Two women in Elizabethan England. One is the author Mary Sidney, sister of Sir Philip, the other her fictional maid, Rose.

I was attracted to the book by Mary, one of the first women in England. to publish her work in her own name.. She married the courtier Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, and the two women meet when he brings his bride to Wilton House, where Rose - daughter of a herbalist suspected of witchcraft - is working.

I greatly enjoyed the herb-lore and alchemical information in this book. It's a huge bonus if I come away from reading a novel which has taught me something new. The struggles of Elizabethan women to be taken seriously for their (non-domestic) talents and their learning come across strongly, as does the brooding, unpredictable sense of the Queen, whose power (and learning) can't be denied, looming over everyone connected to the court.

The story flagged occasionally, but it made its point about how hard - and dangerous - it was for an independent-minded, talented woman like Mary to forge her own path in a male-dominated world, and the contrast between her and the more lowly-born Rose underscored the inequalities of the period.

I'll certainly look out for Naomi Miller's next book.

I found the premise of this book exciting and interesting, and so was eager to read about Mary Sidney. Overall, however I felt something was a little lacking. The general story was interesting, but it was a little slow to start for me. The alternating POVs was a little jarring and a bit disorienting at first, though once I got used to it, it made sense. I feel the pacing could have been better to keep both parts of the story interesting. Rose was a far more engaging character.

Overall, this felt like a familiar story in terms of style.

Mary Sidney may not be as well known as her brother Sir Philip Sidney, the Elizabethan poet who wrote Astrophel and Stella, but she was a successful and accomplished author in her own right – and one of the first Englishwomen to publish under her own name. In Imperfect Alchemist, Naomi Miller brings Mary’s story to life in fictional form, beginning in 1575 when Mary is summoned to court to attend the Queen. Marriage follows a few years later to Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and although it is an arranged marriage rather than one based on love, Henry at least seems to accept his new wife’s intelligence and learning and allows her the freedom to pursue her literary interests, leading to her eventually establishing a literary circle at their home, Wilton House.

Mary’s story, which is written in the third person, alternates with a first person narrative from the perspective of another young woman, Rose Commin. Rose, a fictional character, comes from a very different background, having grown up in the countryside, the daughter of a cloth merchant and a herbalist. After her mother is put on trial for witchcraft, Rose is sent away to the safety of Wilton House, where she becomes maid to Lady Catherine Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, who encourages her to develop her talent for drawing, as well as teaching her to read and write. Sadly, Lady Catherine dies shortly after Rose’s arrival, but when Henry Herbert marries again and brings his young wife, Mary Sidney, to Wilton House, a friendship begins to form between Rose and her new mistress.

Before reading Imperfect Alchemist, I knew almost nothing about Mary Sidney. Her brother Philip has appeared in one or two books I’ve read but I can’t remember ever reading anything about Mary. As well as shedding some light on her personal life, the novel explores her involvement with alchemy and medicine, her relationships with other historical figures such as Sir Walter Raleigh, Ben Jonson and Aemilia Lanyer, and her major literary achievements. Not only does Mary prepare and publish an edition of her brother’s The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia, she produces new translations of the Psalms and her version of the Antony and Cleopatra story is thought to inspire Shakespeare’s famous play.

Although Mary is, on the surface, the more interesting character, I think I preferred Rose’s sections of the book – possibly because Rose narrates her chapters herself, making her easier to identify with and to warm to. However, I’ve read a few other historical novels recently that have alternated a real woman’s story with an invented one (usually a lady’s maid), and along with the ‘healer being accused of witchcraft’ theme, which also seems to be an increasingly common trend in historical fiction, I didn’t feel that this book had anything very new or different to offer. As an introduction to the life and work of Mary Sidney Herbert, though, it’s excellent and I was certainly able to learn a lot from it. This is Naomi Miller’s first novel and apparently the first in a projected series of novels about early women authors, so I’ll be interested to see who she writes about next.

A fascinating, engrossing and well written story that helped me to learn more about Mary Sidney.
I loved the dual POV, the well researched and vivid historical background and the excellent character development.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Good insight into domestic life of the 1500's, I loved the details of 200 or more servants and their lives.
Witchcraft and herbalism were fascinating, would have liked even more of these stories.
Heartbreak and death for Rose's Mistress Catherine and her replacement Mary, the forging of a friendship and deep regard between Rose and Mary is interesting in its development.
Lots about Mary as a writer, I have not read much Shakespeare so fear some of the literary passages were lost on me.
Very long book and for me more action was needed.

This was completely different to what I expected but I really liked it. The author borrows real people to utilise in this story. It is set during the reign of Queen Mary and showcases strong females who are often either underestimated or patronised in their work - it shows how they rise above despite the threat that women working in the sciences were more likely to be accused of witchcraft.


Absolutely great historical fiction. I thought the pace of the last quarter of the book was a little slow and could have perhaps been cut down.

I am a huge fan of Naomi Miller's work and was excited to read this book, but it was sadly not the style of historic fiction that I enjoy to read. I know the life of Mary Sidney Herbert is just what it was but it made the plot of the book just feel a bit boring after a while. Maybe it would be better if one did not know a lot about her already, but I do and so it wasn't really for me.

Imperfect Alchemist follows the lives of two women, Mary Sidney Herbert and Rose Commin. This historical fiction novel is set in Tudor England during the Elizabethan era and is told from the point of view of both young woman.
I chose to rate this at 3.5 stars because I found it quite hard to get into the book. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was, because I enjoyed a lot of things about it, but I think the pacing was a little slow for me.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptions and was instantly pulled in by the first scene of a room of drying herbs, glass bottles of remedies, chests of ingredients, minerals and spices.
The writing was well crafted and the books was extremely well researched. It includes many well known names from history.
I’d recommended this to anyone who likes Tudor era historical fiction, witches, alchemy, and court life.

I adored this well-written tale of two women at opposite ends of the social spectrum in the sixteenth century coming together and working in tandem in herbalism and alchemy. Their story covers a myriad of themes from both lives, including the suspicion and misogyny behind witchcraft trials in the villages and their impact alongside the high arts represented by Mary Sidney's renowned Wilton Circle. Although a fictional account of The Countess of Pembroke's life, the author's knowledge of history and the literature alongside her skill at writing makes this a novel that pulls you in utterly, making me as a reader willing to believe this is how it was. It certainly is a fitting tribute to a woman who was at the forefront of new thinking and intellectual debate in a time women were overlooked in every arena. I loved it and shall be looking for more books from this author.

Mary Sidney is an aristocratic girl growing up in Elizabethan England. After the death of her beloved sister Mary makes a dynastic marriage to an older widower who promises to let her intellect flourish. Rose Commin is the daughter of a healer accused of being a witch who is sent to work for Lady Katherine. When Katherine dies Rose returns in the service of the new lady, Mary. As Mary's interest in alchemy grows, so does her prodigious appetite for knowledge and from her Rose also grows.
This is a fictionalised account of the life of Mary Sidney, sister to Philip Sidney and one of the first female authors to be published. As a novelisation it is adequate enough, if a little long-winded. However as the introduction to the life of an interesting and pioneering woman it is of more interest.

A beautifully crafted and brilliantly evocative tale about two unconventional and inspirational women who dared to be different in the sixteenth century, Naomi Miller’s Imperfect Alchemist is a fantastic historical novel that effortlessly brings the past to colourful and astonishing life.

In 1575, Mary Sidney was just fourteen years old and her literary success seemingly a long way away. Mary is passionate about the arts and her craft and would love nothing more than to spend her days immersed in the poems and stories that consume her. However, Mary’s dreams are certainly not encouraged. Despite of her tender age, her father is already planning and plotting an advantageous match for her with a suitable bridegroom, but as Mary begins to negotiate the triumphs and pitfalls of life as a woman in a man’s world, she begins to wonder whether she will ever find happiness and be the mistress of her own destiny…or whether she will spend the rest of her days as a pawn in a man’s world.

