What do readers think of Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine? Write your own review.

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!

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.

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.

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.

As an avid reader of both nonfiction history and historical fiction, I've read many well-researched books set in Tudor England, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to read an alternate history/fantasy centered on the Tudors. What intrigued me most was knowing from the start that this would not be a traditional Tudor story. And while Henry Tudor is prominent in the title, the novel is really an entertaining revisionist story about the women in his life who wanted him dead.

What worked for me most was the author's willingness to fully embrace the fantasy elements while re-imagining these historical women in ways that felt fresh and engaging. The rumor that Anne Boleyn was a witch is woven directly into the story, and her powers are used not only for revenge but also for good. I also appreciated that Anne was allowed to recognize her own faults and grow as a character.

The portrayal of Catherine of Aragon ("Lina") was another strength. She is often written as cold, aloof, or rigidly religious, but here she is shown as strong while also caring, generous, and forgiving. The story avoids reducing her Catholic faith to intolerance, which made her characterization feel more nuanced. I also appreciated the author's inclusion of same-sex relationships as something natural and historically plausible, rather than treated as modern invention.

The depictions of Anne of Cleves and Catherine Parr were highlights for me as well. Their roles in this version of the story were compelling, and I especially liked the broader theme that a woman's value is not tied solely to bearing children. Some reviewers have criticized the book for being "full of feminist views," but that was actually part of what made it appealing to me. It gives today's readers a chance to see these women in a positive, feminist light, rather than solely through historical narratives so often shaped by male writers. As a historical fantasy, it isn't trying to replicate the social attitudes or events of the period exactly, and I enjoyed that contemporary perspective.
There were, however, a few things that held it back for me. At times, the pacing dragged, and I found myself wanting more dramatic action and stronger visual details. In several scenes, the book relied too much on telling readers what to feel instead of letting the story create that emotional response on its own.

I was also uncomfortable with the references to the relationship between Catherine Howard ("Kat") and Francis Dereham without acknowledging the significant age difference between them—she was in her early teens, while he was in his thirties. This could have been an effective opportunity to address how young girls have historically been groomed, exploited, and abused, especially in contrast with the similarly troubling age gap between Kat and Henry VIII.

Spoiler:
The introduction of the character Gisa felt abrupt and somewhat contrived. I wanted more explanation about who she was, why she mattered, and how she fit into the larger story. I was also a little disappointed by the ending. I had been looking forward to seeing the future of Lina and Anne, along with Kat, Anna, and Marguerite, and the good they might go on to accomplish together.

I enjoyed most of this book. I don't know a lot about Henry VIII and his queens. I love the idea of strong women finding ways to be free. This book takes history and adds magic. It gives a nice revenge plot that had me wondering how it would end. I can't wait to see more from this author.

I was excited to jump into this book as I love Tudor history and anything to do with the Six queens. Having toured London this winter, I eagerly started reading, only to be more and more disappointed the further I read. To be fair, Laine is a competent writer and had a decent fictional plot, but the historical pieces for accuracy are hit or miss. The main characters, Catherine of Aragon (called Lina in the novel) and Anne Boleyn, are not like the queens I've researched or read about. Laine portrays them as almost 2026 versions in their speech, thoughts and actions. And while, I am sure women of that time were smart, competent and frustrated, Catherine and Anne are angry, vengeful, and in some cases violent. The original love story between Henry and Catherine is gone. Catherine's devotion to her Catholic faith is gone..she in fact embraces witchcraft and revenge without much discussion. Probably the toughest thing to understand is that Catherine and Anne become best friends within days. Throw in a Queen/lady in waiting lesbian love affair, a trans prison guard, and a Dicken's Sydney Carlton moment without any of the build-up, thankfully he  didn't say "It is a far, far better thing that I do…."  and you have a lot of great ideas with no real substance in under 400 pages.