Fate

L. R. Fredericks lives in Oxfordshire. Fate is her second novel. Her first novel, Farundell, was shortlisted for the Authors' Club First Novel Award and is also available from John Murray.

'Fate is an intricate, Gothic novel in elegant style. Fredericks brilliantly absorbs the detail of eighteenth-century cities, country, clothes, food, theatre, music and architecture. This fast-paced fiction transcends the genre ... Read Fate: discover its secrets; meets its characters; experience Damory's quest; above all enjoy a deeper sense of what it is to be human' -- Historical Novels Review 'This is very special. It's a family history of a character introduced to us in Farundell, but this completely works as a standalone. An epic historical novel with magic undertones as a man searches across Europe for the elixir of life. It's 18th-century drama full of science, adventure and mystery on a grand scale. Wonderful stuff, highly recommended' -- Bookseller 'A sensationally engrossing read ... elegant characters in an eloquently told tale of mystery, magic and timelessness ... a sublimely enjoyable book that will leave you filled with wonder and thinking about it long after you have closed the cover' -- www.bookclubforum.co.uk 'Brings to live a vivid, exciting portrait of the eighteenth-century world ... Though undoubtedly an adventure story, Fate unfolds as an intricate, dark treatise on the costs of attaining knowledge and the double-edged sword of eternal life on earth ... This beautifully written book presents the question of whether a man is truly in charge of his own destiny or whether fate - and the fate of those around him - is determined by forces beyond his control' -- www.welovethisbook.com 'Lord Francis Damory, bit player in Farundell, deserved a volume of his own, and this is it ... A funny, enthralling prequel ... It's an action-packed story as many events (and people) happen to him but one accepts they wouldn't be as entertaining recounted by anyone else. This Lord Damory is a kind, generous scientist and polymath, but most of all, Ms Fredericks has blessed him with an excellent sardonic, sarcastic wit and sense of irony' -- www.thebookbag.co.uk 'A story with a whole host of elements that blend together to create a great whole. If you want a love story, you have it, you want adventure, yep that too and if you like something that pushes boundaries bringing historical fiction and fantasy together then you're in for a treat. Add to this some solid prose with a huge cast and all in all it's a standalone that works very well. Back that up with an author who loves to tell a story that brings their own identifiable style and you've got something a little bit special. Great' -- www.falcatatimes.blogspot.com 'Fredericks writes absolutely beautifully ... You can get completely, wonderfully lost in Fredericks' impeccably imagined lazily unfolding world. This novel is a genuine thing of beauty ... Science, magic and history all combine seamlessly to make this a novel that really stands out from the crowd. I've not read anything that I could really compare it to, it's utterly unique. Add to this Fredericks' impressive elegance of narrative, and you've got a real winner. A beautiful, beautiful read. Can't recommend it highly enough' -- www.fantasybytes.net Praise for Farundell, L. R. Fredericks' first novel: 'Farundell is a marvellously dark and intricate literary gothic novel. The style is elegant and engaging and the storyline compelling. This is an author to watch.' -- Joanne Harris, bestselling author of Chocolat 'A richly ambitious debut novel ... one cannot help but be swept away by Fredericks' bold intentions' -- Financial Times 'Beautifully written ... I am sure it will appeal to many people' -- Daily Mail 'Descriptively, conceptually and emotionally captivating' -- Easy Living

Praise for Farundell, LR Fredericks's first novel: -- x 'Farundell is a marvellously dark and intricate literary gothic novel. The style is elegant and engaging and the storyline compelling. This is an author to watch' -- Joanne Harris, bestselling author of Chocolat 'A richly ambitious debut novel ... one cannot help but be swept away by Fredericks' bold intentions' -- Financial Times 'Beautifully written ... I am sure it will appeal to many people' -- Daily Mail 'Descriptively, conceptually and emotionally captivating' -- Easy Living