Orchid Child

What’s New?

Another chance to sign up for my signature workshop, When Memoir Becomes Autofiction, starting soon.

A new post on why I write and teach autofiction, "Going beyond real life in trauma-informed memoir,” on the WritingWorkshops.com blog.

My essay, ‘Mainstream Publishing Has a God Problem,’ in The AutoEthnographer Magazine.

Latest Orchid Child reviews & book award.

Scroll down for details.

More choices: Barnes & Noble — Bookbub — Amazon.UK — Audiobooks.com — Chirpbooks

Check out these Orchid Child reviews!

Featured review from the November ‘23 ORCHID CHILD Read-a-long.

Highlights from orchid child REVIEWS…

"Orchid Child is a beguiling literary thriller. In the 1920s, Ellen and her fiancé, Michael, face turmoil because of the the Anglo-Irish war. They decide to emigrate to the United States. In the 2000s, Ellen’s granddaughter, Kate, is a blacklisted neuroscientist who was fired from her research job in New York after a sex scandal. She submits her teenage nephew Teague, whose care she’s responsible for, into psychiatric care at a university in Ballymore, Ireland. There, she helps to conduct a study concerning generational schizophrenia. Ballymore is a compelling setting where ancestral ties and modern byways mix. To Teague and Kate, it is at once unfamiliar and familiar. Details are used to stitch Ellen’s timeline to their own: of the remnants of an old apothecary shop where Ellen once worked; of the echoes of the past that Teague hears in the stones of buildings as he settles into his group therapy. As Kate adjusts to parenting an “orchid child” (a term for those who are affected, to a greater than usual degree, by their environments), she recalls her grandmother’s tales about their family’s second sight, surrounding Teague with a new layer of intrigue. Whether his sensitivities are explainable symptoms of his disease or whether they’re indeed a gift becomes the novel’s central question." —Karen Rigby, Foreword review.

“Orchid Child is a page-turner, a story that surpassed my expectations, thanks to the wonderful writing and the deft plotting. But it is the characters that will stay more with readers after they put this book down — they are believable and memorable!” —James Farlow, The Book Commentary 5 star review.

“The novel captures Kate’s insecurities as she tries to salvage her career and deal with Teague, the son of her deceased sister, who was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Her coping mechanisms are counter-productive; for example, she sleeps with a graduate student after she faces hostility from a study participant’s family. Meanwhile, Teague suffers terribly from his mental illness, breaking into a house to flee an imaginary dog or getting glimpses of a future accident [...] The second sight aspect of the story is revealed skillfully, with Teague discovering it through his friendship with a practicing Druid, while readers learn more about this ability through the chapters with Kate’s grandparents. The story offers intriguingly flawed characters and an unusual take on mental illness that should appeal to many readers." —Charles Green, Blue Ink review.

"Orchid Child is a gem that took me on an unexpected journey, diverging from the anticipated path into a gorgeously crafted story. The narrative unfolds across two distinct timelines, a stylistic choice that enriches the storytelling. I found myself drawn into the intricacies of the characters' lives, the seemed hopelessness of Kate, the struggles of Teague and all the characters surrounding them." —Kate Beckwith, Perth Australia. 4.5 star Goodreads review.

“The past quite literally reaches from the grave to grip the present. I enjoyed the combination of Kate's determination to find the truth (a mystery story) with the historical sweep of the multi-generational family story. The supernatural parts were handled deftly, without any insistence that skeptics, either in the story or among the readership, buy everything to enjoy the drive of a satisfying narrative.” Nick Demartino, Amazon 5-star review

"Orchid Child is first and foremost a wonderful story, engaging and interesting from beginning to end. But there’s a bonus: neuroscience, epigenetics, topics relevant to our times. A beautiful and smart book." —Laura Pritchett, Pen USA Award winning author of five novels, including STARS GO BLUE and the forthcoming THREE KEYS.

"This was a cleverly crafted and unique plot. The story is compelling and mystical with characters you will remember after you turn the last page." Lisa Garrett, Netgalley 5 star review.

“There was a huge revelation which I did not see coming and it changed everything! The ending was lovely and heart warming for me and I finished reading with the feeling that the story was complete. If you are interested in Irish history, magic, madness and rebellion then this is a book for you.” —Lauren Griffiths, Newcastle, UK. 4 star Goodreads review.

“The descriptions of the Irish War of Independence were particularly well done and clearly researched well. The book does a great job of portraying the isolated and prickly nature of rural Ireland, and the pagan and druidic side of Irish culture. I really enjoyed the story and premise of this book." Lessons in Bookology, Irish reviewer.

“What starts out as a very science-based, reality-oriented novel, later turns into a beautifully woven almost fairy tale about love, forgiveness and the importance of honouring family and one’s roots. In this respect, the novel is very “Irish.” Another element that I found very typical of the Irish way of thinking was this idea that land (the soil itself) has memory and it is almost inseparable from the people inhabiting it. Considering the importance given to land in Irish literature, Victoria Costello’s Orchid Child follows this tradition beautifully, honouring not only her ancestors, but also the land itself that gave life to her own family." —Crafter Fox, UK.

“There is so much going in in this book and I found it to be utterly fascinating. Some books based on science or real life studies can get bogged down with information but that was totally not the case with this book; it was intriguing and utterly captivating. You get lots of little timelines and stories which I loved and I felt all added in to making this book so special. The characters were an added bonus, I loved them. I cannot recommend this book enough.” —Fiction Vixen, UK.

“A strange, gorgeous love letter to people with different brains." —Amorina Carlton, Bookstagrammer.

“Kate and Teague move to Ireland and this is where the science meets the spiritual, the Celtic folklore, the pagan. This is also where Kate discovers more about her family's history. The author's writing style is beautiful, skillfully imparting complex information and terminology in a way that it is easy to understand. This is an incredible story, with unforgettable characters.” Pauline Knox, Fairy Book Mother, UK.

“This book includes a broad representation of neurodivergence, but then introduces a unique Celtic history to the mix. You are thrown into a story where the lives of those who are different have a meaning and understanding far beyond what we interpret in our daily lives. The depth and beauty is exciting and interesting and really keeps you connected to the book ... The narrating is done very well, it truly brings out the nature of the story and any meaning and danger flowing underneath the surface. I definitely recommend this story." NaturalBri, reviewing the audiobook.

"I loved learning about epigenetics and intergenerational trauma throughout this novel. Another book I’ve read about that is The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford, and it was fascinating to see that research expanded on in Orchid Child. It’s a principal plot point here, and as the author notes at the back of the book, the research Kate and Ryan are conducting here is based on a real study done in Ireland between 1996 and 2003. Wow! Thought-provoking and original." —Amanda’s Book Corner.

"What I loved best was the emotional bond, sometimes tenuous, sometimes fractured, between the sensitive "Orchid Child" Teague and his Aunt Kate who is determined to see him through.” —Carol, Goodreads 4-star review.

“Victoria Costello’s debut novel is a riveting story of healing familial pain, mythical secrets, and destiny. Costello has previously authored and co-authored six popular nonfiction books. Using her work in psychology and mental wellness, her writing is elegant, compelling, and profound." Taffyscandy book blog.

"This was a fresh take on mental health, generational trauma and the importance of family. I liked the mixing of Irish folklore with modern day science.” —Open My Pages.

"Orchid Child explores mental/emotional uniqueness and neurodiversity from both a medical and a grounded metaphysical approach, filled with humanity and compassion. These themes were handled so beautifully, woven with romance and honest family dynamics.” —Kay Taylor, author of SOUL PATH WAY, evolutionary and psychological astrologer.

"This intricately-woven story of despair and triumph provides us with some surprising links between the past and the present, between modern science and ancient folk medicine, demonstrating through characters both dead and living how scientific innovation can simply return us to what was already known long ago.” —Jane B. Burns, Shamanic Practitioner & teacher, creator PORTAL TO THE TREES, A CELTIC ORACLE DECK.

"Victoria Costello's novel is a riveting tale of a quest to reclaim a complicated ancestry. Through a series of stories layered in different times and places she weaves an intricate and fascinating narrative around memories, ancestral knowledge both personal and cultural (Irish), and mental health.” —Felicitas Kusch-Lango, Professional Coach, Mindfulness Teacher.

"The author writes superbly with the atmosphere and colour of the characters & their stories literally bouncing off the pages." —Erica's Book Reviews, UK.

“Kate and Teague are fascinating characters... I know almost nothing about neuroscience and schizophrenia and enjoyed learning about both. I also liked the way the chapters move from past to present gradually revealing the history of Kate’s family and how this is linked to the present. I had no idea Orchid Child is an actual condition and found the details fascinating...an engrossing book.” —Book Lover’s Boudoir.

"Orchid Child" is a tale of love and hatred, family and ghosts, science and mysticism, all skillfully woven together. While the story and the characters are deeply rooted in reality, there is also this otherworldly message that not all things can be explained by science, and that sometimes we just have to change our perspective and see the world through a different lens, may it be faith, fate or hope." —Christina Coletta, NetGalley review.

“Orchid Child tells a boldly magical story. This book will break your heart just a little, yet leave you healed, empowered, and reconnected to awe.” —Jacqueline Haskins, essayist, poet, author of a memoir of diabetes, KICKASS HEALTHY LADA (Hachette/2023).

“I don’t have enough words for this book. Several storylines dance along together throughout the book - seemingly as separate entities - but as they start to come together, many things start to make sense. There was so much going on and having come to the end I'm still completely intrigued and desperate to know more.” —Sonya Charters, UK Top 10 Goodreads reviewer.

“With masterful prose and lyrical storytelling, Orchid Child will transport you back to Ireland as you explore one family’s struggle for healing and redemption over several decades.” —Writers'n Authors review.

"An expertly woven story of family inheritance; inheritance of trauma, stories, powers, connections, and how they can be embraced and overcome. The setting in the Irish countryside and the cast of colorful characters just increased my enjoyment of this beautiful debut novel. I tore through it. Recommended!" —Zoe Trainer, Librarian, San Diego.

Read book launch interviews.