April 1579: When two ships meet off the Pacific coast of New Spain, an enslaved woman seizes the chance to escape.
But Maria has unwittingly joined Francis Drake’s circumnavigation voyage as he sets sail on a secret detour into the far north. Sailing into the unknown on the Golden Hind, a lone woman among eighty men, Maria will be tested to the very limits of her endurance. It will take all her wits to survive – and courage to cut the ties that bind her to Drake to pursue her own journey.
How far will Maria go to be truly free?
Inspired by a true story, this is the tale of one woman’s uncharted voyage to freedom.
‘In this gripping tale of true feminine courage, strength and spirit of adventure, Marmery gives voice to a woman who, like so many others, has been written out of history.’
Martine McDonagh
‘This extraordinary book tells harsh truths about the slave trade, and conveys the thrill of exploration. It combines forensic research about the period with soaring imagination to create a tactile, visceral, unforgettable novel.’
Maggie Brookes
‘On Wilder Seas is a gripping adventure story of an extraordinary journey. Marmery brings Maria vividly to life along with a tremendous crew of compelling and believable characters.’
Mandy Haggith
‘A lively, spirited account of an epic voyage. Marmery’s debut novel is thoroughly researched and vividly written. The brutality, horror and discomfort of life on board a 16th century galleon and the wonders and dangers that the crew experiences are skilfully evoked.’
Sally O’Reilly
