Six Wild Crowns By Holly Race 👑 Political Scheming, Sapphic Tension, And A Rotting Magic At The Heart Of Elben…
What if all six of Henry VIII’s wives lived at the same time in a court teeming with magic and political corruption? That’s the premise of Six Wild Crowns, a lush and layered political fantasy that rewrites Tudor history with sapphic yearning and ancient magic. If you loved The Priory of the Orange Tree or House of the Dragon, this one should be at the top of your TBR.
In this first book of a new series, Holly Race throws us into the kingdom of Elben where the king is appointed by god and given six queens to protect the land from magical ruin. But as the queens begin to uncover the truth behind their roles, the cracks in the kingdom’s divine story begin to show…
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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.
The premise: six queens, one kingdom, corrupted magic. Had me hooked immediately. While the pacing leans slow, it’s intentional: this is a book about alliances, tension, scheming, and uncovering truths. There are pet dragons, yes, but this is not an action-heavy fantasy. Think whisper campaigns and coded conversations over sword fights.
Boleyn and Seymour are the two main POV characters, and easily the most fleshed-out. Boleyn is ambitious, calculating, and willing to risk everything for her daughter but rather than feeling cold or unlikable, her intelligence shines. She’s doing what she must in a brutal court, and her motivations are deeply rooted in survival and love.
Seymour, on the other hand, starts off as a spy working under pressure from Queen Aragon and her brothers. Her inner conflict and slow shift from complicit agent to courageous rebel felt grounded and emotionally resonant. Her connection with Boleyn evolves beautifully there’s palpable sapphic tension, but it’s also about mutual respect and shared burdens. You feel the weight of their alliance, even if it’s unspoken at times.
Cleves and Howard stood out as well, each adding dimension to the story in quieter but meaningful ways. Howard’s childlike innocence contrasted with her position as a political pawn, while Cleves’ love of animals and independence gave her a spark of joy amidst the palace dread. Parr and Aragon, however, felt more underused with Parr especially left waiting in the wings.
King Henry? Awful but in the most compelling way. A believable villain cloaked in divine authority, using magic as a tool of control. He’s not just a backdrop; he’s a looming presence that shapes every woman’s arc.
The romance and politics are beautifully entangled, and the magic is more thematic than flashy – rotting, dangerous, and deeply symbolic. I particularly loved the twist around how the king’s misuse of magic was poisoning both the queens and the land.
There were some real surprises, including the consequences of Henry’s spells and Seymour’s choices in protecting the castle. It all builds to a satisfying crescendo, even though Boleyn and Seymour don’t end the story side-by-side. It’s not a happy ending but it’s a powerful one.
Elben is gorgeously realised. From palaces linked by fast-travel roads to lap dragons perched in castles, the worldbuilding is immersive without ever feeling overwhelming. Each queen’s home reflects her character, giving us insight through setting as well as dialogue.
The magical system, based on six queens protecting Elben, was unique and unsettling. Henry’s contamination of this magic is mirrored in his manipulation of power, and the propaganda used to justify it felt like sharp real-world commentary. It’s a magic system built not just on rules, but consequences.
While dragons and mythical creatures exist, they play more of a worldbuilding role than a plot-driving one. The true magic lies in the rotten roots of Elben’s system and the alliances forming to resist it.
This book is soaked in themes of power, corruption, agency, and alliance. The queens are technically rulers, but lack true agency. Their shared enemy, Henry, forces them to reckon with both the personal and the political.
Seymour and Boleyn’s relationship also gives us a nuanced sapphic arc in a world where queerness isn’t taboo, but is still complicated by power structures. Seymour’s unrequited (or perhaps partially requited) love is tender, raw, and resonant.
Religion and divine right loom large, offering a subtle but smart commentary on monarchy, tradition, and belief. The idea that kings are “chosen by God” becomes a justification for cruelty… sound familiar?
Holly Race’s prose leans plot-focused, driving the story forward with sharp pacing and dialogue. While there aren’t many standout quotable lines, her skill in crafting character dynamics is excellent especially the push and pull between Seymour and Boleyn.
The tension is slow-burning but constant. Every chapter feels like another layer added to the political puzzle, with emotional depth threaded through the alliances and betrayals.
This is a political fantasy with historical roots and a queer romantic undercurrent. If you enjoy court drama, slow-burn sapphic stories, rotten kingdoms, and character-driven fantasy, this will be right up your alley.
Positives of Six Wild Crowns
- The Henry VIII’s wives reimagining with a magical twist
- Seymour & Boleyn’s dynamic and growing alliance
- The concept of rotting magic tied to corrupted power
Negatives of Six Wild Crowns
- Some queens, like Parr, felt underdeveloped
- Slow pacing may not be for every reader
A captivating, slow-burning fantasy full of queens, schemes, and queer longing. I’ll absolutely be picking up the sequel the second it drops.
I received Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race from the publisher. This is an unbiased and honest review
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Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race 👑 Political scheming, sapphic tension, and a rotting magic at the heart of Elben… | Uptown Oracle
What if all six of Henry VIII’s wives lived at the same time in a court teeming with magic and political corruption? That’s the premise of Six Wild Crowns, a lush and layered political fantasy that rewrites Tudor history with sapphic yearning and ancient magic. If you loved The Priory of the Orange Tree or House of the Dragon, this one should be at the top of your TBR.
URL:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221105524-six-wild-crowns
Author:
Holly Race
