Am I being too picky?
In writing my review of Michaela MacColl’s Prisoners in the Palace for the Kirkus blog (posted yesterday), I once again realized that while I love a good historical novel, and I love a good romance novel, and I also love a good historical romance, I can’t think of any YA historical romance that I’ve truly enjoyed. Partly this is a matter of perspective—how much romance a book needs in order for me to consider it a romance novel (as opposed to a novel having a romantic subplot) may differ from your preferences—but also because I don’t think many YA historical romances without paranormal elements are published these days. Also, the historical romances that I have tried just did not work for me.
I mean, there are some YA historical novels I’ve loved, and some YA historical romances I…was less than enthused about. And there are times I get annoyed when there *is* a romance in a historical novel, because it feels unnecessary and unconvincing. (Though to be fair, this is not just a problem in historical fiction.)
And I have no idea where I was going with this post. Anyway, go and read the review!
Have you read Y.S. Lee’s The Agency series? I really enjoyed them.
Yes, I’ve read the first two. Can’t wait for the third!
I think Lee did a better job worldbuilding, and also with the tension between James and Mary. I still enjoyed Prisoners in the Palace and would recommend it to fans of The Agency books, but it’s not quite as good.
No, you just know what you like. I also love the cover. That review put Prisoners in the Palace back on my radar. Thanks.
I recently read a YA historical fiction novel called Vixen by Larkin. I didn’t like it. If anyone tells you its a must read, they are not your friend or you wronged them in some way.
they are not your friend or you wronged them in some way.
lol. I think Leila’s review of Vixen convinced me that it’s not my kind of book. But thanks for the confirmation.
Man, I was just about to jump in and squawk about how much I hated Vixen, but you did it for me. Holy crow, I do NOT understand how that book got published.
Oh, but it made for such a hilarious review!
So it was worth reading it, right?
No, you’re not being too picky. I feel the same way. The only one I can think of that I loved is A COMPANY OF SWANS by Eva Ibbotson. *sigh* Such a hard balance to strike, but I really wish more people were writing them.
Ooh. I’ve tried a couple of Ibbotsons, but not that one. I’m adding it to my reading list.
It’s definitely my favorite of hers.
I was about to ask if she’d tried any of Eva Ibbotson’s work!
Perhaps FAITHFUL by Janet Fox? I’m not a big historical person and thus don’t have much to recommend. I’ve heard good things about THE SEASON by Sarah MacLean.
I’ve tried both. I didn’t finish The Season (got bored), but did finish Faithful (had problems with the narrative structure. And Tom. And I thought it was too predictable. And I was unconvinced by the romance.)
Thanks for commenting, though!
No! You’re right! I hardly ever have students ask for historical romance books, so I wasn’t able to come up with anything other than Boston Jane, which isn’t that romantic. As you said… hmmmmm.
Yeah, I don’t get asked for YA historical romances much, either. But the books I do have in my library get decent circulation, and, as I said on Twitter, I also see teen girls borrowing adult historical romances.
I liked the Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. You’re right though that there aren’t a ton of books that are historical and romance and YA.
I picked that one up last year. Maybe I’ll give it another try.
Thanks for commenting!