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Category Archives: historical fiction
The Caged Graves – Dianne Salerni
Set in a small community in Pennsylvania following the Civil War, Verity Boone, returns to her birthplace to be reunited with her father and meet her intended husband. Her mother died when she was a toddler, so she was sent … Continue reading
Posted in historical fiction, mystery
Tagged post-Civil War
The Boleyn King: A Novel – Laura Andersen
On a summer’s night in 1536 a rush of falling stars accompanied the birth of a prince, Anne Boleyn’s healthy baby boy. Now, seventeen years later King Henry IX, known to his family as William, is impatiently entering the last … Continue reading
Posted in adult, historical fiction
Tagged alternate fiction, Tudors
All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens – Gloria Whelan
This companion to Small Acts of Courage can stand alone. The author does a wonderful job clueing the reader in on Rosalind’s adventures in India during the time of British Colonization. Her father is stationed in India and works for … Continue reading
Posted in historical fiction
Tagged 1920s, India
All Standing: The Remarkable Story of the Jeanie Johnston, the Lendendary Irish Famine Ship – Kathryn Miles
Nicholas Reilly always gave his place of birth as The Atlantic Ocean. He was born on Easter Sunday the day his vessel, the Jeanie Johnston, embarked on its maiden voyage to North America. That he and his family and all … Continue reading
Posted in adult, historical fiction
Tagged 1847-185, Irish Emigrant Ship
Ashenden – Elizabeth Wilhide
This is the first time I have encountered a house as the main character in a novel, and I find I quite like it. Ashenden is a stately English country manor house built toward the end of the 18th century. … Continue reading
Posted in adult, historical fiction
Tagged Basildon Park, Living history
Velvet – Mary Hooper
Velvet has decided to reinvent herself to try to raise her standing in the world. Formerly known as Kitty, her mother died years before and her abusive father drowned in the murky canal. She adopts a new name and gets … Continue reading
Posted in historical fiction
Tagged psychics, Victorian England
Shadow on the Mountain – Margi Preus
When the Nazis begin to occupy Norway in the early 1940′s, they anticipate that the citizens will be grateful for their presence and will be easy to mold. While many young Norwegians quickly move to support the Nazis, many others … Continue reading
Posted in historical fiction
Tagged Norway, World War II
Inside Out & Back Again – Thanhha Lai
This fictionalized account of the author’s childhood in Vietnam during the civil war, the fall of Saigon, and new life in Alabama is written in free verse. She never knew her father, who was highly educated but had been missing … Continue reading
Posted in highly recommend, historical fiction, realistic fiction
Tagged 1975, free verse, refugee, Vietnam
Jepp, Who Defied the Stars – Katherine Marsh
Set during the late 1500s, young Jepp, a dwarf, is much loved by his innkeeper mother. When a mysterious noble visits the inn, he convinces Jepp and his mother that Jepp should go with him to the court of the … Continue reading
Posted in historical fiction
Tagged 1580, astrology, astronomy, dwarf, Spanish Netherlands, Tycho Brahe
Dodger – Terry Pratchett
Dodger is interrupted from his work in the sewers of Victorian London when he hears the screams of a lady being beaten. Rescuing the lady, who has escaped from a horrible marriage to a German prince, is the first of … Continue reading
Posted in fantasy, highly recommend, historical fiction
Tagged historical fantasy
Gods and Warriors – Michelle Paver
During the Bronze Age in ancient Greece, scrappy orphan Hylas, branded an outsider and banished from the village, has kept himself and his sister alive by tending goats. The story opens with Hylas running for his life after losing his … Continue reading
Posted in adventure, highly recommend, historical fiction
Tagged Ancient Greece, Bronze Age
The Kingmaker’s Daughter – Philippa Gregory
Little Anne, nearly nine years old, is processing into the throne room at the Tower of London, come to pay her respects to the Queen who will be crowned tomorrow. She steps forward to make her curtsey and is stunned … Continue reading
Posted in adult, historical fiction
Tagged War of the Roses
The Red Chamber – Pauline A. Chen
In the spring of 1721 Lin Daiyu and her father are nearing the end of the Forty-Nine Days Mourning, keeping vigil beside her mother’s coffin. A strange man appears, like them, wearing mourning robes of un-dyed hemp. At first her … Continue reading
Posted in adult, historical fiction
Tagged China 1720s
Mission to Paris – Alan Furst
Frederic Stahl, an internationally famous Hollywood film star is making a film in Paris. Having spent a few years there as a young man, Stahl was looking forward to the visit. As soon as he arrived, he changed into a … Continue reading
Posted in adult, historical fiction
Tagged 1938, Paris, spy
The Wicked and the Just – J. Anderson Coats
The story takes place in Wales around 1280 when King Edward I of England conquered Wales. He sealed his control of the Welsh by granting lands to loyal Englishmen and moving them into newly built town houses within castle walls. … Continue reading
Posted in highly recommend, historical fiction
Tagged 1280, Wales
