Dawnlands: A Novel

Philippa Gregory

Nov 2022 · The Fairmile Series Book 3 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

Palace intrigue, defiant heroism, and a long-awaited love fulfilled from New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory in her Fairmile series.

It is 1685 and England is on the brink of a renewed civil war. King Charles II has died without an heir and his brother James is to take the throne. But the people are bitterly divided, and many do not welcome the new king or his young queen. Ned Ferryman cannot persuade his sister, Alinor, that he is right to return from America with his Pokanoket servant, Rowan, to join the rebel army. Instead, Alinor and her daughter Alys, have been coaxed by the manipulative Livia to save the queen from the coming siege. The rewards are life-changing: the family could return to their beloved Tidelands, and Alinor could rule where she was once lower than a servant.

Alinor’s son is determined to stay clear of the war, but, in order to keep his own secrets in the past, Livia traps him in a plan to create an imposter Prince of Wales—a surrogate baby to the queen.

From the last battle in the desolate Somerset Levels to the hidden caves on the slave island of Barbados, this third volume of an epic story follows a family from one end of the empire to another, to find a new dawn in a world which is opening up before them with greater rewards and dangers than ever before.

Ratings and reviews

Dawnlands by Philippa Gregory is a sensational Historical Fiction book set in 1685. Elinor and her family face many challenges in this 3rd volume of The Fairmile Series. Gregory transports her readers to 1685 by bringing history and her characters to life. In my opinion there’s no better way to feel, experience and understand history than to read well researched Historical Fiction. In the latest book of this series we share the lives of the characters in this marvelous book of the English Civil

The third book in Philippa Gregory’s multi-novel Fairmile series. This one is centered on the years (1685 – 89), leading up to the deposing of Catholic King James II of England. The central characters are, once again. the extended Reekie family -- all of them 20 years older. The evil Livia Avery, wife of James Avery, is back -- now lady-in-waiting to James II's Queen. Enjoy, BUT, be sure to read the first two books before this one.

Loved reading the enthralling and engrossing story. While Alys and her husband, Captain Shore, and Alinor go on with their lives at the wharf, trouble is just around the corner when Livia drops in to see her son and asks him for a dangerous favor involving Captain Shore, but in return, Matthew asks and is given the lands and deeds to Foulmire in the Tidelands, the land Alinor loved and fond memories of. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and riveting storyline!

About the author

Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. Many of her works have been adapted for the screen including The Other Boleyn Girl. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. She was awarded a CBE title for services to literature and charity in 2022. She welcomes visitors to her website PhilippaGregory.com.