Genre: Historical fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pub date: 20 January 2022

Raven-haired and fiercely independent, Joan Guildford has always remained true to herself. As lady-in-waiting and confidante to Queen Elizabeth, wife of Henry VII, Joan understands royal patronage is vital if she and her husband, Sir Richard, are to thrive in the volatile atmosphere of court life.

But Tudor England is in mourning following the death of the Prince of Wales, and within a year, the queen herself. With Prince Henry now heir to the throne, the court murmurs with the sound of conspiracy. Is the entire Tudor project now at stake or can young Henry secure the dynasty?

Drawn into the heart of the crisis, Joan’s own life is in turmoil, and her future far from secure. She faces a stark choice – be true to her heart and risk everything, or play the dutiful servant and watch her dreams wither and die. For Joan, and for Henry’s Kingdom, everything is at stake…

Having read The Lady of the Ravens, I was looking forward to where Lady Joan Guildford’s journey would go next.

You don’t have to have read the first to enjoy this but I’d recommend it as both are fantastic.

I thoroughly enjoyed joining Joan on the next part of her life’s journey. The Queen’s Lady has everything you could want from a Tudor novel, love, hate, intrigue, joy, and sadness, and it is all told with impeccable detail.

There’s some pretty big events covered in this one, including the Field of Cloth of Gold, and it was wonderful reading about Tudor life from another perspective.

As my own current work in progress focuses on someone close to Joan, I loved reading a portrayal of their relationship and Hickson’s character creations for them.

This has to be one of the most enjoyable historical fiction novels I have read this year. Joanna Hickson writes beautifully, and in no time at all, you are taken back in time to sixteenth century England, immersed in details about buildings, clothing, and events.
Of course, the Ravens are included, I’d have been disappointed if they were not, and without spoiling anything, what a fabulous gift from her husband!

If you’re looking for some wonderful historical fiction, I’d definitely recommend Lady of the Ravens, followed by The Queen’s Lady. After having enjoyed these so much, I will be picking up another, The Agincourt Bride.