I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction, but Boudicca was phenomenal! P.C. Cast's storytelling is transportive, taking the reader back to a time when it was easy to believe that gods and goddesses walked the earth. Boudicca's strength, perseverance, love, and faith will endear any reader to her story!

3.5 stars

I first became fascinated with the legend of Boudicca when as a young girl I came across her name in an anthology of famous queens. That short caption about a warrior queen who led her people to defy and fight the Roman invaders captured my imagination. Seeing this book reignited that fascination.

Set during the Iron Age, a lot of what Cast introduces tracks with what’s recorded in history. I can’t help it; anything historical, and I have to look it up as I read along. Boudicca led a happy life with her husband and two young daughters until he passed away. She then became Queen of the Iceni tribe, and later the Romans attacked her village. Britain back then was at a crossroads with the various Celtic tribes staving off the Roman might as best they could. Boudicca wasn’t one to give up, and rallied allies together to push back.

I enjoyed this novel for providing more context to Boudicca’s life. I’m not sure how much truth is in the middle of Cast’s story. I know authors take some creative license with historic events, and I think she does here as well, anchoring it with what is known and researched. What is true of Celtic society is that women were a force to be reckoned with. They were leaders, healers, counselors, warriors. They contributed equally. The Romans couldn’t fathom that.

Highlights:
⚔️ Historical fiction, Iron-age Britain, druids, ancient Romans
⚔️Strong FMC, female rage, female leaders in various roles
⚔️ Mythology, magical realism

Be aware of: violence, pillaging, SA (of minor), misogyny

I was expecting the ending I knew, but Cast doesn’t go there, instead leaving it open ended. I think this book serves as a good gateway to learning more about Boudicca who continues to inspire awe and fascination.

My thanks to @williammorrowbooks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗰𝗮 is available January 21

I knew nothing of who Boudicca was until after returning from my first trip to London and looking into the figure depicted in the statue that turned out to be a favorite of the many, many statues I got to see. Learning about who she was and what she accomplished (and what she failed to accomplish) became wrapped up in learning about Roman Britain in general (a difficult topic not to become fascinated by after visiting the Museum of London and Bath). When I saw that there was going to be a novel about Boudicca, I jumped at the chance to read it and, for the most part, I enjoyed P.C. Cast’s recent Boudicca, but going into reading it knowing even the barest outlines of what happened to her and her daughters also made it rather difficult to read. There was enough of a fantasy element laid over the story to keep it from being the bleakest version of the story, but the subject matter remains heavy and will linger with most readers.

After the death of her husband, Boudicca was named as the queen of her tribe, the Iceni. Her husband had been willing to deal with the Romans but, given the Romans’ low regard for women, it is hardly surprising that they decide to put Boudicca in her place. Attacking her village and her people when the bulk of their warriors are away for a gathering and celebration, Boudicca watches many of her tribe’s elders slaughtered including her own mother, her daughters are raped by Roman soldiers, and Boudicca herself is flogged to the point where she must choose to capitulate or be killed as an example. But bowing to the Romans in the moment means surviving to fight another day and that is just what Boudicca decides to do. With the support of her people’s patron goddess, Andraste, Boudicca spends months training with her soldiers to be able to lead her people into battle against the Roman forces occupying their land, building alliances with other tribes who have similarly had enough of Roman oppression. Leading a campaign seeking both vengeance and the removal of Romans from their land, Boudicca leaves a lasting impression on her foes as she leaves her mark on British history.

There is so much about the historical Boudicca and what she accomplished that is just ripe for a novel like this but when working within the bounds of history (even when weaving in fantasy elements as Cast does), there are also hurdles that can’t always be avoided. In Boudicca’s story the gap between the initial successes of the first year of the fight against Roman occupation and it all falling apart the next year is a difficult one to overcome. I think that Cast is largely successful in keeping the story compelling through the winter but explaining how Boudicca and her army go from where they left off against the Romans to that final battle feels a bit flimsy. I don’t blame Cast for this at all. From my understanding (which mostly comes from brief mentions of Roman Britain in Emma Southon’s A Rome of One’s Own), there are still a lot of big gaps in the historical record of that period and most of what we do have is, of course, the Romans’ biased perspective. It’s just one of the challenges of the genre.

There is a lot of trauma to go around from the earliest pages of Boudicca, from the initial attack and slaughter through the unexpected losses outside of the battles. One element that Cast captures wonderfully is the perseverance and coping through grief and trauma. The recovery of not just Boudicca and her daughters but of their community as they decide their path forward and prepare for the fight with Rome shows the stumbling blocks and setbacks that come with grief and healing as well as the ways that remembering and celebrating what was lost help as much as they hurt. How necessary it can be to find a purpose and setting down a path, whether it be for vengeance or simply survival.

