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Book Description
Holland, 1650. One fine spring day in Friesland, twenty-year-old Clara van Weiren is faced with an ill a whale, beached and rotting in the noonday sun. But Clara doesn’t believe in magic and superstition, and this portent is quickly dismissed when a proposal from a wealthy merchant arrives, promising Clara the freedom she seeks from her mother’s overbearing rule.
When her attempts at overseeing the household at the family’s estate lead to her chance encounter with a young man with russet hair and sparkling eyes the color of the sea, she finds herself strangely drawn to him. As Clara grows closer to Maurits, she must choose between the steady, gentle life she has been raised for and the man who makes her blood sing.
But Maurits isn’t who he seems to be, and his secrets, once hidden beneath the waves, threaten to rise up and drown them both. And when an ancient bargain, forged in blood between the mythical people of the sea and the rulers of the land, begins to unravel, Clara finds herself at the heart of a deadly struggle for power.
About Hester Fox
Hester Fox comes to writing from a background in the museum field as a collections maintenance technician.
This job has taken her from historic houses to fine art museums, where she has the privilege of cleaning and caring for collections that range from paintings by old masters, to ancient artefacts, to early American furniture.
She is a keen painter and has a master’s degree in historical archaeology, as well as a background in Medieval studies and art history. Hester lives in a small mill town in Massachusetts.
My Thoughts
Hester Fox plunges readers into the atmospheric and subtly magical world of 17th-century Friesland with A Magic Deep and Drowning. This novel weaves together historical detail, a compelling romance, and a fascinating thread of folklore, creating a truly enchanting reading experience.
We meet Clara van Weiren, a pragmatic young woman in 1650 Holland, who dismisses the ominous sighting of a beached whale as mere superstition. Her focus is on escaping her mother's strictures through a strategic marriage. However, fate, or perhaps something older, has other plans. A chance encounter with the enigmatic Maurits—a young man with eyes like the sea and an undeniable allure—challenges Clara's carefully constructed world.
Fox masterfully crafts the slow burn between Clara and Maurits. Their connection deepens as Clara finds herself drawn away from the steady life she's been groomed for, towards a man who ignites a passion she never knew she possessed. But Maurits harbors secrets, ancient and dangerous, threatening not only their burgeoning love but also the delicate balance between the human world and the mythical people of the sea.
The narrative gains significant depth as an ancient, blood-forged bargain between land and sea begins to unravel, pulling Clara into a deadly struggle for power. This infusion of unique folklore, seamlessly integrated into the historical setting, elevates the story beyond a simple romance. Fox’s prose is evocative, painting vivid pictures of the Dutch landscape and the mysteries lurking beneath its waves.
A Magic Deep and Drowning is a captivating read for those who appreciate historical fiction with a touch of the fantastical, a forbidden romance, and a compelling exploration of ancient legends. It's a tale where magic is deep, secrets are dark, and the pull of destiny is undeniable.
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