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Historical Fiction | Page 61 | LitPick Book Reviews
Historical Fiction
Starstruck
Starstruck
Rachel Shukert
A new series set in the golden age of glam . . . “Wit, pluck, darkness, pitch perfect period details, juicy twists, and big heart. This book is one to savor.”--Anna Godbersen, New York Times bestselling author of the Luxe and Bright Young Things seriesEvery week they arrive in Los Angeles--beautiful and talented young hopefuls who dream of becoming stars. It's all Margaret Frobisher has ever wanted—and when she's discovered by a powerful agent, she can barely believe her luck. She's more than ready to escape her snobby private school and conservative Pasadena family for a chance to light up the silver screen.The competition is fierce at Olympus Studios and Margaret—now Margo—is chasing her Hollywood dreams alongside girls like Gabby Preston, who at 16 is already a grizzled show-biz veteran caught between the studio and the ravenous ambition of her ruthless mother, and sultry Amanda Farraday, who seems to have it all--ambition, glamour . . . and dirty secrets. Missing from the pack is Diana Chesterfield, the beautiful actress who mysteriously disappeared, and there are whispers that Diana's boyfriend—Margo's new co-star—may have had something to do with it. Margo quickly learns that fame comes with a price, and that nothing is what it seems.   Set in Old Hollywood, Starstruck follows the lives of three teen girls as they live, love, and claw their way to the top in a world where being a star is all that matters.“Valley of the Dolls for a new generation.”—a TeenVogue.com  ‘Read During Spring Break’ selection“If you're into T.V. dramas like Smash, or love the over-the-top fashion of The Great Gatsby, Starstruck will have you hooked!”—a Seventeen.com  ‘What to Read This Summer’ selection

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Heart of Glass
Heart of Glass
Sasha Gould
Heart of Glass In Renaissance Venice, Laura's marriage to Roberto is thrown into chaos when he is accused of murder, while the Segreta are under threat from the Doge's army, and loyalties are sorely tested. Full description

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Spirit's Chosen (Princesses of Myth)
Spirit's Chosen
From princess to slave in the blink of an eye. . . .Himiko's world is falling apart. An attack by a rival clan, the Ookami, has left many from her tribe dead or enslaved. Amid the chaos and fear, Himiko hatches a plan to save her people. But just when it seems that she will outwit Ryu, the cruel Ookami leader, she is captured. Held against her will, Himiko starts to realize that not all of the Ookami are her enemies. Though she may not see her path as clearly as the spirits seem to, there's more adventure (and even unexpected love) for this princess turned shaman-warrior.Readers who love strong girl-centric adventures are eating up Esther Friesner's Princesses of Myth books, finding the mash-up of historical fiction and fantasy adventure irresistible!"Himiko is brave and bold. I love her!" --Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author"This historical fiction/mythology/fantasy blend is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Rick Riordan, and P. C. Cast." --School Library Journal

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Hammer of Witches
Hammer of Witches
Shana Mlawski
Baltasar Infante can weasel out of any problem with a good story.But when he encounters a monster straight out of stories one night, Baltasar faces trouble even he can't talk his way out of. Captured by the Malleus Maleficarum, a mysterious witch-hunting arm of the Spanish Inquisition, Baltasar is put to the question. The Inquisitor demands he reveal the whereabouts of Amir al-Katib, a legendary Moorish sorcerer who can bring myths and the creatures within them to life.Now Baltasar must escape, find al-Katib, and defeat a dreadful power that may destroy the world.As Baltasar's journey takes him into uncharted lands on Columbus's voyage westward, he learns that stories are more powerful than he once believed them to be--and much more dangerous.

