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Ship of Rome (Masters of the Sea, #1)
John Stack | 2009
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Quite an unusual setting: the Roman Republic (not yet an Empire) at sea, during the early stages of what would later become known as the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage.

Plenty of novels focusing on Roman Legions: this is the only I can think of focusing on their fledging navy. Definitely in the style of Cornwell, Scarrow et al so if you like that kind of historical fiction, you'll probably like this too.
  
My Counterfeit Self
My Counterfeit Self
Jane Davis | 2016
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What does poetry have to do with social activism? A whole lot, actually, as you'll find out in Jane Davis's novel "My Counterfeit Self" and through my #bookreview of this historical, contemporary, women's literary fiction novel on my blog now. (I think this has just become my favorite of her books, as it just edged out "Smash All the Windows" by a whisker!)<br/>https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/05/11/a-poetically-explosive-story/<br/>;
  
Vienna Nocturne: A Novel
Vienna Nocturne: A Novel
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Anyone who loves classical music in general, and opera in particular, will have high hopes for a historical fiction book about the real woman who was Mozart's muse for the part of Suzanna in "Marriage of Figaro". So if you start reading it and it initially disappoints, keep going, because it certainly picks up nicely. You can read my full review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2014/02/24/the-soprano-who-inspired-mozart/
  
The Lady and the Highwayman
The Lady and the Highwayman
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For anyone looking for a fun, historical fiction novel that has just a touch of romance, and even some, adventure, fantasy and horror elements, Sarah M. Eden’s latest novel “The Lady and the Highwayman” set in Victorian London might be just the thing for you. If that sounds interesting, I hope you’ll read my latest #bookreview on my blog now. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/09/01/three-for-the-price-of-one/
  
The Velveteen Daughter
The Velveteen Daughter
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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/
  
The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth
Ken Follett | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.6 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
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
  
The Animals at Lockwood Manor
The Animals at Lockwood Manor
Jane Healey | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.