A review by just_one_more_paige
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
But that title though! I mean, there really isn't that much more to say here - if you're going to title your novel something that makes me infer that witches and magic and royalty are involved, you'll pretty much ensure that it gets added to my TBR. Also, was I the first person at the library to check this book out once it made it into the system? Yes. Yes I was. 
 
As their adolescence began, five girls - Helena, Niamh, Ciara, Leonie and Elle - took their oath to join the sisterhood of witches that is Her Majesty's Royal Coven. And together they fought in the recent civil war between the witches and warlocks that wanted to take control of the world (and the ordinary humans) and those who wanted to continue their current undercover ways of life. All five women lost something in the war, whether it was a partner, a sister, their consciousness/freedom, a connection with HMRC. And years later they are all dealing in their own way. Helena has taken over as the head of HMRC. Leonie and Niamh have split from HMRC, Leonie to start her own coven for witches of color and queer witches with her girlfriend in London, while Niamh is working in the country as a vet and trying not to fall for the vegetable delivery guy. Elle is married and happily living with her family that has no idea of her prestigious witch heritage and talent. And Ciara is completely out of the picture. But when the oracles foresee the coming of a great evil that threatens all witches, and a powerful young warlock that seems to be the embodiment of that threat appears, these friends must decide on the best course and who deserves their loyalty (or their betrayal). 
 
To set the stage, I do think I expected something a little more along the lines of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, if not in humor/tone, then at least as far as the involvement of the British crown (I mean, the title has "her majesty's" in it). However, despite this being a much more serious and topically intense read, as well as a plot that had paralleling and equally central conflicts: the external "preventing the end of witches as we know them doom and gloom future" and a super internal-to-the-friends-group conflict over upholding the traditions of HMRC versus doing what is right for humanity. And the second one arguably does take an even more central stage, at least in this first installation of the series, though to be fair, it is intertwined with the wider issues smoothly. To that point, I really appreciate the strong messages about how the people you grew up with sometimes age into people you have to split from. And in some cases, not just let go of them, but truly shut them down. Nostalgia and historical bonds are not good enough reasons to let certain things (intolerance, bigotry) go - especially if that person holds a position of power and you have an influence/method of stopping them. Powerful.  
 
Before I talk more about themes (the messages and themes were strong and not super subtle) in this story, I want to comment on the story itself. It was great! Nonstop story and pacing that didn't sacrifice character development and relationship building. This was a page-turner for sure, getting all the background on the civil war and the friend's histories, while also watching the drama unfold in present time with the discovery of Theo, the powerful young adept (able to wield more than one style of magic) and the conflicts within the friends (and between the witches and warlocks) of how to deal with the prophecy about the future destruction. There is a great deal of magic in these pages, lots of telepathic communication, communing with the earth and spirits, invoking demons (and some of that was graphic - scorpions, ick!), healing magic, and the general respect for the natural world that is a staple of all witch-based theory (I loved that). The parallels of the “the talk” about puberty and sex and “the talk” here about magical ability were super enjoyable, considering my line of work - I chortled. And the mingling of witchcraft lore and Christian theological mythologies is well done. Also, I was into the take on prophecies as general harbingers of change, but the specifics can be changed by a choice/free-will being exercised. 
 
Overall, just super entertaining, as stories go. And that ending: I cannot believe Dawson really went for it with Helena at the very end, she was a major character to pull a trigger like that with, and I was here for it! Plus there were a great couple twists/set-ups that happened towards the end that I think set up the rest of the series nicely. There is one aspect that's just not a favorite trope for me (to keep it vague, body-switching/spirits inhabiting someone else's body is just not my jam - I got annoyed and mostly stopped watching when that became a plot point in both The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural), but I am invested enough, I think, to continue regardless. 
 
In addition to all the magic and action, there was definitely a heavy dose of reality in this book, the intense and not very good kind of reality. There was really clever commentary on legacy - and policing it - and race and gender and talent vs heritage, and a definite move to address intersectionality and inclusivity. In some cases, this was done well (I'll address that more in just a second). Dawson did a really nice job demonstrating what happens when prejudice goes too far, for the person "leading" the intolerance charge and for their followers. She shows how fear (of the unknown/different) pulls people far past where they would normally go/ever would think to go; it happens in small steps of convincing yourself that each little move is alright, and you end up at an end place that's a "big step" you would never consider taking all at once/on its own. And then the mental gymnastics that must constantly happen in order to convince oneself that you didn’t go too far/you’re not a bad person. Yeeeesh - it was tough to read, like a trainwreck and I just couldn't look away, even though I *knew* it was going to end badly.  
 
In some cases, I would have liked a little more depth and nuance. Leonie's new coven, Diaspora, was a great attempt, but  was missing a little depth. Plus, the trans witch from Diaspora that was on-page felt one-dimensional to me. Also, I felt like the visit to the "frowned upon witch" who required sacrifice to commune with the dead was...I don't know. I mean, I understand why the book made it seem like she operated in the shadows (a reflection of actual society, of course), but still Leonie's disgust came across strongly and I had hoped for more internal acceptance at least. However, in both cases, I am willing to extend some grace, since this is a planned trilogy, and I'll hope for more development of these aspects now that the stage has been well-set and further detailed plot/character development can be a greater focus. 
 
Finally, the queer aspects, because being trans was central to this story, both as far as the plot goes, and in regards to character development. The general idea was similar to Cemetery Boys, both books using a very cool magical way to showcase gender as natural, inherent, despite the body you’re born with. Love. Content warning for major transphobia and anti-trans language and TERFs and more. It was a lot. All the "buzzy" arguments are mentioned, and it's super not subtle. The propaganda and staunch, fanatical, bigotry against trans people, without taking the time to know them or making a single effort to understand/accept, is…visceral, and all too freaking real. So potential readers, do be aware of that. Of note, there was also, to counter-effect, beautiful acceptance and defense and love of transness. 
 
This opening novel had so much magic and friends/sisterhood in it and I love it for that. It looked intensely at the way the world hurts us all, in different ways, and we hide it (or not), but it wins if we hide too much out of fear/embarrassment/internalized guilt and then divide over it. It was quite affecting. Though I'm hoping for more intersectional development as we move forwards, plus more inclusion as far as other covens/different forms of magic use, I'm also definitely into the overall story and vibe and the trajectory of these characters and I'm definitely wishing the next book was already out! 
 
“It’s a life skill, finding the sweet spot between solitude and loneliness.” 
 
“…all history is narrative. If you weren't there, it's a story.” 
 
“Nature is destructive. To pretend it isn't is to be at odds with the world.” 
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