Mere follows Hilda, an infirmarian at a crumbling convent in 990's Norfolk, as the community she lives in begins to fear a dark and strange power growing in the surrounding mere. After the arrival of Wulfrun, a mysterious woman with ominous visions, everything changes both for the convent and for Hilda.

I thought this was such a great, wonderfully written book. It was obviously so well researched and the historical elements, especially in depicting a time when Christianity and pagan religions still existed side by side, felt so convincing and made the world-building completely absorbing. I thought Hilda was a great main character and her strength and loyalty to those she loves made her hugely compelling. Her relationship with Wulfrun was also great and I think it progressed naturally throughout the story, making their love for each other feel genuine and so strong.

My favourite thing was definitely how the author showed the way this small, isolated community reacts and fear and the way they slowly turn on each other when they start to panic. The way they descended so quickly into religious extremism, suspicion, and violence was so interesting to read and seeing the main characters desperately trying to keep the community together while disaster after disaster occurs encapsulated the instability and dread created by the creature in the mere.

There were, however, a couple of problems with this book in my opinion. I didn't get on very well with the supernatural elements of this. I think the author should either have stuck to depicting the mere as a collective, evil entity, or have given more time to develop the idea of a separate malicious spirit living within it. By keeping the explanation somewhere between these two, it undermined the threat of the mere as a whole while also meaning that there was no real resolution with the entity that was tormenting these people. I also think the middle of this book went on a little too long. The pacing at the beginning and end was good but the middle took a while to get through and felt a little repetitive.

Overall, I think this was written so well, with vivid, disturbing imagery and incredibly well-researched historical elements. I loved the characters and the relationship between Hilda and Wulfrun in particular worked really well for me. I would recommend this if you enjoy atmospheric historical fiction and sapphic and horror elements.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with this eARC in return for my honest review.

I enjoyed it but if felt pretty quick- the whole book takes place in a few weeks. I both appreciated and was annoyed that there didn't seem to be a scientific explanation for anything.

I didn’t expect to love this book so immensely. We follow the live of a convent in 990 AD where our MC is the infirmarian Hilda. And what a character she is, absolute devoted to humans and healing, but after the arrival of another woman the story takes a sinister turn. This is a historical fiction set in times of young Christianity and old paganism still existing together in a small community. The hidden legend of a mere-devil waking to take a sacrifice is surfacing after years and our brave sisters have to try and save their community against the pestilence, hunger and floods of biblical proportions. Astonishingly written, this book has so much heart and soul, deep love and suffering, faith and sacrifice. The love between infirmarian Hilda and sister Wulfrun was so very touching. I cried my eyes out and I am so happy I had the chance to read this masterful piece of literature. A debut to be remembered. I will be first in line for every new book that Giles writes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with the ARC.

Danielle Giles' »Mere« is a spellbinding journey through 990 AD Norfolk, where the remote Fens set the stage for a haunting tale laced with fear, survival, and forbidden love. The story unfolds in a convent led by the no-nonsense Abbess Sigeburg, whose control is tested when tragedy strikes—a young servant boy falls victim to the dangerous waters of the mere. This incident triggers a chain reaction that unearths unsettling secrets hidden within the convent's walls.

The plot thickens with the arrival of Sister Wulfrun, whose ominous prediction warns of a looming curse. Hilda, the convent's healer, finds herself caught between her loyalty to Sigeburg and her growing admiration for Wulfrun's bravery. The book expertly examines power dynamics and social standings within the secluded community, as Hilda struggles to reconcile her feelings and the moral implications of her choices.

Giles skillfully creates an atmosphere that's both eerie and intimate. The Fens, with their sprawling marshes and treacherous waters, mirror the characters' inner turmoil and secrets. The air is heavy with tension and apprehension, yet there are glimmers of tenderness as Hilda grapples with her feelings for Wulfrun. The emotional depth of the characters is powerful; readers can empathize with Hilda's inner battle between duty and desire, making her journey relatable and heart-wrenching.

The writing style is poetic yet easy to follow, drawing readers into a world where every word feels significant. Giles' knack for evoking vivid imagery allows us to picture the stark beauty of the landscape while empathizing with the characters' burdens. While the pacing may occasionally slow during exposition, it ultimately helps deepen our understanding of Hilda's emotional conflicts.

Danielle Giles brings a wealth of knowledge to this story, with her background in history and literature adding authenticity and depth to »Mere«. Her exploration of historical themes through personal narratives prompts readers to reflect on larger societal issues while staying invested in the individual characters' stories.

»Mere« isn't just a historical novel; it's an emotional odyssey set against a backdrop of societal constraints. It challenges us to contemplate how love can blossom in darkness and how individuals can forge their paths amidst fear and uncertainty.