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.

So sublimely atmospheric it had my fingertips tingling and toes curling from the first page. I admit I came for the brooding marshland, but I stayed for the psychological drama that amid the increasingly isolated nuns. Think a tenth-century Black Narcissus x Lord of the Flies x Picnic at Hanging Rock (as always, sorry not sorry for the niche comparisons!).

‘Mere’, the debut novel from @daniellegileswriter, plunges us into the world of Sister Hilda, in charge of her convent’s medical matters, when wealthy, widowed Wulfrun arrives to join the community. During Wulfrun’s journey, a boy from her household goes missing on the marsh from which the nuns’ meagre landholdings have been reclaimed. His disappearance stirs old secrets and fears, and sets in motion a series of events that threaten the whole community.

The mere, with its mists and treacherous pools, broods ceaselessly in the background, matching the exquisitely escalating tension within the convent as things start to get serious. The sisters and their world are drawn with deft, sensory brilliance and tenderness: their lives and struggles feel almost tangible, while the exquisite writing, sprinkled with Anglo-Saxonesque phrases, kept the setting feeling appropriately historical without being forced or false.

For me, the meeting of pagan and Christian ways was also depicted extremely well, with the similarities between them often being as striking as the differences. I spent my undergraduate years studying early Anglo-Saxon Christianity, so this was a rare treat.

A warning though: it’s dangerously mesmerising. I found myself ‘reading while walking’ (a la Anna Burns’s ‘Milkman’, for those who’ve read it), and walking to the nearest marsh at that.

Out in April from @mantlepressbooks. Big thanks to them and @netgalley for the advanced review copy. [AD / PR copy]