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Nine Days
Nine Days
Fred Hiatt
A fast-paced contemporary thriller in the vein of James Patterson and Anthony Horowitz set against the bustling backdrop of Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the border of China. This heart-pounding adventure takes place as two teens, an American teenage boy and his friend, a Chinese girl from his Washington, DC-area high school, must find her father who has been kidnapped—and they only have nine days. Although the characters in the novel are fictionalized, they are based on a real Chinese family who were part of the Chinese Democracy Movement and inspired this story."Few mysteries combine cultural diversity, politics and physical danger with a lighthearted friendship. This engaging mix will have great appeal."—Kirkus Reviews"A captivating thriller grounded in real-world problems."—Publishers Weekly"A rollicking and fast-paced young adult adventure novel."—South China Morning Post"Hiatt...offers middle-school-aged readers an appealing mix of action and friendship, with lessons about world events and human rights woven throughout."—Washington Post Book World“A compelling, teen-centric political thriller . . . inspired by actual events.”—BooklistOnline.comA NCSS/CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

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Scrooge And Marley
Scrooge and Marley
Karl F. Hollenbach
Scrooge And Marley is the recipient of Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention award in the historical personage category for 2014.A year after Ebenezer Scrooge encountered the ghost of his partner, Jacob Marley, as well as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Scrooge relives the previous Christmas and is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley once more. Mediating for his friend and partner by fulfilling his requests, Scrooge witnesses an altogether different story.This expansion on Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, recounts how Marley unshackles his soul from previous deeds allowing Scrooge to partake of redemption.Relive and recapture the essence of Christmas while exploring the wonders of life, living and death.

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The Incredible Charlotte Sycamore
The Incredible Adventures of Charlotte Sycamore
Kate Maddison
Queen Victoria's court knows Charlotte Sycamore as the mild-mannered sixteen-year-old daughter of the Her Majesty's royal surgeon. Yet Charlotte has a penchant for inventing new gadgets, and most nights she sneaks out to sword fight with her best friends, Peter and Jillian. When the three are mauled by what look like rabid dogs, Charlotte is forced to hide both her friends and her own injury. As her symptoms worsen and people are murdered across London, she embarks in a race against time to find the antidote and ultimately save the queen's own life. Full of action, luxe royal court, engineered beasts, and a good dose of humor, this steampunk novel is a masterful blend of science fiction, fantasy, and alternative history.

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Wilf (Things Change Book 2)
WILF (Things Change)
Ruth Campbell
WILF is a serialized coming of age story, told in four volumes. Please visit www.wilf.us.com for more information.It’s the summer of 1943 and, in spite of their mutual dislike, young Brit Wilf and American teen Peggy are becoming a true team as they work together for the sake of the war effort.When the two become reluctant performers in a hospital show for wounded soldiers, they ask Arden Brown to join their act. Soon, Peggy finds herself thinking more about Arden and less about her boyfriend who’s fighting overseas.It’s still to early to tell how WILF’s story will end. But, in Volume Two, things are starting to change.

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Wilf (The Journey Begins Book 1)
WILF (The Journey Begins)
Ruth Campbell
WILF is a serialized coming of age story, told in four volumes. Please visit www.wilf.us.com for more information.It’s the summer of 1943 and World War II is raging all across the globe.While sixteen-year-old Peggy’s boyfriend is overseas, helping to protect England from Nazi air attacks, a young British boy named Wilf arrives in Pasadena to live with Peggy and her mother.Because she blames the English for putting her boyfriend’s life at risk, Peggy despises Wilf even before she meets him. In response, Wilf hates her right back.As Wilf adjusts to California and Peggy adjusts to Wilf, someone who has a secret crush on Peggy slowly becomes an important part of their lives. Before the summer ends, the bond that develops between the three will change each one’s future forever.But in this first volume their story’s just beginning.

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Salvation
Salvation
Alyssa Cooper
When Alec first met Maya, an unassuming girl in sunglasses and sandals, he had no way of knowing that she was a vampire. It's only as he falls in love with her that he realizes she might be something more than human. Maya was born on a small farm in the nineteenth century. It was there she met the man who would someday take away her humanity — and, as she reveals to Alec, the man who has chased her for a century, an ancient enemy seeking revenge. Together they fight for her survival, each desperately seeking their own salvation.

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