I didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped I would. It's an early example of speculative/historical fiction (what would have happened if Mary, Queen of Scots had two secret children?) but really doesn't get too interesting until volume 3, when everything gets really exciting and you forget how unlikely any of the rest of the plot was (conveniently, these secret daughters comfortably hang out with all the big movers and shakers in Elizabeth's court, despite growing up in a cave). I'm not sure what it was that didn't click with me. Maybe too much energy expended on being in Ye Olden Times made it seem a little stiff?

Jane Austen note: On page 316 in my book (vol 3, part 6) a character uses the phrase 'pride and prejudice', which at that point would have been a reference to Cecilia, which came out in 1782. And strangely enough, on page 40 of my copy, the phrase 'sense and sensibility' is used as well. I hope I'm not to the only person who loves the 'name check game' in 18th century novels (JA is not the only one who does it).

This is a definite 'to-read' for anyone interested in gothics, historically inaccurate historical fiction or 18th century novels and female authors. Even if you don't love it, it was an influential best seller and Sir Walter Scott cribbed from it a LOT. ( )