Author: Philippa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: William Morrow
Book Release Date: October 20, 2026
Pages: 432
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Royal Witch: the gripping new novel from the international bestselling author.
Ambition. Sorcery. Treason. How far will one woman dare to go?
1420. Eleanor Cobham arrives at the court of Henry V. Pretty but not highborn, she hopes for nothing more than to marry well.
It is a golden age for England, its royal family’s dynasty stretching across Europe. But chaos waits in the shadows. Betrayals and shifts of power change the flourishing world Eleanor has stepped into.
Working in the household of a Countess who commands her own army, Eleanor begins to see for the first time what a woman is capable of…what men’s promises are truly worth.
As the safe, comfortable future she’d envisioned begins to shift, Eleanor changes with it. Now she must use her wits to survive – and to rise. Her newfound ambition will to carry her further than any woman before has dared. But if she is to rule England itself, she will need to turn to darker arts.
My Review: Eleanor Cobham was the aunt of King Henry VI. She was the second wife of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who was the son of King Henry IV and the brother of King Henry V. She has been famous for being found guilty of witchcraft. This historical novel chronicles her rise from a commoner to a royal duchess. In order to get revenge on the man who rejected her, Eleanor makes a deal with the devil to become queen of England. However, her plan backfires and Eleanor experiences a sudden downfall.
Eleanor Cobham has always been a compelling royal figure! She was a woman who was first a mistress to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, and then eventually became his wife. She was later accused and found guilty of witchcraft. She spent the rest of her life in prison. Therefore, I was eager to see how the queen of historical fiction would portray her!
Eleanor Cobham is not a likable character. Even though the story is told from her perspective, she is an anti-heroine. Nevertheless, she was still a compelling figure. Eleanor Cobham was selfish and vain. She used her beauty for her own ends. She did not care about the people around her. She was vengeful and thought about ruining the lives of others. She was ambitious and power-hungry. She was willing to commit murder to be queen. I was appalled by her ruthless actions. Nevertheless, there were times I pitied her because she yearned to be loved, but she remained unloved.
Overall, this book is about ambition, betrayal, and power. I found all of the characters to be flawed but realistic. I liked how Philippa Gregory depicted the early reign of King Henry VI before the War of the Roses. It showed who were the powerful men that reigned behind a young King Henry VI. I found Royal Witch to be an enthralling page turner! I was hooked from the very first page! I did not want it to end, and it lingered with me after I finished the last page! It was a novel I did not know I craved! Royal Witch was a feast for fans of royalty and is one of the best anticipated reads of 2026! I recommend this book for fans of The Queen of Last Hopes, Katherine, and The Goldsmith’s Wife!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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