This delightful Tudor fantasy should please both readers of fiction and history. True, much of the book is pure make-believe, but there are factual elements which season the imagined occurrences with a little historical flavor. In this story, Henry the VIII’s first two wives, Catalina of Aragon and Anne Boleyn (who has escaped execution by occult means) have joined forces to not only plot Henry’s demise but to save his next wife, Katherine Howard. The wife between Anne and Katherine, Jane Seymour, sadly passed due to natural causes two weeks after having born Henry’s only son. Still, the king’s behavior has engendered an abiding hatred in both Catalina and Anne and contributed to their dedication to his elimination, not to mention saving the young Kat Howard from a fate worse than death.

The success of this scheme is to be achieved via witchcraft. As it happens Catalina (referred to as Lina by those who know her) and Anne are both member of a clandestine occult group known as the Hellebore Sisterhood, made up of strong -willed and opinionated women whose only chance of seeing justice done for their sex is in the use of sorcery.

The ins and outs of contemporary court manners, politics and religion make the whole idea difficult to manage but with skill, intelligence and burning anger they press on. All the well-known characters are here, Cromwell, Howard, Catherine Parr and others from history books. As a view into the culture of the royalty and aristocracy of the time it’s entertaining and enlightening and the fantastic element provides great fun. The narrative moves quickly and with plenty of humor, skillfully weaving fact and fiction into a pleasing tapestry.