Dark Earth

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Set in AD 500 on an island in the Thames, the story follows Isla, who secretly masters her father's sword-making skills, defying the prohibition against women in forges. Her sister, Blue, harbors her own secret, visiting the bones of the mud woman, a victim of tribal elders seeking to silence dissent. When the local Seax overlord uncovers Isla's talent, the sisters flee to Londinium, a ghost city where they find refuge among a community of squatters, emigrants, and looters led by the enigmatic Crowther. However, danger continues to shadow them in this haunted city. The narrative delves into the struggles of women seeking connection in a world dominated by blood ties, feuds, and male ambition. Critics have praised the work as "superb" and "radically new," describing it as "magical and evocative" and "heartachingly poignant." The novel pulses with the energy of a vibrant yet perilous world, where belief in myth and magic can be a lifeline. It reimagines ancient legends and explores the challenges faced by women in their quest for kinship and identity amidst the tumult of a nascent nation.