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Treason's Daughter
"Love, betrayal and a family divided amid the turmoil of the English Civil War. London, 1640. Fifteen-year-old Henrietta Challoner dreams of adventure, of a life lived at the gallop, of the opportunities afforded to her brothers, Ned and Sam. She cannot know how devastatingly real these dreams will become, as the country slides towards vicious civil war...The crisis threatens to tear Henrietta's family apart. As religious and political tensions spill into the streets, they all must decide what comes first - their family, their country or their desires. But while she strives to maintain the peace at home, Henrietta becomes embroiled in a deeper plot: to hand London over to the King."
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2014
4 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Antonia Senior
6 books15 followersAntonia Senior is a writer and journalist. After many years at The Times, she is now freelance. She writes columns, book reviews and features for various national publications, including The Times, the Guardian and the Financial Times. Antonia lives in London with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 4, 2016
Coming of age historical fiction novel based around time of the English civil war where families were divided. Liked the idea of a strong woman lead character when ideas of equality through the levellers
January 3, 2018
Very powerful and beautifully written account of a family's descent into England's Civil War. The heroine, Henrietta, is a marvellous character. Your emotions will need to hang on, this is a book that pulls at the heartstrings as the country falls apart.
July 14, 2014
Antonia's writing style is fresh and lacking the usual clichéd descriptions found in historical fiction.
Clearly not one to shy away from the nitty gritty, her battle scenes are some of the most raw and vivid I have ever read. She shows the many clashing viewpoints at the time, but also how, in truth, it was all one grey area with many overlapping views; those which when push comes to muskets might (for some) have been the kind of choice based on the flip of a coin.
This book is dark and philosophical, yet also peppered with sardonic humour, alleviating some of the heavy tensions both in its politics and its plot. It questions the essence of war, the importance of familial ties, versus a sense of patriotic duty and tries to tackle the ambiguity and doubt strewn within religious causes.
The personality and thought process of each character was developed so well and subtly, that it is near impossible to identify at what point you become so attached to them all. Each is shown to possess the admirable and shameful human strengths and weaknesses that we all recognise, yet rarely admit aloud. The ending in particular was incredibly stirring, and at every turning point in the book we are forced to ask whether we would truly have acted any differently.
This book is a fantastic read, especially for someone who had previously very little knowledge of the English Civil War. Treason's Daughter is the perfect combination of a brutally loveable plot, the political intrigue of the true events and an enticing web of realistic characters.
Clearly not one to shy away from the nitty gritty, her battle scenes are some of the most raw and vivid I have ever read. She shows the many clashing viewpoints at the time, but also how, in truth, it was all one grey area with many overlapping views; those which when push comes to muskets might (for some) have been the kind of choice based on the flip of a coin.
This book is dark and philosophical, yet also peppered with sardonic humour, alleviating some of the heavy tensions both in its politics and its plot. It questions the essence of war, the importance of familial ties, versus a sense of patriotic duty and tries to tackle the ambiguity and doubt strewn within religious causes.
The personality and thought process of each character was developed so well and subtly, that it is near impossible to identify at what point you become so attached to them all. Each is shown to possess the admirable and shameful human strengths and weaknesses that we all recognise, yet rarely admit aloud. The ending in particular was incredibly stirring, and at every turning point in the book we are forced to ask whether we would truly have acted any differently.
This book is a fantastic read, especially for someone who had previously very little knowledge of the English Civil War. Treason's Daughter is the perfect combination of a brutally loveable plot, the political intrigue of the true events and an enticing web of realistic characters.
August 6, 2016
Treason’s Daughter is a wonderfully rich novel about the English Civil war that focuses as much on the domestic repercussions of war as what is happening on the battlefield. Senior starts with the perfect conflict scenario, that of a cheery Royalist father with two sons on opposing sides of the conflict. In the middle is Hen, their intelligent sister who we come to care deeply for and who offers a sensitive point of view on the ensuing tragedies of war. This is a fastidiously researched book, epic but domestic, with brilliant depictions of women’s trials and rites of passage, from childbirth to weddings. In the spirit of the best historical fiction, I felt I was entertained while also settled in safe hands to learn a great deal about this complex period.