Actual Rating: 2.75/5

P.C. Cast’s Boudicca is a historical fantasy retelling of the legendary warrior queen, following her rise after the death of her husband, Prasutagus. The novel starts off at a slow pace, taking time to establish historical context, which, while necessary, doesn’t immediately pull the reader in. As the story unfolds, supernatural elements come into play, adding a mystical layer to Boudicca’s journey—but not always in a way that feels essential to her already compelling real-life history.

The novel explores themes of vengeance and sacrifice, but some pivotal choices feel unconvincing, especially when considering how Boudicca’s real story ends. The emotional weight of these moments doesn’t fully land, making parts of the narrative feel flat despite its fascinating subject matter. Additionally, the pacing is uneven, with drawn-out planning sequences that lessen the impact of the eventual revenge, leaving the resolution somewhat underwhelming.

That said, the novel does have strengths. The depictions of pagan traditions, including Beltane and Samhain, are rich and immersive, adding authenticity to the setting. While the supernatural aspects may not feel entirely necessary, they do give the story a unique flavor that some readers may enjoy.

Ultimately, Boudicca is an ambitious blend of history and fantasy that, while interesting, doesn’t quite achieve the emotional depth or narrative momentum of similar stories like Clytemnestra. It’s a fine read for those intrigued by the legend, but it may not be the most memorable take on her tale.

I’m extremely grateful to NetGalley and William Morrow for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.

TRUE RATING: 2.75 STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to review this ARC.

This book was written with so much love and that love leaps off the page. I can only feel a deep appreciation for that. This is a book that I wanted very much. Boudicca’s story is a story worth telling for reasons beyond counting. I squealed and bounced on my toes when I received the email informing me that I was chosen to review an arc of this work. I wanted to love it so much.

Unfortunately, I liked, but did not love this book.

My initial review included two long lists of things that I loved and things that I did not love. After I completed it and read it over, I realized that the root cause of my inability to love this book is simple. It did not give me what I needed from a Boudicca story.

Boudicca’s daughters are her cause. Her purpose. They are shadows in Cast's narrative, in a story that should be theirs as much as it is Boudicca's. They are forgettable child caricatures who never become fully fleshed out characters. Their bond with their mother should be the heart and soul of this book, because what happens to them is the heart and soul of Boudicca’s rebellion, but it is not. That bond is shoved aside in favor of fictional, lackluster, and extremely forced romance. Cast loses the plot to it; to her attempts to force it to the front and center of the narrative. She goes so far as to alter history to achieve this goal in a way that is, truly, nonsensical. I could probably ramble about that for a paragraph, but again, avoiding spoilers. Part III asks readers with historical knowledge to suspend their disbelief quite a bit.

Truth be told, there is a great deal that I could say about my personal dislike about the way this romantic subplot and its characters are handled, but I am attempting to avoid spoilers in this review. I will say, quite simply, that it was not for me.

In sum, I am of the opinion that any story about Boudicca is not good if her daughters are not the center. That is my main complaint and the biggest reason why I couldn’t love it. I have other complaints regarding the writing itself, but none of them were as make or break as this particular point is for me.

At the end of the day, this is a very slow-paced and romanticized telling of Boudicca’s story. If the romance was written better and her daughters were more prominent, it would’ve worked. I would’ve loved this book in the way that I set out to. For this reason, I encourage anyone who reads this to read this book for yourselves and make up your own minds. Just because these things did not work for me, that doesn't mean that they won't for you.

I want to end this with a statement of appreciation for two things that I did deeply love.

1. For the most part, I enjoyed Boudicca’s characterization immensely. This does suffer a little when Cast loses the plot in Part III, but overall I thought that she was just right for a modern audience. She is sympathic and she kicks ass at the same time.
2. It is obvious that so much love and research was put into this book. I appreciated her notes at the end about the changes she made, even if I ultimately didn’t like the changes, and her transparency about what little information we have about this time period. I wish that every historical fiction writer was that honest.


I didn't hate this book. But I didn't love it.

Yet another reminder of why I love Cast's writing so much. I was sucked into this story right from the beginning. I had heard of Boudicca mentioned in different history classes here and there, but this was my first dive into her story. I loved how strong she was in the face of things that would have definitely made weaker people fold. I thought that her love for her people and her daughters was lovely and transcended through her actions and the way that she led them against the Romans. This is a dense book and the world building is a lot so this is a book that I will be returning to at some point because I am sure that there will be pieces that I will discover that I missed the first time around.

I really struggled with how to give feedback for this book (which is why it has taken me so long to review it) because while I enjoyed it as a fantasy retelling of the past, I think it was marketed incorrectly.
I knew about Boudicca before reading this book which is why I was so interested in receiving an ARC, and while I was prepared for the more horrific elements of the story, I also was expecting more of a romantasy as that is how it's marketed. There is no romance in this book. Are there relationships with feelings? Yes, but not romance.
Let me preface by saying I love PC Cast. I have read her books for a long time, but I feel like her writing in this book was too juvenile for an adult book.

Boudicca by P.C. Cast is not the right book for me. After picking it up and putting it back down several times, I dnf'ed this at just 15%.

I wanted to love this book, the premise sounds amazing and the author is one I was extremely fond of growing up, with the House of Night Series. Unfortunately, Boudicca missed the mark. The prose and the dialogue felt extremely stiff, jilted, and repetitive right off the bat. It is told in first person POV through Boudicca, but there is no sense of connection with the character. We watch her do things but do not get her inner workings and a real sense of her. What you do get is things repeated right after they are introduced, as if the reader is too dumb to pick up what the aujthor is putting down and needs to be reminded of it constantly. Especially that Boudicca is QUEEN and rules over the ICENI, two things we are reminded of more often than there are pages in the book.

However, if these things do not bother you, be warned that there is violence and sexual assault in this book, as there is in the history of Boudicca. Cast does seem to be doing a good job of making the historical accurate where possible and including interesting deities from the time with a dash of fantastical elements. If that sounds appealing to you and you aren't as bothered by repetitiveness and clunky writing as I am, definitely give this book a try!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing the e-ARC of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc.

this retelling/expansion of warrior queen boudicca is an instant five stars for me. this was a very brutal and traumatizing retelling, so please be sure to check trigger warnings before reading or listening.

this is very much a retelling that emphasizes survival in all aspects: death and war, off-page rape and assault (especially the brutalization of her daughters, which was very hard and heartbreaking to read), and losing one’s culture. despite all of this violence and trauma, boudicca, her two daughters, and their tribe succeed in extracting their revenge against the roman empire, but also practice mercy and kindness.

i also listened to the narrator, and it was a phenomenal addition to my reading experience.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

P.C. Cast’s Boudicca is an ambitious reimagining of the legendary warrior queen’s story, blending historical inspiration with a strong, feminist narrative. The book shines in its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, bringing Boudicca to life as a fierce and determined leader.

However, while the premise is compelling, the execution feels uneven. Some sections are beautifully written and immersive, while others drag or feel too modern in tone for a historical setting. Additionally, character development—especially for the supporting cast—could have been deeper, making certain relationships and conflicts feel rushed.

Overall, Boudicca is an engaging read with a powerful protagonist, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. If you enjoy strong female leads and historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, it’s worth a read—but it may not leave a lasting impact.

Would you like me to tweak anything to better fit your experience with the book?

AD 60/61. Iceni chief Prasutagus is dead, his 33-year-old wife Boudicca now the accepted queen of Tribe Iceni. When tax collector Decianus and his centuria attack the Iceni settlement of Tasceni without warning, Boudicca is viciously flogged, her two young daughters brutally gang-raped, and the tribe is decimated. In the name of the tribe’s patroness, the goddess Andraste, Boudicca vows vengeance for her people. Acknowledged as a trained warrior and War Queen, she allies with the Trinovantes to lead successful attacks on Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium, then withdraws to prepare for all-out war to expel the Romans from Britain.

Cast’s epic story is crafted around events chronicled by Roman historian, Tacitus, whose father-in-law, Agricola, was an eyewitness to the uprising. Happily, the author doesn’t rely on modernisations, yet the story and its lessons are easily accessible to today’s audiences, as its characters bound with dynamic life. The thoughts and feelings of the tribe are felt through details of their life and culture told by Boudicca in her gripping story. Cast handles a long list of characters, tribes, towns and areas of ancient Britain with seeming ease, without need for introductory maps or indexes. Modern thinkers might tag this as feminist, but Boudicca’s life, in an age when warriors both male and female respected her leadership, meant they followed her unquestioningly into the face of death at her command. Female autonomy wasn’t something she needed to prove. As she emerges from queen of a peaceful, prosperous settlement to goddess-protected warrior, we walk with her daughters through their slow recovery from assault and degradation. The rape, flogging and subsequent healing journey are graphic but treated with great compassion. This is an exemplary work and one which helps us to truly appreciate Boudicca and the tribes of Britain’s enormous sacrifice. Few novels evoke the emotion that this does in its closing chapters.

I listen to the audio book version of this novel! I want to say well done to the narrator! Both the author and narrator did such incredible work! The descriptive writing was so eloquently worded, making me feel like I could close my eyes and see the scenes unfolding. There are some dark themes such as SA, violence, and grief… but I feel like the author did an excellent job writing these scenes that are dark and heart breaking! The story of Boudicca is not one for the faint of heart, and Cast brought her to life in this novel showing her strength, grief and fierce fighting spirit. Boudicca was a warrior Queen for the Iceni Tribe, and P. C. Cast was the perfect writer to breathe life into this epic retelling of one of the most legendary female warriors in history! Cast shows the depth of her character through the good and bad. I couldn’t put it down!!! I highly recommend this book!!!

