book review

Review: Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden

  Inferno Squad by Christie Golden is the prequel to the highly anticipated Battlefront II game, and follows the conception of the elite Imperial Inferno Squadron and its first undercover mission. What's interesting about main character Iden Versio and Inferno Squad as a whole is the idea of humanizing the Empire. Through Iden, we come… Continue reading Review: Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden

book review, historical fiction

Review: Where The Light Falls by Allison and Owen Pataki

Where the Light Falls by Allison and Owen Pataki (her brother) follows a solider and a lawyer during the tumult of the French Revolution. I was a big fan of Allison's The Traitor's Wife, so I was eager to dive into this new story of the French Revolution. I don't believe Owen has written anything… Continue reading Review: Where The Light Falls by Allison and Owen Pataki

book review, historical fiction

Review: The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland

The Passion of Artemisia  tells the story of real life 17th century Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi. I first learned about Artemisia in an Art History class in college, and was instantly fascinated by her. It's hard not to be, as it was rare for a woman during that time to paint for money and for powerful… Continue reading Review: The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood tells the true story of 19th century alleged murderess Grace Marks. At age 15/16, Grace Marks was convicted of killing her employer and his mistress with a fellow member of "the help", James McDermott. Grace's trial was highly publicized across Canada, the US, and Europe (she was an Amanda Knox… Continue reading Review: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

  The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead tells the story of 15 year old Cora, who runs away from a Georgia Plantation to obtain her freedom. Whitehead never actually tells us the date, but it is before the Civil War...California is mentioned a few times, and CA received statehood in 1850, so we can assume… Continue reading Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: A More Perfect Union

  A More Perfect Union by Jodi Daynard is the third book in the Midwife trilogy, and follows the mixed race son (Johnny) of Eliza Bolyston and Johnny Watkins. The book opens in 1794, some 15 years after the events of books 1 and 2. Johnny Watkins, "passing as white", returns to Boston from the… Continue reading Review: A More Perfect Union

book review

Review: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis

Rebel Rising by Beth Revis follows Jyn Erso's life and struggle from age 8 to age 26 when she officially joins the Rebel Alliance (i.e. the events shown in Rogue One.) 18 years is a lot of ground to cover, but Revis does so in an engaging way that effectively shows Jyn's character arc and how… Continue reading Review: Rebel Rising by Beth Revis

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: Our Own Country by Jodi Daynard

Our Own Country by Jodi Daynard is the second book in the Midwife series, taking place concurrently with The Midwife's Revolt. As I'd hoped, this installment does indeed fill in the gaps of Eliza's story that Midwife was lacking. Both books could have been spliced together, I think, so that the reader could experience the picture… Continue reading Review: Our Own Country by Jodi Daynard

book review, historical fiction, history

Review: The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard

When I wrote the first two parts of my Am Rev series, one of my main motivators was simply writing a story I wanted to read. I've found that fiction about the American Revolution is surprisingly lacking in volume, so whenever I do find any--especially with women as the central characters--I jump at the chance… Continue reading Review: The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard

book review, historical fiction

Review: The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook

The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook depicts a time and place not often depicted in literature: post-WWII Germany--specifically, Hamburg in 1946. The Aftermath tells the story of a British officer, his wife, and their young son sharing a requisitioned home with a German man and his teenaged daughter. This situation proves ripe for drama and clashing relationships… Continue reading Review: The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook