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A Strange and Terrible Wonder
A Historical Folk Horror Novel of the Lost Colony of Roanoke
Eleanor Dare, daughter of Roanoke’s Governor John White, has no choice but to accompany her overly ambitious husband Ananias and her idealist, yet inexperienced father to England’s new colony. Manteo of Croatoan wants nothing more than to cast off his association with the English and return home. Haunted by memories of an unexplainable event, he sets out to find the truth about what was brought to Roanoke by the English two years before as a weapon against the Spanish.
Based on real people who vanished from history, Eleanor and Manteo form a taboo friendship as they work against unseen forces to end the violent and otherworldly attacks upon the settlement. In the midst of this survival scenario, both Eleanor and Manteo—once powerless and marginalized in England, emerge as unlikely leaders of the ravaged colony.
Blending 16th century science, occult, and the impacts of early colonialism, A Strange and Terrible Wonder reimagines what became of the Lost Colony.
Eleanor Dare, daughter of Roanoke’s Governor John White, has no choice but to accompany her overly ambitious husband Ananias and her idealist, yet inexperienced father to England’s new colony. Manteo of Croatoan wants nothing more than to cast off his association with the English and return home. Haunted by memories of an unexplainable event, he sets out to find the truth about what was brought to Roanoke by the English two years before as a weapon against the Spanish.
Based on real people who vanished from history, Eleanor and Manteo form a taboo friendship as they work against unseen forces to end the violent and otherworldly attacks upon the settlement. In the midst of this survival scenario, both Eleanor and Manteo—once powerless and marginalized in England, emerge as unlikely leaders of the ravaged colony.
Blending 16th century science, occult, and the impacts of early colonialism, A Strange and Terrible Wonder reimagines what became of the Lost Colony.
ebook
Published August 18, 2026
About the author
Nichole Louise
4 books17 followersNichole Louise is a speculative historical fiction writer and book reviewer (NicholeLouise.com). Raven Rock (2023), a prequel to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, was recognized by Writer’s Digest, the Historical Fiction Company, and the CIBAs. Her articles and book reviews have appeared in the Journal of the American Revolution. Her second title, A Strange and Terrible Wonder (2026) is a historical folk horror tale exploring the Lost Colony of Roanoke. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gaming, watching old horror movies, and volunteering at Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society.
Goodreads ratings:
5 stars: Loved it!
4 stars: Really enjoyed it
3 stars: somewhere between entertaining, okay, frustrating, & neutral
2 stars: not my thing*
1 star: hard to get through, really not my thing*
*I don't really rate books 1 or 2 stars because I will most likely DNF in those scenarios
Goodreads ratings:
5 stars: Loved it!
4 stars: Really enjoyed it
3 stars: somewhere between entertaining, okay, frustrating, & neutral
2 stars: not my thing*
1 star: hard to get through, really not my thing*
*I don't really rate books 1 or 2 stars because I will most likely DNF in those scenarios
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2026
I forgot to update my progress on this book. Oops.
I was really excited for this book because I had never heard of a story about the Roanoke colony before (I'm sure others exist, I just never encountered any before this book). And I thought that was such a cool jumping off point for a spooky story.
Sadly, I am a know-it-all and that did cause me to get a bit annoyed. Using this stereotypical sort of old-timey talk (using "ye" etc.) was considered old-fashioned and out of date when Shakespeare did it...it was not a thing these people would've been doing. And I guess you can rationalize that the colonies were behind on the vocab trends, but not like half a century behind. Sadly, that did take me out of the story. It made no contextual sense and is very stilted for the modern reader. I get what the author was trying to do with that - vibes - but I think it hindered the story more than helped it.
I really wish I liked this book more, I really was expecting to. But I just couldn't get into it. It had so much potential for me. But I do still think that other readers will enjoy it. Especially if they're fans of spooky stories, theories, and historical settings.
Although we know what happened with Roanoke, it's still so fun to think of strange theories. I did have a lot of fun with that part.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I was really excited for this book because I had never heard of a story about the Roanoke colony before (I'm sure others exist, I just never encountered any before this book). And I thought that was such a cool jumping off point for a spooky story.
Sadly, I am a know-it-all and that did cause me to get a bit annoyed. Using this stereotypical sort of old-timey talk (using "ye" etc.) was considered old-fashioned and out of date when Shakespeare did it...it was not a thing these people would've been doing. And I guess you can rationalize that the colonies were behind on the vocab trends, but not like half a century behind. Sadly, that did take me out of the story. It made no contextual sense and is very stilted for the modern reader. I get what the author was trying to do with that - vibes - but I think it hindered the story more than helped it.
I really wish I liked this book more, I really was expecting to. But I just couldn't get into it. It had so much potential for me. But I do still think that other readers will enjoy it. Especially if they're fans of spooky stories, theories, and historical settings.
Although we know what happened with Roanoke, it's still so fun to think of strange theories. I did have a lot of fun with that part.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
September 5, 2026
Some books you finish. Some books haunt you.
