Tuesday 13 September 2016

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
The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets
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
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
Mistress of Rome (The Empress of Rome, #1)
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
The Uninvited
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
The Botticelli Secret
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
The Vatican Princess
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
Code Name Verity (Code Name Verity, #1)
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
The Book Thief
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
Camelot's Shadow (The Paths to Camelot, #1)
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
The Other Side of Midnight
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

20 comments:

  1. I have one historical fiction book on my list, Love is a Wild Assault. I'm crazy about it.

    Another brilliant historical fiction book is by Zoe Oldenbourg and is called The World is Not Enough.

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    1. Thank you! Those both look great and are definitely going on my TBR!

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  2. I love historical fiction. The Boticelli Secret has an interesting premise! Code Name Verity was such a fabulous book. I agree that the characters were well developed. And the ending spent me emotionally.

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    1. The Botticelli Secret was great! I wish I could convince Ann to read Code Name Verity!

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  3. Great list! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I love that you have the Boticelli Secret on here - that book is so fun!

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    1. I really wish I read more Historical Fiction, I had forgotten how much I missed it!

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  4. Great list! The Botticelli Secret wasn't my favourite (The Daughter of Siena is) but Marina Fiorato does such a wonderful job in bringing early modern Italy to life :)

    My TTT

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    1. I think the Daughter of Siena was my first Marina Fiorato and it's definitely up there - the Palio fascinates me so much!

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  5. I love The Book Thief. It is probably one of my favorite young adult novels because of how complex it is. Great TTT.

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    1. I was completely unprepared for it, and it just destroyed me! And yes - it is complex!

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  6. I do like historical fiction sometimes, especially those set in England and Victorian era stuff. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets looks fun, I like the cover design, and The Uninvited looks good too. Camelot's Shad ow I was not aware of!

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    1. I think you would probably enjoy Camelot's Shadow! I love this cover for TLAoKS!

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  7. I want to read more Historical fiction and some of these look really good, may have to check them out! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I need to get back into reading Historical fiction, I miss it!

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  8. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets looks amazing!
    Book Thief is one of my fav books. <3

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    1. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets IS amazing! It's one of my favourite books! And the Book Thief is such a great read - I swear I've never met anyone who had read it and didn't count it as one of their favourites! A definite classic!

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  9. Cat Winters is great - I still need to read The Uninvited! :)

    Check out my TTT.

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    1. I don't think its her best book technically but I love it for introducing me to her in the first place! Super excited for her next book which is coming out soon I think! :)

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  10. Great list! I also really enjoyed The Vatican Princess. Have you read others by C.W. Gortner? There are a few on here that I want to add to my TBR now. :)

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    1. I've The Last Queen and loved it but nothing else yet - I definitely need to read more! :)

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