【 THE ROSE CODE 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Kate QuinnPublished: March 2021Publisher: William Morrow PaperbacksPages: 624 (paperback) Quick thoughts Brilliantly British characters will sweep you away into a world of fraught friendships and code breaking. MMM! SO much love for this book, I can't even. I loved every second of it and the audio … Continue reading Wartime Codebreaking in The Rose Code | Book Review
【 PAINTER TO THE KING 】 ★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Amy SackvillePublished: April 2018Publisher: Granta BooksPages: 336 (hardback} This was really not my cup of tea, which was disappointing because I had thought this would make for an interesting read. It's set during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain and I was hoping … Continue reading DNF: Painter to the King | 16%
【 THE CODEBREAKERS 】 ★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Alli SinclairPublished: March 2021Publisher: HarlequinPages: 496 (paperback) Big thanks to HarperCollins for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review First thoughts This was a sweet tale of Codebreakers during WWII in Australia with just the right amount of romance! I found the pacing a … Continue reading WWII Secrets in The Codebreakers | Book Review
【 THE GOOD WIFE OF BATH 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Karen BrooksPublished: July 2021Publisher: Harlequin FictionPages: 560 [paperback] Content warning (click to see) rape ° violence ° adult/minor relations ° sex ° murder ° death ° sexism ° assault ° mild homophobia Big thanks to Harlequin Australia for a copy of this in exchange … Continue reading Medieval Feminism in The Good Wife of Bath | Book Review
【 UNDERGROUND 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical FictionAuthor: Mirranda BurtonPublished: August 2021Publisher: A & U ChildrenPages: 272 (paperback) Thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review First thoughts This was a brilliant book that opened my eyes to some courageous humanitarian efforts by some … Continue reading Wombats and Wars in Underground | Graphic Novel Review
【 THE ARDENT SWARM 】 ★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Yamen ManaiPublished: February 2021Publisher: Amazon CrossingPages: 204 [paperback] First thoughts This was an excellent and clever read! I was really curious to pick this up as the blurb described it as "a stirring allegory", and I couldn't put it better myself. What's it about? The Ardent … Continue reading Beekeeping in The Ardent Swarm | Book Review
Sistersongby Lucy Holland ★★★★★ Genre: Historical Fiction, FantasyAuthor: Lucy HollandPublished: April 2021Publisher: MacmillanPages: 405 [paperback] Thank you to Pan Macmillan for a copy of this in exchange for review First thoughts This was amazing! This story is captivating and something unlike anything else I've read. The characters are brilliant and the trans-rep seemed to be … Continue reading Trans Representation in Sistersong | Book Review
Troyby Stephen Fry ★★★★★ third book in Stephen Fry's Mythology series Genre: MythologyAuthor: Stephen FryPublished: October 2020Publisher: Michael JosephPages: 496 [hardback] First thoughts Bedazzling, exciting and fizzing with energy, this final book in Fry's mythology series is just as good as expected. His knack for storytelling and painting the most delightful personalities on these mythological … Continue reading Sassy Mythology in Troy | Book Review
Homegoingby Yaa Gyasi ★★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Yaa GyasiPublished: June 2016Publisher: VikingPages: 305 [paperback] Review on Goodreads Initial Thoughts upon Finishing This was simply amazing. I can't get over how incredible the storytelling was! I was captivated by all the voices within this book and found it delivered its message so well. It was so … Continue reading The Reality of History in Homegoing | Book Review
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah ★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Kristin HannahPublished: February 2021Publisher: St Martin's PressPages: 464 [hardback] Review on Goodreads Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review! Initial Thoughts Upon Finishing Ooooph. This book is hard-hitting and glorious. As with anything that Hannah writes, … Continue reading Great Struggle in The Four Winds | Book Review
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