Books matching: historical challenges
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:Elizabeth Smith, a woman from New York City in 1996, finds herself transported back in time to medieval Scotland where she meets James MacLeod, a powerful and feared laird. Despite initial misunderstandings, James and Elizabeth fall in love as they navigate the challenges of their time-crossed romance. The story unfolds with elements of time travel, romance, and adventure, showcasing well-developed characters and unexpected twists in the plot.
ELIZABETH STOOD AT the doorway of the little house off the chapel and watched Megan drag Jesse along by the hand. Once Megan was within running distance, she broke away and threw herself into Elizabet... - #2
Save:The novel "Things We Lost to the Water" by Eric Nguyen follows the story of a refugee woman named Huong and her two sons as they escape from war-torn Vietnam to start a new life in New Orleans in the late 1970s. The book beautifully explores themes of resilience, loss, assimilation, and cultural identity through the lens of this Vietnamese family navigating the challenges of a new environment, natural disasters, and the struggle to maintain their heritage while adapting to their new surroundings. The narrative weaves together past and present, highlighting the impact of war, immigration, and the human experience of rebuilding one's life in a foreign land.
Hương drops the dishes into the sink and grabs the baby before he starts crying. She begins running toward the door—but then remembers: this time, another son. She forgets his name temporarily, the ho... - #3
Save:The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne is a historical romance novel set in the world of spies, focusing on the love story between Adrian Hawker Hawkhurst and Justine DeCabrillac. The book skillfully weaves together intricate plots, captivating flashbacks, and complex characters to create a riveting story that spans decades. Readers are transported back and forth between Paris in 1794 and London in 1818, following the lives of two spies who were once lovers, now reunited under dangerous circumstances. Bourne's writing style is praised for its exquisite craftsmanship, vivid descriptions, and emotionally charged scenes that bring the story to life.
In the end, it did no good. The square was a confusion of housemaids scurrying home and clerks bent under their umbrellas, resentful. They emerged out of the rain, brushed by, and disappeared into a l...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Spymasters ) - #4
Save:In 'Gideon the Cutpurse' by Linda Buckley-Archer, readers are taken on a thrilling time-travel adventure to 1763 London with Peter and Kate, who find themselves in a different era due to an anti-gravity machine mishap. The story unfolds with the teens meeting Gideon Seymour, a cutpurse and gentleman, who becomes their protector in a world filled with highwaymen, villains like the Tar Man, and challenges of adapting to the 18th-century way of life. The author skillfully weaves together elements of time travel, historical details, and engaging characters, creating a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The writing style of Linda Buckley-Archer in 'Gideon the Cutpurse' is praised for its ability to transport readers effortlessly between the present day and 1763 London, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The book is commended for its intriguing plot that seamlessly combines elements of adventure, mystery, and humor, making it an enjoyable read for both young adult and adult audiences alike.
It was early morning on Saturday, the sixteenth of December, the first day of the Christmas holidays. In a large house on the edge of London it was beginning to get light. Peter jumped out of bed and ... - #5
Save:Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins is a historical romance set in the 1870s, following the journey of Maggie Freeman, a mixed-race orphan with a troubled past, and Ian Vance, a preacher and former bounty hunter. The plot revolves around their unlikely partnership as they navigate through Kansas and Wyoming, facing discrimination, danger, and a vigilante mob. The writing style is described as clever, well-paced, and laugh-out-loud funny, with a focus on the challenges and triumphs of the main characters as they find love and happiness amidst adversity.
Preparing dinner in the kitchen of the whorehouse where she worked as the cook, Maggie Freeman decided she’d had enough. If the owner, Hugh Langley, tried to force himself upon her again, she’d have t... - #6
Save:In "Rescue on the Oregon Trail" by Kate Messner, readers follow the adventures of Ranger, a time-traveling golden retriever who aids a child named Sam and his family as they journey across the United States on the Oregon Trail. The book seamlessly weaves history and adventure together, providing a glimpse into life during the era of pioneers while following the entertaining and heartwarming story of Ranger's search and rescue training.
The plot of the book is engaging, with Ranger's point of view adding a unique perspective to the tale. The writing style is accessible for young readers, keeping the time travel elements simple and the pacing smooth to ensure that children stay captivated and eager to turn the pages to follow Ranger and his adopted family through their challenges and triumphs on the Oregon Trail.
- #7
Save:The End of Drum-Time by Hanna Pylväinen is a compelling novel set in mid-19th century Scandinavia, focusing on the Sami reindeer herders of Sapmi. The story captures the disintegration of their rich, traditional way of life due to the encroaching forces of civilization, including farming and Christianity. As settlers and ministers impose their beliefs, the story explores themes of love, addiction, and cultural conflict. Central is a love tale involving Ivaar, a Sami youth, and Willa, the daughter of a minister, which unfolds amidst the challenges presented by alcohol dependence and religious conversions.
Pylväinen's writing immerses readers in the Sami culture, showcasing the beauty and struggle of a marginalized people. The narrative is rich with character development and emotional depth, giving a vivid sense of place. However, some readers noted a need for more detail about the original Sami religion and a clear glossary for cultural terms. Despite its pedestrian plot and unresolved endings, the book invites reflection on love, influence, and the relentless clash of cultures.
- #8
Save:Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera is a powerful story set in rural South Carolina in the 1920s, focusing on the lives of three women - Annie, Retta, and Gertrude - who come from different backgrounds but find their fates intertwined. The book explores themes of courage, sisterhood, and resilience as these women navigate through pain, suffering, and dark secrets lurking in the swamp and on the plantation. Through the author's poignant writing style, readers are transported to a time and place where the characters' voices are distinctive, nuanced, and razor-sharp, capturing the essence of the era and the challenges faced by the protagonists.
It’s easier to kill a man than a gator, but it takes the same kind of wait. You got to watch for the weakness, and take your shot to the back of the head. This gator I’m watching is watching me, too. ... - #9
Save:Women's Barracks is a semi-autobiographical account of life in the Free French Army in London during World War II, offering a thoughtful coming-of-age memoir peppered with themes of love, war, and identity. The story follows a group of women who arrive full of hope but leave with jaded feelings towards adulthood and humanity, exploring the complexities of relationships and the impact of war on their optimism for the future.
When the war began, I was in my last year of school at the convent of St. Celestine. I was seventeen and unobtrusive, though not really plain. I had never even gone out with a boy. I had been raised i... - #10
Save:Maude by Donna Foley Mabry is a touching account of the life of Maude, as narrated by her granddaughter. The book delves into Maude's journey through some of the toughest times in American history, including the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and World War II. Despite enduring immense personal heartache and tragedy, Maude's resilience and unwavering determination to keep moving forward serve as the central theme of the narrative. Readers are taken on a poignant exploration of Maude's life, filled with hardships and challenges, yet infused with moments of love and inspiration.
I came into this world as Nola Maude Clayborn in 1892, in Perkinsville, in the northwest corner of Tennessee, a few miles west of Dyersburg. Pinned to the ground by a church spire at each end of the r...
