Publisher: 15th November 2022 by Simon & Schuster Australia
Pages: 520 pages
Genre: historical fiction
My Rating: 4.5 cups
Synopsis:
The “sweeping” (Parade) and “superb” (People) Fairmile series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory continues as the fiercely independent Alinor and her family find themselves entangled in palace intrigue, political upheaval, and life-changing secrets in 17th-century England.
It is 1685, England is on the brink of a renewed civil war against the Stuart kings and many families are bitterly divided. Ned Ferryman cannot persuade his sister, Alinor, that he is right to return from America with his Pokanoket servant, Rowan, to join the rebel army. Instead, Alinor has been coaxed by the manipulative Livia to save the queen from the coming siege. The rewards are life-changing: the family could return to their beloved Tidelands, and Alinor could rule where she was once lower than a servant.
Alinor’s son, Rob, is determined to stay clear of the war, but when he and his nephew set out to free Ned from execution for treason and Rowan from a convict deportation to Barbados, they find themselves enmeshed in the creation of an imposter Prince of Wales—a surrogate baby to the queen.
From the last battle in the desolate Somerset Levels to the hidden caves on the slave island of Barbados, this third volume of an epic story follows a family from one end of the empire to another, to find a new dawn in a world which is opening up before them with greater rewards and dangers than ever before.
My Thoughts
‘There's no safe haven for us Stuarts!' he said bitterly. 'Don't you hear me? The west is all for Monmouth, and the north. The Scots are all for Argyll! If we're not safe in our own capital city, where we can fall back into the Tower if we come under siege,
then we're not safe anywhere!’
A new historical novel from Philippa Gregory is always cause for celebration. Few authors make historical dramas more inviting, whether it be through her Tudor Tales or life at the court of James II. Dawnlands is the third installment in her The Fairmile Series where Philippa continues the story of independent Alinor and her family in 17th-century England. Readers who have read the first two in the series - Tidelands and Dark Tides - are sure to be delighted to return to this world. New readers fear not! This book can work as a stand-alone especially for those who appreciate strong female characters from such a recognised authority of women’s history.
The Fairmile Series is the first by Philippa that features primarily fictional characters woven in amongst the more notable ones from history. Her tale has all the action, romance and drama that readers have come to expect from her writing. There are varying storylines told from a range POVs - royalty, tradespeople and slaves as examples. Readers are given insight into not only the history of England during this period but also the hidden caves on the slave island of Barbados and time in America as well.
I have been a fan of Phillippa’s writing from the beginning and although I was somewhat apprehensive leaving the Tudor era, I have to say I am impressed with how this series has evolved. Some readers may find sections to be slow, however, experience will definitely be enriched if you have read the first two books of the series. There are many characters to follow and the ending indicates more to come in the series. As always Philippa brings history alive with compelling characters, whether they be real historical figures or fictional characters.
Historical fiction is simply marvelous when you get to learn whilst reading a great story and these stories are so fresh from Philippa - simple people caught up in the momentous historical events of their time. I loved being immersed in everyday life as this epic story follows a family from one end of the empire to another searching for a new dawn in a world which is opening up revealing both new rewards and hidden dangers.
‘There will be a dawn’, he told her. 'You're a child of the Dawnlands. It seems like a very dark night now for you, but you're young, you'll see a lot of dawns - and they'll be happier than this one, I promise you.'
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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