A Strange and Terrible Wonder is atmospheric, unsettling, and beautifully strange. A haunting reimagining of Roanoke filled with mystery, supernatural dread, and the feeling that the land itself is watching.
Manteo’s story stayed with me the most, especially his struggle between two worlds. And Eleanor’s journey is absolutely heartbreaking.
The horror is quiet, the atmosphere is immaculate, and that ending left me staring at the page like… excuse me??? 😭
Haunting. Beautiful. Unsettling. Heartbreaking.
A story about land, belonging, loss, and the things that happen when we refuse to listen.
A Strange and Terrible Wonder is atmospheric, unsettling, and beautifully strange. A haunting reimagining of Roanoke filled with mystery, supernatural dread, and the feeling that the land itself is watching.
Manteo’s story stayed with me the most, especially his struggle between two worlds. And Eleanor’s journey is absolutely heartbreaking.
The horror is quiet, the atmosphere is immaculate, and that ending left me staring at the page like… excuse me??? 😭
Haunting. Beautiful. Unsettling. Heartbreaking.
A story about land, belonging, loss, and the things that happen when we refuse to listen.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
Thank you to Net Galley, Xpresso Book Tours and Nichole Louse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The historical fiction horror story, A Strange and Terrible Wonder explores the Roanoke Colony’s experience in Virginia and creates a scenario for what could have happened to the Lost Colony.
Prior to the beginning of the narrative, the English had brought a mysterious weapon to the colony and now men, women and children will venture out across the Atlantic to establish a true colony on the island.
Among them are Eleanor Dare, her father, John White who is the new governor of the colony and her very politically ambitious husband. Ananias. On the voyage are two members of Croatoan tribe, Manteo and Towaye who had gone to England as emissaries.
Once on the island, mysterious and terrifying occurrences take place possibly linked to the weapon that had been housed there. The colony is under siege and several colonists are hunted and killed. In a surprising plot twist, Eleanor Dare and Manteo take up the cause to save the rest of the colonists.
The overall story is engaging and because it is derived from the mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke would have a special interest to those readers who are drawn to historical accounts. The characters of Eleanor and Manteo are particularly well drawn and I found them to be likeable. Eleanor emerges as a strong protagonist and heroic figure which I found particularly exciting.
I found the story to lag quite a bit especially in the beginning. There dialogue is tedious in the way the that reading language from the 16th century can be for the modern reader, but it seemed to be authentic. So, at times I did find the narrative less engaging. Once we arrive at the colony and the terrifying supernatural assault begin, the story does become more interesting and the ending is particularly satisfying.
Thank you to Net Galley, Xpresso Book Tours and Nichole Louse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The historical fiction horror story, A Strange and Terrible Wonder explores the Roanoke Colony’s experience in Virginia and creates a scenario for what could have happened to the Lost Colony.
Prior to the beginning of the narrative, the English had brought a mysterious weapon to the colony and now men, women and children will venture out across the Atlantic to establish a true colony on the island.
Among them are Eleanor Dare, her father, John White who is the new governor of the colony and her very politically ambitious husband. Ananias. On the voyage are two members of Croatoan tribe, Manteo and Towaye who had gone to England as emissaries.
Once on the island, mysterious and terrifying occurrences take place possibly linked to the weapon that had been housed there. The colony is under siege and several colonists are hunted and killed. In a surprising plot twist, Eleanor Dare and Manteo take up the cause to save the rest of the colonists.
The overall story is engaging and because it is derived from the mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke would have a special interest to those readers who are drawn to historical accounts. The characters of Eleanor and Manteo are particularly well drawn and I found them to be likeable. Eleanor emerges as a strong protagonist and heroic figure which I found particularly exciting.
I found the story to lag quite a bit especially in the beginning. There dialogue is tedious in the way the that reading language from the 16th century can be for the modern reader, but it seemed to be authentic. So, at times I did find the narrative less engaging. Once we arrive at the colony and the terrifying supernatural assault begin, the story does become more interesting and the ending is particularly satisfying.
August 26, 2026
I loved this book. Five stars, no question. My immediate reaction upon finishing it was that I wanted to read more about the Roanoke colony—and then I wanted to find more books by this author. That is about as strong an endorsement as I can give.
The setting is wonderfully unusual for the horror genre. Rather than relying on Native American mythology for its supernatural elements, which is always fun but a very predictable trope, the book draws from English mythology and cryptid lore, creating a genuinely eerie atmosphere around one of the most famous mysteries in American history. The horror is more existential, psychological, and atmospheric than gruesome, and the beast itself is wonderfully spooky. But the most effective horror is human: distrust being deliberately sown among the colonists, women being expected to submit to the men in their lives, and the tendency for the loudest and most foolish voices to become the most influential—with catastrophic consequences.
