Title: The Phantom Tree
Author: Nicola Cornick
Publisher Info / Release: Graydon House| August 21, 2018
Source: Free Book from Harlequin Books
Rating: 4 / 5 *’s
Thank you to Graydon House / Harlequin Books for sending me this free copy of The Phantom Tree in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis:
Browsing antiques shops in Wiltshire, Alison Bannister stumbles across a delicate old portrait – supposedly of Anne Boleyn. Except Alison knows better… The woman is Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557 as an unwanted orphan and presumed dead after going missing as a child.
The painting is more than just a beautiful object from Alison’s past – it holds the key to her future, unlocking the mystery surrounding Mary’s disappearance, and the enigma of Alison’s son.
But Alison’s quest soon takes a dark and foreboding turn, as a meeting place called the Phantom Tree harbours secrets in its shadows…
This is a lovely story of two girls who go from enemies to friends and it is a time travelling book like no other. We follow two main characters – Alison Banistre and Mary Seymour – which starts in present day England but also goes back to the 1560’s.
The beginning was a little difficult for me to get through but I also know it was necessary to set up all minute details for the rest of the story later on. But the further it goes along, the pace does pick up. One thing that I really loved was seeing the dynamic between two women change as the chapters go on.
It was fun to see all the puzzle pieces come together and the way certain characters affected the plot throughout the story line. As I went through the book, I was wondering how it was going to end and how the title ties into the time travel theme but it all comes together quite well.
As I got towards the end, so many different clues come together and it really throws you a shocking curve ball., even very subtle hints from the beginning that didn’t get acknowledged later – it still made me gasp (literally). The ending actually got me quite teary eyed but overall I really enjoyed this book and the historical elements. It makes me want to go to England and find all these beautiful places to retrace their steps – whether fictional or not.
This is a great book to anyone who loves Outlander and English history!
I also wanted to note that the finished copy does have a different image than the ARC that I received and in my opinion, I actually enjoy the emerald cloak! (Or it may only be the US edition?)
Purchase:
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