Tag Archive for: Historical Fiction

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The Duke And I

The Duke And ITitle: The Duke and I
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 3 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 438
Length: 12h 9m
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Viscount Who Loved Me, An Offer from a Gentleman
My Thoughts

I’m glad I decided to read THE DUKE AND I because it was such a fun, steamy historical fiction romance. Despite taking place during the time of one’s reputation being the most important thing, there are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Daphne and her courage to help Simon, the Duke of Hastings, overcome his past trauma by showing him that love is more powerful and healing than anger and resentment. I loved the instant connection and attraction between Daphne and Simon. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

The edition I read had a second epilogue, which was fun but way too long and a bit overkill. I loved being able to see Daphne and Simon happy together with their grown children, but I rolled my eyes a couple of times at the sap.

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Bringing Down The Duke

Bringing Down The DukeTitle: Bringing Down the Duke
Author: Evie Dunmore
Series: League of Extraordinary Women #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 3 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 356
Length: 12h 20m
Narrator: Elizabeth Jasicki
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE was such a fun, steamy historical fiction romance. I really loved the setting of Victorian era England, just at the beginning of the suffragette movement and the admission of women to Oxford. I thought it gave the romance and characters, especially Annabelle and Sebastian, some depth. Not only did I love the theme of women’s rights and equality, I also loved the themes of friendship, finding one’s own way, and duty to one’s country vs. being on the right side of history.

I really loved Annabelle and her willingness to speak her mind even though it was looked down on at that time. I loved the instant connection and attraction between her and Sebastian, the Duke of Montgomery. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.

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Where The Crawdads Sing

Where The Crawdads SingTitle: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery
Format: Audio
Pages: 370
Length: 12h 12m
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I truly loved WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING until the last few pages. I think she would’ve confided in Tate about her past and the ending made it seem like she hadn’t. I feel it undid what the author was trying to say and/or show about who Kya grew to be after the trial.

While I’m a little miffed at the ending, I’m still glad I read it. I really loved Kya and I was invested in her life. I loved that she not only survived, but thrived despite the hardships she faced. I thought her story was beautifully told and emotional. I thought the dual timeline was the perfect vehicle for the story, especially the mystery aspect of it. I liked getting snippets of Kya’s life in the past as I wondered what lead to the present circumstances.

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Stalking Jack The Ripper

Stalking Jack The RipperTitle: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Reason Read: Play Book Tag, Reading Challenge
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’ve been excited to read STALKING JACK THE RIPPER ever since I knew the book existed. I’ve been fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper ever since I was a teenager. I watched a couple of TV miniseries fictionalizing his rampage of terror with my parents and I often wondered who the real Ripper was and why he did what he did.

I loved how Maniscalco wove the historical in with the fiction. I loved seeing the events of Jack’s murders through the eyes of Audrey Rose and the other characters around her. I loved reading about the science of the times. In Maniscalco’s author’s note, she said she tried to remain as true to the capabilities of the time as possible. I thought it was really interesting that even though most of society scorned the work of forensic scientists because they thought it ungodly and mad, scientists were able to do all they did without the advancements we have today.

I loved the cast of characters, including Jack. Even though I guessed who Jack was in the end, I was surprised how it all went down. It made for a fun, surprising ending that I really enjoyed. I also loved the little bit of banter between Audrey Rose and certain someone. I look forward to more of that in future books in the series.

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Dread Nation

Dread NationTitle: Dread Nation
Author: Justina Ireland
Series: Dread Nation #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 418
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

DREAD NATION is the first zombie novel I’ve ever read and I loved it. I loved how the “Shamblers” worked and how they changed the outcome of the Civil War and society in general. The Shamblers were so much fun to read about. I especially loved reading the fight scenes with all the different weaponry used against the dead.

I liked the time period and how Ireland used the setting to discuss the oppression of black people not only during Civil War era United States, but in general the most. Even though the themes are blunt, they’re not preachy. Ireland skillfully addresses issues of racism and inequality while delivering a complex, enthralling story. Reading this book was very eye-opening. I know I’ve lived a very sheltered and safe life (and I’m not talking about a life free of Shamblers). I felt like the story wonderfully illustrates the perseverance and strength black people have while enduring horrific abuse at the hands of those who see them as lesser.