Incredible historical fiction
342596
I was addicted, I finished the book in 3 days. It was real, it was exciting, painful, it was love. It was life.
1032983
One of the best historical fiction books I've ever read. The author paints an amazing picture of the way things were while effortlessly drawing you into the narrative.
879699
I was really amazed that I could be so drawn into the story of a time, people, and place that I don't remember learning about even in history.  I was captivated by the personalities in this story, as well as the two that came after in this trilogy.  I literally could not put them down until I knew exactly what happened to the friends and people I truly admired in these stories.  This was the first historical fiction I ever read and I am hooked, at least on Penman and the heros and heroines in her stories and our past.  Read It, you won't be dissappointed, I promise you...Oprah should read this and reccommend it to the world, it deserves no less.
3358343
"Shackleton's Stowaway" is a fabulous piece of historical fiction. Well-researched, the characters come alive in this compelling story of survival, hope, and courage. The writing is excellent, and the story a real attention-getter for children. The virtues of another time come to life under McKernan's creative crafting of an unforgettable story.
2107811
This is among the most wonderful books I've ever read. It begins rather slowly, but keep with it. I finished this book in tears. I love historical fiction and this book will encourage  you to do research into the history of Hungary. Having been to Budapest, the book was even more enjoyable, and revealing. Overall, an amazing achievement.
Jonnie Johnson
4026882
I've never read historical fiction before finding Philippa Gregory.  I was shocked to see that this book didn't have a higher rating.  Gregory makes the characters leap from the page.  I would find myself slowing down toward the end of the book because I didn't want the book to end.

The amount of research the author must do is amazing. The reader truly feels transported to England and the royal courts.  You won't be disappointed!
1639657
I love historical fiction. This story captures your attention from the very first chapter. Elise is an outstanding writer. Her attention for historical detail is superior.  Innocence does a fantastic job of delving into class struggle and how horrible the slave trade was even for white children in the 1800's. Two thumbs up!
252326
I loved this book. The writing style of this book was like literary candy for me. I loved the story and found it very compelling and exciting. Once the story starts unfolding it just takes off and you don't know what is going to happen next. I couldn't put this down. I found myself totally identifying with the main character and several of the secondary characters as well. It seems like the book is leading to a sequel and I can't wait. I can't recommend this book enough. This is certainly one of the most exciting books I have read and certainly the best historical fiction novel I have read.
178647
What an incredible beginning to an incredible country.  The sacrifice of so many is deeply felt in the reading of this excellent historical fiction.  It should be required reading for all young people.
2665436
The writing is incredible and the story itself feels so real, I had cold chills. I thought this would be a book about war, but instead, it focused on two families - one Jewish and one Catholic - whose lives become enmeshed as they struggled to survive fascists during WWII in Slovakia. It was hard not to enjoy the setting, history, and well drawn characters. Gretchen and Wilhelm's love was  inspiring. They were so devoted to each other and I just found myself cringing at every page, expecting heartbreak. I loved the story between them but then the story itself, filed with so much history, culture, and politics just swept me in and enamored me. I don't read much historical fiction, so this was quite a unique read for me. I felt smarter at the end of this book, but entertained and satisfied. The author's writing is impeccable, his knack for detail and patience in painting the scene admirable. I recommend this book to all lovers of romance, historical fiction, and family sagas. It's breathtaking, inspiring, and unforgettable at every turn. Undoubtedly a 5 star read.
1076015
This is a fabulous book, in one of my favorite genres- historical fiction about powerful women. Well imagined, well researched and wonderfully drawn, this portrait of a complicated woman and what drove her is a pleasure to read. I had always assumed that she was religiously cold, unbending and ruthless, like Mary of Scots, as she had unleashed the Inquisition upon her people. Through this telling of her story, I gained insight into how she may have been forced into that act- how is one to ever really know what a ruler must balance and ultimately to decide for their country?

I read it in one sitting because I simply could not put it down.
2816916
I was drawn immediately into this compelling story. The characters experience quite a few lurches through better and worse times over the course of about 6 years that the story covers.  I wondered how the narrator might have made better choices in several situations, which brought mistery to both her and her mother. Although flawed, the narrator does grow significantly during the course of events. My one crticism is that I wish the other characters hadn't been so one dimensional.

The backdrop of 15th century Persia was very interesting, since I knew nothing about it before.  An ecellent work of historical fiction, this book shows it has been extensively researched.
2740432
Fantastic read! I love historical fiction and the story about Cynthia Ann Parker a.k.a. Nadua and her Comanche husband Nocona is a very captivating one from the beginning. Even though there are a lot of brutal details as when Cynthia was kidnapped from her family as a child and later during Indian raids and wars with other tribes or the soldiers, there are parts that are very interesting because I enjoy learning about the old ways of living of Native Americans. Their knowledge about predicting the weather or the next season, tracing, caring for wounds and illnesses with herbs, tool and weapon making, to name just a few, was immense. Overall, I think I liked the many details about day to day life in a Comanche band the best.
1211318
This is truly rich historical fiction.  I have never been so impressed by an author that I can remember and intend to read her other books immediately.  It looks like a daunting read on the shelf and I knew going in a sequel was planned which made it even harder to pick up, but the first few pages were all it took to get me hooked.  The level of detail alone told me it was going to be a transportative experience.

In simplest terms, "Wolf Hall" is about the coming of the Church of England and the part played in it bynthe somewhat power-hungry Thomas Cromwell who seems most concerned with serving his king, Henry VIII, in a way that will make them both rich.  The king is a profligate spender and Cromwell, a businessman at heart, wants to insure England's lasting wealth by utilizing his knowledge of the marketplace to grow it amidst others who think the tap will never be cut off.  As the book goes along, we follow Henry VIII as he seeks to sever his first marriage in order to marry Anne Boleyn and Cromwell is the legal eagle he employs to execute this.  Cromwell must work around the clock to make it happen, going up against numerous relpresentatives of the church who he tries to convince that the king is ready to go to war if they don't agree to his wishes.

Exactingly researched down to the hour and minute of certain events, I found myself surprised that the whole legal affair becomes a real thrilling nailbiter.  The way Mantel tells the story is so sumptuous and ultimately so tragic as we know that many of these characters will die by the whim of the king.  The entire book only compounds our dismay at Henry's later actIons which seem monstrous in the face of the very human-feeling people in this text.

I could not recommend this book more.
3189548
This is an amazing piece of historical fiction- if you're debating on reading this book- quit it already and read it!
3988957
If you like your Historical fiction character rich, pulled from the pages of history, well researched, unforgettable and thought-provoking, you do not want to miss this latest book by Alice Hoffman. It's an inspirational and riveting story about four remarkable women who lived during the siege and massacre of Masada in 70C.E. Based on the historian Josephus's account, it vividly portrays the brutality of the Romans and the fragility of life. Hoffman's descriptions of the day-to-day life of this period are noteworthy and layered with believable events and character interactions. The primary perspective is from the female point of view and shows their fear, resilience, strength and determination as they navigate a life rife with danger. Highly recommend.
3388259
Heartbreakingly captivating, this book will grab you from the start.  I truly enjoyed this historical fiction work and all the Jewish history I was completely unaware of.  I loved the biblical and romantic undertones of the love triangle with women being the temptress and evil and manipulative once she is scorned. This woman's influence is amazing.  he 3 main characters are developed so completely their voices are heard off the page.  Avraham Azrieli is an amazing story teller and I cannot wait to read another one of his works, for the research he puts into his masterpiece is breathtaking.