Category Archives: Historical Fiction

The Accomplice, by Joseph Kanon

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This is a great piece of espionage fiction! It was sexy and fast-paced. The dialogue was fierce and tangible. A spy-thriller-romance set against the backdrop of history made for a great read.

It is as described: In 1962, Aaron seeks to justify his Uncle Max’s last wish in hunting down a Nazi, Otto Schramm, who never payed for his war crimes. Otto served as a medical doctor for the Nazis, performing tortuous medical experiments on children and sending others to the gas chambers. Aaron flies to Buenos Aires from Hamburg to find Otto who has been using a different identity. But, after meeting Otto’s daughter, Aaron is unsure if he can fulfill his quest.

Thematic elements: War crimes is obviously a major topic, considering the subject and setting. Aaron internally struggles to rectify capturing Otto. How is justice served to the dead when their lives cannot be replaced? How do you properly punish someone responsible for the deaths of innocent victims? Does it matter how they died, once gone? Can a death serve a purpose, or can it be useful? Is there such thing as a useful death?

My technical notes: The first 17% is mainly dialogue where Max is trying to convince Aaron to find the ex-Nazi, Otto, and bring justice to the Jews that Otto harmed or killed by bringing Otto back to Germany for trial. Aaron’s actual espionage quest in action does not begin until 25% when he arrives in Buenos Aires. Most of the book is energetic dialogue between the characters, the characters in spy-action, or sexy time. The first 15-20% it took me while to adjust to the pacing of the names of characters, because their interaction moves so quickly. Otto Schramm, the Nazi criminal Aaron is chasing, is fictitious.

I really enjoyed the dynamic characters and the complexity of their relationships. I didn’t plan on reading this so quickly, but the relationships and plot were a driving force, so I finished it sooner than anticipated. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for a copy! Opinions are my own.

Joseph Kanon is the author of The Good German which was made into a movie starring George Clooney and Cate Blanchett.
If you are interested in nonfiction about Nazi doctors, I highly recommend Doctors from Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments on Humans. It is not very long, has pictures, and is written by a journalist, so it is not a very tedious nonfiction read.

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Westering Women, by Sandra Dallas

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In 1852, Maggie decides to respond to a broadsheet advertising for strong and good Christian women to embark on a 2,000-mile journey to find a husband in California. Running from her past in Chicago, Maggie hopes no one will recognize her along the way. Shortly after they begin their travels, the group of women led by two pastors experience countless hardships, loss, and sacrifice.

“Sometimes the unknown ahead is preferable to the known we have left behind.”

Misogyny, disparity, and injustice are revolving attributes surrounding the myriad of stories told by women that Maggie encounters on the Overland Trail. We see a period of inequality for women that often approved of domestic abuse if the reasoning was passable; for example, if the woman said something the male did not like.

“Women are not as smart as we are. Who knows what will turn their heads. They can be foolish.”

“Why was it all right for him to beat her so savagely but wrong for her to fight back?”

Thematically, the Overland Trail represents a multitude of symbolic comparisons. As the story progresses, such as life, values and priorities of the women on the journey begin to change based on new experiences and developing circumstances.

Chapter by chapter, history is felt during the excursion in the setting, the environment, and the harrowing situations the women face along the way.

“The devil designed the trail. You must travel through hell to reach California.”

The language was appropriate for the time period, though sometimes dry. I did not feel too emotionally attached to the characters, and think maybe it was because there were so many women involved in the story that it was hard to attach myself. I could relate to them, but I couldn’t connect with them. There were some gripping twists along the way, but I also felt like some of the story could have been condensed.

My technical notes: The first 13% sets the foundation for Maggie’s background, the qualifications for signing up, and prerequisites for the journey. The journey to California then begins at chapter 4 (or 13%) and continues until 94% of the book. Thereafter, the last 4% of the story (94-98%) loose ends are tied up. The chapters are told chronologically by date, and the dates range from February 22, 1852- September 30, 1852. On their journey they stop at a fair number of landmarks and notable sites along the way including but not limited to Independence Rock, the City of Rocks, Gold Rush Alley, Ft. Kearny, Ft. Laramie, and the Sierras.

Overall, I liked the novel and think the story of what emigrants encountered on the western trails that is fictionally mirrored through Maggie’s tale is astounding. I recommend this to advocates of feminism and 19th century historical fiction readers.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Sandra Dallas for this copy. Opinions are my own.

Overland Trail
The trails western emigrants took during this period. In this novel, the women did traverse on the Mormon Trail and the California Trail which can be seen on the map.

Visit Sandra Dallas’ website to learn more about this novel.

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The Moonshiner’s Daughter, by Donna Everhart

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North Carolina, 1959-61: Jessie Sasser, a young teen girl, struggles to feel accepted by her family who runs an illicit moonshining business. Not only because it is illegal, but because it can cause drunkenness or ultimately death, Jessie refuses to support her family. Unpopular, self-conscious, and motherless, she feels shame about her family’s reputation for moonshining and worthlessness about herself. But when harm comes her family’s way, Jessie must decide between her family and her integrity.

“I didn’t want to be known as the moonshiner’s daughter.”

A big topic explored in this novel is eating disorders. Very early on, Jessie’s eating disorder is introduced, and she struggles with her self-value and appearance throughout the novel.

“Out the windows to my left were my classmates standing or sitting under a perfect blue sky, a buttery sun shining warm on their flawless world. I saw myself in their midst, a mar on their perfection, a weed in their manicured garden.”

The names of characters are simply amazing. And, in my opinion the name “Sasser” is one of the most epic last names for a Southern family. The southern language was remarkable, and the setting and environment set by the author was outstanding. The stark reality of Jessie’s situation with her family feels tangible.

Historically, this novel was extremely well-researched. After searching the internet because of this novel, I came to realize the area of the setting Wilkes County, NC was a huge moonshining contributor in the south during the 50’s and 60’s.  The cars to transport the juice, the moonshining process, and the rivalry seem to be developed from genuine past reports. As the author mentions in the end, moonshining was prevalent in Wilkes County, NC because voters continue to delay the license of regulated Alcohol Beverage Control stores.

1950’s Oldsmobile Rocket 88- Similar to Daddy Sasser’s car he used to run his shine.

The first few chapters started off strong, but then it started to get slow here and there. I experienced a few static moments with the pacing in the first half of the story-line. On the other hand, I can see the slow-moving pace in the beginning could benefit the solid foundation set for characters and the environment they live in. I really felt like I knew Jessie and her family; I felt connected and emotionally entangled with Jesse and her family. The last half, of course, was my favorite and everything was woven together beautifully. The very ending, the epilogue, truly made my heart sink.

There is no romance in this novel. Triggers in this novel include self-harm through eating disorders and abuse to a child.

I really liked this story and recommend it to lovers of Southern historical fiction. This would make for a great group or book club read. There is also a “Reading Group Guide” with questions included in the back.

Willie Clay Call- The Uncatchable Moonshiner

Why moonshine?

 Moonshiner History

Women’s Health- Eating Disorders

I won an advanced print copy of this via Free Book Friday on Donna Everhart’s blog. Thank you!

 Click here to watch the book trailer for The Moonshiner’s Daughter.

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Children of the Stars, by Mario Escobar

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Falling somewhere between an odyssey and a saga, this is a tale of exile reminding us that kindness and humanity will radiate in the season of sorrow.

1942: The parents of Jacob and Moses have sent the boys to live with their aunt in Paris since the war is getting worse. On the streets, the boys get swept away in the Velodrome d’Hiver roundup in Paris. Choosing to escape, Jacob and Moses return to their aunt’s home, discover old letters from their parents, and decide to go find them.

Through Jacob and Moses’ journey to reunite with their parents, we see an assortment of people with their own ethnicity, history, ideals, and stories. The variety of people they encounter leave you seeing the variations of WWII through an array of lenses.

I really enjoyed that it centered around the viewpoint of children; two boys holding on to what remains of childhood. The relationship between Jacob and Moses is so sweet and childlike though war attempts to blockade their innocence.

“Observing the happiness of others always makes the world make a little more sense all of a sudden, makes suffering a little more bearable, makes grief a little less suffocating.”

“When you’re young, you dream about making the world a better place, overturning injustice and inequality. But within time you just settle for getting by.”

“Don’t ever change. Sometimes the world can turn us into something we shouldn’t be.”

“Humans are nothing more than the sum of their affections and the connections they make in life. When those ties break, loneliness destroys what little is left in an uninhabited heart.”

The author confirms the brothers, Jacob and Moses, are fictitious. However, they represent the real children who traveled across Europe as refugees during WWII. Historically, Mario Escobar gracefully blends facts with fiction. He addresses areas in Europe that are commonly suppressed amid a defying WWII history. Several authentic historical characters are involved that include Andre Trocme, Daniel Trome, and Edouard Theis.

4 out of 5 star rating explained: While tender and touching, there were some implausible situations and cliché conditions. Also, their voyage to find their parents continued relentlessly, so I always knew what to expect to happen…they would keep going to find their parents.

Overall, it is a feel-good novel that takes you across Europe with two children during war.There is a lot of historical content and I found myself Googling a lot of the names and places. There is mild violence, no vulgar language, and no sex. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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More on this topic:
Andre and Magda Trocme
Le Chambon-sur-Lignon
Phillipe Petain and the Vichy puppets

Jewish children hidden in Le Chambon
Jewish children hidden in Le Chambon.
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Jewish and non-Jewish refugee children sheltered in Le Chambon.

Mario Escobar is the author of many novels including Auschwitz Lullaby. This title, Children of the Stars, was originally published in Spanish under the title Los niños de la estrella amarilla.

A View Across the Rooftops, by Suzanne Kelman

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Romance and resistance in Amsterdam. What matters to you enough that you would sacrifice your own life? Widowed math professor, Josef, is faced with a decision to help a student, Michael, when the Jewish raids begin. Yet when Josef’s niece, Ingrid, becomes involved with the Nazi’s, Josef not only must decide where him and Ingrid’s relationship stands but he must also choose to follow his moralistic principles or surrender his values to solidify his own safety. Michael’s girlfriend, Elke, is faced with turmoil when Michael goes missing and she struggles to accept that he is gone.

My notes: As a reader, you will not learn much history that has not already been accounted for in a plethora of other novels. The atmosphere of war and the setting of Amsterdam 1940-1945 is well constructed. However, the focus is on the characters and their tales during this time. The inhumane atrocities experienced by Jews and their life in concentration camps is not accounted for. Overall, the novel was a light, easy read. The plot did not create a complexity of profound thoughts or cause for deep reflection. For me it was not gripping or intensely captivating, but rather a normal WW2 read that avoids harrowing specifics.

There is a good true story of sacrifice buried in here, and it is revealed and noted by the author in the end. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Suzanne Kelman for a copy. Opinions are my own. 

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The Girls with No Names, by Serena Burdick

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1910-1913, New York: A world where men hold the upper hand. Values are changing with the turn of the century. Women are still fighting for their rights. A young female can be sent away or imprisoned for nearly any act of defilement or unbecoming behavior.

Told from three different viewpoints, the story begins through the eyes of Effie, a twelve-year-old growing up in a wealthy household but constrained to a strict set of principles and rules. Longing to hold on to their Victorian values, her family pushes her older sister Luella away. Attached to Luella, Effie finds herself in the House of Mercy after searching for her sister. Luella and Effie’s mother, Jeanne, struggles to maintain her composure while her family begins to crumble. Her social status and reputation in society as a lady cause conflict in her priorities as she seeks to mend her family. Mable befriends Effie in the House of Mercy, but can they trust each other? Mable recalls her past in flashbacks which reveal a pattern of betrayal and deceit.

“There are girls who get put away for more, if they’re not reformed”
“Or repentant”
“It’s like prison. You get put away for however long fits the crime. There are girls who’ve been in there for ten years, twenty. Some never get out, but I heard three years was the minimum.”
“That can’t be true.”
“I’m just telling you what I heard”

3.5 out of 5 stars explained: The setting was great, and I found it suitable and well-researched. The start was slow to build, and the story doesn’t begin to climb until 25% (on a Kindle). I highly enjoyed Mable’s chapters. I found her voice and story to be more fitting to the description of the book. Mable was intriguing and enlightening to the era. The other two POV’s, Effie and Jeanne’s, were not as exciting for the reader and sometimes caused the plot progression to be slower. The actual scenes within the confines of the House of Mercy are limited, and I would say are only detailed in about 12-16% of the entire story itself. You will not learn too much about The House of Mercy from reading this novel.
Most of the story focuses on the family dynamics and some gender conflict. I would have liked to have seen more history apart from the setting and a very small appearance from Inez Milholland. The ending was predictable. The very end, the epilogue, was cheesy and cliché for my taste. It’s not a story that I continued to think about it after reading. Overall, I liked it and found it to be an average read that was engaging during various times and moderate at other times. For the above mentioned reasons, I rounded down to 3 stars. Thanks to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for this copy. Opinions are my own.

A great article about this topic:
House of Mercy

1932, House of Mercy:

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The Beekeeper of Aleppo, by Christy Lefteri

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What does it mean if we no longer grieve for what we lost? Do we legitimize the things we have lost or broken by holding on to our grief? What does it mean to carry memories?

The story begins with Nuri, the husband and main character who narrates the story, engulfed in the dark grey abyss of his wife’s blind eyes. His wife, Afra, was left blinded by the war and is left with only her own recollection. But, what does it mean to see? What does it mean to love? Revolutionized by the Syrian Civil War, a war that was not their decision to be involved in or part of, Nuri leaves his apiaries in Aleppo behind and journeys with Afra from Syria to the UK in hopes of obtaining asylum to create a safe and improved future. Their immigration tale tornadoes a state of mental trauma and emotional hardships that endure homelessness while surviving murderers, starvation, and ethical barriers.

Nuri and Afra’s journey from Syria to their ultimate destination is told through Nuri’s flashbacks in bits and pieces. The bees that Nuri often recounts from his life in Aleppo represent the deep metaphorical allegories for their lives, their immigration experience, and the state of Syria.

This story is not about war, but rather the strenuous effects of war on the mind and body. It contains disturbing content, and I would recommend reading this while in a good state of mind. I would consider this a good novel for this interested in the constructs of culture and the influence of sociology. Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for this copy. Opinions are my own.

For more on this topic:
Syrian Refugee Crisis
Fast Facts of Syrian Civil War

Nonfiction books that I recommend on this topic:
Shatter the Nations: ISIS and the War for the Caliphate by Mike Giglio
Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of Isis by Azadeh Moaveni

In the novel, Nuri and Afra stay at Pedion tou Areos with other refugees. Picture of a migrant camp set up at Pedion tou Areos park in Athens:

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Colombiano, by Rusty Young

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Based on true events, this story of revenge, betrayal, and corruption follows the fictional character Pedro. Growing up in Llorona, a war-torn land who makes good on the promise to kill those who snitch, Pedro witnesses the murder of his father. At fifteen years old, going on sixteen, he joins the Autodefensas in order to extract revenge on the Guerillas who killed his father. However, his alliance with the Autodefensas creates conflicts in his relationships. It truly is a great story with remarkable characters that endured so much. From the drug trafficking to the kidnappings, I really enjoyed it.

Now, to my technical details! Early on his father is killed and Pedro vows to kill each man who took part in his father’s murder. After this occurs and he joins the paramilitary, Pedro’s training with the Autodefensas is detailed until 24% (on a Kindle). That leaves 25%-97% being the tale of a teenage boy carrying out revenge. It is an 800+ page book, so this was a very drawn-out revenge. It just kept going and going with him trying to find the next person and then the next who was involved in his father’s murder. At a certain point (55% for those interested) I wanted the revenge to be over and the story to progress, but Pedro still had more revenge to pursue. Though entertaining and a powerful story, this left me feeling winded as a reader. 

It was full of thoughtful and meaningful prose which caused me to highlight a lot. It has a lot of violence and vulgar content, too: scenes with dead body parts floating in the water, boys calling each other s.o.b’s every few pages, etc. There are a few sex scenes, but the sexy details are not included. 

There are many Spanish words, but most are cognates. However, if you are unfamiliar with basic Spanish words then I recommend reading on a Kindle in order to translate. There is a glossary of Spanish terms at the end, but that seems superfluous to have to flip back and forth, but do you boo.

I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and those with multicultural interests. Overall, a great compelling read about a boy soldier in Colombia with many well-researched details. Many thanks to Lily Green at Havelock & Baker Publishing for this copy. All opinions are my own.

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The Dressmaker’s Gift, by Fiona Valpy

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This novel follows other modern historical fiction trends: the modern-day character, Harriet, finds an old photograph in box that shows her grandmother as a young lady with two other girls, and Harriet then makes it her goal to uncover the past of her familial history concerning her grandmother, Claire.

The first chapter was very cliché. Harriet moves to Paris obtaining a job in the same building that her grandmother, Claire, worked in. And, she settles in the same apartment that her grandmother lived in. And, Harriet’s roommate in that apartment happens to be the granddaughter of one of the girls in the picture who also lived in that same apartment. Very convenient beginning.
…But the story does get better and becomes entertaining.

The synopsis provided is accurate, for the most part. The three seamstresses in 1940, Claire (Harriet’s grandmother), Mireille, and Vivienne, live together in a small apartment and slowly develop a trusted friendship. Their involvement with the resistance is mostly limited to courier, depending on the character, though they do assistant in helping people out of German-occupied France to safety. With none of them being Jewish, the Jew’s oppression is merely a backdrop in the story and is only mentioned occasionally. It does provide some insight into Flossenburg camp, not as a Jew but as a traitor.

I did not enjoy Harriet’s chapters as much. They seemed like “fillers” and at times the story could be followed easily without having read some of Harriet’s chapters. However, her chapters are not long, so it is bearable. In Harriet’s chapters she mostly recounts the previous chapter of what was revealed to her about her grandmother. She also struggles to cope with the loss of her mother to suicide, and frequently Harriet questions if she has inherited trauma genes.

Overall, I liked the story and found it to be a light, quick, average read that at times intensified. It focused on the girl’s relationship development and their work as a seamstress in Nazi-occupied Paris until approximately 45% (on a Kindle). The plot then heightens again at 61 % (on a Kindle). It does have interesting tidbits of historical information lightly sprinkled here and there.

There are an abundance of fashion references and scenes. I do recommend this if you love Paris fashion. It did not include any vulgar language, sex scenes, or explicit violence.

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Run Me to Earth, by Paul Yoon

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This story primarily focuses on the effects of warfare on innocent civilians living in a war-torn society. While the beginning starts off in a 1969 Laos town with bombs dropping like rain and airplanes swarming over like flies, this is a minimal part of the story. The results after the war are the central emphasis.

It begins with three teenage orphans Alisak, Prany, and Noi who scavenge supplies and help a farmhouse-turned-medical facility in exchange for money, shelter, and food. They risk going into the dangerous apocalyptic-like town of Phonsavan with bombs dropping all around to find medical care and pick up hurt civilians while befriending a doctor at the facility named Vang. However, this setting only lasts for the first 28% of the book (on a Kindle). With the four seeking to leave, they are then separated while on their way to be rescued. It is at this point where the story really begins. 

The remainder of the book sheds light on what happened to Alisak, Prany, Noi, and Vang after being separated. Some of them were released after being imprisoned by communists and reeducated for seven years, though it does not recount their time or reeducation in prison. Other characters were rescued only to experience a sensation of loneliness and separation, while some did not make it. The suffering ensued by each reflects the dejected nature of post-traumatic stress that civilians experience when growing up in a battle zone.

There are no chapters; it is divided into parts by character. The first part (the first 28% mentioned above) is told from Alisak’s point of view. It then goes through four other characters viewpoints in sections detailing what occurred after being separated. 

The setting was different, and I enjoyed the premise. I did not feel connected with Alisak or Auntie, but I really enjoyed Prany, Noi, and Khit. Since it jumps right into the story from the start, the beginning first two parts of Alisak and Auntie felt slightly disjointed as I was trying to piece a few things together. Overall, I really liked the novel though it was not an expeditious page turner for me. Nevertheless, it is an important story that speaks volumes. Many thanks to Netgalley, Paul Yoon, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC.  Visit Paul Yoon’s blog to learn more.

More on this topic:
President Barack Obama Visits Laos
Communism in Laos
Laos during the Vietnam War

Location of Laos.

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