The Star of Ceylon is an absolutely captivating historical novel that brilliantly combines themes of feminism, colonialism, and self-determination. Stella is a fierce and inspiring protagonist, navigating the harsh constraints of her time with strength and intelligence. The lush setting of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) is vividly portrayed, making the island a character in itself. The slow-burn romance with Norton is both tender and complicated, and the challenges Stella faces as a woman trying to carve out her own future are heartbreakingly real. This book is a powerful exploration of identity, freedom, and resilience, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. A must-read for fans of historical fiction with strong, multidimensional characters and an unforgettable setting.

The story starts on the voyage from England to Ceylon. Norton Baxter, a young Cambridge graduate, on his way to take up a post in the colonial civil service, meets Paul Carberry, a tea planter. New passengers embark at Cochin, Sir Michael Polegate, an Oxford professor of anthropology, his daughter, Stella, son Ronald and PhD student, Gordon Blackstock. They are doing a research project on the indigenous Tamils in Ceylon.
The year is 1906 and the rigid, snobbish attitudes of the self-appointed ruling class are apparent from the start.
This is a very well written story, meticulously researched and totally absorbing. The characters are brought to life vividly, from the glimpses of the pearl divers to the stuffy government officials who ride roughshod over the local people without understanding or compassion.
The lowly position of women is a central theme which threads through the whole story. It is amazing that this was all so true and only just over a hundred years ago.
It is hard to describe events without giving away the story, but there is love, hate, violence, prejudice and huge emotion all the way through, as well as excellent description and details. It ends on a slight cliffhanger and I would love to know what happens with Stella, Ronald and Cynthia.
I loved this book and recommend it as a really good read.

The Star of Ceylon is a beautifully crafted historical book that transports readers to the lush landscapes and complex societal structures of colonial Ceylon in 1906. With evocative detail and emotional depth, Clare Flynn tells a story of resilience, injustice and the quiet defiance of a woman refusing to be silenced.

Stella Polegate arrives in Colombo as her father’s unofficial research assistant, full of curiosity and ambition. Her brilliant mind and scholarly passion are unquestionable, but she lives in a world that refuses to acknowledge a woman’s intellectual worth. Flynn draws out this tension with striking clarity, setting Stella's personal struggle against the backdrop of an empire in decline.

When an incident involving her father’s student threatens her future, Stella finds herself not only navigating the stifling rules of colonial society, but also trying to reclaim her agency in a world that has repeatedly tried to take it from her. Her path crosses with Norton Baxter, a civil servant disillusioned with the very system he represents. Their connection is gentle and considered, and their growing understanding of each other adds a quiet tenderness to the narrative.

Flynn’s writing is atmospheric and richly descriptive. From the tea plantations of Kandy to the bustling streets of Colombo, the setting is vivid and immersive. Every detail adds to the book’s texture, grounding Stella’s personal journey in a tangible, sensory world. It is clear that the historical research is meticulous, yet it never overshadows the story.

This is a book about voice, choice and the strength it takes to demand more. It is about women carving space for themselves in places that were never designed to welcome them. Stella is a compelling protagonist—clever, principled and brave in the quietest and most powerful ways.

The Star of Ceylon is a rewarding and thoughtful read for those who enjoy historical fiction that goes beyond romance and scenery to ask deeper questions about power, identity and freedom. Clare Flynn has written a story that lingers, as elegant and fierce as its heroine.

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Clare Flynn’s The Star of Ceylon is a richly atmospheric historical novel which is set-in colonial Ceylon in 1906. It follows Stella Polegate, a young woman confronting the limitations imposed by gender and empire as she assists her father in his academic work. Flynn weave's themes of personal freedom, colonial injustice, and resilience into a compelling narrative. With vivid descriptions and interesting characters, the novel offers a thoughtful and engaging exploration of a complex era. A rewarding read for fans of intelligent historical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Set in 1906, Stella follows her father to Ceylon to conduct research on its ancient history, knowing full well that because she is a woman she will not get credit for her work. When one of her father's doctoral students makes advances toward her, her reputation becomes questioned. It is during this trial that she meets Norton, a civil servant who is growing wearing of colonialism and society's pecking order. Stella must make some personal choices: whether she wants to fall into society's expectations or push forward for her dreams, and whether she can trust Norton

I enjoyed that this book was more than just a character learning to trust and love again. It centered on women's rights, but also on the local culture of Ceylon and so I learned a great deal about the local people of this region. I also appreciated the author's research into the specifics of colonial life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Star of Ceylon is a novel that focuses on mood and sensory qualities of the setting rather than on plot development. The location takes place in 1906 Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), focusing on the main character Stella (explained that her name means star, hence the book’s title), who as a woman during this era, is not allowed the freedoms afforded to men both academically and professionally. The novel follows Stella’s feelings and her complex growth and journey to find her place during the age in which she lives. Beautifully written. Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

An absorbing and beautifully written novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
Clare Flynn’s vivid storytelling brings colonial Ceylon to life in all its complexity — from the breathtaking landscapes to the intricate web of British colonial rule and its impact on both colonisers and the local population. This is more than a historical romance; it’s a thoughtful and compelling look at the legacy of empire, the rigidity of academia, and the human cost of ambition and displacement.

The characters are deeply drawn and wonderfully realised, each with authentic voices and emotional depth. Their personal struggles are set against the rich backdrop of a country on the cusp of change, and the historical detail is impeccably researched without ever feeling heavy-handed.

This was my first novel by Clare Flynn, and it certainly won’t be my last. She has earned a firm place on my must-read list. I’m eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the series.

Oh, this book! It is both enlightening and enraging, with characters you'd either love to have in your own life or so despicable you'd cheerfully strangle them with your own hands. The British Colonial Civil Service in the early 20th century is accurately portrayed, so it is less than flattering. From the total disdain most Brits had for the people and culture of Ceylon to their maddening insistence on recreating English customs, architecture, and fashion wherever they lived, no matter how inappropriate.

I loved how quickly both Stella and Norton appreciated the charm and intelligence of the Sinhalese people, as well as the significance of the rich cultural heritage. Neither had ever left England before but were quickly disillusioned with the role of the British Empire in Ceylon. Norton said, "I've started to ask myself why we have the right to lord it over people who have lived here and built their own civilization for millennia?" And from Stella, "I've learned that those who many of our countrymen would call savages have a vast and rich culture." Indeed.

Stella is brilliant, a gifted anthropologist who longs to study at Cambridge, but women were not allowed to get a degree. She is treated as a commodity by her father and brother, made to feel selfish because she doesn't want to marry the horrible man they chose. I was so infuriated that I had to put the book down and take a walk. I read with mounting dread as Stella desperately fought for a smidgen of control in a marriage contract with the odious Blackstock, knowing that men like him don't compromise and certainly not with a woman.

This story is not a diatribe against men, far from it. Clare Flynn paints an accurate portrait of patriarchy including the limitations it places on men. Some of this book's most likeable characters are male and there are some truly awful women. I sincerely hope there will be a sequel because Stella & Norton have barely begun their life by the end of this one AND what about Winnie? Inquiring minds want to know! I loved The Star Of Ceylon and highly recommend it.

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Stella joins her father as his research assistant in Ceylon. The lush, tropical setting hides violence as well as romance. The setting and the time frame, in colonial Ceylon is evocative and immersive