Rose Commin is a young country girl with a passion for art and a talent for drawing. Her artistic gift is one that soon gets her noticed – but for all the wrong reasons. Rather than a gift from God, her talent is being seen by tyrants and bigots as something akin to witchcraft and sorcery and as these slurs and accusations grow in volume and violence, Rose realises that she is no longer safe in her home. Everything looks so hopeless for her – until an opportunity to leave everything behind comes from the most unlikely and surprising of quarters: a position at Wilton House, the Earl of Pembrokeshire’s Wiltshire residence. This is Rose’s chance to make something out of herself and to make her dream of being an artist a reality. But will this be the opportunity that Rose has been waiting for so long? Or is danger and heartbreak just around the corner for her?

Despite their many differences, fate seems to have brought Mary and Rose into each other’s orbits and as they navigate the dangers, the triumphs and the revelations of their lives, they wonder whether they will ever find the fulfilment they’ve been searching for. Or whether they are just destined for disappointment…

Imperfect Alchemist is a brilliantly researched historical novel written with plenty of flair, assurance and confidence. Naomi Miller is a talented storyteller who draws her readers into her richly textured and wonderfully nuanced story from the very beginning and keeps them mesmerized as they find themselves caught up into the meticulously recreated world which she evokes in her novel.

Imperfect Alchemist is a remarkable tale of privileges and constraints, autonomy and limits and hope and despair historical fiction fans will not want to miss.

I must admit to knowing very little about Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, although I have come across her in other novels where her interest in the study of alchemy has been explored in just a little detail. It's been really interesting, therefore, to have an entire novel which combines Mary's fascinating life based on factual evidence running alongside that of a totally fictional character, namely that of her maidservant, Rose Commin. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the life of these two very different women, one born to privilege and a life of ease whilst the other was born into poverty and hardship and yet both rose beyond the patriarchal society which stifled their natural talents.

Imperfect Alchemist explores in detail the tangled world of Elizabethan England, from the capriciousness of a powerful female ruler, to the often malign influence and interference of male alchemists who searched for answers to the difficult conundrums of the day. However, intelligent female alchemists were rare indeed, and Mary Sidney Herbert is not only credited for her work in this field but she was also a notable author, excelling at both prose and poetry.

The author brings this rather formidable female to life in an intelligent and thought-provoking way. I enjoyed the alternate chapters which detail what was happening with both Mary, and then Rose, and I watched, with interest, as their relationship gradually built to one of trust and mutual respect. Not only does the story flesh out these characters in some detail but it also gives a commentary about life in Tudor England and the restrictions that women faced not just from male prejudice but also from the perils of daily life when grief and loss often walked hand in hand.

Beautifully written and extensively researched, Imperfect Alchemist is a commendable debut novel, which brings the life of Mary Sidney Herbert into sharp focus giving her, at last, a voice to be hear

I read this for a blog tour.

This was very good, I enjoyed it a lot. One of my favourite types of historical fiction is bringing back to public consciousness amazing women about whom we know very little, as they weren't the ones writing the records or histories.

Duchess Mary Sidney Herbert was a pioneering writer and alchemist, a woman way ahead of her time. She knew many of the notable figures of her time, including Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare. As well as her interest in alchemy, she wrote a play about Cleopatra and gathered a Circle of engaging minds around her, both men and women to discuss art, literature, science and other topics.

Naomi Miller adds flesh to the bones of Mary's life, illuminating this fascinating woman and bringing her brilliantly to life. By adding in the fictional Rose, her maid and companion, she adds heart and friendship to what may well have been a quiet household under the Duke, who is uncomfortable with his younger wife's friendships with men like Walter Raleigh.

Rose is another interesting figure, despite being fictional, she bridges the gap between the herbal remedies of many a midwife or wise woman and the "alchemy" of the upper classes, where science met wishful thinking (the Philosopher's Stone, the Elixir of Life).

Rose is all too aware that for a woman of her class to dabble in healing can bring a charge of witchcraft, while women like Mary were encouraged to keep a still room and make home remedies.

Looking at class through these two women is interesting too, Rose's father was a cloth merchant, albeit not a very successful one, but she's not of the mercantile class, and can't read and write to begin with.

I found this intriguing, that while Mary dreams of being a literary sensation and taken seriously by the male dominated world she lives in, all Rose wants is a cottage of her own and to maybe make and sell her herbal cures. Rose is more of a realist, enforcing the sense of Mary as a woman far ahead of her time.

Overall this is an incredibly engaging and intelligent book, it brought the late Elizabethan age vividly to life, with its Enlightenment ideals, but deeply ingrained misogyny, despite the gender of the monarch. I would love to learn more about Mary and the other women she encouraged to write and think for themselves. These women have too long been footnotes in history and deserve books of their own.

Subtitled ‘A Novel of Mary Sidney Herbert, Renaissance Pioneer’, in Imperfect Alchemist the author creates a potpourri from elements that will be familiar to readers of historical fiction set in the Tudor period. There’s the risk of accusations of witchcraft against women with midwifery skills or knowledge of herbal remedies, the intrigue and power struggles of the Elizabethan Court, and the social constraints that present women with little option other than marriage, motherhood or a life in service. Throw in the study of alchemy, a little romance as well as famous historical figures such as Walter Raleigh and John Dee, and you have all the ingredients for an engrossing story. Although the book’s structure is clearly designed to replicate the stages of the alchemical process, allusions to alchemy can be found throughout the book.

Mary Sidney emerges as a vibrant character but one, despite her status in life, not immune from an arranged marriage, the tragedy of bereavement and the risks associated with childbirth. What seem like opportunities are often followed by setbacks or unintended consequences. The equal of her brother Phillip when it comes to literary creativity, I particularly liked Mary’s passion for words. “Honing a phrase to embody a thought was her pleasure. Metaphors were her passion, her liberation from the literal constraints that framed her existence.”

Mary’s determination to give female characters a more prominent role in works of literature sees her influencing the poetry of her brother, Philip (“her dearest soul and partner of the mind”) and even, the author contends, the work of arguably the most notable playwright of the period. The Circle, the literary salon Mary establishes, attended by the likes of Edmund Spenser and Ben Jonson, she compares to an alchemical experiment in which materials are “blended and distilled until the union of like and unlike might yield perfect knowledge“.

The inclusion of a first person narrator, Rose Commin, gives the reader another perspective on Mary and provides the opportunity for secondary storylines as well as a touching if unconventional friendship between women from vastly different backgrounds. Mary’s encouragement of Rose’s artistic talent also allows the author to explore another kind of transformational process. As Rose observes, “The more I worked with colour the more readily I could understand the layering and mixing of shades in terms of my lady’s alchemy, where painstaking combinations of dissimilar ingredients could produce a harmonious end result”.

In Imperfect Alchemist, Naomi Miller transforms historical fact into the engrossing story of a remarkable woman who was clearly ahead of her time. Like her leading character, the author has “steeped existing material in the tincture of her own imagination” to create a story rich in historical detail.

Imperfect Alchemist is the story of two different women, one a Countess, one a maid who grow a close bond that crosses their social standing. Mary Sidney is only fourteen when she goes to court to serve Elizabeth I, and only fifteen when she is married to the Earl of Pembroke. Rose is sent to work for the first Countess of Pembroke, Lady Catherine, after her mother is accused of witchcraft. At Wilton House, Rose’s talent for drawing is nurtured by Lady Catherine, and she is taught to read and write. After Lady Catherine’s death Mary and Rose, mistress and maid, are brought together in a friendship that lasts through love, loss, and the highs and lows over their years together. Told in three parts that follow Mary and Rose through their lives, this is a fascinating read.

I love reading books set in one of my favourite periods of history as it is like meeting old friends again. Mary Sidney is someone I have come across several times as she was a formidable woman, and one of the first to have a play published. Naomi Miller really brings this fascinating young woman to life, her intelligence, the love for her siblings, her love of literature and her fascination with science, in particular alchemy. Her childhood was permeated with the loss of siblings, especially her sister Ambrosia after which she was sent to court and married to the older Earl of Pembroke, who liked her for her intelligence. It is the grief of loss that ultimately brings Mary and Rose close; Rose is mourning the loss of Lady Catherine, Mary’s predecessor, and Rose is the same age as Mary’s sister Ambrosia. Both also share a love of herbs for healing and ultimately the science of alchemy. They may come from different backgrounds, and have different levels of education, but like and alchemy experiment the two disparate parts come together to make a partnership based on respect and devotion. I loved reading about Mary’s collaboration with her brother, diplomat and poet Philip Sidney, how their close bond made for a perfect working relationship. She went on to create a Writer’s Circle at Wilton House which included writers like John Donne, Edmund Spenser, Ben Johnson and Amlia Lanyer, the first of it’s kind. The other relationship that stood out for me was between Rose and fell maid Cecily. Rose would go to any lengths to protect Cecily and her children, they were like family to her.

Whilst this book is mainly set during the reign of of Elizabeth I, the sixteenth century was still a patriarchal society, and there is no doubt that Mary Sudney would not have achieved so much without the support of her husband who was drawn to her by her education and intelligence. Naomi Miller highlights the many problems that women faced at the time. Rose’s mother, like many women who helped heal with herbs, was accused of witchcraft but found innocent, but the taint never left her. Also highlighted is the perils of childbirth, and the susceptibility of young children to childhood illnesses. Naomi Miller has obviously done a lot of research and it shines through in the historical detail she has put into this book. It is important to remember that this is a work of fiction, it may have historical figures in like Raleigh and Shakespeare, but there is artistic licence at play and some situations are imagined.

Imperfect Alchemist is an erudite, and seductive read that draws you back to the sixteenth century and into the lives of these two strong and intelligent women. Naomi Milller’s knowledge of the period shines through in her plot, setting and characters adds an authenticity to the book. I’m really excited to read her next book in her series celebrating Renaissance women, all contemporaries of Shakespeare. I loved reading this book, the perfect blend of fact and fiction with a strong female lead, a fabulous start to a new series.

My thanks to Naomi Miller, Allison and Busby and Netgalley for the ARC of IMPERFECT ALCHEMIST. I can't get enough of historical fiction, and the discovery of books such as Imperfect Alchemist is one of the reasons why. I found the descriptions of the various potions and tinctures incredibly interesting, but most of all I love the characterization of Lady Mary and the wonderful Rose, both of whom I championed, Their entwining stories set the pace.. All through the book I wanted so much for them both to find their happiness in a time where unknown illnesses and sudden death seemed to sweep away loved ones so cruelly, and women who had an interest in finding cures for the ailments they suffered were regarded with suspicion instead of being encouraged. I truly believe that including points of historical reference such as famous names and familiar places can bring colour and reality to what is a fiction, yet one so beautifully created. And to discover the mention of Houghton House which I can see from a window in my house was the icing on the cake. Wonderful!.

This novel is based on the remarkable story of Mary Sidney Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, who lived from 1561 to 1621. She was the first woman to publish a play in English, convener of an influential literary circle and had her own alchemy laboratory.
The book is also the story of Rose, who comes to work for Mary as a maid, gradually becoming her confidante. Rose is a talented artist and has inherited a love and understanding for plants from her mother, who was once charged as a witch.
I loved the descriptions of the time, and especially of the court and courtiers. I found the information around alchemy fascinating and enjoyed the appearances of Walter Raleigh and William (Will) Shakespeare, as well as the notion that Mary and Will collaborated on a play.
In a time when women were regarded as second class citizens, Mary and Rose shine in their own ways and I loved their courage.
This book cuts a great swathe through the late 1500s and early 1600s, encompassing everything from alchemy and plant-based cures to Stonehenge and the royal court. I think it will appeal most to those who love poetry and literature, especially of that time. There were parts that I thought went on a bit long, but overall I enjoyed this story about a fascinating woman living in – and defying – a time that wasn’t particularly kind to women.

In Tudor England, two women dare to be different. Two women - one bond that will unite them across the years and social divides.

England 1575: Mary Sidney, who will g9mon tomclaim a spot at the heart of Elizabethan Court life and culture. Is a fourteen year old navigating grief and her first awareness of love and desire.

Rose Commin, a young country girl with a surprising talent or drawing, is desperate to shrug off the slurs of witchcraft which have tarnished home life. The opportunity to work at the Earl of Penbrooke's Wiltshire resistance is her ideal,opportunity.

The era has been well researched in this descriptivly written novel. But it's a slow burner. The two main characters are strong willed and likeable. This is an enjoyable read set in the Tudor era.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AlisonAndBusby and the author #NaomiMiller for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imperfect Alchemist is award-winning author Naomi Miller’s historical fiction debut and the first book in a projected biofiction series about Renaissance women authors entitled Shakespeare's Sisters, celebrating them not simply for their relation to men (like the wives of Henry VIII) but for their own voices. A marriage of dynasty: that is what is expected of Mary Sidney. A marriage to Sir Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, to be precise. But Mary’s sharp mind longs to work on her writing and translation projects, ideally alongside her brilliant brother Philip, and perhaps learn more of the alchemical arts at the elbow of the dazzling Walter Raleigh. Spanning generations and social classes, it paints a multi-hued portrait of Renaissance England seen through the eyes of indomitable Mary who broke the conventions of the time.

One of the earliest women authors in Renaissance England to publish under her own name, Mary Sidney Herbert successfully forged a place for herself in a man’s world. Imperfect Alchemist imagines a collaboration with Shakespeare, a spurious charge of witchcraft, and a plucky maidservant, Rose – a country girl with a surprising talent. The two women’s stories unfold in alternating chapters as their very different worlds connect and collide. Both Mary and Rose challenge the rules of their time, shattering stereotypes and defying patriarchal codes. The narrative sweep takes readers to castles and cottages, from the teeming streets of London and Paris to the ageless sentinels of Stonehenge.

This novel is an imaginative reinvention of the extraordinary life of Mary Sidney Herbert, Renaissance pioneer – friend of Queen Elizabeth, visionary scientist, advocate for women writers, and scandalous lover of a much younger man. In a potent blend, fact and fiction amalgamate as the likes of Walter Raleigh, John Donne, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare rub shoulders with courtiers and commoners, servants and savants, including a young woman artist who sees beyond the real. This is a beautifully written, compelling and spellbinding story based on a remarkable Tudor life. It's richly-imagined and 1600s Britain is portrayed realistically and authenticity with intricate detail and informed by extensive research. Highly recommended.

An interesting story of strong intelligent women who bravely stood up for what they believed in, in a society dominated by men. Mary Sidney Herbert, the Renaissance pioneer in women's writing was a great character and I loved her relationship with Rose, her handmaiden.
Rose, however, was definitely the more interesting character, with her links to witchcraft, healing and astrology making her most fascinating. The way she was able to build relationships across her life was wonderful and warm, from her friendship with Cicely to the support she provided both her mistresses. She seemed a rare specimen in a world where it was expected to just become a mother and a wife.