The Oath of Bjorn (book 3 in the Vinland Viking Saga) by Tamara Goranson follows the Beothuk-raised, Norse huntsman husband of Anja Freydisdottir (the main character of book 2,) son of Logatha and the late Finnbogi. Given the female perspectives of books 1 and 2, switching to the male perspective for book 3 was a… Continue reading Review: The Oath of Bjorn by Tamara Goranson
The Wolf Queen by Marie McCurdy is based on the life of real historical figures Thusnelda of the Germanic Cherusci tribe and Arminius, a Germani chief raised as a Roman officer. I admit I did not know of these historical figures before reading this book, but their tale intrigued me to find out what happened… Continue reading Review: The Wolf Queen by Marie McCurdy
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese weaves a backstory for a woman who (in this version) provided the inspiration for The Scarlet Letter's Hester Prynee. Young Scottish woman Isobel marries an apothecary whom she believes will provide for her a stable future. Isobel soon finds, however, that her husband has debts and is addicted to laudanum.… Continue reading Review: Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
Click here to read The Historical Fiction Company's glowing review of Raven Rock!
Matrix by Lauren Groff has been on my TBR for ages, and it wasn't until I recently read The Vaster Wilds that I figured I better finally read this one. What I thought I was getting into: a historical novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine. What I actually got: Horny Medieval Nuns, but make it Literary… Continue reading Review: Matrix by Lauren Groff
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint retells the myth of the Cretan princess who helped Theseus vanquish the Minotaur beneath the palace of Knossos. I was not super familiar with this Greek myth aside from the Minotaur and Theseus, so I went into this book with no expectations. The Minotaur is actually the half-brother of Ariadne -… Continue reading Review: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Hazardous Spirits by Anbara Salam is set in early 1920s Edinburgh, a time and place still very much impacted by the losses of WWI. Historically, this period was marked by a rise in mediums and Spiritualism as a means to contact the thousands of people killed during a war, as well as bring family members… Continue reading Review: Hazardous Spirits by Anbara Salam
The Foundling by Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars, follows Bess Bright and Alexandra Callard - two very different women from two very different socioeconomic statuses who are bound by a child. The Foundling takes place in Georgian London--and if you set anything in Georgian London, I'm going to read it or watch it! Bess… Continue reading Review: The Foundling by Stacey Halls
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O' Farrell tells the tale of the brief, tenuous life of Lucrezia de' Medici, Duchess of Ferrara, who mysteriously died at the age of 16. After the sudden death of her betrothed older sister, Lucrezia is pushed into the role of replacement bride for Alfonso de' Este, Duke of Ferrera,… Continue reading Review: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’ Farrell
I first fell in love with Lauren Groff's writing with her 2006 Atlantic short story "L. DeBard and Aliette." It has stuck with me since I first read it in graduate school, yet for some reason I haven't actually read any of her novels until The Vaster Wilds (Matrix has been on my to-read list… Continue reading Review: The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
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