Description

Born of the sun and moon, shaped by fire and malady, comes a young woman whose story has never been told . . .

They call her Sycorax. Seer. Sage. Sorceress.

Outcast by society and all alone in the world, Sycorax must find a way to understand her true nature. But as her powers begin to grow, so too do the suspicions of the local townspeople. For knowledge can be dangerous, and a woman’s knowledge is the most dangerous of all . . .

With a great storm brewing on the horizon, Sycorax finds herself in increasing peril – but will her powers save her, or will they spell the end for them all?

A beautifully written and deeply moving imagining of what came before Shakespeare’s The Tempest from the author of A Girl Made of Air.

Readers are LOVING Sycorax

‘Spellbinding and empowering’

‘A truly beautiful and heart-breaking story’

‘I couldn’t put it down!’

‘Compelling and emotional’

Publisher Review

A beautiful written exploration of one of literature’s most famous and misunderstood women. This is a clever and immersive tale, brilliant in its exploration of how societies, old and new, have turned on those who don’t fit in. Fabulous * Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City * A vividly drawn imagining [of] Sycorax, mother of Caliban in The Tempest. Heartbreakingly poignant, it’s the tale of a young woman living with physical pain, social isolation and terrible loneliness but who never gives up trying to find a life where she can be useful. So imaginative and original, and beautifully written * Frances Quinn, author of The Lost Passenger * A beautifully written tale of otherness and becoming, which charms and beguiles in equal measure * Nikki Marmery, author of Lilith * What a wonderful, witchy delight it was. So evocative and raw. Full of darkness and magic and wonder. Truly extraordinary * Louise Beech, author of This is How We Are Human * A beautifully tragic story told with heartbreaking poignancy. The tale of Sycorax lingers long after the last page. Magnificent! * Victoria Dowd, author of Murder Most Cold * Sycorax is a poignant portrayal of a woman struggling to find her place in the face of physical challenges and social otherness. This is a book that resonates with current issues and will keep the reader gripped throughout * Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women * With all the reverberations and resonances of ancient tales, Sycorax is a vivid and stirring re-imagining of Shakespeare’s final witch. Hetherington’s prose will cast a spell on you. This book is perfect for lovers of Circe * Molly Aitken, author of Bright I Burn * Magnificent – a beautifully-written, poignant tour de force blending myth, realism, magic, loneliness and the reality of living with chronic pain * Penny Batchelor, author of The Reunion Party * An immensely assured first novel * The Guardian on A Girl Made of Air * Fantasy, folklore and funambulism tread an impressive line in this richly imagined debut. Hetherington spins a kaleidoscopic patchwork of memory and magic, secrets and lies, ideal for fans of The Night Circus * Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters, on A Girl Made of Air * A captivating tale of love and loss and finding connection in the most unexpected places * Nikki Marmery, author of Lilith, on A Girl Made of Air * Hetherington tells her captivating tale from deep within the sequinned heart of the circus, with characters as darkly flawed as they are brilliantly talented. A Girl Made of Air is a poignant story of regret and redemption, brilliantly interlaced with magic and folklore * Sonia Velton, author of The Nightingale’s Castle, on A Girl Made of Air * This novel had me under its spell from start to finish, each page conjuring up such vivid imagery that I was uttterly captivated. Breathtaking * Emma Cooper, author of It Was Always You, on A Girl Made of Air * There are sequins and suspicion in this captivating circus novel . . . a richly imagined debut * Sunday Express S magazine on A Girl Made of Air * A beautiful written exploration of one of literature’s most famous and misunderstood women . . . clever and immersive * Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City * Heartbreakingly poignant . . . imaginative and original, and beautifully written * Frances Quinn, author of The Lost Passenger * Vivid and stirring . . . Hetherington’s prose will cast a spell on you. This book is perfect for lovers of Circe * Molly Aitken, author of Bright I Burn * Richly imagined . . . a kaleidoscopic patchwork of memory and magic, secrets and lies, ideal for fans of The Night Circus * Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters, on A Girl Made of Air * Captivating . . . with characters as darkly flawed as they are brilliantly talented. A Girl Made of Air is a poignant story of regret and redemption, brilliantly interlaced with magic and folklore * Sonia Velton, author of The Nightingale’s Castle, on A Girl Made of Air *