Category: Historical Fiction
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
(Cover picture courtesy of Goodreads.)
When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s family, she is forced to move from Los Angeles to New York City to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she has never met. In their historic Fifth Avenue mansion, filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers the biggest family secret of all—an ancestor’s diary that, amazingly, has the power to send her back in time to 1910, the year it was written. There, at a glamorous high-society masquerade ball, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life. And she finds herself falling for him and into an otherworldly romance.
Soon Michele is leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves—and to complete a quest that will determine their fate.
Have you ever read a book that you couldn’t put down? One that was absolutely captivating? One that literally made you gasp for breath when you finished it? Well, that’s how Timeless was for me.
I know a time travel romance is very clichéd and time travel itself is wrought with problems, not the least of which is the time paradox (more commonly known as the grandfather paradox). But once my scientific instincts were quieted, I really did enjoy Timeless. I must admit that I know next to nothing of America circa 1910, so I can’t critique its accuracy, unlike books about ancient Egypt or ancient Rome. But I think Alexandra Monir did quite a lot of research and her writing really brought the period to life. Her writing is absolutely captivating because she has found the perfect balance between description and dialogue, something a lot of writers—especially the younger ones—struggle with.
In addition to her amazing writing, Alexandra Monir has great characterization. Michele is a very believable character and I could really feel her grief over her mother’s death. She falls in love very quickly, but when you meet someone who has haunted your dreams all your life, what do you expect? She is very sympathetic because in the end she does what she thinks is the right thing, even though it cuts her to the core. And because of her decision, we get a very nice cliffhanger ending that makes me anxious for the sequel, Timekeeper.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
(Cover picture courtesy of Whitcoulls.)
Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England. Ignored by her sainted cousin Henry IV, mocked by her mother, married at age twelve, and endangered by childbirth, she sets her heart on putting her son on the throne regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. She names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to the daughter of her sworn enemy, Elizabeth of York.
Margaret charts her own way through loveless marriages, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. Finally, gambling her life that her husband, the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, will support her, she masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of all time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.
My overall impression of the second book in The Cousin’s War is one of indifference mingled with boredom. For once, I’m actually reading a series in order and I think The White Queen was much better. Perhaps it is the fact that I can identify more with the enchanting Elizabeth Woodville than my ruthless ancestor (according to family legend) Margaret Beaufort.
I really do feel sorry for Margaret—she is married at the age of 12 for goodness sake! But my sympathy pretty much ends there as she schemes her way to the top with a single-minded focus that even I am surprised at. I respect her determination, but her ruthlessness is too much, even for me. I understand Genghis Khan better than I understand her because of Conn Iggulden’s wonderful portrayal. Maybe my lack of understanding is partly because of Margaret’s obsessive piety, something that is foreign to me.
Like The White Queen, the plot is not exactly fast-paced, but I don’t really expect fast plots in historical fiction—unless the author is Conn Iggulden, of course. I can’t quite sympathize with all of the characters, but I do understand what drives them. Maybe I will be able to understand them better on a second read through, but for now my ‘meh’ judgment stands.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran
(Cover picture courtesy of Fyrefly’s Book Blog.)
The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Anthony’s rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. When their orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome, only two—the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander—survive the journey. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of a slave rebellion, and by the longings deep within their own hearts.
Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of imperial Rome and of the people and events of this most tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadow of the past, Selene must confront the same forces that destroyed her mother and struggle to meet a different fate. A young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, Selene will capture your heart.
So much is made of Antony and Cleopatra’s relationship that it’s almost sickening. But very few novels follow the story of Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, the son and daughter of this famous couple. Michelle Moran has finally shed light on these obscure people and really brings ancient Egypt and ancient Rome to life. She has obviously done her research and unlike Conn Iggulden’s Emperor series, I did not find one single historical inaccuracy. In fact, I actually learned quite a bit, which is the point of historical fiction.
The book is told from the point of view of Selene, who is a wonderful narrator. The young daughter of a powerful queen, she behaves more like an adult than a child, despite being only ten years old at the beginning of the story. This makes the book much more appealing for older teens as well as the younger ones because she is a very interesting character. The plot is not exactly fast-paced, but it’s rare to find such plots in historical fiction. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to any teenage girl, even if they are not interested in history. Once Michelle Moran’s amazing writing sucks them into the world of Selene, they won’t even notice they’re learning about history. As a bonus, this novel may spark an interest in history that could last a lifetime—it started my little sister’s interest in history. Just days before she read it, she proclaimed, “I hate history! It’s so boring!” Now I dare you to try to take away her precious historical fiction novels.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Seer of Egypt by Pauline Gedge
(Cover picture courtesy of EBooks Vault.)
