New Reviews: Historical Fiction

In an impressive performance, Nicol Zanzarella takes listeners into the beauty, sensuality, and deadly dangers of sixteenth-century Venice. Valentina Riccardi is both a courtesan and a paid assassin. She has no moral qualms about her work, believing that her contract killings are for the good of the Venice she loves. That's true until her employer, Ambrogio Malatesta, presents... Read More

Author Willow Smith narrates this audiobook, which is set when the Vikings are raiders who worship Odin. The tale focuses on Yafeu, who is taken from her village in Ghana by slave traders and freed by Alvtir, the female leader of the Viking raiders, only to be enslaved again when the Vikings arrive home. She eventually becomes the personal slave of Freydis, a princess. Each... Read More

Suzy Jackson's vibrant narration brings out the youthful emotions in this second-generation take on Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET. Rosaline Montague, the eldest daughter of Romeo and Juliet--who are NOT dead--finds herself a spinster at the age of 20. After several unsuccessful matchmaking attempts, her parents agree to a courtship by Duke Stephano, a man with a history of... Read More

A terrific performance by Christopher Lane transports listeners to Dickens's London 20 years before the events made famous in his novels. We learn why Miss Havisham became the embittered woman in GREAT EXPECTATIONS, as well as the origin stories of many other notable characters in Dickens's works. After being jilted at the altar and robbed of her fortune by Compeyson, a con... Read More

Listeners will be fascinated by the origin story of the Sawtelle family, featured in THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE. In 1919, John Sawtelle; his wife, Mary; their friends; and their dogs set out to create a life in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Richard Poe paints pictures of the locations, the wide range of memorable characters, and their adventures. At times funny, at times dark,... Read More

Sebastian Abineri brings to life nineteenth-century London and New Orleans in a novel that combines historical and fictional characters. Listeners encounter Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, Fagin, and others. Striking descriptions of the rich and powerful contrast with the underbelly of poverty, prostitution, and crime. Abineri expertly mingles accents, time frames, and myriad... Read More

Mozhan Navabi performs an enchanting narration of this robust historical fiction. In 1939, Annabel leaves behind her troubled past to work at her uncle's Grand Hotel on the French Riviera for the summer. During that time, she becomes close with a charming yet devilish actor and a cunning screenwriter while they film in the area. With them, though, come Nazi guests, visiting... Read More

It's rewarding to listen to a novel that depicts the effects of tumultuous times upon several generations of a family. Maggi-Meg Reed and Mark Bramhall portray various members of the Taylor family and their associates. Reed and Bramhall provide clear differentiation between characters, including young attorney Nick Taylor, who works for American Oil; Bet, his devoted wife and... Read More

Georgina Campbell performs this gothic tale set in 1840s England. Orabella Mumthrope finds herself marrying a mysterious, wealthy stranger to help settle her uncle's debt. At her husband's historic home, she meets his family, all of whom seem to have far too many secrets. Campbell's performance capture's Orabella's frustration as she's given a strict routine and told never to... Read More

Euan Morton sounds like he's having a grand time narrating this strange and strangely endearing story set in the eleventh century. Tyun, a relic hunter, and Nicephorus, a monk who has had a (possibly) prophetic dream, set off with a motley crew on a sometimes madcap, often funny adventure to steal the bones of Saint Nicholas and bring them back to Bari. As the city's Norman... Read More

Narrator Samuel Roukin introduces listeners to this unique story of the German people before and after Hitler's maniacal rise to power. Roukin deftly creates both German and Jewish characters with identifiable voices and cadences. Sophia Alexander pays no mind to Hitler's actions until the hospital where her father works is burned to the ground because he refuses to perform... Read More

Rob Shapiro immerses listeners in this historical fiction. The novel is about the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy, who planned to spend his post-outlaw days staying lying low. So here he is in Paris, where he meets talented singer Jane Touissant and introduces himself as Mr. Noble Salt. Touissant and Salt's (Cassidy's) connection and mutual goal of keeping their secrets... Read More

Ramiz Monsef performs this historical novel set during the Battle of Blair Mountain in the early 1920s. Lebanese American "Doc Moo" Muhanna serves as a medical doctor during the Mine Wars, tending to people in the camps and bandaging the wounds of those who were fighting against the bosses' hired guns. Monsef's narration enlivens the characters as they give listeners various... Read More

Victoria Villarreal and an ensemble cast narrate a thrilling epic set in 1950s Hollywood. Sword-and-sandal films are all the rage, so when an unknown actress--from Mexico, no less--is chosen to play Salome in the latest picture, tempers flare. Villarreal capably portrays the three main characters: Vera Larios, the unknown Mexican ingénue; Nancy Hartley, a bit player who feels... Read More

This audiobook about a terrifying event in American history is expertly narrated by Paul Michael. In October 1962, Nikita Khrushchev attempted to install nuclear missiles in secret in Cuba by camouflaging them on ordinary supply ships. Michael re-creates the conversations between President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, as they work to... Read More

Jenna Lamia and Christine Lakin deliver alternating chapters of this historical novel based on true events in the mountains of Oklahoma. Lamia portrays 11-year-old Olive, who in 1909 flees her abusive stepfather to find shelter deep in the mountains. Lamia's young-sounding voice is well suited to depict Olive's scrappy determination when she joins forces with the "elf... Read More