I have loved all of the Philippa Gregory books I’ve read in the past, so I was excited to read this latest novel. The other ones I’ve read have been more focused on the Tudor royals. This one was different because it was about a working class woman in the seventeenth century.

The story started at a slow pace. It began with just two characters, Alinor and James, meeting by chance. She is an innocent women who is accused of witchcraft by gossipers in her village, and he leads a dangerous double life in religion and politics.

I loved how the women tried to fight for their rights. The politics of the country were open to lots of change in this story, with the King in exile. Alinor and her daughter Alys often talked about how unfair their position was, just because they were women. I’m not sure how historically accurate these conversations were, but it was fitting for the contemporary reader.

Though the story started slow, the plot gradually grew into a thrilling story. I was shocked at the surprising ending. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

J'avais espoir que ce livre soit intéressant , par ses sujets historiques et religieux, mis j'en fus fortement déçue.

This is my first time reading this very successful historical fiction author. This time the setting is 1648 England. King Charles has been arrested. Alinor is a poor woman who supports herself with her healing skills and midwifery. One night she meets James, a Catholic priest (an outlawed religion) who is a secretly trying to help the King escape. This historical romance captures the difficulties of the lives of women in the time period quite well. It is the first in a new series, so be prepared to wait for other releases for the complete story.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for giving me an advanced copy of Tidelands for a review. I was totally blown away by this first book in Philippa Gregory's new series The fairmile. It takes place during England's civil war but unlike her other series the story dwells not on royalty but on a common woman name Alinor a descendant of wise women barely surviving in poverty with 2 children and a man, James, who she meets one night in secret. Though she knows its dangerous she saves his life, not once but twice, but what will happen when those rumours of witchcraft begin to spread about Alinor? As I said I totally loved this book and can't wait for 2nd book!!!

Superb! Allow yourself a LONG trip; like 380 years! Dirt poor, hand to mouth, trapped in serfdom, mother's labours and uncertain status seem insurmountable. In the day when "ships were made of wood and people were made of steel" the family lovingly navigates their own changing tides.