LoveReading Says
Set in the 17th-century during “a time of witches, a time of saints”, an era of “Gods and monsters, myths and legend”, Rosie Andrews’ The Leviathan smoulders with atmosphere and the tension of its turbulent political context. It’s unique enchantments will surely delight fans of The Essex Serpent, The Binding and The Familiars.
It’s 1643 and England is in the throes of civil war when Esther Treadwater calls her brother back to their family farm fearing their father has been drawn into the “corruptions” of their new servant. From the off, the writing dances and enthrals with absorbing imagery and detail to create an utterly immersive world. By the time Thomas reaches home, their father has suffered a stroke and the servant has been accused of witchcraft, whereupon readers are plunged into village life, the courtroom, rural inns, and the increasingly beleaguered family home. Indeed, the siblings’ conflicts and predicaments have you in their thrall as much as the richly-realised world - these are characters who feel thoroughly alive.
Considering himself a forward-thinking man, Thomas has little time for superstition, but it’s not long before Esther is afflicted by unknown internal torments, and he uncoils an uncanny ancient event that might explain their present tribulations. What a divinely dark, accomplished debut this is.
Joanne Owen
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The Leviathan Synopsis
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023
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'Superb' - Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of PANDORA
'Bewitching' - Stacey Halls, bestselling author of THE FAMILIARS
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SHE IS AWAKE...
Norfolk, 1643. Reluctant soldier Thomas Treadwater has been summoned home by his young sister in a letter accusing their new servant of improper conduct with their widowed father. By the time Thomas reaches the family farm, his father is on the verge of death, Esther is near hysterical and their new servant is in prison, facing charges of witchcraft.
Thomas prides himself on being a rational, modern man. He is confident that he can free their servant, a beautiful if peculiarly self possessed young woman, and reassure his sister that there is nothing further to fear, now he has returned.
But as he begins to unravels the mystery of what has happened to his family, he uncovers a tale, not of witchcraft, but of something dark and ancient, linked to a shipwreck many years before...
Something has awoken, and now it will not rest.
Richly atmospheric and deliciously unsettling, The Leviathan is a tale of family and loyalty, superstition and sacrifice, but most of all it is a spellbinding mystery and a story of impossible things.
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'Outstanding... a seething, haunting delight' - Beth Underdown, award-winning author of THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTER
'Thoroughly gripping and utterly absorbing' - Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNE
*ROSIE ANDREWS' new novel, The Puzzle Wood, is coming in 2024*
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About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781526667090 |
| Publication date: |
9th May 2024 |
| Author: |
Rosie Andrews |
| Publisher: |
Raven Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
320 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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