A Good Read for Lovers of Historical Fiction
354873
Year of Wonders is a well-crafted work of historical fiction that will definitely appeal to lovers of the genre.  Set in the village of Eyam, Derbyshire, during the English plague of 1666, the novel explores the consequences of the policy of isolation pursued by the villagers at the instigation of their charismatic pastor.  Although there are all the usual gory details of births, deaths and exploding plague sores that one might expect from a novel set in this period, they are not especially gratuitous and don't detract from the wider story, which is well-paced and sympathetically written.  The story is told from the perspective of Anna Frith, an engaging heroine whose struggles with temptation and defeat in various forms provide the impetus for her development thoughout the course of the novel.
If the novel has a flaw it is perhaps that it occasionally tests the readers credulity.  Anna gets involved in everything from medicine to mining (and flirts with feminism and recreational drugs for good measure) and, as a result, can seem an implausibly modern heroine at times.  However, by and large the characters and their relationships with each other are well drawn, and the period itself is so interesting that even a less accomplished writer could probably have produced a decent novel.  Geraldine Brooks has written a moving and thoughtful account of a devastating period in human history.
1818973
Although it took me a bit to get into the story, once I was into it, I enjoyed this book.  Even though I could pretty well predict the outcome, there were so many twists and turns that getting there was very interesting and made the read worthwhile. I would have liked to give the main character, Imogen, a good shake every now and then, but to me that is a credit to the author.  This novel is historical fiction, taking place in England.  The main character, Imogen, finds redemption in the end from the circumstances that were her young life.  If you enjoy historical fiction with surprises, twists, and turns, then this is a book I would recommend.
4524140
I'm a fan of historical fiction, but too often the works veer too heavily in one direction or the other.  Either the author sticks so closely to the details that a coherent and compelling story fails to appear, or takes so many liberties that the final work barely recalls the original events.  Here, the author has managed to find that balance, to craft an intriguing narrative with well developed characters and set them in events that match close enough with history that you actually learn something along the way.  It was an entertaining read and I look forward to the next novel from Mr. Oates.
2279305
I selected this book as a free promo, based on my love of historical fiction, particularly medieval, and a growing interest in Wales.  Wales is not represented nearly as often as other portions of the British Isles and I was glad to find this book.  I was immediately interested in the main character--a Welsh prince exiled to Ireland as a child, seeking to reclaim his birthright in Wales against the background of the growing menace of Norman French.  It's a good tale featuring a very interesting historical figure, clearly portrayed.  Setting portrayal and overall storytelling were a little weak, but no problems with editing or proofreading (my hesitance about any indy book).

I'm torn between rating this a 3 and a 4, and would go with 3.5 if I could. It might have been a 4 if I liked first person better.  First person is supposed to draw the reader in, but I find it usually keeps me at arm's length unless the writing, story, and character are so vivid that I forget entirely that it IS first person. (I didn't with Birthright.) So first person narratives tend to be 3s or 5s for me, and this wasn't a five. It was good enough, however, and the character interesting enough, that I'll keep an eye out for the author's next book about him.
878102
I am a huge fan of historic fiction; and the opportunity to read a story about the lesser-known (at least to me) Bonaparte and his wife was too good to pass up.

Elizabeth Patterson was a merchant's daughter, and far from being the typical woman of her time; she is ambitious and determined, wanting her life to be a European adventure, full of the sophistication and elegance that this image intimates.

Throughout the story, Betsy is highlighted as she charms presidents and princes, surprising for she could have been obviously grasping for position, yet her charm and intelligence seem to bring many to her side.  Jerome Bonaparte was not someone I was particularly familiar with, yet their relationship was obviously one of love.

Throughout the story historical details and information are placed with unerring accuracy to present visual and factual information for readers, enriching the feel, bringing the reader into the age with social conventions, dress, and decoration.  Secondary characters are dropped into the text with stories that intertwine with the events of the day, or the characters in equal measure, presenting a solid view of the time with tidbits of information that will spur further investigation.

Ruth Hull Chatlien writes with a deft hand, while the timeline may be set by history, the story flows smoothly from one event to another, including one character or another and gives readers a story to enjoy as they find new perspective on characters that have been lost to history.  Emotionally impacting, even as the historical events of the day are seamlessly woven through the plot, this is a story that will keep you intrigued and engaged.

I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for France Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
938562
I enjoy historical fiction. And this story took me right into the effects of war on the main character, Andrea.  Throughout the narrative it was easy to see how Andrea just wanted to feel like she belonged somewhere, and belonging means being loved.  This book showed the feelings, and interactions with people that Andrea had to deal with with every move and new situation she was thrown into.  Life was hard, and Andrea had to learn to deal with her anger towards her distant mother, a new father who she slowly learned to trust, friends who gave her hope and sincere friendship, and perspective of how to belong and find peace in her heart and mind, which came about finally after visiting her past.  All people have their own journey to find their place of belonging, and this book showed well, Andrea's journey to finally belong.
3380302
I enjoy well-written historical fiction and "The Story of Land and Sea" fortunately falls into this category. The main characters are easy to relate to and come across as real people, not mere cardboard characters. Set during the last years of the American Revolution, author Katy Simpson Smith is able to bring this period alive with credible period details that add to the reader's enjoyment of the narrative.

One problem I had with the novel was the moving back and forth in time. Given that this is period fiction, I felt confused at times with the changing timelines, but overall, it wasn't too difficult to follow the narrative. I especially enjoyed the complex relationships between some of the central characters. If you enjoy well-written period fiction, this might be a good read.
4389020
I'm fascinated with the years of the Tudor Dynasty and love reading historical fiction about them.  I had some difficulty following the identities and positions of several of the characters.  It's a good read nevertheless.
1951140
"The Spanish Bride" is an excellent read if you are a fan of historical fiction with an emphasis on Tudor England and Henry The VIII. This novel is written from the perspective of one of Catherine of Aragon's lady in waiting. It describes a joyous time in the Brides life when first arriving to England, then delves into the aftermath of being a dowager princess. Then focuses on her annulment and the time leading up to that process as well as her lonely death. It is truly a well written tale that fills in the gaps that other great novels forget to tell. By the way the ending is happy which is rather unusual for most historical fiction novels of this topic.
553003
This is an informative, historical fiction that will open your eyes to the magnificence of cathedrals built in the Middle Ages.  It is amazing that they were ever completed given all the obstacles to be overcome.  This book has also given me a new perspective on the relative comfort of our current lifestyles when compared to the difficulties our predecessors faced each and every day.

The author uses many terms that are historically accurate, so you may want to read this with a dictionary close at hand if you aren't familiar with the era in which the story takes place.  The author tends to be redundant on occasion and fails to follow through with the same level of detail near the end of the book as he provides initially, leaving you with a few unanswered questions with respect to a handful of the main characters.

Overall, I liked the book, but it does not rate among my favorites.
4788094
An interesting rendering of 1600's life in Florida and the trails to survive of both adventurers and natives.  It follows the travels of 1 young man.  So much to happen to 1 character strains credibility but does not detract from the story.  I highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.
3495579
I do not ordinarily enjoy historical fiction, but this book was an exception. Set in turn-of-the-century London, it tells the tale of a half-Indian, half-British woman doctor. While giving the reader an inkling of what it must have been like for such a character to try to fit into the medical and social worlds of London, it also tells a fantastic tale of magic, both British and Indian, as well as intrigue. It even has a bit of romance. The characters are well-drawn, and it is almost impossible for the reader to remain unaffected. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story with some depth.
4600718
I found this work of historical fiction to be interesting because it takes place during the Civil War era. Ms. Durham based her story upon her own great-grandfather's life and times. In March of 1882, two best friends since early childhood join the Confederate army. The ups and downs of the war (mostly downs - i.e. the Battle of Gettysburg) can either tear the two apart or bring them together.

The book has some very interesting and often humorous moments. It is well written, but don't expect a sweet story with a typical story format. This book is different than that. It reminds me more of a lot of short story remembrances put together to make a sensible plot. For me, it can leave me scratching my head as I try to figure out what happened when, where, and to what end. However, that sort of thing also makes it appealing to a lot of readers. Also, I am not a fan of a lot of vernacular that might be true to the area and times, but makes it difficult for the modern day reader to sift through. Uncle Tom's Cabin is the last book that I successfully read that included this sort of thing and I did muddle through that. As for Promises, I ended up skipping some of the dialogue because it was hard for me to get through.

All in all, I did like this story and I feel that Ardyce Durham has done a pretty good job of writing it. I especially think she has a great sense of humor, as is evidenced by her funny tales spread throughout the book.

*I received a copy of Promises in exchange for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.*
4314761
I enjoy historical fiction that is able to take one moment in time and expand it into a full, enticing story, and Blood Tide is a good example of this. The descriptions are vivid and the characters full of emotion. I learned a lot about the time period while being entertained by a good story.
4378744
Well written historical fiction that gives you a feel for the times and sympathetic characters.
4829395
I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a quick read and I was sad when it was over because I really liked the characters and felt like I had gotten to know them throughout the course of the book. I enjoy a good historical fiction book where you are entertained by a great storyline but learn a little history in the process. I'll look forward to future books by this author.
4363946
Being a fan of what's known as 'historical fiction' I was looking forward to reading this book, and I was not sorry I did. A well paced adventure, it takes the reader on one great adventure. The book was well written, and exposes you to a different time and place, where not everything was known, and finding out someone's true motives were a lot harder than today.

This was a very very good read. I very much recommend it for fans of the genre, and even for those who aren't.