Rabiah’s Recommendations: Historical YA #3

As I’d mentioned in my first Recommendations post, I was inspired to do this series of posts by Epic Read’s The Age of YA: A Timeline of Historical Fiction. Last time I recommended books that were set in Ancient Greece and then books set in Ancient Egypt, so now it’s time for another time period/setting:

Historical Fiction #3:

The 1900s

(Part 1: 1900-1929)

Quite a huge jump, I know, but it’s frustrating for me, since I haven’t gotten to read about so many amazing time periods in history. I’ll be making jumps around the timeline from now on!

In the Shadow of Blackbirds

by Cat Winters

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

I was super excited to receive a copy of this one, and it definitely did not disappoint. I’d never really heard about the Spanish Influenza, and this was a fantastic portrayal of the US at the time. I’ve heard a lot about Cat Winter’s other book The Uninvited which is also set during the same time period, so I’m super pumped to dive into it.

Blood Red, Snow White

by Marcus Sedgwick

••• Goodreads •••

I read this one in grade 7 or 8, and I honestly don’t think I understood it too much. The writing in this one is absolutely gorgeous–I know I need to re-read it. I also got the chance to meet Marcus Sedgewick at ALA in 2013, and got him to sign the copy I had since middle school! It’s really a wonderful story that I’ll need to pick up once again.

Bright Young Things

by Anna Godbersen

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

Oh, the Jazz Age! I’m a huge fan of The Great Gatsby and I believe I read this one around the same time I read Fitzgerald’s novel. I love Anna Godbersen’s portrayal of the time period in both this book and The Luxe series. I don’t know why I didn’t pick up the rest of the series, but I’m sure I’ll have to pick this one up soon to do so.

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There’s so many more books I need to read from these three decades: The Diviners, A Death-Struck Year, Vixen...just too many good reads to pass up! And not just set in the US as well–there’s Russian history involved as well! Next time, more WWII books will be featured, as that’s next on the timeline (or I might jump back again...who knows!).

Do you have any recommendations for books set during the beginning of the 20th century?

Rabiah’s Recommendations: Historical YA #2

As I’d mentioned in my first Recommendations post, I was inspired to do this series of posts by Epic Read’s The Age of YA: A Timeline of Historical Fiction. Last time I recommended books that were set in Ancient Greece and so now it’s time for another time period/setting:

Historical YA #2:

Ancient Egypt

Sphinx’s Princess

by Esther Friesner

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

This was the next series I went onto after finishing the Nobody’s Princess series. I unfortunately never got to read the second book in this duology, but even then I really enjoyed the first book. Sphinx’s Princess is the story of Nefertiti, so it was interesting to finally read a book about an Egyptian queen other than Cleopatra. Need to find the second book so I can finish this fabulous duology.

Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile

by Kristiana Gregory

••• Goodreads •••

In middle school I was absolutely obsessed with The Royal Diaries series and, even though I’m sure I read all the books in this series that were released at the point in time, this was the only one that stuck with me. I absolutely LOVED Cleopatra–everything about her fascinated me. She still fascinates me! While I was pretty used to hearing about the more bold and fierce side of this Egyptian queen, this book unveiled the more frightened and vulnerable child that Cleopatra probably hid under the surface. Love this fictionalised account of her life!

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Again, like Ancient Greece, I’m sad to say that I haven’t read many books set in Ancient Egypt. I haven’t even really read many books based on Greek mythology! Less than a handful, which is also really sad. New goal for me clearly: read more books based in BC. 

Do you have any recommendations for books set in Ancient Egypt?

Rabiah’s Recommendations: Historical YA #1

Many of you have probably seen the awesome The Age of YA: A Timeline of Historical Fiction on Epic Reads. It’s WAY too big to upload onto my blog, but definitely go check it out because it’s all kinds of awesomeness. Anyway, I thought that I’d do a series of posts based on some of the time periods in the timeline and give my own recommendations in addition to those featured on the timeline.

Historical YA #1:

Ancient Greece

Nobody’s Princess

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

Nobody’s Prize

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

by Esther Friesner

I read this duology way back in middle school and absolutely loved it. I was completely obsessed with Greek myths and legends back then (and still am!), so these were the PERFECT books for me. I loved reading about Helen of Troy–before she was Helen of Troy. It’s nice to read a story where she isn’t just the pretty face that cause the whole war, but instead is a complete badass.

Dark of the Moon 

by Tracy Barrett

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

An absolutely fabulous take on the Theseus myth! I read this one ages ago as well, but I remember loving it so much, especially after reading the Nobody’s Princess series. Another badass heroine that’s been completely overshadowed in the myth, the story is told from Ariadne’s perspective. Well, it actually alternates between Theseus and Ariadne. But definitely preferred this Ariadne than the Ariadne from the myth.

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I’m sad that there aren’t too many young adult or middle grade books actually based in Ancient Greece, despite the huge amount of books based on Greek mythology. Epic Read’s timeline actually doesn’t feature any books from Ancient Greece, surprisingly! Other than the three I’d featured I would say that beyond YA or MG there are two more books–or rather, plays–worthy of mention: Antigone by Sophocles and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Both are set in Ancient Greece (the former was actually written during this time period). Definitely worth the read if you don’t mind the format and stage directions now and then.

Do you have any recommendations for books set in Ancient Greece?