Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Forthcoming Historical Fiction I Can't Wait to Read

Oh historical fiction. It feels like ages since I've read you. I do still love you, though, and I'm especially looking forward to these forthcoming titles:



I loved The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner so I'm really looking forward to The Confessions of Catherine de Medici coming in May. I'm not sure if this is the final back cover copy but it's all I could find:

At the age of fourteen, Catherine de Medici, last legitimate descendant of the Medici blood, finds herself betrothed to the King Francois I's son, Henri. Sent from her native Florence to France, humiliated and overshadowed by her husband's life-long devotion to his mistress, when tragedy strikes her family Catherine rises from obscurity to become one of 16th century Europe's most powerful women.

Patroness of Nostradamus and a seer in her own right, accused of witchcraft and murder by her foes, Catherine fights to save France and her children from savage religious conflict, unaware that her own fate looms before her -- a fate that will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and passion of her own embattled heart.

From the splendors of the Loire palaces to the blood-soaked battles of the Wars of Religion and haunted halls of the Louvre, this is the story of Catherine's dramatic life, told by the queen herself.




The Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn looks pretty fascinating, and is coming in May from Berkley.

An exciting debut: a vivid, richly imagined saga of ancient Rome from a masterful new voice in historical fiction

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, passionate, musical, and guarded. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea will become her mistress's rival for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life-that is quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.

As Lepida goes on to wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome's aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another admirer in the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian's games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of the brilliant and paranoid Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor's mistress.

What historical fiction are you looking forward to?




Amy

10 comments:

Lenore Appelhans said...

Have you tried the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World series by T.L. Higley? I read the first one and have been getting them as they come out for my stepmother.

Gypsy Rose Creations said...

All very interesting suggestions. Thankyou. I love historical fiction.

Julie P. said...

I'm so with you on these two!

Beth F said...

The Rome book in particular has my interest. I wanted to make 2010 the year of the historical. I've read only one so far. Grrr.

bermudaonion said...

I can't think of any of off the top of my head. I don't read nearly enough historical fiction and I really don't know why since I usually enjoy it.

Jen - Devourer of Books said...

I'm majorly looking forward to the Catherine de Medici book, especially since I loved C.W. Gortner's last book. I'll have to check out the Rome book.

Kit moss said...

Wow, what a great blog! i would like to add it to Historical Blogs: Fiction & Fact.. ould you please take a look and see where it would best fit in the categories? Thanks!

http://historicalnovelblogs.blogspot.com

Thanks!

Nan Hawthorne
Author: An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England
www.nanhawthorne.com

Vera said...

Both of these just went on my wish list! I can't wait for "The Queen's Pawn" by Christy English. Also can't wait for Michelle Moran's new book since I always enjoy hers!

Jenny Girl said...

The same two as you, as well as a bunch of others. There are so many HF novels coming out these days.
Can't wait until tomorrow night either :)

ChristyEnglish said...

Both of these novels look amazing...I am especially excited about THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI... CW Gortner will be doing a guest post on my site in May. I am over the moon!

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