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[[Category:New Reviews|Historical Fiction]]==Historical fiction==__NOTOC__{{newreview|author=Louisa Young|title=My Dear I Wanted to Tell You|rating=4.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=It takes a while for the full power of Louisa Young's remarkable ''My Dear I Wanted To Tell You'' to become apparent, but when it does, it can hardly fail to move you. Set just before and during World War One, it's a story of love and human spirit against the odds. The impact of the book is in what happens to the characters, so I don't want to give too much away, but it's worth pointing out that it's not for the overly squeamish reader particularly in some of the descriptions of surgical procedures, which have clearly been meticulously researched by Young. The title itself it taken from the opening words of the standard letters that the wounded were given to send to loved ones back home. The wounded were required to fill in the blanks.|amazonuk=<amazonuk!-- Remove -->0007361432 </amazonuk!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Janette JenkinsTananarive Due|title=Little BonesThe Reformatory|rating=45

|summary=While this might sound like the afterlife of a brilliant and unlikely cabaret mimicGracetown, it's notFlorida. June 1950. It's After a scuffle with a richwhite boy, evocative and engaging novel set in twelve year-old Robbie Stephens Jr is sentenced to six months at the last years of Victoria's reignGracetown School for Boys, in otherwise known as the depths of her darkest LondonReformatory. Fate - and being abandoned by, in turn, her mother and older sister - leaves Jane Stretch living It's a place with and working for a doctor brutal and his lumpen, housebound wifedark reputation. Jane But the segregated reformatory is alternatively called an 'unfortunate' and a 'cripple' for her disabilities and distorted framechamber of horrors, but she has enough bookish intelligence to pass herself off as an assistant to haunted by the doctor, who only ever does one operation - abortions, for music hall artistesboys that have died there. The plot is evidently gearing up In order to reveal how dangerous such a criminal business might besurvive the school governor and his Funhouse, for Robert must enlist the both help of themthe school's ghosts – only they have their own motivations...|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>070118194X</amazonuk>1803366532}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jean MarshKatherine Howe|title=The House of EliottA True Account

|genre=Women's General Fiction|summary=When Evangeline and Beatrice's father diesHannah Masury is living in Boston, the two sisters discover that he has left them having been sent to live with very little money a family who run an inn, and without any qualifications with which being made to support themselveswork there from a young age. They struggle When she hears there is to find suitable employment before accidentally discovering their talents as seamstresses and fashion designers. The book follows their journey be a hanging of independence after their father's death, and some pirates in the new relationships they begin to build without him dominating their lives.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>144720008X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Lesley Pearse|title=The Promise|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Belle has a lovely London lifetown, a good career and a happy marriage. But she has a murky past, and although it’s shaped her kind heart decides to go and character, it isn’t something she wants to come face to face with againwatch. But some people are not able to forget the past, for reasons good Enthralled and badhorrified in equal measure, and against the dramatic backdrop of the Great War, Belle is about to come face to face with all sorts of things she thought she had forgotten. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718157044</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Tracey Warr|title=Almodis the Peaceweaver|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=At the age of five Almodis de la Marche was taken as a hostage - Hannah finds herself embroiled in a guarantee of her familyyoung boy's good behaviour - and she remained there until she was death at the hands of marriageable agetwo vicious pirates. It was all the harder for Almodis as it meant She hides away, so that she was separated from her identical twin. The situation was not hostile although she didnthey don't get on well with find and kill her foster mothertoo, Agnes - and never would. Her first marriage was then to Hugh of Lusignan and Almodis felt something akin escape them completely she runs away to love for this gentle mansea, but dressing as a boy and joining the sexual relationship between the two was tenuous to say the least and Almodis was determined that she would create her own dynastynotorious Ned Low's pirate ship as a cabin boy. At She soon finds herself in the thick of things when there is a time when marriages were put aside if they were not producing the required heirsmutiny on board, Almodis decided that she had to move and from there we are caught up in her rip roaring tale of life on. Her next marriage - to Pons of Toulouse - would be more productive but far from happythe ocean waves.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1907605053</amazonuk>0861547438

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Conny BraamSarah Marsh|title=The Cocaine Salesman|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Picture a world A Sign of hellish exclusion, nightmarish noise and images, and horrid violence. Picture one person trying to live through the sleepless nights, the isolation among his peers, the permanent sense of dreadful threat. Picture him needing drugs. His best friend might even be called Charlie. But don't picture an inner city slum, 2012, but a man on the front in World War One.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1907822054</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Mark Mustian|title=The Gendarme|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=There are times when you will want to shut 'The Gendarme' and just walk away from the despair and disgust that this account of genocide engenders. Don't. Ultimately this tale of an old Turk revisiting his terrible past is both touching and important - an exploration of memory and forgiveness that shouldn't be missed.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1851688390</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Simon Scarrow|title=Praetorian (Roman Legion II)Her Own

|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=Still in hock to the imperial secretary NarcissusAfter a bout of scarlet fever as a child, Praetorian opens with our heroes Cato and Macro kicking their heels at the port Ellen Lark loses her hearing. Suddenly plunged into a world of Ostiasilence, everything about her life changes. They're about to embark on one Living in a time when the use of their most challenging adventures yet - sign language was seen as undercover spies something only savages do, Ellen is sent to a school where she is taught to lip read, but physically restrained from signing. From here, she ends up in another school studying under Alexander Graham Bell who has been teaching the Praetorian Guard. Rome in AD50 is full of perils. Imperial authority is now absolute deaf and the Senate really only exists as an old boys clubusing a system called Visible Speech. The real power comes from being an adviser to At the Emperor same time, Bell is working on other inventions andideas, as these advisors jostle for influence, plots and conspiracies abound. Claudius, never Ellen finds herself unwittingly caught up in the best a complicated tangle of health, looks precarious - but which of his heirs will succeed him? Nero? Or Britannicus? And can he hold on for long enough that the choice is clear? espionage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755353773</amazonuk>1035401614

{{newreview|author=Alice Hoffman|title=The Dovekeepers|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Set in follow-up to the last desperate days before the Roman siege on Masada (70CE), the lives of four women collide and mergeexcellent ''Ithaca'' picks up a few months after where we left off. They are Yael, In the daughter palace of a Sicarii assassin; RevkaOdysseus, the wife of a gentle baker who witnessed with delicate care Queen Penelope continues to rule without her daughters' rape and murder; Azizahusband, raised as a boy with the skills of a great warrior who sailed to war at Troy and Shirah, born in Alexandria to a mother well versed in ancient magicthen by divine intervention never returned home. All four have crossed As ever she remains surrounded by suitors vying for the heartless desert on separate journeys to arrive at throne of the last outpost against the Roman Legion, where 900 Jews held out for many, many monthsWestern Isles. Here they have little power Having survived – politically and less hope, but each refuses physical – the chaotic storm that Clytemnestra brought to be a victim. All are harbouring deep secrets about their pasts, as they become the MasadaIthaca's dovekeepers. With supplies dwindling and certain death drawing nearshores, their uneasy bonds to each other strengthen as their truths are unveiledQueen Penelope is on the brink of a fragile peace. They find an uneasy comfort One that becomes true loyalty and empowerment. While few in their company survive to recount shatters however with the talereturn of Orestes, their story has lived on to haunt the deepest King of memoriesMycenae, and his sister Elektra, seeking refuge.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857205420</amazonuk>0356516075

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Pam JenoffB0C7J9D21B|title=The Things We CherishedA Captive in Algiers (Muhammed Amalfi Mysteries)|author=A J Lewis

|summary=When we first meet our hero, his name is Ettore and he lives at The rather sentimental title and Mills & Boon-ish front cover did not endear me to this book initiallyHouse of Beautiful Swallows. The blurb on the back cover made up for Idyllic as thismight sound, however. The story opens - at the end, if you get my drift it's a bordello and weEttore're in America in 2009s mother died when he was born. An elderly man called Roger is He's not been short of mothers, though - but for someone of his background in prisonlate-eighteenth-century Amalfi, awaiting trial for (alleged) war crimesit's difficult to obtain decent employment. Charlotte has been assigned to The stint working with the casepreparation of anchovies didn't work out and bastards are considered bad luck on fishing boats. Although she's a hotEttore was nothing if not resourceful - and determined -shot lawyer she also has and it was not long before he had a conscience (unlike many of her colleagues) so therefore she's successful business as a bit of a rare breedguide for visitors. He was even saving some money.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751547298</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Gabrielle KimmEssie Fox|title=The Courtesan's LoverFascination

