Review of 'Daughter of the Stones' Alexandra Walsh
Release date: October 23, 2025
Publisher: Boldwood Books
What the novel is about:
When Caitlin King’s father collapses on the eve of the summer solstice, she’s drawn back into the tangled web of her already fragile family – and strange visions begin to haunt her. Visions of another life, another time and a woman who looks uncannily like herself.
In Iron Age Britain, Cordelia is the third daughter of chief Lear Bladudsunu and a gifted shaman. But she is left grief-stricken when betrayal, ambition and patriarchal power threaten everything she holds dear.
Linked across the centuries, Caitlin and Cordelia each face devastating choices. As Cordelia fights to protect her people from destruction, Caitlin finds herself drawn deeper into the mysteries of the past.
As the veil thins between past and present, can Caitlin unravel the truth of her own heritage in time to heal old wounds and unite her fractured family?
REVIEW
First off, I want to say I love the cover! The colours are as vivid as the story and items in the photo represent many aspects within the plot and setting. The standing stones, the rook bird, the Celtic swirl, the twilight or time between times often mentioned in Celtic circles are important elements.
Daughter of the Stones by Alexandra Walsh, with its dual timeline, is a complex mesmerising, magnificent and mystical story steeped in history and literary influences. Quotes from various Shakespeare works are sprinkled throughout the text and more often than not, plenty from King Lear—including analogies. The multi-faceted characters past and present are fascinating— plus conceived and delivered well. They are keepers of curses, secrets and romantic fantasies that span across time and space. But each one has a special part to play on the stage of life (and in this story!).
The research in this novel is stunning. You know when you read an Alexandra Walsh story you will see plenty but also how it will be put to good use. And Daughter of the Stones is an excellent example. It offers a unique interpretation of King Lear and an original presentation of Celtic cultural history. It is full of Celtic images, tatoos and swirls. In fact the Celtic triskele pattern is an ancient symbol seen in very old cultures (derived from the Greek) that represent life, death and rebirth but also the interconnectedness of the past, present and future— which serves well for this story!
There are some great discussions in this novel and one between Caitlin and Lee I absolutely loved. It focuses on the question: why do we tell stories? A theme, very much at the heart of this novel. Caitlin says: ‘we do it to bond us…It helps us to feel secure, to pass on shared history, to pull people together into a community. By telling stories, we’re creating links with our past, with all the ancestors who have walked before us.’ (So true!) She also adds that ‘stories seem to come from nowhere.’ (I know this as a writer that although something external may spark an idea, inspiration often rises from within). As she reasons: stories appear to be ‘already in our minds waiting to be accessed.’ Exactly! She answers ‘why’ with another question. ‘What if it’s because they are real, because we’ve lived them before?’ Certainly intriguing food for thought! (I have often felt race memory plays a part which I experienced on a few trips to Ireland, home of my ancestors..) As Caitlin attempts to convince Lee that this could be possible, she quotes Shakespeare: ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’
Caitlin is a key figure in the present along with Cordelia in the past. But they cross over into each other’s space when necessary. There are also important parallels between the fathers of both timelines. A quote (loved by Caitlin’s father) that stands out from Shakespeare’s As You Like It ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players’ takes on great meaning. Cailtin comments further: “We’re all playing parts, telling stories and acting on the stage of our lives.’ Yes, and stories unite people. In this case, the sisters, as they attempt to help their father with his failing health. Also, the stories they act on stage help unify them, bring them together and override their quarrels. It helps them to work out their real life problems. Once certain secrets are shared between them, their bonds strengthen and the gaps of difference close.
There is so much one could say about this story but I just recommend you read it. Everyone will have a different interpretation, depending on their background, but there are many universal themes here of sisterhood, family connections, healing of hurts, desire for happiness, peace and love—to name a few. 5 Stars to Alexandra Walsh for creating such a special and unique story inspired by Shakespeare’s plays (particularly King Lear) and ancient Celtic culture. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
