“Norwich, 2006. The instant her head hit the floor, something changed forever. Seconds passed. It took moments for Hanna to open her eyes again and when she did, she had no recollection of what had happened. Another life flashed before her eyes, a life she didn’t recognise as her own, but one that would never leave her.” - Prologue.

My thanks to Boldwood Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Daughter of the Fens’ by Elena Collins.

This is a fascinating time-slip novel set amongst the Norfolk fens.

When she was thirteen Hanna fell and hit her head during a gymnastics tournament. She found herself standing in a village, dressed in a tunic and surrounded by fighting men. A sword is thrust into her hands and she is addressed by an unfamiliar name. Then a soldier grabs her arm and suddenly she is back in the gym, anxious faces gathered all around her. She continues to have dreams of a different time and place.

In the present day Hanna is returning to England after four years teaching abroad. Her strange dreams had faded though when she arrives back in Norfolk, they return along with glimpses of a solitary figure that seems to be haunting the fens as if seeking something.

The narrative is split between the two timelines. In the present day Hanna is helping her mother prepare for her upcoming marriage to a local farmer. She is also considering her own future. When she meets a newcomer to the village there is an immediate shock of recognition. Yet from where? Or when?

In AD 60 Brittania is occupied by the Romans. Brea, an Iceni slave, remembers little of the time before the Romans. She diligently goes about her duties though longs for her freedom and to be reunited with her family. Despite herself, she is drawn to Marcellus, the son of her master Publius Julius. Marcellus is a legate in the Roman army and is about to wed Aurelia, a young woman who has travelled from Rome. Brea is assigned as her personal slave.

In the past Queen Boudicca leads the Iceni and other tribes in rebellion against the Romans and Brea is faced with a choice between love and loyalty while Hanna must discover how to make peace with the past.

Elena Collins addresses the question of whether Hanna’s link to Brea is due to reincarnation or is she just sensitive to a restless spirit?

I felt that Elena Collins had clearly undertaken a great deal of research into Roman Britain and integrated this into her story. At first I did find the dialogue used by the characters in Britannia rather modern though I decided that these interactions were likely being filtered through Hanna’s consciousness.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘The Daughter of the Fens’ finding it a satisfying time-slip novel with engaging storylines and relatable characters. After this positive experience, I plan to read her two earlier time-slip novels.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

A dual timeline story that is interwoven beautifully and the characterisation is magnificent . This one is unique because the timeline seems to be told through dreams. In the past we have Brea from the Iceni tribe who is captured by Romans and in the present is Hanna who has vivid dreams of a young girl. This magical story captured my attention throughout the book. I felt inspired by the strength of the characters and it made me feel giddy. The plot too me feels like a adult version of a children's fairytale and I really enjoyed reading.

This is a wonderful dual timeline story that will keep you turning the pages. The author brings the story to life with her words and you feel like you are there. This is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I received a complimentary copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour Review

The Daughter of the Fens is an outstanding novel where the past and present meets in such a unique way.

To be honest historical fiction isn’t my favorite genre but I absolutely devoured this one! The characters were admirable, both timeline was incredible and interesting. I felt so connected to the story the entire time, the writing style was beautiful. This whole story was just so perfect, powerful, emotional and inspiring.

Now I’m so sad this unique adventure has come to and end. I need to pick up more books by the author!

This was my first time-slip novel and my first read by the author, but definitely won’t be my last.

I highly recommend reading this wonderful novel to anyone, even though if you don’t like historical fiction you need to give this book a chance! I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it!

Thank you so much @theboldbookclub @rachelsrandomresources and @netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

A teen gymnast, Hanna, takes a nasty fall and hits her head
Then sees events from the past instead.
She's not sure what she's seeing or why
But through dreams and visions events from the past she can spy.

Hanna returns from working abroad to find
The dreams from the past fill her sleeping mind.
The life of Brea start to unfold
As the events from her past through dreams are told.

This dual timeline make this a fascinating read to explore
With insights into the Roman era, the Iceni and more.
Can Hanna discover secrets from the past?
Can Brea find peace at long last?

With links growing stronger between the two era
And folks roles in them becoming clearer
There's dilemmas, romance, discoveries and history
As Hanna searches for clues to this personal mystery.

I really enjoyed this timeslip adventure and romance
Such a different, powerful read, I hope you'll give it a chance.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy via Netgalley to review.

I was drawn to this book mainly for it's stunning cover but also it's written about the county where I live. When I read the synopsis I knew it was for me as its written about the Iceni which is part of British history I've always been fascinated by and time slip novels are usually so good.

