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A review by thebashfulbookworm
The Mapmaker's Daughter by Clare Marchant
4.0
The Mapmaker's Daughter by Clare Marchant is a historical novel with a dual timeline and just a dash of magical realism. The historical timeline is set in 1569 and the other timeline is in present day.
Present day- after a terrible tragedy seven years ago, Robyn moved home to help her father in his map shop in Hay. She has only a few months to make a big decision that will help her to move on from the tragedy, but she struggles to heal from the tragedy seven years ago. When she discovers a very unusual map from the 16th century, she knows she has to find out the origin of the map.
1569 - Frieda had to flee her home in Amsterdam after her parents were killed by the Spanish. Starting over in London she works with her cousin as a mapmaker. Now married to a sea captain, with a small son, she enjoys her simple life and has found she’s a talented mapmaker now. Soon, Elizabeth I, learned of her skills and gives her a commission to make a special map for Sir Frances Drake. Next starts an adventure and Frieda is once again fleeing to save her life and the life of her family.
I enjoyed this extensively researched book very much. I preferred the 1569 timeline the most and thought Frieda was a strong, courageous, and relatable woman and was my favorite character. I enjoyed all the historical details the author included for this timeline, and I felt like I was there with Frieda making maps and sailing on ships. I liked the beautiful descriptions of the Court of Queen Elizabeth I as well, as well as the characters in the court including the queen. I liked the time period as well as learning more about the Spanish Inquisition.
The present-day timeline was okay, but just not as exciting as the past timeline. I liked Robyn and could understand why she was stuck. I enjoyed her enthusiasm for the map and her dedication to finding the origin.
I highly recommend The Mapmakers Daughter to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Present day- after a terrible tragedy seven years ago, Robyn moved home to help her father in his map shop in Hay. She has only a few months to make a big decision that will help her to move on from the tragedy, but she struggles to heal from the tragedy seven years ago. When she discovers a very unusual map from the 16th century, she knows she has to find out the origin of the map.
1569 - Frieda had to flee her home in Amsterdam after her parents were killed by the Spanish. Starting over in London she works with her cousin as a mapmaker. Now married to a sea captain, with a small son, she enjoys her simple life and has found she’s a talented mapmaker now. Soon, Elizabeth I, learned of her skills and gives her a commission to make a special map for Sir Frances Drake. Next starts an adventure and Frieda is once again fleeing to save her life and the life of her family.
I enjoyed this extensively researched book very much. I preferred the 1569 timeline the most and thought Frieda was a strong, courageous, and relatable woman and was my favorite character. I enjoyed all the historical details the author included for this timeline, and I felt like I was there with Frieda making maps and sailing on ships. I liked the beautiful descriptions of the Court of Queen Elizabeth I as well, as well as the characters in the court including the queen. I liked the time period as well as learning more about the Spanish Inquisition.
The present-day timeline was okay, but just not as exciting as the past timeline. I liked Robyn and could understand why she was stuck. I enjoyed her enthusiasm for the map and her dedication to finding the origin.
I highly recommend The Mapmakers Daughter to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.