historical fiction

Unexpected Tidal Waves in Stormbringers | Sequel Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ Leave a comment

【 STORMBRINGERS 】 Book 2 in The Order of Darkness series This series continues to be a blast, enthralling me with every page. ★★★★★ Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical FictionAuthor: Philippa GregoryPublished: January 2013Publisher: Simon & SchusterPages: 288 (paperback) Quick thoughtsThis review may contain spoilers for book one!! Oh my golly gosh goodness I love … Continue reading Unexpected Tidal Waves in Stormbringers | Sequel Review

Courageous Dolls in The Dollmaker of Krakow | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ 2 Comments

【 THE DOLLMAKER OF KRAKOW 】 ★★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: R. M. RomeroPublished: September 2017Publisher: WalkerPages: 288 (hardback) Content warning (click to see) Holocaust * war * violence * grief QUICK THOUGHTSAhhh my heart, my feels, what a tragic and beautiful story! This was gorgeous from page one - not to mention the hardback edition … Continue reading Courageous Dolls in The Dollmaker of Krakow | Book Review

Apples and Orchards in The Last of the Apple Blossom | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ Leave a comment

【 THE LAST OF THE APPLE BLOSSOM 】 ★★★★ Genre: Historical FictionAuthor: Mary-Lou StephensPublished: July 2021Publisher: HarlequinPages: 464 (paperback) Thanks to Harlequin for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review QUICK THOUGHTS A quintessentially Australian story of secrets, friendships, fires and love. This book made me feel all the feels. From … Continue reading Apples and Orchards in The Last of the Apple Blossom | Book Review

Wartime Codebreaking in The Rose Code | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ Leave a comment

【 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

DNF: Painter to the King | 16%

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ Leave a comment

【 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%

WWII Secrets in The Codebreakers | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ Leave a comment

【 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

Medieval Feminism in The Good Wife of Bath | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ 2 Comments

【 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

Wombats and Wars in Underground | Graphic Novel Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ 1 Comment

【 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

Beekeeping in The Ardent Swarm | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ Leave a comment

【 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

Trans Representation in Sistersong | Book Review

~ Kirstie Ellen ~ 2 Comments

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