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The Executioner's Daughter #2
River Daughter
'You cannot fight me, river daughter. You were promised to me. A child born in water, you shall return to water.' The sequel to The Executioner's Daughter, a thrilling adventure set in the Tower of London in Tudor times. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory's 'Order of Darkness' series and Percy Jackson. More than a year has passed since Moss was released from the clutches of the Riverwitch. Now her father has swapped his bloody axe for a blacksmith's forge and they have moved away from London, taking Salter with them. But strange things are happening on the river and the Riverwitch is lurking again. Moss has no choice but to leave her new home on a deadly journey to put an end to the evil that is enveloping the Tower like a stinking fog. It's a decision that may cost her her friendship with Salter and ultimately her life. A thrilling read for fans of historical fiction aged 9+. Jane Hardstaff is a major new voice in children's historical fiction. She longed to be an artist, but somehow became a TV producer. She grew up in Wiltshire with her brothers, hunting mayfly-nymphs with her father and reading fairytales with her mother. Now she lives in London's East End, near the great, wild River Thames - the inspiration for her novels. Praise for The Executioner's Daughter: "This notable debut mixes vivid history with supernatural adventure and from its dark depths friendship, forgiveness and parental love rise to the surface." (Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times). "A strong new voice in children's fiction...draws a wonderfully authentic portrait of a wilful tween desperate to find out more about her origins...Worth locking yourself up for an afternoon's reading pleasure." (Alex O'Connell, The Times). "Putting a different spin on the Tudor period, this pacy historical
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
7 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Jane Hardstaff
4 books15 followersJane Hardstaff grew up in Wiltshire with her brothers, hunting mayfly-nymphs with her father and reading fairytales with her mother. Now she lives in London’s East End, near the great, wild River Thames – inspiration for THE EXECUTIONER’S DAUGHTER and RIVER DAUGHTER.
When she's not writing, Jane is a television producer. All her work involves drinking tea and eating a lot of toast.
Her ideal dinner part guests would be: Hermione Granger, Lyra Belacqua, David Attenborough, Seamus Heaney, Neil Gaiman, Queen Elizabeth I and Han Solo.
When she's not writing, Jane is a television producer. All her work involves drinking tea and eating a lot of toast.
Her ideal dinner part guests would be: Hermione Granger, Lyra Belacqua, David Attenborough, Seamus Heaney, Neil Gaiman, Queen Elizabeth I and Han Solo.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 19, 2016
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
My sister already bought me the sequel to The Executioner’s Daughter, So I didn’t want to waste her money.
What I thought
This was a nice follow up to The Executioner’s Daughter. Moss still irritated me though, she just never listens to anyone; it annoys the crap out of me. What also annoys me is why she is always at the right place at the right time. Like some commoner would really meet a queen and a princess. Gotta admit though I like hearing about the royal family. This book is reality with a little paranormal thrown in there. Overall this was a fast paced read that I recommend if you read The Executioner’s Daughter.
Why this book?
My sister already bought me the sequel to The Executioner’s Daughter, So I didn’t want to waste her money.
What I thought
This was a nice follow up to The Executioner’s Daughter. Moss still irritated me though, she just never listens to anyone; it annoys the crap out of me. What also annoys me is why she is always at the right place at the right time. Like some commoner would really meet a queen and a princess. Gotta admit though I like hearing about the royal family. This book is reality with a little paranormal thrown in there. Overall this was a fast paced read that I recommend if you read The Executioner’s Daughter.
May 26, 2015
Hardstaff conjures up a hugely vivid sense of place and Moss’ connection to the river running through her village and calling her to act is powerfully drawn. In fact the writing is so lyrical I wanted to leap into the ‘shimmering world’ with Moss and Salter and set off on an adventure – but just pages later Hardstaff offers up another side to the river, a place where terrible darkness stirs. And Moss’ journey – from the peaceful country village to the stinking, bustling streets of London – marked a fantastic change of pace. Hardstaff’s Tudor London is realistically portrayed and I loved the historical details that wove together with the magic in the story.
