Daughter of Black Lake

A Novel

By: Cathy Marie Buchanan

Narrated by: Holly Linneman

In a world of pagan traditions and deeply rooted love, a girl in jeopardy must save her family and community. A transporting historical novel by New York Times–bestselling author Cathy Marie Buchanan.

It’s the season of Fallow, in the era of iron. In a northern misty bog surrounded by woodlands and wheat fields, a settlement lies far beyond the reach of the Romans invading hundreds of miles to the southeast. Here, life is simple—or so it seems to the tightly knit community. Sow. Reap. Honor Mother Earth, who will provide at harvest time. A girl named Devout comes of age, sweetly flirting with the young man she’s tilled alongside all her life, and envisions a future of love and abundance. Seventeen years later, though, the settlement is a changed place. Famine has brought struggle, and outsiders, with their foreign ways and military might, have arrived at the doorstep. For Devout’s young daughter, life is more troubled than her mother ever anticipated. But this girl has an extraordinary gift. As worlds collide and peril threatens, it will be up to her to save her family and community.

Set in a time long forgotten, Daughter of Black Lake brings the ancient world to life and introduces us to an unforgettable family facing an unimaginable trial.

Critic reviews

Praise for Daughter of Black Lake:

“Far-off history comes to life in this story of two generations of women. In Iron Age Britain, a rapidly changing world threatens a mother’s dreams, while her daughter searches for the strength within herself to protect their way of life.” —Entertainment Weekly’s ”Fabulous Fall Reads”

“Evocative, meticulously researched. History truly comes to life.” —Parade’s “Fall’s Best New Historical Fiction”

“Buchanan has crafted an engrossing novel awash in historical atmosphere. From religious beliefs to culture clashes to social stratification and the activities of daily life, Buchanan immerses readers in Roman Britain in this beautifully emotive tale of family, community, and love.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Immersive . . . Buchanan’s descriptions of pagan rituals are fully realized and provide a haunting, engaging backdrop. . . . Fans of thoughtful, inventive historical fiction will enjoy this transporting novel.” —Publishers Weekly

“In this evocative, meticulously researched novel, Cathy Marie Buchanan creates a world of dark magic and haunting mystery, brutality, and beauty. History comes to life on every page.” —Christina Baker Kline, The New York Times–bestselling author of The Exiles

“In a tale that feels at once classic and fresh, Buchanan brings her trademark grace and attention to detail to this luminous story of a mother and daughter in first-century Britannia. Daughter of Black Lake is a thoughtful, compelling novel, a true pleasure to read.” —Therese Anne Fowler, The New York Times–bestselling author of A Good Neighborhood

“Evocative and deftly paced . . . transporting us to a time and place we have not lived, yet somehow recognize . . . A historical page-turner that’s the perfect antidote for our uncertain times.” —Brunonia Barry, The New York Times–bestselling author of The Lace Reader and The Fifth Petal

love!!!

I could get enough of this book! One of those books that make you sad to say goodbye to the characters.

Intriguing story in Iron Age Britain

I was drawn to this story mostly by the setting, the concept of a fiction set in Iron Age Britain. Daughter of Black Lake is not a military story of Romans and druids and seething tribesmen, although these devices make their appearances. This story is a family drama that switches point of view between a daughter and her mother as a girl, whose lives and those of the people of their village are intertwined across generations.

The setting is vivid with pre-Roman and pre-Christian rites, prayers, social structures, and behaviors that guide each character's decisions.

I enjoyed the story for what it was, but I mostly just wanted to spend time in the boggy village of Black Lake. That alone would betting me back to this world.

Terrible narration

Why did they use an American for the narrator? The story was good, but hard to listen to.

Meh

I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't do much for me.

Slow and boring

Story was juvenile, not a loot happening. The plot seemed undeveloped. The authors other novels have been much better. Underwhelmed.