|summary=This The Victorian era is incredibly over-romanticised as a big thumping book running setting for historical fiction (matched only, perhaps, by the Second World War) which has often led to almost 500 pagesmore than a few writers mishandling it. WeThere're s such a glut of media set in sixteenth century Italy, Naples the era that the hallmarks we've come to associate with it are familiar to be precise and the scene is set for the entrance point of the main characterbeing cliched, courtesan Francescahackneyed even. And what All this is simply to illustrate that it would be an exotic creature she iseasy thing to do poorly. But also charmingdespite that, thoughtful something about it still grabs me – and intelligentsomething about this book's description did as well.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0751544558</amazonuk>1914585526

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Christina CourtenayNicole Jarvis|title=Highland StormsA Portrait in Shadow|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=The publisher, Choc Lit Limited, gives a fair idea of what kind of read this book is. Romance with a capital R. Courtenay decides to go back in time to a Scotland rather weary of battles but strong in image especially in terms of the countryside. Is the book's purple hue suggestive of the purple heather to be found all over this area of Scotland, I wonder. It all conjures up a deeply romantic setting for many, myself included. Add in the odd fairy-tale castle or two and it's even better.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1906931712</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jean Marsh|title=Fiennders Abbey|rating=3.5

|summary=In was the end of the nineteenth century and the family at Fiennders Abbey might lead much more leisurely lives than the staff who kept the house running as it should, but their fortunes were inextricably linked. Mary Bowden was the tweenie when we first met her – she did ''I want all the dirty jobs which were beneath those higher up the ladder – as well as being the daughter of the gamekeeper. She was also intelligent, ambitious and very attractive with her straight, milk-blonde hair. As a child sheFlorence to know my name'd always been very friendly with Richard, the son of the house, but it's not a friendship which either of their mothers wishes to foster.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1447200071</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Titania Hardie|title=The House of Cast out from Rome, Artemisia Gentileschi arrives in Florence seeking an oasis in which her art can find a home and where her future can thrive rather than stagnate. But as some as she enters Florentine society she faces great opposition from the Wind|rating=4|genre=General Fiction|summary=I loved powerful Accademia, the intriguing title self-proclaimed guardians of the book and was hoping healing magics that Hardie explains it. She does: not only that but through paintings have the power to protect the wind element (no pun intended) is mentioned throughout at regular intervalscity and its citizens from plagues and curses. A nice touch, I thought The all-male Accademia has hoarded power over art and architecture for centuries and not over-played eitherguard it above all else. The short Prologue describes a To them, Artemisia – an ambitious young girl on the eve of her 'terrible fate.' But fate seems to have changed its mind at the very last minute. And this strange/weird/scary event happens at the Casa al Vento - 'The House of the Windwoman who promises trouble and change – has no place amongst them and their society.'|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0755346297</amazonuk>1803362340

{{newreview|author=Jane Sanderson|title=Netherwood|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=The cover of Netherwood features Set in the near-distant future, in a bold promise - 'Perfect for fans world on the verge of Downton Abbey'climate collapse, Britain is in great peril. The basic features of British Isles desperately needs a reliable 'upstairs/downstairs' saga are all present; hero (or several) to save the landed gentry enjoying their estate, day and rescue what little remains. What no-one expected was that one of the staff servicing it and Knights of the locals, all relying on Round Table would answer the fortunate family for their own incomecall.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0751547638</amazonuk>0356518523

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Colin FalconerG K Holloway|title=Silk RoadIn the Shadows of Castles

|summary=Falconer presents his readers with a handy map We begin after the momentous battle in 1066 and on the day of William of the famous (or perhaps that should be infamous) Normandy's coronation as King of England. William'Silk Road'' which stretches from Europe all s position is not secure and the way to Chinanew king has many challenges. The story opens with Imposing authority through a charismatic young princess who lives with her extended family in an area of Mongoliacoronation is important. She And William is clearly right to worry. While the apple of her father's eye. So much soprevious king, that he will often take advice from herHarold, rather than from his two older sons. She would be a prize catch indeed as a wife for any manis dead and the likelihood of more pitched battles is over, but the feisty Khutelun has other plans. She wants plenty rebels are stirring and much of adventure and glory in her life. She doesn't want the country does not wish to be recognise a baby machine and besides, no man has caught her eye. Yetnew overlord.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857891081</amazonuk>1800422466

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Charles Frazier3949666079|title=NightwoodsNoema|author=Dael Akkerman

|genre=Literary General Fiction|summary=If you have read Charles Frazier's 'Cold Mountain', or indeed seen the film, then you'll have This is a fair idea what story about some things that happened to expect from his latest offering - 'Nightwoods'me about twelve thousand years ago. As with 'Cold Mountain', the landscape of the Appalachians is the dominant character, this time set in the 1950s. He even manages to get his requisite bear into the story although thankfully it fares rather better than the unfortunate beast in his first book. The dark, oppressing majesty and beauty of the mountains and woods pervades the whole story.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444731246</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=John Buchan|title=The Thirty-nine Steps|rating=4|genre=Crime (Historical)|summary=Ask anyone about 'The Thrity-nine Steps' Maya is a young girl living in a hunter gatherer village during the Mesolithic era. Climate change is occurring, the Sea of Grass encroaches further and I guarantee they'll be able to tell you itfurther into Maya's a spy story with Richard Hannay at its heartforest home, and food is becoming more and more scarce. Most people will be able What to tell you how it starts. But when you askdo? Can the law givers in the federation of villages muster peaceful ways to cope? Can the Traveller, 'Yesa spiritual figure who interprets the wisdom of All Life, but what ARE the 39 Stepsprovide solutions?' most people will falter.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846971985</amazonuk>

 {{newreview|author=Charlotte Anne Walters|title=Barefoot on Baker Street|rating=3Frontpage|genreisbn=Historical Fiction1529125898|summary=I must admit that I think the title a little cheeky, a little too near the bone as far as the iconic Baker Street and equally iconic Sherlock Holmes is concerned. The sepia front cover suggests a rather sugary, romantic read so I wasn't off to the best of starts.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780920121</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewGodmersham Park|author=John Buchan|title=A Lost Lady of Old YearsGill Hornby

|summary=While I normally start with a plot description I'd better justify 'If it were not for the summary first. (Translatedcasual dereliction of the odd gentleman's duty, it reads - Warning there would no women to teach well- you must understand Scots dialect really well if you hope to like this book from the startbred daughters at all. Well worth reading though, it's such a good story.)'

Basically, this is a tale set during Anne Sharpe was thirty-one years old when she arrived at Godmersham Park to take up the Jacobite Rising position of 1745governess to twelve-6 with authentic dialogue year-old Fanny Austen. She had no experience of teaching but this was a case of that time; which is to say, rather hard to follow if you're anything like menecessity. Most books, I can read in a couple Until the death of days maximumher mother, this took me nearly Anne had a month comfortable life and at some points I was reduced loved by both parents although her father was frequently absent from the household. When her mother died, her father cast her off and would have nothing more to asking my Scottish colleague to translate it for medo with her. No explanation was offered but she would receive an annuity of £35 a year. Her maid, Agnes, would receive nothing but was fortunately taken in by some neighbours.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846972035</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Brian RuckleyMelissa Fu |title=The Edinburgh DeadPeach Blossom Spring |rating=3.5|genre=Crime (Historical)Fiction |summary=The phrase I loved the prelude to Peach Blossom Spring, a short chapter entitled ''jack of all trades and master of noneOrigins' can apply to writers as well as anything else and I've always been suspicious of authors who switch genres, as they often prove less effective when they do so. Sometimes, however, Unfortunately it does work and having enjoyed Brian Ruckley's fantasy writings such as [[Fall is the only truly poetic part of Thanes by Brian Ruckley|Fall of Thanes]], a book that I found that he's equally as enjoyable when writing a crime thrillerexpected more from.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841498653</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Fiona Mountain|title=Cavalier Queen|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=We sweep back in time Covering Chinese history from 1938 to a young Henrietta. Living the spoilt and pampered life of a pretty, little princess whom everyone (even her dog) loves and adores. She spends delightfully carefree days singing and dancing and playing with her little dog. But the subject of marriage is on the horizon. She2005 as viewed through one family's fourteen after allperspective. Time to put away those childish things. Who has her family decided will be her future husband? The young princess has no say in When their home city is set ablaze during the matter but hopes he will be just a little handsome and be gentle war with her. It's not only Japan, a marriage of two individuals young mother (that's almost inconsequentialMeilin) it's a marriage of two nations and her four- with strategy and longyear-term thinking in mind. In short, the French Royal Family want to do everything to appease other countries and hopefully keep war at bayold son (Renshu) are among those who flee.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848091672</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Barry Unsworth|title=The Quality of Mercy|rating=4|genre=Literary Fiction|summary='The Quality of Mercy' picks up the story of the author's Booker Prize-winning 'Sacred Hunger' although if you haven't read the first book, you won't be greatly disadvantaged as the relevant story lines are explained. What you might miss out follows them on is some of the feeling for a few of the main characterstheir journey across China, most notably the Irish fiddler, Sullivan who, when this book picks up and in spring 1767, has just escaped from prison where the remaining shipmates of the slave ship, the Renshu'Liverpool Merchant' await their trial of piracy. Slavery and abolition thereof remains a central theme of this sequel, but the book draws some poignant similarities with those in bondage due s case eventually to poverty, and particularly those working in the coal mines of County DurhamAmerica. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0091937124</amazonuk>1472277538

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=James Aitcheson1916072038|title=Sworn SwordThe House in the Hollow (The Talbot Saga)|author=Allie Cresswell

|summary=The novel is set We meet part of the Talbot family in Yorkshire in the turbulent years following the Battle of HastingsNovember 1811. We follow the Normans as they set out Twenty-seven-year-old Jocelyn Talbot and her mother have travelled in some discomfort from their home at Ecklington, to quell the restless and rebellious factions house in the North hollow. The two women are angry with each other and Jocelyn is well aware of England. An ambush in Durham sees the Normans decimated her mother's strengths and determined on revenge - this precipitates the events which follow.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848093241</amazonuk>}}weaknesses:

{{newreview|author=Lisa See|title=Dreams of Joy|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=It's the late 1950s'She is practiced at subterfuge, at concealing, and America's teenagers (the very idea beneath a brand new concept) are beginning to live the all-American dream. For some facade of them however it isn't all 'Happy Days' diners and rock'n'roll. For the second generation Chinese immigrants there's an alternative: back 'home' there's a brave new world being forgedrespectability, a world where 'we'd work in the fields and sing songs. Wedeplorable truth'd do exercises in the park. We'd help clean the neighbourhood and share meals. We wouldn't be poor and we wouldn't be rich. We'd all be equal.' |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408822296</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=John Buchan|title=Greenmantle|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=I'm told that Buchan Hester is still widely read. Really? "John Buchan? Oh yes, he wrote The Thirty-Nine Steps"… and thatfurious about Jocelyn's refusal to do as far as most of us get. Let's be honest most of us only know that one from the many film versionsshe was asked, just about all of which take huge liberties with the original plothas precipitated ''this violent and unexpected removal''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846971977</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Ellen Feldman|title=Next to Love|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Babe, Grace and Millie Then we are three American girls who have grown up together. Now young women each marry their sweetheart just as America becomes involved in told of the Second World War. But on birth of a fateful day in 1944, sixteen telegrams arrive from the War Department bringing death to the locals, including Grace child and Millie whose husbands have both been killed. Babe seems to be the lucky one as her husband, Claudesoon after, returns from the WarHester Talbot departs, but leaving Jocelyn in truth he will never be the same man again.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330544500</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Fiona Mountain|title=Isabella|rating=4|genre=Women's Fiction|summary=The fate of mutineer, Fletcher Christian shame and isolation in the 18th century remains a mystery even today but Fiona Mountain has pieced together a dramatic and powerful story based on rumours and clues that Fletcher returned to England to be with his long-lost love, Isabella Curwen. Fletcher, the son of a bankrupt family and Isabella, the sole heiress of a huge fortune are prevented from marrying. Their relationship is manipulated by those around them and a young, naïve Isabella is forced to marry her cousin, JohnYorkshire. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099562251</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ben KaneAnnabel Abbs|title=Hannibal: Enemy The Language of RomeFood

|summary=Thanks Eliza Acton is a poet who has never had the slightest inclination to his [[The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane|Forgotten Legion]] trilogyboil an egg. When tasked with writing a cookery book, she recruits Ann Kirby, Ben Kane has recently bought Roman times to a local woman with a troubled home life in me far more than history and Latin lessons at school ever did. Having enjoyed this first trilogyTogether, I've been eagerly awaiting his ''Hannibal'' trilogythey test, since he told Bookbag about it when we interviewed him. Finallycraft, the wait is over and ''Hannibal: Enemy of Rome'' is here.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184809227X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Jose Saramago refine and Margaret Jull Costa|title=The Elephant's Journey|rating=3.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=This novel is inspired by a real event – the marriage gift of an elephant from Dom João III of Portugal to his cousin Maximilian, reshape the Hapsburg Archduke world of Austria. When the gift was accepteddomestic cookery, reinventing the elephant Solomon, his mahout Subhro and numerous soldiers, oxen recipe book and porters, walked from Lisbon to Vienna to deliver the present, arriving in 1552. This is changing the story face of that journeycookery writing forever.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099546884</amazonuk>1398502227

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sara StockbridgeFreya Marske|title=Cross My PalmA Marvellous Light

|summary=Fortune teller Rose Lee lives on Robin Blyth is nudged into a job in the edge of London society in 1860Civil Service, making her living by entertaining (much to his chagrin. There he meets Edwin Courcey and sometimes deceiving) learns that the rich by reading their palmsstreets of London are threaded with magic. She fears the fate she has read for herself in her own palm which is perhaps what makes her cautious of delivering the whole truth Desperate to the ladies remove a curse that employ her. On one particular night Rose is called threatens to swallow him, Robin follows Edwin to the house of Lady Quaylecountryside, where the hedgegrows bristle with incantations and the people shimmer with power. There they uncover a woman sinister plot that threatens the lives of high society, who delights all magicians in having her fortune read, taking everything Rose tells her as gospel. One of the guests present is Emily, a young girl and friend of Lady Quayle's daughter TabithaBritish Isles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>070118504X</amazonuk>1529080886

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Alison WeirB09F4CTKJR|title=The Captive QueenFlights for Freedom|author= Steven Burgauer|rating=34.5

|summary=Vaclav It's the later stages of World War I and Lena are both children of Russian immigrants, growing up in Brooklynthe United States has just entered the conflict. Vaclav dreams of becoming Petrol Petronus is a fantastic magician, with his friend Lena as his assistant, young American who has signed up and as children they practise their routine togetherjoined the 17 Aero Squadron. This company was the first US Aero Squadron to be trained in Canada, making lists of the things they'll need, first to be attached to the costumes they will wear RAF and the tricks they will perform. Vaclav is confident and happy, but Lena is quiet, withdrawn and struggles with speaking English. Yet Vaclav believes, always, that they are destined first to be togethersent into the skies to fight the Germans in active combat. Even when Lena disappears one day and is gone from his life for many years still he hopes But before thatcan happen, somehow, he will find her againPetrol has to master flying the notoriously difficult but majestic Sopwith Camel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0434020443</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Helen HumphreysChristophe Medler|title=The Reinvention of LoveMadrigal: A Closely Guarded Secret

|summary='The Reinvention Set against the backdrop of Love' is one of those stories that is so bizarre and strange that it could only be based on factual events. Essentially it is the English Civil War, a good, oldsecret plan (code-fashioned love triangle set mostly in Paris named Madrigal) is discovered by Sir Robert Douse in the period from the 1830s to the 1860s; summer of 1642. As a world where fighting duels is a commonplace event. The triangle features loyal servant of the great French literary writer Victor HugoKing, his wife Adèle and Head of the altogether strange critic Charles Saint-Beuve who narrates much of this storySecret Service, with brief breaks for Adèleit is Robert's side duty to uncover the details of events the plan and some letters written by follow the Hugo's youngest daughter, also called Adèle (but let's call her, as she was known clues to her family, Dédé to avoid confusion)uncover one of the most guarded secrets in history—especially since the plot could affect the King.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846687985</amazonuk>B095HY8SXQ

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Karen Harper1471187179|title=The Queen's GovernessA Beautiful Spy|author=Rachel Hore

|summary=Kat Ashley isnMinnie is an 'ordinary't girl living an unexciting life in a name one usually associates with leafy provincial suburb. The book is set in the Tudor era1930s and Minnie is expected to live up to her mother's expectations and find a nice young man to marry, but just like produce children and spend the more famous characters rest of the periodher days looking after her husband and their home. Unfortunately, this isn't what she wants to do at all and neither does she has her own fascinating story want to tell, continue working as a story which this book captures perfectlysecretary. As Thomas Cromwell's spya result of a chance meeting, Anne Boleyn's confidante and later Princess Elizabeth's governessshe finds herself drawn into espionage, Kat Ashley certainly knew working for the Tudor court well secret service and it is through effectively living a double life - attempting to infiltrate the Communist Party of Great Britain. Minnie finds herself torn between what she perceives as her fictional diary entries that duty and the reader is invited to know friends she has made - and likes - whilst working for the dazzling, yet dangerous Tudor court tooCommunist Party.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0091940419</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Roy Jacobsen, Don Bartlett (translator) Afonso Cruz and Don Shaw Rahul Bery (translator)|title=Child WonderKokoschka's Doll|rating=2.5

|summary=1961 was Well, this looked very much like a year book I could love from the get-go, which is why I picked my review copy up and flipped pages over several times before actually reading any of changeit. I found things to potentially delight me each time – a weird section in the middle on darker stock paper, a timechapter whose number was in the 20,000s, letters used as Jacobsen puts itnarrative form, ''when men became boys and housewives women''so on. At It intrigued with the outset Finn and his mother are leading subterranean voice a quiet, rather timorous life man hears in a working class Oslo suburb. Then change overwhelms themwartorn Dresden that what little I knew of it mentioned, not through world events, but in the form of a mysterious child who is Finn's half sistertoo. Linda is not like other children and FinnBut you's attempt to deal ve seen the star rating that comes with her impact this review, and can tell that if love was on his family is the central thread in this quintessential story of growing upthese pages, it was not actually caused by them. So what happened?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857050184</amazonuk>1529402697

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Amor TowlesChristina Hammonds Reed|title=Rules of CivilityThe Black Kids

|genre=Historical FictionTeens |summary=Katey Kontent works hard during the day as a typist at a big law firm in 1930s Manhattan, but at night she likes to sample the nightlife – jazz clubs in Greenwich Village. There on New YearChristina Hammonds Reed's Eve 1937, she and her roommate Eve meet the charming Tinker Grey. This debut novel is set against the start backdrop of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, a year reaction to the absolution of many changes four police officers for Katey and her friendsbeating a black man, Rodney King, nearly to death.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444708848</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Meira Chand|title=A Different Sky|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=We meet Told from the first perspective of Ashley Bennett, the three main characters - Chinese Mei Lan on novel follows her evolution from a trip silent bystander when confronted with matters of race, to a woman finding her devoted minder-nursemaid into town. The sights voice and smells intrigue the young girl as they are a far cry from embracing her comfortable home and its surroundings. Rather than appreciating all that space and the beautiful objects in the family home, Mei Lan feels lonely (she's an only child) and even hemmed in. But perhaps she'll change as she grows upheritage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099546248</amazonuk>1471188191

{{newreview|author=Lian Hearn|title=Blossoms and Shadows|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=I see from the front cover that Hearn is already a best-selling author with her ''Tales Of the Otori'' so I was looking forward Move on to a good read. However, I did slump a little when I opened the book and was presented with several pages of the story's characters - sub-divided into fictional and historical.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857382977</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=D J Taylor|title=Derby Day|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=I read (and reviewed) Taylor's [[Ask Alice by D J Taylor|Ask AliceNewest History Reviews]] and took to Taylor's style straight away. Is this one going to be as good - or even better? Time to find out ... To set the tone we first meet a couple of no-gooders as they plot and scheme and it's all about horses and the Derby. And by degrees, Taylor introduces his main characters, chapter by chapter, to his readers. As this novel runs to over 400 pages, there's plenty of time for flesh to be heaped upon the bones of many of these characters. So, for example, we have a rather cold and calculating daughter living with her elderly father who appear right at the start of the novel. I got the sense that things were about to happen - and they certainly did. There's a strong sense of emotions just bubbling under the surface with this duo.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0701183586</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Suzannah Dunn|title=The Confession of Katherine Howard|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Katherine Howard was Henry VIII's fifth wife. She was perhaps the most seductive of his wives and a considerable contrast to her predecessor, Anna of Cleves. She's been consigned to history as a silly girl, but careful reading gives the lie to this. Suzannah Dunn begins her story when Katherine was twelve years old and went to live in her step-grandmother's household. There she met Cathryn – generally known as Cat – Tilney, but the two girls were very different and didn't hit it off initially. Cat was quietly ambitious, aware that she needed to make a good marriage, whilst Katherine was image-conscious and very interested in the boys.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007258305</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Wall of Days|author=Alastair Bruce|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=The front cover of this debut novel caught my full and undivided attention with ''Alone, ten years on an island, until one day...'' I couldn't wait to start reading. We meet the central character - we don't know his name just yet and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter. He's living alone on an island, somewhere in the world. Is it the past, the present or even the future? As the story developed I decided on the former.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846688000</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Rory Clements|title=John Shakespeare: Prince|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=This is the third in the excellent Elizabethan murder mystery series, featuring John Shakespeare, brother of Will. An inexplicable murder is linked to a much deeper plot of political dimensions, leading Shakespeare into danger and tragedy. A series of bombings, which appear to be targeting the immigrant population causes huge unrest and fear, and leads to the uncovering of further political dimensions.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848544251</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Felix J Palma|title=The Map of Time|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Like a lot of readers I cannot resist a book with an immediate hook that draws you into the story quickly and in a seemingly effortless fashion. From the very first page of 'The Map of Time' Felix Palma had me firmly in his grasp and continued to hold me there for the entirety of the novel. Not once did I become bored or distracted as I relished every word, page and chapter of this remarkable book. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007344120</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Margaret James|title=The Golden Chain|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=It's 1931 and teenager Daisy Denham, along with her parents Alex and Rose, and two brothers have left their life in India and moved to Melbury House in Dorset, a place full of history for Alex and Rose. Daisy is not keen on her new life and surroundings and is desperate to escape, particularly when she discovers a long held family secret that casts a shadow across her past. She soon meets handsome Ewan Fraser, a young man forced to spend his holidays in Dorset thanks to his overbearing mother, and the two strike up an instant friendship that soon turns to love, spurred on by their joint interest in working on the stage. Ewan soon gives Daisy a golden chain and Daisy promises never to take it off.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>190693164X</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Adrienne McDonnell|title=The Doctor and the Diva|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=We first meet one of the central characters, the successful, young obstetrician Dr Ravell as he mingles with the great and the good Bostonians at a high-level social gathering. His reputation seems to precede him as one guest enthuses 'After nineteen years in a barren marriage ... thanks to you, they had twins.' High praise indeed. And at this gathering he not only meets a future patient, Erika von Kessler, but he is also enraptured by her singing voice. He tries to explain all this but finds it difficult so ends up by saying 'It was not an earthly voice; it was a shimmering.' I loved that line.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0751543608</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Amitav Ghosh|title=River of Smoke|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=At over 500 pages, this is a big book and it's also a big book in terms of the subject matters that it covers; the whole colonial situation regarding parts of the East as well as the properties and problems of the poppy's product - opium. Ghosh also crams in a wealth of very different and diverse characters so that the novel has the feel of an exotic and at times, enchanting pot-pourri of a read. I have to say at the outset that I find authors such as Rushdie wordy, very wordy. I have Ghosh's ''The Glass Palace'' in my ever-growing 'to read' pile. I wonder if the latter will be as wordy as the former. Time to find out...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0719568986</amazonuk>}}