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liesthemoontells's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I read this book this based on a recommendation from an academic featured on the Not Just the Tudors podcast, who praised it for its novel reinterpretation of the six wives of Henry VIII and its play on their well-worn tropes. And it was... Fine?
The characters are insufferable, the dialogue comes from the Diablo Cody school of "no teenager actually speaks like this", and much of the mystery of the plot comes from it's confusing chronology rather than careful plotting. If we're picking modern representations of the six wives for an audience of adolescent girls, the musical Six does it much better.
That being said, it was entertaining and, like Six, may be successful in humanising its historical subjects for its target audience.
The characters are insufferable, the dialogue comes from the Diablo Cody school of "no teenager actually speaks like this", and much of the mystery of the plot comes from it's confusing chronology rather than careful plotting. If we're picking modern representations of the six wives for an audience of adolescent girls, the musical Six does it much better.
That being said, it was entertaining and, like Six, may be successful in humanising its historical subjects for its target audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
dearbhlanoonan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
vireadsslowly's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Book drags could've wrapped it earlier lots back forth on theories what happened
Not much character development very one note for most characters
Was interesting at first, historical references good potential but dropped ball so bad skipped to see what ending was before skimming rest of book
Not much character development very one note for most characters
Was interesting at first, historical references good potential but dropped ball so bad skipped to see what ending was before skimming rest of book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence and Sexual content
effy's review against another edition
3.5
I was hyped to pick up this book as I really enjoyed Foul is Fair when it first came out. What I didn't realise when I picked this up was that it is a retelling of the life of Henry VIII and his wives. This book is essentially what Six would be if it were a book. Henry does feature in the story but it is much more focused on the "queens" and in particular getting to the bottom of an explosion that Annie Boleyn supposedly caused.
I feel like a lot of my brain power reading this book was spent trying to match the characters to the historical people even though their names weren't exactly changed by much 🤦‍♂️ I think this book did a good job of reimagining these historical figures in a contemporary setting. Overall the story didn't hold too many surprises as the two dead queens are the ones that Henry famously beheaded however I did like the fact that Henry didn't died at the end of the book but had his reputation left in tatters so it was a social death.
I feel like a lot of my brain power reading this book was spent trying to match the characters to the historical people even though their names weren't exactly changed by much 🤦‍♂️ I think this book did a good job of reimagining these historical figures in a contemporary setting. Overall the story didn't hold too many surprises as the two dead queens are the ones that Henry famously beheaded however I did like the fact that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
b10tch's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Murder
Moderate: Gaslighting
tullykate_03's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dead Queens club is the perfect book for fans of Six the musical, the Tudors and anything relating to King Henry VIII wives. This contemporary retelling takes an interesting look into who these women were through a modern lens, it also gives a new perspective to this famous part of history by having Cleves (Wife number 4) be our storytelling, a wife that is usually overlooked. Overall if you're obsessed with Tudor history and have watched every show, read every book you must add this to your collection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
bunnyreads2's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I kinda struggled to get into it but after a while, it totally got me. You have to take it for what it is, and preferably have an interest in the story if Henry VIII’s wives and its feminist critic, but it’s enjoyable to see how the author tackles the adaptation exercise.
I have to admit the end made me emotional and teary, but I have a big weakness concerning these women’s lives and the way they’re remembered.
Anyways, not groundbreaking but pretty enjoyable:)
I have to admit the end made me emotional and teary, but I have a big weakness concerning these women’s lives and the way they’re remembered.
Anyways, not groundbreaking but pretty enjoyable:)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Misogyny