Customer Reviews
Absolutely stunning fantasy inspired by the six wives of Henry VIII, with this first book in the trilogy focusing mainly on Boleyn and Seymour. I loved this so much - the parallels between historical fact and the events within this fantasy world; the romance and yearning and magic. It was just brilliant, and I can't wait for the next book!
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.
Loved this book, refreshing and original. I loved reading alternate Boleyn and Seymour. A diverse cast, rich worldbuilding. The historical fantasy elements was compelling, unlike anything I read. I loved the dual POV. Can't wait for the next book!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!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!
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.
