Historical Fiction I Hated
Discover the historical fiction books I couldn't stand—honest critiques and reasons why these popular novels fell short. Find out which overhyped titles made my 'hated' list!
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Possession
by A. S. Byatt
BOOKER PRIZE WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A tale of two young scholars researching the secret love affair of two Victorian poets that's an exhilarating novel of wit and romance, an intellectual mystery, and a triumphant love story. “Gorgeously written … A tour de force.” —The New York Times Book Review Winner of England’s Booker Prize and a literary sensation, Possession traces the lives of a pair of young academics as they uncover a clandestine relationship between two long-dead Victorian poets. As they unearth their letters, journals, and poems, and track their movements from London to Yorkshire—from spiritualist séances to the fairy-haunted far west of Brittany—what emerges is an extraordinary counterpoint of passions and ideas.
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The Jewel of Medina
by Sherry Jones
Set in ancient Arabia during the dramatic birth of Islam, this captivating debut novel paints a fascinating portrait of A'isha, child bride of the prophet Muhammad, who overcame great obstacles to reach her full potential as a woman and a leader.
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Auriel Rising
by Elizabeth Redfern
The acclaimed author of The Music of the Spheres works literary alchemy in this latest novel set in 1609 London, where the quest to turn lead into gold drives men and women to acts of daring, deception, and even murder.
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The Other Boleyn Girl
by Philippa Gregory
Fabulous historical by No.1 bestseller Philippa Gregory, the queen of Tudor novels.
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Beside a Burning Sea
by John Shors
From the author of Beneath a Marble Sky comes an inspiring new novel of a man and a woman from different worlds whose love is put to the ultimate test as they struggle to survive an extraordinary set of circumstances. View our feature on John Shors' Beside a Burning Sea. One moment, the World War II hospital ship Benevolence is patrolling the South Pacific on a mission of mercy—to save wounded American soldiers. The next, Benevolence is split in two by a torpedo, killing almost everyone on board. A small band of survivors, including an injured Japanese soldier and a young American nurse whom he saves from drowning, makes it to the deserted shore of a nearby island. Akira has suffered five years of bloodshed and horror fighting for the Japanese empire. Now, surrounded by enemies he is supposed to hate, he instead finds solace in their company—and rediscovers his love of poetry. While sharing the mystery and beauty of this passion with Annie, the captivating but tormented woman he rescued, Akira grapples with the pain of his past while helping Annie uncover the promise of her future. Meanwhile, the remaining castaways endure a world not of their making—a world as barbaric as it is beautiful, as hateful as it is loving. With the blend of epic storytelling and emotional intensity that distinguishes him as a unique talent, John Shors reveals a powerful story of redemption focusing on unlikely lovers, heroes and villains, and war-torn countries—all, in their own ways, fighting to survive.
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The Horse Goddess
by Morgan Llywelyn
To avoid the priesthood, Epona, the daughter of a Celtic chief, runs away with Kazhak, the leader of a small band of horsemen from Asia Minor's Sea of Grass.
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Banners of Silk
by Rosalind Laker
A girl named Louise Vernet Allard who's "skill with a needle soon recognised and as she grows up, her enthusiasm and gift for the fashion world grow apace. Louise's life is inextricably linked with the young Englishman, Worth, who was to change the face of fashion. Then there is Will Russell, a superb fabric cutter and, above all, there is aristocract Pierre de Gand. Can Louise dare to win his love?"--Back cover.
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The Prize
by Julie Garwood
When captive Saxon Nicholaa is forced to marry the Norman noble Royce, the bond that develops between them is tested by blood, kin, and country.
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The Dress Lodger
by Sheri Holman
In a novel set in London during the Industrial Revolution, a prostitute borrows a blue dress to attract a higher class of client and is shadowed through the streets by an evil old woman hired by the dress' owner to keep an eye on her.