Oh, how I wish this had been around when I was ten years old - I would have gobbled it up!

Hannah Rose Brown is at that age where children start to pull away from their parents and stretch their independent wings. Hannah’s father disappeared when she was born and is presumed dead. She and her mother Roz have the usual conflicts, but these are brought to a head when a letter arrives from Scotland. Hannah discovers that her father’s family live in a castle in Scotland and that she has a great-grandmother who wants to see her. Oh, and there is the small matter of a family curse! And did I mention time-travel? This book has it all!

Kate has seamlessly woven Scottish folklore and history into this story. Hannah and her friends travel back to the time of Mary Queen of Scots to find her father and a puzzle ring, which will release her family from the curse. How each child responds to the deprivations of life in sixteenth century Britain is very real. Their shock at the lack of sanitation and creature comforts is exactly how you would expect a child of the twenty-first century to react. The book also reminded me that I would not have survived long as, like Hannah, I am left-handed and only a witch would ever use her left hand.

Kate has added a bibliography for readers who want to dive deeper into the historic background, plus the recipe for marmalade cake - you will need to read the book to understand the relevance of marmalade cake!

Highly recommended for readers from the age of 10+

Please read my review of this outstanding collection of long-lost fairy tales at readingtime.com.au.

Another stunning historic romance from the talented pen of Kate Forsyth.

We follow three women as they struggle to find love and security in times when women had no agency: the reign of King Louis XIV in Versailles and Renaissance Venice. At the heart of this complex book is a re-imaging of the Rapunzel fairy tale.

My handle on the history of France is sketchy, and I found the French names confusing at times. Reading this on the kindle did not make it any easier to keep up with all the characters. But I was engrossed by the details of life in the Court of the Sun King and how a woman’s position was precarious. On a man’s whim, a woman could find herself imprisoned in the Bastille, or sent to a nunnery to live out her remaining days.

Kate doesn’t shy away from explicit sex scenes - so be prepared for some steam! Her woman are three dimensional, yearning for love and a life-companion. And when they fall in love, they fall hard!

Highly recommended.

Thank you Dr Kate for another gorgeous novel portraying a strong woman, overcoming HUGE adversities to follow her own path, and rescue her lover in the process, against enormous odds, including some very powerful Gods!

As is the case since time immemorial, our female protagonist’s life is not her own, but controlled by a man, in Psykhe’s case a tyrannical father. ‘I was only a woman. I had to do as my father commanded, regardless of my own wishes. He had the right to kill me or sell me into slavery if I displeased him. Deep inside me, a flame of defiance burned.’

I loved all the herbology and witchy elements to the story - women’s secret business (and power). I ached for Psykhe as she struggled to master the magic of reading: ‘So many marks I did not know, so many words to learn….I was determined to master this strange magical art, meaning hidden within marks of ink.’

My only quibble with the book is I found the ending rushed. The tasks set by Venus were near-impossible and enormously demanding - in my opinion, they needed more space to breath and help the reader feel Psykhe’s physical and emotional pain.

I am not familiar with the original myth of Psykhe and Eros, so I read this novel with no prior knowledge. I was totally immersed in Psykhe’s world, Kate has the ability to transport the reader to other times and places with her vivid descriptions of sights, sounds and smells.

Highly recommended.

I listened to the audio version of this book, which was fabulous.
Set during the seige of Crete during the Second World War, we follow the story of two young Australian soldiers who are part of the allied forces sent to protect Crete from the Nazi invasion, and Alenka, a young woman who has lived all her life on the island.
The chash of cultures is highlighted, as are the myths and legends relating to the Greek culture. Teddy and Jack have an unlikely friendship. Teddy has little empathy or understand for others and is really only interested in his own needs and desires. Jack is a deep thinking, who loves poetry and music, and struggles with a speech impediment. They both, of course, fall in love with Alenka, but only blind Freddy could miss the perfect match between Alenka and Jack.
My only reservation about the book is the portrayal of Teddy’s sudden change from larrikin to outright bastard. I know they say that war changes people, but I thought this was a bit of a stretch.
However I loved the story and learning about Crete and its rich culture. This is a world war two story that I was not familiar with, and I love a book that broadens my knowledge, and keeps me thoroughly entertained at the same time.

I listened to the audio version of this book, which was outstanding. I loved everything about this novel and found myself totally immersed in the world of the pre-Raphaelites. But Kate Forsyth shows us this world from the women’s perspectives, which is like a breathe of fresh air.
Highly, highly recommended.