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Boudicca's Daughter - EXTRACT

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Pub Date Aug 28 2025 | Archive Date Aug 27 2025

Head of Zeus | Apollo


Talking about this book? Use #BoudiccasDaughter #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

READ AN EXTRACT OF THE EPIC NEW STANDALONE NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WOLF DEN TRILOGY

Boudicca. Infamous warrior, queen of the British Iceni tribe and mastermind of one of history’s greatest revolts. Her defeat spelled ruin for her people, yet still her name is enough to strike fear into Roman hearts.

But what of the woman who grew up in her shadow?

The woman who has her mother’s looks and cunning but a spirit all of her own?

The woman whose desperate bid for survival will take her from Britain’s sacred marshlands to the glittering façades of Nero’s Roman Empire…

Born to a legend. Forced to fight. Determined to succeed.

Meet Solina.

Boudicca’s Daughter.

READ AN EXTRACT OF THE EPIC NEW STANDALONE NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WOLF DEN TRILOGY

Boudicca. Infamous warrior, queen of the British Iceni tribe and mastermind of one of history’s...


Advance Praise

*CRITICS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*

‘Magnificent’ Observer

’A triumph’ The Times

‘Dazzling’ Daily Mail

‘Gripping’ Independent

'One-of-a-kind' Red Magazine

'Captivating' Heat Magazine

*AUTHORS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*

‘Phenomenal’ Jennifer Saint

‘Extraordinary’ Costanza Casati

'Beautiful' Susan Stokes-Chapman

‘Tender… powerful’ Samantha Shannon

‘Richly imagined' Louise O'Neill

'Spellbinding' Anna Mazzola

*READERS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*

’Elodie's writing style is a dream’

’Enlightening… transports you back in time’

’A work of art. I will read absolutely anything Elodie Harper writes’

'I have loved every page of this wonderful story’

’Essential reading for fans of historical fiction’

*CRITICS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*

‘Magnificent’ Observer

’A triumph’ The Times

‘Dazzling’ Daily Mail

‘Gripping’ Independent

'One-of-a-kind' Red Magazine

'Captivating' Heat Magazine

*AUTHORS LOVE...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781804544617
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Average rating from 208 members


Featured Reviews

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Hard to give a substantial review to an 8 pages extract, but this looks absolutely amazing, writing is phenomenal and I will buy the book when it comes out!! I have The Wolf Den but haven't read it yet - reading this extract convinces me to push it at the top of my TBR.

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Wow! This excerpt delivered exactly what I hoped for. It enticed me to know more, as Boudicca deserves a compelling fictional portrayal, especially through the eyes of her daughters. This approach is brilliant and reminiscent of 'The Shadow King' by Harry Sidebottom where we learn about Alexandre The Great through the eyes of Alexandre of Lyncestis. I find the perspective of a close character far more engaging when exploring a famous historical figure, allowing more room to explore the characters multi-dimensionally. Thank you, Elodie Harper and Head of Zeus, for this excerpt (and for realising this book will be released in August. R.I.P.)

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As with all of Elodie Harper’s work, her writing is beautifully clear and crafted with care and intrigue. This excerpt is very titillating and I can’t wait to read the whole book. A really interesting take on an incredible character of history.

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Who else is excited for this release? I’m a little bit obsessed with Boudicca so when I heard this was coming out, written by the brilliant Eloise Harper, I was really stoked for it.
NetGalley have kindly provided a very short but brilliant extract available for review. It has all the usual themes we’ve come to expect from the author, strong female empowerment and basically kick ass women, in a backdrop of historical settings which give a real sense of place.
I’m looking forward to the release in August!

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In this exciting extract, we pick up the story of Solina and her sister Bellenia, living in the hardship of camp. It's cold, wet and uncomfortable. But this is what their world has come to. Following the defeat of the Rome's Ninth Legion, there is no turning back, if they want to live and unite the country against their masters.
We feel, hear and smell the squalor of the camp, we also feel the tension, the danger and the fear that now grips them all. For on they must go. Defeat means death..

Thank you so much letting me read a short extract from this book. Having read a snippet, I'm even more excited to read the whole book !

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Please note this is not a book review.

The naughty people at NetGalley and the publishers offer a teaser; as few as perhaps eight pages from Chapter 13, Solina. A bit like sitting down to an eight course meal where nothing is available but a warm broth. Yet that soup is the most delicious appetiser you have ever tasted and reminds you of the exquisite dining in the pages of the Wolf Den!

Elodie Harper writes with a passion and a razor sharp imagination. Going behind historical situations to reveal the sights and sounds of street life. Here again our senses are assailed as we cling to a charging steed and feel the hunger of a camp unable to make fire from wet sticks and damp kindling.

So few words to assess a book; as quick a dip into a book as some would spend time reading the cover sleeve and checking the price. Something best done in independent bookshops where the presence of books prompts our buying addiction. I love finding a new title from a favourite author and in Boudicca’s Daughter I have found a must have novel.

This book will have so many layers if these few pages are replicated throughout; for they question life, their motivation and how within an uprising against Roman rule the armies and tribes for Boudicca are killing just as many Britains as Romans. But aside from these wider concerns and insights into political history there is the social dimension. The glimpses of relationships and the basic struggles of these ancient times seep through. These are not incidental observations but layered writing and creative storytelling where the fight against body lice is just as pressing as the threat from the Roman legions.

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Brilliant brilliant brilliant. Such a teaser though. This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, and it didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to read the whole book. I’ve absolutely loved and devoured the Wolf Den trilogy, and it’s one of my favourite series ever. Based on this extract I believe this book will be similar.

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Looking forward to this even more after reading the extract. I loved the original trilogy so I can't wait to see what else Elodie Harper has in store for readers.

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Elodie Harper's writing is engaging and vivid as always - very excited for Boudicca's Daughter after reading this! She doesn't shy away from the realities of life in ancient Britain and already raises questions about the motivations of the attacks on the Roman legions, leading to immersive and exciting writing from the very start.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the extract!

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Even thought it’s a short extract consider me very interested in this story, i find myself intrigued by the relationship between Solina and her sister from what we see in this extract it’s going to be an interesting dynamic.

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A gripping reimagining of this fascinating historical period, providing a timely reminder of the destructive power of war and the way history has ignored those that stand in greatness’ shadow.

I loved it even more than I had anticipated, an impressive feat!

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Elodie Harper’s Boudicca’s Daughter promises to be a thrilling addition to historical fiction, and the extract alone has left me eager for more. From the very first lines, it’s clear this novel will be everything I look for in the genre—fast-paced, gripping, and filled with intensity. The writing is powerful, the atmosphere immersive, and the story already hints at a tale of resilience and rebellion. If the full novel delivers on the promise of this excerpt, it’s bound to be an unmissable read. I can’t wait to get my hands on it upon release!

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Ohhh this was a brilliant taster for this new elodie harper book! I can’t wait to read the final book now, hurry up pub date!

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I almost wish I hadn’t read this chapter because now it’s not a case of wanting but NEEDING to read the rest of it! It takes a special kind of author to invest you so quickly into a piece of work.

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Even with this very short extract, I can see that Boudicca's Daughter is going to be another great novel from Elodie Harper. I loved her Wolf Den books and it seems that this one will incorporate some of the same elements - strong female characters, an immersive historical setting and powerful storytelling. I'm looking forward to reading the full novel and getting to know Boudicca's daughter in more depth.

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Well this was a very short extract, giving us a tantalising glimmer of what’s to come. I absolutely loved Elodie Harper’s Wolf Den trilogy, and am excited to read her latest book.

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OMG! This was just one chapter and I was drawn in instantly! I can't wait for the book to be published!

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Soling and her sister are watching their mother Boudicca destroy a Roman legion in London but to Bellenia all this means is killing and stealing, from Britons as well as Romans. They both feel it is time they built their own city but instead they join in the fight. Judging by the extract, this will be an exciting, if bloody, read.

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I was already excited about this new book by Elodie Harper, but after that little extract I’’m even more curious about it! I loved The wolf den trilogy and Elodie Harper’s writing so i’m just even more convinced that i’ll directly grap this book at it’s releasing date!

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have been fascinated by the roman, / iceni clash, all i have been able to read so far has been from the roman side, this alternative view drew me in straight away, cant wait until the whole story will be available. thanks

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Thank you to Elodie Harper, Head of Zeus | Apollo, and NetGalley for the free e-arc extract in exchange for an honest review.

I have already pre-ordered this and cannot wait for this to be released! I loved this chapter extract and it has me craving the release date. I will bet it lives up to the perfection of the Wolf Den trilogy.

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I thought this extract would satiate my need for more Elodie Harper content until I receive the hardback of Boudicca's Daughter this summer, however I am now more impatient than ever to get my hands on this book! It promises to be another gripping, atmospheric and unmissable read. The gorgeous writing style of the Wolf Den trilogy partnered with the legend of Boudicca = my idea of heaven. I cannot wait.

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Elodie Harper's writing transports you instantly, and brings history to life.

I was gripped by the Wolf Den trilogy and this extract promises the same, with visceral details of life in Roman Britain and characters with worrying fates. I'm looking forward to reading the rest!

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Wow, now I just want to read the whole thing
I loved Harper's series set in Pompeii and now this is an excellent hint at another great book

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Oh, this is exciting! Really enjoyed these few pages. Looking forward to the complete work.

Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus / Apollo for the ARC.

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Obviously this is just the first few pages of Elodie Harper’s latest but it is clearly going to be fantastic.Her research is, as before, careful and precise resulting in a vivid creation of a time period long gone. I loved all three of her last trilogy and can’t wait for this one to come out.

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If that’s just an extract then I definitely need to read the rest of the book! Gimme gimme gimme!!! I need the rest of this book as soon as physically possible!

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A juicy short extract that gives the reader just enough action, drama, and emotion to want to read more.

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This excerpt has only increased the eagerness and great anticipation I have felt since Boudicca's Daughter was first announced. It has already established a key cast of characters that clearly have a complex family dynamic, existing at the time of one of the most iconic rebellions in history. The landscape is already woven into the story like a mythological and mystical character and tension was systematically building through this entire excerpt. The writing is classic to Elodie Harpers style, descriptive and almost poetic in delivery, as someone who thoroughly enjoyed The Wolf Den Trilogy, I can already tell that Boudicca's Daughter will elicit the same emotional reaction from me.

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Elodie Harper proves once again why she’s one of the most compelling voices in historical fiction. In just a few pages, Boudicca’s Daughter sets the stage for a story of power, survival, and sisterhood. Through the perspectives of Bellenia and Solina, we are plunged into the hardship of rebellion—cold, hunger, fear—yet Harper’s prose shimmers with vitality, making the past feel immediate and visceral.

The tension is palpable, the sense of place deeply immersive, and even in this brief glimpse, the character work is exceptional. If this extract is any indication, the full novel will be a triumph. August can’t come soon enough!

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For an extract, such a good sample. I was instantly intrigued and wanted more!
This sample has promoted me to look into Boudicca and her daughters, and learn about their history.

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An incredible start to what I know is going to be an incredible book! I adored Elodie’s wolf den trilogy and I know I’m going to love this! Thank you so much for this extract.

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For the little extract given this definitely has me very intrigued to read the rest. Elodie Harper does it again!

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Eight pages and I’m hooked! How does that happen? Roll on august - I need this book 📖 who would have thought that you could be drawn into a book with a short extract! I want to know more. I want to read more…

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This excerpt has me even more excited for it's release this summer. I know very little about Boudicca, and what I do know is only because of her proximity to Rome. The excerpt does an excellent job with describing what being among Boudicca's followers may have been like: dangerous, dirty, and tiring. I can't wait to read more!

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As a lover of British history, I was immediately drawn to this book. This eight-page extract was incredibly engaging, with vivid descriptions of camp life and battle that instantly immersed me in the story. The dynamic between the sisters, along with the underlying tension, left me eager to learn more about their journey. The writing flows effortlessly, balancing detail with an engaging pace. I can’t wait to pick up the full book in August!

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As a fan of the Wolf Den trilogy I was hugely excited to read this extract- and it didn’t disappoint.
Harper has a way with women from history - they breathe fire and bleed hope. I can’t wait to read the full version.

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i don’t know why i did this to myself, i knew it’d be amazing and i would devour it in mere minutes but i forgot that it was only an extract and now i fear i wont be able to read anything else until i have this book in my hands. Elodie Harper, you’ve done it again.

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I really enjoyed Elodie Harper's Wolf Den trilogy, so I was excited to be given the opportunity to read an extract of her new novel.

The extract begins right in the middle of the action as Boudicca's troops are about to march into Roman Londinium. The sights and smells are sharply drawn and the story is compelling. I can't wait to read the whole thing!

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This short extract has me hooked and I cannot wait for the full book to come out. Even from these 8 pages, you can clearly see the character dynamics and what kind of person Solina is. It's got me so excited to read the book, I can tell this is going to be amazing.

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Even in this short glimpse of the story, I am intrigued. The tension is palpable - in the story itself and between characters. I desperately want to read on. I am also enjoying the author’s voice and ability to build tension and suspense - I don’t believe it is only a matter of not being able to read on.

As an admirer of Boudicca, I look forward to reading the rest of her story. I believe this account of her story will be engaging and highly entertaining.

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I am sooo ready for this!!! Absolutely ate up the Wolf Den Trilogy and being able to read a sneaky little extract got me all excited for more Elodie Harper

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Although this was only an extract I loved it, in fact so much so, I re-read it!
I have read many books fiction & non-fiction on Boudicca & this extract is as exciting & refreshing as when first discovering her!
I hope to be given the opportunity of reviewing the full novel, if not I eagerly look forward to the publication date.

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Although only an eight-page extract, Boudicca's Daughter by Elodie Harper instantly captivated me with its vivid prose and powerful sense of atmosphere. The extract left me eager to read more, promising an epic journey of resilience and rebellion. Harper’s writing is immersive, drawing me into the tense, uncertain world of a woman living in the shadow of her legendary mother.

Based on this brief but compelling sample, I can’t wait to delve into the full novel. Fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists should definitely have this one on their radar.

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I need more. Please. I'm sold. I cant cope with where this extract ends I'm fully invested and so glad Elodies writing still captures me outside the wolf den trilogy. Cannot wait to read it all.

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Really looking forward to the full novel.. Throughly enjoyed The Wolf Den trilogy and just know I'm going to love this even more.

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It’s been a while since I read anything related to this historical period but reading this short extract got me nostalgic for all my history lessons in school. I like the writing and how descriptive yet easy it is to follow. Looking forward to reading the whole book when it is released!

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I read the 8 page extract of this book because I thoroughly enjoyed Elodie Harper's Pompeii trilogy and admired the way she used the historical certainty of the eruption of Vesuvius to build suspense and tension. I was interested to see what she would write next and I would definitely like to read this book in full. The 8 page extract plunges you into early Roman Britain and a first person narrator in a native Briton camp where the tribe are preparing for battle. I think this extract might be an excerpt taken from an early chapter (13) rather than the opening chapter of the book and it has all of the hallmarks of Elodie Harper's writing that I enjoyed so much in the first trilogy. She raises questions, creates suspense and uses historical knowledge (both her research and basic facts known to the average reader) to build suspense and narrate a gripping story. I really love her attention to details (lice and sweat stiffened clothes in this passage) which are presented naturally and narratively rather than as 'research'. I will definitely read this when it is published and I am slightly gutted not to be able to read the rest immediately!

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Thanks to Netgalley, Head of Zeus, and Elodie Harper for letting me have access to the extract for Boudicca's Daughter by Elodie Harper.

I was really excited when I saw the extract up for grabs on Netgalley.
I absolutely LOVED Elodie's Wolf Den trilogy. I'm beyond excited for Boudicca's Daughter, even more so now that I've read the sample.

Elodie has a beautifully descriptive writing style that draws you right in.
Solina seems like an interesting and strong character, much like Amara from The Wolf Den trilogy.
I enjoyed the teaser, I didn't want it to end. Now I'll be waiting very impatiently for the release date, or hopefully the chance of the full book on Netgalley. 🤞

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Well this was brilliant - I really want to read the rest now! Can’t wait to hear more about these fantastic women

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