The Alchemist's Daughter

by Eileen Kernaghan

*Chosen for 2006 "Our Choice" Canadian Children's Centre literature guide

The Alchemist's Daughter will pull you from whatever you are supposed to be doing into Sidonie's fortunes, and hold you there cover to cover. Marked by high adventure, and delicious language, Kernaghan's use of real historical figures like Dr. John Dee, Lady Mary Herbert, Sir Philip Sidney, and William Shakespeare, blended with original fictional characters are a powerful mix, while her impeccable research allows you to learn something of an age that has long held a spell over contemporary readers.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Eileen Kernaghan lives in New Westminster B.C. Her short stories and poems have appeared in many
North American publications, both mainstream and speculative. Her
nine historical fantasy novels reflect her lifelong fascination with
ancient cultures and lost civilizations. Eileen's latest young adult
novel is Sophie, in Shadow, from Thistledown Press. It's set in India under the Raj, circa 1914.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty interesting. I thought the plots were okay and I liked the character development.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives an insight to life in Elizabethan times.

[Linguana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay. Didn't really engage me but not a bad book either.

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but a nice read. Not from a time period I know much about.

[Alexander Hutchison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be OK. The way the characters spoke bugged me a little because I didn't understand much of the old English they said. I did enjoy the plot line though and I felt that something happened every ten pages so I never got bored.

[Mallee Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the enchanting story of Sidonie, the alchemist's daughter, who travels through England in the fifteen hundreds in search of a magical elixir. She hopes this is the ingredient her father needs to turn metal into gold, thus allowing him to keep his promise to the queen.

[Malcolm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming, wondrous fable.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steeped in a bit of Elizabethian history, this is an interesting tale about a young girl with abilities beyond the norm.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovved the mix of history and fantasy.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book - read it in one go.
Entertaining, surprisingly exciting, very enjoyable.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good grade school read. Canadian!

[Ryan Leonad · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this book just isn't really my style of book. I thought the chapters were a bit jam packed.