YA Historical Fiction Challenge 2012

Here's my original list, I didn't read all the books on it. Here's a list of HF books I did read:

1.  Renegade Magic (Sequel to Kat, Incorrigible)
2. Mastermind Plot (Sequel to Midnight Tunnel)
3. Grave Mercy
4. Courtships and Curses
5. Victoria Rebels
6. Wentworth Hall
7. Dark Mirror
8. Queen's Lady
9. Other Countess
10. No Crystal Stair
11. Cross My Heart
12. Time Traveling Fashionista book 2


I wanted to read 15, but I only finished 12. Guess I read too many adult historical fiction novels. Guess I'll have to do better next year!

Review: Victoria Rebels

Queen Victoria ruled for years, but before she made it to the throne, she was forced to deal with her family. Through a journal she reflects on the horrible relationship she has with her mother who tries over and over again to manipulate Victoria.

Her mother doesn't approve of the King's family and doesn't want her daughter around them.Victoria and her mother fight. While still under age, Victoria must go along with her mother's demands. Still, she's formed her own opinions and she's ready to take control over her future. 

Victoria tries to surround herself with people she can trust, but gradually, they seem to disappear. She keeps her emotions in check as best she can, writing them down in her journal. As she matures, her determination becomes stronger. As next in line to the throne, she watches and waits for her moment. When it comes, she's ready.

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I read it on the plane home from the YA Lit Symposium, where I had the good fortune to meet the author.  I hated Victoria's mother, she might win the worst parent award in books I've read this year. She was crafty, manipulative, egotistical, and a social climber. She never put her daughter first. The fights between them were outrageous. However, she was a wonderful character - the type the reader loves to hate.
My heart went out to Victoria who had to deal with so many obstacles in her young life. She's strong, determined, and stubborn. Sometimes her stubbornness was unwarranted and sometimes she was able to take a step back and see that. Other times she dug her heels in. At times I sympathized with her and at times I wanted to yell at her. The complexity of her character made me want to read more and uncover more of her story.


Pet Peeve: In the beginning, I found it hard to determine Victoria's age. After doing a little math, I figured it out. It distracted me from the book for a few minutes as I flipped back and forth trying to figure out her age in the early chapters.

 Cover Thoughts: Attractive
Source: YA Lit Symposium
Date Published: January 1st 2013
Fun Fact: This book reminds of Young Victoria

Review: Dark Mirror

 *1st in a trilogy*

By the early 1800's, magical has been outlawed among the upper echelons of society. For those adolescents who are caught performing magic, they're sent to a reform school. Often, with their lives ruined.

Lady Victoria wakes up one morning to find herself floating above her bed. She's confused, but hopes to continue her normal life. That changes in an instant at a party when her nephew falls off a cliff. He's still holding on to the side of the cliff but no one can reach him.

Knowing that it will cost her her future, Tory floats down the cliff and rescues him. After her daring rescue  ladies give her the direct cut. Her father sends her to Lackland Abbey in hopes of having her magic controlled.

There, Tory attempts to put her past behind her and attempt to get out as quickly as possible, until she discovers a secret society.  Magic is being taught underneath the schools; where the boys and girls come together.  During a raid of the magical classroom, Tory fees into an alley. The alley contains a magical mirror and before Tory knows it, she's  transported to the WWII era. The soldiers of Britain are under attack. Could Tory's magic and that of her school mates help save lives?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this combination of history and magic. I'm interested to see where the next book in the trilogy will lead. As much as I hated the Lackland Abbey, I enjoyed watching Tory learn and understand both her place at school and magic. I found her exchanges of wit with her roommate amusing. I loved the moments spent in the World War II era and how magic helped save the war. I really liked the addition of the historical note at the end of the book - perfect to use for schools.  The different time eras in this book enhanced the story. The writing descriptive, making this book hard to put down. Tory's adventure is full of magic, danger, action, and romance. 