August 14, 2016
I don't know of the English Civil War, or much of 17th century England for that matter, so some of the politics in this novel were admittedly a bit lost on me, but what I do appreciate about this story is the depth and sincerity (and tragedy) of this one family.
The book builds on the growing tensions between opposing sides, oppositions which slowly start to tear this family apart. I found them quite likeable all throughout – Hen, her father, and her brothers, Ned and Sam. I figured the story would be told mostly from Hen's POV, judging by the title and summary, but it's told from all the sibling's POVs. At first I was reluctant to appreciate this, but as I read it did come to serve the story and the heartbreaking tensions between this family.
I really enjoyed Hen's character – a girl too cunning and with aspirations above a woman's expected station. But she did what she could, given the circumstances, and she remained unwavering and true. And through it all she still loved and was rewarded with love – a love that had my heart smiling. Her relationships with her brothers highlights her neutrality, loving both, trying to keep them alive, and it was nice to see their individual devotions to her too. And as heartbreaking as it is, Hen does keep to her convictions until the very end, which makes an admirable character.
As much as the story gripped me, in a low-key way, I have to touch on what makes this book a low-key 4 stars for me. The flow of writing, narration and dialogue alike, was short and stunted the majority of the time. It had me reading in monotone much of the time.
Altogether, I enjoyed this book. I haven't read historical fiction in a little while and it comes with its own pleasures and struggles, but this was a solid "okay" for me.
The book builds on the growing tensions between opposing sides, oppositions which slowly start to tear this family apart. I found them quite likeable all throughout – Hen, her father, and her brothers, Ned and Sam. I figured the story would be told mostly from Hen's POV, judging by the title and summary, but it's told from all the sibling's POVs. At first I was reluctant to appreciate this, but as I read it did come to serve the story and the heartbreaking tensions between this family.
I really enjoyed Hen's character – a girl too cunning and with aspirations above a woman's expected station. But she did what she could, given the circumstances, and she remained unwavering and true. And through it all she still loved and was rewarded with love – a love that had my heart smiling. Her relationships with her brothers highlights her neutrality, loving both, trying to keep them alive, and it was nice to see their individual devotions to her too. And as heartbreaking as it is, Hen does keep to her convictions until the very end, which makes an admirable character.
As much as the story gripped me, in a low-key way, I have to touch on what makes this book a low-key 4 stars for me. The flow of writing, narration and dialogue alike, was short and stunted the majority of the time. It had me reading in monotone much of the time.
Altogether, I enjoyed this book. I haven't read historical fiction in a little while and it comes with its own pleasures and struggles, but this was a solid "okay" for me.
April 25, 2021
I've read this sequence in the wrong order, having already read Tyrant's Shadow, so I went into this book already having an idea what would happen. But that didn't really spoil things as it's an interesting and engaging story of a young woman coming of age in one of the most turbulent times in British history.
Henrietta has been educated by her father to a level that even some of their own relatives find shocking - one particularly religious relative finds it scandalous that she can read at all. And her father seems to treat her as a curiosity to be showed off, rather than an actual person with her own wishes and goals in life. Which is probably why he can't utter a sentence without referring to her by an infantilising pet name. Seriously, I found myself wanting to reach into the book and slap him every time he called her "Pudding". Or "clever puss." It gets annoying for the reader, so you can only imagine how annoying it is for Henrietta that her gender means she's patronised at every turn by people who think her incapable of understanding the politics of the unfolding Civil War.
The author does a good job, not only of showing how the conflict (and the accompanying religious fervour on each side) divided families, but also of exploring how women started to find their voice among the turbulence, even though society was not ready to listen to them. (And in many cases, still doesn't listen even now - especially in many religious circles).
The relevant battles are conveyed in a way that makes them engaging to the reader, focusing on a certain character's personal experience, rather than being overly concerned with trying to show every single detail. The political and religious aspects are also explored in a manner that both portrays the complexity of the many factions and opinions, while at the same time not being too confusing to the reader.
Even though I had an idea of how things would turn out, I still enjoyed this book. It does a good job of exploring the era - and showing how it started to sow some of the earliest seeds of changes that wouldn't really be felt until centuries later.
Henrietta has been educated by her father to a level that even some of their own relatives find shocking - one particularly religious relative finds it scandalous that she can read at all. And her father seems to treat her as a curiosity to be showed off, rather than an actual person with her own wishes and goals in life. Which is probably why he can't utter a sentence without referring to her by an infantilising pet name. Seriously, I found myself wanting to reach into the book and slap him every time he called her "Pudding". Or "clever puss." It gets annoying for the reader, so you can only imagine how annoying it is for Henrietta that her gender means she's patronised at every turn by people who think her incapable of understanding the politics of the unfolding Civil War.
The author does a good job, not only of showing how the conflict (and the accompanying religious fervour on each side) divided families, but also of exploring how women started to find their voice among the turbulence, even though society was not ready to listen to them. (And in many cases, still doesn't listen even now - especially in many religious circles).
The relevant battles are conveyed in a way that makes them engaging to the reader, focusing on a certain character's personal experience, rather than being overly concerned with trying to show every single detail. The political and religious aspects are also explored in a manner that both portrays the complexity of the many factions and opinions, while at the same time not being too confusing to the reader.
Even though I had an idea of how things would turn out, I still enjoyed this book. It does a good job of exploring the era - and showing how it started to sow some of the earliest seeds of changes that wouldn't really be felt until centuries later.
August 31, 2024
A fantastic read about the Challonor Family divided by the English Civil War, with love and betrayal.
One brave extraordinary loyal and headstrong girl is caught up in religious and political tensions and strives for peace in their home whilst trying to save the people she loves.
Some readers may feel squeamish about the battles, especially Edgehill.
One feels they are right there in the thick of it, as I was kept in suspense.
I couldn't put this book down and can't wait to read 'The Tyrant's Shadow', which is currently on order.
One brave extraordinary loyal and headstrong girl is caught up in religious and political tensions and strives for peace in their home whilst trying to save the people she loves.
Some readers may feel squeamish about the battles, especially Edgehill.
One feels they are right there in the thick of it, as I was kept in suspense.
I couldn't put this book down and can't wait to read 'The Tyrant's Shadow', which is currently on order.
October 16, 2017
I liked the first part of “Treason’s Daughter” the most. My interest began to waver in part two, and by the third part I was only reading to see how it ended.
One of the charms of the opening chapters is Henrietta’s different relationships with her family members and with her first love. The author does a good job of making these varying contrasts work well.
As Henrietta grows older, moving away from her early life, the initial appeal that first hooked me also drifts away.
Regarding style, I feel the author would’ve made the narrative more vivid if she’d used more muscular verbs.
For instance, there’s always a stronger verb than “look” – as in the way a person looks at something or somebody – yet Ms Senior uses “look” every time. The quote below is an example:
>They stand and look at each other.
A voice breaks in. ‘Pudding cat!’
They look over towards the bed.<
“Look” in both cases *tells* the reader what the characters do because it’s bland. A blank visual, if you like. Why not *show* it with a stronger verb? How did they look? Use something like “glare”, “gape”, “goggled”, “scrutinised” – all of which would not only better reflect *how* they look, but it’d reflect the characters’ emotion.
This is the most notable example of weak verb choices, but some others do crop up.
In short, I thought the opening chapters were brilliant, while the last two-thirds were disappointing in comparison.
One of the charms of the opening chapters is Henrietta’s different relationships with her family members and with her first love. The author does a good job of making these varying contrasts work well.
As Henrietta grows older, moving away from her early life, the initial appeal that first hooked me also drifts away.
Regarding style, I feel the author would’ve made the narrative more vivid if she’d used more muscular verbs.
For instance, there’s always a stronger verb than “look” – as in the way a person looks at something or somebody – yet Ms Senior uses “look” every time. The quote below is an example:
>They stand and look at each other.
A voice breaks in. ‘Pudding cat!’
They look over towards the bed.<
“Look” in both cases *tells* the reader what the characters do because it’s bland. A blank visual, if you like. Why not *show* it with a stronger verb? How did they look? Use something like “glare”, “gape”, “goggled”, “scrutinised” – all of which would not only better reflect *how* they look, but it’d reflect the characters’ emotion.
This is the most notable example of weak verb choices, but some others do crop up.
In short, I thought the opening chapters were brilliant, while the last two-thirds were disappointing in comparison.
April 22, 2023
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read - terrific, fine writing, well plotted but too long. Not putting into bookclub
Characters- Henrietta, twin Sam, brother Ned, father Richard Challinor, lover Will, cousin Anne
Setting - English Civil War and prequel
Themes - divine right of kings vs being answerable to the people/parliament, the uneasy balance of the Protestant and Catholic faiths in this society, the new discoveries of science, the education and place of women in society.
Synopsis- family splintered as opposing sides develop in a single merchant family
Hen’s family schism is a metaphor for the divisions of the country, certainly for those in power. The common people are expected to fight and die for those who rule. Shocking casualty rate, higher than WWI
Excellent resource for explaining the causes and progress of the wars
www.nam.ac.uk/explore/british-civil-wars
Characters- Henrietta, twin Sam, brother Ned, father Richard Challinor, lover Will, cousin Anne
Setting - English Civil War and prequel
Themes - divine right of kings vs being answerable to the people/parliament, the uneasy balance of the Protestant and Catholic faiths in this society, the new discoveries of science, the education and place of women in society.
Synopsis- family splintered as opposing sides develop in a single merchant family
Hen’s family schism is a metaphor for the divisions of the country, certainly for those in power. The common people are expected to fight and die for those who rule. Shocking casualty rate, higher than WWI
Excellent resource for explaining the causes and progress of the wars
www.nam.ac.uk/explore/british-civil-wars
September 27, 2020
This novel is about the Challoner family during the English Civil War. We meet motherless Henrietta who has been educated by her father much to the disgust of other family members who think she will never find a husband because of it. Brothers Sam and Ned have opposing views when it comes to religion and the monarchy. And, Richard the patriarch, whose opinions err on the side of moderacy and just wants a simple life. This is a period I studied for A Level History so I'm always intrigued by novels set during the war. I enjoyed this very much as it showed how the war affected ordinary people and seperated families across the land.
January 4, 2025
I have read several books about the English Civil War and the Republic recently, both fiction and non-fiction, but I must say that this is the first one that has made me cry. It’s mostly - but not exclusively - from a female perspective, although it depicts vividly how the religious and political upheavals of that era divided families as well as the country.
The battle scenes are chilling in their brilliant evocation, Senior manages to explain historical events without getting in the way of the story or making the reader feel they are in a lecture, and her characters feel so real that one loses sleep over their fates…
The battle scenes are chilling in their brilliant evocation, Senior manages to explain historical events without getting in the way of the story or making the reader feel they are in a lecture, and her characters feel so real that one loses sleep over their fates…
November 6, 2020
Writing about one's street years before you were born of a King, a woman beyond her time too all for what a tyranny of madness as men fight wars and women continue to spread equality between giving birth, dying in birth, mistreating pregnant women even your own wife as you go off to war...okay so its 2020 and what's changed women don't get paid the same....It took be two days to read this book which I rather liked the women's version of events of the wars their 'men, boys, youngsters' went to fight on foot, horses and such...bloody mess they were all in...
October 13, 2025
Starts out as a fairly conventional love across the barricades. Stands out because of the level of political nuance. It reminded me a little of Jane Lane's work, without the hectoring. I'd put it along side Gillian Bradshaw's London in Chains and Lindsey Davies' Rebels and Traitors as really good attempts at capturing civilian London.
March 9, 2018
I really didn't like this. I didn't like the style of writing. it was very very dialogue heavy. The plot was also boring.
August 22, 2025
Struggled to get into it but good better about half way through.
June 11, 2015
The English Civil War pitted fathers against sons, brothers against brothers and whole families suffered as a result of a conflict which changed England forever. The cavalier army of King Charles I was no match against the rough and tumble of Cromwell's New Model Army.
