REVIEW: Tidelands

Tidelands
Author: Philippa Gregory

It is 1648 and England is at war from within. The king has fled and Parliament has taken over. In the midst of civil war, the Tidelands at Sealsea Island are not just a mix of land and water, but also a mix of those loyal to the king and those supporting parliament. It's a turbulent time. Alinor goes to the church one night to look for the ghost of her husband, who disappeared at sea the year before. Instead, she meets a priest who is hiding and helps him, not realizing this act of kindness will bring about changes to the rest of her life. In a turbulent time, people begin whispering about traitors, witches and spies. Alinor has to survive the turbulent times, her own precarious position as neither a widow or a wife, and protect her children. It isn't an easy existence by any means.

This story starts out slowly as Philippa Gregory sets the scene and describes what living during those years were like. The details are so interesting and vibrant! Then the action kicked in and I was totally sucked into the story. The ending felt a bit abrupt but definitely has me eagerly awaiting the next book!

I found portions of this book hard to read. Not because of the author's writing, but because I felt so sorry for the main character. She lives in a time where women rely completely upon men for their support and place in society. A woman alone is suspect, and often a victim of all sorts of whispering and condemnation. Alinor trying to survive alone after the disappearance of her husband becomes a target.....and there is nothing she can do. How many women were arrested, tried, victimized, even executed for being alone, acting as a healer, being intelligent and outspoken?? It makes that entire period a difficult one for me to read about. Awesome book.....very difficult period in history.

What a turbulent time! Great start to a new series!

**I read a review copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**