Cover Thoughts: I'm really drawn to the mirror and the alternative clothing styles.
Source: my Library

Similar Reads:
For fans of historical magic: Bewitching Season and The Faerie Ring

Review: Queen's Lady

 * second book in the Lacey Chronicles*

Lady Jane's family was most unhappy with her broken engagement to the Lacey family. Jane knew they wouldn't care about her reasons. They forced her into exile where she could think about her behavior. A much older man rescued her by offering marriage. Their marriage was a matter of friendship not romance. When her husband died, he made her promise to be come a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen. He wanted to protect her from his vile sons.

Lady Jane did has requested. She found herself a new life with old friends, including the man who stole her heart. Now that she's back in society's good graces, her family comes looking for her. They want her to marry again and they're not above manipulating Jane to get what they want.

Will Jane find herself a champion and will it be James?

My Thoughts: I really like this series. I liked reading more about Jane. Her best intentions seem to find her into trouble. I really liked reading about Lady Jane's time at court, the whims of Queen Elizabeth and her favorites. It was hard to read about her horrendous family and the lengths they would go to secure their position. Knowing her family made me love her relationship with Milly more. I found Milly delightful and longer to know more about her shop. I loved how these two girls kept their friendship, even though it was forced into secrecy.  I wished there had been a little bit more about Ellie in this book. I liked how the war troubled James and how he fought to change his dreary future. I admired him for going to the New World in such a fashion.   I liked the twist about the brothers and I'm interested to see where this series will go next. 

Cover Thoughts: Not a huge fan - the girl looks awkward and strange.
Source: my Library

Review: Courtship and Curses

 * prequel to the Bewitching Season and the Betraying Season *

As Sophie makes her debut into society, it isn't everything she hoped it would be. Her mother isn't here to guide her through society. She never thought her sickness would create a deformed leg.  She certainly never imagined that she would need to regain her magical skills lost during her sickness to save her family and friends from accidents.

These accidents are triggered by magic. As more and more accidents occur at social events, Sophie becomes curious. She notices that all the targets seem to work in the War Office. Could someone be trying to make things worse between England and France?

Sophie confides her secret in her new friend, who happens to be the cousin of the man she admires. Can Sophie trust her new friends enough to confide in her own powers? She'll have to figure out something if she wants to save members of the War Office, including her father's!

My Thoughts: I really love this series - for the time period (I'm a sucker for Regency England), the magic, and the mystery. Although I didn't like the reactions from society members, I loved reading about Sophie's debut. I liked watching Amelie smooth over her entrance to society with beautiful dresses instead of the boring subdued colors her aunt wanted to wear and the festive canes that didn't hide her deformed leg.  I really enjoyed Parthenope with her bubbly nature, her determination, and her sense of loyalty. I found her amusing. I liked how Sophie didn't give up when everything seemed impossible and how she blossomed under the friendships in society. I liked her how her magical abilities failed, but worked at times. 

I would have liked the see this book connected with the previous two books about magical twins at the time of their debut. For me, having read those books when they first came out, it hard connecting character wise.

Cover Thoughts: I like the soft purple, but it doesn't match with the review two covers who used models, still it's a very nice cover.
Source: My Library.

Review: Ruby Red

For sixteen years, Gwen's always lived in the shadow of her cousin. Charlotte's the chosen one, the one in the family who will inherit the time-travel gene. The girl who will fulfill the prophecy.

Except, Gwen realizes that there's been an error. She's the one with the gene. She's the one who time-traveled. At first, she doesn't think anyone will believe her. She hasn't spent in life in lessons. She doesn't know about the past.

When her mother takes her to the society, she has to force them to listen to her. When Gwen time travels in front of them, they have no choice but to believe her. Gwen hopes that she's learn finally learn the family secrets that she's heard whispers about her whole life.

She's not prepared to travel back in time and fight for her life. Someone doesn't want the prophecy fulfilled. Gwen doesn't know who she can trust. Can she trust her time traveling partner, the handsome Gideon? She hopes she can figure everything out before the next attempt on her life.

My Thoughts: I liked this beginning of a new series. I liked Gwen's experiences with time travel before she told her mother. I adored her best friend Lesley and her research to help Gwen. I liked the snarky moments between Gwen and Gideon. I loved Aunt Maddy and admired Gwen's mom. I felt a little sorry for Charlotte, who's trained her whole life for....nothing. While I like unraveling the mystery with Gwen,  I wish a little more had been explained. I must read the next book Sapphire Blue out at the end of October to uncover more of the secrets behind the prophecy. 

Cover Thoughts: I love the paperback cover. The hardback cover didn't do anything for me.
Source: my Library

Fun Fact: I read this book for a post on Time Travel for The Hub. That post will be up later this week.

Review: Wentworth Hall

Maggie has a secret and she's pulled away from her family to keep it. After her return from Paris, she's no longer the carefree wild child. Instead, she's looking at marriage.

She has no desire to marry any other men around Wentworth Hall, which is crumbling down. When her father's friend dies leaving his children alone, Lord Darlington offers them his home. 

The twins stand to inherit a large fortune on their 18th birthday, but until then, they are penniless. Lord and Lady Darlington hope to marry Maggie to Teddy Fitzhugh.  Maggie isn't sure she wants to marry Teddy, but there's no harm in spending time with him.

My Thoughts: The tagline for this book states that it's perfect for Downton Abbey fan and it's true. The book features multiple perspectives from Maggie, her sister, and their maid. There's also an anonymous newspaper series based upon Wentworth Hall that isn't kind to anyone in the house.  Maggie and her sister used to be close, but that was before her trip to the continent. Now, there's obvious tension between the two sisters. Scandal, romance, and jealous all reside with the family in Wentworth Hall.

I really enjoyed this read, except that I felt it wrapped up too quickly. It felt like the beginning of a series, but I'm not sure if that's true and I can't find any information to a sequel.


Cover Thoughts: I Like it


Source: My Library

Challenge: Historical Fiction

Review: Renegade Magic

*Sequel to Kat, Incorrigible*

Kat and her family are getting ready for Elissa's big day. Kat doesn't want her sister getting married, not because she doesn't want her to be happy, but because everything will change. She's going to miss her sister and her scolding.

Kat and Angeline set up the decorations early in the morning, using magic to make everything perfect. However, the day's ruined when an uninvited guest interrupts the day with slander of magic against the family.

Elissa and her new husband hurry off on their honeymoon, leaving the rest of the family worried. The next day, according to Stepmama's plan they family heads off to Bath for Angeline's debut.

There, she will forced to find a suitable suitor. However, in light of the circumstances, Angeline has a plan of her own. Only Kat sees her devious smile. Kat knows it's up to her to make sure everything turns out right, but after her disgrace in front of the other guardians, she's not sure she's up to the task. When she stumbles upon a dangerous magical situation, her mentor refuses to believe her. Can Kat save her sister from making a foolish mistake and contain the magic situation without any major mishaps?

My Thoughts: I spent a semester in college in Bath and loved it. I loved walking down the streets again, looking at the familiar buildings along with Kat. Her wonder of the city made me smile and long to walk down the streets again myself.


I hated that Elissa's happy day was ruined, but what a scandal! Mrs Carylye reminds me of Lady Catherine. She's horrible, but entertaining too. I loved Angeline's horrific, but genius idea. She's very determined and willful.  I really liked Lucy. I felt bad for her stuck with her family as they were horrible. I liked how Kat's father came out of his books and into the story. He's a wonderful character.  I loved the moments in the baths, especially with the magic flowing. I cheered for Kat as she helped her sister, her cousin, and tried to stop the magic. Kat grew up when she reached for help from an unlikely source. However, she's still lying and still creating mini scandals with her wild schemes, which are so endearing.  


I can't wait to the next book to wrap up the trilogy!

Cover Thoughts: Amazingly cute! I love the magical lights
Source: my Library
Challenge: YA Historical Fiction Challenge 2012

Review: Other Countess

Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime hasn't had an easy life living with her father the alchemist. He's much more interested in his profession and his experiences than he is in buying the proper clothes for her, sending her to school, or even putting a roof over her head.


Now, after a stroke of good luck, Ellie finds herself at Queen Elizabeth's court. There she meets Lady Jane Perceval, who wealth is reflected in her clothing and her manners. After an entertaining introduction where they talk about the uselessness of their clothing, they become fast friends.