A quick overview

The dreams started after Hannah suffered a head injury when she fell during a gymnastic tournament. She dreams of the past, of an Iceni slave girl called Brea, who is serving in a Roman Villa but desperate to find the family she was taken from. When Hannah returns to Norfolk for her mother's wedding the dreams become stronger and spill into her waking life. It's then in becomes apparent Hannah and Brea have a connection.

My thoughts

This was a new author to me but I quickly fell in love with her vivid and immersive writing style. The research put in to writing this book is impeccable and made it an extremely compelling read. Research not only with the Romans and the Iceni during the 1st Century but also present day Norfolk. While reading I assumed the author lived locally as the county is so well described.

The characters are so well written and relatable, especially Brea. She possessed such depth and complexity that I really connected with and found myself rooting for her. She is fierce and loyal to her family and those that treated her well. A character that I think will stay with me for quite some time.

The time slip style gave this novel a mystical feel but staying believable at the same time. It reminded me very much of Barbara Erskine novels so if you are a fan then give this author a try.

What a magical tale! This inspiring and mystical historical dual timeline is fairly unique with its characters crossing time through dreams. I enjoyed previous novels by Ms Collins and this one is as mesmerising as her others. So yes, The Daughter of the Fens is certainly added to my top books list in this category!

The novel is set in modern day Norfolk as well as in the distant past of AD 61 when the Romans were in control of Britannia. The history that comes alive on these page offers the reader a wonderful experience – better than just dry facts as we are able to step into the characters’ shoes, feel their emotions and be part of their experiences up close and personal.

Brea is an intriguing Iceni slave who remembers little of life before the Romans. As with any takeover, its victims must learn to adjust to the culture. And in this case, Brea must deal with the indulgent customs of another people, while still trying to carry on some normalcy and remain true to herself. Tending to the duties of homesick Aurelia, Marcellus’s wife-to-be, is a challenge but it does not stop Brea from dreaming of freedom and finding her lost father.

Then there is Hanna in the modern timeline. She has been working overseas but returns to England after being away for years. Her mother is getting married to Paddy so she is there to help. But to her surprise, this home-coming to Little Rymer triggers some strange dreams that were present in her teen years. Yet now they are more intense: ones of figures from long ago that include gladiators, soldiers, temples and Iceni warrior women. These unusual reveries become more prevalent the longer she is home and begin to infringe on her present life. Mist covered visions so real she feels as though she is in the skin of another person. These ghosts from the past leave her sleepless and shaken. What happened in this place and why is it affecting her so deeply? Earlier conversations with her mother tell us that she even felt something eerie surrounding the Fens. Hanna remembers a project she did as a ten year old. She had to write about the Roman invasion and of a local named Boudicca. She was the only one in her class who made Boudicca a heroine. (Some thought she was a terrorist.) This dive into history resulted in a nightmare afterwards. Why? These subtle suggestions in the story create mounting mystery of things to come.

Thankfully she has Ollie, to talk to. He is the son of her mother’s husband-to-be. Besides new family ties, they share some common ground. He is a naturalist like her and has had his own eerie experiences. He also knows the history and myths of the fens. Cynthia, a psychic archaeologist is also there for her and helps in understanding what’s happening. Along with Roly, Ralf and Toby. And, of course, Lucas! And dear friend, Serenity. But you can read all about them and the parts they play.

In time, the separate worlds of Hannah and Brea collide and the connection they have becomes known. This is one powerful story of secrets plus bonds created and represented in lover’s jewellery. This magnificent tale shook and moved my heart in a way that is hard to describe. So, hats off to Ms Collins for such an imaginative and wonderful novel. The language is beautiful, the writing flawless and the stories of these two women are unforgettable. A love story that is both timeless and tragic. A must-read for those who appreciate ancient world mysteries steeped in bluebells, magic, love and loyalty. The Daughter of the Fens is a book I totally recommend and enjoyed immensely (chills, tears and all). 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

Atmospheric, moving, poignant, compelling and engrossing. A story that kept me reading and loving these characters.
Well plotted and well written
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I love escaping back into the past with a clever timeslip novel which gives the best of both worlds. The Daughter of the Fens takes us right back to Roman Britannia in AD 60 and the challenges between the Romans and the Iceni and then moves us forward into present day Norfolk.

Hannah’s life is at a crossroads, returning to her childhood home in Norfolk, Hanna is once again, troubled by disturbing dreams which she has had since a teenager. The dreams bring back memories of a time long ago and there is a definite link to a mysterious figure who appears to be seeking Hanna’s help. Cleverly combining the past with the present an intricate timeslip mystery starts to evolve. Beautifully imagined, the past is just as vivid as the present and I enjoyed following the story of Brea, the Iceni slave, alongside that of Hanna and her family and friends who, in the modern day, have the opportunity to put right the wrongs of the past.

