You had me at Kate Morton because I adore her as a writer... but this wasn’t her. There was too much suspension of disbelief required for this book and even then, the characters weren’t my favorite. I know I’m in the minority and I feel bad about that... I wanted to like it but it fell flat.

A spellbinding story of love and sacrifice beautifully told. Plenty of action and mystery to keep you glued to the pages as you follow Alison through time to solve a mystery and learn that love has no timeframe. A must read!

Since my early days of reading I've always been captivated by books which have a Time Travel element to them so I was really excited to dig into The Phantom Tree.

This novel's story is kicked off when time traveler Allison comes across a painting of what is said to be Anne Boleyn. She stops outside of the shop because she knows it isn't, it is in fact her friend Mary Seymour. Allison steps into the shop to get a closer look and the story kicks off from there.

Personally I really enjoyed this novel. The pacing is really good and it rarely dragged at all. The only slight downfall for me was that I felt there could actually be a bit MORE to the story but it was really well done. It's always tricky with time travel to make it believable yet fanciful enough to be fun and Nicola hit the mark there and the time travel element is quite well done.

Overall I think readers of historical fiction - especially those who like a bit of time travel a la Outlander - will really enjoy this book!

Received an Arc from Netgalley.
Two young girls thrown together by birth and circumstance, grow up to have their lives forever inextricably interwoven. Love time travel books. This was different in that the travel was forward instead of into the past. Masterfully written, impeccably researched. Evocative and emotional. This book is going to do very well.

I thought the premise of this book was great. If you like history mixed with sci-fi (like Outlander). I always find it so fun to learn more about lesser known people in history through stories like this. Sometimes in learning about history people's personalities get lost, which is a huge part of what I liked in this book. It really showed that people in the 15th/16th century are really not that different from how we are today.

Allison was a very interesting character, though I did get a bit frustrated with her interactions with Adam. I thought the romance was sort of rushed, and really wanted to focus more on the mystery of time travel and what happened to Mary. When we did find out what happened to Mary, I was sort of shocked. It seemed like such a drastic ending to that plotline. I did enjoy though that we found out what happened to Arthur.

In general I think that this book needed about 50 or so more pages to explain some things (like Mary's magic? Why was that a thing?). Otherwise I loved the story!

I enjoy reading about the Tudor era, which is why I was drawn to this book in the first place. It was a bit strange, but kept my attention, and had an interesting premise --- it was just a little different with the elements of time travel involved. As a whole I enjoyed it, but found the time travel aspect a bit strange and far fetched/not explained well. It was still an interesting read though, just not quite what I expected.

“I felt his smile. It was wonderfully comforting.”

This book got me shaking at how cute the couples are :)


plot:

The writing style was simply enchanting and very descriptive. It had a really good start which I found essential, especially for fantasy books, to be able to get the attention of their readers. It had the detail that fantasy books call for. I enjoyed the story a lot because aside from the fantasy or historical aspect, it was also very amusing and not boring. It did not really have the very strong fantasy vibe I was expecting at the start of the book.

Though it was a creative idea to make the plots at different eras, it was one of the things I thought was unnecessary for the book. I think I would have enjoyed it more if they stuck to the earlier eras. The back and forth of eras did not appeal to my reading style.

And from what I remember, we were not even given a specific date. . .

it was merely written as "present time" so I imagine it in the contemporary world.

It was not a bad portrayal however, words were chosen carefully to fully depict to the readers the timeline.


Aside from that, the other elements in the story fit the theme perfectly for me. What I like with historical fiction is how they can show us a different side to things. It made me see the life of novelty differently.


characters:

“There was love, and teasing and all the reassurances that I remembered. It made me want to cry all over again.”

i love the relationships of the characters because they were mostly relatable.

some of my favorite tropes were here so I may be a little bias hehe

“I was just a girl, in love with being in love.”

I cannot get over the couples in the story !!! They were so cute.

there were prominent familial relationships which I always like seeing in fantasy books because this very different world suddenly makes it more relatable in a way that a lot of people are familiar with, the aspect of family.


themes:

As I said earlier, though I like most of the themes that were in this book and they fit the fantasy genre, there were still some themes that I was not a fan of which was the main reason for my 3-star rating.


overall:

It was mostly an enjoyable read and I had a really hard time rating this because it had one of the most enchanting writing styles I have come across but the plot just really did not call out to me. Historical Fiction readers might love this since i the writing style seemed genuine and had a little bit of everything.

This book is a combination of historical fiction, fantasy, romance and mystery with the occasional gothic element. This is a time travel book, telling the story of two women; both orphans.

A great title to purchase for those historical fiction lovers in your bookstore or library, a charming premise that is well executed. There are areas that could have been improved, both in the writing and the plot, for those lovers of Tudor history, it will not matter. It is an escape and it is a joy.

The Phantom Tree
First of all, let me thank Netgalley and Graydon House for the chance to read and review this book pre-release. As always, these thoughts are my own. This review is spoiler-free and no main plot points are revealed.

I give the Phantom Tree 4.75 stars.

Synopsis: Browsing an antiques shop in Wiltshire, Alison Bannister stumbles across a delicate old portrait—identified as the doomed Tudor queen, Anne Boleyn. Except Alison knows better. The subject is Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr, who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557 and presumed dead after going missing as a child.

And Alison knows this because she, too, lived at Wolf Hall and knew Mary…more than four hundred years ago.

The painting of Mary is more than just a beautiful object for Alison—it holds the key to her past life, the unlocking of the mystery surrounding Mary’s disappearance and how Alison can get back to her own time. To when she and Mary were childhood enemies yet shared a pact that now, finally, must be fulfilled, no matter the cost.

Bestselling author of House of Shadows Nicola Cornick offers a provocative alternate history of rivals, secrets and danger, set in a time when a woman’s destiny was determined by the politics of men and luck of birth. A spellbinding tale for fans of Kate Morton, Philippa Gregory and Barbara Erskine.

I adored this book…
and I don’t get to say that very much about stories. I have a set of perfect expectations that stories break all the time. THIS BOOK is nearly perfect. I won’t spoil anything for you, but I would have given it an easy 5-star rating except for the events at the close of the story.

History, Mystery, a touch of Romance, and a touch of Magic
Honestly, Nicola Cornick did (almost) everything right. There were enough clues in the mystery to string the reader along pleasantly, and there was so much historical ambiance that honestly it was like stepping back into Tudor England. The two main characters had distinct but similar voices, and I honestly can’t rave enough about this story.

It would have been my favorite book of all time except for the ending, but DON”T let that discourage you from reading and buying this amazingly detailed, clever, and interesting story. Rarely can I say a book has held my attention (even when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it!) as much as this story has.

Bottom line, pick it up, read it, and then tell me you loved it because it is a masterwork you don’t want to miss. (Do I EVER rave like this? No! You know it’s an amazing story if I’m raving)

If you like historical fiction, pick The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick up. If you don’t or have never read it, this is the best HF I’ve ever read.

Twin story of Mary Seymour and her friend, Alison Banestre in 1500's England and the present day search of Alison Bannester for clues left behind by Mary as to the whereabouts of Alison's child. The time travel blends seamlessly from Mary's story to the immortal Alison piecing together what happened. Interesting and a must for any British Tudor time period history buff who likes a bit of fantasy in their historical fiction. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

I have loved and read many time travel books for years. Like all books some time travel is not worth reading or is just mediocre. The Phantom Tree is exceptional! I devoured it, reading it in one day and stayed up late reading with no regrets. The Phantom Tree set in Tudor and present time had all of my favorites History, Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Suspense, Mystery and a love story. Nicola Cornick books just improve with each new book. The Phantom Tree leaves me looking forward her next book and possibly rereading her earlier books.

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick
After finding an old portrait, of Anne Boleyn, in an antique shop, Alison Bannister is convinced that it is not of Anne Boleyn, but of Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr, last wife of Henry VIII.
Thus begins a fascinating story, weaving threads of the past and present. For Alison, the portrait might be the key that unlocks a secret in her past, and in the process of unravelling the mystery, she meets up with a past love, who has written a book, based around the portrait being that of Anne Boleyn. What is the connection between Alison Bannister and Anne Banastre, and why is it important for her to re-connect with her past?
A well written and exciting story, with an intricate plot, evocative sense of place and full of intrigue and mystery. I was hooked from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was my first book by Nicole Cornick. It was highly entertaining and kept my attention throughout. It was fast-paced, and I liked the twist of a character traveling forward in time, rather than back. Sometimes the characters used language that was far too modern for their time period. I noticed this with Mary a lot, and it could be jarring at times. I also thought that all the revelations at the end came too quickly and too close together, which drew the story out longer than necessary. Other than that, it was very enjoyable, and I'm happy to discover this new (to me) author.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#The Phantom Tree#NetGalley
By: Nicola Cornick
The story starts in modern time with Alison Banestre, a contemporary of the 1500's, finding herself in modern day London, while fleeing from her uncertain fate at the hands of the unscrupulous lord of the manor. This man impregnated Alison, then whisked the baby away. Allison's goal is to return to the past and find her baby
Her cousin, Mary Seymour, daughter of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII last wife, has supernatural powers. Mary leaves clues to the baby's whereabouts.
The story alternates between the distant past and the modern world. Both time periods hold your attention. The portal to the past and future is well done. A well written and well researched tale that will hold your interest to the satisfying end.

Historical Fictional fans rejoice!
Give a round of applause for The Phantom Tree!
For those who are as obsessed as I am with the Tudor court, for those that love the anything to do with 16th century England, this book is for you.
This is my first Nicola Cornick book and I have to say this, her writing style was beautiful!
The way she described scenes were detailed and you couldn’t help but imagine it vividly. The Phantom Tree is haunting and filled with mystery.

To be honest, this book had a little bit of everything: romance, probability of fear and wonderment, mystery, a sense of danger, time travel, hurdles of a woman in that era.

I will say this, this is not the best historical fiction out there but I absolutely enjoyed Nicola’s writing style. The way she has written this book, it was like she had woven a spell on readers..making you feel like as if the Fictional ‘facts’ were real and genuine.

I admit I Googled the hell out of the people who inspired the characters that were mentioned in this book.
The Phantom Tree is primarily a romance novel, and by the end I honestly felt a sense of bitter sweet contentment.

Highly recommend it!

Most books that involve time travel can't come anywhere close to The Time Traveler's Wife or Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but The Phantom Tree does just that. It's the perfect blend of historical fiction with just the right amount of fantasy (i.e. the time travel). Inspired by a real character from history, Mary Seymour (daughter of Katherine Parr and Tom Seymour) The Phantom Tree takes us from 16th century England to current day England.

Alison Bannister sees a newly discovered portrait of Anne Boleyn...except its not Anne Boleyn, it's Mary Seymour. And to make it more complicated, the portrait was found by her ex, who is not at all eager to hear that it's not what he thinks it is. And just how does Alison know that it's Mary Seymour and not Anne Boleyn?

The Phantom Tree tells the story through both Mary Seymour's and Alison Banestre, alternating in time between present day and the 1550's. Alison is feisty, but also insecure and afraid to have a relationship...in the present day. Her focus is on one thing only, and that is to find her missing son.

Mary Seymour is a neglected ward, who is passed from one Seymour relative to another. She's essentially penniless but as the daughter of Henry VIII's last queen, she can't just be disposed of. Eventually she falls into the hands of a guardian who's evil wastrel son has a plan to get his hands on Katherine Parr's assets which should rightfully belong to Mary...

How are Mary and Alison connected? Will Alison reconnect with her ex? Will she find her missing son? I loved this book, and loved learning the answers to these and other questions. The Phantom Tree is romance, mystery, and history all rolled into one...although it's called historical FICTION for a reason, as Mary is the only real person in the book, and Nicola Cornick has imagined a life and death for her, as there is little known about her. It's a jolly good read as they say; pick it up, and you won't put it down until you are done!

Rating: 5/5 Stars

This was a good one. A well-spun mixed genre fiction with rich characters. The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick is a beautifully crafted story of the gossamer-like connection between humans, strong yet fragile. It is about one woman's relentless search for her missing child. And another's simple wish for a life without the stain of witchcraft, something that means persecution and certain death in the 15th century.

At first, I disliked Alison Banestre, the mother who was stuck in present times trying to find her way back. I understand that real-life people are flawed and you can't always have cookie-cutter perfect characters so, I gave the book a chance to redeem itself. And redeem itself it did! As you read through The Phantom Tree, you witness the blooming of the characters as they grow. Told in alternating POVs of Alison and Mary, taking place in two different times AND one in first person POV while the other in third person, Nicola Cornick is one heck of a talented writer. The transitions between all these were so seamless I didn't even notice the POV had changed from first to third until almost halfway in!
Even though the reader has access to facts in the present day, Cornick has withheld just enough that you won't know everything that happened in the past UNTIL she wants you to. Slowly but satisfyingly, you watch the events in both timelines unfold until they come full circle, albeit with some bittersweet consequences.

Surprisingly, I found myself rooting for Mary and her love interest. Although, on further reflection, I see why. Because Mary was a more likeable person and you instinctively want to protect her and wish for her a happily ever after. Alison, on the other hand, can look after herself in her own selfish fashion. Mary's telepathic connection with someone she's never met was quite sweet and enjoyable to read. (It reminded me of another story where the protagonist was a disabled girl who could speak telepathically with a boy in another country. I forgot what it was called. If anyone has read it please let me know, I loved that book and wish to read it again since I've forgotten enough for me to enjoy re-reading it.)

The story started out slow but a third into it I found myself devouring each chapter, wanting to know what happened to Mary Seymour and whether Alison finally found her long-lost son.

The Phantom Tree is a moving story of promises and deception, friendship and enmity, and love that transcends time.

(Phantom Paper Blog version of review will be up nearing the publish date.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Graydon House Books for the digital galley of this novel.

This is my first foray into a novel featuring time travel. I think I have the writing skills of Nicola Cornick to thank for my enjoyment of this story because she managed to efficiently address all the niggle bits for me before they had fully blossomed into niggle bits.

The story concerns two orphan girls in the mid-sixteenth century who were sent away from court to be raised in obscurity. One was the daughter of a queen and the cousin of another queen. It made no difference to Mary Seymour's future. The girls were being banished even further into the countryside because of the actions of Alison Banestre when Alison found a time slip. Now Alison Bannister is looking at a portrait of Mary Seymour which has been wrongly identified as Anne Boleyn. What's more important to Alison is that the portrait contains a secret message from Mary. Alison must find the clues to a sure way to travel back in time to Mary to unlock the message.

This is a time travel, romance and mystery all rolled into one. I did enjoy the book quite a bit, but not enough to want to seek out more novels along these lines. Cornick did a good job with this novel and it is sure to please readers who are familiar with her work or who particularly enjoy these themes in the novels they read.

I received The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick from NetGalley for an honest review.
This is the first book by Nicola Cornick that I have read but it won't be my last. The Phantom Tree is a cross of many genres; history, fantasy, romance and mystery. It is a time-travel book where the main character, Alison, travels from the 16th century to the present time. Alison notices a portrait in a museum that someone claims to be Anne Boleyn. Since Alison is from the Tudor 16th century, she immediately recognizes the portrait to be Mary Seymour, who was orphaned at Wolf Hall along with her. How does she explain to them that she knows they are wrong without indulging her secret?

Meanwhile, Alison is trying to travel back to the 16th century as she needs to find out what happened to her son when he was taken from her as a baby. She has no idea how to travel back to ask Marry Seymour if she has found any information about her son. When Alison does finally find the way back, she discovers that Mary Seymour has disappeared.

What I like about Nicola Cornick's writing is that she has taken a historical fact about Mary Seymour's disappearance and has woven a fictional story and has given us a scenario of what might have happened to Mary. Her descriptions of the past and present make us feel like we are right there along with the characters. I found The Phantom Tree to be the perfect escape novel which takes you to an interesting period of history with twists and surprises that keep the pages turning. I would highly recommend this novel to those who would like a romantic adventure with plenty of history.