I have been a longtime listener of Ann’s podcast, Vulgar History, and, as a historian myself, could not have been more excited to read this book. As such, my expectations were high… and she absolutely delivered. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun reading a biography.
The long and short of it? Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe starts off rough (SO much information—names, details, locations, etc.—thrown at you), but if you stick with it, it’s super, super interesting; definitely a real-life Game of Thrones!
Okay, I just lived through the 16th-century turmoil that was the question of the English succession during and after Elizabeth I’s reign, and let me tell you—I don’t know how this woman even lived or enjoyed daily life with all of the anxiety she constantly had over this???
Much like Good Stab had to tell his story to Pastor Beaucarne in a piecewise fashion, I felt like I had to read this book in a similar manner to fully absorb it.
Every so often I come across a WWII novel that offers a perspective I haven’t read before, and The Night Sparrow was one of those books. Told through the eyes of a female Soviet Jewish sniper, it dives into a part of history that is often overlooked, giving space to stories that deserve to be remembered.
Douglas Brunt’s The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel is not only packed with fascinating information about Diesel himself, but it also offers a sharp look at the quarter century leading up to World War I. Weaving together the lives of key figures, Brunt shows how their ambitions collided with the era’s political and economic turmoil.
Flora Carr’s The Tower is an intriguing take on Mary, Queen of Scots, during her imprisonment at Lochleven Castle. Certainly, the writing draws you in—Carr has a way of crafting vivid scenes and emotionally charged moments that make you feel the weight of Mary’s isolation and the quiet strength of the women surrounding her.
Elie Wiesel’s Night is not just a book—it is a testimony, a warning, and an unflinching look into the depths of human cruelty. It is the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you finish it, not because of elaborate prose or dramatic storytelling, but because every word feels like a wound that refuses to heal. This is a book that demands to be read.
October was full of ARCs as I waited for my next edit to come in… with a few dark academia, mystery, thriller, and/or true crime reads, along with a bunch of fantasies, I definitely embraced the month’s mood.
November’s rolling in, and so are the new book releases that’ll keep you warm when you refuse to leave your blanket burrito. From thrilling mysteries to epic fantasies, here’s your guide to November 2024’s must-reads. Get cozy, because your TBR is about to grow—again.
Lara Bronson’s The Time Tournament kicks off the Order of the Dragon series with a mix of time travel (love!), witches, dragon shifters, and a battle to the death, all set against the backdrop of real historical events in Eastern Europe. The premise is fascinating, blending fantasy with historical fiction, and I’m left curious and eager to grab the next book.
Conquist by Dirk Strasser is an immersive historical fantasy that takes readers into 16th-century Peru during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, blending real events or details with a gripping, imaginative story. If you’re looking for a book that’s not only exciting but also makes you reflect on the nature of conquest—both external and internal—Conquist is well worth the read.
