I love a historical fiction with strong women. I didn't manae to finish it in time for publications but I did enjoy this one

History loves to remember legends. In this case, Boudicca: the warrior queen who stood against Rome with fire in her heart and steel in her hand. But Elodie Harper takes a different path in Boudicca’s Daughter, giving us Solina — the child born in the shadow of greatness, yet forced to carve out her own survival amidst betrayal, exile, and the relentless might of Nero’s empire.

I’ll be honest: the first third of this novel had me hooked. It brimmed with the kind of historical-fantasy intrigue I live for — smoky marshlands, tribal politics, and a young woman wrestling with a legacy far too heavy for her shoulders. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, the story swerved. What began as a gripping tale of rebellion and survival slipped into the well-worn path of romance, and I found myself dragging my feet a little. Thankfully, Harper spared us the heavy-handed “spice” that often derails historical fiction; the relationships remained palatable, though not entirely what I wanted from the premise.

What did keep me turning pages was Solina herself. There’s a quiet ferocity to her, a determination to somehow reclaim dignity for her people while navigating impossible odds. Even when I didn’t love where the plot was steering, I could at least respect her grit and the hardships she endured. The supporting cast also held their own, with struggles and sacrifices that gave the narrative its emotional weight.

Stylistically, Harper leans into descriptive prose thick with metaphor. At times, it sings — landscapes are rendered with near-mythic power, Rome gleams like a poisoned jewel, and the British wilds feel raw and sacred. At other points, however, the density of imagery risked pulling me out of the action. It’s writing you’ll either savour or skim, depending on your patience.

So where does that leave me? With a middling 3.5 stars. Boudicca’s Daughter is a brave attempt to shine a light beyond the legend, but it didn’t quite deliver the story I hoped for. If you’re drawn to historical settings fleshed out with detail, you’ll find plenty to admire here. But if, like me, you wanted a raw tale of rebellion and redemption, you may feel the sting of what could have been.

4.5 stars

I received this several months ago from Bloomsbury Books and Tandem Collective as part of Bloomsbury Books Big Night In. During the event, I was lucky enough to hear the author speak about her motivation to write Boudicca's Daughter, and the immense amount of research she did. I'm glad I went into this knowing that background. I don't generally enjoy historical fiction that aims to tell the story of real people. I prefer real settings with original characters. But I understood Harper's motivation to focus on women whose lives have been lost over time. The brutalization of Boudicca's daughters was the flashpoint of a bloody, desperate rebellion that lived on in infamy in Roman memory, but those daughters' names were never recorded. Their ultimate fate, if known at the time, was never important enough for historians to write down. In this book, Harper imagines a possible life for these women, before and after the events that spark their mother's campaign. Despite how sexual violence shaped their futures, Harper consciously chose not to go into graphic detail of the rape itself, but the emotional impact of what happened is felt throughout.

Although I wouldn't call this a romance, it does have a prominent romantic storyline. Harper is clear and incisive about the reality of life as the figurehead of a failed rebellion against Rome. She doesn't sugarcoat what it would be to be a woman at the hands of men who hold her family responsible for innumerable deaths. Solina chooses to survive, and makes many uncomfortable choices to do so. At no point did I feel the author judged her for them, and think that is what made this such a compelling read. This is a story with no firm heroes or villains. Life is more complicated than that.

The setting was thoroughly immersive. I felt I learned so much about the Iceni, Roman Britain, Rome after the fall of Nero, and early Imperial Roman customs simply by spending time with these characters in their world.

A genre that’s not usual my go to hut I wanted to reach out this year and go out of my comfort zone and I’m so glad I did.

This was an incredible book.

This was an epic historical fiction novel, sad, tense and hopeful. It showed Solina’s strength and her flaws, the love shared between her and her mother and sister and family and what they endured. A story of rebellion, displacement, love and loss, I was drawn in straight away to the era and place this book was set and loved the descriptions of Britain and Rome.

I read the first few chapters of this as part of the Bloomsbury Big Night In Readathon. I loved hearing the author talk about this one too, it definitely made me even more intrigued by it. I very much look forward to going back to this when I have some time and finishing the rest of the book.

Boudicca is the legendary Iceni warrior who launched a bloody campaign against the Romans. This story follows Boudicca's daughter, Solina. It starts back when Boudicca went by Catia, and was a wife and mother, before she had to lead her people in their rebellion.

Solina and her sister were brutalised by the Romans, and when Boudicca is defeated, she gets swept away from her homeland to the opulence of Nero's Rome.

I enjoyed this peek into this time in history. I didn't know about Boudicca before this book, and I was really fascinated by the tribe and their customs and beliefs. In this piece of historical fiction, the author has taken liberties in creating the character and life story of Solina, but has done so in using Roman perceptions of the Britons at the time, and how slaves were taken and treated in those days. I will forever find ancient Rome fascinating, and I appreciated seeing the Romans from the eyes of one of the lands that they conquered.

I would recommend this for all fans of historical fiction, and specifically fans of British or Roman history. It is written in an easy to read style, making this part of history accessible even to people who don't normally read this genre.

AD-PR Product: I received an advanced copy of this ebook from Tandem Collective as part of the Bloomsbury Big Night In event.

Interesting subject matter and Elodie's writing is beautiful as she explores Solina's life and her relationship with her famous mother. Personally for me it was a bit too detailed at times, but this would definitely appeal to avid historical fiction reader and fans of Hilary Mantel.

‘This is not where it ends.’

Unsurprisingly Elodie Harper has smashed it out of the park and into the stratosphere yet again: I devoured this whole novel in two days.
I don’t even know where to start. Solina is Catia’s (or Boudicca’s) eldest daughter, and her tale is one of heartbreak, love, resilience and forgiveness, set against the backdrop of ancient Britain and Rome, both settings which Harper describes with awe-inspiring and meticulous detail.

The novel is split into four parts based on the progress of Solina’s life. While I initially found the first part quite slow-moving I was eventually glad to have spent so much time with the Iceni tribe to begin with (stick with it!!). I adored how nuanced the characters all were, it made for such an emotional and thought-provoking read. I also wasn’t expecting any kind of romance in this fierce retelling, but was actually pleasantly surprised (and challenged) by the inclusion of a love interest.

I loved all the ancient historical easter eggs, including crossover characters from The Wolf Den trilogy, and the level of historical accuracy just made me so happy (I know I said this before but it really does make or break novels for me).

I don’t want to give away too much as I know so many are excited to read this but in conclusion Elodie Harper please never stop doing what you do, you are a master of your craft. Boudicca’s Daughter gets an easy five stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you so much Head of Zeus/NetGalley for allowing me early access!

Boudicca is a well-known name in British history - she’s seen as a fierce warrior, fighting for justice and freedom against the Roman invaders. But who was she before she became Boudicca? Who was she as a mother? And what became of her daughters?

Elodie Harper takes the snippets that we know of Boudicca and her daughters, and weaves her own imagination to fill in the blanks to create an unputdownable story.

The book centres around Boudicca’s eldest daughter, Solina, but there are also third-person chapters for Boudicca and Paulinus, the Roman general tasked to crush Boudicca’s rebellion. The book is also split into four parts, determined by Solina’s circumstances.

There were some really evocative and emotional scenes that brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of The Women of Troy series by Pat Barker.

The writing was exquisite - I felt like I was living in Roman times and experiencing what the characters were living through.

The characters were also really interesting and morally grey, with no clear cut hero or heroine. I was definitely rooting for Solina throughout, and I enjoyed the arc of her character and her inner conflicting emotions.

Elodie Harper has officially added herself to my list of autobuy authors!

Thank you so much to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Could this be my book of the year?
This may be my favourite Elodie Harper book yet! And if you've read The Wolf Den series, you'll know exactly how much that means.

Boudicca’s Daughter is a powerful novel that will put you through all the emotions. Harper's writing is completely immersive; from the lands and rebellion of the Iceni, to the opulence and corruption of Ancient Rome.

