Fascinating subject matter, but writing style wasn’t for me and made it hard to get into- more tell than show.

I have been obsessed with Boudicca since I was a little girl. Like I read all the books I could find at my local libraries and just made her one of my hyper fixations as a kid. She is SO COOL! And P.C. Cast brought that in this book. I was so excited to jump back into that love of this historical figure.

I am always blown away by historical women who become legends and the authors who bring their stories to life. Boudicca faced monumental odds and I love how accurate Cast worked to make this interpretation of her story

I was excited to read a story on a new to me historical figure. I wanted to feel like I was right alongside her, feeling her pain and rage to what lead her to her triumph. But this book was not that and did not deliver. The feministic language used is entirely too modern, the word "queen" is used an astronomical mount of times. I wound up almost and I mean ALMOST DNF'ing, but I trudged through. And the payoff was not there.

Historical Fantasy Fiction based on real events - following the Iceni warrior queen Boudicca as she fights against the Romans to protect her children and her tribe and get retribution for the brutal acts the Romans have committed against her family.

Pros:
- Bringing Boudicca's story to a new audience
- Incredibly vivid details and descriptions
- Gorgeous cover art
- Unique characters

Cons:
- It is not a romantasy - which is how it is marketed. It is a historical fantasy fiction based on real events. While there is a minor romance element, it does not have a true focus or impact on the story. Also, other than visions, there is very little fantasy as well.
- No content warnings - very early in the book there is brutal torture and gang r*pe of women and children. This was horrible to read with no warning and the expectation of an "epic, lusty, magic-filled romantasy."
- Very little actually happens - other than a couple of battles - there isn't much that happens in this long book.

I cannot, in good conscious, recommend this book. Maybe if it were marketed differently, I would have a different opinion. But going in and expecting a romantasy, I was tremendously disappointed and horrified by the torture and r*pe very early on in the book.

This retelling gains significance through its focus on a female military leader often marginalized in traditional historical accounts. By incorporating Celtic spiritual practices and supernatural elements, Cast creates space to explore questions of agency, destiny, and resistance that extend beyond purely historical treatment.
The "hidden valley" winter regrouping creates a narrative pause that allows for deeper character development and exploration of tribal dynamics before the final confrontation. This structural choice suggests a work interested in the human and cultural dimensions of resistance beyond battlefield tactics.
The narrative promises both the satisfaction of witnessing Boudicca's historically documented military successes and the tension of wondering whether Cast's reimagining might allow her character to escape her historically documented defeat—creating compelling uncertainty even for readers familiar with the actual historical outcome.

I expected better.
The disappointment hurt as P.C. Cast has written other amazing books.
The pacing was slow and everything was repetitive.
I feel the story did portray Boudicca well at all.

In this version, the legendary queen of the Iceni moves in and out of the otherworld, as she flees and fights brutal Roman legions. As the story opens, she feels a strong compulsion to go into the forest, where her goddess gives Boudicca a choice.

The queen returns to her people to face a brutal Roman lesson that has become part of history. She's flogged almost to death, her daughters raped, her people slaughtered. But they survive to ally with other tribes and take war to the Romans.

We know how the rebellion will end and that Rome will swallow their world. When it happens, a small remnant of Boudicca's people flee to Caledonia.

If you're into historical fiction that’s both gripping and empowering, Boudicca by P.C. Cast is definitely a must-read. I absolutely loved how Cast brought this legendary warrior queen to life. The way she weaves history with fiction makes the story feel so immersive, and Boudicca herself feels incredibly real and relatable, even though we’re talking about someone who lived over 2,000 years ago.

What I really appreciated about this book is how Cast doesn’t just focus on Boudicca as a fierce warrior, which she definitely was, but also explores her personal side. You get a deep look into her emotions, her struggles, and the tough decisions she had to make as a mother, wife, and leader. It made her feel so much more human and layered, which I loved.

If you're into stories of women who defy the odds and fight for what they believe in, this is totally the book for you. Highly recommend!

My initial, unfiltered reaction to this book is simple: I absolutely loved it. 5 stars! While I had heard of Boudicca before, my knowledge was limited to the fact that she was a British queen who led a failed revolt against the Romans. After doing a bit of research while reading, it seems P.C. Cast did a great job staying true to the few historical details we know about Boudicca. The book takes many creative liberties, but they never detracted from the story for me.

That said, I couldn't give this book a perfect 5-star rating because of the writing quality. While much of it was beautiful, there were instances of repetition and excessive exposition. My biggest issue with the repetition was within Boudicca's internal thoughts. At one point, the phrase "birth order" appeared three times in a single paragraph. That's a bit much! As for the exposition, I understand how some readers might find it off-putting, and I think there were subtler ways to convey information. Personally, though, I was so engrossed in the story that the exposition didn’t bother me at all.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a fictional retelling of Boudicca's life. Fans of Madeline Miller, Natalie Haynes, and others who write mythological or legendary retellings would also likely enjoy it, just know that the writing may not be quite on the same level as theirs.

Thank you to P.C. Cast and William Morrow via NetGalley for a free eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Let me just say, this may be the fact that I am not a mythological girl and I just KEEP TRYIN, but it took me quite a while to finish this book. However, I think the focus on a historical figure that is not spoken about much and adding twists and gore to make it more of a fictional read is a great way to get people interested in the true stories behind these inspirations.

Will definitely keep reading P.C. Cast!

thanks to netgalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for a review!

definitely more historical fiction than fantasy, and i think that diminished my enjoyment of it as was i was expecting more magic woven in based on the description of it. while boudicca is based in the history of rome colonizing britain, and it includes all of the horror that goes with it. the story kept me engaged and i enjoyed it, but it didn't blow me away.

This book is bad. It’s insulting to the legacy and cultural memory of Boudicca, especially in the marketing of this retelling as “romantasy”. I was done 7% of the way through when Cast’s Boudicca has her “Why me?” moment in front of the Goddess. Cast has a poor understanding of pre-Roman societies, specifically how differently ancient people behaved, thought, and related. I’d go so far as to say Cast’s work here is insulting to the great legacy of writer-veterans. I look forward to her repentance.

I went into this book completely blind and was pleasantly surprised. I had never heard of Queen Boudicca before so it was nice to learn some things through this retelling of this part of history.

The author did a great job at setting up the scene for these characters and I truly felt transported there alongside them.

If you like revenge stories and books about historical characters consider picking this one up.

✨Make sure to check trigger warnings.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the #gifted copy of the book.

The author did a phenomenal job of merging history and mythology in this story. I’m familiar with this mythology and period in britains history and loved how the story integrated this source material into something entirely unique. From page one this was so immersive, with amazingly worldbuilding and historical detail. Despite its length I flew through this one.

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.