The Palace At The End Of The Sea: A Journey Through History and Across Oceans

The Palace At The End Of The Sea by Simon Tolkien is a sweeping historical novel that takes us on a journey with Theo Stirling from Depression Era New York City to an English boarding school and eventually to Spain on the eve of Civil War. After Theo suffers a personal tragedy during the Depression, he starts off easily influenced. We watch Theo grow into someone who must choose what he stands for and at what cost.

Excellent Research, Descriptive Writing & Great Characters

The writing is descriptive, and it makes each setting whether in New York City, England or Spain vivid. I also like the characters of Elena Theo’s Mexican Catholic mother & his stepfather Sir Andrew and his friend Antonio.  One of my favorite scenes was Theo and Antonio riding donkeys through the Andalusian mountains. I like that Theo grows from an easily influenced boy to a man who will choose to think for himself & realizes there’s more growth to be done. It’s a slow burn at times but a rewarding one. Simon told me in our Q&A that he took seven years researching, plotting and crafting Theo’s story for both The Palace At The End Of The Sea & its upcoming sequel The Room Of Lost Steps & it shows. Thank you, Simon Tolkien, for writing this, and thank you Rachel Tarlow Gul for sending me a copy. I look forward to reading The Room Of Lost Steps.