queer historical fiction recs - pt. 2
In Memoriam, by Alice Winn: I couldn't not start with this book in this second part because I've been obsessed with it since I've read it a few weeks ago. It's everything, and nothing I can say will do it's justice. It's about war and love and youth and pain and trauma, and the story of two young men trying to survive and love each other.
Sydney Ellwood and Henry Gaunt have been friends for years, friendship and love intertwined in an impossible tangle not even they can parse out. When war calls Gaunt to the front, Ellwood joins him.
You can find my full review of the book here!
The Gentleman and his Vowsmith, by Rebecca Ide: This was one of my favourite books of last year, a perfect mix of fantasy, romance, and murder mystery. The premise is really ambitious, but Rebecca Ide pulls it off with great talent. I laughed, and gasped, and followed the mystery and the romance avidly. The characters are vivid and loveable, and the grand reveal at the end is incredible!
Nic is set to be married to the daughter of his father's rival, and the contract negotiated while both families are in lockdown in his house. He hadn't accounted for the fact that the head negotiator would be his old friend, whom he still loves despite not having seen him in years, or that someone is opposed to the marriage to the point of killing. As a first, then a second body wound up in the locked house, Nic investigates the murders to try and make it out alive.
You can find my full review for this book here.
Not For the Faint of Heart, by Lex Croucher: If you want something fun to read, look no further. I laughed so many times while reading this, and I keep a very fond memory of the book over a year after reading it. Clem was a gem of a character, and I love what Lex Croucher did with the the Merry Men and the Robin Hood tale!
Mariel is Robin Hood's granddaughter, and desperate to prove herself and live up to his legacy. Clem is a healer who would very much like to continue helping people without being abudcted by Mariel's Merry Men. And then dragged along as Mariel sets out to rescue her captive father.
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love, by Lex Croucher: As with Not for the Faint of Heart, this was a really fun book, and an adorable romance! I laughed and swooned, and overall just had a great time. The characters grew on me incredibly quickly, and I was hooked from the very first to the very last page.
Gwen and Art are set to be married. The first problem is that they can't stand one another. The second problem is that they both have their eyes set on someone else. Namely, Gwen's brother for Art, and the only lady knight for Gwen. Forming a reluctant alliance, the two try to navigate their crushes, and their impending marriage.
Bitterthorn, by Kat Dunn: A sapphic retelling of the Beauty and the Beast, dark and sweet at the same time. It's perfect for fall season if you're into darker, almost spooky reads.
When the Witch in the woods comes to demand, like every generation, that the town gives her one of its people, Mina gives herself up voluntarily. She didn't expect to grow so close to the Witch, or that she might discover more about why the Witch comes to collect someone once every generation.
Death in the Spires, by K.J. Charles: K.J. Charles is one of my favourite authors at that point, and I loved that mystery novel! I wish the ending had been a bit more dramatic, but I still had a great time reading it, and the characters were fantastic. I definitely recommend it for this fall, if you're in the mood for murder mysteries set in a dark academia setting.
Jem is forced to quit his post after a letter accusing him of his best friend's murder is sent to his employer. His best friend has been dead for ten years, with the murderer unknown, and Jem is done letting it dictate his life. He returns to Oxford, the place where it all started, and dives into what happened ten years ago in their friend group of seven, once nicknamed 'The Seven Wonders'.
The Soldier's Scoundrel, by Cat Sebastian: This is a great historical romance, with amazing characters and a delectable slow-burn pace. I also loved how the book handled darker themes like abuse, war, PTSD, and prejudice. It was the first Cat Sebastian book I read, and I will definitely be coming back to her!
Jack's business isn't entirely legal. He offers his services to women in need. Oliver's sister was one such women and now that Oliver has come back from the front, he wants to make sure that Jack didn't scam her. The two start off despising one another, but quickly grow closer as Oliver accompanies Jack on a new case.
By Any Other Name, by Erin Cotter: This novel was another one of my favourites from last year. It's a really cute historical romance blended with mystery and conspiracies. I loved the characters and I thought the plot was great, even if the fact that a seventeen-year-old would be named spymaster is improbable. I also love how Erin Cotter integrated the themes of homophobia, prejudice, and political opposition in times of monarchy to the story.
The son of traitors, Will is trying to stay under the radar as an actor in London, but when Kit Marlowe, his mentor and a spy for the Queen is murdered, Will is unwillingly embroiled into the case. Helped by a young Lord whom he's just met, he's trying to solve the case when he saves the Queen from an assassination attempt without meaning to. Now her new spymaster, Will is trying to investigate the conspiracy and keep his head on his shoulders, with James' help.
The Once and Future Witches, by Alix E. Harrow: This is a fantastic tale of feminism and social movements and resistance against oppression. I loved to dive into witch-trials America, and Alix E. Harrow spun a perfect discussion about mysoginy and the violence that stems from men's fear and greed. The queer representation is not the primary focus of the book, even if it concerns one of the main characters, but it was very well-done so I thought I would add this novel to the list.
Juniper arrives in New Salem with the hope to find her sisters, who left the family house years ago and never looked back. With their abusive father dead, she wants to rekindle the connection they once had, but finds instead that her sisters haven't spoken to each other since they left, and that trouble is brewing in the city as women demand rights and witches are burned at the stake for daring to use magic. Juniper won't stand for it, and joins the fight, dragging her sisters into it despite the danger.
The Earl Meets His Match, by T.J. Alexander: A cute romance with good trans representation!
Per his father's will, Christopher must marry before his 25th birthday, lest he lose his title and inheritence. The problem is that a marriage could expose his transness. Along with his new, very attractive valet, Christopher departs for London and sets out in search of a wife capable of keeping his secret.
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