Due to a lifelong fascination with Ancient Greek mythology, Jennifer Saint read Classical Studies at King's College, London. She spent the next thirteen years as an English teacher, sharing a love of literature and creative writing with her students.
The Witch of Colchis (2024) Rosie Hewlett "A fiery and dramatic novel, starring one of mythology's most notorious women, this is a fascinating descent into darkness and a compelling portrayal of a toxic and tragic relationship. Rosie's Hewlett gives us flawed and intriguing characters who bring out the very worst in one another, spiralling inevitably towards a tragedy they can't seem to escape."
In the Garden of Monsters (2024) Crystal King "A sinister romance and hypnotic Gothic fairytale - surreal and luscious with a fascinating twist on the story of Hades and Persephone."
By Any Other Name (2024) Jodi Picoult "By Any Other Name had me absolutely captivated . . . I loved all the questions this novel raised about who gets to tell which stories and how complex that can become. The importance of women's role in storytelling is something very close to my heart, and this was such a thought-provoking, evocative, fascinating and moving exploration of the topic. Jodi Picoult is a genius and this might be my favourite of her books so far."
Masquerade (2024) O O Sangoyomi "A bewitching, thrilling and vibrant novel that had me enthralled with every twist and turn."
The Last Song of Penelope (2024) (Songs of Penelope, book 3) Claire North "Claire North brings a poerful, fresh, and unflinching voice to ancient myth."
The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands (2024) Sarah Brooks "This is a wild and wonderful journey; gloriously imaginative and completely captivating. Rich in allure, intrigue and suspense, it's a ride that readers will never want to end."
Clairmont (2024) Lesley McDowell "An absorbing, intoxicating page-turner about a woman who deserves to be remembered."
The Longest Autumn (2024) Amy Avery "The Longest Autumn is an absorbing and immersive novel set in a beautifully crafted fantasy world: rich in myth and magic, and woven with intrigue and passion."
Lilith (2023) Nikki Marmery "Illuminating, fascinating and important - a fierce and valuable addition to feminist myth-retellings."
The Witching Tide (2023) Margaret Meyer "Utterly haunting and entirely riveting; this is an unflinching account of the horrors of witch trials, told in amesmerising voice from an extraordinarily talented author. It sent shivers down my spine and brought me to tears."
The Revels (2023) Stacey Thomas "A darkly fascinating, spellbinding novel that captivated me with its fresh perspective and twists."
The Housekeepers (2023) Alex Hay "A glamourous, fast-paced historical heist novel that kept me hooked 'til the last page. The strong, determined and memorable female characters pull you into their web of intrigue - it's so much fun!"
Girl, Goddess, Queen (2023) Bea Fitzgerald "Funny, fierce and feminist; this is a refreshing romp through Greek mythology. Bea Fitzgerald draws on her extensive knowledge to create this imaginative retelling, turning everything we think we know about Persephone and Hades upside down and recasting them as the stars of this unexpected, meticulously researched, empowering rom-com."
Disobedient (2023) Elizabeth Fremantle "Artemisia's life was extraordinary, and so is this book. I was swept away by lush, evocative prose. An unforgettable, moving and important story told with great skill and care."
73 Dove Street (2023) Julie Owen Moylan "An incredibly vivid rendering of post-war London and the complicated lives of three woman whose fates intersect at a boarding house as they seek to take control of their own destinies. This was an engrossing read; emotional, immersive and utterly absorbing."
This Family (2023) Kate Sawyer "Messy, complicated joyful characters and relationships that sneak into your heart and make you care ... a bittersweet, deftly woven, captivating portrayal of a mother and daughters."
Small Joys (2023) Elvin James Mensah "I adored Small Joys--a sweet, moving, funny, strikingly open story. I don't know if I've ever rooted so much for a protagonist as I did for Harley . . . What a gorgeous novel."
Looking Glass Sound (2023) Catriona Ward "Unbelievably good... so clever, so haunting and melancholic. A novel about obsession, love and loss; an exploration of trauma and delusion; a meditation on writing and what it means to create, to be trapped in a world of your own making, tormented by your own characters. It's so beautiful, so dark and so vivid."
Isabelle Schuler "Suspenseful, atmospheric and full of twists and turns, I loved the brutal, backstabbing world that Isabelle Schuler conjures up where only the most ruthless can survive. A thoroughly enjoyable read!"
The God of Endings (2023) Jacqueline Holland "Sweeping and evocative, this novel is a beautiful journey through the centuries of a wholly unique life. It explores the savagery of loss and grief and the paradoxical fragility and endurance of love. It raises powerful and thought-provoking questions about motherhood, and how to live, and the ending will stay with me for a long time in the best possible way."
Clytemnestra (2023) Costanza Casati "Vivid with fury, passion and strength, this is a fabulous myth retelling. A powerful, thought-provoking portrayal of a fascinating and complicated woman framed in beautiful prose. I loved it."
The Book of Eve (2023) Meg Clothier "Expertly crafted and beautifully told, this is an intriguing tale of ancient power and mystery with female strength and solidarity at its core. Haunting, magical and moving."
Dazzling (2023) Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ "A vibrant, immersive read that takes the reader on a dizzying journey through Nigerian mythology - Emelumadu does what I love best in this novel: she lays bare human weaknesses and celebrates female strength; she builds a world bursting with magic, bright and visceral; she has created two immensely memorable protagonists and woven a story that will linger in my mind for a long time."
Laura Shepperson "The Heroines is a powerful reimagining of Greek tragedy, skilfully interweaving the voices of women to haunting effect, creating echoes that resonate in modern society. A deft and clever retelling full of intrigue, rage and pathos."
Small Angels (2022) Lauren Owen "A twisting gothic tale of darkness, intrigue, heartbreak and revenge... gorgeously atmospheric and gripping!"
Joan (2022) Katherine J Chen "A glorious, sweeping novel . . . Richly imagined, poignant and inspiring."
Meredith, Alone (2022) Claire Alexander "A gorgeous, charming novel . . . Sweet, moving, funny and hopeful, with a courageous heroine who sweeps you up in her story."
The Dance Tree (2022) Kiran Millwood Hargrave "An intriguing, haunting novel pulsing with raw, beautiful emotion. Kiran Millwood-Hargrave effortlessly intertwines the stories of women tenderly and sympathetically, creating a novel in which female courage and resilience shines brightly against a brilliantly evoked backdrop of claustrophobic horror."
Theatre of Marvels (2022) Lianne Dillsworth "Theatre of Marvels is a fascinating, empowering story of a young woman's search for identity and justice in Victorian London, a world which Lianne Dillsworth evokes so richly."
Peach Blossom Spring (2022) Melissa Fu "Peach Blossom Spring is a sweeping epic that transports the reader from war-torn China, where a mother consoles her son with ancient fables, through to modern-day America, where a little girl searches for her identity and the secrets of her father's history. Melissa Fu effortlessly conjures a world rich in texture, taste and detail in this gentle, heartfelt, and moving story. It's glorious and tender, exquisitely written and beautifully nuanced. I finished it with tears in my eyes and will be recommending it to everyone I know."
Sarah Lotz "An absolutely addictive read, perfect for fans of Katie Khan. I was swept away by Bee and Nick's impossible love story...and I was utterly hooked from the start. A story that is funny, sweet and full of twists that made it genuinely unputdownable."
The Leviathan (2022) Rosie Andrews "A sinister, twisting tale, thoroughly gripping and utterly absorbing."
The Gifts (2022) Liz Hyder "Fierce and touching... a beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic against the grimy backdrop of 19th century London. Wild female power clashes with dark scientific ambition in this compelling story."
Polly Crosby "A luminous and beautiful novel that gently lures the reader into a captivating story with a mystery at its heart."
Pandora (2021) Susan Stokes-Chapman "Weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance...utterly irresistible."
The Offset (2021) Calder Szewczak "The Offset was a dark and fascinating read – a twisted reversal of The Handmaid’s Tale set in a ravaged dystopia, simmering with menace and tension. Bleak, haunting and intriguing."
Jen Williams "I couldn’t stop reading Dog Rose Dirt once I started. WOW."
The Wolf Den (2021) (Wolf Den, book 1) Elodie Harper "Hope and humour runs through this powerful, moving story – I loved it! Elodie portrays the brutal indignities and tragedy of these women's lives with so much warmth, sensitivity and respect. I was captivated by Amara – her strength, compassion and her determination to thrive in a cruel, unequal world. I can't wait to follow the rest of her story."
Cunning Women (2021) Elizabeth Lee "A dark, bewitching and captivating read that had my heart in my mouth by the ending. A Romeo & Juliet love story framed by witchcraft, magic, fear and intolerance. I loved it."
Madam (2021) Phoebe Wynne "The simmering menace and mystery kept me absolutely gripped. It gave me the same feeling as when I read The Secret History and put me in mind of The Furies. I loved the clever interweaving stories of the classical women of ancient myth and history with the tantalising reveal of the horrifying truth behind the impressive facade of the grand boarding school. This was a smouldering slow burn of a novel that I could not put down."
