I'm easily giving this 5 stars.
I knew the story of Boudicca going in, but by the end I felt that I'd lived it with her and come to know and love the cast of characters that are brought to life so vividly they'll be with me long after the final page.
I found this to be a very emotionally intense read. It's been a long time since I "felt" a story the way I felt this one, and now, I just want to read it over again.

I’ve been obsessed with P.C. Cast’s writing since middle school….so reading this was an obvious choice. I grew up very familiar with the story of Boudica and how she did her best to protect her people. This book perfectly encapsulates what we know of her. Strong, smart, and powerful. She powers through all the obstacles that come her way, including losing her husband.

Discover history, goddesses, fantasy, romance, magic, and so much more. This book is truly (chef’s kiss) and a masterpiece.

the cover is so gorgeous and the writing was great. i think the writing and plot were pretty strong, but I really enjoyed the characters. i think the character development was super strong. definitely gonna add this to my collection

I think this book is great, but it's sadly not for me. It's written very well, I'm just not connecting with the story right now. I will not be publicly rating this book.

This is definitely a different version of Boudica's story from what I've previously read. Several emotions were triggered while reading, but the strongest was during the assaults of Boudica's and her daughters. Most definitely because of the perceived ages of the girls. Being of Celtic heritage myself I could identify with the rage, and love shown in the story. I'm not of the Iceni Tribe, but I would have followed their Queen into battle! It's hard to know what really happened in the end as I'm sure the Roman writers were biased in their findings. It's nice to think there was a different outcome for Queen Boudica.

It only took me two months but we have finished it. Let me say that this solidified that I am not a mythology girly, but if you are, chances are you will love this. It is a brutal feminist tale about what Boudicca will do to protect her community and her children. Now let me say that I also had never heard of Boudicca before reading this, so I am not sure how accurate this story is. I did like the amount of gore/description, and of course, the all-around bad-assery and respect given to women in this book. This would definitely make a kick-ass movie too.

The reason I requested this from NetGalley is because of the author. As a pre-teen, I read the House of Night books and I ate that shit up. Forcing my mom to take me to Barnes and Noble to get the next book was a core memory of mine and honestly established my love for reading. P.C Cast's writing in Boudicca is completely different than in House of Night. The writing in Boudicca is strong and complex, and not that her writing is bad in her other books, this one is just exceptional.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for providing this advanced copy.

Such a strong and loyal leader. Exactly who I would want leading me into battle. A leader of her people who is lead by her heart to ensure her people are treated with respect and avenged.
If you are a woman who has EVER felt overlooked because of your gender, Boudicca will fill you with the urge to make yourself known.

This was such a good read! I loved the historical accuracy, and I think Cast really did a great job of telling this tale through a more feminist lens. Even though she had to take some license with the more minor character’s names, the way she did still made sense to the time and as a reader I found myself loving each character so much. Her tribe was so brave and strong and you really felt for everyone for their losses and victories.

If it's got P.C. Cast's name on it, you know I'm going to read it.

Boudicca is the Queen of her tribe. Strong, smart and well respected. Still feeling the loss of her beloved husband, she powers on. A dream that seemed more like a message wakes her early. Perhaps the druids and so she'll go out in the breath of dragon (fog) to forge.

Moments later, Boudicca is in the otherworld of her goddess. There she is told things about her husband and given choices about what to do next. Choice made, Bouddica heads home to face what is coming.

As soon as she returns, the pace starts to pick up. You know something is going to happen. The excitement and anticipation has you gripping onto the book and trying to read through it as fast as you can.

The history, goddess, vengeance, victory, magic, fantasy, and romantasy. It gives you everything you could want and then some. It's a P.C. Cast masterpiece.

P.C Cast is always a must read for me, her writing style and charater development are secon to none. After having read all of her books I can't find a character I hate (even if I am meant to hate them). I can' twait for more and anyone who has not read this needs to go out and grab a copy...wow

I'm so thankful Boudicca is integrating more into mainstream media. The cover is beautiful and the story hasn't been told too many time where people feel like it's "just another xyz."
Something I think historical fiction struggles with is making the character have life instead of being caricatures of humans hitting a checklist. This book has the same struggle. The pacing also is a bit off. Very early in, Boudicca visits her patron goddess and suddenly wants revenge against Rome...The problem with this is that this is the first we are hearing about Rome, and there isn't any bad history of interactions. Historically we know Boudicca takes up arms against Rome but in this opener there isn't really a good WHY. She just suddenly wants vengeance.... for nothing? What has Rome done at this point? NOTHING. Later of course war atrocious tthing happen but we don't really have a good motivation early on

Despite that the overall story was interesting enough. I think it should be marketed as historical fiction vs a romantasy however.

Also definitely check trigger warnings before reading if you have things that might be unsettling to you.

I don’t know what I expected going into this book but, I did not expect to be crying by the end of it. Taking place in Roman-occupied Britain we follow flame haired Queen Boudicca, queen of the Iceni tribe as she unites the Britain tribes against the Romans.

What a whirlwind of a book. I’m still thinking about it. Getting to know Boudicca from the beginning to end has changed me in ways I didn’t know I could be changed. She is such a strong, resilient and brave character that one can’t help but feel inspired while reading about her. Not only is Boudicca an amazing character but this book is filled with a cast of amazing characters! I loved each and everyone of them as if I was right there with them, every step of the way between these pages.

This book is marketed as Romantasy but I would argue it’s not. Yes there is some romance in this book but it’s so much more than that. I would say it’s Historical Fiction with Fantasy elements and a tiny dash of Romance. The amount of historical details woven into this book make it feel so immersive. I can’t help but want to know mote about the real Boudicca. This book makes me excited to learn.

Overall, I couldn’t get enough of this book. I want more. I want more Boudicca and her army. I want more descriptions of the tribes and how they come together to conqueror Rome. I didn’t want it to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Circe by Madeline Miller, Strong female characters and a book that will simultaneously make them cry and feel empowered all with the span of 480 pages.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
An Epic Retelling of a Legendary Warrior Queen
*Boudicca* by P.C. Cast is a powerful and captivating retelling of one of history’s most legendary figures. Set in Roman-occupied Britain, the novel brings to life the fierce and determined Boudicca, the flame-haired queen of the Iceni tribe. Devoted to her people and her goddess Andraste, Boudicca rises to power in a time of great peril, determined to protect her tribe and drive the Roman invaders from their land.

P.C. Cast does a fantastic job of blending historical facts with rich, mythic elements, creating a story that feels both epic and deeply personal. Boudicca’s character is portrayed with strength and depth, making her not just a warrior queen, but also a devoted mother and a fierce leader. Her relationships with her daughters, the druid seer Rhan, and the loyal horse master Maldwyn add emotional layers to the story, highlighting the personal sacrifices and challenges she faces in her fight against Rome.

The battle scenes are vividly described, capturing the intensity and brutality of Boudicca’s rebellion. Cast’s writing shines in these moments, making you feel the tension and stakes as Boudicca’s armies sack the wealthy Roman cities and retreat to plot their next move. The depiction of the Celts’ culture, with its reverence for the gods and nature, adds a mystical quality to the narrative, especially as Boudicca must place her trust in the otherworldly powers to guide her through the coming storm.

While the novel is rooted in history, it also explores themes of destiny and free will, particularly through the character of Rhan, the druid who foresees a tragic end to Boudicca’s rebellion. Her struggle to change the fate that the gods have spelled out adds an intriguing layer of suspense, making you wonder if the outcome is truly set in stone.

*Boudicca* is an engaging and evocative read, offering a fresh perspective on a historical figure who has inspired countless stories throughout the centuries. P.C. Cast’s skillful storytelling, combined with the rich historical and mythological backdrop, makes this novel a must-read for fans of epic historical fiction and those fascinated by the powerful women who shaped history.

#Boudicca #NetGalley

I enjoyed this book. It took me a little while to get into it as it was a different genre than i usually read but I like the other stuff ive read from the author so I requested it as an arc and am pleased to have been approved to read it early.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

WOW can I just say I LOVE Boudicca? And even more so I love how she was written. do yourself a favor and read this book. You don’t need a raven to tell you that!

I have always loved PC Cast. This was fantastic and I loved every bit of it. It gave me a lot of 90s movie vibes and Im here for it

This was fun, and it really made me reminiscent for 80s and 90s historical fiction movies. That was the vibe for sure.

5 / 5 stars

I don’t usually enjoy historical fiction but this book swept me up from beginning to end.

Did I have any idea what piece of history I was walking into reading this? No. Did I still absolutely enjoy every piece of this beautiful, heart-wrenching, yet hopeful book? Yes.


Boudicca is an absolute powerhouse and I am thrilled to have learned a piece of this history from this story. I loved that the other female characters’ also carried unwavering strength and leadership ability. Seeing them be treated as fellow kin was wonderful to read about. The magic woven throughout also added such a nice element that elevated the story of this book. 


Every page was packed with dense amounts of information, which made this a slower read than usual for me, but the slowness did not take away at all from the enjoyment of this book.

Thank you to William Morrow, P.C. Cast, and Net Galley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

PC Cast’s Bodaccia is a compelling tale of a REBEL and WARRIOR rising to claim her destiny as QUEEN. Boudicca is a force to be reckoned with, and her journey is both inspiring and heartbreaking. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the characters are complex and relatable.

While the pacing was a bit uneven at times, the overall story arc is satisfying. PC Cast’s vivid descriptions and action-packed scenes kept me engaged throughout. I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. A solid entry into the historical fiction genre.

I have always been interested in the legend of Boudicca so I was thrilled to get a chance to read this book. I really enjoyed it, the author expertly wove history, fantasy, and mysticism into a very readable book about a strong woman. While the book was mostly about Boudicca I also enjoyed reading about the people around her who supported her. It was a great read.