And it is in London that Moss’ adventure really unfurls: beasts locked in the Tower, an evil stirring in the river, a Whipmaster bent on cruelty… The characters are wonderfully compelling, from the enigmatic Eel-Eye Jack (whose rooftop music sings to Moss of faraway lands full of ice and snow) and the FANTASTIC Jenny Wren. When she burst onto the scene, my breath caught in her throat. Hers was an energy not to be missed – one that leaps from the page and will enthral any reader. Together with Moss, Hardstaff offers up two brilliantly bold and entertaining heroines. And Moss’ bond with the polar bear is fantastic: a perfect blend of trust, chancing luck and adventure – and the way in which the book ends in light of this bond is AMAZING. The book has pace and adventure (fight scenes and chase episodes are executed perfectly) and moments of real heart as characters strive to belong, to understand and to make things right. I couldn’t recommend River Daughter more highly – it’s a fantastic read for 8+ years.
And it is in London that Moss’ adventure really unfurls: beasts locked in the Tower, an evil stirring in the river, a Whipmaster bent on cruelty… The characters are wonderfully compelling, from the enigmatic Eel-Eye Jack (whose rooftop music sings to Moss of faraway lands full of ice and snow) and the FANTASTIC Jenny Wren. When she burst onto the scene, my breath caught in her throat. Hers was an energy not to be missed – one that leaps from the page and will enthral any reader. Together with Moss, Hardstaff offers up two brilliantly bold and entertaining heroines. And Moss’ bond with the polar bear is fantastic: a perfect blend of trust, chancing luck and adventure – and the way in which the book ends in light of this bond is AMAZING. The book has pace and adventure (fight scenes and chase episodes are executed perfectly) and moments of real heart as characters strive to belong, to understand and to make things right. I couldn’t recommend River Daughter more highly – it’s a fantastic read for 8+ years.
January 16, 2015
A brilliant sequel to The Executioner's Daughter, River Daughter sees Moss return to the city after striking a bargain with the Riverwitch. Her trusty companion Salter goes with her, and together they negotiate the wonders and pitfalls of Tudor London.
There's so much to love about this story. Jane Hardstaff blends real history with anecdote to create striking, unforgettable scenes- I was fascinated by the Beast Tower and the story of the white bear. The novel's fantasy elements work seamlessly because they come from tradition and myth, and so enhance the historical flavour. All this is run through with brilliant characterisation, great tension/conflict between characters, and an extremely satisfying ending. Some scenes are brutal- I admit I found those at the Pit quite hard to read. Brilliantly written, this is a pacy, intriguing and wholly original story. Loved it.
There's so much to love about this story. Jane Hardstaff blends real history with anecdote to create striking, unforgettable scenes- I was fascinated by the Beast Tower and the story of the white bear. The novel's fantasy elements work seamlessly because they come from tradition and myth, and so enhance the historical flavour. All this is run through with brilliant characterisation, great tension/conflict between characters, and an extremely satisfying ending. Some scenes are brutal- I admit I found those at the Pit quite hard to read. Brilliantly written, this is a pacy, intriguing and wholly original story. Loved it.
December 4, 2015
I would give this book a 4.5 I really enjoyed it and hope their will be more books in the series !
August 9, 2023
Bought this book in a charity shop without realising it was a sequel. Can easily be read as a stand alone story, great easy read!
August 4, 2024
Better than the first book. Loved the historical context and new characters. Still lacking overall.
June 10, 2017
I read this book as a standalone seeing as I did not have the first book in the series, The Executioner's Daughter. Despite this, I think that it does well as a standalone. I like how the author used real historical facts to run the story along such as the animals in the Tower and Jane Seymour's death. Not only this, but there was fantastical elements such as the Riverwitch and a mysterious creature. Jane Hardstaff did this really well. The book was nicely written and would like to read more of Jane Hardstaff's works when she starts any more.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews