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The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Velveteen Daughter in Books
Oct 7, 2020
Laurel Davis Huber's debut historical fiction novel investigates Margery Williams Bianco, the author of the world-famous children's book, The Velveteen Rabbit, and her child prodigy artist daughter, Pamela Bianco. Huber gives us us a portrait of two lives, their relationship with each other and the problems they faced, both together and as individual talented women. Read more in my review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/07/08/the-art-of-becoming-real/
Phil (3 KP) rated The Pillars of the Earth in Books
Jul 3, 2017
In Depth, long page turner
Contains spoilers, click to show
I'm not normally the sort of person who goes in for historical fiction. Especially those set in the Dark Ages, but gave it a go as had heard it was a modern 'must read'.
For something that was over 1000 pages, it never felt like a slog or a chore to read. The more you get in to it, the more you want to read in one sitting.
Admitted, the sex scenes are quite gratuitous and graphic at times. And, taken in a modern context, the continual dumping on the lead character can seem overly harsh, as if the author gets pleasure from torturing his lead. But read the book through the historical lens of it's 12th-13th Century setting, and this reduces the frustrations, and adds to the realism
For something that was over 1000 pages, it never felt like a slog or a chore to read. The more you get in to it, the more you want to read in one sitting.
Admitted, the sex scenes are quite gratuitous and graphic at times. And, taken in a modern context, the continual dumping on the lead character can seem overly harsh, as if the author gets pleasure from torturing his lead. But read the book through the historical lens of it's 12th-13th Century setting, and this reduces the frustrations, and adds to the realism
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Animals at Lockwood Manor in Books
Mar 26, 2020
A tense, suspenseful debut historical novel
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them from the German air raids. Shortly after moving to Lockwood Manor, Hetty realizes all is not quite right with the inhabitants of the manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. The author skillfully builds the suspense, culminating in the motive for hosting the zoological collection and the revelation of multiple secrets. There is also a romance intertwined with the plot and, although important, is not the main focus of the story. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.
ClareR (5885 KP) rated The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3) in Books
Mar 30, 2021
The Summoner’s Sins is a really engaging historical fiction set in the 14th century. I really liked that real historical people were used in the narrative, and the attitudes of medieval people towards religion and witchcraft always fascinates me. The average medieval person was a very superstitious type - which I suppose was an understandable way to make sense of the world without science. Curses shouted out from the gallows abound in this story, and there are plenty of rebels in the background who are only too happy to make it look as though they are curses that have come true.
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Finding Grace in Books
Jun 24, 2019
Yesterday I finished Finding Grace, a short historical fiction book I was given the chance to read thanks to NetGalley. It follows Grace, a thirteen-year-old girl living in a Belgian convent in 1975. She was left on the steps as a baby, along with her disabled sister, Dotty. But Dotty recently died, and everything is changing.
Grace is moved to the girls' boarding school dorm. She soon becomes close with Fran, but also has a few run-ins with the stuck up Deirdra. While helping Fran with a history project Grace discovers an old journal kept by one of the nuns at the convent during the war. It tells her horrific story of abandonment, rape and loss.
All the while, the girls are trying to find out more about Grace's past, and avoid the wrath of the horrible Sister Francis. Eventually Grace does get some anwswers, but they were certainly not the ones she was looking for.
I'm not usually very interested in historical fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was short, the characters were well developed and the plot was exciting and intriguing. I felt immersed in the setting, and felt empathetic for Grace. I actually felt quite invested in her and her search for knowledge.
There were a few typos and such, but as this is only a review copy I can't be sure whether the final publication will include them. It was a quick, interesting read, a good introduction to historical fiction. 4 stars!
Grace is moved to the girls' boarding school dorm. She soon becomes close with Fran, but also has a few run-ins with the stuck up Deirdra. While helping Fran with a history project Grace discovers an old journal kept by one of the nuns at the convent during the war. It tells her horrific story of abandonment, rape and loss.
All the while, the girls are trying to find out more about Grace's past, and avoid the wrath of the horrible Sister Francis. Eventually Grace does get some anwswers, but they were certainly not the ones she was looking for.
I'm not usually very interested in historical fiction but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even though it was short, the characters were well developed and the plot was exciting and intriguing. I felt immersed in the setting, and felt empathetic for Grace. I actually felt quite invested in her and her search for knowledge.
There were a few typos and such, but as this is only a review copy I can't be sure whether the final publication will include them. It was a quick, interesting read, a good introduction to historical fiction. 4 stars!
J Elizabeth Klug (21 KP) rated Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts in Books
Dec 14, 2019
A short non-fiction ebook that draws comparisons from the magic written by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series to the historical myths and folklore from which it's based. Invisiability, transforming into a creature, and warding off evil are just a few of the topics you'll find in this book.
I found this to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to any fans of Harry Potter who are interested in Mythology and Folklore.
I found this to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to any fans of Harry Potter who are interested in Mythology and Folklore.
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated A Fist Around the Heart in Books
Oct 5, 2020
In this sweeping historical fiction novel, Heather Chisvin takes us along a journey of two sisters who flee late 19th century Russia through to Canada and America of the early and mid-20th century. There, one sister must come to terms with her past, but the other continues to be tortured by it, with tragic results. You can read my review of Chisvin’s debut novel on my blog here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/06/23/between-two-sisters/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/06/23/between-two-sisters/
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Dreamland in Books
Oct 7, 2020
In 1911, the wealthy Battenberg family are off to stay the summer in Coney Island, which was at the time, the home to a set of amusement parks that had something for everyone, from swimming on its beaches to roller coaster rides. This historical fiction novel looks at this spot during its heyday, and witnesses its destruction. You can read my #bookreview of "Dreamland" by Nancy Bilyeau here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/01/24/carnival-of-camouflage/
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/01/24/carnival-of-camouflage/
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Oct 29, 2021
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Boy From Berlin in Books
Aug 23, 2020
Boy From Berlin is a well-written story of a family. It tells the story of a boy and his family journey from Nazi Germany. What a compelling tale. It is great for children to learn about Berlin and what happens to Jews during Hitler's time.
The way this takes us on Kafer's journey from Berlin to England. Young readers will enjoy the adventure. They will also learn about what it was like to be Jew or some escaped from Hitler. You are pulled along with Kafer and his family. I was having a hard time turning the pages. There are surprises and twists throughout the book.
This was historical fiction read but it great for any historical fan. It one that I would recommend to pick up for middle-grade children and readers. Great for young readers as well. If you are into spies and World War 2 then this is a good book to pick and read. It is based on the true story of Kafer and his family. Though there is some fiction to it.
The way this takes us on Kafer's journey from Berlin to England. Young readers will enjoy the adventure. They will also learn about what it was like to be Jew or some escaped from Hitler. You are pulled along with Kafer and his family. I was having a hard time turning the pages. There are surprises and twists throughout the book.
This was historical fiction read but it great for any historical fan. It one that I would recommend to pick up for middle-grade children and readers. Great for young readers as well. If you are into spies and World War 2 then this is a good book to pick and read. It is based on the true story of Kafer and his family. Though there is some fiction to it.