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<!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Adriana TrigianiTananarive Due|title=All The Stars Reformatory|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary= Gracetown, Florida. June 1950. After a scuffle with a white boy, twelve year-old Robbie Stephens Jr is sentenced to six months at the 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 boys that have died there. In The Heavensorder to survive the school governor and his Funhouse, Robert must enlist the help of the school's ghosts – only they have their own motivations...|isbn=1803366532}} {{Frontpage|author=Katherine Howe|title=A True Account|rating=4.5
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=It was 1935 Hannah Masury is living in Boston, having been sent to live with a family who run an inn, and Loretta Young wanted fame and success in Hollywoodbeing made to work there from a young age. Part When she hears there is to be a hanging of it was being young (just twenty one) and beautiful but she was also conscious that some pirates in the money town, she brought in mattered decides to her familygo and watch. She was hungry for love too: her father had left when she was Enthralled and horrified in equal measure, Hannah finds herself embroiled in a youngboy's death at the hands of two vicious pirates. Her step-father had done little better She hides away, so that they don't find and kill her too, and there was then to escape them completely she runs away to sea, dressing as a boy and joining the notorious Ned Low''need'' for s pirate ship as a man she could love and look up tocabin boy. She developed soon finds herself in the thick of things when there is a reputation for falling mutiny on board, and from there we are caught up in love with her leading men: first it was Spencer Tracy but rip roaring tale of life on the set of ''The Call of the Wild'' she fell for Clark Gable - and he for herocean waves.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1471136345</amazonuk>0861547438
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Leo TolstoySarah Marsh|title=War and PeaceA Sign of Her Own|rating=43.5|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=1805: Napoleon Bonaparte is on the way to conquering Europe while what's left After a bout of Europe (including the Russian army led by Tsar Alexander) stands in his wayscarlet fever as a child, Ellen Lark loses her hearing. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky quickly gets Suddenly plunged into a reputation as military hero although few know this is allied to his death wishworld of silence, everything about her life changes. Meanwhile back Living in Russia a time when the remaining aristocracy have no doubt that their motherland will win and so they continue with daily life. Pierre, the illegitimate son use of Count Bezukhoff buries his life in winesign language was seen as something only savages do, women, song and more wine but the death of his father takes him on Ellen is sent to a journey school where she is taught to find happinesslip read, the long way roundbut physically restrained from signing. 12-year-old Natasha Rostov dreams of love and happinessFrom here, searching with age-related exuberance she ends up in another school studying under Alexander Graham Bell who has been teaching the deaf and inexperienceusing a system called Visible Speech. The older generation are there to help At the same time, Bell is working on other inventions and hinder as they take their places as pawns ideas, and puppeteers Ellen finds herself unwittingly caught up in the manipulation and social climbing that's become second nature… that is until the tide a complicated tangle of war changesespionage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>184990846X</amazonuk>1035401614
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Michael GrantClaire North|title= Front LinesHouse of Odysseus|rating= 5|genre= TeensLiterary Fiction |summary=1942: Hitler is pushing his way ever further, the USA adds its strength ''What could matter more than love?'' The follow-up to the Alliance and women are allowed to fight in the military for the first timeexcellent ''Ithaca'' picks up a few months after where we left off. Rio Richlin’s sister has already died in In the warpalace of Odysseus, Frangie Marr is desperate for a way with delicate care Queen Penelope continues to keep rule without her family’s heads above water and Rainy Schulterman wants to kill the man husband, who is murdering Jews. All three go sailed to war at Troy and all three are changedthen by divine intervention never returned home. As ever she remains surrounded by suitors vying for the throne of the Western Isles. Although they do they do not start togetherHaving survived – politically and physical – the chaotic storm that Clytemnestra brought to Ithaca's shores, their paths intersect as they all take Queen Penelope is on roles the brink of a fragile peace. One that leave more scars than expectedshatters however with the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra, seeking refuge.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405273828</amazonuk>0356516075
