What do you think?
Rate this book
Sterkarm #2
A Sterkarm Kiss
The follow-up to the award-winning The Sterkarm Handshake : A woman’s return to Scotland’s barbaric past ensnares her in a web of intrigue, danger, and love.
Andrea Mitchell once found acceptance and love among the Sterkarm clan in lawless 1500s Scotland when she gained access to Great Britain’s past via the FUP Corporation’s “Time Tube.” Since her return to the present, she has been unable to readjust to twenty-first century life. So when the company’s CEO, James Windsor, offers to send her back to the violent, colorful era—and her beloved Per Sterkarm—Andrea eagerly agrees.
The past she reenters, however, is not the one she remembers. To avoid potential catastrophic effects on the future, FUP has sent her to a different dimension and an alternate sixteenth century. Here, she is a stranger to her former friends, including her onetime lover Per, who is preparing to marry a daughter of the hated Grannams, the Sterkarms’ sworn enemies.
But the union is part of FUP’s insidious plan to plunder the past of its natural wealth. When the wedding goes brutally, tragically awry, Andrea finds herself caught in the middle, a pawn in a violent endgame devised by Windsor and his greedy cronies. And this time there may not be sanctuary for her among the proud, primitive folk she once admired—or even an escape forward to the future where she truly belongs.
Susan Price’s The Sterkarm Handshake was awarded the Guardian Fiction Prize. In A Sterkarm Kiss , the Carnegie Medal–winning author once again ingeniously blends historical and science fiction in a masterful time-travel adventure as thrilling and unforgettable as its acclaimed predecessor.
Andrea Mitchell once found acceptance and love among the Sterkarm clan in lawless 1500s Scotland when she gained access to Great Britain’s past via the FUP Corporation’s “Time Tube.” Since her return to the present, she has been unable to readjust to twenty-first century life. So when the company’s CEO, James Windsor, offers to send her back to the violent, colorful era—and her beloved Per Sterkarm—Andrea eagerly agrees.
The past she reenters, however, is not the one she remembers. To avoid potential catastrophic effects on the future, FUP has sent her to a different dimension and an alternate sixteenth century. Here, she is a stranger to her former friends, including her onetime lover Per, who is preparing to marry a daughter of the hated Grannams, the Sterkarms’ sworn enemies.
But the union is part of FUP’s insidious plan to plunder the past of its natural wealth. When the wedding goes brutally, tragically awry, Andrea finds herself caught in the middle, a pawn in a violent endgame devised by Windsor and his greedy cronies. And this time there may not be sanctuary for her among the proud, primitive folk she once admired—or even an escape forward to the future where she truly belongs.
Susan Price’s The Sterkarm Handshake was awarded the Guardian Fiction Prize. In A Sterkarm Kiss , the Carnegie Medal–winning author once again ingeniously blends historical and science fiction in a masterful time-travel adventure as thrilling and unforgettable as its acclaimed predecessor.
575 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
9 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 26, 2016
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Susan Price's first Sterkarm novel, A Sterkarm Handshake, many years ago. I never realized that she had written a sequel, which is being rereleased ahead of an upcoming third novel in the series A Sterkarm Tryst (arriving in 2017).
Fans of Outlander will likely enjoy this book, with time travel between present day and 16th century England. Price's ear for historical dialogue rings true, and there is romance and violence to boot. That being said, I don't think this second novel will stick with me as much as the first in the series. It also ends in such a way that sets it up for a third book, but did not feel quite as satisfying to me alone. Solid 3 stars.
I enjoyed Susan Price's first Sterkarm novel, A Sterkarm Handshake, many years ago. I never realized that she had written a sequel, which is being rereleased ahead of an upcoming third novel in the series A Sterkarm Tryst (arriving in 2017).
Fans of Outlander will likely enjoy this book, with time travel between present day and 16th century England. Price's ear for historical dialogue rings true, and there is romance and violence to boot. That being said, I don't think this second novel will stick with me as much as the first in the series. It also ends in such a way that sets it up for a third book, but did not feel quite as satisfying to me alone. Solid 3 stars.
