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
Raven Rock advances to the Semi-Finals!
Raven Rock has advanced to the Semi-Finals of Chanticleer International Book Reviews 2023 Goethe Historical Fiction Award! See the full list here.
Review: The Wolf Queen by Marie McCurdy
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
Raven Rock receives Honorable Mention in HFC Awards
Raven Rock has received an Honorable Mention in the Historical Fiction Company's 2023 Awards in the Literary category. See the full list here!
Review: Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
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
Raven Rock receives 5-star review from The Historical Fiction Company
Click here to read The Historical Fiction Company's glowing review of Raven Rock!
Review: Matrix by Lauren Groff
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
Review: Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook
Full disclosure, I did not finish this book. I gave up around 65% because I just couldn't slog through it anymore with little interest in the story. That's not to say the prose was bad, because it wasn't. In fact, the writer is skilled at constructing unique turns of phrases and descriptions. I think the… Continue reading Review: Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook
Review: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
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
Review: Hazardous Spirits by Anbara Salam
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