Friday, February 4, 2022

CHALLENGE: Historical Fiction Reading Challenge


 Marg, The Intrepid Reader, is hosting a Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. The details include:

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created where you can add the links for the books you have read. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

Add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please use the direct URL that will guide us directly to your review)
Any sub-genre of historical fiction is accepted (Historical Romance, Historical Mystery, Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, History/Non-Fiction, etc.)

During the following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

20th Century Reader - 2 books
Victorian Reader - 5 books
Renaissance Reader - 10 books
Medieval - 15 books
Ancient History - 25 books
Prehistoric - 50+ books


I expect I'll be between the Renaissance Reader and Medieval Reader with 10-15 books. I have a few mystery series that are historical as well as mystery. 


Here's my January Reads:



The Apollo Murders - Chris Hadfield

Set in the late 1960s- early 1970s, this Cold War space thriller was a crazy ride! I think most of the information from the space activity is correct, except it is all made up for Apollo 18 flight.


Ashes to Ashes - Mel Starr 
Hugh de Singleton, surgeon and bailiff, is under contract to solve problems in late 1300s England for the Lord of his manor. This is the eighth book in the series, and they are just right. Hugh progresses through the series - marrying, have children, and healing people at the same time as solving murders. Similar in feel to Brother Cadfael books.


Miss Moriarty, I Presume? - Sherry Thomas
Charlotte Holmes hides behind her imaginary brother, Sherlock, as it wouldn't work for a woman to be a detective. But Charlotte is just as observant and insightful as her famous 'brother'. Her sister is writing the tales of her exploits. So imagine Sherlock Holmes, but all estrogen. Here Charlotte goes up against her nemisis, Moriarty.


My Plain Jane - Cynthia Hand
A wonderful reimagining of Jane Eyre, but here Jane is friends with Charlotte Bronte. The book  is set in pre-Victorian times, as the narrator mentioned a few times. Completely irreverant while at the same time staying pretty faithful to the original. Very impressive and tons of fun!