Tidelands

Exciting. Philippa Gregory begins her Fairmile series with a novel titled, Tidelands. Set in Sussex during the English Civil War, protagonist Alinor is a hardworking midwife eking out a living for herself and her two children while not knowing whether her missing husband is dead or alive. A large cast of characters includes the activities of both Roundheads and Cavaliers. Gregory draws us into stories of how the divisions in the country play out even in the most remote locations. Just when Gregory leads us to think events are heading in one direction, there’s a twist to carry us to a different place. We’re left wondering what happens to Alinor next, the answer to which will wait until the next installment in the series, set during the Restoration. Fans of historical fiction that includes well-developed characters are those most likely to enjoy this novel and this series. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Tidelands from amazon.com.