Six Wild Crowns By Holly Race Book Review

I’ll be honest—Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race had me reading way past midnight. I felt hooked by the wild mix of magic, history, and bold feminist storytelling. If you crave epic fantasy with a sharp twist, this book delivers. I couldn’t put it down for a second.

Key Takeaways

Six Wild Crowns mixes real history and magic. It builds a bright world with royal secrets and strong queens.
The book has strong feminist ideas. It shows honest sapphic relationships. These things make the court drama feel new and deep.
The story moves quickly and has many surprises. It grabs readers with exciting court drama. The characters are interesting and easy to care about.

Premise

Setting in Elben

I fell right into Elben from the first page. This kingdom feels both old and new, with echoes of real history and a wild sense of magic. Elben isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing place. I could almost smell the rain on stone and hear the whispers in the palace halls. The city’s streets twist with secrets, and every corner hints at something ancient.

I kept thinking about how some of my favorite books mix real history with fantasy. Writers like Alexandre Dumas and Diana Gabaldon do this so well. They take real events and add a layer of magic or mystery. Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race fits right into this tradition. The story pulls from real royal scandals and legends, but then it spins them into something new and thrilling.

Magical Monarchy

The monarchy in Elben isn’t just about crowns and thrones. Here, magic is woven into royal blood. The six queens each hold a unique power, and their rule depends on more than just politics. I loved how the book played with the idea that rulers could have supernatural gifts.

In real history, people believed kings and queens had special powers. The “royal touch” was a real thing—people thought monarchs could heal with just a touch.
Some queens in England were even accused of witchcraft, especially when politics got messy. These stories show how magic and monarchy have always been tangled together.

This blend of fact and fantasy makes the stakes feel real. I found myself wondering what was true and what was invented, and that kept me turning the pages.

Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race

Epic Fantasy Style

I have to confess, I started reading Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race thinking I’d just read a chapter or two before bed. Next thing I knew, the sun was coming up. This book pulled me in with its sweeping fantasy style. The world feels huge, full of old secrets and new dangers. I could almost hear the clash of swords and the echo of magic in the air.

The writing paints every scene with bold colors. I saw the candlelight flicker on ancient stone walls. I felt the tension in the air when the queens gathered.
The magic isn’t just for show. It shapes the story and the characters. Each queen’s power feels different and important. I loved how the magic made the stakes higher and the choices harder.
The story moves fast. I never felt bored. Every chapter brought a new twist or a new danger. Sometimes I had to stop and catch my breath.

To be fair, some parts felt a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to keep track of—different queens, their powers, and all the rules of the court. But I never wanted to stop reading. The wild energy of the story kept me hooked.

Court Intrigue

If you love stories where everyone has a secret, this book will make you happy. The court in Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race is a place where trust is rare and betrayal is always close. I found myself guessing who would turn on whom next.

Richard’s rise to power stands out. He plots against his own family, even sending Clarence to prison. That move wins him loyalty from Buckingham, but it also shows how far he’ll go for the throne.
I remember reading the line, “Why, I can smile, and murder while I smile.” That sent a chill down my spine. Richard hides his true plans behind a friendly face. I never knew what he would do next.
Richard and Buckingham make a dangerous team. They work together to control King Edward IV and push others out of the way. Their alliance feels smart but risky.
The book shows how the royal family gets pulled into these games. Richard tricks King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth to get closer to the royal heirs. Every move feels like a chess game.
Big families like the Buckinghams, Lancasters, and Nevilles all try to grab more power. Their alliances shift all the time. I had to pay attention to keep up.
The way people use words in this book is almost as sharp as any sword. Richard convinces people of things that aren’t true. He changes his story to fit what he needs. That made the court feel dangerous and exciting.

But not everything worked for me. Sometimes the twists came so fast that I wished for a little more time with each queen. I wanted to know them better before the next plot twist hit. Still, the suspense kept me turning pages.

Retelling

Tudor Inspiration

I spotted the Tudor vibes right away. Holly Race takes the drama of Henry VIII’s court and gives it a magical twist. I recognized echoes of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, but the story never felt like a history lesson. Instead, it felt fresh and unpredictable.

The six queens idea reminded me of the real-life wives of Henry VIII. Each queen in Elben has her own secrets and ambitions.
I loved how the book mixed real Tudor scandals with wild fantasy. It made me want to Google old royal gossip.
The palace felt both familiar and strange. I could picture the velvet gowns and candlelit halls, but then magic would turn everything upside down.

Sometimes I got lost in the royal family tree, but I didn’t mind. The surprises kept coming, and I never knew who would survive the next twist.

Feminist and Sapphic Twist

This book doesn’t just retell history—it flips it. The queens aren’t just pawns. They fight for their own futures, and their relationships feel real and raw.

I have to give props to Holly Race for making the sapphic and polyamorous love stories feel honest. The romance isn’t just for shock value. It shapes the queens’ choices and the fate of the kingdom.
The sisterhood between the queens stood out. Sometimes they clashed, sometimes they protected each other. I felt their pain and hope.
The feminist themes hit hard. These women refuse to let anyone else write their stories.

I’ll be honest, some moments left me gasping. The betrayals stung, but the moments of love and loyalty made me root for every queen. This retelling felt bold and new, even for someone who’s read a lot of historical fantasy.

Characters

Boleyn

Boleyn grabbed my attention right away. She’s not just a copy of Anne Boleyn from history books. Holly Race gives her a sharp edge and a real sense of pain and ambition. I saw her as both a survivor and a fighter. She’s clever, but she’s also haunted by what people expect from her.

Anne Boleyn’s real story is wild. Historians only have a few letters and secondhand stories because Henry VIII tried to erase her memory.
Over time, people have called her everything from a tragic victim to a villain or even a proto-feminist.
In this book, Boleyn feels like all those things at once—hurt, hopeful, and sometimes dangerous.

Aspect	Description
Historical Context	Anne Boleyn was Henry VIII’s second wife and mother of Elizabeth I. Her life changed English history.
Portrayals Over Time	Some saw her as a schemer, others as a hero. Her image keeps changing.

I felt her struggle every time she faced the court’s judgment. She’s the queen I rooted for, even when she made mistakes.

Seymour

Seymour surprised me. She’s not just a sidekick or a love interest. Her choices come from deep fears and dreams. I saw her wrestling with what she wants and what others want from her.

Aspect	Supporting Evidence	Explanation
Freudian Psychology	Seymour balances her wild side and her need to do the right thing	This makes her choices feel real and messy.
Social Pressure	She wants love and respect but feels trapped by what people expect	I could feel her struggle to fit in.

Seymour’s story made me think about how hard it is to be yourself when everyone is watching. I have to give props to Holly Race for making her so real.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast isn’t just background noise. Each character brings something new to the table.

Heroes and “victim-to-hero” types made me cheer. Their actions gave the story heart.
Some characters started as victims but grew stronger. That shift made the story more exciting.
Villains and schemers kept the tension high. I never knew who to trust.

I noticed that when the heroes or underdogs took action, I felt more connected to the story. The supporting cast made the world feel bigger and the stakes higher. They’re not just extras—they shape every twist and turn.

Themes

Sisterhood

Sisterhood in this book feels messy, real, and sometimes painful. I saw the queens fight, laugh, and protect each other, even when things got ugly. Their bond reminded me of how sisters can be both best friends and rivals. The author drew inspiration from her own daughters, who swing between affection and conflict. That made the story feel honest.

I noticed how some queens tried to control or save each other, blurring the line between love and power. The way Rose treats Fern in The Good Sister—as an extension of herself—echoes here. The queens’ relationships show how sisterhood can be both a comfort and a curse.

Love and Betrayal

Love in this story isn’t simple. It’s tangled up with secrets, ambition, and heartbreak. I kept thinking about how stories like The Canterbury Tales and Medea dig into love and betrayal. In those classics, love can turn into something sharp and dangerous. Here, the queens fall for each other, but trust breaks easily.

