The Tower Book Review

She is the siren. She sings her song of seduction, her very presence promising those around her a place in history, in the songs their countrymen will sing in the years to come. A life beyond the ordinary. You will not be erased. But she exacts a price: she demands love. Adoration. Devotion. Without it, without the love of others, she will die.

Synopsis

A bold, feminist debut novel, reimagining Mary, Queen of Scots’s darkest hour, when she was held hostage in a remote Scottish castle with a handful of loyal women while plotting a daring escape to reclaim her country and her freedom.

Scotland, 1567. A pregnant Mary, Queen of Scots is dragged out of her palace by rebel lords and imprisoned in the isolated Lochleven Castle, an ancient fortress surrounded by a vast lake. Her infant son and heir, James, has been captured by her enemies. 

Accompanying Mary are two inconspicuous serving observant, ambitious Jane and romantic, quick-tempered Cuckoo, who endeavor to keep their mercurial mistress company while sharing the space of a claustrophobic room over the course of their eleven-month forced stay. Their hosts want them dead. They'll settle for Mary's abdication.

After Mary reluctantly surrenders her throne, her closest friend, the reserved, devoted Lady Seton, is permitted to join the captive women. Against the odds, as they hatch a perilous getaway plan, the four women form a bond that transcends class and religion, and for Jane and Seton, becomes something even deeper. At the center of it all is Mary--calculating, charming, brave, and unbowed. Flora Carr's thrilling, feverish debut is a celebration of resilience, a meditation on the meaning of power, and a testament to the unshakeable strength of female friendship, starring one of history's most charismatic leaders.

REVIEW

Three pieces of paper to unmake a queen, to undo her sovereignty, to blot out the holy water…

Flora Carr’s The Tower is an intriguing take on Mary, Queen of Scots, during her imprisonment at Lochleven Castle. Certainly, the writing draws you in—Carr has a way of crafting vivid scenes and emotionally charged moments that make you feel the weight of Mary’s isolation and the quiet strength of the women surrounding her. The relationships between Mary and her attendants are the heart of the novel, and the feminist perspective adds a refreshing layer to this historical moment.

That said, the book feels… unfinished. While the prose is strong and the atmosphere is compelling, the story doesn’t quite reach the depth or resolution it seems to aim for. Regardless, I still believe The Tower is worth a read for its unique perspective and Carr’s interesting writing style. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid debut that hints at greater potential.

Publication date was 5 March 2024.