May 18, 2021
I just recently found out that The Sterkarm Handshake was the first of a trilogy. I read the book years ago when it first came out and I wanted to see if it held up. I have to admit the sequel was a bit harder for me to get into because we clear the board and start over. Andrea, who is working as a bartender (although you'd think a scholar like her could at least get a job as a high school history teacher!) is suckered into taking her old job back when she sees Windsor and Per Sterkarm sitting in her bar. Except, it's not quite her Per. James Windsor has decided to try a different 16th century timeline and take a gentler approach with the Sterkarms. Since he knows that Per liked Andrea before, he is hoping she'll provide some extra incentive for the Sterkarms to cooperate with him. Of course, not all is as it seems and once again, Andrea ends up in conflict between the 16th and 21st sides.
This was a fast read but it suffered a bit from middle book syndrome-- it felt like it cut off just a bit too soon. And unlike the first book, it ends on a cliffhanger that makes it clear at least one more book is coming. I'll finish the series for the sake of completion but I'm tempering my expectations.
This was a fast read but it suffered a bit from middle book syndrome-- it felt like it cut off just a bit too soon. And unlike the first book, it ends on a cliffhanger that makes it clear at least one more book is coming. I'll finish the series for the sake of completion but I'm tempering my expectations.
September 1, 2022
Reading this book was like watching a train wreck. You can't believe this disaster is happening, but nothing would persuade you to look away. I don't think I've ever seen an author do different points of view as well as Price. She gets into her character's heads and makes you believe have well-argued reasons for all the vile things they do. There's not a hero among them, but damn if they're not interesting!
Cliffhanger warning: the first book stands alone quite well, but don't read this one unless you've got the third book handy.
Cliffhanger warning: the first book stands alone quite well, but don't read this one unless you've got the third book handy.
January 15, 2020
I had so many expectations coming back to the Sterkarm universe after so many years ! I have found the book a page turner and the plot good BUT it somehow lacks the magic of the first volume and everything seemed to me a bit rushed, with not enough time to get to know and care about the characters. Looking forward to the final chapter of the story though!
February 28, 2017
Another blast from the past, 2003 this time. I'd forgotten quite how violent it all is, so not for the faint-hearted.
Price has brilliantly succeeded in producing a sequel to The Sterkarm Handshake. The premise of the first book was that in the 21st century, a commercial organisation had developed time travel. The idea was to go back in time and exploit resources ahead of everyone else. It was also stated that the past into which they travelled was not exactly our past but another, albeit close, dimension. The Sterkarm Handshake ended as the Sterkarm clan, a family of 16th century Border reivers, ran rings around the 21st century characters who were trying to take advantage of them and drove them out, incidentally breaking up the romance between Andrea and Per Sterkarm.
Here Price simply pushes the reset button: the 21st century exploiters are trying their hand in another dimension, populated by almost identical Sterkarms. However, these Sterkarms are at a disadvantage as their opponents have been there and done that and learned from their experiences, while they know nothing and consequently fall into the trap that has been prepared for them.
Although she doesn’t trust James Windsor or his organisation, Andrea takes back her old job as interpreter so she can see Per again, and is distressed to find that, although he is attracted to her, he does not remember her and that he is about to be married to the daughter of the Sterkarms' arch enemies, the Grannams. The marriage, the truce between the warring families and even Andrea’s presence are all part of a truly fiendish plot. The result is a story that one can hardly bear to read, certainly not bear to put down, and that ends in a cliffhanger.
The Sterkarms, when dealing with the 21st century characters, speak in 16th century border dialect but it is always translated. There is a good deal of gory violence, completely in keeping with the Sterkarms normal way of life.
The central character is Andrea, fond of the Sterkarms, in love with Per and deeply distrustful of her employers but still with a 21st century mindset and repelled by the violence all around her. Her efforts to keep the peace mean that no-one trusts her. Windsor is an appalling man: we can to some extent excuse the homicidal rampages of the Sterkarms and the Grannams as that is simply how they are, but Windsor’s calculating masterminding of deaths is chilling.
Some may find the violence hard to stomach, but Susan Price has written an outstanding sequel that lives up to its predecessor. While the plot stands alone, its impact is considerably enhanced by having read the first book.
Price has brilliantly succeeded in producing a sequel to The Sterkarm Handshake. The premise of the first book was that in the 21st century, a commercial organisation had developed time travel. The idea was to go back in time and exploit resources ahead of everyone else. It was also stated that the past into which they travelled was not exactly our past but another, albeit close, dimension. The Sterkarm Handshake ended as the Sterkarm clan, a family of 16th century Border reivers, ran rings around the 21st century characters who were trying to take advantage of them and drove them out, incidentally breaking up the romance between Andrea and Per Sterkarm.
Here Price simply pushes the reset button: the 21st century exploiters are trying their hand in another dimension, populated by almost identical Sterkarms. However, these Sterkarms are at a disadvantage as their opponents have been there and done that and learned from their experiences, while they know nothing and consequently fall into the trap that has been prepared for them.
Although she doesn’t trust James Windsor or his organisation, Andrea takes back her old job as interpreter so she can see Per again, and is distressed to find that, although he is attracted to her, he does not remember her and that he is about to be married to the daughter of the Sterkarms' arch enemies, the Grannams. The marriage, the truce between the warring families and even Andrea’s presence are all part of a truly fiendish plot. The result is a story that one can hardly bear to read, certainly not bear to put down, and that ends in a cliffhanger.
The Sterkarms, when dealing with the 21st century characters, speak in 16th century border dialect but it is always translated. There is a good deal of gory violence, completely in keeping with the Sterkarms normal way of life.
The central character is Andrea, fond of the Sterkarms, in love with Per and deeply distrustful of her employers but still with a 21st century mindset and repelled by the violence all around her. Her efforts to keep the peace mean that no-one trusts her. Windsor is an appalling man: we can to some extent excuse the homicidal rampages of the Sterkarms and the Grannams as that is simply how they are, but Windsor’s calculating masterminding of deaths is chilling.
Some may find the violence hard to stomach, but Susan Price has written an outstanding sequel that lives up to its predecessor. While the plot stands alone, its impact is considerably enhanced by having read the first book.
November 17, 2017
I liked this, but not nearly as much as the first one. And the cliffhanger ending was pretty frustrating.
July 11, 2019
Andra loses her chance with Per and goes back to her time. This saga continues to entertain me and I want the next book!
March 17, 2022
3.5⭐ wow! Full on! Better than the first installment. Very violent though.
August 21, 2025
Book one wasn't standout magic, and sadly, this is even less believable.
August 27, 2010
I don't understand why so many people love these books so much. I thought they were interesting and I like the concept of the time tube to the 16th side. But I definately thought the author made some strange choices with characters and plot points. There really is no typical hero or heroine figure. I like Andrea's character because she is different that the norm, i.e. she is average-looking instead of beautiful. I don't like that she gets mistreated a lot and doesn't stick up for herself. Per is the love interest but his character is kind of annoying and not very morally upstanding like a traditional hero should be. I don't think he deserves Andrea. On a positive note, I love the way the author incorporates the Sterkarm language of the 16th side in with the modern English.
June 22, 2013
A gripping sequel to the first book A Sterkarm Handshake, this follows up with the characters in an exciting new twist. The baddies have found a new way to plunder the past and no good will come of it. I adored the first book and I suppose I was set up to love this one as well. My only regret is that the proposed third in the trilogy has been indefinitely deferred. I love the fact that the heroine is plump, that she's outspoken, and that she's adored for all of it by her handsome prince of the past. I love the way the world of the past is described in all its messy and devious glory. It's a great series, I'd just like to see it completed.
October 10, 2017
I remember not loving this - on rereading it's because it's (a) v. dark and (b) omg cliffhanger, with no sequel in sight. (I'm a bit confused about this since SH is so very beloved. I'm guessing her publisher felt she'd killed the series' ongoing marketability with #2.) Price has since written the sequel (Open Road, ebook only as far as I'm aware). Let's hope Winston comes to as nasty an end as he deserves.
August 7, 2011
In this second book of a trilogy, Andrea has been rehired by the 21st century resource exploitation company, FUP, to return to the 16th century to deal with the Sterkarm clan. In the first book they had so enraged the Sterkarms that the clan had come through the Time Tunnel to attack the company. This time FUP has entered another dimension of the 16th century to deal with an alternate but identical set of Sterkarms with a new plan of attack.
May 18, 2008
I don't remember this second book as well as the first. It may be I only got to read some of it. I vaguely remember it ended with the suggestion that there would be one more --- am I off base though? Cannot remember. (Edited to add --- checked Amazon and it did end with a cliffhanger. Thought so!)
September 5, 2015
I skipped the middle two-thirds of this because I had so much anxiety over the relationship between Per and Andrea. It ends on another cliffhanger, with no resolution to the conflict between 21st century business concerns and the 16th century Sterkarm way of life.
December 9, 2011
Liked the 1st book (The Sterkarm Handshake) better. Not clean, which I knew going in because the 1st was not clean either.
March 1, 2014
I enjoyed this - so disappointed there's no third yet as the way it ends is unbelievably open-ended!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews