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A review by carlink
Sycorax by Nydia Hetherington
3.0
Rating: 3.0/5, good.
Publishing date: 27/02/2025
Thank you Nydia Hetherington and Quercus Books for the digital copy.
Sycorax is a fantasy retelling that reimagines the life of the powerful witch from one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, The Tempest, but no previous knowledge is necessary to read this standalone novel. In the play, Sycorax is mentioned but never seen—known only as the powerful sorceress and mother of Caliban, who is later enslaved by Prospero. Nydia Hetherington gives a voice to this mysterious figure, adding depth to her character by exploring the reasoning behind her physical appearance and shedding light on chronic illness—challenging her portrayal as a villain. She also includes a historical note that inspired Shakespeare to write The Tempest to give context. The novel follows Sycorax from birth to her transformation into the legendary witch, offering a compelling first-person perspective that immerses readers in her world.
The book explores themes of chronic illness, solitude, womanhood, and more. Hetherington’s prose is lyrical and immersive, creating a world that is both magical and compelling. “It is cold. The island hums. It knows I cannot sleep and tries only to soothe me. Moonlight touches my face. I lift my chin a little, bathe in the brightness, and blink. White beams reach like arms into my cave as I crouch on the smooth rock at its mouth. As always, the Moon’s beauty makes me gasp. Hairs rise on the back of my neck. I like the sensation. Resting heavily upon my staff, my trusty aid, still fragrant with the sap of the tree it came from, I enjoy the fresh bite of the cool night air. It will be hot when daytime comes, sweat will cling to us.”
The narrative, initially, tells the tale of Atlas and Sunny, told through Sycorax’s perspective. “My mother was of the Moon. My father was of the Sun. Together they were night and day.” As the story progresses, we learn that Atlas’s ancestors suffered from a physical malady passed down through generations. “Every evening she’d ask her friend the Moon to save her from a family malady, a cruel, painful stiffening she’d watched many women in her family struggle with.” Hetherington cleverly interprets the hunchback posture and the use of a cane for support due to arthritis, though the name is never explicitly mentioned. Chronic diseases are rarely explored in ancient tellings, making this book unique in that aspect. “When I tried to move, I couldn’t. Where once I was made of flesh and bones, now agony seemed the very fabric of my being. I named the illness Aamon. For truly, it was the devil prince, and I was its prey.”
The slow pace of Sycorax might not be for everyone, and even though the writing is of high quality, and the character development is strong, not much happens. Sunny’s characterisation, as well as that of Sycorax’s father, felt unfinished, superficial, and inconsistent. The choice of words at times felt odd, in my opinion. ”... scattered with human and equine meat.” "Equine" is a scientific term and does not fit well here, although this might be nitpicking. The historical aspect serves only as a backdrop, a missed opportunity to ground the tale more firmly. Perhaps this is why the novel reads like fantasy YA from the middle to the end.
Overall, Sycorax is an accomplished retelling that may appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy strong character development (but little plot), feminist retellings, and Shakespearean reinterpretations.
Publishing date: 27/02/2025
Thank you Nydia Hetherington and Quercus Books for the digital copy.
Sycorax is a fantasy retelling that reimagines the life of the powerful witch from one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, The Tempest, but no previous knowledge is necessary to read this standalone novel. In the play, Sycorax is mentioned but never seen—known only as the powerful sorceress and mother of Caliban, who is later enslaved by Prospero. Nydia Hetherington gives a voice to this mysterious figure, adding depth to her character by exploring the reasoning behind her physical appearance and shedding light on chronic illness—challenging her portrayal as a villain. She also includes a historical note that inspired Shakespeare to write The Tempest to give context. The novel follows Sycorax from birth to her transformation into the legendary witch, offering a compelling first-person perspective that immerses readers in her world.
The book explores themes of chronic illness, solitude, womanhood, and more. Hetherington’s prose is lyrical and immersive, creating a world that is both magical and compelling. “It is cold. The island hums. It knows I cannot sleep and tries only to soothe me. Moonlight touches my face. I lift my chin a little, bathe in the brightness, and blink. White beams reach like arms into my cave as I crouch on the smooth rock at its mouth. As always, the Moon’s beauty makes me gasp. Hairs rise on the back of my neck. I like the sensation. Resting heavily upon my staff, my trusty aid, still fragrant with the sap of the tree it came from, I enjoy the fresh bite of the cool night air. It will be hot when daytime comes, sweat will cling to us.”
The narrative, initially, tells the tale of Atlas and Sunny, told through Sycorax’s perspective. “My mother was of the Moon. My father was of the Sun. Together they were night and day.” As the story progresses, we learn that Atlas’s ancestors suffered from a physical malady passed down through generations. “Every evening she’d ask her friend the Moon to save her from a family malady, a cruel, painful stiffening she’d watched many women in her family struggle with.” Hetherington cleverly interprets the hunchback posture and the use of a cane for support due to arthritis, though the name is never explicitly mentioned. Chronic diseases are rarely explored in ancient tellings, making this book unique in that aspect. “When I tried to move, I couldn’t. Where once I was made of flesh and bones, now agony seemed the very fabric of my being. I named the illness Aamon. For truly, it was the devil prince, and I was its prey.”
The slow pace of Sycorax might not be for everyone, and even though the writing is of high quality, and the character development is strong, not much happens. Sunny’s characterisation, as well as that of Sycorax’s father, felt unfinished, superficial, and inconsistent. The choice of words at times felt odd, in my opinion. ”... scattered with human and equine meat.” "Equine" is a scientific term and does not fit well here, although this might be nitpicking. The historical aspect serves only as a backdrop, a missed opportunity to ground the tale more firmly. Perhaps this is why the novel reads like fantasy YA from the middle to the end.
Overall, Sycorax is an accomplished retelling that may appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy strong character development (but little plot), feminist retellings, and Shakespearean reinterpretations.