I don't know if you know this about me, but I LOVE HISTORICAL FICTION. The Marie Antoinette trilogy by Juliet Grey is what led to the founding of Immortal Perfumes. So without further ado, I give you a list of all the historical fiction books being released in 2018 that are going on my TBR pile.
Already Released
Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell
A book from the perspective of Shakespeare's younger brother! Omg do I love sibling rivalry and now we have one with SHAKESPEARE. This story takes place during the first run of A Midsummer Night's Dream and that is juxtaposed with Richard Shakespeare's gritty life in the alleyways of London.
The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin
I used to live in Los Angeles and I absolutely adore old Hollywood lore, especially from the silent era. We even had Charlie Chaplin films projected onto a wall during my wedding. This book is about the friendship of Frances Marion and Mary Pickford. It sounds like Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino make cameos. So I'm probably going to fast track this to the top of my list.
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
As you know, I love mermaids (see my story, "The Mermaid of Puget Sound"). This book takes place in 1780s England when a merchant is gifted a mermaid. I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure what the book is about from the descriptions but it sounds so delightfully strange that I am here for it.
Upcoming Releases
Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen by Alison Weir
Yes, my pretties. It is time. I've reviewed the first two books in the Six Tudor Queens series, and cannot wait to read this title. As I've made quite clear in my reviews, the first two wives are arguably the most famous. I don't know a ton about the rest so it should be super interesting to hear their side of the story with history's most temperamental king. The release date on this one is kind of all over the place. I saw some say it was available in April, then I saw May 3. On Amazon it says May 15. I'll have my review up in the next month or two. For the reviews of the first two, you can find Katherine here and Anne here.
Another Side of Paradise by Sally Koslow
I used to love F. Scott Fitzgerald because I loved Gatsby. But as I got older and learned more about him, it really jaded me to the author. This is probably an unpopular opinion but I think I loved the Baz Lurhmann Gatsby spectacle more than the book itself. Anyway I'm firmly team Zelda and this book is about Fitzgerald's affair with Hollywood gossip writer Sheilah Graham. I will hate read this. It comes out May 29.
The King's Witch by Tracy Borman
This is the first book in a new series about an herbalist healer during the reign of King James I. After she helps the dying Queen Elizabeth, she is regarded as a witch - at the time punishable by death. This is Tracy Borman's debut novel. She, like Alison Weir, is an historian so I'm pretty excited to see how this one turns out. Release date is July 3.
The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo
OMG SLEEPY HOLLOW TOLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ICHABOD CRANE'S LOVE INTEREST! It needs to be out now! But we must wait until October 2 :(
Dracul by Dacre Stoker and JD Barker
A prequel to Dracula written by a Bram Stoker descendant. The book is about Bram Stoker as a young man who goes out to battle "an ungodly beast" and writes about the experience. My brain is going to explode. Out October 2.
In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt
One of my favorite movies of the last few years was The Witch. It was atmospheric and unsettling, mood horror as I call it. This book sounds similar. A puritan woman disappears in colonial era New England at the height of witch fever. This is out October 16.
Little by Edward Carey
An historical fiction about Madame Tussaud! From the description it sounds like the legendary wax museum founder will be getting the Tim Burton treatment. The book takes place in Revolutionary Paris and has the protagonist saving Marie Antoinette and befriending radicals. This book is released October 23.
Happy reading!