The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd tells the true story of Eliza Lucas, who at the age of 16 was given control of her family plantations after her father returned to Antigua to secure his political position. It is remarkable that in 1738, a father would give his 16 year old daughter control of such… Continue reading Review: The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison is a Western you know, as well as the Western you don't. That's namely due to Whiskey's main character, Jessilyn. The story is told from Jessilyn's point of view, and with that comes her unique speech and colloquialisms. In turn, the voice of Whiskey is extremely strong in… Continue reading Review: Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison
Becoming Belle by Nuala O' Connor is a Victorian-set novel about a women ahead of her time. Isabel Maude Penrice Bilton did indeed becoming "Belle," a modern woman who forged her own path and made her own money in a time when a woman's role was restricted and social mores were strict. I'll… Continue reading Review: Becoming Belle by Nuala O’ Connor
Women of the Blue and Gray tells the true stories of women on both sides of the Civil War who defied gender norms and were social pioneers despite the strict Victorian mores of the time. Although I had some knowledge of womens' involvement in the American Civil a la nursing and spying, Marianne Monson… Continue reading Review: Women of the Blue & Gray by Marianne Monson
The Locksmith's Daughter follows a young woman named Mallory Bright who, after a scandalous incident*, must make a new path for herself by spying for none other than Queen Elizabeth's Spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham. Not only does Mallory employ her lockpicking skills (learned from her locksmith father,) but also learns new tools of the… Continue reading Review: The Locksmith’s Daughter by Karen Brooks
My Dear Hamilton follows the true and extraordinary life of Elizabeth ("Eliza") Schuyler Hamilton--wife of the famous (or infamous) Alexander Hamilton. We all know Hamilton has gained popularity in recent years with the musical, but Dray and Kamoie's novel tells this saga of early American from Eliza's point of view, and in turn, presents an… Continue reading Review: My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie
Princess: The Six Daughters of George III by Flora Fraser tells the little-known lives and trials of Princesses Royal (Charlotte,) Augusta, Elizabeth, Sophia, Amelia, and Mary. The daughters of George III came of age during great changes in the British Empire, and experienced great changes themselves--outside of the norm for 18th/19th century princesses. What is… Continue reading Review: Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III by Flora Fraser
Golden Hill opens in 1746 Manhattan and follows the mysterious and enigmatic Mr. Smith. Smith keeps both the characters and reader guessing his motives and identity, as he arrives in New York with a voucher for a sum of money larger than anyone of his age and station should have. It is important to… Continue reading Review: Golden Hill: A Novel of Old New York by Francis Spufford
Bomb Girls by Jacky Hyams examines the important, yet often forgotten work of the female munitions factory workers in the UK during WWII. Hyams provides historical context and research as a foundation before the book moves into real accounts from women who worked in the factories. Hyams interviewed several women who worked in munitions… Continue reading Review: Bomb Girls: Britains’ Secret Army: The Munitions Women of World War II by Jacky Hyams
Slammerkin tells the story of teenaged Mary Saunders in 18th century London, who resorts to a life of selling her body in an effort to move past her working class, poverty stricken upbringing. The first thing I want to say is that Emma Donoghue is such a talented writer. I hadn't read anything by… Continue reading Review: Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue
Home 