Huy has risen from lowly origins to become the Seer to the King. Yet Amunhotep’s patronage proves both a blessing and a curse to Huy, who feels imprisoned by his psychic gift and the life he must live to keep it. Though rewarded by wealth and influence, he longs for the pleasures enjoyed by those around him, especially love, which seems forever lost to him.
When the King demands Huy’s presence at court, he obeys. But he soon realizes that he is being asked to approve a lie aimed at supplanting the god Amun. Afraid of losing the King’s favour, Huy jeopardizes Egypt’s future by concealing the truth. The gods, however, agree to give him a chance to redeem himself. Although the privileged life Huy knew is coming to an end, his contribution to Egyptian history is only just beginning.
If you’re a lover of fast-paced plots filled with excitement and romance, this is not a good book for you. But if you love good characters, authentic historical details and vivid imagery, Seer of Egypt is a book that you must read.
Although its plot is not fast-paced by any stretch of the mind, its plot is quicker than that of the first book, The Twice Born. Since Huy is an adult now and becoming more used to his ‘gift’, things really pick up, especially when Pharaoh Amunhotep II summons him to court. Huy is forced to make a choice between lying and upsetting the balance of Ma’at or likely being executed, so he makes the choice 99.9% of readers would make. But in doing so, he sets the stage for Egypt’s decay by helping the sun god achieve prominence over Amun. Of course, Anubis is not pleased (to put it mildly) and Huy pays dearly for not trusting in the protection of the gods, but is given a second chance.
Huy is an amazingly brave, yet flawed character that most people can sympathize with. His life is certainly not easy, what with his forced virginity and his opium addiction that gets worse as the novel progresses, but he sticks with what he knows is his duty. He also finds himself alone when his best friend Thothmes marries his oldest friend, Ishat. Yet he finds comfort in bringing up the future Pharaoh Amunhotep III, which certainly keeps readers interested and on their toes.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge
(Cover picture courtesy of Passages to the Past.)
Thirty-five centuries ago the sun had a daughter: Hatshepsut. Youngest daughter of the Pharaoh, she was a lithe and magical child. But when her older sister died, it became her duty to purify the dynasty’s bloodline. She was to wed Thothmes, her father’s illegitimate son, who was heir to the throne. But fearing his son’s incompetence, Hatshepsut’s father came to her with startling news. She was to be Pharaoh, ruler of the greatest empire the world had ever known–provided, of course, that the unprecedented ascension by a woman did not inspire the priests to treason or instill in her half-brother and future consort sufficient hatred to have her put to death.
This is the premise for Child of the Morning, based closely on the historical facts. Hatshepsut assumed the throne at the age of fifteen and ruled brilliantly for more than two decades. Her achievements were immortalized on the walls of her magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahri, built by her architect and lover, Senmut.
Sensuous and evocative, Child of the Morning is the story of one of history’s most remarkable women.
(This summary is from Amazon because my edition does not have a blurb at the back.)
When I first read Child of the Morning, I was enchanted by it. Hatshepsut the tragic, pious she-pharaoh who wanted nothing more than to please Amun spoke to me. Pauline Gedge brought her to life for me and made ancient Egypt so much more accessible. Yet something about her portrayal of Hatshepsut didn’t feel right to me at all. Upon further study of her life, Pauline Gedge’s Hatshepsut does not sit well with me.
Pharaoh Hatshepsut reigned for 20-22 years after the death of her brother-husband Thutmose II. With the help of some great advisors (most notably the enigmatic Senmut), she ruled Egypt justly and kept peace for the better part of two decades, which was no easy feat. Personally, I don’t think Pauline Gedge’s dreamer could have achieved half of what the real Hatshepsut did. But maybe this is just my personal preference mixed with my prejudiced views of history. I do prefer an Iron Lady to an Aida, I must admit.
Other than my disapproval of Hatshepsut’s portrayal, Child of the Morning is excellent light historical fiction. The plot does not speed along, but it is nice and steady. Pauline Gedge has a talent for spellbinding writing and she inserts many authentic details from Egyptian life into her novel.
So what do you think of Hatshepsut? Was she an Iron Lady or a dreamer, as Pauline Gedge portrays her?
I give this book 4/5 stars.