Sycorax

Perfect for fans of Hamnet, Jennifer Saint and Madeline Miller. A beautiful imagining of the life lived by Sycorax before her banishment in Shakespeare's The Tempest.

 

Born of the sun and moon, shaped by fire and malady, comes a young woman whose story has never been told . . .

They call her Sycorax. Seer. Sage. Sorceress.

Outcast by society and all alone in the world, Sycorax must find a way to understand her true nature. But as her powers begin to grow, so too do the suspicions of the local townspeople. For knowledge can be dangerous, and a woman's knowledge is the most dangerous of all . . .

With a great storm brewing on the horizon, Sycorax finds herself in increasing peril - but will her powers save her, or will they spell the end for them all?

A beautifully written and deeply moving imagining of what came before Shakespeare's The Tempest from the author of A Girl Made of Air.

Review

A beautiful written exploration of one of literature's most famous and misunderstood women. This is a clever and immersive tale, brilliant in its exploration of how societies, old and new, have turned on those who don't fit in. Fabulous ― Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

A vividly drawn imagining [of] Sycorax, mother of Caliban in The Tempest. Heartbreakingly poignant, it's the tale of a young woman living with physical pain, social isolation and terrible loneliness but who never gives up trying to find a life where she can be useful. So imaginative and original, and beautifully written ― Frances Quinn, author of The Lost Passenger

With Sycorax living constantly in pain, trying to help people but always feared and shunned, the reader rages and hopes for her while always knowing where this story is going to end. It's a fascinating exploration of an obscure character ― SFX

A beautifully written tale of otherness and becoming, which charms and beguiles in equal measure ― Nikki Marmery, author of Lilith

What a wonderful, witchy delight it was. So evocative and raw. Full of darkness and magic and wonder. Truly extraordinary ― Louise Beech, author of This is How We Are Human

A beautifully tragic story told with heartbreaking poignancy. The tale of Sycorax lingers long after the last page. Magnificent! ― Victoria Dowd, author of Murder Most Cold

Sycorax is a poignant portrayal of a woman struggling to find her place in the face of physical challenges and social otherness. This is a book that resonates with current issues and will keep the reader gripped throughout ― Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women

With all the reverberations and resonances of ancient tales, Sycorax is a vivid and stirring re-imagining of Shakespeare's final witch. Hetherington's prose will cast a spell on you. This book is perfect for lovers of Circe ― Molly Aitken, author of Bright I Burn

Magnificent - a beautifully-written, poignant tour de force blending myth, realism, magic, loneliness and the reality of living with chronic pain ― Penny Batchelor, author of The Reunion Party

About the Author

Growing up in Leeds, Nydia Hetherington moved to London in her early twenties to embark on an acting career. At thirty she moved to Paris where she continued her theatre training before setting up a theatre company. Returning to London almost a decade later, she worked in a shoe shop while studying for a Creative Writing degree. During this time, she was diagnosed with the systemic autoimmune disease Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sycorax is her second novel. It was shortlisted for The Wilbur Smith 2025 Adventure Writing Prize. Nydia now lives in Kent with her husband and large, aged cat (or familiar).