132,585
edits
Changes
From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to searchNewest Historical Fiction Reviews (view source)
Revision as of 10:53, 20 November 2023
, 10:53, 20 November 2023no edit summary
[[Category:Historical Fiction|*]]
[[Category:New Reviews|Historical Fiction]]__NOTOC__<!-- Remove -->
<!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alison LoveTananarive Due|title=The Girl from the Paradise BallroomReformatory|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=In Soho in 1937Gracetown, Italian singer Antonio has found himself Florida. June 1950. After a scuffle with a wealthy patron. His patron’s wife, Oliviawhite boy, twelve year-old Robbie Stephens Jr is known sentenced to Antonio from a chance encounter six months at the Paradise Ballroom - Gracetown School for Boys, otherwise known as the Reformatory. It's a place with a brutal and dark reputation. But the segregated reformatory is a chamber of horrors, haunted by the spark they felt on boys that meeting starts to deepen as war begins to creep up on themhave died there. In an uncertain worldorder to survive the school governor and his Funhouse, everything about their lives is under threat – Robert must enlist the government perceives foreigners as threats and help of the war wreaks havoc with nerves and relationshipsschool's ghosts – only they have their own motivations...|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0704373785</amazonuk>1803366532}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Laura AndersenKatherine Howe|title=The Boleyn Deceit (Anne Boleyn Trilogy Book 2) A True Account
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=Even after her deathHannah Masury is living in Boston, having been sent to live with a family who run an inn, George Boleyn continues and being made to fashion his sister Anne's son into work there from a young age. When she hears there is to be a king hanging of some pirates in George's imagethe town, she decides to go and watch. HoweverEnthralled and horrified in equal measure, now 18, matters of state aren’t Hannah finds herself embroiled in a young boy's death at the only concerns hands of Henry IXtwo vicious pirates. He has to decide between the French Princess Elizabeth She hides away, so that they don't find and commonerkill her too, childhood friend Minuette although Minuette is secretly betrothed and then to escape them completely she runs away to Henrysea, dressing as a boy and joining the notorious Ned Low's advisor Dominicpirate ship as a cabin boy. Minuette also has another quest: to find out who killed her friend Alyce but sleuthing She soon finds herself in the thick of things when there is becoming more dangerous. Meanwhile Henry's Catholic sister Mary a mutiny on board, and very intelligent sister Elizabeth from there we are not going to be happy remaining merely decorative for longcaught up in her rip roaring tale of life on the ocean waves.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0091956498</amazonuk>0861547438
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Kate RiordanSarah Marsh|title=The Girl in the PhotographA Sign of Her Own|rating=43.5|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=Alice Eveleigh is sent to Fiercombe Manor in 1933 After a bout of scarlet fever as the result a child, Ellen Lark loses her hearing. Suddenly plunged into a world of a scandalsilence, everything about her life changes. Back Living in a time when the 1890s the Manor had been home use of sign language was seen as something only savages do, Ellen is sent to a school where she is taught to Elizabeth and Charles Stanton and their little girl Isabel lip read, but it doesn't feel like a house that's seen much happinessphysically restrained from signing. The stones are drenched From here, she ends up in tragedy another school studying under Alexander Graham Bell who has been teaching the deaf and secrets that have remained locked away since thenusing a system called Visible Speech. What sort of secrets? Will Alice be too nosey for her own good or will At the secrets remain just thatsame time, with the added threat Bell is working on other inventions and ideas, and Ellen finds herself unwittingly caught up in a complicated tangle of history repeating itself?espionage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405917423</amazonuk>1035401614
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Robert BauschClaire North|title=Far As the Eye Can SeeHouse of Odysseus
|rating=5
|genre=Historical Literary Fiction|summary=''It was a bit slowWhat could matter more than love?'' was probably my Mam's worst condemnation of film… but I'm going to forgive her for not appreciating slowness, because it was she that got me into appreciating westerns. Of course she preferred the all-action kind, but through watching those with her, I started to watch and enjoy the long, slow, ones and to appreciate the back-drop to all of that action… and then somewhere along the line I got interested in what might really have happened: not just in the West but the whole of what became the U.S. in the early days of settlement.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408844303</amazonuk>}}
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Ian RossB0C7J9D21B|title=The War at the Edge of the World: Twilight of Empire: Book One A Captive in Algiers (Rome RebornMuhammed Amalfi Mysteries)|author=A J Lewis|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Centurion Aurelius Castus has risen through the ranks from the crack legions of the Danube but now finds himself in a Roman army on the very edge of the world – 4th century BritainWhen we first meet our hero, near Eboracum. Although his men are kept name is Ettore and he lives at battle fitness, his latest mission is one The House of peaceBeautiful Swallows. He must take Idyllic as this might sound, it's a cohort to escort an envoy on a visit to the barbarian Pictsbordello and Ettore's mother died when he was born. The local tribes are He's not been short of mothers, though - but for someone of his background in the process of picking a new leader andlate-eighteenth-century Amalfi, as the areait's future is resting on it, the Romans want difficult to influence the choice with diplomacyobtain decent employment. However not everyone has been honest The stint working with Castus; people as well as situations the preparation of anchovies didn't work out and bastards are not all they seemconsidered bad luck on fishing boats. Castus must depend on his own initiative Ettore was nothing if not resourceful - and determined - and ability to survive it was not long before he had a successful business as he soon realises he can trust no onea guide for visitors. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>1784081124</amazonuk>He was even saving some money.
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Erin KnightleyEssie Fox|title=The Earl I AdoreFascination
|rating=4
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Poor Sophie Wembley has been placed in The Victorian era is incredibly over-romanticised as a desperate situation thanks to her sister Penelopesetting for historical fiction (matched only, perhaps, who by the Second World War) which has eloped with the often led to more than a few writers mishandling it. There'hired help'. Once news s such a glut of media set in the scandal reaches the gossip-mongers of era that the hallmarks we'ton', Sophie and her family will be ousted from polite society and her hopes of finding an eligible husband will be ruined. It is therefore up ve come to Sophie's scheming mother to persuade her associate with it are familiar to snare herself a man before the gossip becomes public knowledgepoint of being cliched, hackneyed even. Time All this is clearly of the essence and when simply to illustrate that it comes would be an easy thing to suitable husbands, Sophie knows only one man will do: the handsome Earl of Evansleighpoorly. But despite that, for whom she has been harbouring a something about it still grabs me – and something about this book'tendre' for the past years description did as well.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0349405441</amazonuk>1914585526
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Tracey WarrNicole Jarvis|title=The Viking HostageA Portrait in Shadow|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Sigrid and her brothers are taken from their native Norseland and sold as slaves separately. Sigrid then begins her life alone as maid to Aina, daughter of Ademar, Viscount of Segur in Limoges. Her life could be a lot worse. Sigrid's pagan beliefs could condemn her to a tough time in Christian France but she's fallen on her feet, forming a close friendship with Aina, albeit a servile one. Meanwhile elsewhere in the region, Adalmode, daughter of the Viscount I want all of Limoges is about Florence to become a marriage pawn in a power struggle. Although she loves her family, she disagrees with their choice and has another in mind – one of her fatherknow my name''s prisoners. This is a tough world where love takes second place to survival and having it all is generally not an option compatible with staying alive.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1907605592</amazonuk>}}
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=Thomas D Lee
|title=Perilous Times
|rating=3
|genre= Fantasy
|summary= ''Hate is the path of least resistance''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Daisy WaughG K Holloway|title=Honeyville|rating=4|genre=General Fiction|summary=The story is told by Dora Whitworth, a call girl in one of the most exclusive brothels in Trinidad, Colorado. At the time, the town was the only place in In the West where prostitution was legal and it was infamous for its red-light district. Dora’s voice rings true and her life is convincingly described. The sumptuous brothel in Plum Street, with its smells Shadows of perfume and disinfectant, is as claustrophobic as a prison and Phoebe, the madam, particularly chilling.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007431775</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Joanna Hickson|title=Red Rose, White RoseCastles
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Cecily Neville, daughter We begin after the momentous battle in 1066 and on the day of Ralph, Earl William of Westmorland and Joan Beaufort, puts her obligations above all else which is why she marries Richard Plantagenet, third Duke Normandy's coronation as King of York and her fatherEngland. William's wardposition is not secure and the new king has many challenges. Together they will start Imposing authority through a royal line that will go down coronation is important. And William is right to worry. While the centuries but not without painprevious king, Harold, conflict is dead and, the likelihood of coursemore pitched battles is over, the Wars rebels are stirring and much of the Rosescountry does not wish to recognise a new overlord. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0007447019</amazonuk>1800422466
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=3949666079
|title=Noema
|author=Dael Akkerman
|rating=4.5
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=''This is a story about some things that happened to me about twelve thousand years ago.''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Chris Priestley1529125898|title=The Last of the SpiritsGodmersham Park|author=Gill Hornby
|rating=5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Everyone knows Charlotte, Emily and Anne. Not many know that this famous trio ''If it were not for the casual dereliction of literary sisters also had a brother, Patrick Branwell Brontë, born the year after Charlotte and a year before Emily. Like his sisters, he had literary ambitions: he wrote juvenile stories, poems and translations from the Greek; he also trained as a painter (you have most likely seen his famous painting of his sisters). Again like his sisters, howeverodd gentleman's duty, he was destined there would no women to die youngteach well-bred daughters at all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857522876</amazonuk>}}''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Erin KnightleyMelissa Fu |title=The Baron Next DoorPeach Blossom Spring
|rating=3.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary= I loved the prelude to Peach Blossom Spring, a short chapter entitled ''Origins''. Unfortunately it is the only truly poetic part of a book that I expected more from. Covering Chinese history from 1938 to 2005 as viewed through one family's perspective. When their home city is set ablaze during the war with Japan, a young mother (Meilin) and her four-year-old son (Renshu) are among those who flee. The story follows them on their journey across China, and in Renshu's case eventually to America.
|isbn=1472277538
}}
{{Frontpage
|isbn=1916072038
|title=The House in the Hollow (The Talbot Saga)
|author=Allie Cresswell
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Charity is hoping to enjoy a relaxing break We meet part of the Talbot family in Yorkshire in Bath, attending the music festival with her beloved grandmother, Lady EffingtonNovember 1811. Charity doesn't just love music, she ''lives'' music; it is an intrinsic part of her very being Twenty-seven-year-old Jocelyn Talbot and she is never happier than when playing her latest compositions on her pianoforte. She cannot understand why anyone would hate musicmother have travelled in some discomfort from their home at Ecklington, so when her new neighbour Baron Cadgwith turns up on her doorstep, demanding that she keep to the ''infernal racket to a minimum'', she declares war on house in the insufferably rude Baron next doorhollow. The result two women are angry with each other and Jocelyn is a light-hearted well aware of her mother's strengths and sweet Regency romance that sees the most unlikely pair begin to bond, despite their differences.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349405417</amazonuk>}}weaknesses:
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Barbara EwingAnnabel Abbs|title=The Petticoat MenLanguage of Food|rating=45
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=In 1871 Ernest Boulton (aged 22) and Frederick Park (aged 23) were arrested in London; an arrest that shook society all Eliza Acton is a poet who has never had the way slightest inclination to the topboil an egg. Their crime? They dressed as womenWhen tasked with writing a cookery book, which hinted at homosexualityshe recruits Ann Kirby, then a crime that carried local woman with a heinous prison tarifftroubled home life. Their infamous trial was watched closely by society because Stella and Fanny (as Together, they were known when frocked) performed regularly at house parties test, craft, refine and soirees attended by reshape the world of domestic cookery, reinventing the higher echelons recipe book and so if these performers should fall, who would go down with them?changing the face of cookery writing forever.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781859965</amazonuk>1398502227
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Emily PurdyFreya Marske|title=The Boleyn BrideA Marvellous Light
|rating=4
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Elizabeth Howard wants Robin Blyth is nudged into a noble marriage but at 16 she's married off to Thomas Boleynjob in the Civil Service, a jumped up nouveau riche who tries much to hide his humble roots any way chagrin. There he canmeets Edwin Courcey and learns that the streets of London are threaded with magic. It's not Desperate to remove a love match on either side. So curse that threatens to compensate for her husband's shortcomingsswallow him, Elizabeth throws herself into a collection of lovers and Robin follows Edwin to the lives of two of her three children. Yescountryside, she dreams of rosy futures for Mary and George, but for where the third child Anne, born as ugly as a monkey, Elizabeth can't envisage any future so wastes neither dreams nor love on her. However when Henry VII dies hedgegrows bristle with incantations and his second son eventually takes the throne, Elizabeth realises she may not be rightpeople shimmer with power. Having Henry VIII as There they uncover a son-sinister plot that threatens the lives of all magicians in-law may do both Anne and the family a lot of goodBritish Isles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0349405956</amazonuk>1529080886
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=L C TylerB09F4CTKJR|title=A Cruel Necessity (A John Grey Historical Mystery)Flights for Freedom|author= Steven Burgauer
|rating=4.5
|genre=Crime (Historical)Fiction|summary=Essex 1657: CromwellIt's Republic is 8 years old. While John Grey sleeps off a good night the later stages of drink under World War I and the United States has just entered the eaves of conflict. Petrol Petronus is a cottage, a Royalist spy is murdered down young American who has signed up and joined the road17 Aero Squadron. A trainee lawyerThis company was the first US Aero Squadron to be trained in Canada, John also enjoys the science of investigation first to be attached to the RAF and so starts looking for clues that will lead him the first to be sent into the skies to fight the murdererGermans in active combat. Although it's not easy: strange happenings occurred But before that night and Grey is having trouble persuading others of what he saw. Meanwhile his mother can happen, Petrol has to master flying the perfect match for himnotoriously difficult but majestic Sopwith Camel. Unfortunately their ideas of perfection differ somewhat!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1472115031</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Catherine HallChristophe Medler|title=The RepercussionsMadrigal: A Closely Guarded Secret|rating=54
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Once home from her role as Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, a photosecret plan (code-journalist named Madrigal) is discovered by Sir Robert Douse in Afghanistan, Jo decides to move into the Brighton flat that her great aunt Elizabeth has bequeathed hersummer of 1642. While searching through As a loyal servant of the belongings that go with King, and Head of the homeSecret Service, she finds Elizabethit is Robert's WWI diaries from duty to uncover the time that she nursed wounded servicemen from details of the Indian Corps at plan and follow the Brighton Pavilion. These entries cause her clues to reflect on her time recording uncover one of the more current war and enables her to open up to her ex-lover Susie most guarded secrets in a series of letters, telling her how it was, history—especially since the plot could affect the lives of those she met out there, what it did to them and, indeed, to herKing.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846883342</amazonuk>B095HY8SXQ
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1471187179|title=LucyA Beautiful Spy|author=Alan KennedyRachel Hore
|rating=4
|genre=General Historical Fiction|summary=Lucy Minnie is an 'ordinary' girl living an unexciting life in a painterleafy provincial suburb. Hiding away The book is set in Dundee on VE Daythe 1930s and Minnie is expected to live up to her mother's expectations and find a nice young man to marry, produce children and spend the rest of her days looking after her husband and their home. Unfortunately, this isn't what she wants to do at all and neither does she returns from want to continue working as a secretary. As a disaster result of an exhibition to a letter from a figure from her past. Uncle Albertchance meeting, still in Franceshe finds herself drawn into espionage, wants working for the secret service and effectively living a double life - attempting to sort out his affairs infiltrate the Communist Party of Great Britain. Minnie finds herself torn between what she perceives as her duty and the friends she has made - and likes - who will get what after hewhilst working for the Communist Party.}}{{Frontpage|author=Afonso Cruz and Rahul Bery (translator)|title=Kokoschka's deadDoll|rating=2. The letter sends Lucy on 5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Well, this looked very much like a voyage 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 discovery - about it. I found things to potentially delight me each time – a past full of artweird section in the middle on darker stock paper, lost lovea chapter whose number was in the 20, found love000s, griefletters used as narrative form, war and about so on. It intrigued with the subterranean voice a man hears in wartorn Dresden that what could possibly come nextlittle I knew of it mentioned, too. Set in pre-war London But you've seen the star rating that comes with this review, pre-war and wartime France and windy, rainy Dundee, Lucy is a can tell that if love storywas on these pages, but it's also a kind of coming-homewas not actually caused by them. So what happened?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0956469663</amazonuk>1529402697
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anne O'BrienChristina Hammonds Reed|title=The King's SisterBlack Kids|rating=4.5|genre=Women's FictionTeens |summary=ItChristina Hammonds Reed's England in 1380 and 17 year old Elizabeth of Lancaster has always dreamt of her betrothal and debut novel is set against the sort backdrop of love of which balladeers sing. So when she meets the person her father has lined up1992 Los Angeles riots, her face drops a reaction to say the leastabsolution of four police officers for beating a black man, Rodney King, nearly to death. The Earl Told from the perspective of Pembroke is eight years old so she's not pleased. However one day love will find her and cruelly cause Ashley Bennett, the novel follows her evolution from a silent bystander when confronted with matters of race, to choose between the love of a woman finding her life voice and family with fatal consequencesembracing her heritage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848453469</amazonuk>1471188191
}}