Solina, Boudicca's eldest daughter, is an incredible character with a unique and vast perspective. From her Iceni upbringing in the Horse and Wolf tribes, the brutal rape of her and her sister, the glory of her mother's uprising, her fighting as a fierce warrior and leader, through to the aftermath and beyond. What does it mean when rebellion fails, both personally and politically, for her and her people? And in the end what legacy can she leave of the Iceni? Solina is many things; daughter, sister, warrior, slave, and above all, survivor. "This is not where it ends."

Sparse points of views from Boudicca and her Roman vanquisher, Paulinus, add to Solina's for a rich complexity and fullness of narrative. Experiencing the dangerous politics and brutality of Ancient Rome was something else.

Elodie Harper has the immense skill of giving a voice in historical fiction to the often voiceless in history. I can't wait to read what she writes next. And you should definitely go and read this ASAP.

"Boudicca’s Daughter" by Elodie Harper: One woman’s fight to write her own legend

Step aside, sword-swinging queens and myth-soaked monarchs—this is the tale of the girl left behind, and how she sets the world on fire anyway.

Elodie Harper’s Boudicca’s Daughter begins where most tales end: after the rebellion. After the queen has fallen. After the stories have been sung. Solina, the daughter of Boudicca, has no throne to inherit, no rebellion to lead—only survival in a world that wants to use her bloodline for its own ends.

From the misty, spiritual wilds of Britain to the decadent and dangerous courts of Nero’s Rome, Solina’s journey is one of forced reinvention. This is not just historical fiction—it’s a masterclass in character evolution. Solina is cautious, calculating, and deeply empathetic—a heroine who survives not because she’s protected by fate or prophecy, but because she learns, adapts, and resists.

Harper’s prose is elegant and lush, filled with imagery that transports you straight into Solina’s shifting world. The historical setting pulses with realism and nuance—never feeling like a backdrop, always integral to the story. Every twist feels earned, every decision loaded with stakes.

Though romance isn’t the main focus, the tension and emotional pull of Solina’s relationships are gorgeously handled. Loyalty is a slippery thing in this world, and Harper plays with that beautifully, reminding us that sometimes, the greatest power is simply enduring—and making sure the world remembers.

Boudicca’s Daughter is for readers who crave rich historical settings, emotional depth, and heroines who define their own fate. Highly recommended.

Boudicca’s daughter di @elodielharper è l’ultimo romanzo letto per la #bbni2025 che si terrà stasera online grazie a @bloomsburypublishing @bloomsbury_export e @tandemcollectiveglobal .

Elodie Harper ha una scrittura evocativa, affilata come un rasoio ma anche estremamente elegante.
In poche righe riesce ad entrare in simbiosi con l’immaginazione del lettore, regalandoci momenti crudi e quelli più semplici.

La storia delle figlie di Boudicca è andata perduta nel tempo ma @elodielharper riesce a ricostruire una versione davvero accurata, in grado di emozionare il lettore.

Un romanzo che non parla solo di lotte e conquiste romane;
È un romanzo che mette in discussione la vita.
È un libro che parla di speranza, coraggio e sopravvivenza.
È un libro che permette ad una voce silenziata di urlare.

The story of Boudicca, the notorious warrior queen who led a legendary rebellion in 60 CE against the Roman Empire in Britain. This follows Boudicca's meteoric rise and devastating fall through the eyes of her youngest daughter, Solina, who seeks revenge against Rome.
~~~~~
A standalone historical fantasy, this has short, snappy snippets of various time jumps to show us an overview of Britain before, during and after the infamous battles.

Solina is a rich beautiful character who struggles to overcome her shortcomings and this narrative is what drives the story forward, a refreshing take on Boudicca's tale from a different perspective was quite enjoyable, and allowed a greater insight into what was happening.

I liked how fast paced the story moved, and the chapters were short and quick moving to give you the broadest picture possible. I do feel we lost slightly on the depth due to this but it really helped give a grand image of the scale of what was happening.

It doesn't shy away from the brutalities of war and the effects it has for the winners, the losers and the innocent bystanders. And it really drives home the emotional impact of everything going on. I'm new to Harper's work but would definitely be looking to pick up other books of hers based on this one!

Boudicca is known for leading a bloody rebellion against Rome, but what about before she was a legendary warrior? who was she to those in her shadow?
Born to a legend. Forced to fight. Determined to succeed.
Meet Solina.
Boudicca's Daughter.

Beautiful relationships, devastating war, uncomplicated prose. Flew through this and still miss the characters

#BBNI2025

Ihad never read something from Harper before, now I want to read her previous trilogy!
I have a love-hate relationship with Solina, but she is a special and interesting protagonist.
I am really liking the history context

“Resistance takes many forms”

what a journey of survival!! 😭

I loved every moment of it, I applaud the author for giving solina a voice whereas history only binds her to the violation she suffered.

I loved how complex and multifaceted her character was and I loved how the story was well thought out. I need to read more from this author, I’m already a huge fan!!

Thank you Tandem Collective Global, Bloomsbury Export and Netgalley for the copy!! (PR #BBNI2025)

My heart is still pounding after finishing “Boudicca’s Daughter”. This book is an emotional rollercoaster - one of loss, courage, and the enduring power of family. Elodie masterfully weaves historical events with a deeply personal narrative. Prepare to be moved and completely invested. A truly unforgettable read. Highly, highly recommend! ❤️

“Epona always held more power than Esus. Everything her lover thought he had, was an illusion.”

“I have seen Solina’s spirit rise above the rooftops of Rome.”

As a guest of honour at Bloomsbury Big Night In, I was lucky enough to receive a digital ARC of Boudicca’s daughter by Elodie Harper and it was heartbreaking, beautiful treat. The emotions the story evokes from Prasutagus’ stand at the salterns to the devastating results of sharing his will with legate to Solina’s desperation to survive in the hope of returning to her people and her devastation at Paulinus’ swathe of destruction in retaliation against Boudicca’s rebel movement.

The bond between Solina and Bellina is achingly beautiful and you understand the complicated dynamics between Solina and her mother as these are delicately sketched by Elodie, conveying the intensity and range of emotions.

The harsh realities of war are firmly driven home, and this is so well done that you feel a sense of loss and pity for both sides. A sense of disgust rises when you read of how the Emperor behaves throughout and you immediately hate certain characters for their actions.

It is evident that Solina does all that she can to survive, despite her dislike for the Romans and you admire her for her sense of self-preservation as well as her bravery throughout. Although Paulinus has his moments of redemption, I still dislike his character.

Not having much insight into the history of Britain and the Roman rule, this was a fascinating read for me and I enjoyed the emotional element of it. I had wished that the end was slightly different but that is a matter of personal preference.

Pick this up for a well written historical fiction that will pique your interest in the history of Norfolk and Britain as a whole

Boudicca’s Daughter by Elodie Harper. This book releases in August but I was one of the fortunate advance readers to be given an electronic copy. This is the last of the six books we were reading for the Bloomsbury’s Big Night In online event being held on 10 April.

Set roughly 60AD
Boudicca was an infamous warrior and the Queen of the British Iceni tribe and behind one of history’s greatest revolts. She ruled with her husband, Prasutagus, who was also a druid and they had two daughters.

The story follows Boudicca’s daughter, Solina. Solina inherited her mother’s warrior stature and looks but also her druid father’s talents.
The first couple of pages were a little confusing and daunting due to all the names but I quickly got swept up in the history and battles being waged. We suffer with Solina when her mother and sister are killed in battle and endure the hardship of being taken prisoner in Nero’s Roman Empire.

The Iceni customs, gods and offerings were fascinating and it was interesting to learn how different the Roman customs and gods were.

A story of resilience and rebellion. I enjoyed the book but the last quarter was a little ‘soft’ after all the battles.