Top Ten Historical Fiction Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly meme feature created at The Broke and the Bookish. For the list of past topics and future schedule, click here. In recent years I've read a lot of Young Adult and it feels like that is what I blog about most. But I can never forget my first love - Historical fiction! These are in no particular order.

1) The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

This is set in the post WW2 period and follows a families struggles with their ancestral home and the daughter and sons excursions in to the modern era (cue Elvis and concert-going). Whenever I talk about it I realise that their isn't a huge amount of plot but there is something about this book that captivates me on every re-read.

2) A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities is my favourite Classic. I usually love Charles Dickens' books but this one is just a whole other level of amazing and I feel like this one I actually do talk about a lot. 

3) Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

This is the first in a confusingly ordered series (the second book is a prequel and then the third book is a sequel again) but is my favourite of the series. There are gladiators and emperors and assassinations and historical accuracy. I love this series but this book really stands out.

4) The Uninvited by Cat Winters

Or any book by Cat Winters. But this was my first and therefore, nostalgically, my favourite. It kept me guessing the whole way through and shed a light on a period and setting I wasn't all that familiar with before. 

5) The Botticelli Secret by Marina Fiorato

Read "any Marina Fiorato novel" but this is possibly my favourite. The main character in this one is a "part time model and full time prostitute" and her accomplice is a "Novice librarian" or monk. I loved the characters and the plot kept me guessing. Plus anything set in Italy is instantly going on my TBR.

6) The Vatican Princess by C.W. Gortner

Speaking of Italy... Meet Lucrezia Borgia - one of my all time favourite histrorical figures. C.W. Gortner did such an amazing job of bringing her (and Italy) to life. I actually do have a review for this one which you can find here.

7) Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

This book was already in my head because I have been pushing it at Ann a lot lately. The characters (what little there are) are three dimensional and the plot is twisty and engaging. Plus the ending made me cry.

8) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

And yet more crying.... I got this instead of an easter egg one year and it was definitely a good decision. This is probably one of my all time favourite books. If you've read this then you probably feel like I do and if you haven't - read it! Please!

9) Camelot's Shadow by Sarah Zettel

Not exactly high on historical accuracy but if you love the Legends of King Arthur then this is a great series for you. There is magic and romance and plenty of action.

10) The Other Side of Midnight by Simone St. James

Psychics and post war era problems. And ghosts. Ghosts everywhere. This was my first Simone St. James book and whilst they are all amazing this is still my favourite. 

Leave a link to your top ten post in the comments and if you know of any historical fiction you think I'd enjoy then please let me know - I am definitely trying to get back into it! 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare) to keep up with what we are reading