Coven. Set in the times of Henry VIII, centers around Lady Grace Fairfax, a queen’s lady in waiting, a witch, a grieving lover of the late Queen Anne Boleyn and her pursuit of the traitor of their coven. She struggles with the loss, the feelings and pain, but also the looming presence of a newly appointed witchfinder, Sir Ambrose Fulle, who will stop at nothing in his hunt.
Yes, it is a story of Grace and the coven and how did it get to powers it holds nowadays, but mostly it’s a tale of love. Of how it impacts people, their choices and the lives of others in their vicinity. Of how some deal with their loss and their future afterwards.
I really liked the book. It’s written in a way it’s engaging and interesting, but also feels empowering. It makes the statement that says “embrace the differences” and helps feeling good about it. Juno Dawson’s writing is very compelling. She uses the era appropriate language but without overwhelming the reader. She uses time jumps but they make sense and are not too complicated to follow the story. She also creates full blooded characters that are likeable, relatable and interesting, and makes you want to know more about them. That’s a great skill.
Overall it’s a good read, 4,5/5 rounded up

I loved reading this book in the HMRC series. It's an original take on the history of Anne Boleyn and the accusations against her of witchcraft. In this we see how witches hoped to rule through her and improve the lives of women like them, and how that plot ultimately failed with her execution. But there is hope for the future with her daughter Elizabeth, also born a witch and I am sure there must be a sequel in the planning given that witches are supposed to have conjured the winds that blew the Armada off course late into her reign!

A fantastic addition to Dawson’s HMRC world that adds depth to the existing books. Queen B is a historical short novella chronicling the origins of the coven during Henry VIII reign.
The fantastical elements were entwined well into the historical setting. The characters and story were very compelling, and I devoured this book in one sitting.

BOW DOWN WITCHES
It’s 1536 and the Queen has been beheaded.

Lady Grace Fairfax, witch, knows that something foul is at play – that someone had betrayed Anne Boleyn and her coven. Wild with the loss of their leader – and her lover, a secret that if spilled could spell Grace’s own end – she will do anything in her power to track down the traitor. But there’s more at stake than revenge: it was one of their own, a witch, that betrayed them, and Grace isn’t the only one looking for her. King Henry VIII has sent witchfinders after them, and they’re organized like they’ve never been before under his new advisor, the impassioned Sir Ambrose Fulke, a cold man blinded by his faith. His cruel reign could mean the end of witchkind itself. If Grace wants to find her revenge and live, she will have to do more than disappear.
She will have to be reborn.

Let me say that I am a huge fan of the HMRC series and was so excited to read the prequel Queen B and the origin story for the HMRC witches. Described as a novella, Queen B is in fact 400 pages long and it took me a while to get into the story. If you are familiar with English Tudor history and the world of Henry the 8th, it might be easier to get into but it was a bit of an obstacle for me in the beginning.

Juno’s ability to present flawed characters to her readers is one of my favourite aspects of her work. Even with all their flaws laid out on the page, you end up getting attached to them and invested in each of their stories. Dawson includes past and present events throughout the story which really gives the reader a better understanding of what happens from different perspectives.

The focus remains almost completely on the female protagonists whereas the likes of Henry and his advisors feature but don’t get to hog the spotlight which is refreshing. The witch hunters are a truly terrifying aspect of this story and Dawson really brings to life the terror that women faced at a time when any woman could be accused of witchcraft and have no defence from these claims.

A captivating and refreshing story, Queen B is out on July 18th. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the arc. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have loved the first two books in the HMRC series and was really excited for this prequel novella, but it just really wasn't for me. I think the biggest issue was the historical aspect, with it being set in the time of Henry VIII, but that's definitely on me. I think if you're a fan of historical fantasy and have enjoyed the HMRC series so far you'll really enjoy this!

Thank you to NetGalley, Juno Dawson and Harper Collins for allowing me access to this advanced readers copy of Queen B.

I am a huge fan of the HMRC series, the first book in particular is one of my favourite reads ever, so I have been very excited for the release of Queen B, which did not disappoint.

Summary

Although this is the third book of the HMRC series, Juno Dawson takes us back in time to the 1500s to witness the creation of the first ever coven.

The story features the infamous Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, but also a witch and the high priestess of her coven. After Anne's beheading, Lady Grace Fairfax is out for revenge for her lover, as she will do anything in her power to find the traitor within their coven to pay for the price of their Queen's execution.

Meanwhile Sir Thomas Cromwell leads a team of witch hunters at the order of the king (Henry VIII), at the front of those hunters is Sir Ambrose Faulke, who will also go out of his way to appease the king to rid the country of witches.

Review

If you loved Her Majesty's Royal Coven and it's sequel The Shadow Cabinet, then there is no doubt that you will enjoy reading Queen B too. It is a novella so it's a very quick read, but it also reads like a historical fiction novel in its own right. It is easy to connect to the characters and follow them on their own personal journeys as witches but also as ladies in waiting too.

Queen B features many well known topics of the Tudor timeline as well as some infamous lore. It also contains some really popular reading tropes including sapphic romance and friends to lovers.

This gripping title is a must read for those interested in witchy fiction, or even for those who just enjoy reading about the lore of witches and their covens.

Before reading, please do check the content warnings as there are some sensitive matters that are included in this book that some may find upsetting.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Queen B, as I had expected, being a fan of the series already. However HMRC does still remain as my favourite in the trilogy. Which is why I have given Queen B a 4 star rating. I feel like I really wanted to read more of this story and learn more about these characters. I will be purchasing this upon it's official release to sit beside the other two books in the series on my bookshelf and I will definitely be happy to recommend to those who love a great witchy read.

If you love HRMC you'll love this prequel with the Original Queen B! Giving us the backstory of how HMRC was formed, it's a fab story that sets us up for the modern day coven.

For a novella this really read like a whole novel - with wonderful character and plot development, that was easily as strong as the rest of the HMRC series. I adored the combination of history and fantasy, Dawson so perfectly wove in real historical figures and relationships with her own story and the witchy fun.

Queen B by Juno Dawson
Rating: 4/5

Queen B is the third instalment in Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. A quick novella, bringing us back into 1500’s with the story of Anne Boleyn and the formation of the witches coven.

This novella was fast paced and very enjoyable. I am definitely looking forward to the next instalment in the HMRC series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction/HarperVoyager Books for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Just finished Queen B by Juno Dawson and I have to say, it's the perfect prequel to the Her Majesty's Royal Coven series. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. My only complaint? It left me wanting more!

I absolutely love this series. Anne bolyne is considered one of the first witches by certain groups so I was fascinated to see a new take on it.

I was not disappointed it was everything I expected and more! This book got me out of a real reading slump.

Wow. Juno Dawson never misses for me. I LOVED this book, what an amazing addition to the HMRC series. I loved the characters, even if they weren’t always making particularly great choices (something that I love in this series anyway), I loved the plot and getting to know the origins of a series that is a firm favourite. I just loved this book, the only thing I would say about this one though is that I wish it was longer. I wish we could have got more insight into the characters and their relationships, but I would always want to read more in this universe. Overall, this book did the job it was supposed to, it showed the origins of the story we have grown to love and introduced the first coven to us. I love it, I highly recommend and I cannot wait to read the final book in the trilogy when it arrives.

Queen B is such a fun little book and if you've read and enjoyed the other books in the HMRC series then I'm pretty certain that you'll enjoy this one too.
Juno Dawson takes it back to the start of HMRC with the original Royal Coven being led by Anne Boleyn. As someone who dumped off History lessons at school my knowledge of Anne Boleyn and the court of Henry VIII is best described as rubbish but I really enjoyed this retelling of it and I found that as I read it I started wanting to learn more about her. I'm trying to work out how I can get the rest of my family to visit Hampton Court.
As a prequel to Her Majesty's Royal Coven you can pretty much guess that this book will have flying around, avoiding awful men, fighting for power and just generally being great fun and it totally delivers. Short, sweet and totally enjoyable.

This was a really good novella following the origins of HMRC. I enjoyed the historical input of a well known time period and characters to introduce the foundation of this series. It was a quick and easy read that reminded me how much I enjoy Juno Dawson's writing style. I am really looking forward to the continuation of this series and hope we don't have too long to wait for the next instalment!