'Deeply engaging ... her insight into human nature and eye for telling detail is as keen as that of the extraordinary Hild herself. The novel resonates to many of the same chords as Beowulf, the legends of King Arthur, Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones - to the extent that Hild begins to feel like the classic on which those books are based' - Neal Stephenson

'Vivid, vital, and visceral, Hild's history reads like a thriller' - Val McDermid

'You could describe Hild as being like Game of Thrones without the dragons, but this is so much deeper than that, so much richer. A glorious, intensely passionate walk through an entirely real landscape, Hild leads us into the dark ages and makes them light, and tense, and edgy and deeply moving. The research is flawless, the characters fully alive' - Manda Scott

'Nicola Griffith is an awe-inspiring visionary, and I am telling everyone to snatch this book up. Hild is not just one of the best historical novels I have ever read - I think it's one of the best novels, period. It sings with pitch-perfect emotional resonance, and I damn well believe in this woman and everyone she engages. I finished the book full of gratitude that it exists, and longing for more'
- Dorothy Allison

'What a fabulous book! Hild has all the joys of historical fiction - transportation into a strange, finely detailed world - along with complex characters and a beautiful evocation of the natural world. But the tensions of the gathering plot make Hild feel like a quick read - too quick! I fell into this world completely and was sorry to come out. Truly, truly remarkable' - Karen Joy Fowler

‘Hild is a marvelous blend of mystic wisdom and human savvy. It feels true. Hild's transformation from reluctant 'chosen one' to world-shifting chooser is potent and convincing. Griffith's prose frequently reminded me of Seamus Heaney. Her language has that clear, punchy strength that comes across as beauty instead of brutishness. It often sounds like what's being described. This is the kind of broad, character-rich book you want to live with a while. It's a saturating experience. I loved it.’ — Dennis Mahoney

‘An enthralling tale from an extraordinarily talented writer. It drew me into the volatile, dangerous world inhabited by the real Saint Hild fourteen centuries ago. The historical setting feels so real that it seemed that I was walking across the living landscape of seventh-century Britain. The characters are utterly believable in their time and place. Historical accuracy alone would make this novel a remarkable achievement, but the author has given us a thrilling story, too. Brilliant stuff!’ — Tim Clarkson, author of The Picts (2010), Columba (2012)

‘I was utterly enthralled. This book is a triumph.’ — Robin Sloan

‘Hild is a book as loving as it is fierce, brilliant and accomplished. To read it felt like a privilege and a gift.’ — Amal El-Mohtar, NPR

‘…dazzling… Griffith’s lyrical prose emphasizes the savagery of the political landscape, in which religion, sex, and superstition are wielded mercilessly for personal gain.’ — Rachel Abramowitz, Paris Review Daily

‘In its ambition and intelligence, Hild might best be compared to Hilary Mantel's novels about Thomas Cromwell.’ — Jenny Davidson, Bookforum

‘A book that deserves a place alongside T.H. White, to say nothing of Ellis Peters. Elegantly written—and with room for a sequel.’ — Kirkus

‘Splendid...not only beautiful but also meaningful... I can hardly wait for the next.’ — Brian Attebery, Los Angeles Review of Books

‘Seattle writer Nicola Griffith has created a marvel and a joy. […] But it’s the book’s sheer beauty that will most astonish readers.’ — Nisi Shawl, Seattle Times

‘Griffith triumphs with this intelligent, beautifully written, and meticulously researched novel.’ — Booklist