In The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Square of Sevens, richly-paints another 18th century story a reader can easily immerse oneself in. Newly widowed Hannah Cole owns a confectionery shop in London, this fact being somewhat scandalous both on account of a woman being the sole owner of a business and… Continue reading Review: The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
The Blackbirds of St. Giles by Lila Cain (two authors writing under one name) takes the reader from an 18th century Jamaican plantation, the English colonies during the American Revolution, to the diverse and grimy streets of London. Blackbirds started off strong with a visually striking and emotionally wrought scene of an uprising of enslaved… Continue reading Review: The Blackbirds of St. Giles by Lila Cain
This Savage World by Anna Housego opens in 1770s London where young Maggie Bloodworth is trying to make her way in a city unforgiving to the poor. She is taken on as an apprentice midwife and eventually learns her trade with enough skill to stand on her own two feet. As Maggie's life progresses, she… Continue reading Review: This Savage World by Anna Housego
The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman is another 18th century tale of mystery and magic akin to the author's debut Pandora. I view Stokes-Chapman's work in a similar aesthetic and sensibility to my own writing in blending historical fiction with speculative, gothic, and/or magical elements. The Shadow Key takes readers to the wild and beautiful… Continue reading Review: The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes-Chapman
In Silence, author Julia Park Tracey imagines the life of her 1720s ancestor in the Massachusetts Puritan community. Tracey was at first intrigued by her ancestors' name, Silence, and reflected on what kind of a life of a woman named Silence in the early 18th century might have. As an aside, many people (particularly women)… Continue reading Review: Silence by Julia Park Tracey
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable gives life to real historical figure Anna Maria della Pietà, a musical prodigy brought up in the Pietà convent orphanage learning music and eventually earning a spot within the ranks of the prestigious figlie di coro. While Anna Maria was a real person and a talented student of Vivaldi, I… Continue reading Review: The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable
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*slight spoilers below* If The Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert takes place from 1715 to 1717 at the intersection of Massachusetts Puritanism and the Golden Age of Piracy. If The Tide Turns actually reminded me a lot of Hester. I was really excited to read this one because of the subject matter, and I really… Continue reading Review: If The Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert
The Baronet's Tale: Anthony by Julia Brannan is a prequel to the Jacobite Chronicles, but takes place after The Highlander's Tale which recounts Alex MacGregor's childhood in the Highlands. The Baronet's Tale picks up in 1734 with Alex embarking for university in Paris at his father's insistence. Alex takes on this burden, painful as it… Continue reading Review: The Baronet’s Tale: Anthony (Jacobite Chronicles) by Julia Brannan
