Historical Fiction – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Hunger

Title: Hunger
Author: Nihaarika Negi, Joe Bocaroda, José Villarrubia
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Publisher: The Lab Press
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 28, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In 1896 Bombay under British rule, famine-stricken mutant Izna embraces her monstrous nature to seek revenge against oppressive forces.

In 1896 Bombay, under British rule, a concentration camp holds IZNA, a plague-infected and famine-stricken being. Mutated through medical experiments, she, along with others, becomes a mutant. British officers invite famine photographer William Wallace Hooper to document the mutants, unaware he’s controlled by a shape-shifting vampire called Pisach. The Pisach infects prey with insatiable hunger, while Hooper bonds with Izna amidst rulers’ games with famine slaves.

Unbeknownst, Izna descends from women embracing monsters. Discovering Hooper’s role in her mother’s death, she wishes to become a monster herself. Transformed into a half-human, half-mutant, half-beast, she embraces her hunger, consuming oppressors and drenching her land in blood. This infinite hunger mirrors trauma’s generational and cultural impact, forging an inseparable link between oppressed and oppressor. The graphic novel blends True Blood, Kill Bill, and Spiral Into Horror, delving into hunger’s exploration of trauma’s pervasive influence.

Review:

This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. It’s about experiments that were performed in a concentration camp in India in 1896. The experiments turned many subjects into mutants who were further experimented on. The illustrations were at times gruesome, but that suited the horrific subject matter. This would be a great graphic novel for a book club or other literary discussions.

Hunger is a powerful graphic novel!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: body horror, famine

Have you read Hunger? What did you think of it?

Review: Sister Acts

Title: Sister Acts
Author: Sharon Adelman Reyes
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Lake Grove Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Four sisters. Four clashing personalities. Four different ways of living in the world.

Sister Acts explores the impact of loss on three generations of one family –- in particular, the degree to which, to paraphrase Phyllis Chesler, women are capable of inhumanity toward other women. At times heartbreaking and at times hilarious, the novel illuminates the resilience that can come from knowing one’s roots and the estrangement that can result from trying to escape them.

Sophie Malinsky’s sudden death leaves her Left-wing Jewish family in disarray. Rather than bringing her young daughters closer, the loss creates a tangle of jealousies and recriminations. Rose, the eldest, recognizing their father’s limitations, at first tries to become a surrogate mother for her three sisters. But they resent her efforts, each one channeling – or repressing – her grief in a different way. In the absence of Sophie’s love and guidance, two sisters lose their way. Naomi moves to Mexico and tries to shed her Jewish identity. Betti ends up in Nashville pursuing a dream, never realized, of stardom as a rockabilly musician. A fourth sister, Marla, strives for dominance from an early age. Her jealousy of Rose leads to a toxic rivalry that persists well into middle age, affecting their own daughters as well. Lurking behind the conflicts is a family secret that Sophie had planned, but failed, to reveal. Decades later, when Rose finally uncovers it, the Malinskys’ saga finally comes into sharp focus.

Review:

This book is a family drama that follows four sisters as they grow from children into adults. Their relationships morphed as they aged and had different life experiences. They each went on their own paths, even though they had the same upbringing. There was a fun twist at the end that I didn’t expect, but it made the ending satisfying.

Sister Acts is a great family saga!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: death of parent, attempted suicide, miscarriage, Alzheimer’s, alcoholism

Have you read Sister Acts? What did you think of it?

Review: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage

Title: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage
Author: Travis Short
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Publish Authority
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anna is a touching story from an autobiographical memoir written of Anna Marie Gamble’s later years. It tells of a desperately impoverished life as an undernourished and sickly child, where she is protected by an older sister from her cruel alcoholic father and abusive mother. The sister’s deep faith is passed on to Anna who finds God at an early age and devotes her life to worship of Him. She inherits a love for music and her father’s gift of a beautiful singing voice. Her itinerant family moves forty times before Anna is fourteen years old. Her mother leaves home for long periods and is arrested for larceny and then for prostitution, but not before she attempts to poison Anna’s father. Desperate for money, Anna finds work in a silk mill when she is sixteen and becomes active in union problems. She is in constant prayer and faithfully attends prayer meetings and church services as a devoted Christian. In an effort to help take her out of a life of misery and poverty, Anna is nominated by her pastor to attend bible college despite her lack of formal education. While attending college, where she excels, she meets her future husband, also a dedicated Christian. After marrying, they settle in a small town in New York where they raise four children. Their lives are not easy, but they never lose faith In God. They are active in church and devote much of their lives to helping others. Her story begins and ends in a convalescent center in Michigan and is told by the author, who looks after her in her waning years. He is so blessed by their friendship that he writes this book as a tribute to a beautiful life of faith and courage.
Anna is an inspiration to all of us.
If you enjoyed “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls, you will also be touched by Anna’s story

Review:

This book tells the story of Anna, a girl who was mistreated as a child but found solace in her Christian faith. In the present day, a man whose wife has just moved into a nursing home meets an elderly Anna. He is curious about her life, so he’s happy to read her autobiography. Anna suffered a lot throughout her life, both physically and mentally, but she used her faith to keep going.

Anna is a powerful and emotional story about the power of faith.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: alcoholism, parental abandonment, parental death, childbirth complications, child abuse, death, gun violence

Have you read Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage? What did you think of it?

Review: Legacy of Honor: The Descendants

Title: Legacy of Honor: The Descendants
Author: Larry A. Freeland
Genre: Historical Fiction, Military
Publisher: Publish Authority
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From award-winning author of Chariots in the Sky, author Larry Freeland pens “Legacy of The Descendants.”

An enthralling military novel and multigenerational war saga, The Descendents immerses readers in the valor and sacrifice of the McCormick family across 20th-century battlefields. This gripping historical fiction, the culminating book of the Legacy of Honor trilogy, follows three American brothers—Alan, Lee, and Scott—whose unwavering commitment to duty and family defines their lives amid the Army and Navy’s most harrowing conflicts.

Alan, the eldest, commands an Infantry Company in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War, leading his men through brutal jungle combat in the A Shau Valley, including the ferocious battle for Hamburger Hill. Lee, a skilled U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, braves perilous missions, from Vietnam’s skies to the First Gulf War’s deserts, embodying courage under fire. Scott, the youngest, serves in the Army along South Korea’s DMZ during the Vietnam era before joining the CIA, undertaking covert operations across the Middle East. Bound by a proud military lineage, the brothers’ patriotism shines, yet they grapple with the moral complexities of war, as Scott “What happens if my sense of right in the moment clashes with others’ judgment after the fact?”

From Vietnam’s jungles to Middle Eastern sands, this powerful saga of brotherhood, honor, and resilience captures the McCormick family’s sacrifices. Freeland’s vivid prose, steeped in military history, contrasts the brothers’ receptions—Alan’s cold homecoming from Vietnam against Lee’s heroic welcome from the Gulf. This novel isn’t just a war story; it’s a testament to survival, family, and an enduring military legacy.

Review:

This is a thrilling saga about a family in the U.S. military. It follows three brothers who all fought in different wars in the 20th century. They each saw tragedy in war as well as their family lives. This is the third book in a trilogy about generations of this family, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a book that will touch your heart.

Legacy of Honor is a thrilling and emotional military story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: war, death, death of child, cystic fibrosis, lupus, death of parent, suicide

Other books in the series:

Legacy of Honor: The Patriarch
Legacy of Honor: The Air Warrior

Have you read Legacy of Honor: The Descendants? What did you think of it?

Review: The Duke’s Decision

Title: The Duke’s Decision
Author: Carolina Prescott
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 25, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

While gathering research for the puzzles she sells to newspapers, Vivian, the widowed Viscountess Rowden, literally stumbles across the arrogant Duke of Whitley. Whit, known to the ton as the Ice Duke, is spymaster for the Crown, and he has evidence of enemy agents using newspaper ciphers to send coded messages to Napoleon’s army. His mission is clear—less clear are his feelings for the woman he may have to destroy. While Vivian struggles to put the past behind her and find a future where her heart can be safe, the duke must decide whether the lovely and independent viscountess is friend, foe, or fate.

Review:

This was a great historical romance! I liked that Vivian was assertive and intelligent. She made puzzles for the newspaper, which no one suspected were written by a woman. There was some suspense, but there was also a steamy romance! Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I had fun reading this book!

The Duke’s Decision is a steamy historical romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this b ook as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, adultery

Have you read The Duke’s Decision? What did you think of it?

Review: Higher Love

Title: Higher Love
Author: Joanne Kukanza Easley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Red Boots Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 12, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Higher Love—a captivating new novel from Joanne Kukanza Easley, the multi-award-winning author of Sweet Jane, Just One Look, and I’ll Be Seeing You.

Set against the eclectic backdrop of Austin, Texas, in 1986, Higher Love introduces sixteen-year-old Stephanie, a teenager scarred by a turbulent past, who steps into the quiet life of sixty-two-year-old Lauren, her uncanny resemblance cracking open a buried past. Stephanie claims to be the granddaughter Lauren never knew—the daughter of the child she relinquished for adoption forty-five years earlier. Her arrival disrupts Lauren’s carefully rebuilt world, already strained by her recent remarriage to Brett after years of separation. Reeling from the revelation that her adoptive grandmother hid the truth about her mother’s adoption, Stephanie carries the weight of tragedy and self-harm, yet her vulnerability forges an unexpected, fragile bond with Lauren and Brett, two people grappling with their own regrets.

As Stephanie integrates into their lives, her aspirations for college are shattered when the 1987 stock market crash obliterates her trust fund, leaving her future in jeopardy. For Lauren, haunted by the loss of her child decades earlier, Stephanie represents a chance to rewrite her story. Fueled by fierce, unconditional love, Lauren sacrifices her financial security and emotional reserves to give Stephanie a path forward only to face a bittersweet twist that echoes the past and changes everything, reshaping their understanding of family, trust, and forgiveness in profound, lasting ways.

Higher Love is a sweeping, heart-wrenching family drama that explores the enduring weight of secrets and the transformative power of love. Through its richly drawn characters, the story delves into the courage it takes to face painful truths, the resilience found in embracing the present, and the unexpected joy of building a family from broken pieces. At its core, Higher Love celebrates the messy, redemptive beauty of human relationships, delivering a deeply moving tale of loss, healing, and the unbreakable bonds that define us.

Review:

This book is a powerful story following two generations of a family. The story alternated between the perspectives of Lauren, the grandmother, and Stephanie, her granddaughter. There were some emotional parts about adoption, loss of parents, and a second chance at love. The ending had a couple of twists, and I would have liked to see how they affected the characters’ futures.

Higher Love is a powerful and emotional story!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: adoption, death of parents, sexual assault, alcoholism, self harm, cancer, teen pregnancy, miscarriage

Have you read Higher Love? What did you think of it?

Review: The Duke’s Denial

Title: The Duke’s Denial
Author: Carolkina Prescott
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

What do you do when your almost-fiancé forgets all about you? You go as far away as you can, bury yourself in work, and try to forget about him—at least that’s what Lady Genevieve Richards is determined to do. Eve has heard nothing from Hill, the Duke of Camberton, since he was called back to London, but rumor has it that he’s back to his old philandering ways. In truth, Hill is on a secret to uncover the identity of Monsieur Jones, Napoleon’s notorious spymaster and set a trap for his capture. But Jones has set his own trap—for Eve. Hill is desperate to find Eve and warn her, but when he does, will she ever trust him again?

Review:

This was a spicy historical romance! It’s part of a series but it can be read as a stand-alone, as I haven’t read the rest of the series, and I understood and enjoyed it. The events of the past books were briefly referred to by the other characters. It was a short and fast paced story with some spicy scenes towards the end!

The Duke’s Denial is a great spicy historical romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, gun violence, knife violence, death of parent (off page)

Have you read The Duke’s Denial? What did you think of it?

Review: Emperor and Hierophant (Arcane Oracle #3)

Title: Emperor and Hierophant (Arcane Oracle #3)
Author: Susan Wands
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
Publisher: SparkPress
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

The next installment in the thrilling Arcana Oracle series finds heroine Pamela Colman Smith kidnapped, imprisoned, and fighting to protect her tarot deck from Aleister Crowley once again.

On tour with the Lyceum Theatre in Manchester, Pamela Colman Smith is kidnapped by a mysterious force. In captivity, she begins a relationship with her mute keeper, a strange creature at the beck and call of her nemesis, Aleister Crowley. Experiencing visions and visitations from other ethereal beings, Pamela works to escape her prison before Aleister harms another one of her muses over the ownership of her magical tarot deck.

Meanwhile, her guardian and mentor, Bram Stoker, tries to find her as he tours with the stars of the Lyceum Theatre, Pamela’s muses for the Magician and Empress cards. Alerted to Pamela’s plight, Ahmed Kamal, Pamela’s Egyptologist friend, joins Bram to come to her aid. Plotting against the mysterious forces who abducted her, Pamela must outwit and out magic Aleister, as he tries to destroy her muses and tarot deck. Learning the lessons of her Emperor and Hierophant, she must free herself and command the power manifesting from her tarot deck.

Review:

This is the third book in the Arcane Oracle series. This one had a bit of a mystery with Pamela being kidnapped, but there was a lot of magical realism that overshadowed it. Sometimes it was hard to tell if the characters were hallucinating or actually doing magic. I feel like that distracted from the main plot, which I was enjoying reading about.

Emperor and Hierophant is a good book for fans of magical realism.

Thank you BookSparks for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: kidnapping

Other books in the series:

Have you read Emperor and Hierophant? What did you think of it?

Review: High Priestess and Empress (Arcana Oracle #2)

Title: High Priestess and Empress (Arcana Oracle #2)
Author: Susan Wands
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: SparkPress
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

On her return to London, artist and seer Pamela Colman Smith discovers that her nemesis, Aleister Crowley, has returned—and his sights are set on her. Despite Aleister’s efforts to stop Pamela from further developing her tarot deck and accessing its magic, she carries on casting her High Priestess and Empress muses, Golden Dawn society leader Florence Farr and popular theatre star Ellen Terry. But when Ellen is poisoned and nearly killed, Pamela realizes that Aleister won’t stop coming for her—not until her muses are dead.

When Aleister reveals his plot to assassinate Queen Victoria and all female rulers, war breaks out between the Aleister’s Carlists and the Golden Dawn. With so many lives on the line—that of the queen, and those of her friends—Pamela must access her inner magic to face the battle of her life.

Review:

This book is a great sequel to Magician and Fool. The story was more intense as things heated up with the magical society. The characters faced more danger as their enemies became stronger. There were some exciting magical realism scenes too, as Pamela explored her powers.

High Priestess and Empress is a great sequel!

Thank you BookSparks for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death, murder, drugging, animal death

Other books in the series:

Magician and Fool (Arcana Oracle #1)

Have you read High Priestess and Empress? What did you think of it?

Review: Magician and Fool (Arcana Oracle #1)

Title: Magician and Fool (Arcana Oracle #1)
Author: Susan Wands
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: SparkPress
Source: BookSparks
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Pamela Colman Smith, newly arrived from New York to her birthplace of London, is received as an oddball in Victorian society. Her second sight helps her in her new illustrating tarot cards for the Golden Dawn, a newly formed occult group. But when Pamela refuses to share her creations with Aleister Crowley, a controversial magician, he issues a give up the cards’ power, or he’ll harm her muses.

In the midst of this battle, two of Pamela’s idols, the actors Henry Irving and William Terriss, take her under their wing. Henry, who tutors her as the leader of the Lyceum Theatre, becomes the muse for her Magician card. William Terriss, teaching her by examples of instinct and courage, becomes the muse for her Fool card. As Pamela begins to create the tarot deck, she is almost overwhelmed by the race to possess the magical power of her cards. In order to defeat Aleister, Henry and William will have to transform into living incarnations of the Magician and the Fool—and Pamela will have to learn how to conjure her own magic.

Review:

This book is an intriguing historical fiction about an occult group in the Victorian era. The men who created the group were all well known men in their fields, such as Bram Stoker and Henry Irving. The story also followed a young girl, Pamela Colman Smith, as she experienced strange magical powers during her childhood until she became an adult. I recognized some of the characters as real historical figures, but I didn’t realize Pamela was a real person too until the end. I’m looking forward to continuing the series!

Magician and Fool is an interesting magical historical fiction!

Thank you BookSparks for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parents (off page)

Other books in the series:

High Priestess and Empress (Arcane Oracle #2)
Emperor and Hierophant (Arcane Oracle #3)

Have you read Magician and Fool? What did you think of it?