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Sycorax

a captivating reimagining of Shakespeare's most powerful witch

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Sycorax

By: Nydia Hetherington
Narrated by: Nydia Hetherington
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About this listen

 Born of the sun and moon, shaped by fire and malady, comes a young woman whose story has never been told . . .

They call her Sycorax. Seer. Sage. Sorceress.

Outcast by society and all alone in the world, Sycorax must find a way to understand her true nature. But as her powers begin to grow, so too do the suspicions of the local townspeople. For knowledge can be dangerous, and a woman's knowledge is the most dangerous of all . . .

With a great storm brewing on the horizon, Sycorax finds herself in increasing peril - but will her powers save her, or will they spell the end for them all?

A beautifully written and deeply moving imagining of what came before Shakespeare's The Tempest from the author of A Girl Made of Air.

Readers are LOVING Sycorax

'Spellbinding and empowering' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A truly beautiful and heart-breaking story' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I couldn't put it down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Compelling and emotional' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐©2025 Nydia Hetherington Fantasy Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Magical Realism Science Fiction

Critic reviews

A beautiful written exploration of one of literature's most famous and misunderstood women. This is a clever and immersive tale, brilliant in its exploration of how societies, old and new, have turned on those who don't fit in. Fabulous
A vividly drawn imagining [of] Sycorax, mother of Caliban in The Tempest. Heartbreakingly poignant, it's the tale of a young woman living with physical pain, social isolation and terrible loneliness but who never gives up trying to find a life where she can be useful. So imaginative and original, and beautifully written
With Sycorax living constantly in pain, trying to help people but always feared and shunned, the reader rages and hopes for her while always knowing where this story is going to end. It's a fascinating exploration of an obscure character
A beautifully written tale of otherness and becoming, which charms and beguiles in equal measure
What a wonderful, witchy delight it was. So evocative and raw. Full of darkness and magic and wonder. Truly extraordinary
A beautifully tragic story told with heartbreaking poignancy. The tale of Sycorax lingers long after the last page. Magnificent!
Sycorax is a poignant portrayal of a woman struggling to find her place in the face of physical challenges and social otherness. This is a book that resonates with current issues and will keep the reader gripped throughout
With all the reverberations and resonances of ancient tales, Sycorax is a vivid and stirring re-imagining of Shakespeare's final witch. Hetherington's prose will cast a spell on you. This book is perfect for lovers of Circe
Magnificent - a beautifully-written, poignant tour de force blending myth, realism, magic, loneliness and the reality of living with chronic pain
'P.S. is beyond excited about this wonderful new take on Sycorax, the unseen, much maligned and misunderstood, yet important "blue-eyed hag" in Shakespeare's The Tempest
An immensely assured first novel
Fantasy, folklore and funambulism tread an impressive line in this richly imagined debut. Hetherington spins a kaleidoscopic patchwork of memory and magic, secrets and lies, ideal for fans of The Night Circus
A captivating tale of love and loss and finding connection in the most unexpected places
Hetherington tells her captivating tale from deep within the sequinned heart of the circus, with characters as darkly flawed as they are brilliantly talented. A Girl Made of Air is a poignant story of regret and redemption, brilliantly interlaced with magic and folklore
All stars
Most relevant
This is a beautiful tale of one woman’s experience of disability, isolation and loneliness. I loved the way Sycorax’s experience of pain and fatigue was masterfully woven through the narrative, it validated my own experiences and made me feel seen. What could have been a bleak tale was joyously uplifting and I loved every minute. Nydia’s narration is fantastic and brought the whole experience to life. This is a story relevant to all and a must listen.

A fantastic story

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