Sycorax

Hetherington (A Girl Made of Air) breathes new life into a minor character mentioned in Shakespeare’s The Tempest in this lyrical fantasy. Born from mortal but magically gifted parents—Atlas, blessed by the moon, and Sunny, by the sun—the witch Sycorax is a complex figure whose life is marked by passion, disability, and misunderstood magic. The plot follows her from childhood to just before the events of Shakespeare’s play, showing how her good intentions are misinterpreted by her hostile community, forcing her into the role of villain. Somewhat oddly, Hetherington picks and chooses which elements of Sycorax’s identity to emphasize, writing in a preface that “Sycorax’s North African heritage has been intelligently written about by writers who have a great understanding of the subject and often lived experience.... As such, it’s not something my novel focuses on.” Leaving race and colonialism largely aside, Hetherington instead explores how chronic illness, ableism, and misogyny impact Sycorax’s life. The supernatural elements and historical backdrop are well conjured, and Hetherington tenderly captures Sycorax’s emotional resilience in the face of relentless prejudice. At times the slow pace dilutes tension, but the lush prose is easy to sink into. This slots neatly into the recent slew of fantasies reclaiming villainous women of myth and legend. (July)