Tag: historical fiction

Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: April 2022

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A wishy washy reading month. I threw away way to many DNFs, but there were some diamonds in the rough here.

Favorites: The Godborn and the King, Double or Nothing, The Love Connection, Long Story Short, Lodestar, A Brush with Love, The Saltwater Heir, Heir of Fire, The Diamond Eye

  • [ARC] The Godborn and the King (The Raven and the Dove #4) by Kaitlyn Davis
  • The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
  • Mr. Hoa (Fake It #1) by Carina Taylor
  • [Novella] Inheritance (American Royals #0.5) by Katharine McGee
  • Souls of Fire and Steel (Frozen Sun Saga #3) by Jill Criswell
  • The Atlas Six (The Atlas #1) by Olivie Blake
  • [ARC] Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
  • [Novella] Passion or Penalty by Leah Brunner
  • [Novella] Falling for Your Brother’s Best Friend by Emma St. Clair
  • [ARC] Double or Nothing (A Pride and Pranks Romance #2) by Cindy Steel
  • [Novella] There Goes the Groom (Romance of Rank #1.5) by Esther Hatch
  • The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time #4) by Robert Jordan
  • [Novella] The Love Connection (Airport Novellas #1) by Denise Williams
  • The Ace of Hearts (Larkhall Letters #1) by Ashtyn Newbold
  • One for All by Lillie Lainoff
  • [Novella] Below Zero (The STEMinist Novellas #3) by Ali Hazelwood
  • The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher
  • [Novella] Somewhat of a Ruse by Jess Heileman
  • Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
  • Lodestar (Keeper of the Lost Cities #5) by Shannon Messenger
  • [Reread] Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1) by Elise Kova
  • [ARC] Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor
  • My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen
  • In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer
  • Four Aunties and A Wedding (Aunties #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto
  • A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings
  • Scarlet Princess (The Lochlann Feuds #1) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
  • [ARC] The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London
  • The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
  • [Novella] Finding Cinderella (Hopeless #2.5) by Colleen Hoover
  • Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
  • Tarnished Crown (The Lochlann Feuds #2) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
  • An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn
  • The Saltwater Heir (The Blood and Water Saga #1) by Cassidy Clarke
  • [Reread] Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
  • Pretending at Love (Greenbank Romances #2) by Karen Thornell
  • The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
  • Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires #2) by Lauren Asher
  • Crimson Kingdom (The Lochlann Feuds #3) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
  • Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson
  • The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
  • [ARC] When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Did we read any of the same books? See any you want to read? Leave a comment!

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Book Review: Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1) by Tirzah Price

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Mystery + Historical Retelling
Length: 368 pages
Author: Tirzah Price
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 6th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.

When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.

Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed. 

IT WAS INTERESTING.

This was a unique combination for a book that I didn’t think I would ever come across. Pride and Prejudice with a dash of murder.

I really liked seeing all of the classic characters in their new rolls for this novel. It was fun seeing how the author chose to portray them and I felt they worked well within the plot. The addition of pieces of writing for Austen’s original story tied in to this retelling in a way that fit. Seeing Darcy and Lizzie fall in love over working together to solve a murder was somehow charming and light-hearted.

I’m a pretty big stickler for the classic and I think that’s also a downfall here. While I loved all of the originals of the story + the general originality of the story I got bogged down in listening because it wasn’t what I was expecting. It took me a bit longer to go through because I wasn’t always hurrying to pick it back up.

The final reveal of the murderer and story was great! I honestly was surprised at some of the pieces of the tale and so that’s always a nice addition to any mystery. I want to feel like I didn’t pin down everything exactly and that’s how it worked out here. I’m curious how Price will twist other stories in the future.

Overall audience notes:

  • Retelling
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: murder, gun violence

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Book Review: The War I Finally Won (The War That Saved My Life #2) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: MG Historical Fiction
Length: 387 pages
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: October 3rd, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ada and her younger brother, Jamie, now have a permanent home with their loving legal guardian, Susan Smith. Although Jamie adapts more easily, Ada still struggles with the aftermath of her old life, and how to fit into her new life.

World War II continues, and forces the small community to come together and rely on one another. Ada has never been interested in getting to know her friend’s family—especially Maggie’s mother, the formidable Lady Thorton. However, circumstances bring them in close proximity along with other unexpected characters.

Ada comes face to face with another German! This time she isn’t sure what she should do. How can she help the ones she loves and keep them safe?

Ada’s first story, The War that Saved My Life, won a Newbery Honor, the Schneider Family Book Award, and the Josette Frank Award, in addition to appearing on multiple best-of-the-year lists. This second, marvelous volume continues Ada’s powerful, uplifting story.

AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE FIRST.

Ohhhhh my gosh. My heart. Ada. Jamie. Susan. The whole dang cast. READ THESE BOOKS. What an absolute gem for all ages.

I didn’t know if a second book was going to have enough plot in Ada’s life to further an entire second book and I stand completely corrected because this had everything it needed. I love the growth in Ada and yet how you could still feel her age. And not in that annoying, roll your eyes, kind of way. In that raw, going through grief and big changes and big emotions, kind of way. I loved it. It was executed so perfectly for this kind of book.

This was definitely a read that made me cry (iykyk). Many times I was brought through a flurry of emotions because of the travesty of war and heartbreak it causes. Yet, I love the hope that’s also infused. The love shown for those different from ourselves and extending needed hands of friendship and compassion. Many, many good things in this duology y’all. I will recommend it up and down. One of my new all time favorite World War 2 historical fiction books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade historical fiction
  • Language: none
  • Violence: surgery
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, debilitating sickness resulting in hospitalization, war themes

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Book Review: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander #9) by Diana Gabaldon

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 902 pages
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: November 23rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The past may seem the safest place to be . . . but it is the most dangerous time to be alive. . . .

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall were torn apart by the Jacobite Rising in 1743, and it took them twenty years to find each other again. Now the American Revolution threatens to do the same.

It is 1779 and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible.

Yet even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s tea-kettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep.

Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the twentieth century might catch up to them. Sometimes they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s—among them disease, starvation, and an impending war—was indeed the safer choice for their family.

Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity—and thus his own—and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet . . . on his son’s behalf, and his own.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before.

HAPPY TO BE BACK.

Oh how I adore this series. It gets a lot of flack for being long and nuanced, but that’s kind of what I enjoy most. I know what I’m getting into and understand that this is a life story. Practically everything is included and that’s the appeal for me. Especially because I am utterly wrapped up in these characters and their stories.

This was another good read with plenty of action, moments where I swore I was about to throw my book and times where I’d rather hug it instead. I love Claire and Jamie. I always love how much deeper I feel their commitment to each other with each book. It never gets old.

I did miss seeing more of some of the side characters like Ian and Fergus!! I love them dearly and hoped for more of their stories, but I did get a few chapters with them at least. There was more focus on William and Lord John which was excellent in its own right. That part of the plot definitely has more to unleash come book ten.

I felt that this time around that some of the longer aspects of the novel, like traveling, were cut much shorter and I thought that really helped the pacing. A lot more things seemed to happen over time and that CLIFFHANGER ending was was lawless. Hopefully book ten makes it way too us soon-ish.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: mostly closed door, occasionally brief open
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes (Revolutionary specifically), death by bear mauling, mentions of rape and sexual assault, PTSD from war, rape, and sexual assault, childbirth, teenage pregnancy, gun violence, life altering injuries, near death experiences; (+ more I may have missed, please research before reading this series!)

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