One man could threaten their newly formed relationship.  William Lacey, the Earl of Dorset needs a wealthy wife to help his estate survive. He's quite taken with Ellie. Ellie doesn't have a penny to her name. Plus the two have a history that Ellie's not sure she can overlook. While he wants to marry Ellie, he'll have to propose to Jane.


Can the two women keep their friendship? Will they be able to find love on their terms?

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this book for a while. It took me a little bit to get into it, but then I was hooked. I really loved the friendship between Jane and Ellie. I loved they spoke about their world, the frivolities, and how little power women hold. For me, the book wasn't about the romance (although I did like that part), it was about their friendship.


I found the men at court ungentlemently (Henry in particular), sweet (Robert Cecil), or a mixture of both (Will). I actually wasn't fond of Will. I didn't sympathize with his character and I didn't like his behavior.  I adored James and Tobias (Will's younger brothers). I found them entertaining and charming.

I liked the different perspectives from various ranks. I liked reading about the servants' life. I liked Deigo. I wasn't fond of Nell. I hated Turville. Still, I appreciated the class differences.


While I understand the pressures of society, it was sometimes hard to read the cruel words spoken by some characters. However, it was interesting to see the various social, religious, and political motives for actions. 


I found this book showcased social class very well along with the power of women and money. I loved reading about court. I liked the romantic entanglements. I liked the descriptions: court and the Lacey estate. I'm very interested in the next book: The Queen's Lady which features Jane as the main character.


Cover Thoughts: I like it


Source: My Library


Challenge: Historical Fictional Challenge 2012

Review: Cross my Heart

Laura's spent the last few years in the convent, but she's told that she will be leaving the convent and no longer continuing her life there.

Her sister has drowned. Her father expects her to take her sister's place in an arranged marriage. Laura has no time to grieve for her sister. She's immediately thrust into society with an impatient father who wants to better the family name.

Laura can't imagine marrying Vincenzo. He repulses her. There might be one way to avoid marriage - join the Segreta. The Segreta is a secret society of women, who help each other. The help comes with a price.

The price of her freedom comes with the knowledge that her sister's death might not be an accident. Could the very people who saved her be responsible?

My Thoughts: I really liked this one. I'm a huge fan of the Renaissance and of Italy. I loved the descriptions of Venice, especially the water scenes.  I love the idea of a secret women's society the changes the outcome of the city in both politics and marriage. I liked the secrets, the parties, and the romance.


Cover Thoughts: It's ok but I liked the original cover better.

Source: My Library


Challenge: YA Historical Challenge 2012

Review: Grave Mercy

Ismae was born with a scar on her body and a father who couldn't stand her. He attempts to marry her away to the highest bidder. Just when Ismae believes her life to be over, help comes creating a new path for her.

Her scar is a mark that the god of Death claims her. She's brought to a covenant where she learns that she's an instrument of Death.They will train her to become an assassin.

Her training begins as soon as she's recovered from her ordeal. She learns she has a way with poisons. She takes classes and works to help create poisons and antidotes. Years pass.

Finally she's given her first assignment and then her second. The same man turns up at both places. Just as the Reverend Mother orders her to watch him, Duval bursts into the covenant looking for answers.

It's decided that Ismae will pose as this man's cousin in an attempt to uncover the issues at court. Someone wants the young ruler dead. Duval only wants to protect his half sister and he can't obtain information of trason if Ismae's killing the men responsible without interrogating them first.

Ismae's reluctant to go to court, but as a handmaiden of death, she has no choice. It's not long before she's away of double crossings, traitors, and evil happening right before her eyes. It's harder to uncover the mastermind behind the evil. She begins to hope it's not Duval as the Reverend Mother suspects. She doesn't want to have to kill the man she's grown to finally admire.

My Thoughts: This book blew me away! I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to do anything except read it until it was finished. I love the whole idea of this book. I loved Ismae's time at the covenant. I loved her first assignment and her second. I loved her time at court where she couldn't trust anyone. I loved her verbal wars with Duval.  I loved her moments with the Duchess and her sister. A magnificent YA debut!


Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.


Source: The Publisher - THANK YOU!


Similar Read: Poison Study


Up Next: Spring 2013 His Fair Assassin, Dark Triumph


Challenge: YA Historical 2012