The first book that I would like to tell you about is The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliott. This book takes us to the time of the French Revolution. It is filled with secret meetings, spies, and the conflict between the peasants and the nobility. It is an exciting adventure as it paints the picture of unrest that ruled the cities. It reminded me that we really don't learn from history and the adage that history will repeat itself holds some truth.
The Agency by Y. S. Lee takes us to Victorian England. Another book of intrigue and mystery, Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls specializes in much more than etiquette. Here girls learn to be spies and are trained to infiltrate wherever they are needed.
Another book that takes us to London is The Season by Sarah MacLean. The Season tells the story of girls being presented to society with the goal of finding them a wealthy husband. But, our protagonist is more interested in adventure and mystery to be serious about dress fittings and parties.
World War II has always supplied a rich setting for literature. One book that tells the story from a new perspective is The Boy In the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. This book will bring you face to face with the holocaust and the tragedy of innocent lives that were killed. Two more books with World War II settings are Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith and The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank by Ellen Feldman.
Literature is rich with history. Historical fiction is a great way to learn about a different time and culture, and it provides an interesting backdrop for the reader.