Dawnlands by Philippa Gregory (Simon & Schuster)

England in 1685 isn’t exactly an easy place to call home, least of all for the Ferrymans. The Stuart monarchy is stumbling, the country’s tearing itself apart, and in the thick of it, Ned returns from America to join a rebellion, while Alinor finds herself manipulated by Livia into a dangerous game at the royal court. The story moves from the mud of the Somerset Levels to the brutal heat of Barbados, following a family trying to survive the birth of a new political era. It is a sprawling narrative that manages to keep its focus on how high-level power trickled down to ruin or remake ordinary lives.

Alinor stands out as a study in quiet endurance. This time, though, she finally gets tempted by something she’s never had: status. Watching her wrestle with the idea of ruling over people who used to treat her like nothing adds a darker, real edge to her character. Her son Rob wants to stay neutral, but the book drives home that when everything’s falling apart, neutrality isn’t an option. Rowan, the Pokanoket servant, brings an outsider’s perspective that cuts through the so-called “civilization” of the English empire.

The main tension, choosing between a comforting lie and a dangerous truth, feels as relevant now as it did then. The Ferrymans have to pick their way through a world full of political impostors and fake heirs, and you’re reminded that twisting facts for power is nothing new. It makes you think about the compromises we make just to get by, or to feel like we’re on the right side of things. 

Gregory’s writing keeps things sharp and unsentimental. She skips the flowery language you often find in historical fiction, leaning on crisp details to set the mood. The move from England’s damp chill to the brutal reality of the Caribbean slave trade hits hard, but she never sensationalizes it. If I have one complaint, it’s that sometimes the plot leans a bit too much on characters running into each other by chance. Still, the strong sense of place and atmosphere makes up for it.

This is a book about the exhaustion of living through "interesting times." It encourages a look at our own family legacies and the silent sacrifices made by those who came before us. It is a solid, intelligent conclusion to the journey, proving that while the world might open up, it rarely becomes kinder.

4/5