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ESCAPE FROM AURIGA: Anstey’s Elizabeth
Humans are an inferior species, but if it means escaping civil war, is it worth traveling the Universe to hide on Earth? And can Elizabeth join her life to the man her parents hate in order to save them?
Elizabeth (formerly Octavia) has decisions to make and bridges to burn if she has any hope of surviving the turmoil on her dystopian home planet, Domum-Orbis. Perhaps sixteenth-century humans are not as primitive as her studies have indicated. Perhaps one of them, one human male, may be just what she needs to complete her bid for freedom.
Richard Anstey has already betrayed one elite rift-opening woman. Will Elizabeth fare any better? Can such an arrogant male Aurigan be trusted, and what is he hiding behind his sophisticated and sensual fa�ade?
William Wrenn hates his father and step-mother. They want him to travel to London, study law, and perhaps even gain a post of influence in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. He loves the wild seashore and the natural world and would rather stay home and run their estate. But when William sees travelers from beyond the stars, will he find a way to protect the woman he loves and defeat her enemies?
The events of this book pre-date Surviving Anstey by some twenty years. It's Elizabeth's tale, but it's Richard Anstey's beginnings and William Wrenn's love story too...
Elizabeth (formerly Octavia) has decisions to make and bridges to burn if she has any hope of surviving the turmoil on her dystopian home planet, Domum-Orbis. Perhaps sixteenth-century humans are not as primitive as her studies have indicated. Perhaps one of them, one human male, may be just what she needs to complete her bid for freedom.
Richard Anstey has already betrayed one elite rift-opening woman. Will Elizabeth fare any better? Can such an arrogant male Aurigan be trusted, and what is he hiding behind his sophisticated and sensual fa�ade?
William Wrenn hates his father and step-mother. They want him to travel to London, study law, and perhaps even gain a post of influence in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. He loves the wild seashore and the natural world and would rather stay home and run their estate. But when William sees travelers from beyond the stars, will he find a way to protect the woman he loves and defeat her enemies?
The events of this book pre-date Surviving Anstey by some twenty years. It's Elizabeth's tale, but it's Richard Anstey's beginnings and William Wrenn's love story too...
343 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2022
1 person want to read
About the author
Susan Hancock
7 books30 followersSusan Hancock PhD, is a former University Lecturer who has written and published academic non-fiction over a number of years. She gave up teaching in order to concentrate on her battle with a cancer which is now fortunately dormant. Fingers crossed.
In a surprising move, she became obsessed with the idea of writing a novel for adults and ended up writing three, the Anstey’s Kingdom trilogy. She has discovered that characters are hard taskmasters, determined that their stories should be told. It is not uncommon to find her in tears at the laptop when something dreadful happens to one or other of them. But they and she understand that some things cannot be changed.
In a surprising move, she became obsessed with the idea of writing a novel for adults and ended up writing three, the Anstey’s Kingdom trilogy. She has discovered that characters are hard taskmasters, determined that their stories should be told. It is not uncommon to find her in tears at the laptop when something dreadful happens to one or other of them. But they and she understand that some things cannot be changed.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 1, 2022
I get excited every time I see there is a new chapter out in the ANSTEY’S KINGDOM universe, a favorite sci fi romance series by talented author Susan Hancock. In this prequel novel to the full series, we finally get the story of how Elizabeth escaped Auriga and met William Wrenn, a human man, in England in the 1600’s.
I was captivated by Hancock’s storytelling from the first pages, as we follow Elizabeth (using her original name of Octavia) back on Auriga during her training at the university. She meets another powerful trainee named Lucia who is having an affair with someone named Richard Anstey, a man Octavia’s parents have warned her against. Auriga is at war. Anstey is plotting to escape and Elizabeth is both a pawn in his game and a tool he needs to facilitate the transfer of people and supplies. Elizabeth wants safe passage for her family. But Anstey is never to be trusted. He is a truly vile and wicked character, and the way he’s written is so cleverly done.
I loved the scenes after they flee Domum-Orbis and arrive on Earth, when Elizabeth and William finally meet. William is being oppressed by his own father and Elizabeth must strike a careful balance between pretending to be subservient to Anstey and plotting her escape. Still, their fledgling romance is lovely to read. I adored scenes of shellfish in butter with bread shared together in their cave. And as things progress between them and they have to escape without delay, the tension only grows. This is such a lovely novel and I enjoyed the way it showed so much about two characters I had always loved. There’s a scene I won’t spoil, but Elizabeth very much has an awesome woman power moment where she gets to confront and prevent Anstey from doing further harm. I cheered! Check this one out!
I was captivated by Hancock’s storytelling from the first pages, as we follow Elizabeth (using her original name of Octavia) back on Auriga during her training at the university. She meets another powerful trainee named Lucia who is having an affair with someone named Richard Anstey, a man Octavia’s parents have warned her against. Auriga is at war. Anstey is plotting to escape and Elizabeth is both a pawn in his game and a tool he needs to facilitate the transfer of people and supplies. Elizabeth wants safe passage for her family. But Anstey is never to be trusted. He is a truly vile and wicked character, and the way he’s written is so cleverly done.
I loved the scenes after they flee Domum-Orbis and arrive on Earth, when Elizabeth and William finally meet. William is being oppressed by his own father and Elizabeth must strike a careful balance between pretending to be subservient to Anstey and plotting her escape. Still, their fledgling romance is lovely to read. I adored scenes of shellfish in butter with bread shared together in their cave. And as things progress between them and they have to escape without delay, the tension only grows. This is such a lovely novel and I enjoyed the way it showed so much about two characters I had always loved. There’s a scene I won’t spoil, but Elizabeth very much has an awesome woman power moment where she gets to confront and prevent Anstey from doing further harm. I cheered! Check this one out!
July 11, 2022
Escape from Auriga is the prequel to Anstey's Kingdom trilogy, one I absolutely adored, so I was thrilled when I found out about this book which allows us to gain an insight on the events some twenty years before the trilogy takes place. Yet again, we are enthralled by the settings, the characters, and the antagonist Anstey who is possibly one of literature's greatest villains. It is extremely touching to discover Elizabeth and William's love story in this unique blend of characters from an alien world and from Earth. Lots of adventures, emotions, heart ache and nail-biting action in a story which blends genres, and leaves us wanting more. Whether you have read the trilogy, or are about to discover Susan Hancock's rich writing and unique style, this book is the perfect choice.
June 19, 2023
An interesting twist on the time travel genre: otherworldly beings and sixteenth-century England. The author really nails the personality of a narcissistic bad guy who is creating a personal empire. You definitely want the heroine to escape him and into the arms of the man she loves. Great for readers who love a strong romance subplot.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews