Horrid Bit of Unexplained Magic
Juno Dawson, Her Majesty’s Royal Coven: Book 1 of the HMRC Trilogy (New York: Penguin Books, May 31, 2022). Paperback: $17. 448pp, 5.5X8.25”. ISBN: 978-0-143137-14-6.
**
“…Epic fantasy about a group of childhood friends who are also witches. If you look hard enough at old photographs, we’re there in the background: healers in the trenches; Suffragettes; Bletchley Park oracles; land girls and resistance fighters. Why is it we help in times of crisis? We have a gift. We are stronger than Mundanes, plain and simple. At the dawn of their adolescence, on the eve of the summer solstice, four young girls–Helena, Leonie, Niamh and Elle–took the oath to join Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I as a covert government department. Now, decades later, the witch community is still reeling from a civil war and Helena is the reigning High Priestess of the organization. Yet Helena is the only one of her friend group still enmeshed in the stale bureaucracy of HMRC. Elle is trying to pretend she’s a normal housewife, and Niamh has become a country vet, using her powers to heal sick animals. In what Helena perceives as the deepest betrayal, Leonie has defected to start her own more inclusive and intersectional coven, Diaspora. And now Helena has a bigger problem. A young warlock of extraordinary capabilities has been captured by authorities and seems to threaten the very existence of HMRC. With conflicting beliefs over the best course of action, the four friends must decide where their loyalties lie: with preserving tradition, or doing what is right. Juno Dawson explores gender and the corrupting nature of power in a delightful and provocative story of magic and matriarchy, friendship and feminism. Dealing with all the aspects of contemporary womanhood, as well as being phenomenally powerful witches, Niamh, Helena, Leonie and Elle may have grown apart but they will always be bound by the sisterhood of the coven.”
Formulaic novels tend to use characters’ life-choices to build the drama that propels the plotline. The jobs of the four central witches serve this purpose. One of them becomes the High Priestess of HMRC, and so she is in conflict with her friend, who starts her own coven, and also with another friend, who has opted to focus on her family life, and the friend who chose an unambitious veterinary profession. Each of the characters is designed as an archetype of “womanhood” that adjusts the Tripple-Goddess, Maiden, Mother, and Crone, archetypes of a woman’s nature in Wicca. By selecting a statistically wide range of common choices for women (ambitious or unambitious career, motherhood, rebelliousness) the author has maximized the odds of high sales to these different markets. However, the quality of the content has been neglected, as descriptions are lacking, and tension relies too heavily on repeating these character-defining elements.
There is a lot of cursing sprinkled in seemingly to intensify a relative lack of direct action even in the important opening and closing scenes.
The standard approach in pop-fantasy is to just describe common “magical” activities without scientific or mythical build-up to give them intensity. Writers tend to just have characters make magic with their minds, without explaining how it is done, as the narrative instead focuses on psychological tensions between characters. In this novel: “Niamh’s mind seized the house and, viper-like, it struck out. She wrapped it around Ciara’s neck and, at the same instant, dragged her off the end of the diving board. Down she fell.” This is a response to a failure to “let” this witch “be”, and instead staging a non-intervention. Prior to this “Niamh jumped through the gap, levitating all the way down”. A healing attempt is done by merely placing “her hands on Helena’s forehead” (178). There is no attempt to even describe the sensation of a healing energy traveling between the hand and the forehead, or a mention of how a character felt as she floated into the air. The fantasy of achieving such magic is typically in ravishing these empowering moments, and yet they are skipped for the sake of mostly inserting dialogue full of curses and otherwise hateful-talk that still fails to clearly explain why these characters are battling to-the-death.
The cover designs for the 3 books in this trilogy are well-executed and explain its strong sales. The artist responsible is Holly Macdonald, whose website lists several other great designs, which tend to include single-color drawings that weave into elaborate lettering. Her strategy is to draw things such as birds, houses, a tiger, and the like with simplified shapes, add repeating elements in simple-line-drawings-filled-in (lines, snowflakes) and build stencil-like prints for repeating backgrounds (flowers and leaves, mosaics, lines of hair). I am especially riveted by these designs as a writer just sponsored my purchase of a drawing-tablet, and I am attempting to experiment with more complex cover drawings. Making simple drawings tends to be more difficult technically to do while making the whole look appealing. For example, one of Macdonald’s past covers, for Games for Dead Girls, has a stitch running through the center of the cover: she probably had to print out this cover and physically stitch through leather over it, as I am unsure if it would be possible to do original stitching like this in a painting program.
Pennsylvania Literary Journal: Spring 2025 issue: https://anaphoraliterary.com/journals/plj/plj-excerpts/book-reviews-spring-2025

The book’s good, and the multiple POVs are executed well. I DNFed because I just wasn’t super interested in continuing to read more.

I really liked this book. I thought all the different plotlines were engaging, and not too confusing which is something I sometimes struggle with.

OH HELL YES -- this is *exactly* what the world needs more of: explorations of feminism/gender written by trans female authors!!!! The members of the titular coven are all struggling to find happiness/satisfaction/meaning in different facets of womanhood, and how those facets intersect with magic and power and society at large, and it's all SO juicy! Loved the world-building and magical systems in this, too. Just an overall thrilling read!

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson is a perfect fit for readers who crave a thrilling and enchanting tale of sisterhood, feminism, and LGBTQ+ representation, with a dash of dark magic and adventure, set against the backdrop of a secret world of witches and ancient prophecies.

Regardless of my review of this book, I am so glad that this series was created. It's nice to have a group of fun, affirming, cheeky witches in the world.

Five best friends from childhood who are also witches who have grown into adults whose adult life has pulled them in different directions. A high priestess, a rival coven for those who are BIPOC and LGBTQ, a vet who speaks to animals, a nurse who heals, and one who’s locked up. There’s more to them than that as they struggle to handle a crisis that arises with an oracle and a powerful young man warlock. There were so many historical references, political power plays, and witches canon. I don’t know what’s real, but I adored it. It felt so real. The magic, the feminist system, the history of witches in the world, and the fear of them. But what about trans girls?

The fear of men in their society is so huge that those who can’t understand fight it. But trans women aren’t men. Feel privileged you are comfortable in your skin; not everyone is. The intense protection I felt for Theo, the disgust that rolled off Helena, and the extremes she went to were mind-blowing. I am a straight woman, but I am human, and I so did not agree with Helena’s tactics, beliefs, or motivation to do what she did. It was heart-wrenching, and I would never want anyone subjected to that, though I know this is a genuine situation in our world, and I hope if I encountered it, I would do the right thing. I will review book two and, with any luck, the Novella. There is no news on the final book yet.

I really enjoyed this book, and really rushed through it. I will warn you that it ends on a massive cliffhanger, so you'll want to have the second book ready! Plot-wise the book really zooms, but I agree with what other readers have said-- besides Niamh (pronounced like Neve Campbell's first name) and Elle, the characterization can be a bit uneven. As a cishet woman, I don't feel qualified to speak on how a transgender author handles specific depictions of queerness, apart from saying that the overall premise of the book-- that trans women are women and deserve to exist-- is an important message that girls need to read. I'm looking forward to reading the second book, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

https://lesbrary.com/her-majestys-royal-coven-by-juno-dawson/

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, written by Juno Dawson, is an enthralling urban fantasy that explores gender in a magical world that, similar to our own, finds itself strictly divided along the binary. It questions concepts of power, friendship, love, and feminism in a world in which traditional power structures are challenged and, to some, are no longer acceptable. Taken together with its fantastic characters and thrilling story, this book is a must-read for anyone who’s a fan of queer witchy stories.

On the night of the summer solstice, five young girls named Helena, Elle, Leonie, and twins Niamh and Ciara are inducted as members of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven (HMRC), the official witch’s coven of the British government. Twenty-five years and one devastating magical war later, the sisters have gone their separate ways. Wealthy Helena is now Headmistress of the HMRC. Leonie has left the coven to start Diaspora, a coven of queer witches and witches of color. This stands in stark contrast to the more conservative HMRC. Elle is a nurse and housewife who has chosen to keep her witchly status secret from her husband and children. Niamh is working as a veterinarian, using her powers to treat animals. However, when the HMRC discovers an incredibly powerful young warlock named Theo who is prophesied to destroy the world, Helena recruits her old friends to help her decide what to do. Things get even more complicated when Theo is revealed to be transgender. Soon, battle lines are drawn. On one side stands Helena, willing to do whatever it takes to maintain the status quo. On the other side stand Niamh, Leonie, and Elle, fighting to nurture and protect this young witch.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven is filled with great storytelling and relatable characters that feel drawn from real life. Juno Dawson’s writing is full of clever turns of phrase and humor that balance well with the dark nature of the story. The pace of the book never feels rushed. It mixes slower character-focused chapters with more thrilling narrative-focused ones to great effect. The characters and the dynamics between them feel incredibly realistic. You really get the sense that these women had been the closest of friends when they were younger, which makes their split all the more painful to read. In terms of balance between the four main characters, Juno Dawson does a fantastic job of giving each of them arcs that feel complete and integral to the overall story. Even though Niahm and Helena get most of the focus in the story, Leonie and Elle still get moments to shine and fully-fleshed out arcs. Lastly, I loved the magic system in this book. I am always a big fan of magical systems that portray magic as limited and coming with a physical cost. This is not a world in which magic is used in a haphazard or casual fashion. Casting spells in this world comes with a price. This makes the magic feel more grounded while also adding an incredible amount of narrative weight to the characters’ actions in pursuit of their goals.

I loved how Juno Dawson uses the split between the erstwhile best friends as a way to examine one of the most contentious debates within modern feminism: the inclusion of transgender women in traditionally cis women-only spaces. Through the four main characters, readers are presented with varying ways in which people come to this debate in the real world. By giving it apocalyptic consequences, we are shown just how massively important inclusion is for many transgender people. It takes something that is often misunderstood and poorly reported on, presents it in clear terms, and effectively shows how much it means to the people involved. At the same time, Juno Dawson does not treat all sides of the debate equally. Time and time again, events in the narrative make it very clear that transgender women belong in women’s spaces and that choosing otherwise is choosing hate. So, although this book is an exploration of modern gender issues, it is never one that tries to play both sides.

At a personal, character level, Her Majesty’s Royal Coven is also a story about the power of love and hate. Elle, Leonie, and especially Niamh push themselves beyond their physical and emotional boundaries multiple times in the narrative to keep Theo safe. Niamh and Elle especially go to great efforts to understand Theo and see the girl behind the chaotic magic. Despite the danger to themselves, they never once give up on Theo. On the other side, Helena travels a very dark route as she attempts to deny Theo’s personhood. She sacrifices her ideals, betrays her community, and becomes the type of monster she once fought against. All out of her hatred of what she does not understand. This conflict between radical love and unadulterated hate is a perfect allegory for what people, for better or worse, are willing to do in the fight over transgender rights.

Another thing I really applaud Juno Dawson on is how she handles having a main character who ends up being a trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF). When I read Helena’s turn to TERFdom, I immediately got nervous. Despite my trust in Juno, I could not help but worry that somehow this would open the door to humanizing anti-trangender arguments. I was also worried that reading a character using anti-transgender hate speech over multiple chapters would be too triggering. Call it naivete or just simple world-weariness. Either way, I was wrong and came away incredibly impressed at how it all was handled. Never once is Helena portrayed as a sympathetic villain. Although you can see the causes of her turn to evil, you never are made to feel sorry for her or given the opportunity to side with her. The narrative shows how fear of the unknown can lead people down dark paths, but never once is lost the point that despite every chance given to reconsider her actions, she never does. Instead, she digs deeper and deeper into her hate, letting it consume her.

I think if I had any complaint about the book it is that I wish that I could have seen more from the queer characters in the book. Leonie, for example, is the only queer main character and she gets the least amount of chapters dedicated to her. So, while the concept of gender is dealt with well in the book, it is mainly examined through the perspectives of cis straight women.

That being said, I loved Her Majesty’s Royal Coven. It is an expertly written story with great characters and a thrilling narrative. Moreover, as a transgender woman living in today’s political climate, I absolutely adored how the debates that shape my life right now were made manifest and dealt with in such powerful terms.

Book one of a new series based on childhood friends who are also witches. These girls join Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, established by Queen Elizabeth I. Decades after the initial formation everyone has different ideas and journeys to follow. These girls become women and as they head off in different directions they are always drawn together by the coven.

Thank you #penguin and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF: I tried to read this one a few different times and got some chapters in, but it never captured my interest unfortunately.

I was so hoping on liking this one but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. It took me forever to read it and I got bored. I know some who would love it though .

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
.
Unfortunately I DNFed this, it just didn’t catch my attention and maybe I’ll get into it again when I’m in the perfect headspace to give this another try!

Incredible - tightly wound, balancing the set up of the women's relationships with each other with the conflict. A great read on audio, as well, and I am on the edge of my seat for the next installment!

Loved the fast pace of this witchy story. The story is full of witches and conflict. It centers a trans character who is feared and powerful. It leaves on a cliffhanger that makes me excited to read the sequel!

I love the premise enough that it kept me reading after it became clear it wasn't going to do exactly what I wanted. The things this book are interested in aren't necessarily the same things I'd do if I were the author. Very British, and it feels directly in coversation with Harry Potter and JK Rowling's current terf-ing. But the premise is very up my alley!

I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of covens that work with the government and the new ethical one that started. I very intrigued by the past war. I found most of the protagonists and the villians extremely compelling and can not wait to see what happens in the next installment, especially with the daughters.

HRMC focuses on four witch friends who, after a devastating civil war, have found themselves in very different places in their lives. Still friends, but each living separate distinct lives.
When a young, powerful warlock is found it is suspected that he is the harbinger of a dire prophecy that could bring about the end of times. But there is ALOT more to it than simply stopping a powerful prophecy from coming about.
Helena, head of Her Majesty's Royal Coven, enlists the aid of her old friends, Niamh, who has left the Royal Coven after the war to work as a vet in the countryside. She agrees to meet and eventually shelter and train the young warlock. At the same time, their other friend. Elle's daughter, has realized that she too is a witch and is in need of training. The two start their training together under Niamh's watchful tutelage and become friends. And Theo, confides that he is not a warlock, but a a witch. And this revelation that she is trans puts her Niamh at odds with her old friend, Helena. Determined that Theo is a warlock, and nothing more, Helena is determined to detain her (and possibly worse).
Their fourth friend, Leonie, living in London, and founder of her own coven Diaspora, comes to Niamh's aid. I would love a book about her life (post civil war and founding her coven! There's a whole story there that needs to be told!) She wants nothing to do with HMRC, just wants to live her live with her wife and her coven, but she keeps getting dragged back into the fight.
The different povs, the action... the ending! This book had a little bit of everything and I cannot wait to read the sequel.

DNF @ 20%. I kept trying this one and struggling to get captured by it. The premise sounds great, it just didn’t work for me.

Having read this book billed as being "A Discovery of Witches meets The Craft," I knew it was one I needed to read. It's a bit like MI6 but with witches - definitely an interesting concept. Strong marks for the queer and POC rep, but some of the plot points were a bit meandering.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.