The Changeling

by Kate Forsyth

On her fourteenth birthday, Caiti NicNeven discovers her true mother is the queen of the Sidhe, the faery folk who dwell beneath Scotland’s hollow hills. Bound by ancient grievance, the faery queen demands Caiti become the instrument of her revenge against the mortal crown stolen a thousand years before.

Drawing on a dangerous magic she barely understands, Caiti flees. She finds refuge at the treacherous court of Mary, Queen of Scots. As fear and religious fervour grip the country, Mary is pressured into passing an Anti-Witchcraft Act, placing every woman – and every whispered spell – in peril.

Watching from the shadows, the faery queen tightens her hold. When Caiti falls in love with Robbie, the son of a local laird, her mother strikes, cursing him to dance himself to death beneath the faery moon.

To save the man she loves, Caiti must cross into the faery realm and confront the mother who would destroy her – and claim a wild, dangerous magic of her own.

Inspired by the true story of Scotland’s first witch-hunt, The Changeling is a spellbinding tale of witchcraft, forbidden love and defying fate.

Genres: Fantasy

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.

Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'

Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.

Reviews

[Cups and Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you penguin for an ARC of this lovely book! this is the second book in a row that i received (without knowing anything about the author) that ended up being a newfound favorite!!! 🥹🥹🥹 pls don’t let this streak stop!!

beautiful, atmospheric, and utterly consuming. the first impression i got while reading this was how reminiscent the writing and themes were to juliet marillier’s (aka one of my fave authors ever) books!! the incredible celtic backdrop, luscious writing, and of course — seeing how utterly prejudiced our female MC is and yet still coming out strong and steadfast in her own way 🥹

i could not put this down! i thought this was incredibly fast-paced. so much was happening so quickly, maybe even too quickly at times. but wow the beautifully done family dynamic, the heartbreaking political outcomes, the sheer frustration and anger that comes from seeing SO much violent and cruelty falling on innocent women… it was a lot 🫠 but the fact that it made me so angry and sad for them made me love this book even more 💔❤️‍🩹

the romance was all-consuming. i could feel the yearning through the pages 😭 but i think the character growth of caiti was what stood out most to me. that and possibly the atmospheric and lyrical writing. these two made me fall head over heels for kate forsyth’s storytelling, and i absolutely cannot wait to read more of her books in the future 🥹 i LOVE discovering new authors and i’m so happy penguin introduced me to kate forsyth!!! i need moreee folklore/fae/fairytale stories like this in my life ✨✨

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf)]

Review to come

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Kate's books. In fact, she has almost an entire shelf in my library, which probably tells you everything you need to know about my reading habits.

I was fortunate to read an advance copy through NetGalley and was also delighted to receive a printed ARC from the wonderful team at Penguin Random House Australia.

Having recently travelled through Scotland and with a longstanding fascination for the Stuart and Tudor periods, this novel appealed to me immediately. Set during Scotland's first witch-hunt and against the backdrop of Mary, Queen of Scots' court, it captures a time of fear, superstition, political intrigue and very real danger, particularly for women.

From the opening pages, I found myself completely invested in Caiti's journey. As the story unfolds, you can't help but feel protective of her, especially as she navigates family loyalties, powerful magic and her growing love for Robbie, who faces a devastating curse. The combination of historical detail, folklore, romance and fantasy kept the pages turning.

The only reason this isn't a five-star review is that I didn't cry. Sorry, Kate.

Inspired by a true historical event, The Changeling is a compelling blend of Scottish history, faery folklore and adventure. If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of magic, I'd recommend adding this one to your TBR pile and picking up a copy from your local bookshop or library when it's released in July.

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: The Changeling by @kate_forsyth_ published by @penguinbooksaus and supplied by @netgalley
Release date: 7 July 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you are after a beautifully written historical fiction interwoven with Scottish folklore and mythology, then this book is for you. The story is set during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots and the lead up to the historic witch hunts of Scotland and England during the 16th century.
Our FMC Caiti has always been a little different from her family and on her 14th birthday, she finds out that she is in fact a changeling, a child of the fairy queen who replaced a human child with her. From here Caiti must fight against the destiny her fae mother has set out for her and instead fight for the life and love she wants.
This book was so well researched and the Scottish fairytales of the fairy folk layered so well within the Scottish history we know of. The narrative kept me hooked from start to finish.

[Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my first Kate Forsyth novel, The Changeling has left me wondering why I've waited so long to discover her work. As a reader who adores historical fiction infused with folklore and fairy-tale elements, this book felt as though it had been written specifically for me.

Set against the backdrop of Scotland's first witch-hunt, the story follows Caiti NicNeven, a young woman who discovers she is the daughter of the faery queen of the Sidhe. As she becomes caught between the mortal world and the faery realm, Caiti must navigate forbidden love, dangerous magic, political intrigue, and the growing threat of persecution in a country gripped by fear and superstition.

Forsyth's writing is lyrical, evocative, and utterly immersive. Every scene is rendered with such vivid imagery that I could almost feel the chill of the Scottish air and hear the whispers of ancient folklore woven throughout the narrative. The setting is richly atmospheric, carrying a constant sense of foreboding that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The characters are brilliantly layered and wonderfully complex. Their motivations, fears, loyalties, and desires felt authentic, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. I was particularly captivated by the way Forsyth explores themes of identity, belonging, power, love, and the stories we inherit.

What impressed me most was how seamlessly the novel blended history, folklore, and fantasy into a cohesive and compelling narrative. The pacing is expertly handled, the tension steadily builds, and the story never loses its sense of wonder or danger.

A beautifully crafted tale of witchcraft, love, resilience, and self-discovery, The Changeling completely enchanted me from beginning to end. It certainly won't be my last Kate Forsyth novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Australia for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

🧚 Faery Folk
❤️ Scottish Setting
🧙 Witch Hunting
🌹 Forbidden Love

Inspired by the true story of Scotland’s first witch hunt, we follow Caiti who tries desperately to save her loved ones from those with evil wicked hearts, seeking power for themselves. Growing up poor, she finds she herself has more power than she could have ever imagined.

This was a quick, easy read full of Scottish folklore that pulls you into the fairytale. While slow to begin with, this picked up pace towards the second half and provided some much needed action.

This was easy to follow and perfect for those wanting to dip their toes into the fantasy genre without being loaded with too much info dumping and world building at once. Did I struggle with some of the Scottish language, yes I did 🤣 but you quickly become accustomed to the language.

This pretty much sums up how women were treated back in those times and are often still treated to this very day. Helping those in times of need by providing love and care only to be labelled a witch and to be burnt at the stake.

As someone who LOVES world building (are you tired of hearing that from me?) this was a little too simple for my tastes. I also felt no real connection to any of the characters, which is also a huge component that is important to me in a read. I want to feel their emotions through the page and sense what they are going through to build that connection with the characters, instead it often just felt like words on paper and very simplistic writing.

I feel the pacing was also off. We’d constantly skip weeks, months and sometimes even years and yet it felt like nothing happened. We would also get the same sentences and feelings often repeated throughout.

All in all, it was nice to read something different and though at times it fell a little flat, I’d still recommend giving this one a go!

[Petal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have Scottish heritage, and when I spotted this ARC on NetGalley, I immediately snatched it up. I'm so glad I did.

The Changeling is a lush historical fiction that takes the testimony of accused witches in sixteenth century Scotland as truth, and weaves a story in and around the real events of the time. Caiti, our protagonist, is rooted in a real woman, one of the few actually named in the earliest witch trial records, burned in Monzie and then largely forgotten by history. Forsyth refuses to leave her forgotten. She places her at the centre of Mary Queen of Scots' reign and gives her agency, presence, and consequence.

Overflowing with Scottish folklore, historical detail, rebellion, and romance, it had me hooked from the first page. For anyone who already knows Mary, Queen of Scots story, the ending will be no surprise. But what Forsyth does is show you the inside of it, and that is where the devastation lives.

The novel does not shy away from the violence done to women by men who feared them. There are acts of sexual assault that are handled with deliberate restraint, and that restraint makes them hit harder than graphic detail ever could. It is uncomfortable reading. It is meant to be. Watching a formidable woman systematically torn apart by men who cannot control her any other way is not meant to sit easily.

The historical research underpinning this novel is extraordinary, and it shows in every page and the result is a book that feels both ancient and still entirely relevant. One line in particular stood out to me: "they hate what they fear, and they kill what they hate." In the context of sixteenth century Scotland it is damning enough. Read it in 2026 and it lands all the harder.

Five Stars.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely swept away by this novel. I sat down intending to read a few chapters and instead finished it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away.

Set in Scotland during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, The Changeling follows Caití NicNiven, a young servant whose mother and great-aunt are respected cunning women. When Caití falls in love with Robbie, the local laird’s son, her life is transformed by forces both political and magical. Inspired by Scotland’s first witch hunt, the novel explores the growing fear of powerful women, the persecution of healers, and the devastating consequences of superstition and prejudice.

