The Orphan's Song by Lauren Kate transports the reader to dazzling, romantic, and beautiful 18th century Venice. Violetta is an orphan at the Incurables, a hospital and orphanage where girls are raised in the musical arts to eventually perform in the prestigious Coro (where once sworn, a girl must never sing outside its walls.) From… Continue reading Review: The Orphan’s Song by Lauren Kate
Category: book review
Review: Elizabeth of Bohemia by David Elias
Elizabeth of Bohemia was the daughter of King James and the granddaughter of Mary, Queen of Scots. While Elizabeth Stuart may not be as famous as her grandmother or father, I was curious to learn about her life through David Elias's new novel. From a young age, Elizabeth's life seemed to be marked be death… Continue reading Review: Elizabeth of Bohemia by David Elias
Review: The Man Who Could Be King by John Ripin Miller
The Man Who Could Be King by John Ripin Miller follows a young aide-de-camp of George Washington during the threat of internal revolt within the Continental faction in Newburgh, News York. King reads very much like a primary source diary of the time, however, Miller's Josiah Stockbridge is a fabrication and amalgamation of the experiences… Continue reading Review: The Man Who Could Be King by John Ripin Miller
Review: The Widow’s War by Sally Gunning
Set in early 1760s Cape Cod, The Widow's War by Sally Gunning follows the story of Lyddie Berry after losing her husband to the sea. By modern standards, Lyddie is a young widow at 39, but the community and the law treat her as if she is a helpless, elderly woman. Lyddie has no choice… Continue reading Review: The Widow’s War by Sally Gunning
Review: Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston
Long after the slave trade had ended, slavers and merchants would still travel to the West coast of Africa to illegally purchase new "property," while at the same time avoiding any nation's govt ships to bring the "contraband" to the US. Such was the case with Cudjo Lewis in the early 1860s, right before the… Continue reading Review: Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston
Review: The Tubman Command by Elizabeth Cobbs
The Tubman Command by Elizabeth Cobbs tells the true story of Harriet Tubman's instrumental involvement in the Combahee River raid which resulted in freeing about 750 enslaved people from plantations situated on that river. Cobbs brings Tubman from mythic figure of "Moses" down to earth as a woman conflicted with her emotions in relation… Continue reading Review: The Tubman Command by Elizabeth Cobbs
Review: Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston
As some of you may (or may not) know, I sometimes pepper my Historical Fiction reviews with Sci-Fi or Fantasy. This is one of those times. I did not want Queen's Shadow to end! Focused on Padme Amidala between the events of Episode I and II (beginning roughly five years after EPI,) Johnston explores the… Continue reading Review: Queen’s Shadow by E.K. Johnston
Review: Blackberry and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton
Blackberry and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton is set in 18th Century London, specifically within the silk industry in Spitalfields. Set against this vibrant backdrop, Velton weaves together the stories of two women--Sara, a former harlot and now maid, and Esther, wife of a wealthy silk weaver. Arriving in London naive and sheltered, Sara is… Continue reading Review: Blackberry and Wild Rose by Sonia Velton
Review: My Lady Judge by Cora Harrison
My Lady Judge by Cora Harrison follows 15th century Mara, Brehon (Judge) of an area of western Ireland called the Burren. Brehon Law in Ireland was a civil code far more merciful and socially liberal than the criminal laws of England. What's striking about Brehon law, even long before the 15th century, is that women… Continue reading Review: My Lady Judge by Cora Harrison
Review: The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins
I need to preface this review by saying that about 80% into The Turning of Anne Merrick I found out this book was a sequel! First, this speaks to the fact that technically this novel can stand on its own. Second, Yes--there were moments where major events in the characters' pasts came up that… Continue reading Review: The Turning of Anne Merrick by Christine Blevins
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