Historical Fiction Book Reviews

Mask of Dreams by Leigh Grant is a huge, sprawling achievement, a marvelous historical novel that brings together elements of the romance and adventure genres with grittier realism and acutely observed period minutiae. With its addictive plotting and believable characters backed up by clearly thorough research of the era, the novel is sure to linger long in the memory as an expertly woven, richly detailed, and thoroughly gripping work of historical fiction.

The title alludes to its period setting – Venice in its golden age around the year 1500, a city that is also an empire, and a world of […]

An empowering and dramatic story of romance in deeply troubled times, Her Own Revolution by Debra Borchert is an authentic period novel with a fearless female lead. From the novel’s bold opening line to the heartwarming final proposal, this book is carefully crafted by a master of relationships and emotional tension, for a tightly written, heart-pounding twister of a tale.

Genevieve is a precocious and daring young protagonist who refuses to bow to the gender norms of the time, hiding her gender in order to seek out her education. Terrified at being found out, she has a single person to […]

Transporting readers back to a legendary snapshot from the long tale of America, Tim: The Story of Timothy H. O’Sullivan as a Young Apprentice at Mathew Brady’s Studio by Daniel A. Sheridan is a stunning story of youthful determination and a nascent technology that would change the world.

Young Tim is unexpectedly apprenticed to the legendary Matthew Brady at his daguerrotype studio on Broadway, and his life is forever changed overnight. Walking through the heart of historical New York is a dramatic and eye-opening shift from the young boy’s expected path – following his father and brother as a carpenter. […]