Alchemy and Rose: A sweeping new novel from the author of The House Between Tides, the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year

By (author) Sarah Maine

A beautiful and sweeping historical novel that takes the reader from the west coast of New Zealand, to Scotland and Melbourne in the 1870s1866. Will Stewart is one of many who have left their old lives behind to seek their fortunes in New Zealand’s last great gold rush. The conditions are hostile and the outlook bleak, but he must push on in his uncertain search for the elusive buried treasure.Rose is about to arrive on the shores of South Island when a storm hits and her ship is wrecked. Just when all seems lost she is snatched from the jaws of death by Will, who risks his life to save her. Drawn together by circumstance, they stay together by choice and for a while it seems that their stars have finally aligned.But after a terrible misunderstanding they are cruelly separated, and their new-found happiness is shattered. As Will chases Rose across oceans and continents, he must come to terms with the possibility that he might never see her again. And if he does, he will have to face the man who took her . . .

Reviews of Alchemy and Rose: A sweeping new novel from the author of The House Between Tides, the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year

Its portrayal of life in a gold-rush town is vivid, and Rose's story is absorbing * The Times * Maine reworks the conventions of historical romance in a narrative that regularly undercuts expectations of what is to come * The Sunday Times (Culture) * A gripping page-turner * Woman Magazine * Worth reading for its occasional streaks of brilliance and insight * Telegraph India *