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Book Reviews YA-Historicals

I love to read, and these book reviews YA-historicals showcase some of my favorite historical family books. Along with public libraries, I’m a huge fan of independent book stores, including my favorite (which is right here in Denver), the Tattered Cover. Also check out Barnes&Noble or this list of independent bookstores. These book suggestions can be found online at all or most of these stores, (as well as at Amazon ). I hope these book reviews YA-historicals will help tremendously with gifts and book suggestions! Some of these books have paranormal or fantastical elements -- but because of their historical settings, I organize them here.

Here’s the basic key I will use when reviewing the plots of these possible family books:

S = Sexual Situations (this is more than a kiss, unless it’s a very steamy kiss)

L = Coarse Language (worse than ‘Oh, my God’ or ‘Crap’)

V = Violence (more than a hit or slap or punch – mild violence would refer to consistent slapping/hitting/punching)

I = Intense situations (such as a kidnapping, verbal abuse, grief, etc.)

DWI = Discussion Worthy Ideas (these are themes or ideas in the book which parents/adults might want to discuss with the reader after the book is read)

RT = Robin’s Take (my brief overview of the book)

* = sweet book (these, to me, are books which lack angst or intensity/edge -- although I also enjoy books with the edge/angst, sweet books aren’t as easy to find in the current market)

Favorite = One of my personal favorites.

The pictures of the covers link to the book’s Powell's or Barnes & Noble page. The titles link to The Tattered Cover.

The Season , by Sarah MacLean * (set in Jane Austen times in England)

Alex is dismayed to learn she must find a husband as her coming-out Season debuts -- she wants nothing to do with the vacuous flirtations she believes titled men want...will she find true love despite it all?
RT: Favorite because this is a wonderful romance with a spunky (and intelligent) main character with enjoyable friends and a worthwhile love interest.

Everlasting, by Angela Frazier (mild S, mild V, I)

Camille takes one last sea voyage with her father before her arranged marriage (to a man who will save her father's finances), but early into the trip, she stumbles across a letter from her supposedly dead mother -- and decides she will travel to Australia to find her mom and the magical stone her mom mentions.
DWI: love versus duty; faith versus fate
RT: This is a compelling adventure story -- blended with a sweet romance. The historical aspects are well done and nicely accentuate the romantic and adventure plots. I'm hoping there will be another in this world! Published by Scholastic.

Myself and I , by Norma Johnston * (set in America right as WWI begins)

Saranne struggles to follow her dreams as the boy she loves fights the conventions of society and his family's past.
RT: Favorite because the characters deal with complex issues and handle their choices with dignity and maturity. This is the final book in The Keeping Days series (of seven books) -- many are out of print, but if you can find them, they're definitely worth reading!

In the Serpent's Coils , by Tiffany Trent (set in America, soon after the Civil War) (V, I, mild S)

When Corrine is sent to a strange school after the death of her parents, she discovers that her life is more complicated than she imagined as faeries vie for her loyalty.
DWI: trust; difficult choices
RT: I like this blend of urban fantasy and history -- and Corrine is a likable and complex character. Some of the faerie scenes are dark, but the mystery is intriguing.

The Pale Assassin, by Patricia Elliott (mild L, V) (set during the French Revolution)

Eugenie is an aristocrat fleeing for her life at the onset of the French Revolution -- and she must put her trust in a man she doesn't know or understand.
DWI: revolution; courage
RT: This is an enjoyable tale quite similar to The Scarlet Pimpernel in a number of ways. I like Eugenie's spirit and her growth through the book.

The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Emmuska Orczy (V) (set during the French Revolution)

When Marguerite inadvertently causes friends of her husband's to be sent to the guillotine during the French Revolution, will she ever be able to win back his love?
DWI: French Revolution; forgiveness
RT: Favorite because it's a wonderfully romantic story infused with humor during a horrible time in history.

The Bewitching Season , by Marissa Doyle * (set in Victorian Age, England)

Twins Persephone and Penelope deal with their coming-out and the disappearance of their governess -- and Persephone realizes that the disappearance might be related to a plot to overthrow the throne.
RT: This is an enjoyable mystery with romance and magic thrown into the mix, as well. The twins are fun characters -- and the second book, Betraying Season focuses on Penelope as she travels to Ireland.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond , by Elizabeth George Speare * (set in Massachusetts during the Witch Trials)

Kit travels from her home to stay with relatives on the New England coast and befriends an older woman in the town who is later accused of being a witch.
RT: Favorite because of the strong characters and the way Kit matures and learns to stand up for herself and others in the midst of people she doesn't understand. There's also some romance flavoring the mix.

I hope these book reviews YA-historicals offer some ideas for great family books! Please check back often, as I will update regularly -- also, if you didn't find the book you wanted here, let me know, and I'll do what I can to read and add it!

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