Description
Raised in 1820’s India, twelve year old Isabella Rockwell can ride and shoot as well as any of the soldiers in her father’s regiment. These skills, however, are of no use to her when she finds herself on the frozen streets of London, orphaned and alone.
Tormented by guilt over the deaths of those who loved her, she vows never to be responsible for anyone’s life again. If she can scrape together enough money, she will return to India. But Isabella cannot shake the creeping feeling that something is not right; that something threatens not only her new best friend, but the throne of England itself.
Having survived this far on her wits alone, will Isabella escape back home to India? Or will she stay with Alix, a girl whose fate seems to be tied up with Isabella’s own? A fate which will have consequences far beyond those Isabella could ever have imagined.
Winner of the Children’s 12+ Fiction Category at Winchester Writer’s Conference, UK. 2012.
Review
I loved this magical historical tale told about a young 13 year old girl who is sent back to England from British India after her father is presumed dead. Having only ever thought of India as her home Isabella embarks on quite an adventure to find her way back there.
Isabella is to be put into service after her father is presumed dead but back in England, a land she has only heard of but which people expect her to call home. Finding herself on her own Isabella draws on what she has been taught to survive.
Finding herself embroiled in a royal mystery, will Isabella make it home? An enchanting YA tale.
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