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Undefeated: A Historical Novel Inspired by the World's First Female Bare-Knuckle Fighter
A novel inspired by London's first ever female bare-knuckle prize fighter
‘I remember the first time I hit someone.’
In the gritty world of 18th-century London, Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes rises from the depths of poverty to become a legend in her own time. When her abusive husband’s execution leaves her alone in the merciless streets of St Giles, Elizabeth is thrust into a London she never knew existed. From bear-baiting pits to brothels, from underground fight clubs to grand amphitheatres, she battles her way through a world where every punch could be her last.
Elizabeth fights with fists, cudgels and daggers, earning the title of Championess of England. But in a city where corruption runs as deep as the Thames, she must learn that the hardest fight of all is for a life worth living.
Undefeated reimagines the riveting tale of the world's first female bare-knuckle prize fighter, a woman who fought not just in the ring, but for her very survival.
Step into the ring with Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes and experience a fight you’ll never forget.
‘I remember the first time I hit someone.’
In the gritty world of 18th-century London, Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes rises from the depths of poverty to become a legend in her own time. When her abusive husband’s execution leaves her alone in the merciless streets of St Giles, Elizabeth is thrust into a London she never knew existed. From bear-baiting pits to brothels, from underground fight clubs to grand amphitheatres, she battles her way through a world where every punch could be her last.
Elizabeth fights with fists, cudgels and daggers, earning the title of Championess of England. But in a city where corruption runs as deep as the Thames, she must learn that the hardest fight of all is for a life worth living.
Undefeated reimagines the riveting tale of the world's first female bare-knuckle prize fighter, a woman who fought not just in the ring, but for her very survival.
Step into the ring with Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes and experience a fight you’ll never forget.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2024
8 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 13, 2025
4.75 stars!! While I might be slightly biased, the book was a fantastic read! It was so captivating that you constantly want to pick the book back up! I’m absolutely obsessed with the writing style as it is so immersive. The harsh 18th century setting was really brought to life in the story conveying the hardships that people faced during the time period.
This read really brought Elizabeth’s story to light and was really well-researched. The book is well-balanced with its plot and character development, being fast paced yet still character driven. The writing is done in a way where you really grow to love Elizabeth and her little group.
Overall, it is a fantastic book if you love historical fiction or just want to learn about an amazing feminist trailblazer.
This read really brought Elizabeth’s story to light and was really well-researched. The book is well-balanced with its plot and character development, being fast paced yet still character driven. The writing is done in a way where you really grow to love Elizabeth and her little group.
Overall, it is a fantastic book if you love historical fiction or just want to learn about an amazing feminist trailblazer.
February 2, 2025
I absolutely loved "Undefeated" by Gillie Basson! This book completely drew me in from the start. I had never heard of Elizabeth Wilkinson Stokes before, but her story is so rich and engaging. The way Basson brings her to life, along with all the other well developed characters, is truly remarkable.
As a fan of historical fiction, I always appreciate a book that doesn’t just teach history but immerses you in it, and this one certainly does. The narrative is compelling, the details are vivid, and the characters’ struggles and triumphs feel deeply personal. I found myself rooting for them, especially Elizabeth, every step of the way.
Basson has created a beautiful balance of historical accuracy and emotional depth, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. If you love historical fiction with a strong, inspiring lead, "Undefeated" is a must read! ⭐🥊⭐
As a fan of historical fiction, I always appreciate a book that doesn’t just teach history but immerses you in it, and this one certainly does. The narrative is compelling, the details are vivid, and the characters’ struggles and triumphs feel deeply personal. I found myself rooting for them, especially Elizabeth, every step of the way.
Basson has created a beautiful balance of historical accuracy and emotional depth, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. If you love historical fiction with a strong, inspiring lead, "Undefeated" is a must read! ⭐🥊⭐
October 19, 2025
Undefeated completely took me by surprise. From the opening line, I was drawn into the brutal, vibrant world of 18th-century London - a place so vividly written you can almost smell the sweat, mud, and smoke. Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes is one of the most compelling heroines I’ve read in a long time. She’s fierce, flawed, and unforgettable.
What I loved most is how the author brings this forgotten piece of history to life. Elizabeth’s journey from the slums to becoming England’s first female bare-knuckle fighter is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Every fight, every blow, every loss felt real. But beyond the punches and blood, this is a story about endurance, dignity, and a woman’s will to survive in a world that gave her nothing.
The writing is beautifully gritty - full of emotion but never overdone. If you love historical fiction with strong female leads and an edge of danger, Undefeated will leave you cheering, crying, and utterly breathless by the end.
What I loved most is how the author brings this forgotten piece of history to life. Elizabeth’s journey from the slums to becoming England’s first female bare-knuckle fighter is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Every fight, every blow, every loss felt real. But beyond the punches and blood, this is a story about endurance, dignity, and a woman’s will to survive in a world that gave her nothing.
The writing is beautifully gritty - full of emotion but never overdone. If you love historical fiction with strong female leads and an edge of danger, Undefeated will leave you cheering, crying, and utterly breathless by the end.
January 5, 2025
A very well compiled historical fictional novel that hooks you (pun intended) from the very first chapter. Elizabeth Stokes a true pioneer for women at a time when it was against all odds.
The story and action is faced paced and manages great character development of our FMC but also the supporting characters.
Not only does Elizabeth Stokes come alive as a formidable and inspiring protagonist, but the supporting characters also add depth and richness to the narrative, making the world of 18th-century London feel authentic and immersive.
It is an exciting fast paced plot but also a thoughtful exploration of gender dynamics of the time and societal challenges.
So whether you love historical fiction or stories of trailblazing women, this book is for you.
The story and action is faced paced and manages great character development of our FMC but also the supporting characters.
Not only does Elizabeth Stokes come alive as a formidable and inspiring protagonist, but the supporting characters also add depth and richness to the narrative, making the world of 18th-century London feel authentic and immersive.
It is an exciting fast paced plot but also a thoughtful exploration of gender dynamics of the time and societal challenges.
So whether you love historical fiction or stories of trailblazing women, this book is for you.
February 1, 2025
Undefeated by Gillie Basson is a deeply inspiring and empowering book that takes readers on a journey of resilience, strength, and triumph over adversity. The narrative is both moving and uplifting, capturing the essence of human determination and the ability to rise above challenges.
Basson’s storytelling is raw and authentic, making it easy for readers to connect with the emotions and struggles portrayed. The book serves as a testament to inner strength, making it a compelling read for anyone seeking motivation and encouragement.
Overall, Undefeated is an excellent book—beautifully written, powerful, and thought-provoking. It leaves a lasting impact, reminding readers that no matter the odds, the human spirit is capable of overcoming even the toughest battles.
Basson’s storytelling is raw and authentic, making it easy for readers to connect with the emotions and struggles portrayed. The book serves as a testament to inner strength, making it a compelling read for anyone seeking motivation and encouragement.
Overall, Undefeated is an excellent book—beautifully written, powerful, and thought-provoking. It leaves a lasting impact, reminding readers that no matter the odds, the human spirit is capable of overcoming even the toughest battles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
A raw captivating read!
I knew nothing of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes but what a strong independent woman she was. A lot of research has gone into this and it has brought to life Elizabeth's rise from nothing. The writing was vivid and had me feeling like I was ringside at the fights and in the pubs of London.
There seemed to be a dislike of people because of what she had suffered but at the same time, she couldn't help but care for the people she came across who wanted to be her friend.
I'd highly recommend picking this book up!
‘Vis et armis.’
(By force and arms)
4.5 stars
I knew nothing of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes but what a strong independent woman she was. A lot of research has gone into this and it has brought to life Elizabeth's rise from nothing. The writing was vivid and had me feeling like I was ringside at the fights and in the pubs of London.
There seemed to be a dislike of people because of what she had suffered but at the same time, she couldn't help but care for the people she came across who wanted to be her friend.
I'd highly recommend picking this book up!
‘Vis et armis.’
(By force and arms)
4.5 stars
January 21, 2025
Wish I could give this more stars , great story and characters that you totally invest in .You know it's a great book when it makes you cry !
February 8, 2025
This novel is a must-read! The story of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes is beautifully brought to life, with engaging characters and vivid details that transport you back to 18th Century London. As a fan of historical fiction, I was thoroughly impressed by 'Undefeated.' I will definitely be on the lookout for future works by this talented author."
March 18, 2025
In the squalid backstreets of 18th-century London, where blood mixes with mud and survival is a brutal, daily fight, an orphan earns her place in the world with her fists in Basson’s compelling debut. In London’s ruthless underbelly, Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes fights to survive. A bare-knuckle boxer in a world that preys on women, she defies the rules. But when her violent husband is executed, Elizabeth must face a new battle: life beyond the pit.
Based on the life of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes, one of the earliest recorded female boxers, Basson’s novel is an unflinching portrait of a woman who refuses to bow to the forces trying to break her. Elizabeth is no genteel heroine. Raised in an orphanage, sold into servitude, and molded by violence, she fights because it is the only thing she knows how to do. When she steps into the pit, bloodied and bare-chested, she is both spectacle and survivor. Basson’s prose is as raw as her protagonist; clipped, unembellished, relentless. Like any great historical novel, this one is deeply rooted in its time. Basson does not simply recreate the past; she forces the reader to live it. Her portrayal of London as a city that devours its weakest and rewards its most ruthless is rooted in reality. The stink of gin-drenched alleys, the roar of the mob, the crunch of bone, every detail drags the reader into the filth and fury of a world that is both fascinating and repellent.
This is a novel that does not romanticize its history, nor does it offer easy victories. From the corrupt policing system of thief-takers to the savage spectacles of bear-baiting and public executions, Basson seamlessly weaves historical facts into the narrative. The novel offers a stark look at the realities of gender, violence, and class in 18th-century London, making it as much a social critique as it is a character study. Elizabeth’s story is ultimately about power: who has it, who takes it, and what one must sacrifice to keep it. Basson does not offer easy victories; even when Elizabeth wins a fight, she loses something in the process—blood, dignity, or another piece of her soul. Fans of Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites will recognize the same brooding intensity, the same sense of doom. This is not a comfortable read, but it is a necessary one; a novel that grips, bruises, and does not let go.
Based on the life of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes, one of the earliest recorded female boxers, Basson’s novel is an unflinching portrait of a woman who refuses to bow to the forces trying to break her. Elizabeth is no genteel heroine. Raised in an orphanage, sold into servitude, and molded by violence, she fights because it is the only thing she knows how to do. When she steps into the pit, bloodied and bare-chested, she is both spectacle and survivor. Basson’s prose is as raw as her protagonist; clipped, unembellished, relentless. Like any great historical novel, this one is deeply rooted in its time. Basson does not simply recreate the past; she forces the reader to live it. Her portrayal of London as a city that devours its weakest and rewards its most ruthless is rooted in reality. The stink of gin-drenched alleys, the roar of the mob, the crunch of bone, every detail drags the reader into the filth and fury of a world that is both fascinating and repellent.
This is a novel that does not romanticize its history, nor does it offer easy victories. From the corrupt policing system of thief-takers to the savage spectacles of bear-baiting and public executions, Basson seamlessly weaves historical facts into the narrative. The novel offers a stark look at the realities of gender, violence, and class in 18th-century London, making it as much a social critique as it is a character study. Elizabeth’s story is ultimately about power: who has it, who takes it, and what one must sacrifice to keep it. Basson does not offer easy victories; even when Elizabeth wins a fight, she loses something in the process—blood, dignity, or another piece of her soul. Fans of Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites will recognize the same brooding intensity, the same sense of doom. This is not a comfortable read, but it is a necessary one; a novel that grips, bruises, and does not let go.
January 3, 2025
Read this over two nights and couldn’t put it down! Exactly how I love my historical fiction. Well researched, fictionalised appropriately, engaging characters and a fast paced narrative. The author has chose a woman from history who has been forgotten and gave her the voice and recognition she deserves. She created a really nuanced main character with plenty of human flaws which I enjoyed. The setting and all characters are authentic to the time period and give the reader a real insight into the hardships of the era. Highly recommend.
July 14, 2025
“Undefeated: A Novel” is Gillie Basson's debut novel. It is the fictional biography of Elizabeth Wilkinson-Stokes, one of the first female prize fighters. Amazingly researched and beautifully written, Basson brings Elizabeth's story to life. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys historical fiction.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews