Book Review: Feathertide by Beth Cartwright

Hello to Beth Cartwright who joins me today with the blog tour for her debut novel, Feathertide. 

Born covered in the feathers of a bird, and kept hidden in a crumbling house full of secrets, Marea has always known she was different, but never known why. And so to find answers, she goes in search of the father she has never met.

The hunt leads her to the City of Murmurs, a place of mermaids and mystery, where jars of swirling mist are carried through the streets by the broken-hearted.

And Marea will never forget what she learns there.

You know that feeling when you see the cover and blurb for a book and you know immediately that you’re going to love it? That was Feathertide for me.

First of all, I would like to mention this beautiful cover. Good job designers.

I found this novel incredibly compelling from the moment I started reading. It’s very dreamlike and whimsical. The setting and imagery in this book is enriching and vivid. I really want to see this as a movie.

Told from the point of view of Marea, she is a character that has always known she is different and I felt that she is relatable to so many people. She is a young person trying to figure out her place in the world and ultimately, she wants to figure out where she belongs. I loved seeing how she developed through the book.

Beth Cartwright has created such a rich, unique alternative world that is full of magic and I couldn’t help but get completely immersed in it.

As usual, I don’t want to give too much away so I am not sure what else I can say about this book that I haven’t said already.

What it is is a magical, enchanting story that I couldn’t put down, couldn’t predict and didn’t want to end. It’s a story about self discovery and acceptance.

If you’re a fan of Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Cecelia Ahern or just like a grown up take on fairy tales, I think you will like this novel. It’s a wonderful way of escaping for a while and I hope as many people read it as possible. I can’t say enough lovely things about it.

What a fantastic debut from Beth Cartwright. I look forward to seeing what she does next.

About Beth Cartwright… 

Beth Cartwright has taught English in Greece and travelled around South East Asia and South America, where she worked at an animal sanctuary.

A love of language and the imaginary led her to study English Literature and Linguistics at university, and she now lives on the edge of the Peak District with her family and two cats. Feathertide is her debut novel.

Say hello to Beth on Twitter and Instagram.

Feathertide was released by Del Ray on 30th July 2020. Click to view on Amazon UK. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.