The story opens in 1640 when Henrietta Challoner, the beloved only daughter of London merchant, Richard Challoner, is coming of age in a world where only sons really matter. However, Richard readily admits that his bright and beautiful daughter is more than a match for her brothers. When civil war beckons, the Challoner family face some tough decisions, and as father and sons find themselves on opposing sides, the prospects of the family looks decidedly grim and Henrietta is faced with an uncertain future.
What then follows is a compelling and beautifully written account of how the English civil war affected ordinary families. How daily living was turned upside down and of how the natural order of life was altered beyond repair. Henrietta is a feisty heroine, she is spirited and determined in the face of great danger. Her brother's Ned and Sam, both equally courageous, have difficult choices to make and it is their very different war experiences which add depth to the story.Richard Challoner has his own very personal battle to face, which is equally disturbing.
The story draws you in from the beginning and conjures a time of great uncertainty. The politics of the time is explained well, with fine attention to detail and, if you have an interest in English history then this really is a compelling read.
The story opens in 1640 when Henrietta Challoner, the beloved only daughter of London merchant, Richard Challoner, is coming of age in a world where only sons really matter. However, Richard readily admits that his bright and beautiful daughter is more than a match for her brothers. When civil war beckons, the Challoner family face some tough decisions, and as father and sons find themselves on opposing sides, the prospects of the family looks decidedly grim and Henrietta is faced with an uncertain future.
What then follows is a compelling and beautifully written account of how the English civil war affected ordinary families. How daily living was turned upside down and of how the natural order of life was altered beyond repair. Henrietta is a feisty heroine, she is spirited and determined in the face of great danger. Her brother's Ned and Sam, both equally courageous, have difficult choices to make and it is their very different war experiences which add depth to the story.Richard Challoner has his own very personal battle to face, which is equally disturbing.
The story draws you in from the beginning and conjures a time of great uncertainty. The politics of the time is explained well, with fine attention to detail and, if you have an interest in English history then this really is a compelling read.
May 11, 2016
Treason's Daughter is a terrific historical fiction about the English Civil War. It is told from the point of view of a young woman coming of age in London amid the contentious struggle between Parliament and the King's party. Henrietta, the only daughter of a prominent merchant, wants to live as freely as her brothers. She loves reading and follows closely the political and religious arguments that are sweeping the country. But the civil unrest tears her family apart and leads to her father's death as a traitor. With a brother who is an officer in Cromwell's New Army and her twin brother in the royalist camp, Henrietta only wants her family to reconcile.
Two things give this book a special voice. It is written in the present tense so there is a feeling of immediacy as the Civil War progresses. Henrietta doesn't know what is going to happen, and the reader gets the same feeling. And the role of religion, particularly Puritanism, and its evolution as it was reflected in the politics of the time is especially well explained.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys British historical fiction.
Two things give this book a special voice. It is written in the present tense so there is a feeling of immediacy as the Civil War progresses. Henrietta doesn't know what is going to happen, and the reader gets the same feeling. And the role of religion, particularly Puritanism, and its evolution as it was reflected in the politics of the time is especially well explained.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys British historical fiction.
December 8, 2015
Brava! One of a very few five star ratings I've given. This is one of the best historical novels I have read in years. It starts a bit slow but matures and grows, like its characters - a family caught up in and divided by the English civil war. At one point I thought that Henrietta, the central character, was going to be Scarlett O'Hara two hundred years before her time. How wrong I was!
This book is much deeper, exploring the conflicting religious, political and social views that twisted and turned during the was and ended with the judicial murder of a king. There are lessons here for 21st century America. What happens when political extremes clash and voices of reason, moderation and compromise are drowned out by zealots? Who steps in to secure order? And, and at what cost to individuals and the society, and to freedom to decent?
Ms Senior's debut novel is spectacular.
I can't wait to read her second.
This book is much deeper, exploring the conflicting religious, political and social views that twisted and turned during the was and ended with the judicial murder of a king. There are lessons here for 21st century America. What happens when political extremes clash and voices of reason, moderation and compromise are drowned out by zealots? Who steps in to secure order? And, and at what cost to individuals and the society, and to freedom to decent?
Ms Senior's debut novel is spectacular.
I can't wait to read her second.
July 7, 2016
Treason's Daughter is a story of Henrietta and her family. I was actually thinking it should be called Treason's Family because it spends a good deal of time on the two brothers as well. This novel is set int he 1640's and leads up to the signing of the Magna Carta.
I've been back and forth on whether to give this book four or three stars. Its an intriguing story and the characters are well written. The only issue I have with the book is with Henrietta's story direction. It seemed like Henrietta was going to be a part of a larger plot to rebel and put out pamphlets against the war but it didn't really come to anything.
I've been back and forth on whether to give this book four or three stars. Its an intriguing story and the characters are well written. The only issue I have with the book is with Henrietta's story direction. It seemed like Henrietta was going to be a part of a larger plot to rebel and put out pamphlets against the war but it didn't really come to anything.
March 29, 2015
Published: 01/06/2015
Author: Antonia Senior
Recommended for: fans of history fiction
I received this books for free through Goodreads First Reads competitions.
A really great book of love and honour. The writting style is fresh and brilliant, Antonia Senior describes the batttle sense with such descriptions that it makes a vivid image in your mind. She is a truly skilled author. It is a book that is hard to put down as it pull on your heartstrings and gets you caught up in the collapse of the country. It is a truly outstanding book!
Author: Antonia Senior
Recommended for: fans of history fiction
I received this books for free through Goodreads First Reads competitions.
A really great book of love and honour. The writting style is fresh and brilliant, Antonia Senior describes the batttle sense with such descriptions that it makes a vivid image in your mind. She is a truly skilled author. It is a book that is hard to put down as it pull on your heartstrings and gets you caught up in the collapse of the country. It is a truly outstanding book!
March 1, 2016
The blurb suggested that the novel would be a look at Civil War England and the idea of family in the Civil war, it did to some extent but it was also a soppy love story that isn't my type of thing at all. After about 30% of the novel I was considering putting the book down as I wasn't gaining any enjoyment from the text as it was stodgy and didn't really have any sort of progression, I persisted and the novel improved as the civil war started but it didn't become good enough to recommend. I was just wanting to finish the book so I could move on to something else.
November 7, 2014
Gritty, Sensational Read
A fabulously written tale of love and honour toward king and country, and especially toward family. An engrossing read during the last years of Charles I of lives lost on battlefields and city streets, religious fervour, and the inevitable cost. Highly recommended.
A fabulously written tale of love and honour toward king and country, and especially toward family. An engrossing read during the last years of Charles I of lives lost on battlefields and city streets, religious fervour, and the inevitable cost. Highly recommended.
January 12, 2016
This was a very enjoyable read with many insights into the daily life of a family split during the English Civil war. The main character is likeable and engaging. Thus is the first book by this author I have read but I will try others.
November 9, 2016
Interesting period of history that I knew little about. Life during the civil war well described.
April 12, 2017
I bought this book after reading The Winter Isles, a later book, which I thought was beautifully written and structured. Treason's Daughter is similarly well written. The English Civil War isn't a period I know much about or was that interested in but that didn't matter. The characters are so compelling and rounded that I was happy to follow their journey, even although I suspected it wasn't going to go well for some of them. The author pulls no punches about the conditions of the time and her vivid descriptions are both fascinating and repelling. Politically, the issues were quite complex, but I felt I was being steered through this minefield by an expert navigator who was never heavy handed with her historical knowledge. I see there is a follow-up novel which I will be adding to my 'to read' list.
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September 7, 2018Oh dear. Why do we have to have the wilful daughter - just because it's thought more appealing to the modern reader? The girl running around dressed as a boy etc.? Drives me nuts because 17thC women did have courage but in their own way. The book does deal with the political troubles and war quite well but Ms Henrietta Challoner seemed a modern miss and other character lacked depth.
I did finish it but only because I hate not to finish a book.
There have been a few good reviews so if you like reading historicals give it a go.
I did finish it but only because I hate not to finish a book.
There have been a few good reviews so if you like reading historicals give it a go.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews