Book Review for The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw

 

The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw

Published:   March 3, 2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Genre:  Historical Fiction, British Literature         

    

Taken from Goodreads:  She must find her own place amongst the stars.

Caroline Herschel has always lived in the shadows. Beholden to her wildly popular older brother, William, who rescued her from servitude, she's worked hard to build a life for herself – one where she can go unnoticed and repay the debt she believes she owes. But when her brother becomes obsessed with sweeping the heavens, everything changes.

Newly appointed as the King's Astronomer, William is rushed away from the bustling streets of Bath to the quiet countryside of Windsor. When Caroline makes a discovery that could send her right back to the people she was rescued from, she has no choice but to leave her carefully constructed life and follow her brother. Taking up the position as William's assistant, Caroline resolves to learn everything she can about astronomy. But the more she understands, the more she falls in love with her telescope, and soon, she discovers that she might be good at the science, great, even, and that the stars could offer her the freedom she's always secretly wanted. When it’s clear that Caroline is just as much the astronomer as her brother, she realizes she must break free from the life she has lived and find her own place in the night sky.

Based on the true story of Caroline Herschel, The Woman and Her Stars shines a light on a woman who was raised to believe she was worth nothing more than to serve others, but whose genius and resolve made her one of the world’s leading astronomers. An awe-inspiring story set within the societal boundaries of the Georgian era, it’s a hopeful journey of self-discovery, familial bonds, and passion.

 

My Thoughts:  I love a strong female character.   Caroline Herschel is just that.    She grows up only wanting to stay with her brother William and not be forced to go back to her mother.  William treats her as an intelligent woman, giving her the skills to work along side him.  It is a time when woman are not thought to be smart but she is recognized as a talented singer and eventually an astronomer. I felt that the biggest obstacle was herself, she struggled to accept herself as someone who was more than just the assistant. 

Some of the stargazing was beyond what I was looking for while reading the book but I truly enjoyed the family dynamics, the strength of Caroline’s knowledge, and the protection that William gave her.    William protected her from society and family but held her back, unintentionally, within her own knowledge.   She deferred to him and let him guide her even when there were times that she had more knowledge than he did.   The best parts of the book are when she discovered or realized something new and showed her excitement in being the one to find it. 

The Woman and Her Stars is a historical British fiction book.  I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the settings.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Meet the Author (taken fromher website):  I am a writer. Previously, of articles and columns for newspapers and magazines. I’ve written for Business Day, Sunday Times, Financial Mail, Sunday Independent, The Weekender and many others I’ve forgotten and you might not recognise.

Now, I am the author of books featuring strong, interesting and independent women. My writing also illustrates my love for animals and the outdoors, and explores the interconnectedness of all living things.

Early in 2024, I was honoured to receive the 2024 Philida Literary Award.  The award celebrates the life of renowned South African author, André Brink and is presented annually to a writer mid-career for an oeuvre of between three to five books of any genre.

My debut historical fiction, The Invincible Miss Cust tells the story of Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary surgeon, Aleen Cust. Find it at a bookstore near you here or order it online here. My second work of historical fiction, The Woman at the Wheel is based on the life of Bertha Benz, wife of the ‘Father of the Automobile’, Carl Benz. You can order it here.

Follow Me to Africa is inspired by the life of distinguished paleoanthropologist, Mary Leakey. Order it from a bookstore near you here or order it online here. My fourth work of biographical historical fiction, The Woman and Her Stars is about the world’s first paid woman astronomer, Caroline Herschel. It will be released on March 3, 2026 and can be pre-ordered here.

My first book, Nicko—The Tale of a Vervet Monkey on an African Farm is a children’s book, which was published in 2017. My inaugural novel for adults, The Wilderness Between Us was published by Köehler Books in 2021 and is available in all formats on Amazon here. You can locate it via Indie Bound here and find out more about it on Goodreads here.

In South Africa, as part of a distribution agreement with KaravanPress, wholesale/trade orders of The Wilderness Between Us and Nicko can be made from Booksite Afrika on (021) 950 5900. The Invincible Miss Cust, The Woman at the Wheel, Follow Me to Africa and The Woman and Her Stars are distributed in South Africa by PenguinRandom House South Africa.

I live on the slopes of a mountain near the sea not far from Cape Town in South Africa, where I walk my dogs with my husband, run and read when I’m not at my keyboard. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook.