Ailia is a foundling, without a place in society and not allowed to undertake the learning that she yearns for. The Mothers, the mysterious guardians of her people, have other ideas, calling Ailia to their realm to teach her the knowledge she will need to lead her people against the invading Romans. War is coming.

Pre-Roman Britain – with its hill forts and druids, it’s fascinating to speculate what such an ancient culture may have actually been like, although occasionally the stories can be hard to read due to their human sacrifices and brutal wars. Plus, there’s the fact that you know there’s no happy endings.

Skin is no exception, but it makes up for its darkness with extraordinarily beautiful sections about sacred learning and the fabric that makes up the world. What makes this story even more special is that it’s based on a real place – the hill fort of Caer Cad stands on the present-day Cadbury Castle in Somerset, these days no more than a grassy hill surrounded by banks and ditches.

Ancient Britain is a strange and barbaric world in some ways but one where women are honored. Until the brutality of the Roman legions came along it sounded quite idyllic, but I’m sure they had their share of difficult times. I’ve previously read Manda Scott’s Boudica series so the names of the tribes are familiar and some of the practices are similar. Ailia is not Boudica (at least, not yet), but she is a beautiful soul who I feel will grow into a great leader for her people in their darkest hour.

Skin is a beautiful coming-of-age story that, while fairly slowly paced, never stalls. Ilka Tampke’s debut is a sensuous mix of the mystical and the mundane of Iron age life, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for Ailia and her people.

“He was as dazzling and unfathomable as the night sky: in equal measure splendid and despondent, vital and injured, tender and cruel. He had an Elder’s wisdom, yet the wariness of a child, and in the force of these splits, the whole earth turned within his sprawling frame”

Skin is the first novel by Australian author, Ilka Tampke, and the first book of a two-book series. Iron Age Britain, soon to be invaded by the Roman legions, is where fourteen-year-old Ailia works in the kitchens of the Tribequeen of the Durotriga people in the hilltown of Caer Cad. Ailia has cheated death twice: the Cookmother plucked her from the freezing doorstep soon after her birth; and she was spared from ritual sacrifice at the age of seven. But Ailia has no “skin”, no totem, having no mother to pass this on to her. Much as she craves to, tribal law dictates that, unskinned, she is forbidden to learn.

Opinion about how to face the Roman invasion is deeply divided. The learned Journeyman, Llwyd and many of the warriors believe they must fight the invaders to retain their sacred ways. But Ruther, son of one of the warriors, has seen Rome and argues that submission and cooperation will cost less lives. LLwyd believes the battle can be won with the support of the Kendra of Albion, a wisewoman who links the tribe to the Mothers (gods). But the Kendra has been absent for twenty-one summers: will she come when the Durotriga need her most?

Tampke creates the perfect blend of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy. Her extensive research into Iron Age Britain is apparent on every page, but this wealth of interesting knowledge is presented in a form that is easy to digest. Her prose is rich and beautiful. Her characters are fascinating, flawed yet striving for integrity, and their dialogue adds authenticity and the occasional gem of wisdom: “…fear could be fought with a curious mind. Hold questions like a torch before you”. While the climax is, perhaps, predictable, there are several plot twists to keep the reader guessing. This is an impressive debut from a talented author and readers will be eager to see where Tampke sends her plucky young heroine in the sequel.
4.5 stars