Alchemy by S.J. Parris

 Title: Alchemy

Author: S. J. Parris

Genre: Historical Mystery

Other books I've read by this author: Heresy, Prophecy, and Sacrilege, Treachery, Conspiracy, Execution

Synopsis:

"Prague, 1588.

A COURT IN TURMOIL

The court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, is a haven for scientists, astrologers and alchemists. The dream – to discover the philosopher’s stone and attain immortality. But now there are rumours of heresy.

A MURDERED ALCHEMIST

Giordano Bruno is sent to Prague as a spy for Elizabeth I. He arrives to find the palace in uproar – an alchemist has been murdered.

AN UNFORGIVING ENEMY

Ordered by the emperor to uncover the killer, Bruno must negotiate the jostling factions at court, as well as the religious tensions brewing in the city. And his hunt to track down a murderer soon proves as elusive as the elixir of life itself…" - Back Cover

My Thoughts

It was so fun traveling to the Court of Prague with Bruno, Besler, John Dee, and meeting many new characters along the way. I love this series and the 7th novel was no exception. Murder mystery, love story, strong willed women, a commentary on the religious prejudices of the time, this book hits all the marks for me. I received this and "The Dead of Winter" (a collection of short stories featuring Giordano Bruno) for Christmas. I hope there is another full Bruno novel on the way, but in the meantime, the short stories will have to hold me over.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

This novel was not at all what I was expecting. I haven't read something this engaging in a while. Old Hollywood, complicated relationships, unexpected twists, this one is just *chef's kiss*.  The way the author creates characters that are relatable and likeable, who you want to root for, but are also human and flawed... it keeps the reader wanting more, dying to know what happens next. The storytelling and suspense build at just the perfect pace. It doesn't get dull, but it also isn't overwhelming. Sometimes I'm dubious of really popular best sellers like this one, but this one deserves the accolades. I'll be recommending this novel to anyone who asks me what they should read next.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Thrift Books now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir

Title: The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power

Author: Alison Weir
Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: Innocent Traitor, Queen Isabella

Synopsis: "Cardinal Thomas Wolsey enjoyed one of the most meteoric careers in history. His rise from humble beginnings coincided with young Henry VIII's ascension to the throne in 1509. The two grew to be cherished friends, and by 1515 Wolsey, now a cardinal, had become the controlling figure in all matters of church and state.

Wolsey operated on an international stage and worked hard to broker universal peace. All was going dazzlingly well until Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn--the woman whom Wolsey would one day call "the night crow"--and sought to end his marriage to his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Swept up in the maelstrom of "the Divorce," Wolsey, who had successfully given his master everything he wanted, found himself in an impossible situation. As he drew the ire of the future queen, the cardinal found his privileged life and his relationship with Henry crumbling around him." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

I've read both fiction and nonfiction works by Alison Weir, and I have to say that this is my favorite so far! I was so excited to receive this novel as a Christmas gift, I knew it had to be the first book I read this year. I've read A LOT of historical fiction featuring the Tudors, many from the perspective of women during the period (see all my reviews of Philippa Gregory's novels). It was refreshing to get a new point of view on Henry VIII and learn more about the personal life of Thomas Wolsey. This novel has ambition, love, loss, corruption, and coming of age all wrapped into one engaging story. It was such an enjoyable read, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on the Tudors.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Thrift Books now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore

 

Title: The Nurse's Secret

Author: Amanda Skenandore

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "Based on Florence Nightingale’s nursing principles, Bellevue is the first school of its kind in the country. Where once nurses were assumed to be ignorant and unskilled, Bellevue prizes discipline, intellect, and moral character, and only young women of good breeding need apply. At first, Una balks at her prim classmates and the doctors’ endless commands. Yet life on the streets has prepared her for the horrors of injury and disease found on the wards, and she slowly gains friendship and self-respect.
Just as she finds her footing, Una’s suspicions about a patient’s death put her at risk of exposure, and will force her to choose between her instinct for self-preservation, and exposing her identity in order to save others." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

My mom bought this for me last Christmas; it was not on my list, but she knows my taste in books perfectly. This book has a little bit of everything: from rags to riches, murder mystery, coming of age, strong female friendships, and a love story. Una is flawed and so likeable, her life tragic and transforming. She has to learn to allow others to help and care for her after always looking out for herself. Her journey from thief to nurse is endearing, and her detective work to uncover a murderer, heroic. I'd recommend adding this to your reading list in the new year!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton

 Title: Our Last Days in Barcelona

Author: Chanel Cleeton

Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Cuban Heiress , The Last Train to Key West

Synopsis: "Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.

Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.

Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

As always, I loved the family dynamics that Chanel Cleeton has created for the Perez sisters. I was engaged and intrigued for the entire story. I'm sure by now you all know that I love a generational story with multiple timelines. This was no exception. I felt this story gave insight and context into Alicia's motives and behavior in the previous novels, allowing the reader to better relate to her. This novel also features a few twists that I have come to expect from Cleeton's work. Somehow, I am still surprised when they pop up. I look forward to reading more her books in 2026!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Execution by S. J. Parris

Title: Execution

Author: S. J. Parris

Genre: Historical Mystery

Other books I've read by this author: Heresy, Prophecy, and Sacrilege, Treachery, Conspiracy

Synopsis:

"England, 1586. A treasonous conspiracy . . .Giordano Bruno, a heretic turned spy, arrives in England with shocking information for spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham. A band of Catholic Englishmen are plotting to kill Queen Elizabeth and spring Mary Queen of Scots from prison to take the English throne in her place.

A deadly trap . . .

Bruno is surprised to find that Walsingham is aware of the plot - led by the young, wealthy noble Anthony Babington - and is allowing it to progress. He hopes that Mary will put her support in writing - and condemn herself to a traitor's death.

A queen in mortal danger . . .

Bruno is tasked with going undercover to join the conspirators. Can he stop them before he is exposed? Either way a queen will die; Bruno must make sure it is the right one." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

After finishing Conspiracy, I just had to keep going in this series. Sometimes nothing else feels right, and I knew Execution was the only book that was going to hit just right. I have read a lot of historical fiction (if you have read this blog at all, that should not come as a surprise) and I really enjoyed this version of the feud between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. It focuses less on the queens themselves and more on those working on their behalf. It gives the reader a chance to understand the motivations of both sides. As always, it is history encapsulated in a murder mystery that Bruno must solve. The perfect combination. Parris, keep the novels in this series coming because I cannot get enough!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Conspiracy by S.J. Parris

 Title: Author: S. J. Parris

Genre: Historical Mystery

Other books I've read by this author: Heresy, Prophecy, and Sacrilege, Treachery

Synopsis:  December 1585: King Henry III of France is the last of his line. He has appointed a Protestant as his successor, which has caused a three-way war in his country. As a result, the king is in mortal fear of a coup being orchestrated by the ultra-conservative Catholic League.

Radical philosopher, ex-monk and spy Giordano Bruno, forced to return to Paris, is called upon by King Henry to unearth the motivation behind several mysterious but linked deaths. Each victim is connected to a larger plot to manipulate the royal succession; what they knew and who killed them is a mystery to be solved.

Meanwhile, Bruno makes an uneasy alliance with Charles Paget, a key figure in the community of English Catholics who tried to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. When Bruno is implicated in the death of Leonie, a member of the Queen Mother's "Flying Squadron," he is forced to call on Paget and his connections for help—and finds that it comes with a price, involving an old enemy.

My Thoughts

I love this series. Each novel gets better; more intrigue, more history, more action. I usually like to read other books between novels in a series, for a fresh topic, but when I finished this one, I wanted to go right into the next novel. I don't have it, so I've been putting off starting another book because I'm not ready to move on from Bruno's world. Does that happen to anyone else? I think a trip to the bookstore is in order because after getting the first 4 in the series from the library and the 5th for Christmas, I think this is a collection that I need in my personal library.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza

 

Title: The Sicilian Inheritance

Author: Jo Piazza

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara bereft with grief. But Aunt Rosie’s death also opens an escape from her life and a window into the past by way of a plane ticket to Sicily, a deed to a possibly valuable plot of land, and a bombshell family secret. Rosie believes Sara’s great-grandmother Serafina, the family matriarch who was left behind while her husband worked in America, didn’t die of illness as family lore has it . . . she was murdered.

Thus begins a twist-filled adventure that takes Sara all over the picturesque Italian countryside as she races to solve a mystery and learn the story of Serafina—a feisty and headstrong young woman in the early 1900s thrust into motherhood in her teens, who fought for a better life not just for herself but for all the women of her small village. Unsurprisingly the more she challenges the status quo, the more she finds herself in danger. 

As Sara discovers more about Serafina, she also realizes she is coming head-to-head with the same menacing forces that took down her great-grandmother.
- Back Cover

My Thoughts

This was on my Christmas list and I was so excited when I received it as a gift from my boyfriend! From the first chapter, I knew I was going to enjoy this novel. It immediately pulls the reader in with intrigue and creates a strong relationship with Sara, the main character. I have Sicilian ancestors who immigrated to the US around the time Serafina's story is set. It was enlightening to read about what it was like to live in Sicily at that time, especially for women. 

You know I love a multigenerational story, and both Sara and Serafina's stories are full of suspense and surprises. At times, I just couldn't wait to return to the novel night after night before bed, and at other times, I needed to take a break because the intense emotions overwhelmed me as I read. I kept returning to it because I had to know how their stories would end, and I'm so glad I did. An unexpected twist completely got me, and I love thinking back like "oh, that was a subtle hint of what is to come!" 

This was a great read and a beautiful addition to my bookshelf.

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Elizabeth The Queen by Sally Bedell Smith

 Title: Elizabeth The Queen

Author: Sally Bedell Smith

Genre: Biography

Synopsis: From the moment of her ascension to the throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five, Queen Elizabeth II was the object of unparalleled scrutiny. But through the fog of glamour and gossip, how well did we really know the world’s most famous monarch? Drawing on numerous interviews and never-before-revealed documents, acclaimed biographer Sally Bedell Smith pulls back the curtain to show in intimate detail the public and private lives of Queen Elizabeth II, who led her country and Commonwealth through the wars and upheavals of the last twentieth and twenty-first centuries with unparalleled composure, intelligence, and grace.

In Elizabeth the Queen, we meet the young girl who suddenly becomes “heiress presumptive” when her uncle abdicates the throne. We meet the thirteen-year-old Lilibet as she falls in love with a young navy cadet named Philip and becomes determined to marry him, even though her parents prefer wealthier English aristocrats. We see the teenage Lilibet repairing army trucks during World War II and standing with Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on V-E Day. We see the young Queen struggling to balance the demands of her job with her role as the mother of two young children.

Sally Bedell Smith brings us inside the palace doors and into the Queen’s daily routines—the “red boxes” of documents she reviewed each day, the weekly meetings she had with twelve prime ministers, her physically demanding tours abroad, and the constant scrutiny of the press—as well as her personal relationships: with her husband, Prince Philip, the love of her life; her children and their often-disastrous marriages; her grandchildren and friends. - Back Cover

My Thoughts

I loved following and learning about Queen Elizabeth II and English Royal Family history in general, so when The Queen passed away in 2022 I felt sad. It was the end of an era. With Charles, William, and George there won't be a reigning queen in Britain for generations. On my next visit to my parents' house following her death, my mom had this book waiting for me, understanding how I felt. I started to read it then, but just didn't feel ready. So now, over two years later, I picked it back up and thoroughly enjoyed reading about Queen Elizabeth's life. The book is well researched and written, so while it is a long book, it reads pretty quickly and doesn't feel dry. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the life of Queen Elizabeth II, especially when she was young.

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

 

Title: The Last Train to Key West

Author: Chanel Cleeton

Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Cuban Heiress 

Synopsis: In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys.
For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler’s legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic depression gripping the nation. But one person’s paradise can be another’s prison, and Key West-native Helen Berner yearns to escape.

After the Cuban Revolution of 1933 leaves Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position, she agrees to an arranged marriage with a notorious American. Following her wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to her new husband, his illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.

Elizabeth Preston's trip to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles after the Wall Street crash. Her quest takes her to the camps occupied by veterans of the Great War and pairs her with an unlikely ally on a treacherous hunt of his own.

Over the course of the holiday weekend, the women’s paths cross unexpectedly, and the danger swirling around them is matched only by the terrifying force of the deadly storm threatening the Keys. - Back Cover

My Thoughts

As ever, Cleeton brings together seemingly different characters and intertwines their lives seemlessly. The story brings together history, love, the difficulties faced by women and veterans of the time, loss, marriage, and of course a natural disaster. Throughout the entire novel I was drawn in, wondering what would happen next. I love the author's writing style and her manner of telling a story. Not to mention, she loves to drop in some unexpected twists along the way. I have another one of her novels in my TBR basket and I am looking forward to reading it this year!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower

Title: Because I Could Not Stop for Death

Author: Amanda Flower

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Synopsis: January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she'd lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they'd be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.
Tragedy soon strikes and Willa's beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he'd found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep. Some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets even if that means forever silencing Willa and her new mistress.... - Back Cover

My Thoughts

The title and the shelf note "Local Author" drew me to pull this novel off the library shelf. What a fun idea to have Emily Dickinson and her maid work together to solve a mystery. The reader learns about Emily Dickinson's background and gets a historically based murder mystery as well. I didn't know Emily's father served as a representative in Washington. It was interesting to read about her trip to visit him, which really happened, though the events of the trip are fictionalized. As a renowned recluse later in life, I enjoyed reading about Dickinson as a young woman moving in social circles in her town of Amherst, Massachusetts. The mystery of the murder of Willa's brother kept me guessing until almost the very end. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.

To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen

 

Title: The Games Gods Play

Author: Abigail Owen

Genre: NA Fantasy

Synopsis: "I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus. Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won't notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus' patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.

The worst god. Hades.

For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead. So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his? I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky? Because Hades is playing by his own rules…and Death will win at any cost." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

I was intrigued by the title and cover of this book on the shelf at the library. It is a little outside of my usual genre preferences, set in modern day in the US. But the addition of the Greek Gods and mythology had me interested. I’d say this is novel is a combination of Greek Mythology and The Hunger Games, but a little more grown up. (New Adult vs Young Adult is not super different, I even had to look it up.) 

 I looked forward to reading it every night. It is suspenseful, unexpected, and heartfelt. The cliffhanger ending is a killer, so I patiently await the publishing of the sequel.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

 

Title: The Magnolia Palace

Author: Fiona Davis

Genre: Historical Fiction

Other Books I've Read by This Author: The Address, The Lions of Fifth Avenue

Synopsis: Eight months since losing her mother in the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, twenty-one-year-old Lillian Carter's life has completely fallen apart. For the past six years, under the moniker Angelica, Lillian was one of the most sought-after artists' models in New York City, with statues based on her figure gracing landmarks from the Plaza Hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge. But with her mother gone, a grieving Lillian is rudderless and desperate—the work has dried up and a looming scandal has left her entirely without a safe haven. So when she stumbles upon an employment opportunity at the Frick mansion—a building that, ironically, bears her own visage—Lillian jumps at the chance. But the longer she works as a private secretary to the imperious and demanding Helen Frick, the daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick, the more deeply her life gets intertwined with that of the family—pulling her into a tangled web of romantic trysts, stolen jewels, and family drama that runs so deep, the stakes just may be life or death.

Nearly fifty years later, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own chance to make her career—and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home—within the walls of the former Frick residence, now converted into one of New York City's most impressive museums. But when she—along with a charming intern/budding art curator named Joshua—is dismissed from the Vogue shoot taking place at the Frick Collection, she chances upon a series of hidden messages in the museum: messages that will lead her and Joshua on a hunt that could not only solve Veronica's financial woes, but could finally reveal the truth behind a decades-old murder in the infamous Frick family. - Back Cover

My Thoughts

I loved reading this novel. Cross-generational storytelling is so fun and it was interesting to compare the lives of both Lillian and Veronica as models trying to support their families. Davis always brings an air of mystery to her novels which is engaging and reveals aspects of the characters along the way. The ending is a bit unexpected and I really enjoyed it! Mystery and history, what more could I ask for? A trip to The Frick in NYC may be in my future after reading this novel.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!


To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Title: When He Was Wicked

Author: Julia Quinn

Genre: Historical Romance

Other books I've read by this author: The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer From a Gentleman, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, To Sir Philip, With Love

Synopsis: In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . . - Back Cover

My Thoughts

As always, Quinn's Bridgerton novels are so fun to read. I loved that this novel gave so much of Michael's perspective and it was more about his happily ever after than Francesca's (though she gets there, of course!). While it still had the general formula of a Bridgerton novel and historical romance, When He Was Wicked is about finding love after loss, so it feels different from others in the series. 

I can't wait to see the TV adaptation of this novel as part of the Netflix series!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

 

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

Title: The Silence of the Girls

Author: Pat Barker

Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: The Women of Troy

Synopsis: Here is the story of the Iliad as we’ve never heard it before: in the words of Briseis, Trojan queen and captive of Achilles. Given only a few words in Homer’s epic and largely erased by history, she is nonetheless a pivotal figure in the Trojan War. In these pages she comes fully to life: wry, watchful, forging connections among her fellow female prisoners even as she is caught between Greece’s two most powerful warriors. Her story pulls back the veil on the thousands of women who lived behind the scenes of the Greek army camp—concubines, nurses, prostitutes, the women who lay out the dead—as gods and mortals spar, and as a legendary war hurtles toward its inevitable conclusion. - Back Cover

My Thoughts

After reading the sequel to this novel first, while it stood alone just fine, it was so nice to have more context and backstory for the characters. This novel felt even heavier than the first and I'm taking a break from this trilogy for some lighter books. I look forward to reading the final book in the series when I'm ready for something a little intense again.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Women of Troy by Pat Barker

 Title: The Women of Troy

Author: Pat Barker

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: 

"Troy has fallen and the victorious Greeks are eager to return home with the spoils of an endless war—including the women of Troy themselves. They await a fair wind for the Aegean.It does not come, because the gods are offended. The body of King Priam lies unburied and desecrated, and so the victors remain in suspension, camped in the shadows of the city they destroyed as the coalition that held them together begins to unravel. Old feuds resurface and new suspicions and rivalries begin to fester.

Largely unnoticed by her captors, the one time Trojan queen Briseis, formerly Achilles's slave, now belonging to his companion Alcimus, quietly takes in these developments. She forges alliances when she can, with Priam's aged wife the defiant Hecuba and with the disgraced soothsayer Calchas, all the while shrewdly seeking her path to revenge." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

It turns out that this is the second book in a trilogy, and I didn't realize until I had finished it! So if you want to know if it can stand alone, it certainly does. This is exactly the kind of book I was looking to read right now and it really hit the spot. It opens inside the Trojan Horse and then follows the events of the end of the Trojan War, told from several points of view but highlighting the lives of the Trojan women. I love the idea of a modern take on the Illiad!

There are a few instances where some of the language feels slightly too modern, like the use of the word "supernatural" when the wind rocks a cradle, but overall it feels really well done. I already have the first book in the series on hold at the library and I'm going to pick it up today! I'm looking forward to meeting the characters as the author intended in book one!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

Hang the Moon by Jeannettte Walls

Title: Hang the Moon

Author: Jeannette Walls

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "Sallie Kincaid is the daughter of the biggest man in a small town, the charismatic Duke Kincaid. Born at the turn of the 20th century into a life of comfort and privilege, Sallie remembers little about her mother who died in a violent argument with the Duke. By the time she is just eight years old, the Duke has remarried and had a son, Eddie. While Sallie is her father’s daughter, sharp-witted and resourceful, Eddie is his mother’s son, timid and cerebral. When Sallie tries to teach young Eddie to be more like their father, her daredevil coaching leads to an accident, and Sallie is cast out.

Nine years later, she returns, determined to reclaim her place in the family. That’s a lot more complicated than Sallie expected, and she enters a world of conflict and lawlessness. Sallie confronts the secrets and scandals that hide in the shadows of the Big House, navigates the factions in the family and town, and finally comes into her own as a bold, sometimes reckless bootlegger." - Back Cover

My Thoughts

This is another book that I received as a Christmas gift from a friend. I really enjoyed reading about this time period in a small town. The story explores complicated familial issues and the complexities of a blended family. It also highlights the lawlessness of small town America during prohibition, showing that money is the real power. 

I appreciate that Sallie does what she can to help the people of her town survive and keep her sprawling family together when everything seems to be pulling them apart. This is an interesting read, but not one to pull off the shelf if you're looking for something uplifting.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

 

Title: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

Author: Beth Brower

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House." -Back Cover

My Thoughts

This cute little novella was given to me as a gift for Christmas. Emma's journal contains honest and charming descriptions of her life and the people in it. Many plotlines are started in this book, which leaves the reader curious and wanting more! Unfortunately, almost none of them are resolved at the end of volume one, creating a necessity to continue further into the series to find out what happens next. Having a book reach its climax at the very end without resolution is not my favorite style, but I'd like to read the next volume to see if that is the style of the entire series.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar

 Title: The Roaring Days of Zora Lily

Author: Noelle Salazar

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis: "2023, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History: A costume conservator is preparing an exhibition featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to present day. As she gingerly places a gown once worn by Greta Garbo on a mannequin, she discovers another name hidden beneath the designer's label, leaving her to wonder—who is Zora Lily?1924, Seattle: Poverty-stricken Zora Hough spends her days looking after her younger siblings while sewing up holes and fixing hems for clients to bring in extra money, working her fingers to the bone just to survive. But at night, as she lies in the bed she shares with one of her three sisters, she secretly dreams of becoming a designer like Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin.

When her best friend gets a job dancing in a club downtown, Zora is lured in by her stories of music, glittering dresses and boys. She follows her friend to the underground speakeasies that are at once exciting and frightening—with smoke hanging in the air, alcohol flowing despite Prohibition, couples dancing in a way that makes Zora blush and a handsome businessman named Harley. It’s a world she has only ever imagined, and one with connections that could lead her to the life she's always dreamed of. But as Zora's ambition is challenged by tragedy and duty to her family, she'll learn that dreams come with a cost."
-Back Cover

My Thoughts

Reading this novel, which I received as a Christmas gift, was so fun! It encompassed Zora's life without ever feeling slow or boring. Zora's friendships and familial relationships are relatable and realistic. She follows the societal expectations of the period while still pushing the boundaries of what women of the time could accomplish. While the events of the story may be exciting and dramatic, they're tempered enough to give a natural and believable feel. 

I struggled at first with how the brief introduction in 2023 would fit in with the rest of the story. It doesn't come back into play until the very end, but it provided a beautiful full-circle ending that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

 

Title: The Cuban Heiress 

Author: Chanel Cleeton

Genre: Historical Fiction

Other books I've read by this author: Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba

Synopsis: New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why.
Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship.

As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading this novel, so much so that it only took me one week to finish it! I bought it on my birthday with a gift card from a friend, and I'm so glad I did!

 I loved the intrigue and mystery surrounding so many of the characters. I loved the description of the ship, the passengers, and Havana. I loved the unexpected twist near the end, and of course, the history surrounding the ship itself. 

Chanel Cleeton's books are so well done and truly enjoyable to read, I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Comment below if you have read this book or have suggestions for others like it!

To buy this book from Amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from the author, visit the website linked above