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Mesmerizing historical fiction with strong female leads
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items Historical fiction varies widely in quality and depth–so much so that I was inspired to catalog a list of my favorite novels by genre. These are the titles I recommend to other friends who enjoy female-character POV historical fiction.
Sections
3
Ancient Greece & Rome
WWII + post-war era
19th Century Medical Drama
Ancient Greece & Rome
Stories I love from the female perspective, told in ancient times. Some are well-known myths that are imagined in a fresh POV, others are based on real events and people from history.
Cannot believe this was a DEBUT novel, Casati is such a talented author. I felt completely immersed in her story; the writing is gorgeous and gritty. Loved it!
Clytemnestra: Feminist Greek Myth Retelling
Kate Quinn, her historical fiction is SO good, and this first part of the Empress of Rome series is amazing. Couldn't put it down and had to read the whole series!
Mistress of Rome (Empress of Rome)
This book is beautiful and very emotional at places. I loved the perspective from Ariadne's point of view, and how she was relatable as a character. Recommend!
Ariadne
WWII + post-war era
These books immerse the reader into stories of women stepping out of their lives to do dangerous and remarkable things for the Allies during the war. After reading dozens of books in this genre, these are the standout novels that felt impossible to p...
One of the best books I have ever read. Loved the audiobook version as well, the narrator is fabulous. The way the story moves between WWI and post WWII is so creative, and the female characters are so strong. Definitely my favorite Kate Quinn book s...
The Alice Network: A Novel
I had no idea there were female snipers in WWII! Loved this book, the narrator in the Audiobook does a fantastic job too, with all of the accents. The fact that this is based on a real story is wild!
The Diamond Eye: WWII Historical Fiction Novel
Another amazing Kate Quinn book! The pace of this book is great, I loved how all of the POVs were woven together. Hard to put the book down, it's an exciting read! The narrator of the Audiobook does a great job too.
The Huntress: A Novel
I loved the female friendships and the mystery of how everyone was intertwined through the novel. It was very moving, and the imagery the author describes feels so real. One of my favorite WWII-era books.
The Last Train from Paris: WWII Historical Novel
This is a coming-of-age love story, and hard to put down. The perspectives between the various characters at different points in time adds a lot of depth and personality. This is a book I loved, and have even given as a gift. Recommend!
beyond that, the sea: a novel
This post-war thriller was hard to put down! Each chapter is told from a different narrator's POV and adds so much depth to each character. The Red Scare in the 1950s is a fascinating time frame that creates a wonderful backdrop for this novel. The a...
The Briar Club - by Kate Quinn (Hardcover)
19th Century Medical Drama
If you can stomach gritty details, this is an excellent story. I really enjoyed the female perspective of what surgery and medicine was like in the early 1800s in England.
The Girl in His Shadow: A Novel
The follow-up novel to “The Girl in His Shadow” is an eye-opener to what a career in medicine and obstetrics looked like in the early 1800s. I loved the POV from the women; how they overcame so many challenges that their male counterparts never had t...
Historical medical fiction set in early 1800s
Loved the fast-pace of this thriller; it's shocking what medical practice was like in the late 1800s. The main character is scrappy, determined, and brave – despite her many flaws, she is so likable and I was sad to finish the book! Recommend :)
The Nurse's Secret: Thrilling Gilded Age Novel