The Sterkarm Handshake

The Sterkarm Handshake merges science fiction with historical fiction in a tale of time travel between the 21st and 16th centuries. A modern corporation, FUP, creates a passage to the past with plans to extract resources from the untamed Scottish-English borderlands. The story centers on the complex relationship between FUP's representatives, who pose as Elves to the people of the past, and the Sterkarm clan - a fierce Scottish border family. Cultural clashes and competing interests emerge as both sides attempt to navigate their interactions through deception and diplomacy. The narrative explores the collision between modern corporate interests and historical ways of life. The book raises questions about exploitation, trust, and the consequences of attempting to manipulate the past for present-day gain.

Readers appreciate the unique blend of historical fiction and time travel, with many noting the well-researched details of 16th century Border life. The romance subplot receives praise for avoiding common YA tropes. The complex moral questions about exploitation, cultural clashes, and colonization resonate with readers. Many point to the authenticity of both modern and historical characters, particularly Andrea and Per. Some readers struggle with the Scottish dialect used throughout the text. Others mention the pacing is slow in the first third of the book. A few reviewers note that the violence and adult themes make it unsuitable for younger YA readers. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Could not put it down" - Multiple Goodreads reviews "The ending shocked me" - Amazon reviewer "Historically accurate but accessible" - LibraryThing review "Not what I expected from YA" - Multiple reviews

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🔹 The Scottish-English border region was historically known as "the Debatable Lands," a lawless area where neither English nor Scottish law fully applied, making it perfect for the novel's setting. 🔹 Author Susan Price won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1999 for The Sterkarm Handshake, which celebrates exceptional works of children's literature by British or Commonwealth authors. 🔹 The word "Sterkarm" is derived from Old English/Scottish dialect, meaning "strong arm" - Border reivers like the fictional clan were known for their fighting prowess and ability to wield heavy weapons. 🔹 The novel sparked two sequels: A Sterkarm Kiss (2003) and A Sterkarm Tryst (2017), forming a trilogy that further explores the time-travel premise and the complex relationships between centuries. 🔹 Border reivers (like the Sterkarm clan in the book) actually used a distinctive type of architecture called "pele towers" - fortified houses designed to protect against raids, which are accurately depicted in the novel.