Dark Earth

A Novel

By: Rebecca Stott

Narrated by: Hannah Morrish

A “superb” (The Guardian) novel about two sisters fighting for survival in Dark Ages Britain that weaves “a dazzling blend of history and fantasy” (BuzzFeed)

“Rich in history and folklore . . . Stott is astute on the use of stories to control others and maintain power. . . . Female defiance blazes through as her women reclaim this brutal period from the men.”—The Telegraph

The year is 500 AD. Sisters Isla and Blue live in the shadows of the Ghost City, the abandoned ruins of the once-glorious mile-wide Roman settlement Londinium on the bank of the River Thames. But the small island they call home is also a place of exile for Isla, Blue, and their father, a legendary blacksmith accused of using dark magic to make his firetongue swords—formidable blades that cannot be broken—and cast out from the community. When he dies suddenly, the sisters find themselves facing enslavement by the local warlord and his cruel, power-hungry son. Their only option is to escape to the Ghost City, where they discover an underworld of rebel women living secretly amid the ruins. But if Isla and Blue are to survive the men who hunt them, and protect their new community, they will need to use all their skill and ingenuity—as well as the magic of their foremothers—to fight back.

With an intimate yet cinematic scope, Dark Earth re-creates an ancient world steeped in myth and folklore, and introduces us to unforgettable women who come to vibrant life on the page. A heart-in-mouth adventure full of moments of tenderness, this is a beautiful, profound novel about oppression and power that puts a female perspective on a historical period dominated by men’s stories.

Critic reviews

“[Stott] has created something radically new and beautiful. . . . This is a book that seeks to do for British myth what Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller have done so brilliantly for classical literature: uncovering stories of feminine power that have been occluded by the male hand of history. . . . ”—The Guardian

“A work of elegant historical fantasy with great intellect, curiosity, imagination and empathy that is utterly compelling . . . Stott writes into the silences of the historical record as an act of revelation—what emerges are complex characters, with fascinating stories, who are enriched with a zeal for survival. . . . It is difficult to imagine any reader not becoming bewitched by Dark Earth.”—The Irish Times

“Evocative and compelling . . . History and geography merge with myth and magic.”—Eastern Daily Press

“At the heart of Rebecca Stott’s Dark Earth are those things as old as time itself: the love between two sisters, the bonds that bring women together, the power of telling a story around a fire. Though Stott turns her expert eye back thousands of years, this novel pulses with the energy of a brave new world, a world as beautiful as it is dangerous, where a belief in myth and magic can save your life.”—Katherine J. Chen, author of Joan: A Novel of Joan of Arc

“Evocative and richly mythic, Dark Earth pays homage to the quiet triumph of women working together to build a better world. . . . A truly beautiful book.”—Lucy Holland, author of Sistersong

“A magical and evocative book that so deftly explores an era of British history that has been overlooked too long, Dark Earth delights, transports, chills and charms in equal measure.”—Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock

“An ancient tapestry of legend brilliantly rewoven: hope, courage, men’s violence and women’s magic in an age of ruins and new beginnings.”—Francis Spufford, author of Light Perpetual

“Dark Earth skillfully imagines a past world where women must fight to survive in a society of feuds, violence and nation-building.”—Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory

“A thrilling exploration of human kindness, ingenuity and cruelty, told through a tale of ancient London at one of its iconic points of destruction and rebirth.”—Alice Albinia, author of Cwen

“. . . a memorable achievement.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Stott builds a rich world from fragments of fact and mythic imagining. . . . Stott fills holes in written history with magic, mythic resonance, and twenty-first-century wish fulfillment.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Great story set in a dark time

I really enjoyed listening to this novel for it dealt with a period of history little known or understood in modern times - the lives of those who lived in southern England after the Romans withdrew but still before any major kingdoms have risen in the Saxon and later Norman periods. I also appreciated that it put women in the primary roles. These characters grew and developed as they took control of their lives under stressful situations.

Highly recommended!

Fascinating novel. It takes place during a period of history that we know comparatively little...told from a woman's perspective. Narration was Excellent.

Great listen

Outstanding reader. Great story, grounded in well researched history. Altogether a very enjoyable listening experience.

Best-Book-EVER

I adore this book and it's narrator. As soon as I finished it, I restarted it because I enjoyed it so much

Weak story, characters, and writing

Good performance of a rather dull book. Didn’t find the characters to be particularly intelligent or to have discernable motivations. They seem to be rather bumbling about. Some of the language in the scenes is just ridiculous. And the pace of the narrative is very slow. I waded through the first 9 and a half chapters and then gave up.