The historical grounding is exceptional. Nearly every character is based on a real historical figure, and even major plot points are rooted in fact. What impressed me most was how seamlessly those facts were incorporated; I knew a fair amount about Roanoke going in, yet I didn't always realize what was historically documented until reading the author's note. Eleanor's development and Manteo's complicated relationship with the English were particularly well done.
The ending also manages something difficult: it offers an interpretation of Roanoke that accommodates multiple historical theories without pretending to definitively solve a mystery that remains unsolved.
Read the author's note. The sources alone made me want to dive further into the history, and they gave me an even greater appreciation for the research behind this excellent novel.
The setting is wonderfully unusual for the horror genre. Rather than relying on Native American mythology for its supernatural elements, which is always fun but a very predictable trope, the book draws from English mythology and cryptid lore, creating a genuinely eerie atmosphere around one of the most famous mysteries in American history. The horror is more existential, psychological, and atmospheric than gruesome, and the beast itself is wonderfully spooky. But the most effective horror is human: distrust being deliberately sown among the colonists, women being expected to submit to the men in their lives, and the tendency for the loudest and most foolish voices to become the most influential—with catastrophic consequences.
The historical grounding is exceptional. Nearly every character is based on a real historical figure, and even major plot points are rooted in fact. What impressed me most was how seamlessly those facts were incorporated; I knew a fair amount about Roanoke going in, yet I didn't always realize what was historically documented until reading the author's note. Eleanor's development and Manteo's complicated relationship with the English were particularly well done.
The ending also manages something difficult: it offers an interpretation of Roanoke that accommodates multiple historical theories without pretending to definitively solve a mystery that remains unsolved.
Read the author's note. The sources alone made me want to dive further into the history, and they gave me an even greater appreciation for the research behind this excellent novel.
September 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
The Roanoke colony is a particularly fascinating historical mystery to me. It’s just got that weird air of suspicion over it, and while I appreciate that there is some level of resolution about what actually happened now, this book seemed to really pull things together well, and give a new spin on a well-trodden incident.
The characters were incredibly well written, and to see the amount of research and care that went into them at the end when they were explained was wonderful. They were developed fully in their world, and I think that it just worked so well for the setting and the story.
The dialogue was a little difficult to work with in places given some elements were old English and others weren’t, but it’s not too much of a hump to get over, and it does work really well for the book as a whole.
I do think that the ending could have perhaps been a little more speculative and left things more in the air, but it made sense for the story and the characters. The horror elements of the book were particularly well done, and I was appreciative that we were provided a horror brought by the colonists, rather than one that sat with tropes.
Really enjoyed this one, and it would be a fantastic autumn read for anyone looking to cosy up with a tea and a blanket for a spooky story.
The Roanoke colony is a particularly fascinating historical mystery to me. It’s just got that weird air of suspicion over it, and while I appreciate that there is some level of resolution about what actually happened now, this book seemed to really pull things together well, and give a new spin on a well-trodden incident.
The characters were incredibly well written, and to see the amount of research and care that went into them at the end when they were explained was wonderful. They were developed fully in their world, and I think that it just worked so well for the setting and the story.
The dialogue was a little difficult to work with in places given some elements were old English and others weren’t, but it’s not too much of a hump to get over, and it does work really well for the book as a whole.
I do think that the ending could have perhaps been a little more speculative and left things more in the air, but it made sense for the story and the characters. The horror elements of the book were particularly well done, and I was appreciative that we were provided a horror brought by the colonists, rather than one that sat with tropes.
Really enjoyed this one, and it would be a fantastic autumn read for anyone looking to cosy up with a tea and a blanket for a spooky story.
October 6, 2026
A Strange and Terrible Wonder is a satisfying slow burn, that expertly balances historical fiction, folk horror, social commentary, and juicy prose to delivery a very satisfying mood read. We start in 1587 England with our dual POV following Eleanor Dare and Manteo the Croatoan, as they find themselves swept up in the ambitious, yet poorly-planned attempt to establish a permanent colony in Virginia. Once they depart, things steadily unravel with an eerie pace, and as soon as they arrive they quickly discover other agendas -- and threats -- to the nascent Colony. The writing is lush and immersive, and the protagonists are relatable without becoming tropy. And the climax is reminiscent of James Cameron's "Aliens." I would highly recommend this for anyone who ever wondered "What happened to the Lost Colony?"
October 12, 2026
an easy five stars.
this was brilliant. beautifully written, the characters and the story felt so real (obviously they were, you know what i mean).
manteo was everything to me. i want to read this again just to keep him in my mind.
nichole has woven a historical narrative in with supernatural, horrors, and a love story that left me breathless. i cannot possibly recommend this book enough.
this was brilliant. beautifully written, the characters and the story felt so real (obviously they were, you know what i mean).
manteo was everything to me. i want to read this again just to keep him in my mind.
nichole has woven a historical narrative in with supernatural, horrors, and a love story that left me breathless. i cannot possibly recommend this book enough.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews