Five Historically Inspired Novels for the Reader in your Life

By Viktoria,

Sloan and I are absolutely prolific readers. Our love of gothic novels is actually one of the reasons we became friends and since then we have shared many of our favourite books with one another. It is a great thing to share a novel with a person, which is why I will be recommending five historical fiction books today. I think books are the perfect way to wind down after a long day of stress, or just an entire semester of stress, (online learning is certainly a learning curve) or just anything in general. Whatever your reason is, I think a book is a perfect remedy for any ill. I find these books to be the perfect fix and I hope you will too.

Recommendation 1:

The City of Brass Series by S.A.Chakraborty

In the Bookstagram community, this series has become a quick fan favourite, but I have not heard it talked about more widely outside of it. This I think is a shame, because it is such a delight to read. I listened to this on an audiobook loan from the library and adored it so much that I bought a physical copy. It is that good. (Meaning I probably will not do it justice.)

Nahri is a con woman just trying to make ends meet in 18th century Cairo. She knows all the tricks of making money and swindling the rich to attain her goals. However, when her tricks accidentally summon a Djinn Warrior and send some Ifrit hot on her tail, Nahri has to come to terms with the fact that the world around her is not as simple as tricking nobles. Dara, (the Djinn she accidentally summoned) takes her to Daevabad or the City of Brass, where she has to deal with a new world of magic, political intrigue and much more.

Recommendation 2:

Soulless by Gail Carriger

This book is like catnip to me. I cannot resist it. Gail Carriger basically owns my little reader heart at this point and I am okay with that. They’re funny, romantic, high energy, and just plain fun. Carriger has written so many books at this point that it is hard to choose just one. But here I think I will go with the beginning. But where to start…. wait... I know.

BISEXUAL HEROINES! GOOFY HATS! BATTLE PARASOLS! WEREWOLVES! AIRSHIPS!

Essentially, all of the yes.

Soulless is the first in Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate books, and it is the perfect place to begin. It revolves around the character of Alexia Tarabotti, a spinster with a secret. Like her father, she was born with the powers of a Preternatural, meaning she is soulless and that she has the power to make any immortal being mortal so long as she touches them. This causes many issues for Alexia, as she consistently finds herself set upon by people who want to kill her. After she accidentally murders a vampire, Alexia finds herself under the protection of Lord Conal Maccon, Alpha of the Woolsey werewolf pack and head of BUR. (The Bureau of Unnatural Registry) Together they will have to crack the mystery behind this vampire attack while trying hard not to fall in love in the process. This series is a riot to read and will definitely leave you wanting to read just one more chapter.

Recommendation 3:

My Lady’s Choosing by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris

Did you love “Choose Your Own Adventure” novels as a kid? Do you enjoy a goofy rom-com? Do you enjoy a Jane Austen or Bronte novel? Excellent. This might be the book for you. I will not say more, other than it might be the perfect thing for you if you need something quick and satisfying to read.

Recommendation 4:

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss

So many people have already heard me rave about this book and for good reason. It is the perfect mixture of the gothic, the mysterious and the funny. I know I have shared a lot of funny fantasy books on this list but that is what I gravitate towards. They say write what you know, so I will.

Mary Jekyll’s life has been defined by the mysterious disappearance of her father, Henry Jekyll. It is only when her mother suddenly passes that she begins to investigate the life of the man she barely knew. In doing so she finds a clue that she thinks will lead to the mysterious Edward Hyde and instead finds his chaotic child, Diana. Suddenly finding herself a caretaker of this strange child, Mary tries to get to the bottom of things and instead finds a conspiracy. Along the way, she befriends a couple of characters who may be familiar to fans of gothic and mystery novels, but I will keep those people a secret. I will say that the friendship dynamics in this book are excellent, and I think they are one of the best interpretations of female friendship that I have seen in a while. I will also leave a trigger warning for gore and death.

Recommendation 5:

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kirsten White

So many times I read a book and wonder what it would be like to read it from another person’s perspective. In this novel, Kirsten White does exactly that and tells the story of Elizabeth Lavenza (Victor Frankenstein’s cousin and playmate/ eventual wife) as she tries to survive and make herself a place in the world around her. It is a story of a person who just wants to be safe but finds herself in a much more dangerous situation. It is also the familiar story of Frankenstein retold in a new way. I will not spoil it, however, I will make sure to leave a trigger warning for abuse, gore, and death. If you are not comfortable with those topics I do suggest steering away from this book and going to one of the earlier contributions on this list.

I hope this list has given you some ideas about what to add to your to-be-read pile, or given you ideas about what to get as a gift for the book nerd in your life. (The holiday season is sneaking up fast) Happy Reading!

Photo Descriptions:

Photo 1-A teak coffee table stands on top of a blue, white, and red printed rug. The table is midcentury modern. On top of it sits a scattered collection of books with a cup of tea, a plate of pumpkin pie and whipped cream, as well as a plate of truffles.

Photo 2- On top of the teak table sits a book with a black background an image of fire. In white letteering it is called the City of Brass in a font similar to Times New Roman but with a flourish on the R in Brass. Next to it sits a white plate with pumpkin pie on it and a fluted, white teacup and saucer.

Photo 3- On top of the same teak table sits a copy of a book with a white cover with black and pink sketches on it. In the middle stands an image of a woman in pink standing in the middle of a dark alley. In pink the title Soulless is written in a sleek font. Next to it sits a fluted teacup and saucer as well as a small dish of leaf shaped truffles.

Photo 4-On top of the same teak table sits a blue book with images of a lady in an empire waist gown in a series of poses. (fainting in the arms of a broody gentleman, knocking over a column, speaking to a woman behind a sarcophagus, and riding a horse. In white lettering there is written My Lady's Choosing in a cursive font. Next to it sits a fluted teacup and saucer as well as a small dish of leaf shaped truffles.

Photo 5- On top of the same teak table sits a green book with a series of abstract images done in line work on the cover. The line work is done in shades of cream, orange and yellow. In a font that tilts to the left, the title of the Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter stands out clearly. The font is pretty traditional but there is an ombre effect on the letters moving from white at the top to yellow at the bottom. Next to it sits a white plate with pumpkin pie on it and a fluted, white teacup and saucer.

Photo 6-On top of the same teak table sits a pale pink book meant to look like a swathe of silk that has been roughly stitched. The stitches proclaim the title to be the Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein in black lettering. Next to it sits a fluted teacup and saucer as well as a small dish of leaf shaped truffles.