Uncover the Magic of Historical Fiction
Historical fiction has a way of transporting us to another time and place, immersing us in the lives of people who came before us. But it’s not just about memorizing dates and events; it’s about feeling connected to the past and understanding the complexities of human experience. Whether you’re a history buff or not, these highly rated releases in historical fiction are sure to captivate you.
Timeless Tales of Love, Loss, and Triumph
- The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly: This atmospheric novel weaves together the stories of five women living in different times, all connected by a garden at the Highbury House estate.
- We Are Not Free by Traci Chee: This powerful YA novel tells the stories of 14 Japanese American teens during World War II, offering a deeper look into a painful period in American history.
- The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi: The sequel to The Henna Artist, this book continues the story of a young woman’s struggle in a society torn between tradition and modernity in 1950s Jaipur.
Mystery, Intrigue, and Adventure
- The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner: In 18th century London, a secret apothecary shop sells poisons to women seeking revenge against their oppressors. Two hundred years later, an aspiring historian uncovers the shop’s secrets.
- Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon: Inspired by true events, this novel tells the story of Nancy Wake, a woman who became a fighter, smuggler, spy, and target during World War II.
- The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams: This tale explores the impact of spoken and written words on society, set against the backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement.
Epic Journeys Through Time
- The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister: When a male search party fails to find Lady Jane Franklin’s husband’s lost expedition, a dozen women join a secret expedition to try and find him.
- A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes: This “women’s epic” retells the Trojan War from the perspectives of women, girls, and goddesses.
- The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff: In 1942 Krakow, a young woman seeks refuge in the sewers beneath the city with her mother, while above ground, an affluent Polish girl discovers their secret.
Courage, Survival, and Triumph
- Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian: In 1662 Boston, a young Puritan woman fights to escape her violent marriage and the gallows when she’s accused of witchcraft.
- Luck of the Titanic by Stacy Lee: This YA novel reimagines the Titanic’s tragic maiden voyage through the eyes of twin British Chinese acrobats.
- The Widow Queen by Elżbieta Cherezińska: Travel back over 1,000 years to the story of Swietoslawa, a bold Polish queen who refused to be a pawn in her father’s empire-building.
War, Love, and Survival
- The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel: A young woman, raised in the wilderness of Eastern Europe, helps a group of Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis and collides with her past.
- Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman: This fast-paced novel transports you to post-Pearl Harbor Hawaii, where a 23-year-old recruit joins a top-secret program, replacing male soldiers in a war zone.
- The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable: In 1942 London, a young woman manages a bookshop while the owner is away at war, and in present day, a second female perspective enters amidst the search for a lost manuscript.
Leave a Reply