Daughter of the Fens had everything I wanted in a timeslip novel. Historical accuracy, which is so important, was wonderfully recreated and I really felt as though I was experiencing life in AD60 in the Roman town of Camulodunum and sharing time with Brea as she manages her life as an Iceni slave in a Roman world. Moving forward to the present, I was just as intrigued, and enjoyed, getting to know Hanna and her lovely family, alongside being fascinated by Hanna’s strong connection to the past. The eerie appearances were so well imagined that, on more than one occasion, I felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I raced through the story in a couple of sittings and have thoroughly enjoyed my foray into the past whilst hoping for resolution in the present.

I’ve now enjoyed several of this author’s timeslip novels and each one leaves me with a real sense of a good story, well told, with perhaps, Daughter of the Fens, being my favourite timeslip so far.

Elena Collins - The Daughter Of The Fens.

#TheDaughterOfTheFens is the third book released by Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins.

If I’m honest, historical fiction isn’t always my thing. That said, I absolutely devour anything by Elena Collins.
The balance and connections that she writes between the past and the present is simply superb.

I adored both of her previous books, #TheWitchsTree and #TheLadyOfTheLoch so I was super excited to read what she had next for us.

This is a dual timeline story. Both threads have their own tale to tell, but as always in an Elena Collins book, the past and the present overlap and smoothly merge into one another.

Both time lines have great characters.
In AD 61, Brea is a strong young woman. Captured into slavery, she keeps her head down and works hard. But she never forgets her own family and the tribe who she was torn away from.
In the present day, Hanna has just returned from working abroad, when the past comes calling to her, just as it had years before.
I liked Hanna. Despite being somewhat spoked by what is happening to her, she takes on the task of solving the mystery of what connects her to the past with a Scooby-Doo like determination.

#TheDaughterOfTheFens is breathtaking and utterly spellbinding. It’s atmospheric and certainly gave me the shivers a few times.

The amount of historical research that has gone into this book is outstanding. Elena Collins has included so much factual information, and cleverly woven it into the story. By the end of the book, I’d probably learned more than I did in a two year history gcse. It was also far more enjoyable.

#TheDaughterOfTheFens is a powerful read. It’s poignant and thought provoking. it’s harsh and cruel. Yet still so full of love.

Beautifully written with such emotional intelligence and historical knowledge.

Compelling, haunting and simply unforgettable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a digital arc of this title.

The Daughter of the Fens is the third book I have read by Elena Collins. This is my favorite book so far as I love Roman history, and Roman British history and the rebellion of Boudica is a fascinating subject,

Hanna Frampton had an accident when she was 13 years old, ever since she has had strange dreams about a Roman era woman that has both fascinated and disturbed her. After 4 years teaching in China she is going back home to Norfolk to attend her mother’s wedding to a local farmer and figure out what her next step in life will be. While she was in China the dreams mostly stopped, but now that is back home, the dreams have returned with a vengeance. She dreams of a young Iceni woman whose life is caught up with the Romans and the Iceni rebellion led by Boudica. Hanna sees the ghost of the young woman and wonders why she in particular is being haunted. Then she finds a Roman necklace on her step=father’s farm and the dreams and hauntings become more intense. Pulling in her family, friends and an archeology team from Cambridge university including a psychic archeologist. Hanna hopes to find out what happened to the woman and why she was picked to learn her story.

AD 60 Brea is a young slave in the household of Publius Julius Silvanus, taken hostage and sold into slavery when she was 13 after her Iceni village was attacked by the Romans, she is determined to win her freedom and return to her family if they are still alive. Her master’s son Marcellus, a Roman Legate has come home from helping in the subjugation of Boudica and the Iceni people in order to wed his Roman bride Aurelia. Brea is chosen to be Aurelia’s personal slave and this puts her in the path of Marcellus. Brea is wary of Marcellus as she knows he participated in the attack on her village, her Queen and her tribe. However Marcellus showers her with kindness and they fall in love, but can there be love between a Roman Legate and an Iceni slave? Can there be a happy ending?

I really enjoyed this book with the history of the Roman households and the Iceni rebellion. I recommend this book for fans of Barbara Erskine and Susanna Kearsley for an interesting time-slip novel with a supernatural twist.

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

While I’ve recently rediscovered my love of historical fiction, and unfailingly enjoy any book where there’s a thin veil between past and present, I’ll admit I was less than comfortable about slipping back two centuries to the time of the Roman occupation of Britain. But that feeling was dispelled within the first few pages – an intriguing introduction to a younger Hanna with the accident that began her visions of the past, the violence that saw Brea torn from her Fenland Iceni tribe into a life of slavery, and I was more than happy to embrace whatever followed.

Plagued by unsettling dreams of another time that she doesn’t fully understand, Hanna is back from abroad at her childhood home in Norfolk, beginning to realise that her life is inextricably entangled with that of the girl whose experiences she regularly revisits. When shadows from the past begin to appear in daylight hours too, she knows that she won’t be able to move on until she uncovers the full story – helped by the discovery of some remnants from the past that, with support from others with knowledge of the period and an understanding of the links between past and present, begin her process of healing and allowing the restless spirits of the past to rest.

In the Fenlands of the past, we follow the life of Brea, dreaming of being able to rejoin her Iceni tribe, but living as a slave in a Roman household. Tasked to support Marcellus’ new wife, a love story unfolds – an attraction to the master who shows her rare kindness, with a forbidden love that resonates across the years. While the romance is quite beautifully handled, so is the recreation of the time in which they lived – with a wealth of detail, we equally experience the life of duty of Roman women of that time, forced and confined into marriages arranged by their families, torn from their homes in a similar way to Brea herself. The history entirely comes to life – the very real individuals and their experiences, the backdrop absolutely and convincingly real.

The characterisation is just superb – we share Brea’s thoughts, live her experiences, feel her longing for freedom, and certainly share her inner conflict as her emotions become increasingly turbulent and her life fraught with danger. And, in Roman times, the supporting cast fascinates too – Marcellus himself a true hero in so many ways, his sister with her self-obsession and edge of cruelty, his new wife Aurelia struggling following her arrival. But I very much enjoyed the present day characters too – there’s a lovely focus on family with Hanna’s mother and father-to-be and his son who Hanna hopes will be a friend, the team who assist her in making sense of her links with the past, and an intriguing touch of romance that begins with a frisson of attraction that’s easy to recognise.

It’s a tremendous story, and perfectly told – one of those where you slip between the pages and happily live in the world of the author’s imagination. Those ties between past and present, the unsettling moments, the glimpses through the curtain – the atmospheric and beautifully drawn landscape, and that overwhelming love that touched me so deeply with moments that moved me to tears. My goodness, it was wonderful – I loved every moment, was captivated throughout, and couldn’t recommend it more highly.

do enjoy a historical novel and I especially enjoy duel timeline ones, so there was lots to enjoy in this brilliant book. It was set in the area that I live in and was about a period of history that I have always found fascinating.
Brea is an amazing strong woman and it was so interesting following her life as a Roman slave. She held onto her values as an Iceni woman, looking to find freedom and returning to her tribe. Despite this she recognises the issues Roman women faced and was kind and considerate to her mistress too.
Interwoven through her story, we follow Hanna whose own life is evolving. Moving to a new area, she begins to see visions and has a strange connection to the fields surrounding her mother’s new home.
Utterly addictive reading, I was completely immersed in the stories and soon flew through the book.

When Hannah was 10 and being raised by a single mother Stephanie her passion was gymnastics at one competition she had an accident and became unconscious and even came to speaking a different language. From that day forward with the exception of the six years she taught in China she was plagued with the feeling that she lived in another time as another person a girl name Bree. While on the plane returning to England she met a woman named Luna who told her she would meet another woman and everything would come clear. As soon as she steps off the train and Palmer to go to her mom‘s new residence with her fiancé Patty she sees a woman sitting on the bench who looks sad but that’s right when her mom pulls up and when she looks back the girl is gone. She will see this woman time and time again in the feels off the farm that’s going to be her new home with her mom and mom‘s fiancé Patty. That will not be the only thing different in England she continuously runs into a man who she feels a strong overwhelming electric attraction for who she will eventually find to be Luke a local veterinarian from London. Throughout the book it bounces from modern day to eons ago when the Romans occupied the fins we also get to learn the different meanings of being trapped Bree is a servant girl and although she works for what is considered a kind master white beard he has a very evil daughter but his son is very kind and Bree will eventually build a friendship with him but in the meantime he makes her place there better by letting her be a sort of ladies maid to his new fiancé who has come from Rome to the land of the fins and is very miserable. I thought this was a beautiful story and I believe it is based off the Buddhist belief that we are reincarnated and each time we will be certain people that will always play a part in our life this was like a romance on steroids and it is a book I haghly recommend to any romance fan and especially those who love historical romance. I want to thank Boldwood books in Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The Daughter of the Fens by Elena Collins is a dual timeline story set in the current day and in AD 61 . In the present day we are following Hanna's story , she has recently returned from a stint teaching abroad in China , but is back home in Norfolk for her mother's wedding. Since a childhood accident she has had recurrent dreams and visions of Roman soldiers attacking a village, but while she was away those dreams subsided, However on her return home the dreams also return with a vengeance, and with greater clarity and frequency than before, especially after she discovers an ancient piece of jewellery . To add to her confusion she is increasingly drawn to the man who has moved into her former childhood home, despite knowing that he has a girlfriend.
In AD 61 we are introduced to Brea, a member of the Iceni tribe who was captured as a young girl when her village was attacked and sold into slavery. As the years pass she settles into her new life and is relatively content though she still dreams of freedom and finding her father. The last thing she ever expected was to fall in love with a Roman soldier, and a married one at that. When news of the Iceni queen Boudicca and her plans to rebel reaches Brea, she is forced to choose between love and loyalty.
This is an engaging story with characters that the reader will feel a great deal of sympathy for, especially in the case of Brea and it is clear that the author has done an immense amount of research into the historical elements of the story. This research pays off in the form of vivid and evocative descriptions of the lives and customs of the Romans , as seen through Breas eyes. I really felt like I was being taken back to another time while reading. That is not to say that I did not enjoy the parts of the book following Hanna's story, I did, I was just more invested in Brea's tale. I did like how both stories were woven together , it was cleverly done and did not feel forced in any way.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Another beautifully atmospheric read from this author, who writes dual time slip novels so well. I thoroughly enjoyed both stories which entwined throughout the book. It was very evident that the author had thoroughly researched the Iceni and Roman relationship in the Fens and this gave a real depth to the story.
Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this advance review copy.

I loved this book. It is a dual time-line novel featuring a young woman from the present and another from the Iceni, a tribe of early Britons. Two thousand years separate the two, but they are linked to one another through dreams and supernatural sightings. The Norfolk Fens, with their mists and woods are another character that binds the two women together. The two timelines are well written, but I found the chapters featuring the Iceni woman to be more interesting. The author’s research into the Iceni warrior queen Boudicca and her people was spot on. The research into the Romans of that era was also well researched. And there are maps! I love it when authors provide maps and diagrams to aid the reader to immerse themselves more fully into the story. I did not want the story to end.

I find this genre to be thoroughly engaging as it offers greater depth to the reader, requiring the ability to follow two separate stories. Although those stories are separate, the edges begin to blur as each timeline develops and the past starts to impact the present day.
I absolutely loved the spirit of Brea. Snatched from her home and family at a tender age, she had been forced to fight for her place in the Roman household. Hiding her Iceni spirit and toeing the proverbial line, she had blossomed into a kind and strong individual who was still able to recognise this good in people, even her enemies. Dreaming of freedom and being reunited with her family, she focussed on staying alive.
In the present day, Hanna is conflicted by her childhood memories and dreams as she once again starts to envisage a face from the distant past and remains confused by her connection to the girl in her dreams. Hanna didn’t seem to immediately match Brea’s bravery, but she certainly displayed the strength of character that forced her to examine the fields around her new home.
I was drawn to both characters but felt more invested in Brea’s story. Her struggle against slavery, misogyny, and her desire for freedom and vanquishing her foes created a complicated character. Her confusion and inner conflict captured my imagination and I found myself hoping for her happy ending.
Being swept up in this dual timeline treat once again showed me the depth of the author’s research. Of course, I had heard of the Romans and Boudicca (or Boadicea as she was known when I was at school), but I had only a vague knowledge of the people and their histories. This book brought the past to life and helped me to understand more about this particular part of history.

love this style of novel
It is a winning combination of present day and 1st century it centres around Hanna (present day) and Brea (from the Iceni tribe) . The two stories interlink beautifully I can't wait to read more by this author.
I would like to thank Boldwood books for giving me the opportunity to read this

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

This is a dual timeline story. Hannah is back in Norfolk, and is still having the same dreams she had as a child, of fighting, and temples.

But, she starts getting the dreams during the day too, and in them, she knows the people, yet only meets them in her dreams. Somehow, she’s linked to something that happened centuries ago, and in order to live her life happily now, Hannah has to integrate the past between the year 61A.D and the present.

I loved the setting which is the ethereal Fens, and the story kept you engrossed, you felt every emotion throughout.

I highly recommend this book.