Wonderful book written about a woman rarely talked about enough. The writing can read as repetitive sometimes but that doesn't take away from the story telling and wonderful world building.

As a history buff, I was excited to get a hold of this arc. Unfortunately, the writing itself, both in style and repetitiveness, was not for me. To be honest, I tried multiple times and didn't make it very far in the text. I did, however, make it to a pivotal point early on in the novel. One which, if you are a student of history and know the true tale of Boudicca, you would know happened. But, if you didn't, it could be a shocking turn of events. Now, I know at my age, trigger warnings weren't a thing before, but they are now for a reason. Considering that there is torture and SA on page in this book, I was shocked that there were no warnings up front for those who are unfamiliar with this lore.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this arc.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

Wow, I have loved all of P.C. Cast books, but this one is at the top of the list. I love that when you read this book you will get all the feelings for history but at the same time a new retelling of the events. I also enjoyed that the author took their time with research, to give the best experience. You will find that this author knows how to build a wonderful world, you will find their words to be lyrical and easy to read. I liked that it was fast paced, even in the slower parts of the book the author made sure to give you information that you need for the plot of the book. I thought the characters were well developed, and engaging. If you think going into this book, it will be just a normal retelling of the Queen of the Iceni, but it’s not. It's so much more, you will see that it’s tragically, gut wrenching and yet so beautiful.

I was transported into a world that I wish was still around, I mean like the lifestyle they lived back then, but for the fact that they were about community and honored strong women. I loved getting to know Boudicca so much. She was so smart, very strong mentally and physically, and she had the respect of the people. I love that you will be transported to that time period, and you will feel as though you knew/or that you’re here well reading this book. I loved that the author wrote scenes out to keep you on your toes throughout the book, even if you know what might happen on the next page you will be pulled in and can’t stop reading. There is romance in the book, but just ready it's more of subplot, it's not the main point of the book, but it does show you that Boudicca is a female who is in charge, and that back in this time period some places women were more in charge of their lives, and their desires. I liked that we got to understand more about Briton and the uprising against the Romans. I found this part of the book so fascinating; I know that I heard of Boudicca when I was younger and studying histories, but I had completely forgotten about her and everything that she did. I know now that I might go down a rabbit hole and do more research, because any badass woman from that era needs to be remembered.

There are some trigger warnings but nothing too graphic is talked about when it is about the sexual part, but it is in there, there is also physical abuse and death, but so much more too. You will find strength, love, passion and so much more.

I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This book blew me away! It is a wonderful story of suffering, loss, and perseverance. I am one who usually does not enjoy historical fiction, but I could not put this down. Boudicca's story, as told by the author, had me grinning one moment and sob the next. I can't recommend this enough to readers, especially those who love a strong and determined FMC.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this deeply researched novel about the Queen of the Iceni, you will learn more than you knew you wanted to know about early British history from author P.C. Cast. Cast’s research is deep and compelling. Despite that, I nearly stopped reading after a brutal description of a Roman attack on the Iceni queen. Cast did not hold back the truth (though I could wish there might have been a trigger warning, as I am a survivor).

I am immensely glad I continued to read. Not only is her research impeccable, but also, her writing is skilled. My eyes literally flew along the pages. The characters Cast brings to life resonated with me, proving that history does not have to stay in the past.
The ending of the book is challenging but moving.

I'm guessing that Boudicca will prove enormously popular. It is gorgeously written, though in places hard to read for its uncompromising honesty. It’s a great choice for a book club. There's a lot to discuss.

Postscript: At the end of the novel, Cast writes a description of her research process that is itself quite fascinating.

I got the chance to read Boudicca by @pccastauthor ! It was interesting to say the least. I really enjoyed her other works, and was looking forward to reading this one. It got off to a bit of a rocky start, but I really loved the development of the characters. I also loved that the protagonist was older. Granted, it is based (loosely) on a historical figure, but it was still an interesting read. I would definitely give it a chance.

This was one of the most boring books I have ever read. Seriously, if you have insomnia, read this, it will cure it.

DNF at 35%.

I wanted to love this book. I have read many of P.C. Cast's books and have enjoyed them, and have read and enjoyed many books from the Roman period. This just didn't hit for me. It didn't keep my attention and what I did read wasn't as good as I had been expecting. It wasn't bad writing, per se, but I wasn't as invested as I normally am with this era of historical fiction. The fantasy aspect wasn't even intriguing, which was really disappointing for me. Maybe in the future I'll circle back and try to re-read it. But at this time, it's a no for me.