Historical Archives - A Literary Escape

ARC Review: The Nightingale’s Castle by Sonia Velton

Published on July 11, 2024July 4, 2024 by Celeste5 Comments

Today’s review is about THE NIGHTINGALE’S CASTLE by Sonia Velton. It’s a historical fiction reimagining, with some magical realism, of the infamous 16th century Hungarian “Blood Countess.” She allegedly killed hundreds of peasant girls. This is her story, told primarily through the perspective of one such young peasant girl.

Author: Sonia Velton
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Publish Date: July 30, 2024
Print Length: 320

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ARC Review: The Mirror of Simple Souls by Aline Kiner

Published on June 13, 2024June 7, 2024 by Celeste2 Comments

Today’s review is about THE MIRROR OF SIMPLE SOULS by Aline Kiner, translated from French by Susan Emanuel. It’s a historical drama set in early 14th century Paris amidst a beguinage. Likely an unfamiliar term to many today, it’s a community of women who, broadly, haven’t sworn vows or remarried. Instead, they work together as their own cloistered community. THE MIRROR OF SIMPLE SOULS features the arrival of a young teen girl. Her presence heralds an eventual dilemma of whether to silently rebel against the burgeoning religious repression of the era.

Author: Aline Kiner, Susan Emanuel (Translator)
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Publish Date: June 25, 2024
Print Length: 320

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ARC Review: What The River Knows by Isabel Ibanez

Published on February 6, 2024January 30, 2024 by Celeste14 Comments

Today’s review is about WHAT THE RIVER KNOWS by Isabel Ibañez. It’s the first book in a duology set in 19th century Egypt during British occupation. Inez learns of her parents’ death in Egypt and sets sail from Argentina to for answers. What she finds is more questions and a plot of deception and betrayal.

Author: Isabel Ibañez
Series: Secrets of the Nile #1
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publish Date: October 31, 2023
Print Length: 416

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ARC Review: The Words of Kings and Prophets by Shauna Lawless

Published on January 8, 2024January 14, 2024 by Celeste2 Comments

THE WORDS OF KINGS AND PROPHETS is the second installment of the Gael Song series. Set shortly after the first book, the reader continues to follow Fódla and Gormflaith, both of whom are part of King Brian’s court. Infighting among immortals and Gormflaith’s self preservation threaten to upend the mortal world.

Author: Shauna Lawless
Series: Gael Song Book 2
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Publish Date: October 03, 2023
Print Length: 416

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ARC Review: Gwen & Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher

Published on November 20, 2023November 19, 2023 by Celeste8 Comments

Today’s review is about GWEN & ART ARE NOT IN LOVE by Lex Croucher. It’s a queer, medieval, YA rom com set hundreds of years after King Arthur. Gwen and Arthur have been betrothed since they were just kids. But not only do they despise each other, they each harbor a secret. This coming-of-age and coming-out story features witty dialogue, lovable characters, and self discovery.

Author: Lex Croucher
Series: None
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publish Date: November 28, 2023
Print Length: 416

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