When she was young, Kate Gilvarry believed life in her Irish community would remain the same forever. But when her brother comes home with rotten potatoes in his hands, everything begins to change. The famine strikes hard, and Kate's family begins to fall apart as a result. And when Kate is offered the opportunity to begin a new life on the other side of the world in Australia, she decides to take it, hoping against hope that her move will promise a better future. This intriguing historical fiction novel is recounted in the first person from Kate's perspective, remembering her experience with the Irish potato famine later in life. Descriptive writing and heart wrenching details chronicle some of the more difficult moments brought about by the famine, transporting readers to Ireland and Australia in the 1840s. Long segments of text subdivide the novel by moments in time, advancing smoothly despite their length. Written for an adult audience, this narrative incorporates some mature content within the framework of a deep storytelling structure. However, older young adults with an interest in historical fiction may also appreciate the story, especially as Kate is a teenager herself through most of the novel. From one scene to the next, Kate demonstrates resilience through unimaginable hardship, reminding readers of the immense difficulties faced by Irish people during this pivotal moment in time. Intriguing and memorable, this novel is a thought-provoking addition to historical fiction library collections for mature readers, and it is well suited to book clubs, as well.

The Famine Orphans is a fictional tale based on the true story of young Irish women shipped to Australia in the mid 1800’s after the Potato Famine, and was part of the Earl Grey Scheme. These young ladies (over 4,000 of them) played a significant role in the history of the country.

The story follows Kate Gilvarry, from a happy 14 year old on her parents farm in Ireland, to the Newry workhouse as the potato blight left them without crops to eat or sell, and which consequently left the family starving. From the Newry workhouse, Kate is transported with a group of other girls to the ship ‘Sabine’, for a gruelling journey to the other side of the world - Australia, an untamed land that was anti Irish and full of a thousand unknowns.

The ‘Sabine’ arrived in Port Jackson, Sydney, on Christmas Day 1848. The Earl Grey Scheme was presented as an opportunity for young women to gain employment as domestic servants in the Colony. But there is another, unstated purpose—the girls are to “civilize” the many men sent there as convicts, so that settlements can be built.
However, there are endless opportunities if you can tolerate the heat, drought, wild animals, loneliness and the endless feeling of homesickness. Join Kate on her adventures into the unknown, from a shipboard crush to kitchen maid, to life in the outback, you won’t regret it!

This is a historical fiction book. It describes a family who lived in Ireland during the potato famine. Kate is one of 4000 workhouse Irish young women from 14 years old to 19 who voluntarily transported to Australia as indentured servants. The government plan was to get these starving young ladies a new start and eventually marry freed convicts and settle.
This book is the journey of mainly one named Kate. It describes the voyage, the waiting to be chosen, her work life, and subsequent freedom.
This was a fascinating tale. I depicted a period of history I knew nothing about.

Very promising premise, but just too darned long. Great bits of the story just dragged on and on. I had difficulty maintainig my interest.

What a time it was in the middle 1800s in Ireland. This historical fiction novel spelled it out for us, sadly and realistically. That anyone could survive the hardships of the time is a testimonial to the grit of these Irish women. Leaving Ireland during the devastating potato famine gave these women hope for a better future, but it also put adversity in their paths. The author does an expert job of creating an interesting story with strong characters, all the while keeping the story believable. No eye-rollers in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Famine Orphans. Well done, Ms. Falvey. Well done.

The Famine Orphans by Patricia Falvey is a deeply affecting portrayal of the resilience of young Irish girls caught in one of history’s more overlooked emigration schemes. Set during the devastating years of the Great Hunger, the novel follows two girls sent from a bleak Irish workhouse to an uncertain future in colonial Australia under the Earl Grey orphan emigration scheme.

What makes this novel shine is its voice. The Irish vernacular is lovingly, authentically rendered—it felt like I was listening to my father-in-law share stories over a cup of tea. That familiarity, that warmth, softened the harsh truths these girls faced: abandonment, trauma, and survival in a foreign land.

Patricia Falvey honors their strength and brings a chapter of history to light with care and lyricism. If you enjoy stories of endurance, sisterhood, and the voices history tried to forget, this one deserves a place on your shelf.

THE FAMINE ORPHANS
By Patricia Falvey

An emotional novel based on a little-known chapter of history in 1848…

This story tells of the thousands of young Irish women shipped to Australia after the Famine in Ireland as part of the Earl Grey Scheme, and the impact this had on their lives. It was meant to address the imbalance of men and women in the Australian colony and relieve the crowded workhouses in Ireland. Presented as an opportunity for young women to gain employment as domestic servants in the colony. We follow the story of, Kate Gilvarry, a young woman who aims to start over in Sydney and must face many challenges on her way to making herself a new home.

I enjoyed reading this informative historical fiction novel. This is a first read by this author and I thought the story was compelling and her realistic dialogue helped in understanding the hardships they faced and the perseverance they showed in the face of adversity. Much of this should never have happened, from policy failures, and of course the potato blight; many theories as to why, but that is another matter. This would be a good book club discussion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of this book. Publishing May 27 2025

My favorite kind of historical fiction is that which teaches me things I didn't know and has me saying, "wait, what?" as I reach for my keyboard to do more research. Earlier this year I learned about the transportation scheme of sending convicts to Australia, but I didn't know about the Earl Grey scheme to send orphans from workhouses there as well - and how those two programs were so closely tied together. Falvey's The Famine Orphans was a well written, well researched adventure that grabbed my attention and held it firmly until the end. Kate's story begins in tragedy and, left with few other options, she agrees to take the voyage from Ireland to Australia in search of a better, more stable life for herself. Thus begins this teenager's journey from happy family to the workhouse, from Ireland to Australia, from indentured servant to wife, from the sea to the outback, from girl to woman. The story is sad and hopeful in turns, but Falvey doesn't dwell in the devastation for long as the story scoots along. This is a tragic and uncertain time, but life is still meant to be lived, and I feel that Falvey focuses on the little moments that served as touchstones of normal for these characters amid all of the strife and struggles.

Thank you to Patricia Falvey for beautifully informing me of this time in history and for bringing these richly drawn characters to life. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read their story prior to publication in exchange for this honest review.

Based on true stories, Patricia Falvey's Famine Orphans traces the story of Kate Gilvarry and other Irish women orphaned by the great Potato Famine of 1845. The women are given an opportunity through the Earl Grey scheme in 1848 to emigrate to Australia as indentured domestics, in the hidden hopes that they would settle down, having served their indentures, marry the convicts who had served their time and so build Australia. The scheme ended in 1850, because of vicious, scurrilous attacks on the orphans character, fueled by anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiments.

Fast-paced, Patricia Falvey paints a heart rending portrait of the potato famine that struck Ireland, blighting their chief crop. Many sharecroppers & small farmers who leased their lands from British landlords failed to make the rent and had to go to the poorhouse. This fate befalls Kate Gilvarry and her family. Her father drops them there. Kate, her dying mother and youngest brother, Christy are taken into the Newry Workhouse where conditions are dismal but they at least have something to eat. Sixteen year old Kate dreams of earlier better times, but has to watch her mother wither and die. Soon after, she's offered a chance to emigrate to Australia under the Earl Grey scheme.

Torn between her roots, her love of home, & country, Kate makes the hard choice to emigrate, work hard, make enough money to come back and get her brothers - little Christy and Paddy who had already gone to Liverpool in search of work. Her baby sister, Maeve had died earlier of hunger.

What will Kate and the other famine orphans travelling together on a ship - The Sabine - find awaits them in Australia? Will they achieve their dreams or is it only heartbreak that awaits?

But first they have a 6-month sea voyage as steerage to endure. How does it change them? What of the ship's doctor, Nathaniel Harte who seems to be making sheep's eyes at Kate? Does he have a place in her future, Will the orphans come together bound by common experiences or will they be riven by their differences?

The novel details it all, the voyage, perils, the highs, the lows...the expectations of Australia and the reality, their work life, or lack of it. Where does Kate end up?

While this isn't a clean read, the women and Kate in particular go through myriad experiences which only serve to toughen them and bind them together. The novel is a captivating read, full of pace and movement. Falvey is a gifted artiste who makes history come alive and tackles tough questions of emigration, acceptance, prejudices, prostitution, unfair treatment etc...

You see the struggles of the first settlers, often for no fault of theirs, you also see the unexpected windfalls, sturdy friendships, love, life and children as they slowly settle down half a world away from their native heath.

I was given an ARC to read, thanks @Netgalley & @KensingtonPublishing

#TheFamineOrphans #HistoricalFiction #IrishFamine1845 #NewryWorkhouse #PatriciaFalvey #EarlGreyScheme #Emigration #Australia #NetGalley #PioneerSpirit #KensingtonPublishing

The potato famine sent thousands of young women from Ireland to Australia for a new life.

They were told it was going to be a better life, but was it? They seemed more than slaves as they traveled to what really wasn't better living conditions.

THE FAMINE ORPHANS is based on a true event. It was part of the Earl Grey Scheme that took place in 1848.

We follow the main character Kate as she is left an orphan along with other fourteen to nineteen-year-old girls and sent on one of the many ships.

The trip was grueling and disheartening for all the women as they tried to adapt to the ship's movement and as they learned how to be good domestic servants.

The descriptive writing takes you everywhere with the characters and has you feeling their every emotion. I can't even imagine being on that ship and then waiting for what would happen when they arrived after three months.

What was it really like once the women arrived?

What was it like for Kate after she married and moved to a barren and isolated area.

Enjoy the history lesson, the friendships that resulted, Kate's journey, and the descriptions of beautiful Australia.

An enjoyable read that was stay with you and have you cheering for the characters. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love reading historical fiction, especially historical information that I know nothing about. This is one of those books. I knew about convicts being sent to Australia, but not about orphan girls being transported there under the Earl Grey Scheme. 4,000 female orphans were shipped to Australia between 1848 and 1850. There was a famine going on in Ireland. They had hoped for a better life.
This book is based on historical facts documented in the author‘s notes.
Kate Gilvary lived on a farm in Ireland. Her family were potato farmers. When her family lost everything because of the blight of the potato, she was sent to a workhouse in Newry. Her future was dim she was one of many of young women who endured the harrowing voyage to a new land. On the ship, she makes many friends from all over Ireland. The girls help one another survive the voyage. Kate befriends the doctor on the ship and has feelings for him, but doesn’t know if she will ever see him again. When they finally reach Australia, they are not welcomed. They are brought to Hyde Park Barracks to await their fate, hoping to become domestic servants. Not everyone was so lucky.
This is a compelling story about what the girls went through. It is a tale of endurance and strong willed woman.
I highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced readers copy.

This book tells the unforgettable story of Kate Gilvarry, one of 4,000 young Irish girls sent to Australia in 1848 under the Earl Grey Scheme. Taken from crowded workhouses during the famine, the girls were promised a better life - but what they faced was far from easy.

Kate's journey is full of hardship - from the hunger and sadness of the workhouse to the long, rough voyage, and then the cold welcome in Australia. She works as a servant, then becomes a farmer's wife in the harsh Outback, where she battles loneliness, wild animals, and the constant struggle to survive. But, through it all she finds courage and friendship as well as a strength she didn't know she had.

I loved how the orphan girls stuck together and supported one another, even when the world seemed against them. I also learned a lot about a piece of history I hadn't known before. The story was emotional, inspiring, and beautifully told. Even though it was a little long, I didn't want to stop reading. Highly recommend it.

Interesting read about orphans in Australia when it was a penal colony. Overall it was good but felt it dragged somewhat but I loved it overall
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for a free advanced reader copy of The Famine Orphans in exchange for an honest review.

Reading from an Irish protagonist's point of view was refreshing. I thought I would love this book but I didn't. 70% of The Famine Orphans is comprised of the FMC traveling and 30% is of her settling into new places.

Rating: 3/5

Language: b-word, d-word, substitute for f-word (instead of "u", it's "e"), taking the Lord's name in vain, and the British "bloody"

Romance: light kisses

Spiritual: Catholicism and Christianity

Violence: deaths of loved ones, attempted rape (about three sentences of descriptions. Jarring and wish I hadn't read it. However, because of its brevity, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. In hindsight, if I had known about this scene, I would not have picked up The Famine Orphans)

Thank you, Netgalley and UpLit Reads for an advanced copy. This review is entirely my own.

Unfortunately I was not able to finish this book. I got about halfway through. The story, while intriguing at times, just doesn't seem to flow due to the writing style. I get a little confused at where breaks should be or when the writing changes to a different POV.

Set in Ireland and Australia mostly between 1845 and 1851. Kate Gilvarry’s family had to leave their cottage in Killeavy, Ireland in 1847 after suffering from hunger during the potato famine and not able to pay their rent. Kate’s older brother left first to try and find work.

Fifteen-year-old Kate and her younger brother and mother went to the Newry Workhouse. After a short time in the Workhouse Kate was given the chance of a better life when a group of girls between the ages of fourteen and nineteen years of age were sent to Australia under the Earl grey Immigration Scheme.

I loved the descriptions of Kate’s life on her voyage to Australia on the sailing ship Sabine. This was about famine, immigration, families, and friendships.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Books for a chance to review this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Historical fiction at its finest in my opinion is when a story comes to life for me, and I want to go do research and see the different perspectives on that event. The Famine Orphans done that for me. Orphans were sent to Australia during the great potato famine in Ireland in 1848 on the Grey Earl. The ship adventures were so interesting to read. By the time this ship arrived in Australia, while the girls had been told they would be given great jobs as maids, nurses, or teachers, the reality of it was that they were sent there to marry slaves and convicts. Life wasn't as they thought it would be for many of the girls. The book also touches on the Australian Gold Rush.

Thank you Patricia Falvey, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me this digital arc in exchange for my opinion.

I enjoyed the first 2/3 of this story. Very interesting and I was captivated. I really lost it when I was asked to believe that when the only surviving family member tracks you down across the ocean, our heroine doesn’t run to greet him but instead goes off digging for gold. This was after the whole weird and far fetched story with her husband. I just was silly and far fetched.

reland, 1848, as part of the Earl Grey Scheme, 4,000 girls and young women, many orphaned from the Great Famine were boarded on ships bound for Australia for a better life. Under the guise of training for domestic service, these young women where essentially duped into believing that life would be better on the other side of the world once they gained meaningful employment but in all reality these women were sent overseas to civilize and marry the many convicts already settled there.
Kate Gilvarry who having lost her family decides she must make a new life for herself but the arduous journey is horrifying, facing endless seasickness, meager rations and the leering looks from the sailors the journey is made tolerable when she falls for a young doctor accompanying the women but cannot act on her feelings for he is destined to return to Ireland once the ship sets sail again. Arriving in Australia, Kate learns that there are growing hostilities against the women and she must decide whether to push forward or try to find a way go back to a life that has nothing left to give her.
This was a spirited and adventurous book with it's share of sadness but it's also a triumphant read that is based on true historical facts about a group of women literally stranded on the other side of the world in the midst of a scam promise, what these poor young women must have endured after having lost so much already.

Thanks to author Patricia Falvey and NetGalley for approving me for a copy of this in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book was a fascinating historical read. Set in the mid 1800's, the story begins with the passing of The Earl Gray Act in Britian that allowed for the transportation of young Irish immigrants to Australia to work as domestic help,farm laborers, etc. The trip from England alone is a brutal description of what these immigrants went through to get to their new country. For those who do not know much about this time in British and Australian history, I strongly recommend that you read this book. The people, the conditions and what these immigrants endured will keep you reading until the end. One of the best book that I have read in the past several months.