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jessica BlairB0C7J9D21B|title=Tread Softly, AliceA Captive in Algiers (Muhammed Amalfi Mysteries)|author=A J Lewis|rating=24.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Alice Ware When we first meet our hero, his name is finally returning home to YorkshireEttore and he lives at The House of Beautiful Swallows. Idyllic as this might sound, after an extended stay with friends in Franceit's a bordello and Ettore's mother died when he was born. Much has changed since she left He's not been short of mothers, though - but the most exciting development has been the arrival for someone of an elegant new neighbourhis background in late-eighteenth-century Amalfi, Emma Cheevey, who has inherited the estate next it's difficult to their homeobtain decent employment. Alice is particularly thrilled by The stint working with the arrival preparation of Emmaanchovies didn's handsome soldier sons: the serious but self confident Steven t work out and bastards are considered bad luck on fishing boats. Ettore was nothing if not resourceful - and determined - and his gentle, easygoing younger brother Matthewit was not long before he had a successful business as a guide for visitors. He was even saving some money. Both men are keen to win her heart, but which one holds the key to her future?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349407320</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anne O'BrienEssie Fox|title=The Queen's ChoiceFascination
|rating=4
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Joanna of Navarre may be married The Victorian era is incredibly over-romanticised as a setting for historical fiction (matched only, perhaps, by the Second World War) which has often led to John IVth Duke more than a few writers mishandling it. There's such a glut of Britany but she has views of her own and isnmedia set in the era that the hallmarks we't afraid ve come to voice themassociate with it are familiar to the point of being cliched, hackneyed even . All this is simply to Charles the French Kingillustrate that it would be an easy thing to do poorly. When she defends exiled English noble Henry Bolingbroke at the French court she does so as a friend not realising what the future holds. For Bolingbroke is the future Henry IV and fate will decree But despite that Joanna will become his queen, roles that will take their toll on both of them something about it still grabs me – and something about this book's description did as a couple and individualswell.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848454074</amazonuk>1914585526
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Ian RossNicole Jarvis|title=Battle For Rome (Twilight of Empire)A Portrait in Shadow|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=''Be warned - spoilers ahead for the first two books…''Aurelius Castus, tribune in Emperor Constantine's army is preparing for the battle everyone (including us) has been waiting for: the fight against Maxentius, Tyrant I want all of Rome. Meanwhile Castus' marriage Florence to the aristocratic Sabina has borne him a beloved son but coldness lurks between man and wife where there was hot passion. Castus' suspicions are further fed by his wifeknow my name's name being on the lips of a dying officer; truth or pre-death ramblings? Meanwhile Sabina has bought a new slave and Castus swears he's seen her somewhere before…|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1784081205</amazonuk>}}
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=Thomas D Lee
|title=Perilous Times
|rating=3
|genre= Fantasy
|summary= ''Hate is the path of least resistance''
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Mary GibsonG K Holloway|title=Gunner Girls and Fighter BoysIn the Shadows of Castles
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=''Gunner Girls and Fighter Boys'' is the latest book in Mary Gibson's Bermondsey series. This time, We begin after the Lloyd family take centre stage: Mum, Dad, son Jack and daughters May and Peggy. War is raging momentous battle in Europe 1066 and Bermondsey is not immune from daily onslaught of bombs. A tragic event one night changes everything and home-bird May decides to fly the nest in order to participate in the war effort. The war will leave no-one unscathed; the strongest hearts can be paralysed by fear and the unlikeliest of people can emerge as heroes.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>178185596X</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Frances Brody|title=Sisters on Bread Street|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Julia and Margaret are the Wood sisters, struggling to hoist themselves out day of a life William of poverty in Leeds just before the outbreak of the first world war. Well, Julia is struggling. Margaret sees her way out as being through marriage to a rich suffragetteNormandy's son, Thomascoronation as King of England. SheWilliam's an apprentice milliner position is not secure and beautiful, but both sisters have the new king has many challenges. Imposing authority through a disadvantage and it's one which grows bigger as war approaches: their father coronation is Germanimportant.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349410704</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Antonia Senior|title=The Winter Isles|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Scotland 1122: A son And William is born right to a warlord on worry. While the Scottish Islands. The warlord GilleBrideprevious king, Harold, is a man who doesn't realise his glory dead and the likelihood of more pitched battles is receding. One day the realisation does hit himover, along with a Viking raid. In the heat rebels are stirring and much of invasion his son, although only 15, must take over. Can a lad actually lead the country does not wish to recognise a people? History will tell and legend will embellish for that boy is Somerled and this is his storynew overlord.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1782396586</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=Conn Iggulden1529125898|title=Wars of the Roses: Bloodline: Book 3 (The Wars of the Roses)Godmersham Park|author=Gill Hornby
|rating=5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=The Wars of the Roses continue. Margaret of Anjou becomes a catalyst for what lays ahead and then rescues her husband, the debilitated Henry VI, from the forces of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and the recently executed Richard of York. However York's last words weren't empty rhetoric: by killing If it were not for the father Margaret has indeed unleashed the sons. Edward casual dereliction of March for one is out for revenge; a fact that throws the English throne and the safety of Queenodd gentleman's spymaster Derry Brewer into grave doubt.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>071815987X</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author= Jennifer Wallace|title= Digging Up Milton|rating= 3.5|genre= Historical Fiction|summary=Digging Up Milton appealed to me because from the description it sounded like something a little bit different. I like that it is dark but yet not entirely seriousduty, and I always appreciate it when an author tries there would no women to write in a different way, or give a book an individual voiceteach well-bred daughters at all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1909776106</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|author=Lesley J Nickell|title=Sons of York: Volume 2 (The Sprigs of Broom)|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=15th Century London: Through a quirk of fate young widow Janet Evershed finds herself running her late husband's cloth business, far from her York home. It's in this very shop that she meets Richard Neville, Duke of Warwick and his ward Edward, Earl of March. They may be much higher than commoner Janet but she has caught Edward's eye and what Edward wants, he gets, be it a woman or, indeed, the crown of England.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1861514603</amazonuk>}}
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Julia Franck and Anthea Bell (translator)Melissa Fu |title=WestPeach Blossom Spring
|rating=3.5
|genre=Literary Historical Fiction|summary=Put yourself in I loved the shoes of a young mother prelude to two childrenPeach Blossom Spring, who declares her intention to leave the Communist East Germany for West Berlin, and thus loses her scientist joba short chapter entitled ''Origins''. What would you expect on Unfortunately it is the other side – shops full only truly poetic part of attainable products, pleasant neighbourhoods, nice neighbours, an active and busy new life, where things might feel alien but at least you speak the same language? Well, for Nelly Senff, this is hardly the casea book that I expected more from. Once past the depressing Eastern exit procedures she is confronted with more desultory interrogations Covering Chinese history from those 1938 to 2005 as viewed through one family'welcoming' her to s perspective. When their home city is set ablaze during the Westwar with Japan, beyond which she a young mother (Meilin) and her children four-year-old son (their father, whom she never married, is long assumed dead by the authorities, if nobody elseRenshu) are practically left in a shared accommodation in a transit campamong those who flee. The shops are full of what is still unobtainablestory follows them on their journey across China, the children hate their new school – and people still look down on them as being foreign, even if they have only moved across a cityin Renshu's case eventually to America. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099554321</amazonuk>1472277538
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Gregory Dowling1916072038|title=AscensionThe House in the Hollow (The Talbot Saga)|author=Allie Cresswell
|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Alvise Marangon is an artist 'resting' between commissions We meet part of the Talbot family in Yorkshire in November 1811. Twenty-seven-year-old Jocelyn Talbot and so using his guile and enterprise as a tour guide her mother have travelled in some discomfort from their home at Ecklington, to those taking the European Grand Tour house in 18th century Venicethe hollow. Everything has The two women are angry with each other and Jocelyn is well aware of her mother's strengths and weaknesses: ''She is practiced at subterfuge, at concealing, beneath a business as usual feel to it for Alvise until he notices a fellow gondolier paying his friend not to take a couple facade of English tourists. Thenrespectability, as the new Doge deplorable truth''. Hester is inaugurated a manfurious about Jocelyn's head is thrown into refusal to do as she was asked, which has precipitated ''this violent and unexpected removal''. Then we are told of the crowdbirth of a child and, soon after, Hester Talbot departs, leaving Jocelyn in shame and isolation in Yorkshire. Showing people around a typical Venice is becoming increasingly hard for Alvise – Venice is not behaving typically!|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846973139</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Lisa HiltonAnnabel Abbs|title=The Stolen QueenLanguage of Food
|rating=5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Nine-year-old Isabelle of Angouleme Eliza Acton is betrothed a poet who has never had the slightest inclination to Halboil an egg. When tasked with writing a cookery book, son of Hugh de Lusignan. She doesn't like him much but she's learning to gently manipulate those around her so she feels recruits Ann Kirby, a local woman with a troubled home life will be interesting and rewarding. Howeverwith England's King Richard the Lionheart all changes. Isabelle will marry King John instead – a totally different prospect for all concerned. This is a match that will not only be a challenge for the young girl but will show her the true heart of her mother Together, they test, craft, refine and reshape the true art world of political manoeuvring. Isabelle may be the pawn in all this but it's not a role she takes to willinglydomestic cookery, despite reinventing the nightmares of the horned man recipe book and changing the occurrences face of a certain May night that will haunt the rest of her lifecookery writing forever.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848874693</amazonuk>1398502227
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Anthony QuinnFreya Marske|title=Blind Arrows|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=1919: A cohort of British spies meet in the depths of Dublin Castle, the prison and British intelligence hub. Their main focus is the infiltration of the IRA in a bid to neutralise their leader, Michael Collins. However there is a distraction from their usual agenda: an increasing number of IRA women are escaping, only to be found murdered shortly afterwards. Martin Kant, an English journalist in Ireland is charged with investigation and reporting back to the government powers as well as his newspaper editor. Meanwhile Lilly Merrin, a Dublin Castle employee has also gone missing. Her loyalty to the Crown seems beyond question in the eyes of her boss, but others would argue with that...|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1843445352</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Sven Hassel and Jordy Diago|title=Wheels of Terror: The Graphic NovelMarvellous Light
|rating=4
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=It has been three years since Hew was banished from Scotland and manoeuvred Robin Blyth is nudged into working for Elizabeth I's spymastera job in the Civil Service, Walsinghammuch to his chagrin. His loyalties remain with the Scottish Queen Mary but he must hide them as well as he can lest There he becomes a victim of the conspiracy fever cutting through England meets Edwin Courcey and keeping learns that the hangman busystreets of London are threaded with magic. There's also another fever cutting through Scotland – the plagueDesperate to remove a curse that threatens to swallow him, providing even more reason for Hew Robin follows Edwin to worry about the wellbeing of his sistercountryside, brother in law where the hedgegrows bristle with incantations and nephewthe people shimmer with power. If he could but go home he'd have There they uncover a surprise for them. When he gets there, there's a surprise for him sinister plot that threatens the lives of all magicians in the form of a death prophesy picture, followed by a murderBritish Isles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846973120</amazonuk>1529080886
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=John RightenB09F4CTKJR|title=Churchill's Rogue: Volume 1 (Rogues Trilogy)|rating=5|genre=Thrillers|summary=Sean Ryan grew up in Ireland during the 20th century's first quarter and so understands death and loss. He learnt to defend what he felt right during his time as a bodyguard for Michael Collins. Therefore when Winston Churchill called upon his services in 1937 to bring a mother and child out of Germany, Ryan doesn't say no. However Ryan soon discovers this is no easy escort duty. The mother and child in question are Flights for some reason being hunted by an elite German force led by Cerberus, a code name for a sadist incarnate. On the plus side, Ryan soon discovers he's not alone. There are more like him across Europe; those with pasts that forged them into violent defenders of the vulnerable in an increasingly dangerous world. These are the Rogues and, this time, Ryan needs their help.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1492320242</amazonuk>}}{{newreviewFreedom|author=Erin Knightley|title=The Duke Can Go to the DevilSteven Burgauer|rating=4.5
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=As Regency ladies go, Mei-li Bradford is anything but conventional. For most It's the later stages of her life, she World War I and the United States has travelled just entered the world with her sea-captain father and seen exotic sights and locations that others could only dream ofconflict. Her upbringing amongst sailors Petrol Petronus is a young American who has clearly rubbed off on her, howeversigned up and joined the 17 Aero Squadron. Mei-liThis company was the first US Aero Squadron to be trained in Canada, or May the first to be attached to her friends, can drink the RAF and curse like a man and has no respect for propriety and conventionthe first to be sent into the skies to fight the Germans in active combat. She may look like a well-bred ladyBut before that can happen, Petrol has to master flying the notoriously difficult but certainly does not act like one. Therefore, disaster surely beckons when an uptight Duke shows an interest in her. His stuffy ways and conventional habits are anathema to May's free-spirited naturemajestic Sopwith Camel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0349410674</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author=Benjamin JohncockChristophe Medler|title=The Last PilotMadrigal: A Closely Guarded Secret
|rating=4
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=1566: Brothers Pierre and Samson de Siorac have been sent from their Perigore home to further their education at MontpellierSet against the backdrop of the English Civil War, a secret plan (code-named Madrigal) is discovered by Sir Robert Douse in the summer of 1642. During their time there they learn more than their ascribed logicAs a loyal servant of the King, philosophy and medicine. Indeed PierreHead of the Secret Service, it is Robert's focus is on his stomach duty to uncover the details of the plan and follow the affairs clues to uncover one of the heart, as befitting a lusty 15 year old. Not all of most guarded secrets in history—especially since the plot could affect the adventures are learned, culinary or romantic though; some lessons are a lot more dangerousKing.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1782271244</amazonuk>B095HY8SXQ
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Jemima Brigges1471187179|title=Brothers at ArmsA Beautiful Spy|author=Rachel Hore
|rating=4
|genre=Historical Fiction
|summary=Certain decisions are pivotal points Minnie is an 'ordinary' girl living an unexciting life in time; key moments that define everything that follows a leafy provincial suburb. The book is set in the 1930s and create waves that ripple with repercussions for years Minnie is expected to live up to her mother's expectations and find a nice young man to come. Kindly squire Tom Norberry could never have foreseen marry, produce children and spend the impact that taking in two orphaned relatives would have on his future happinessrest of her days looking after her husband and their home. This single Unfortunately, altruistic act of kindness would set in motion this isn't what she wants to do at all and neither does she want to continue working as a secretary. As a chain result of events that would eventually cause a deep household rift chance meeting, she finds herself drawn into espionage, working for the secret service and threaten effectively living a double life - attempting to sully infiltrate the good family name that he had worked to hard to upholdCommunist Party of Great Britain. Minnie finds herself torn between what she perceives as her duty and the friends she has made - and likes - whilst working for the Communist Party.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1784624454</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreviewFrontpage|author= Kevin SandsAfonso Cruz and Rahul Bery (translator)|title= The Blackthorn KeyKokoschka's Doll|rating= 2.5|genre= Confident ReadersLiterary Fiction|summary= Seventeenth century England isn't always a comfortable place to live. Apart from the obvious differences from the modern day – no National Health ServiceWell, no laws to protect orphans this looked very much like Christopher from cruelty and exploitation, and a constant foul smell book I could love from poor sanitation the get- fear go, which is why I picked my review copy up and suspicion are a daily fact flipped pages over several times before actually reading any of lifeit. In 1665 Charles II has been back I found things to potentially delight me each time – a weird section in the middle on darker stock paper, a chapter whose number was in the throne for several years20,000s, letters used as narrative form, but not everyone is happy about his extravagant and luxurious life-style, even among those who found so on. It intrigued with the Puritan rules subterranean voice a man hears in wartorn Dresden that what little I knew of Cromwell's time excessively strict. There are spies everywhereit mentioned, and rumours of conspiracies fill the streetstoo. It But you's a time to keep your head down ve seen the star rating that comes with this review, and avoid attention from the authoritiescan tell that if love was on these pages, it was not actually caused by them. So what happened?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>014136064X</amazonuk>1529402697
}}
{{Frontpage
|author=Christina Hammonds Reed
|title=The Black Kids
|rating=4.5
|genre=Teens
|summary=Christina Hammonds Reed's debut novel is set against the backdrop of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, a reaction to the absolution of four police officers for beating a black man, Rodney King, nearly to death. Told from the perspective of Ashley Bennett, the novel follows her evolution from a silent bystander when confronted with matters of race, to a woman finding her voice and embracing her heritage.
|isbn=1471188191
}}
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