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Sleeper's Castle
Two women, centuries apart. Linked in a place haunted by its history . . .Separated by more than six hundred years of history, two women are drawn together by Sleeper’s Castle, a house steeped in memory and magic. This is an epic tale of forbidden love, cruel revenge and a war that time can’t forget.
Grieving and lost, Miranda has moved to Hay to escape, and slowly she feels herself coming to life in the solitude of the mountains. But her vivid dreams at Sleeper’s Castle introduce her to Catrin, a young women whose gift for foretelling the future embroiled her in a bloody revolt against English rule – many centuries ago.
An unbreakable connection is forged across history. Catrin is reaching out . . . and only Miranda can help. But time is running out…
Sunday Times bestselling author Barbara Erskine returns to Hay in the year that marks the 30th anniversary of her sensational debut bestseller, Lady of Hay.
Readers LOVE Barbara ‘Atmospheric’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Enthralling’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Spellbinding’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Another fabulous read from the mistress of the genre’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Immensely and deeply immersive fiction’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I loved every minute’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘An exceptional writer of great books’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘You can rely on this author to keep you wanting more’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A joy to read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Captivating and engrossing’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Grieving and lost, Miranda has moved to Hay to escape, and slowly she feels herself coming to life in the solitude of the mountains. But her vivid dreams at Sleeper’s Castle introduce her to Catrin, a young women whose gift for foretelling the future embroiled her in a bloody revolt against English rule – many centuries ago.
An unbreakable connection is forged across history. Catrin is reaching out . . . and only Miranda can help. But time is running out…
Sunday Times bestselling author Barbara Erskine returns to Hay in the year that marks the 30th anniversary of her sensational debut bestseller, Lady of Hay.
Readers LOVE Barbara ‘Atmospheric’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Enthralling’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Spellbinding’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Another fabulous read from the mistress of the genre’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Immensely and deeply immersive fiction’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I loved every minute’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘An exceptional writer of great books’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘You can rely on this author to keep you wanting more’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A joy to read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Captivating and engrossing’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
545 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2016
607 people are currently reading
2987 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Erskine
54 books1,278 followersAn historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of six bestselling novels that demonstrate her interest in both history and the supernatural, plus two collections of short stories. Her books have appeared in at least twenty different languages. She lives with her family in an ancient manor house near Colchester, and in a cottage near Hay-on-Wye.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
September 5, 2016
I picked up this book thinking, "This is probably not my type of book."
Three pages in, I was enchanted.
A very good writer can make setting as powerful as character. This is such a book. I've often thought of visiting Wales, but now it is calling to me. I want chill winds and rainy walks and wild country and a rain drenched garden full of the scents of herbs.
And oh, yes, there is a plot here, too, one that stitches together the fates of characters who lived centuries apart. There is magic, a twist or two of romance, mystery and the sort of suspense that makes one forget chores to be done and sleep to be had. And it's a big meaty book, good for several days of immersion.
It's not the sort of book that usually ends up on the Fantasy shelf in book stores, but I have no hesitation in recommending it to fantasy readers. Lovers of contemporary or urban fantasy should also give this one a try. Urban it is not, except in glimpses. But contemporary, definitely.
Oh, and if you enjoy truly dark and believable female antagonists, this tale has a doozy!
Three pages in, I was enchanted.
A very good writer can make setting as powerful as character. This is such a book. I've often thought of visiting Wales, but now it is calling to me. I want chill winds and rainy walks and wild country and a rain drenched garden full of the scents of herbs.
And oh, yes, there is a plot here, too, one that stitches together the fates of characters who lived centuries apart. There is magic, a twist or two of romance, mystery and the sort of suspense that makes one forget chores to be done and sleep to be had. And it's a big meaty book, good for several days of immersion.
It's not the sort of book that usually ends up on the Fantasy shelf in book stores, but I have no hesitation in recommending it to fantasy readers. Lovers of contemporary or urban fantasy should also give this one a try. Urban it is not, except in glimpses. But contemporary, definitely.
Oh, and if you enjoy truly dark and believable female antagonists, this tale has a doozy!
May 24, 2016
For me, Erskine is one author I can sink into and come out the other side satisfied, she just doesn't disappoint. Her storytelling features time travel, ghosts and rich historical elements, all prime ingredients for me, as a reader. This title, coming late June, features all of these elements, so it was the perfect book for a long weekend.
In this split story, Miranda is an artist whose long time partner has recently died, and following his death, his ex-wife descends on their home acting as the grieving widow, and Miranda is without a home. Agreeing to house-sit for a friend, she finds herself in an ancient house on the Welsh border and whether because of her grief or other elements, she starts to dream of the life of a former occupant of the house, Catrin a young woman from the 1400s.
Miranda and the reader are slowly drawn into Catrin's story which includes spells, poetry and most dangerous, politics. As Miranda is drawn more deeply into her dreams, she starts to make connections with Catrin, and if she isn't careful, she could find herself "trapped" in the past.
Fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley and Kate Morton who haven't read Erskine will want to give her a try; this book is one in a long list of titles, all starting 30 years ago with Lady of Hay.
In this split story, Miranda is an artist whose long time partner has recently died, and following his death, his ex-wife descends on their home acting as the grieving widow, and Miranda is without a home. Agreeing to house-sit for a friend, she finds herself in an ancient house on the Welsh border and whether because of her grief or other elements, she starts to dream of the life of a former occupant of the house, Catrin a young woman from the 1400s.
Miranda and the reader are slowly drawn into Catrin's story which includes spells, poetry and most dangerous, politics. As Miranda is drawn more deeply into her dreams, she starts to make connections with Catrin, and if she isn't careful, she could find herself "trapped" in the past.
Fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley and Kate Morton who haven't read Erskine will want to give her a try; this book is one in a long list of titles, all starting 30 years ago with Lady of Hay.
April 12, 2016
This is a good book. In fact, if you have never read a Barbara Erskine this is probably a great book and I'm quite sure you will love it. I, however, have read many Barbara Erskine books and enjoyed them all but perhaps they no longer have quite the magic and mystery that they once held for me. The entwining of dual time periods is always fascinating and the historical details the author brings to the books always makes me want to learn more about the period and the real life people. This time though I felt that the modern day story was a little thin and the characters slightly two dimensional and their actions just a little contrived.
I will wholeheartedly recommend Barbara Erskine though, just perhaps don't start with this book.
I will wholeheartedly recommend Barbara Erskine though, just perhaps don't start with this book.
January 23, 2021
Dieses Buch hat wirklich widersprüchliche Gefühle in mir ausgelöst. Die Thematik hat mich total interessiert und fasziniert. Ich mag historische Romane, und gerade das 15. Jahrhundert finde ich dabei sehr spannend. Ich mag Zeitreisen, wie sie ja hier im Buch in den Träumen der Protagonistin stattfinden. Ich liebe Wales und Schottland. Alte Burgen und Schlösser und Herrenhäuser faszinieren mich. Also müsste dieses Buch perfekt für mich sein. Und doch gab es einige Passagen, die mir nicht schlüssig erschienen bzw. wo ich die Gefühle und Taten der Protagonisten nicht nachvollziehen konnte. Dennoch hatte die Geschichte etwas, das mich in ihren Bann ziehen konnte, und somit kann ich auch vier Sterne vergeben.
July 22, 2016
I don't do reviews, enough to say that I loved this book, my first by Barbara Erskine...but not my last! Now on to Lady of Hay...
June 22, 2016
This year is the 30th anniversary of Barbara Erskine's novel "The Lady Of Hay" This book is connected to it, but I have not read "The Lady of Hay" and it's not necessary to have read it to read or enjoy the book (luckily) Although, I intend to read it at some point. Anyway on to the book "Sleepers Castle"
Miranda Dysart (Andy) has recently lost her longtime partner Graham and has been ejected from their shared home by his vengeful estranged wife Rhona (who left Graham years ago for another man). When Andy is offered the chance to housesit an old house in the wilds of Wales, she jumps at the chance to get away and heal. Sleeper's Castle has a mysterious air about it and it's not long before Andy starts to feel like she is not alone. Her dreams become more real as she keeps slipping back into the past and sees the lives of Catrin and her father in the 1400's at Sleeper's castle.
Andy, unconsciously also finds she has the ability to slip back to Kew and the home she was happy in with her partner. Rhonda is in residence at their old home and becomes more and more obsessed with Andy and doing her harm as she sees her appear at the house. She travels up to Wales to try and do Andy harm. As Andy becomes more wrapped up in Catrin's story, she starts to have problems with separating the past and the present. There is a little romance along the way for Andy as well in the form of the taciturn gardener Bryn who comes to tend the herb garden at Sleeper's Castle.
I found it interesting to read and I have seen others say they found it slow, but I love history and although the story unfolds at a steady pace I did not find it boring. Once or twice Andy irritated me slightly when she was dealing with Rhonda. If someone had left me for dead, I wouldn't have cared if there were no witnesses or not, I would have still reported her to the police!
Miranda Dysart (Andy) has recently lost her longtime partner Graham and has been ejected from their shared home by his vengeful estranged wife Rhona (who left Graham years ago for another man). When Andy is offered the chance to housesit an old house in the wilds of Wales, she jumps at the chance to get away and heal. Sleeper's Castle has a mysterious air about it and it's not long before Andy starts to feel like she is not alone. Her dreams become more real as she keeps slipping back into the past and sees the lives of Catrin and her father in the 1400's at Sleeper's castle.
Andy, unconsciously also finds she has the ability to slip back to Kew and the home she was happy in with her partner. Rhonda is in residence at their old home and becomes more and more obsessed with Andy and doing her harm as she sees her appear at the house. She travels up to Wales to try and do Andy harm. As Andy becomes more wrapped up in Catrin's story, she starts to have problems with separating the past and the present. There is a little romance along the way for Andy as well in the form of the taciturn gardener Bryn who comes to tend the herb garden at Sleeper's Castle.
I found it interesting to read and I have seen others say they found it slow, but I love history and although the story unfolds at a steady pace I did not find it boring. Once or twice Andy irritated me slightly when she was dealing with Rhonda. If someone had left me for dead, I wouldn't have cared if there were no witnesses or not, I would have still reported her to the police!
July 9, 2016
I've been a fan of Barbara Erskine's books since I first read Lady of Hay over twenty years ago. I wasn't over keen on her last book The Darkest Hour but feel she's back on track with this one.
Miranda, Andy to her friends, goes to stay in Sleeper's Castle to house sit for her friend Sue, who is going to Australia for a year. It comes at the perfect time for Andy as she has just lost her partner of ten years and also her home and possessions to her partner's ex-wife who appears to be slightly unhinged.
Staying at Sleeper's she meets lots of new friends. Ella and Roy run a bookshop in Hay, Sian is a friend of Sue's who lives nearby and Bryn is the gardener who comes and goes as he pleases and appears to be quite surly. Then we have the mysterious Meryn who is mentioned a lot but doesn't appear until half way through the book.
Andy is a sensitive person and can sense ghosts. When she stays in Sleeper's Castle she starts to 'time slip' in her dreams. She goes back to the time of uprising and revolution between Wales and England.
Here she encounters Catrin and her father Daffyd who live in Sleeper's centuries before. Their housekeeper, Joan and a young boy Peter also live there. Edmund, Joan's brother is called on to assist Catrin's father. He and Catrin fall in love but there are many obstacles in their path.
This book is all action. The happenings of the past and present combine. There are lots of factual people from the past in the story as well as the fictional characters. And let's not forget the mad ex-wife and a cat with a very supercilious expression.
This is a fantastic read. History abounds here and the fictional story is every bit as good. The writing is superb as usual. Be prepared for sleepless nights if you start this book. You won't be able to put it down.
Miranda, Andy to her friends, goes to stay in Sleeper's Castle to house sit for her friend Sue, who is going to Australia for a year. It comes at the perfect time for Andy as she has just lost her partner of ten years and also her home and possessions to her partner's ex-wife who appears to be slightly unhinged.
Staying at Sleeper's she meets lots of new friends. Ella and Roy run a bookshop in Hay, Sian is a friend of Sue's who lives nearby and Bryn is the gardener who comes and goes as he pleases and appears to be quite surly. Then we have the mysterious Meryn who is mentioned a lot but doesn't appear until half way through the book.
Andy is a sensitive person and can sense ghosts. When she stays in Sleeper's Castle she starts to 'time slip' in her dreams. She goes back to the time of uprising and revolution between Wales and England.
Here she encounters Catrin and her father Daffyd who live in Sleeper's centuries before. Their housekeeper, Joan and a young boy Peter also live there. Edmund, Joan's brother is called on to assist Catrin's father. He and Catrin fall in love but there are many obstacles in their path.
This book is all action. The happenings of the past and present combine. There are lots of factual people from the past in the story as well as the fictional characters. And let's not forget the mad ex-wife and a cat with a very supercilious expression.
This is a fantastic read. History abounds here and the fictional story is every bit as good. The writing is superb as usual. Be prepared for sleepless nights if you start this book. You won't be able to put it down.
August 30, 2017
I read Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine when it was first released some 30 years ago and I have never ever forgotten it. It remains one of my all time favourite books. I read a few of her books afterwards but thought they became a little run of the mill so abandoned them. However when I saw this one was written to mark 30 years of Lady of Hay, I couldn't wait to read it.
I did enjoy it for the most part, but felt it was quite repetitive and, to be honest, overlong. Rhona is very unbelievable and totally far fetched in the extreme. I preferred the characters in 1400, Catrin, Edmund etc, rather than the ones in the present day, Andy (Miranda), Sue, Bryn and Meryn; the latter of which I absolutely loved and would have liked to have had more of his story and background. Sue is another far fetched character and I didn't believe her story at all and why she did what she did. That was just stretching the imagination a little too far!
I loved Pepper, the cat. What a wonderful pet he would make.
I actually rate this 3.5 stars but obviously there are no half scores. It is, as always, beautifully written and I enjoyed reading the Welsh history.
I would recommend reading Lady of Hay first and a couple of her books after that but, hand on heart, would say don't start with this one as its not one of her best (in my humble opinion, of course).
I did enjoy it for the most part, but felt it was quite repetitive and, to be honest, overlong. Rhona is very unbelievable and totally far fetched in the extreme. I preferred the characters in 1400, Catrin, Edmund etc, rather than the ones in the present day, Andy (Miranda), Sue, Bryn and Meryn; the latter of which I absolutely loved and would have liked to have had more of his story and background. Sue is another far fetched character and I didn't believe her story at all and why she did what she did. That was just stretching the imagination a little too far!
I loved Pepper, the cat. What a wonderful pet he would make.
I actually rate this 3.5 stars but obviously there are no half scores. It is, as always, beautifully written and I enjoyed reading the Welsh history.
I would recommend reading Lady of Hay first and a couple of her books after that but, hand on heart, would say don't start with this one as its not one of her best (in my humble opinion, of course).
September 13, 2016
Sleeper’s Castle by Barbara Erskine
I borrowed Erskine’s Sleeper’s Castle from the library, and enjoyed it so much that I shall buy a copy to put on the bookshelf on which I keep novels I treasure, and will read more than once.
Sleeper’s castle in the era of Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales, who waged a campaign to free Wales from Henry IV of England.
In this time slip novel, Andy has been made homeless by her partner’s vindictive former wife. She grabs the opportunity be the caretaker of Sleeper’s Castle while the owner is away for a year.
At night, Andy visits the past in which Catrin, a poet and seer, daughter of a bard, lived in Sleeper’s Castle. “Called upon to foretell Wales’ destiny Catrin is caught in the middle of a dangerous political game.”
“Catrin is reaching out…and only Andy can help.”
I enjoyed Erskine’s description of the land around Hay on Wye where Sleeper’s Castle is nestled, her descriptions of herbal remedies, spells and so much more.
Erskine’s novels, with their superb conflict and tension, have never disappointed me. I look forward to reading her next one.
I borrowed Erskine’s Sleeper’s Castle from the library, and enjoyed it so much that I shall buy a copy to put on the bookshelf on which I keep novels I treasure, and will read more than once.
Sleeper’s castle in the era of Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales, who waged a campaign to free Wales from Henry IV of England.
In this time slip novel, Andy has been made homeless by her partner’s vindictive former wife. She grabs the opportunity be the caretaker of Sleeper’s Castle while the owner is away for a year.
At night, Andy visits the past in which Catrin, a poet and seer, daughter of a bard, lived in Sleeper’s Castle. “Called upon to foretell Wales’ destiny Catrin is caught in the middle of a dangerous political game.”
“Catrin is reaching out…and only Andy can help.”
I enjoyed Erskine’s description of the land around Hay on Wye where Sleeper’s Castle is nestled, her descriptions of herbal remedies, spells and so much more.
Erskine’s novels, with their superb conflict and tension, have never disappointed me. I look forward to reading her next one.
July 15, 2017
I have loved Barbara Erskine's books forever and I think she is a master of the time-slip fantasy genre. I usually enjoy the way she links her 2 disparate settings and creates a magical link which affects both the past and the present.
This is a well written book and yet I was somewhat disappointed. I read it on holiday - so no distractions - and yet it did not hold my attention as well as I was expecting. Dare I say it? it was just a little predictable in the plotting and stereotypical in the characterisation?
I think perhaps the way the heroine just gave up and allowed herself to be trampled on by her lover's first wife was the first thing which I disliked. Believable for a 50s young girl but for a 21st century woman? Okay, maybe I am being picky and a little hard on her; but I also really didn't buy the way everyone conspired to deprive her of what her lover clearly wanted to have.
Then the character of that ex was just so unbelievably one-dimensional. I don't know whether it's me getting older but I like a bit of depth and range in my villains. I don't want them to be so obviously signposted and irredeemable!
I didn't dislike this book and of course as it's a Barbara Erskine it is not badly written and it is quite entertaining.
Just didn't give me the pleasure I normally get from her books.
This is a well written book and yet I was somewhat disappointed. I read it on holiday - so no distractions - and yet it did not hold my attention as well as I was expecting. Dare I say it? it was just a little predictable in the plotting and stereotypical in the characterisation?
I think perhaps the way the heroine just gave up and allowed herself to be trampled on by her lover's first wife was the first thing which I disliked. Believable for a 50s young girl but for a 21st century woman? Okay, maybe I am being picky and a little hard on her; but I also really didn't buy the way everyone conspired to deprive her of what her lover clearly wanted to have.
Then the character of that ex was just so unbelievably one-dimensional. I don't know whether it's me getting older but I like a bit of depth and range in my villains. I don't want them to be so obviously signposted and irredeemable!
I didn't dislike this book and of course as it's a Barbara Erskine it is not badly written and it is quite entertaining.
Just didn't give me the pleasure I normally get from her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2018
I think I waited 2 years too long to read this book! It is a masterpiece in my mind. Yes, it's long and the story is complicated. That's why it took me so long to read it. But, every word is perfectly placed and the story is so amazing that you need to stop reading and think about what you've read before continuing. I loved the story and the mingling of past and present. It was a little confusing at first, but after stopping to think about it, it became much easier. Great story by an amazing author!
July 11, 2017
I did have a major problem with one of the characters thinking and acting and even if the character was described as a sociopath I still felt that she disrupted the flow of the story in a number of occasions. Still, this was a wonderfully interesting book that held my attention and made me wonder afterwards...
March 15, 2025
Hardback.
Borrowed from a work colleague, and to be honest, I didn’t have high hopes of enjoying it, as I’ve often struggled with BE books before.
This was told in different timelines and I found the ‘ cloaked woman’ chapters a bit irritating!🤪. The plot felt rather weak and didn’t thrill me .
Positive… it was easy enough to read .
Borrowed from a work colleague, and to be honest, I didn’t have high hopes of enjoying it, as I’ve often struggled with BE books before.
This was told in different timelines and I found the ‘ cloaked woman’ chapters a bit irritating!🤪. The plot felt rather weak and didn’t thrill me .
Positive… it was easy enough to read .
September 30, 2016
Barbara Erskine has been over the years’ one of my favourite authors and Lady of Hay one of my all time favourite reads ever. I wanted to absolutely love this book and I so wanted to give this book 5 stars but I found some of the book a little long and a bit repetitive that I just wanted to hurry it up. The entwining dual time periods is done really well but I particularly liked the 1400’s better. The historical aspect is enthralling and captivating and takes you to another time and place effortlessly with wonderful characters. The modern characters let this book down a little for me, but still enjoyed seeing how they come out in the end! Fans of the historical dual time books will enjoy this read.
January 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the historical aspect as well as the dream travelling between the past and present as well as the paranormal element. There was a solid storyline with several sub plots and some unexpected twists and turns. The writing was easy to read and I liked all the characters, and the addition of a modern psychopath made it all the more interesting. This was the first book by Barbara Erskine that I’ve read and I enjoyed it so much I’ll definitely be looking into more of her books. I would recommend this book if you like books by Susanna Kearsley and like historical mysteries.
April 7, 2017
Fantastic book. Barbara Erskine once again didn't fail to disappoint.
October 14, 2018
Sleepers Castle was once a fortified manor, medieval, the story goes back to ancient druid times "a place for sacred dreaming" and this sets the scene of the story of Catrin who lives in the past - 1400.
The present - Andy who arrives at Sleepers Castle discovers she is possessed by dreams of Catrin and her tragic life, but not only does Andy have to deal with such real, vivid dreams, but lurking gleefully in the distance, is a jealous ex wife, plotting and planning to get her revenge.
This book encaptured me into a world of intrigue. I found Barbara Erskine writing, memorizing, as she weaves past and present so cleverly, that I noticed in one sentence she had combined the two and it flowed so well, that it didn't seem disjointed at all.
There were some aspects to the story that I wasn't fond of, where I skipped a few pages, due to the goriness of the battles and the violent dreams Catrin had, but I didn't lose the gist of the storyline.
I would recommend this book, to readers who loves historical fiction novels, readers who like past and present, or time slip books, readers who like descriptive battles
scenes and to writers/authors who want to zone into the dark side for some inspirational writing.
The present - Andy who arrives at Sleepers Castle discovers she is possessed by dreams of Catrin and her tragic life, but not only does Andy have to deal with such real, vivid dreams, but lurking gleefully in the distance, is a jealous ex wife, plotting and planning to get her revenge.
This book encaptured me into a world of intrigue. I found Barbara Erskine writing, memorizing, as she weaves past and present so cleverly, that I noticed in one sentence she had combined the two and it flowed so well, that it didn't seem disjointed at all.
There were some aspects to the story that I wasn't fond of, where I skipped a few pages, due to the goriness of the battles and the violent dreams Catrin had, but I didn't lose the gist of the storyline.
I would recommend this book, to readers who loves historical fiction novels, readers who like past and present, or time slip books, readers who like descriptive battles
scenes and to writers/authors who want to zone into the dark side for some inspirational writing.
August 2, 2016
I loved this, Barbara Erskine on top form. Take a recently bereaved, emotionally vulnerable woman and have her do a favour for a friend by housesitting in an old house on the Welsh Marches, close to Hay-on Wye. She's living there on her own, of course, apart from a cat called Pepper, short for Culpepper. Add another woman to the mix, one who lived in the same house hundred of years before, a mysterious gardener, a vindictive ex-wife, a good dollop of Welsh history, misty hills, herbal lore and spells to change the weather, and it's another winner from Miss Erskine.
September 6, 2016
absolutely brilliant atmospheric read
July 24, 2016
This book doesn't disappoint! It's back in the vein of the original Barbara Erskine novels for which I was very pleased about.
We are back in Hay-on-Wye where her first novel was set, and the story is of dual time-line which I very much enjoy.
Up in the Welsh mountains we encounter ghosts and magic and two stories linked by the house called Sleeper's Castle. I loved the historical side of the story, and the author manages to paint a vivid picture of what it was like to live in the times around 1400.
The story started off well, it did get a little slow at the half way mark, but sped up well in the last third.
I was a little disappointed with the author's previous book (The Darkest Hour) so I was very glad to see that with Sleeper's Castle she has written a far better story.
Definitely one to read again!
We are back in Hay-on-Wye where her first novel was set, and the story is of dual time-line which I very much enjoy.
Up in the Welsh mountains we encounter ghosts and magic and two stories linked by the house called Sleeper's Castle. I loved the historical side of the story, and the author manages to paint a vivid picture of what it was like to live in the times around 1400.
The story started off well, it did get a little slow at the half way mark, but sped up well in the last third.
I was a little disappointed with the author's previous book (The Darkest Hour) so I was very glad to see that with Sleeper's Castle she has written a far better story.
Definitely one to read again!
July 13, 2016
I think maybe that I have become too used to Barbara Erskine's formula - the plot follows an inevitable pattern, someone contemporary linking to someone in history through ghostly catalysts in historical buildings, which allows us to hear about some historical event as it played out in the lives of people living through it. And although the historical event changes with each story, the technique varies very little. An enjoyable read set in a part of the world of which I am very fond, but the magic of the formula is wearing a bit thin. The evil Rhona is just two dimensional for words, and that the strong silent Bryn should happen to be a descendent of the historical Edmund and Catrin whilst also a psychologist moonlighting as a rugged gardener type .... obviously I've grown out of this genre! The writing is not too clunky and I did read on to the end, but ....
July 18, 2016
An enjoyable read and I always end up buying the hardback as i cant wait those extra months for the paperback. The book started of at a great pace and very edgy... I have to say the last few chapters lost the excitement and seemed rushed.
The storyline with Bryn and Andy was a little weak and Meryn should have been in the storyline much earlier
The storyline with Bryn and Andy was a little weak and Meryn should have been in the storyline much earlier
September 8, 2018
Meh. This book was enough to tide me over on a transatlantic flight and a long layover, but it didn’t grip me like it seemed to do to everyone else. I didn’t care about the modern story line. The feud between Rhona and Andy was kinda stupid and Rhona’s character was more irritating than intimidating. But the setting was lush and immersive and I was rather intrigued by the historical story line.
November 29, 2019
I went back to this book after a long spell just to get it finished. I have always enjoyed this author's books especially the first two. They are interesting reads about hypnotic regression and two lives coming together, one from centuries ago and one from the present day. Now I feel they are getting a bit samey. Nevertheless I would recommend her earlier books, especially the first two... to anyone new to this author.
March 12, 2018
I was so hopeful, after reading reviews of this book, the finally Barbara Erskine was back. Wrong. I was having issues with the book as early as page 6. First of all we never know Andy's age. We know that Graham was in his mid-fifties when he died. Our heroine lived with a married man for 10 years while his wife was off living with other men. What happened to divorce? Rhona, according to the book was a sociopath. That fact seems only to have reared its ugly head after Graham's death. Then there's the will. Graham entrusted the will to his wife's sister's husband??? So Rhona, sister and brother-in-law all in collusion? Our heroine not afraid to spend nights and days alone in a desolate haunted manor house...but can't fight for her rights as Graham's partner? Her friend Sue "hears through the grapevine" of Andy's plight...what? A close friend and she doesn't know what's happening? Also Andy's use of the word "nymphomaniac" when referring to Rhona...that word went out of fashion in the 70's. No self-respecting woman would use that word in this century.
Then there's the predictability of the plot lines. Inevitable that Andy and Bryn are destined. We can predict that somehow Andy will find another copy of the will at some point. Predictable is Rhonda's end. Laughable is how all the people Andy meets believe her "dreams". I did like the history...and I do like Ms. Erskine's writing style.
Then there's the predictability of the plot lines. Inevitable that Andy and Bryn are destined. We can predict that somehow Andy will find another copy of the will at some point. Predictable is Rhonda's end. Laughable is how all the people Andy meets believe her "dreams". I did like the history...and I do like Ms. Erskine's writing style.
August 15, 2016
After reading the Sleeping Castle slowly I might add, it has come to an end. Not quite as moving or even historical as Lady of Hay, but still a wonderful read. It was lovely to read about Meryn again, he is such a lovely character. At times I found the main protagonist Andy(Miranda) irrational and the character Rhonda, well she did add to the tension and suspense but I can not believe that she was allowed to do so much harm, before the police were involved. I loved the story in the past, but there seemed to be a lot of hostilities amongst the characters. I loved reading about Owain Glyndŵr’s rebellion against the English. All in all though, I really did enjoy it! Not Barbara's best, but still a good read!
I would give it 4
I would give it 4
April 22, 2016
Sleepers Castle is a must read for all Barbara Erskine fans, Thirty years have passed since she wrote about Hay, ( Lady of Hay) and this is a welcome return, Once again she weaves her magic and draws her readers in, not letting them go until the last page has been turned,,
October 16, 2024
Wow. I don't even know what to say. When I first saw this book in a book store in Hay I didn't realize it was set in the place itself. Throw time travel and just the smallest bit of romance into the mix and I'm a happy gal
May 24, 2025
The change in periods took me a little while to get into, but once I'd settled I really enjoyed this book & the intricancies of the story.
August 31, 2017
In the author's defense, this is not my usual sort of book. I bought it because Robin Hobb gave it a 5 star review, and I absolutely love her writing.
I did enjoy the format of the book. The way the modern and past were woven together in the two storylines was really interesting, and I thought the ghost story aspect was originally done and entertaining. I loved the history of Wales, which I knew nothing about, and I enjoyed the magical elements.
I really didn't like the characters. Both the lead female characters were pretty wet. They both sat around waiting for men to save them, or being bossed around by various men. The modern Andy in particular, who just gave up her house because a woman was being nasty to her?? I just don't buy it. At one point she also said something about 'the type of kitchen all women dream of'. I'm pretty sure many women don't dream about nice kitchens, it was unnecessary, lazy stereotyping. She also kept going on about how wonderful her dead husband was, but at the same time literally everything she told us about him made him sound like a horrible man who stopped her doing all the things she loved.
Then there's the two evil characters. The modern day evil character is just so one-dimensionally and extremely evil that it's not believable in the slightest. The past evil character is a bit better, but you still can't really understand why he behaves in the awful way he does.
I did enjoy the format of the book. The way the modern and past were woven together in the two storylines was really interesting, and I thought the ghost story aspect was originally done and entertaining. I loved the history of Wales, which I knew nothing about, and I enjoyed the magical elements.
I really didn't like the characters. Both the lead female characters were pretty wet. They both sat around waiting for men to save them, or being bossed around by various men. The modern Andy in particular, who just gave up her house because a woman was being nasty to her?? I just don't buy it. At one point she also said something about 'the type of kitchen all women dream of'. I'm pretty sure many women don't dream about nice kitchens, it was unnecessary, lazy stereotyping. She also kept going on about how wonderful her dead husband was, but at the same time literally everything she told us about him made him sound like a horrible man who stopped her doing all the things she loved.
Then there's the two evil characters. The modern day evil character is just so one-dimensionally and extremely evil that it's not believable in the slightest. The past evil character is a bit better, but you still can't really understand why he behaves in the awful way he does.
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