‘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.

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.
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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!