The Daisy Chain by Al Campbell

Today is my turn on the blog tour, for my stop I have my review - enjoy.

The Daisy Chain by Al Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 252

Publisher - RedDoorPress

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Set in an incredibly exciting period of history, a pacy debut, brimming with adventure and romance England, 1771: Recently orphaned Daisy Salter moves from quiet Suffolk society to the hustle and bustle of London. A talented botanical illustrator and amateur scientist, frustrated Daisy finds herself governess to the daughter of her sister and brutish noble brother-in-law. However, a chance encounter with pre-eminent scientist Joseph Banks changes everything and, when the extent of her talent is revealed, Daisy not only becomes Artist in Residence at the magnificent Kew Gardens, but confidante of Queen Charlotte, King George III's wife. But whilst science and plant hunting expeditions are flourishing, at sea the 'triangular trade' is in full swing and Daisy is unwittingly inveigled into espionage, tea smuggling and the slave trade. Who is friend and who is foe? Can Daisy work out whom to trust before disaster strikes?


My Review

So this is my first time reading this author and I feel I am now at a point where I can't say I don't really read historical fiction because that is now quite a few and I have liked them all. Set in 1717, England we meet Daisy. For the time period the females are settling, married, babies, Daisy is somewhat different, she is into science, painting specifically flowers and never really been fussed with male attention. She is bright, gifted and devoted to her father, after his death she has to go and live with her sister and brother in law where everything changes and even Daisy can't ignore the gentlemen callers. Although not all are what they seem!

So set in the time period there is racism, slavery, classism, sexism, skulduggery, shady and underhanded behaviour but there is more to this story. I really do like Daisy, she isn't fainting at the least thing nor gushing over any suitable males. She is interesting, knowledgeable, feisty (for that time period) all things women of that time period would be shunned for.

You have family issues, the shady brother in law with money and his fingers in some really dodgy stuff. As we see Daisy start to take interest in the opposite sex but continue to expand her learning, love of flowers/painting. I loved reading up on some of the characters, flowers, places - it was just nice to sink into. I felt at the beginning it was a bit of a genteel paced book and that was how it was going to be however there are some really dark elements but done without harrowing details or being sensationalist with it.

This was my first time reading this author, I really liked so much about Daisy that I really hope this is a start of a series for her and not a one off. She is very interesting and the book gives some history whist wrapped up in a tale of adventures, mystery and romance, 4/5 for me this time!

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