News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
To Steal from Thieves by M.K. Lobb - Book Review by Bookish Elf
In the crowded landscape of YA fantasy, finding a novel that seamlessly blends historical fiction, romance, and magic is rare. M.K. Lobb’s “To Steal from Thieves” accomplishes this feat with remarkable finesse, delivering a Victorian-era heist story that pulses with tension, chemistry, and heartbreak. Set against the backdrop of London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, this novel introduces readers to a world where alchemology—the creation of magic through personal sacrifice—exists alongside the grinding poverty of Devil’s Acre and the glittering façades of high society. A Tale of Two Thieves: Character and Conflict At the heart of this story stands two damaged, […]
The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian - Book Review by TBE
In the vast landscape of Civil War fiction, Chris Bohjalian’s “The Jackal’s Mistress” carves out distinguished territory through its unflinching exploration of humanity amid brutality. Based loosely on the true story of a Confederate woman who saved a Union soldier, Bohjalian transmutes historical footnotes into a layered narrative about survival, compassion, and the deeply personal costs of war. The novel arrives as Bohjalian’s twenty-fifth book, following acclaimed historical works like “Hour of the Witch” and “The Lioness,” and demonstrates his continued mastery of illuminating historical periods through intimate human struggles. A Breadbasket Turned Battlefield: Setting and Context The story unfolds […]
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson - Book Review by Bookish Elf
Jenny Jackson’s debut novel, “Pineapple Street,” offers readers a delicious glimpse into the rarefied world of Brooklyn Heights’ old money families. Set in the “fruit streets” of one of New York’s most exclusive neighborhoods, the novel follows the Stockton family—a dynasty ensconced in limestone mansions and private clubs—as they navigate love, class divides, and the growing pains of self-awareness. With wit and precision, Jackson (who works as a vice president and executive editor at Alfred A. Knopf) delivers a compelling examination of wealth and its discontents that manages to be both critical and compassionate. The novel’s strength lies in its […]
O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy - A Cult, A War, A Reckoning
Nicole Cuffy’s O Sinners! is not just a novel—it’s an experience of unraveling. Part investigative thriller, part philosophical meditation, and part haunting war chronicle, it is a genre-defying literary mystery wrapped in lyrical prose and unsettling beauty. Centered on Faruq Zaidi, a grief-wracked journalist navigating the grief of losing his father, the book explores the allure of cults, the seduction of charisma, and the complexity of trauma through the haunting lens of a community that calls itself “the nameless.” Told in three intersecting narratives—Faruq’s present-day immersion into the cult, Odo’s past as a Black soldier in the Vietnam War, and […]
Boudicca by P.C. Cast - The Flame-Haired Queen Returns
In Boudicca, #1 New York Times bestselling author P.C. Cast breathes myth and magic into the bones of history, conjuring a vivid retelling of the legendary Iceni queen who dared to challenge the might of Rome. Cast, widely known for the House of Night series, pivots from urban fantasy to historical romantasy with assured command, channeling her signature flair for female empowerment, goddess worship, and immersive worldbuilding. Rich with druidic lore, feminine strength, and the chilling allure of destiny, Boudicca straddles the liminal line between myth and memory. The novel offers both immense strengths and noticeable structural weaknesses. What emerges […]
Counting Backwards by Jacqueline Friedland - Book Review by tbe
Discover how Counting Backwards by Jacqueline Friedland unearths the disturbing truths of forced sterilization through a compelling dual-timeline narrative. A must-read for fans of historical fiction that challenges social norms and sparks urgent conversations on reproductive justice.
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry - Book Review
Discover the emotional depth, literary elegance, and haunting mystery in The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry. This dual-timeline novel explores maternal bonds, creative legacies, and long-lost truths through lyrical prose and immersive settings.
The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue - Book Review by TBE
Emma Donoghue’s latest historical novel, The Paris Express, is a remarkable achievement that weaves together multiple lives aboard a train hurtling toward disaster. Set on October 22, 1895, the narrative follows the Granville-to-Paris Express as it makes its fateful journey toward the Montparnasse Station crash—an accident immortalized in one of the most extraordinary photographs of the 19th century. What makes this novel exceptional is Donoghue’s meticulous attention to both historical detail and character development. Like a skilled orchestral conductor, she introduces us to a diverse collection of passengers from all walks of life: politicians, artists, anarchists, workers, immigrants, and the […]
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - Book Review by TBE
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a book that doesn’t merely tell a story—it invites you into an atmosphere. Imagine a world wrapped in black-and-white silk, stitched together with enchantment, whispered secrets, and timeless longing. Le Cirque des Rêves—the Circus of Dreams—is not merely a setting; it’s the soul of this magical novel. But beneath its whimsical surface lies a deeper tale of rivalry, obsession, love, and loss, braided together by Morgenstern’s atmospheric prose. Plot Overview: A Game Played in Shadows At its core, The Night Circus is the story of a long-standing magical competition between two prodigies—Celia Bowen […]
A Conjuring of Light by Victoria E. Schwab - Book Review by TBE
V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series has captivated readers with its unique premise: four parallel Londons—Red, White, Grey, and the long-lost Black London—each pulsing with different levels of magic and danger. From the introductory sparks of A Darker Shade of Magic (2015), through the tempest of A Gathering of Shadows (2016), we arrive at the thunderous crescendo: A Conjuring of Light (2017). This final installment delivers on the promise of its predecessors, but not without a few missteps. As always, Schwab’s prose glimmers with lyrical flair, painting a vivid world teeming with magic, ambition, and heart. Yet this time, she […]
The Antidote by Karen Russell: Haunting Tale of Memory and Magic
Explore The Antidote by Karen Russell, a haunting blend of historical fiction and magical realism set in the Dust Bowl era. Read our in-depth review on the novel’s poetic storytelling, eerie characters, and unforgettable themes of memory, trauma, and survival.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones - A Review
Stephen Graham Jones, known for his masterful blend of horror and historical fiction, returns with The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, a novel that grips readers with its eerie atmosphere and layered storytelling. Set in 1912, the novel weaves together a chilling confession, a massacre long buried in the snow, and the presence of a vampire lurking in the Blackfeet reservation. Told through the discovered diary of a Lutheran priest, the book plays with the weight of history and the supernatural in ways that only Jones can master. Jones, whose previous works (The Only Good Indians, My Heart Is a Chainsaw) have […]
The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Critchley - Book Review
Emily Critchley’s sophomore adult novel, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne, is a meticulously crafted psychological drama that unfolds like a series of nesting dolls—revealing its secrets layer by layer until the final, devastating truth emerges. Set primarily in the winter of 1938 at the crumbling estate of Thornleigh Hall, this atmospheric tale explores how a single tragic event can alter the trajectory of multiple lives across decades, leaving an indelible mark on all involved. The story begins with 75-year-old Gillian McCune (née Larking) returning to Thornleigh Hall for the first time in sixty years, compelled by a mysterious letter from […]
Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods - Book Review by Bookish Elf
Step into the stormy, magical world of Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods. This historical fantasy blends the charm of fairytales with the depth of historical fiction, delivering an immersive story of love, magic, and self-discovery. Read our full review!
The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor - Book Review by TBE
In Jillian Cantor’s The Greatest Lie of All, deception serves not merely as a plot device but as the emotional scaffolding upon which the entire narrative is constructed. Cantor, known for her thoughtful exploration of women’s lives in novels like Beautiful Little Fools and The Fiction Writer, delivers a story that is equal parts Hollywood drama, mystery, and poignant character study. This latest work weaves together two compelling female protagonists—a struggling actress and a famous romance novelist—whose lives intersect in ways neither could have anticipated, uncovering secrets that have remained buried for decades. The novel opens with aspiring actress Amelia […]
The Sable Cloak by Gail Milissa Grant - Book Review by TBE
The Sable Cloak by Gail Milissa Grant is a compelling historical novel that brings to life the resilience, power, and complexity of Black communities during the Jim Crow era. With deeply nuanced characters and a powerful narrative, this book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
Maya & Natasha by Elyse Durham - Book Review by Bookish Elf
Historical fiction, particularly novels centered around ballet in the Soviet Union, often risk romanticizing the bleakness of the era. Yet, Elyse Durham’s debut novel, Maya & Natasha, avoids this pitfall masterfully, offering readers a beautifully harrowing narrative that dances between delicate artistry and harsh reality. Twin Destinies Born from Chaos Set against the haunting backdrop of the Siege of Leningrad, the story opens dramatically with the birth of twins, Maya and Natasha. Their mother, Elizaveta, a prima ballerina whose dreams are eclipsed by pregnancy and war, swiftly exits the narrative by suicide, setting an emotionally complex stage that will shape […]
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray - Book Review
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray brings Jessie Redmon Fauset’s untold story to life, capturing her journey as an editor, mentor, and writer at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance. This historical fiction novel illuminates an overlooked literary pioneer and her struggles with love, ambition, and race in 1920s America.
The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein - Book Review by TBE
Explore "The Other March Sisters," a beautifully crafted retelling that gives Meg, Beth, and Amy their own voices beyond Jo’s dominant narrative. This fresh take on the beloved classic "Little Women" offers a deeper exploration of sisterhood, selfhood, and the constraints of 19th-century womanhood.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall - Book Review by Bookish Elf
Discover Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, an emotionally gripping novel set in rural Dorset. Blending historical fiction with psychological depth, this novel explores love, betrayal, and the weight of past choices. Read our in-depth review to see why this book is a must-read.
Far From Home by Danielle Steel - Book Review by Bookish Elf
Danielle Steel’s Far From Home is a gripping historical fiction novel set during World War II. It follows Arielle von Auspeck, a German aristocrat forced to forge a new identity after her husband’s execution for plotting against Hitler. This review explores the novel’s themes of resilience, love, and survival.
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter - Book Review by Bookish Elf
Discover One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter, a poignant historical fiction novel set in WWII Italy. This review explores its themes of friendship, survival, and sacrifice, following two Jewish women fighting for their lives. A must-read for fans of The Nightingale and Beneath a Scarlet Sky.
Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine by Callie Collins - Book Review
In Callie Collins’ debut novel, “Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine,” the air is thick with cigarette smoke, spilled beer, and the hypnotic pull of blues guitar. Set against the backdrop of Austin’s evolving music scene in the 1970s, Collins captures a time when the city was still finding its rhythm—a moment when honky-tonks and hippies collided in a combustible mix that could either create something transcendent or end in tragedy. For the patrons and proprietors of Rush Creek Saloon, it does both. Like the best blues songs, this novel doesn’t shy away from life’s raw edges. Instead, it […]
The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley - Book Review by TBE
Discover The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley, a gripping historical fiction novel set in 1613 Britain. This review explores the novel’s rich storytelling, historical intrigue, unforgettable characters, and elements of romance and suspense.