Amazing book and not what I expected at all! I love love love the relationships between all the queen's and how they develop over the course of the book.

A must for any Tudor fangirl who wanted to punch Henry in the face!

DNF @ 74%
The story was nice enough but it wasnt gripping me at all. It just became so repetitive, mundane and boring. The story progressed very slowly then all of a sudden it would jump ahead months at a time.
I really liked cleaves and boleyn but Seymour was such a drag and unfortunately a lot of the story is centred around her.
Might come back to it at another time but nothing about the story was compelling me to carry on with it.
From the blurb I expected it to be somewhat tied to the actual stories of the six wives however the similarities end at their names.
The story isnt much like I expected it to be.

Thanks to the publishers for a copy of the book.

It's a 2.5 star read for me. I expected more about the dragons and magic but i felt like it wasn't talked about enough. I had trouble connecting to the characters. I just expected it to be different.

I did like the writing style which was easy to read. Too bad the story wasn't for me.

DNF. Six Wild Crowns was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025, and the lush prose of the opening had me very hopeful. But this book is all style, no substance.

First off, this isn’t a Tudor retelling. The setting is not England – which I actually thought made things more interesting, but underscored the ‘eat your cake and have it too’ strangeness of the whole premise. Scrapping all pretense of this being about Henry 8th would have been a huge help; as it is, Six Wild Crowns wants the Tudor aesthetic (and the glamour of notorious historical figures) but isn’t interested in actually exploring or engaging with it.

And a fair bit of the worldbuilding clashes with it. I loved the normalisation of polyamory, but if a woman can have multiple husbands simultaneously then quite a bit of the Tudor patriarchy makes no sense. Nonbinary people exist in this setting (much yay!) but it’s very unclear how they fit into Tudor gender relations. The religion here reveres Cernunnos, and since there’s not a whole lot under that name historically (we literally have one record of the name being used in a historical context) he really only has his modern mythos, which sets him as the consort of a dominant goddess – making it jarring that in Six Wild Crowns his faith is patriarchal. I read to the halfway point and I still don’t follow the reasoning for why firstborn noblewomen have their family names as their first names – beyond Race wanting an excuse to call Anne Boleyn, Boleyn, and Jane Seymour, Seymour, obviously.

I might have been able to overlook all of this if there’d been any freaking plot – or if the characters were three-dimensional and interesting. But there isn’t and they’re not. Everyone’s defined by one, max two character traits, nothing happens for the entire first half of the novel, and I’m deeply sceptical this is going to turn into some kind of sapphic romance given that one of the women involved seems to be straight. Even if she isn’t, there’s no depth to the feelings of the queer character; it reads like a crush, not a passionate love.

There’s so much telling-not-showing: with the worldbuilding, with the relationships, even with character thoughts and motivations. There’s nothing to feel because everything is paper-thin infodumps or hand-waved summations of time passing or actions taken. And while I enjoyed the visuals Race comes up with occasionally – the underwater palace of glass comes to mind – it’s all set-dressing, an aesthetic, not anything you can sink your teeth into. Race very clearly doesn’t know what to do with the lovely details she creates, like underwater palaces, or garnets born from bloodshed.

Or, you know, the dragons, who are just house-pets in the background, filling the role of lapdogs or cats in our world. Sure, we hear about dragons used in war, but that’s both off-page and in no way plot-relevant – if they were cut from the book, no one would even notice.

Also, I created my straight-up-stupid shelf on goodreads precisely for books that do things like have a queen send a random, inexperienced lady-in-waiting she has never previously spoken to…to assassinate another queen. Which is how Race gets Seymour sent to Boleyn. You know, the thing that kickstarts the entire book.

That’s definitely how a worldly, experienced queen arranges assassinations. For sure.

Six Wild Crowns is kinda pretty, but deadly dull, and I'm not interested in finishing it.

4 Stars: Dark, dazzling and twisted

Six Wild Crowns is an epic, fiery fantasy with bite. Think Tudor queens with dragons, deadly magic, and razor-sharp ambition, what’s not to love? The political scheming kept me hooked, and I was especially drawn to the unexpected alliance between Boleyn and Seymour. Their dynamic added real depth and intrigue. It’s fierce, queer, and full of surprises. I tore through it and already want more: Holly Race has built a brutal, brilliant world I won’t forget

This is a fantasy loosely based on Tudor England but with Henry supposedly ruling alongside six yes six Queens. The belief is that Henry was given magic that is tied to the land and as this story begins his sixth wife to be crowned is Boleyn. Boleyn loves Henry with a passion and she is determined to be the wife he wants above all others. Seymour is sent to spy on Boleyn by Queen Aragon and assassinate her but quickly realises that she is definitely not going to achieve that. What she does achieve is a secretive alliance that threatens not just the other Queens but everything Henry stands for !
Ok lets address the synopsis which is very misleading as this is not a dragon book and yes there's treachery and danger but it's not a tight political story. It is about women trying to hold power when an insidious magic could easily end their lives. The more I read the more I disliked Henry and Boleyn truly became heroic although she is flawed. Seymour perhaps went through the biggest transformation from pretty downtrodden to actually stepping up (eventually). This book embraces female love and yet the relationships that shape Seymour just didn't feel real to this reader. Plus the magic and how it was used just wasn't explored enough. I am rating this quite highly because I did find myself eagerly turning the pages but I fear many might be disappointed after reading the blurb.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts are I believe fair ppl I'm

I expected better, but Six Wild Crowns falls short in many aspects. One of these aspects is the world-building of it where the magic system wasn't explained well. The characters are interesting, yet the saddest part I found here was I couldn't care less about the sapphic subtext between Boleyn and Seymour. It is also quite boring that I found myself skimming through most pages. The ending was good, but other than that there's no right reason for me to not find this book mediocre at best.

This really wasn't the book I was marketed. The Tudor link tried to give the characters much needed context and personality that the story couldn't carry by itself. The dragons were intresting but we didn't see much of them (and I couldn't work out if you actually eat honey dragons). There's definitely sapphic yearning but what the description doesn't say is that it's painfully one sided to the point you just feel sorry for a woman with no personality outside of her historical counterpart.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race is a novel bursting with ambition — a reimagining of Henry VIII’s six queens as co-ruling powerhouses in a queernormative fantasy world with dragons, magic, and court intrigue. It’s a concept that immediately grabs your attention, and the book certainly has moments that shine, especially in its political dynamics and character development.

There’s a lot to love here if you’re a fan of Tudor history. The inclusion of historical personalities, events, and character quirks offers a rich layer of Easter eggs for those familiar with the era. The dual POVs of Boleyn and Seymour bring depth and emotional nuance to the story, and their evolving dynamic is one of the book’s stronger threads. The representation is diverse and thoughtful, and the worldbuilding — though occasionally inconsistent — is immersive enough to pull you in.

That said, the novel struggles with pacing and tone. The first half feels especially slow, with fantasy elements like dragons and magic present but underdeveloped. Despite being advertised as a sapphic fantasy with dragons, both aspects feel minimal — the dragons are more like pets than mythical creatures, and the sapphic yearning is subtle and often sidelined. Marketing this as a romantic fantasy might set some readers up for disappointment.

Some relationships feel rushed, and character motivations — especially in the early parts of the book — aren’t always convincing. Certain tropes and characterizations fall flat, and while the writing is accessible, it sometimes sacrifices emotional weight for readability. Readers who expect a more intricate or dramatic magical system may find the fantasy elements lacking in complexity or depth.

Overall, Six Wild Crowns is an imaginative blend of history and fantasy that doesn’t quite reach its full potential. While the premise is compelling and there are strong moments throughout, uneven pacing, underdeveloped fantasy elements, and mismarketing hold it back. Still, it’s a unique take on familiar figures and may appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven court intrigue with a twist.

Thank you to Orbit Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

The king has been appointed by god to marry six queens. Those six queens are all that stand between the kingdom of Elben and ruin. Or so we have been told. Each queen vies for attention. Clever, ambitious Boleyn is determined to be Henry's favourite. And if she must incite a war to win Henry over? So be it. Seymour acts as spy and assassin in a court teeming with dragons, backstabbing courtiers and strange magic. But when she and Boleyn become the unlikeliest of things - allies - the balance of power begins to shift. Together they will discover an ancient, rotting magic at Elben's heart. A magic that their king will do anything to protect.

I had such high hopes for this story. Blending fantasy with one of my favourite aspects of history - Henry VIII and his six wives - I believed I was in for such a treat. Instead, I have read part of a story that is confusing, lacking detail and describes blood clots leaking from a woman’s body (in shocking depth) TWICE. I’m sorry, I can’t get behind that. And that’s coming from a woman who deals with that normally. If I’m reading a fantasy, I want to be swept away. The synopsis describes Seymour as being a spy and assassin yet the girl I’ve seen is meek and wants to blend into the background. How does that make sense? I’m sorry. I just cannot continue with this book. If I’m wishing I could be off reading something else, this isn’t the book for me.

Overall, Six Wild Crowns is a book that feels marketed wrong and too light on the detail for me.

Thank you again to Orbit Books for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day. Available now on Goodreads.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!

R

This captivating portrayal of Boleyn and Seymour is inspired by Henry VIII’s six wives. It’s a tale of oppression, sexism, discrimination, loyalty, love, resistance, freedom, and friendship. The unlikely camaraderie between the queens, the toxic and captivating love affair, the violence against women, betrayal from the closest ones, and the ultimate sacrifice—all these elements make this a compelling read. It’s my next five-star read! Thank you for helping me get out of my slump! I couldn’t put it down; it’s an enchanting story from the very first page.

The story alternates chapters between Boleyn and Seymour. From the beginning, we meet Boleyn about to get married. She’s strong-willed, bold, deeply in love with Henry, and the person we all wish to be—the brave, the smart, the only one who stole his heart. Seymour, on the other hand, is the gray mouse, scared, foolish, used, and abused. She’s the one we all feel we are when the world takes advantage of us and pushes us in all directions against our will. Their arcs are all about growth, kindness, and discovering a hidden nature. Boleyn learns the true meaning of power and what it takes to destroy it. Eventually, she realizes that looks and brains aren’t enough, and she can’t fight the system alone. She accepts the limits of her body and the unlimited love and support of her friends. Seymour, in turn, grows brave and fights for herself and others. Their lives are intertwined, and their fate depends on each other. From mistrust and misunderstanding to competition and fierce companionship, their journey is filled with challenges.

The love between Boleyn and Henry is a picture of obsessive and compulsive desire. When pheromones override better judgment, logic, and even when you know your lover hurts you, you can’t give up on them completely. The last kiss, the last acts of love, justified by keeping pretense, when truly you can’t reconcile how the love of your life is out to sacrifice your life.

The book is beautifully written with smoothly flowing language that invites you to turn the page. The pacing is impeccable, one of the best I’ve ever read! Every chapter is filled with action, and each word has a consequence.

The best part? It’s truly an adult book, in the most important way possible: the characters are mature! They’re in their late twenties or early thirties, and they think their age. When they’re impulsive, they’re impulsive the way a grown-up would be. The story is written in such a way that you get the sweetest, most intelligent thought process that every adult can relate to. The characters have a true understanding of themselves, their limits, their desires, social conventions, consequences, and responsibilities. The author has a knack for writing adult novels that delve into our psyches with such precision and finesse. I desperately need the second volume! She’s become my new insta-buy author!

3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the premise behind this book, with the Tudor influence and then dragons mixed in with it. I liked the idea behind the story of Henry needing to be married to 6 queens to keep the bordweal and his powers strong, but I also liked the twist where it turns out he doesn’t and it was all a ruse!
Whilst there was lots of good world building and plenty of politics, I did find sometimes the plot a little lacking as I would have liked a bit more action, maybe even have the dragons more involved rather than taking a backseat.
Whilst this didn’t blow me away I still enjoyed it and thought it was good and I would read the rest of the series.

Edited to add another star as I can't stop thinking about this book.

This was everything that I wanted it to be and more. Henry VIII's wives but make it fantasy and make all the women badasses.

I am a huge fan of Tudor history and this book did it justice while also making it something new and fresh. I loved that all of the queen's are alive at the same time, adding to the court politics and relationship dynamics.

The fantasy side of things is more subtle but works beautifully. It plays on the idea of the king being chosen by a higher power but also includes different types of dragons, which I'll never be mad at.

I really enjoyed the dual POV, with Boleyn and Seymour's characters being so different to start. Both going through a lot of development, which is heartbreaking but empowering at the same time. I was rooting for both of them throughout and loved how their relationship developed.

If you love good world building, politics, history and fantasy, this is absolutely the book for you. I have no idea where this story is going to go now but I'm all in.

I have to say I was very much intrigued by the premise of this book! I love fantasy and really enjoy historical dramas, throw in some dragons and sapphic yearning and I was sold!

I was thoroughly captivated by the political intrigue and character development, but I did find the pacing slow in some places and some relationships felt rushed. I’m also a bit disappointed that there weren’t more dragons. I hope this isn’t a standalone, as I’d like to see more from the wives learning to harness their magic and fight back.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I do hope there is more to come!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the opportunity to read this title.

3.75/5

Tudors + Fantasy, what an epic mix, are you freakin’ kidding me!? I bloody loved reading this. Race somehow took a period of history, that is already wildly fascinating and twisted and shaped it to become even more intriguing. Think Henry VIII and the infamous six Queens but with a feminist twist, sapphic yearning and touches of magic (and dragons!) amongst all the political intrigue. I was hooked from the very beginning! 👑✨

(3.5 rounding up to 4)

Just give me sapphic yearning and political intrigue and I will always be there.

A special thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book because I was in the mood for a historical fantasy, and it did not disappoint! It’s a quiet kind of read, not one that clamors for your attention, but rather draws you in gently. I really appreciated this delicate approach.

The character work is strong. I especially liked Boleyn, though I found Seymour a somewhat odd fit for the role of assassin, it made me giggle a few times. That being said, I loved how both characters evolve together and influence each other over the course of the story. The subtle, one-sided sapphic yearning and longing were masterfully done.

I also didn’t mind that the book took liberties with Tudor history, after all, that’s what allowed for dragons in the first place! The court intrigue and the slow unfolding of the underlying mystery were compelling, even if the pacing was uneven and the plot didn’t really pick up until halfway through.

All in all, this is a very innovative take on the Tudor HIstory and a solid start to a series I’ll definitely be continuing.

Stunning and original, I adored this accomplished fantasy retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII. As a reader who enjoys this historical period, I was intrigued to explore Holly's version and quickly became invested. The world building was superb - richly descriptive, inventive yet somehow familiar and totally accessible. As someone who often finds fantasy hard work at the best of times, this was just so palatable, fluent and enjoyable. Loved the attention to detail and the complex characters (a special mention here for Haltrasc the panther!) while the cleverly woven plot strands led me to a perfectly executed and emotional ending I just didn't see coming. A fabulous five stars.

With thanks to NetGalley, Orbit and Holly Race for the early copy

Pacing was a little slow at times, and maybe this genre isn’t always for me, but I really enjoyed it when things got going! I loved the dynamics and the characters. The dragons and magic weren’t explored as much I’d hoped and the premise didn’t match up with what we got, but it was enjoyable enough.

Please see the link for the review.

I’ve reviewed Six Wild Crowns for book recommendation and sales site LoveReading.co.uk

I have chosen Six Wild Crowns as a Liz Pick of the Month and LoveReading Star Book.