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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Henry Tudor Must Die
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Laura J. (Bellevue, WA)
I love this time period!
Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine is a clever and entertaining blend of historical fiction, humor, and intrigue. Tudor England is one of my favorite time periods to read about, and this book offered a fresh, witty take on an era that is often written with heavy seriousness. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing moves quickly, and the characters feel vivid and memorable throughout.
What makes the novel especially enjoyable is its balance between dark humor and genuine emotional stakes. Even readers familiar with Tudor history may appreciate the playful tone and unique perspective. Fans of historical fiction with court intrigue, strong personalities, and a bit of irreverence will likely enjoy this one. It is a fun, fast-moving read that makes history feel lively, accessible, and just a little mischievous.
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Charla W. (Biloxi, MS)
Maybe Anne Boleyn Lived
If you have ever wondered how things might have turned out if Henry VIII had not had Anne Boleyn executed, this book is for you. What would be different, if by magic, Anne didn't die by being beheaded? Again, this book gives answers to this possibility. Not only does Anne live in this story, but she also becomes best friends with Catherine de Aragon, Henry's first wife who was also supposed to be dead. The two women are members of the Hellebore Society which is an all female organization where women look after each other, as well as all of society. Through the network of the Hellebore Society Anne and Catherine are tasked with looking after Henry's wives that came after them. As you can imagine this is a huge undertaking. Both women want Henry to get what he deserves, Anne wants Henry dead and has made her life's goal to see that her deepest desire comes true.
The women are in constant danger of being found out. They both miss their daughters terribly, but for the daughter's safety as well as their own, Anne and Catherine can't even be around their daughters, nor can they touch or talk to them, This is a heartache that never stops and it only makes them want to stop Henry's trail of heartache and destruction even more. The ladies meet many dangerous situations and make many sacrifices on the road to the end goal.
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Nina W. (Milwaukee, WI)
History made human
I read this book without refreshing my memory of King Henry VIII's reign. I highly recommend that be done because it showcases the author's power of storytelling. I can imagine British royalty buffs having spirited discussions over the twists and turns. As a non-history buff, I deeply appreciated the personalities of the queens and admired their courage. Needless to say, Long Live the Sisterhood!
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Aprile G. (Northampton, MA)
History and fantasy rolled into one!
This was a very fun read—I love both historical fiction and fantasy so the concept grabbed me immediately. I particularly liked the characters and that they were very different from the standard historical fiction about the period. The plot was fast paced and had many surprises. I didn't like the ending (but I often don't) but in general it was a great summer read.
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Laura P. (Atlanta, GA)
What if....?
I'd classify this book as speculative revisionist historical fiction. Author Jillian Laine posits the following questions: What if, rather than dying, Catherine of Aragon faked her death by hiding behind the death of a friend. What if Anne Boleyn were a witch who managed to fake her own beheading? What if both Catherine and Anne were connected to a community known as the Hellebore Sisterhood, run by a French princess and empowering women with a variety of talents and skills. What if working together these women sought revenge on Henry VIII for his treatment of his wives?
That's where this fascinating and engrossing speculative history begins. Before the book ends, we hear the story from the point of view of each of Henry's wives. The wife characters are well-developed, very much individuals.The narration, directed by the French princess and head of the Sisterhood, is by turns grim and charming, providing lots of dramatic tension. Usually fantasy and witchcraft are not on my reading list, but I have to confess I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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Mary Koster
Don't Judge This One by Its Title
Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine is a book with an original plot, wonderfully developed characters, and a satisfying ending. I particularly enjoyed the character arcs of Anne and Lina, both remained wonderfully relatable and satisfyingly flawed throughout. It was refreshing to find a story centered on older female characters who feel fully realized rather than decorative. Though the plot is fictional, the historical settings are impressively rendered and feel well-researched. The one caveat I'd offer is that the title does the book a disservice because the focus on killing Henry Tudor occupies only the final portion of the story, while the real heart of the book lies in the relationships between its female characters. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys original historical fiction, female-driven storylines, and strong character development.
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Ali K. (Greenville, OH)
Spirited Reimagining of History
Henry Tudor Must Die was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, for I am obsessed with the Tudor dynasty. While the novel itself wasn't quite what I expected (the premise made me think it would be a punchy, modernized twist on the history), it was still a relatively enjoyable read.
Though Laine took considerable liberties with certain aspects about the lives of Henry VIII's wives, she still remained true to the stories we have been told. She also did a remarkable job replicating the tone of the era, especially with respect to the dialogue, the decisions made, as well as the outcome of Anne, Lina, Kat, Anna, and Catherine. I was impressed by the amount of characterization each person was given, considering the consistent changes in point of view and the shifts in the storyline. That said, the first half of the novel dragged quite a bit. I truly didn't understand the trajectory of the plot until well into the second act, particularly since the first act relied heavily on exposition and passive description, rather than active interaction and dialogue. However, once the overarching plan was established, the pace of the novel picked up quite a bit and my interest was renewed.
Laine's writing style was very accessible, though as aforementioned, it focused more on description than action. I didn't quite see the point in making Marguerite the 'author' either, for her role in the story was sporadic at best. So too was I a bit surprised by how quickly and anti-climatically the ending shored up all of the loose ends without providing some sort of lasting impact.
Despite the fact that Henry Tudor Must Die is rich in its reimagining of one of the most well known monarchical reigns, Laine's adult debut unfortunately didn't affect me as much as I wanted it to— but that's purely because my expectations were off the mark. I do believe other readers, including fans of the period, will love it, for at its heart, Henry Tudor Must Die is the tale of female friendships and empowerment.
Thank you to Berkley, BookBrowse, and NetGalley for the privilege to read this ARC!