Betrayal stings, and sometimes love pushes them to make risky choices. I felt the tension between wanting to trust and needing to survive. The sapphic and polyamorous relationships add extra layers, making every romance feel risky and real.

Empowerment

Empowerment stands at the heart of this book. The queens refuse to let anyone else decide their fate. I loved watching them claim their own stories, even when the odds stacked against them.

Their choices—sometimes bold, sometimes desperate—showed me what it means to fight for yourself and your sisters. The feminist themes shine, especially when the queens support each other through heartbreak and betrayal. I finished the book feeling inspired by their courage and honesty.

Strengths & Weaknesses

I’ll be honest, I lost track of time reading this book. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” and suddenly it was 2 a.m. That’s always a good sign for me. But I also found myself flipping back a few pages now and then, trying to remember who did what. Here’s what stood out for me:

What worked for me:

Bold feminist twist: The queens don’t just sit around—they fight, love, and make mistakes. I loved seeing them take charge of their own stories.
Court intrigue: The secrets and betrayals kept me guessing. Every time I thought I knew what would happen, the story surprised me.
Sapphic and polyamorous relationships: These felt honest and added real depth to the characters. The romance never felt forced.
Atmosphere: I could almost feel the cold stone under my feet and hear the whispers in the halls. The setting pulled me in.

What tripped me up:

Lots of characters: Sometimes I had to pause and remember who was who. The court gets crowded fast.
Fast pacing: The story moves so quickly that I wanted more time with each queen. Some emotional moments felt rushed.
Complex magic system: I got a little lost with all the rules and powers. A bit more explanation would have helped.

To be fair, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. I’d rate it a solid 7/10. If you love epic fantasy with a twist, you’ll probably get hooked too.

Comparison

Holly Race’s Previous Works

I’ve read Holly Race’s earlier books, so I came in with high hopes. Her previous series, Midnight’s Twins, had a dreamy, dark vibe. I noticed she loves mixing magic with real-world struggles. In Six Wild Crowns, she takes that style and cranks it up. The stakes feel bigger, and the characters have more bite.

Stronger female leads: The queens here feel bolder than her past heroines.
More tangled relationships: I saw deeper friendships and rivalries.
Magic with consequences: The spells and powers matter more this time.

I’ll be honest, I missed some of the quieter moments from her earlier books. This one moves fast, and sometimes I wanted a pause to breathe.

Genre Peers

If you love books like The Priory of the Orange Tree or Wolf Hall, you’ll spot some familiar vibes. I kept thinking about how this story blends the court drama of Hilary Mantel with the wild magic of Samantha Shannon.

Epic fantasy fans: You’ll get your fill of royal secrets and magical showdowns.
Historical retelling lovers: The Tudor inspiration runs deep, but the story never feels stuck in the past.
Readers craving LGBTQ+ stories: The sapphic and polyamorous twists set this apart from most fantasy I’ve read.

I have to give props to Holly Race for making something that feels both classic and fresh. To be fair, some readers might want a slower pace or more world-building, but I couldn’t put it down.

Personal Take

Emotional Impact

I have to admit, Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race left me feeling all kinds of things. I started reading just to relax, but I ended up clutching the book at 2 a.m. My heart raced every time the queens faced a new betrayal. Some scenes made me pause and just breathe for a second. I felt the sting of heartbreak and the thrill of hope.

The sisterhood moments hit me the hardest. I saw myself in their arguments and hugs.
The sapphic love stories felt honest. I rooted for every couple, even when things got messy.
I laughed at the witty banter and felt a lump in my throat when secrets came out.

Anticipation

Now I can’t stop thinking about what comes next. I keep replaying the last chapter in my head, wondering how the queens will handle the fallout. I want to see if they can trust each other again. I hope the next book gives me more time with each queen, especially Boleyn and Seymour.