Tag: historical fiction

ARC Book Review: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 432 pages
Author: Kate Quinn
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A haunting and powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, D.C. boardinghouse during the McCarthy era.

Washington, D.C., 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; police officer’s daughter Nora, who is entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Bea, whose career has ended along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.

Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: Who is the true enemy in their midst?

Thank you to William Morrow for the gifted ARC.

A SOLID MYSTERY.

I love Kate Quinn books. I’ve usually listened to them on audio but had the chance to read an early copy of this one and I really liked it. It had a unique set up that somewhat worked for me? I loved getting the POV from multiple characters in the house but it also felt like I was starting over a little bit each time. It would take a second to get dragged back in.

I loved that there were people from multiple backgrounds and experiences and seeing many different angles of 1950’s. It’s clearly well researched and I loved the plot dynamics. The mystery was intriguing and I definitely was surprised by some of the reveals.

Another truly good read. She’s one of my go-to historical fiction authors and doesn’t disappoint!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Content Warnings: racism, xenophobia, fear-mongering during the 1950’s, homophobia, murder, domestic violence and abuse

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Book Review: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 387 pages
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age

In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family’s social position.

What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain’s king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England’s heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king’s favor.

Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition’s wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.

BETTER THAN I HOPED.

I really enjoyed this audiobook and story. I didn’t quite know what to expect and I hadn’t read the synopsis. I just knew I love Leigh Bardugo and went for it.

This had my attention from the beginning. I loved the gothic atmosphere and the intensity of the story. The unique way the historical aspects wove into the fantastical was a great combination. It’s haunting and has awesome horror vibes too.

I liked the main characters and enjoyed the romance between them too. The last quarter had me on the edge of my seat because I truly had no idea where things were going to land for them.

This is multiple POV and I think helped build the story. The differences between those speaking gave way to insight and decisions made from multiple facets of the plot. I do think it slowed down a bit too much in the second half during a particular moment that dragged out, but otherwise, a great book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fantasy + romance
  • Language: moderate-high
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, suicide, antisemitism, colonization, abuse, sexual assault, torture, forced nudity, blood/gore depiction

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Book Review: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. #2) by Beth Brower

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 162 pages
Author: Beth Brower
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Release Date: November 1st, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“I was sitting at my desk reading, with a cup of tea, my windows flung open, when I heard The Tenant enter his garret, just on the other side of the wall from myself.”

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

PROGRESSIVELY INTRIGUING.

For 160 pages, this did take me a lot longer to read than I was hoping for. BUT. I will say as things went on I became more and more involved. I think I’m starting to understand Emma’s voice in the story and the journal entries make for a quirky set-up.

I’m especially involved in the touches of potential romance throughout. I love the sprinkle of romance but I NEED MORE. I think Emma is flat out hilarious and I laughed many times throughout.

I’m excited to continue reading these as I love the narrator and how nice of switch up it is from whatever big books I’m generally holding. These are light, humorous and will definitely bring a smile to your face.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirtations
  • Violence: none
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents

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ARC Book Review: For a Lifetime (Timeless #3) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 400 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 7th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever–no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father’s tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother’s mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives–or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents’ orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives–and loves–that are best for both of them?

Thank you Bethany House for the gifted copy.

A CONTINUALLY GOOD SERIES.

I love the exploration of history with each book in this series. This one crossed the birth of aviation and the Salem Witch Trials. I liked seeing the comparisons and differences between the time periods and how each woman, Grace and Hope, interpreted what was happening.

I did think it had a little bit of a slow start. The 1692 chapters didn’t have the same pace as the 1912 ones and I kept wanting to get back to those. After the halfway point I though the plot started moving much better and I wanted to hustle to find out what happens next.

There’s always sweet romances woven in and I loved the way they both played out for the twins. I loved the love interests and the support and care they provided Grace and Hope through their trials. It’s all very sweet and heartfelt and only adds to the story.

I enjoyed many of the moments coming full circle with collision of past and present. I loved the faith aspects and the infused hope and love that was in this book. I can’t wait for more!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: falsely accused imprisonment, hangings (historical depictions of the trials), plane crashes

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