Kate Forsyth seamlessly blends meticulously researched historical fiction with fantasy, weaving the fairy realm into Caití’s story in a way that feels both enchanting and deeply symbolic. Caití is a wonderful heroine: loyal, courageous, intelligent and compassionate. She possesses the Sight but has yet to understand how to use it, and watching her grow into her own strength is one of the novel’s greatest pleasures.

This story made me angry, heartbroken and hopeful in equal measure. The injustices suffered by women during this period are confronting, but the novel is ultimately one of resilience, love and finding the courage to embrace who you are. While terrible things happen along the way, I was deeply satisfied with where the story ultimately led.

This was my first Kate Forsyth novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. If you enjoy richly atmospheric historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, strong female characters, Scottish history and an unforgettable love story, I highly recommend The Changeling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[inkedbyashreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Forsyth has crafted such a rich and atmospheric blend of Scottish folklore, history, witchcraft, and fae magic in The Changeling. From the very first pages I was completely immersed in sixteenth-century Scotland, where superstition, fear, and power collide in devastating ways.

Caiti was such a compelling protagonist to follow. Discovering she is a changeling and being torn between the mortal world she loves and the dangerous pull of her fae mother created so much emotional tension throughout the story. I especially loved how the novel balanced historical detail with mythology so seamlessly and it genuinely felt like the folklore could have existed alongside real history.

The writing is beautifully lyrical and haunting, with an almost fairytale-like quality, but underneath that magic is a darker story about persecution, fear, and the treatment of women during the witch hunts. Some moments were heartbreaking and uncomfortable to read, but intentionally so, and it made the story feel all the more powerful.

I also really enjoyed the romance woven through the story. It never overshadowed the historical elements or the darker themes, but instead added another emotional layer to Caiti’s journey.

If you love historical fantasy filled with folklore, fae courts, forbidden love, witchcraft, and immersive atmospheric storytelling, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Elif · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was my first Kate Forsyth book, and I immediately picked it up when browsing NetGalley because my mum’s such a fan. It was an easy read and I was often going “one more page” before falling asleep in the middle of the night (always a sign of a good book!)

Starting with the things I liked the most: the setting and Scottish folklore were the biggest selling points for me. I enjoyed that it was a light fantasy even though it had hard and dark moments. I loved how Forsyth intertwined the story with the folklore, and was thoroughly impressed by the level of research and care that went into it. That’s how you write a respectful folklore adaptation!!

I have to say when I began, I thought it would be closer to YA than an adult fantasy. The language and point of view just read as a little juvenile, so when we reached the first Adult scene, I was a bit taken aback. I don’t know why Caiti’s internal voice read as more childish to me, but it did throw me off a bit. This book isn’t marketed as YA but as a romantic fantasy, so I could have guessed it was more adult, but the voice of the narrative did throw me off. It’s worth considering if you’re looking to buy this for a young person!

Honestly, I wanted it to be longer. I felt some parts were a little rushed, and would have loved to spend more time with the characters. I did definitely feel like this was setting out for a deeper plot, and am looking forward to how the story unravels!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books Australia for providing me with this ARC read!

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

The changeling is a beautifully crafted, lush historical fiction steeped in Scottish Folklore.

It takes place in the mid 1500’s when Queen Mary returns to Scotland from France, and the beginning of the witch trials.

There are parts of this story where we’re confronted with the awful abuse that Queen Mary had to endure, which was uncomfortable and heart breaking to read, although not graphic as the story does ultimately follow Caitlin as our FMC.

As the name of the novel suggests, our FMC, Caitlin, is a changeling, and upon realising this at the age of 14, her life drastically changes trajectory.

I loved discovering more and more about Caitlin as she grew up, and I loved the slow burn romance between her and Robbie. It progressed naturally and was worked really well into the plot to keep things moving.
The more I think about this book, the more I realise just how much of a journey Caitlin took. There was so many important things happened throughout this story, and it’s obvious that all of it was researched with attention to detail.

I won’t delve any more into the plot, for fear of ruining it for anyone else but I will say that lovers of historical folklore fiction need to read this.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly loved this one!!

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Forsyth is one of my favourite Australian authors - I have read all her books, whether they are for adults, young adults or children's/middle school. I recommend them all!

The Changeling is set in Scotland during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots

The MC, Caiti, finds out she is a changeling, a faery child swapped for a human one. Her real mother is the queen of the Sidhe, the faery folk who live beneath Scotland’s hollow hills. The fairy queen demands that Caiti does her bidding and carry out an act of revenge on her behalf. But Caiti has been brought up to do no evil and loves the human world as that is the only world she has known. She runs away and ends up working in the castle at the court of Mary Queen of Scots. But this is almost like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire as superstition, fear and a powerful church forces the Queen into passing an Anti-Witchcraft Act resulting in witch hunts which placed every woman, including Caiti, in peril.

Caiti has to tread carefully to resist her true mother, hide her magical powers and save the man she loves - cursed by the fae. The Changeling is an amazing blend of history, folklore and romance that results in a page turning fantasy that had me gripped to the end. It is dark in places - but the darkness is not fantasy, it is what really happened to women once they were accused. Not a part of history that we should be proud of, but certainly not a time that should ever be forgotten.

Thank you to Penguin Books for providing an advanced copy of this book, at my request, for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Jo Fryer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to read an arc of The Changeling by Kate Forsyth thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia.

I love Kate Forsyth’s writing, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading previous books of hers so knew I was in for a treat with this one.

The book is based mostly during the 1660s when Mary Queen of Scots returns to Scotland from France where she had lived since she was five years old. It coincides with the hysteria around witchcraft and toward the end of the book, the first witch hunts begin in earnest.

Our protagonist is a changeling, Caiti, who was unaware of this until she turned 14 and her biological mother begins luring her to do her bidding. Caiti resists with all her might but her faerie powers increase nonetheless. Her Great Aunt is a Cunning woman, a kind and loving healer and bee-keeper in Monzie and the family have been raised with love, respect and a do-no-harm mentality. So when Caiti learns she is a changeling and never told, she is angry and runs away. She ends up as a privy cook in the court of Mary Queen of Scots, so we get an inside view of all the treachery that takes place.

This is a historical novel first and foremost, layered expertly with Scottish Folklore and a gentle love story, woven together perfectly. There is magic in the hollow hills…

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Changeling was an absorbing tale. The story of Caiti, who discovers her family is not really hers, and that she is of faery folk, and was placed with the family she has grown up with by her mother, the queen of the Sidhe. Her blood mother tells her she is destined to fulfil her wish for revenge on mortal royalty, something Caiti wants no part of.
I really enjoyed this book, with its elements of Scottish history, blended with a tale of faery folk and witches. Kate Forsyth has written another wonderful fantasy story.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect blend of history and magic to the appetite of historical fiction and fantasy readers alike, Kate Forsyth takes readers into a familiar world, richly described and brimming with folklore.

Forsyth drops the reader into the middle of the story to begin which causes a little bit of confusion and a slow start. As the the plot progresses, the narrative rounds out beautifully though the eyes of Caiti as she grows and works to understand her true self, learning to love, laugh and sorrow, while running from a fate she refuses to accept.

The Changeling is an addictive story that will make you feel joy, anger and heartbreak. It's a story I didn't want to end.

[Books.and.brews_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Changeling is a truely atmospheric folklore tale that immerses you in the story.

Forsyth has weaved a unique historical fiction and Scottish folklore with inspiration from the witch trials of the sixteenth century. The writing style is whimsical and the pacing was patient.

This was my first Kate Forsyth book and I’m interest in seeing her other work!

Thank you so much for Penguin Aus for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Hazel Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Changeling by Kate Forsyth is a beautifully woven tale of magic, mystery, and heart. Rich with folklore and atmospheric storytelling, it completely pulled me into its world from the very first page. The characters felt vivid and real, and the emotional depth gave the story a haunting, unforgettable edge. Enchanting and immersive—I was utterly captivated.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this so much. completely brought me back to my childhood when i was obsessed with fae lore, bringing a mature and adult sense, based on historical events, that my younger self never learnt about! love the authors notes kate writes for her novels as well. completely in awe of such a proficiency, powerful, interesting and smart author.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots and the beginning of witch hunts and trials in Scotland, this book is about Caiti, the changeling of the title, daughter of the queen of the faeries.
I always enjoy Kate Forsyth’s books. They’re well written and researched and always an interesting and enjoyable read.

[Angelynn23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this spellbinding tale of witchcraft inspired by the true story of Scotland’s first witch-hunt. It was an entertaining read and interesting. With so much thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher Penguin Random House Australia for the ARC.

[Lia Dizon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book a beautiful blend of historical fiction and fairytale. It’s so easy to get immersed and lose yourself in the story with the rich folklore, vivid descriptions and immersive atmosphere.

The pacing is slow at first but it pays off as everything comes together. It is a captivating read.

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ALC Review✨

This was enchanting in its Scottish history and folklore.

A changing child, a raging world where witch hunts are beginning.
You will be captivated reading this with its mystical fantasy elements and rich historical setting.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohoho good quality historical fantasy is so back you guys

[Sally Zarka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Forsyth has done it again. A wonderful story of faeries, queens and curses. Magical!