Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for providing me with an eArc!

Just to address the elephant in the room, I will say - I do think this book unfortunately suffers from the synopsis not quite being accurate to the book itself. However, this may be my favourite book of the year - I had a great time! It was so different to anything else being released at the moment and I have been recommending it to all of my reader friends!

If you're like me and have a weird love for anything surrounding the six wives and, especially, if you are in your feminine rage era - pick this as your next read! There's political intrigue, strong women whose strengths are varied, complex world building, and characters we love to hate.

Please don't go into this expecting historical fiction that is accurate to history - it is FANTASY fiction. Don't be that person.

Six Wild Crowns was a daring reimagination of the Tudor royals high focused on King Henry the VIII and his royal wives. Despite taking a while to get into the book, I felt that it could've done without the extra parts which was not part of the original story. Overall, I would give this 3.5 stars for historical research, despite it being very loosely based and bringing into the book a new spin on the Tudor royals.

High concept, low ambition
—
Neither fish nor fowl, this is a curio: inspired by the Tudors, using their names for the king and his six queens, but not set in England or even a reasonable facsimile thereof, and with history largely thrown out of the window. The author needed either to change the characters’ names to enforce the fantasy of it all whilst still acknowledging the inspiration of Tudor history, or to transpose the narrative onto England proper to highlight the differences between the history and the fantasy.

As it stands, the novel—first of a trilogy—sends very mixed messages, the history barely relevant yet front and centre, the fantasy muddled and inferred which, for a fantasy book, is not ideal. Focusing on Boleyn and Seymour—the conceit being that the eldest daughter is given the family name as a forename—in alternating chapters the narrative voice remains the same, further confusing this reader as to who is doing or saying what. The final verdict: high concept, low ambition.

Thank you for the opportunity to read Six Wild Crowns. Unfortunately it was a really hard book for me to get into and therefore I ended up not finishing the book.

However this book may not be for me for it clearly is for other people. I wish you all the success in this publication.

Thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Book Group for giving me an arc of Six Wild Crowns

Unfortunately, this is one of the lowest ratings I have given. I have also waited a few days before writing this review as the ending left me so enraged that I was still ranting about it to my partner the next day.

I loved the idea of a fantasy retelling of Henry and his wives and the author could've taken so many liberties on how to rewrite the story. I kept hoping for more as I read my way through this book and that is the only reason I didn't DNF it.

This was disappointing in so many ways. There are so many questions and theories left unfinished. The ending didn't conclude the plot. The first half was focused on Boleyn's pregnancy but once her child was born, it was barely mentioned again. There was so much potential for Henry to be a great villain but he was pathetic and we barely heard any of of his reasons or side of his story. Magic is big theme but hardly anyone uses magic and it was never mentioned what all the magic could do. None of the characters were likeable or relatable.

Ugh, I'll stop there..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This has to be one of the most unique concepts I've ever read in a book. Based off of the six wives of Henry VIII, Race has created a completely unique fantasy world with real historical elements. It's a fascinating concept that works extremely well most of the time.

There are many, many historical elements, familiar to any Tudor buff like me out there, as well as the obviously brand-new spin the setting gives. Overall, I really enjoyed the ride, as well as picking out the bits that were familiar and the new interpretations. Some elements are also switched around, like the Boleyn's birth order, and other timeline things I won't spoil, but as this is a fantasy work it doesn't feel out of place or odd.

Race also includes a trigger warning, and a note on historical context, which are both very important for anyone enjoying the book.

My qualms are small, one being that all the queens (and all elder daughters) are referred to only by their father's last name, so we get Boleyn Boleyn instead of Anne Boleyn, Seymour Seymour instead of Jane Seymour, etc. I don't totally understand why that was necessary, as I think we get the patriarichal nature of the setting, and we obviously would know who these women are. It just felt slightly jarring, and I couldn't help continuing to think of them as Jane and Anne.

Speaking of Jane and Anne, <spoiler> I just don't believe that Seymour was in love with Boleyn. Maybe later on, but certainly not at the point which it is declared. That early declaration felt wrong, but as the story developed, their relationship became more interesting. However, we never really get any sort of resolution or even understanding of Seymour's supposed love. I needed a bit more from her to believe it. </spoiler>

The ending also doesn't really feel an ending. I don't know if it's meant to lead into another book, but it feels quite weak after how snappy and tight the rest of the book is.

However, it is such an engrossing, unique read, I think I have to give it four stars! If you love the Tudor queens, definitely pick this one up for a totally new take.

Six Wild Crowns is a bold, imaginative reimagining of the story of Henry VIII’s six wives—only this time, set in a richly woven epic fantasy world brimming with magic, politics, and powerful women. In the first installment of the Queens of Elben series, Holly Race masterfully transforms history into high-stakes fantasy, delivering a gripping tale of power, ambition, and rebellion.

The story unfolds in Elben, a kingdom where six queens are not just consorts but the key to maintaining the magical stability of the realm. Among them, Boleyn emerges as a sharp, ambitious protagonist whose arc from fierce independence to deeper self-awareness is both compelling and deeply satisfying. Her complex relationship with Seymour—who begins as a quiet, reluctant lady-in-waiting and gradually steps into her own power—adds layers of tension, growth, and unexpected emotional depth.

Race excels in her worldbuilding, creating a vividly imagined landscape full of court intrigue, shifting loyalties, and dangerous secrets. Each territory within Elben feels distinct and immersive, drawing the reader deeper into the story with every turn of the page. Though a couple of the other queens don’t receive as much spotlight as Boleyn and Seymour, the foundation laid here suggests more character exploration to come in future installments.

At its heart, Six Wild Crowns is a story about agency, resistance, and the reclaiming of identity in a world designed to control powerful women. It’s a feminist fantasy that doesn’t just retell history—it reframes it, showing what can happen when women stop competing for a man’s approval and begin to reclaim their own destinies.

A must-read for fans of character-driven political fantasy, Six Wild Crowns is ambitious, absorbing, and utterly original. Holly Race has set the stage for a truly unforgettable series—and I can’t wait to follow the rest of these queens as they rise.

This is such an interesting take on Henry the Eighth and the six wives - I was fascinated! The worldbuilding is lush and vivid, I felt instantly transported to Elben and each territory we visited within. I think the author rewrote the tale of the Tudor Queens in an engaging, intriguing way that had you compelled by all six Queens. Boleyn was a brilliant main character, feisty, sharp and ambitious and I loved watching her character develop into a more self-aware, more caring being - mirrored excellently with Seymour, who starts off as quiet and unassuming, and grows to be confident and bold. This is a story about agency and feminism, about women taking back their power in a world that stamps down upon them. This is just fantastic. The only reason I took off half a star is because I wish a couple of the Queens had been featured more prominently, but hopefully we'll grow to know them more in the next book!

One of those books you want to finish in a day but you also don't want the story to end. Have found a favourite of the year; a round of applause, please. Stunning writing, fascinating world, beautifully messy characters. Reading this, you can feel both the cold iron of shackles and the warm embrace of a heart's fire. The feminist rage takes you through the pain and pleasures of being a woman—the power you can feel like an endless sky above and the gravity of love, friendship, and betrayal that grounds you to the earth below.

I was so ready to dive into this book when I heard about it; I was recommending it before I had my hands on this book, and it did not disappoint me at all! Six Wild Crowns is full of resistance, romance, magic, rebellion, and sisterhood... with a sprinkle of female rage.

It did take me a minute to wrap my head around the fact that Six Wild Crowns is not your typical Tudor retelling (not that I expected it to be) but that it was a Tudor fantasy retelling, and it is that unexpected perfect blend of history and fantasy that made me fall in love with this story. I WANT more; I need more. Where is book 2? Because that ending?! Holly, I have questions!?

As someone that loves and is truly fascinated with the Tudor era, this book spoke to me instantly. After wrapping my head around the history vs. fantasy side of this story, I devoured this book. This is a reimagining of the Tudor queens (who are all alive in the same place and time) and Henry VIII that combines the history of these queens and the contemporary elements with the magic, the dragons and just the world in general. It is so compelling and powerful.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc

An absolutely fantastic debut, perfect for anyone who had a childhood obsession with the Tudors (me) and also loves supporting women’s wrongs (also me). The careful weave of history and magic was so well done, and I really commend the difference in voice between Seymour and Boleyn. Truly such a riveting story that felt so expertly conveyed. Can’t wait for the next instalment!

Six Wild Crowns is the first book in the historical fantasy series Queens of Elben, a Tudor inspired proposal written by Holly Race, published by Orbit Books. An excellent and possibly unique take that lifts from the inspiration of Henry VIII's wives to weave a complex epic fantasy that puts the focus on the political intrigue, in a plot that is an absolute ride built around two memorable female main characters.
Boleyn has always been driven by ambition; her defiance and boldness attracted King Henry to marry him, thinking she might be the one that gives him a son. He thinks she will be the Queen he really loves, even if all six wives are needed to maintain the bordweal around Elben.
On the other side, we have Seymour, gifted as lady-in-waiting to Queen Boleyn by other of the rival queens; not a position she desired, but her proximity to Boleyn also ends drawing Henry's attention, even if the flame that really attracts her is the one the own Boleyn's project. Eventually, we will see how Seymour is also risen to one of the six wives of Henry.
Six Wild Crowns is an excellent novel, that takes its inspiration on the wives of Henry VIII to deliver an amazingly rich story about empowerment and breaking the mold, how collaboration is vital for it; a book that will delight those that like character driven political fantasy. A starter that leaves me longing for more of those Crowns, whose story I hope to hear next!

Epic Fantasy mixed with time-bending history.

Stands on it's own as a fantastically built world, and blends in the history of some of England's most notable queens.

At first I was hesitant. Many an author has tried to take on the stories of the Six Wives of Henry 8th, and little have done the real women justice. But this novel was surprising. It didn't demonise any of the women. It highlighted the real suffering and cruelty they all suffered at the hands of their husband, their families, and the people. It's clear the author really knew the stories of these women, the real ones, and even if it was changed, it was acknowledged and paid respect to the history without staying accurate.

Also, it's clear the author knows their history. Not just of the wives, but of Wolsey and Cromwell, and the geopolitical environment that existed during Henry's reign. As someone who studied the fall of Wolsey, it is incredible to see a book marketed as Fantasy to still include the real parts of the mid 16th century.

Six Wild Crowns is a historical fantasy that I can only describe as The Other Boleyn Girl on steroids, with magic, dragons as pets, and ferocious feminist fury against the repression and violence used against women. Holly Race's writing takes the reader on a wild reimagining of Tudor history, with a fierce 'stick it to the patriarchy' war cry vibe. She has ingeniously crafted her world-building around a fascinating magical system, in which a king binds his queen to him in polyamorous marriages to steal their mystical powers.

Holly Race has done a fantastic job of capturing the nature and spirit of the real Anne Boleyn in her version of the character. Boleyn's a force of nature – morally grey, deadly ambitious, prideful, reckless, and dangerously intelligent. She got a million political machinations and schemes in the fire for her agenda as queen, until something turns her world upside down and sparks rebellion in her blood with disastrous consequences. Seymour is a bit of an odd duck who made me laugh and boggled my mind. She is the underdog under the scheming thumb of her brothers, a bow-wrapped assassin gift, and a meek seductress out to snare a crown. It's hard to pinpoint which mask was her true self and what her endgame is, especially after the sapphic love attraction between her and Boleyn grows.

Thank you to Orbit for sending me a final copy of the Six Wild Crowns – this was an utterly beguiling book. I'm excited to see how the stories of the other queens unfold in the next Queens of Elben book.

A fantastic, enthralling read that reimagines the wives of Henry the VI in a secondary fantasy world. The characters in this book immediately capture you from the first page, with their fierce personalities and desires. I particularly enjoyed how each character unveiled themselves as the plot progressed, and eventually grower into their own shoes and accepted their own wants. The world in this book is also expertly builder, and feels so vivid and fully lived in, and it really seemed like an echo of the Britain of today. All in all, fully loved this, and very excited for the sequel

I love Tudor history, particularly Henry VIII, so when I saw this one I was excited to read it. Unfortunately this one was a struggle. The premise is misleading and at times I felt that I was reading a different book. I ended up DNFing this one.

Thank you to Little Brown Books and NetGalley for an e-arc of Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race!

Six Wild Crowns reimagines Henry VIII’s six wives in a dragon-filled fantasy kingdom where Henry must be married to 6 wives to reach his full power. When the sharp witted Boleyn and the quiet spy Seymour unexpectedly bond, they begin unravelling a sinister secret at the heart of their world and find that only by uniting all six can they hope to survive the king’s lethal power. Super high stakes!

I was obsessed with Tudors when we learnt about them at school and had a hugeee Anne Boleyn phase (haven't we all?) so this was a highly anticipated release for me. Let me start this review by saying, it didn't disappoint!

The fantasy spin on one of the most notable times for the monarchy was very well done. It wasn't a retelling of events (frankly I wouldn't want that) but instead it seemed the wives were loosely based on character accounts from the real life wives which I loved. Boleyn for example is super head strong and doesn't stop until she gets what she wants.. very similar to what we know about the actual person from historical accounts!

So moving on the story.. what should you expect?

- Dragons
- Magic
- Sapphic yearning
- Feminine rage (yesss!)

Overall I gave this a 4,5 stars and would strongly recommend this to anyone who has been considering picking it up. It's not like any other fantasy I have read this year, so refreshing!

Need the sequel asap.. that cliffhanger at the end!!

I just think this wasn't what I expected it to be. I heard sapphic six wives and kind of expected that, but that didn't seem to be the story at all, at least in the part I read up to. It's set in a fantasy world which threw me at first, but I did find this part of the story intriguing, how she wove the Henry and wives plot into it was well done and I enjoyed the twists she threw in. It was just a little boring, and I didn't particularly like any of the characters enough to ignore that. I also found the sex and aggression of it at the start of the book a little jarring and this kind of threw me out of the story for a while/ DNF at 15%

Henry the eighth and his six wives, reimagined to a fantasy land called Elben with magic and polyamory.
This book focuses on the two points of view of Seymour and Boleyn, and all the queens in this book are referred to by their second names.
This was an enjoyable read, with sapphic yearning and strong female characters.
I would have liked to have maybe seen the points of view of the other queens too, but understand this would have made the book far too long!

I really loved the premise of this book and wasn’t entirely sure how it was going to unfold from the blurb. Initially I found it difficult to separate the historical people from the characters living in this fantasy world however the characters became distinct enough that I was able to do this after around 30% of the book. You somewhat need to forget what you know about the Tudors from school in order to be fully immersed in the story.

There is some great queer representation in the book and the plot twists did surprise me. The dragons are only a small element of the book with them having more a pet function than in other fantasy books.

Six Wild Crowns is a bold book that takes a chance and it really pays off. I can’t wait to read the next installment to see the final cliffhanger through!