April SFFKit : Historical SFF

Hello,

Time to think of the next month and how the SFF uses historical contexts. I do mean SF and F : think of Flynn's Eifelheim or Poul Anderson' The Time patrol. These books are SF but the scene is largely historical.



There are of course numerous books in Fantasy which rest on a specific historical time and place :
The Perilous Gard by Elisabeth Pope, Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Ink and Steel by Elizabeth Bear, Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard, Midnight never come by Marie Brennan, etc.


What will you be reading ?

Ooh, gotta look over the shelves for this one!

Would The Eyre Affair fit?

I have two books whose genres LT gives as fantasy and historical fiction:

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon

>2 fuzzi: I think it does ! After all, Miss Eyre lived in the XIXe century.

I keep on meaning to read the graphic novel Hans Vogel is Dead, and I think it's finally time! It's billed as an 'anti-fascist fairy tale about the power of narratives', and definitely looks like dark fantasy. It's definitely got the historical part nailed since it takes place in 1940 in Europe, and is about a fighter pilot who's been shot down.

Look like another reread for me (one I love going back to every once and a while): Just One Damned Thing After Another: Book 1 The Chronicles of St Mary's

The question with this one is: is it Sci-Fi or Fantasy?

>6 dreamweaver529: In my head, I've always thought of The Chronicles of Saint Mary's as being Sci-Fi. Though the world that Max lives in is a created version/future tense, it's readily recognizable. The thing that makes it different is the technology, i.e. the time travel pods. For me, tech is the deciding factor between SF and Fantasy; but with so much in the SF, Fantasy and Horror genres-- and at Saint Mary's even a bit of Romance, there's is often so much crossover that you could shelve it however you want :-)

LOL, I was looking for the Hugo Weaving meme and found these:
https://ruinmyweek.com/entertainment/movies/difference-between-scifi-and-fantasy...

I've got Daughter of the Forest (by Juliet Marillier) stacked for this April. It's a fantasy (magic/no-tech) set somewhere in the Middle Ages (somewhere between the 9 and 12th centuries, depending on whose review you read) and; a retelling of a fairy tale. It's kinda long at over 550 pages, so I might start it early.

I'm planning on The Dark Is Rising which may or may not fit?

>9 majkia: It's kind of interesting that when I did the tagmash for this month's prompt, there were a number of titles that had me scratching my head as to why they were considered historical fiction, including the one I ultimately chose! I had to do some digging to figure out why it was considered historical! It the case of Daughter of the Forest, a couple of reviews and a blurb from Library Journal convinced me, "The author's keen understanding of Celtic paganism and early Christianity adds texture..."

I only did a little digging because it looks like I may only have room to read one book for this prompt and I wanted to make sure it fit!, especially as it's on the longer side. But I also like hearing from others when a book turns out not to fit, though I think you should be okay as "Authurian England" is a time period (Reading Through Time has it as a time period, and so it is :D )

>9 majkia: I have not read The Dark Is Rising. It's based on Arthurian lore, isn't it? Arthur's datation is a bit difficult ;) but I think it could fit the theme of the month.

>7 Tanya-dogearedcopy: Hahaha that was an excellent roundup. I especially liked the money one (it's so true!).

I just finished All the seas of the world by Guy Gavriel Kay, so I won't be able to count it towards the april challenge:-(
Will have to think of something else..
Maybe The ghost bride would be an option.

I am going to be reading Traitor to the Throne which is the second book in Alwyn Hamilton's Fantasy series. Set in a mythical desert country, this story is a blend of Arabian Nights and the Wild West.

>7 Tanya-dogearedcopy: Ooh, this is fun! I especially like the Fallen Star explanation.

>13 amberwitch: I'd count it anyway (I've loosened up on participating in challenges as I often read something that isn't in the "correct" month.)

Here are some I've read in the past that I think would be good for this challenge.

Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, beginning with In his majesty's service
Connie Willis (time travel)
Kage Baker's The Company series) beginning with In the garden of Iden
Kindred (Octavia Butler)
Cloud Atlas (David Mitchel
A canticle for Leibowitz (Walter Miller)
The water dancer (Ta-Nahesi Coates)
Kate Elliott’s The unconquerable sun first in the Sun Chronicles (Alexander the Great in space)

Since I didn't read Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon in February, as I had planned to do, I hope to get to it in April. I think it fits just as well.

>16 markon: That is an excellent list full of BBs! Thank you!

https://www.goodreads.com/genres/historical-fantasy

Historical fantasy is one of my favourite genres. I don't know what I will choose yet as I have so many on my TBR!

I just bought The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty. I'll read that for this challenge.

>19 VioletBramble: Ooh, that’s available at my library - I'll place a hold now, and join you in the read if it comes through in time! Otherwise it’ll be Servant of the Underworld

>16 markon:
Great list!
I just ordered Blackout from the library, hopefully I get it in April.

And I really like A canticle for Leibowitz in general, and for this challenge in particular

A timely post from Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/best-historical-fantasy-books/

>7 Tanya-dogearedcopy: Oh, my. I needed that laugh. Thank you.

As someone who grew up not that far from Vancouver, 11 got me. Though to be fair, Sci-Fi can also be filmed in museums in Vancouver. I always giggle when I see this sculpture floating around in space:

>16 markon: I second Temeraire - at least the first 3ish. After that, it kinda fell off the rails for me. But His Majesty's Dragon is so worth a read.

Another suggestion would be Promise of Blood book 1 of the World of Powder Mage series. Humm, I own the 2nd one. Maybe....

Well, the book I was reading for my second book for last month didn't get finished in time. Luckily, it fits this month's prompt too.

Ordinary Monsters by J. M. Miro

>8 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I read half of Daughter of the Forest in one sitting. I think you should be good with reading it this month!

And also seconding the Temeraire series, having read through either #4 or #5.

Would any of the books by Evangeline Walton be considered historical fantasy? They are based on The Mabinogion and the first one is The Prince of Annwn. They may be considered more mythical than fantasy, though.

If not, I'm sure I've got something on my shelves!

Just finished Newt's emerald by Garth Nix as part of a large library haul (making it a priority to read), and it fit beautifully with this challenge.
Regency fantasy romance about a debutante who is investigating a crime during her coming out season. Truthful's father is distraught by the theft of a magical family heirloom, and so she sets out to recover it, encountering danger and finding love underway.
Classical, lightweight and charming regency romance, now with magic.
I might prefer Half a soul by Olivia Atwater for another take on the same genre and plot, but this an easy and cozy read.

>26 threadnsong: I have accepted Arthurian legend, why not Welsh mythology ? ;)

Well, I'm breaking up with Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters Trilogy #1; by Juliet Marillier). This might be a case of "it's not you, it's me..." It's a historical fantasy set in 9th-century Ireland and based on the Seven Swans fairy tale. I love Early Medieval History when the Old Ways are confronting the encroachment of Christianity. And too, the re-telling of fairy tales. So ultimately, I think I'm just not in the right headspace for it now. I'm tagging it as a "Soft-DNF", meaning I'll try again some other time.

Instead, I've started the Tale of Shikanodo series (by Lian Hearn). This is a quartet of stories set in Medieval Japan and feature a type of shamanic magic incorporated into a world of violence and intrigue. The first book in the series, Emperor of Eight Islands is technically a re-read for me, but I last read it in 2016 and I don't remember any of it! o_0

I finished reading Emperor of the Eight Islands last night and I'm hooked! Set in 12th-century Japan, there's adventure, court intrigue, sorcerers, magic... Kumayama no Kazumaru is the heir-presumptive to a small, but important estate in the imaginary/mythical kingdom that the author has based on Medieval Japanese tales. On a hunting trip with his uncle however, Kumayama is left for dead; but through the intervention of a stag, some magic, and a sorcerer, our hero is invested with power and re-born as "Shikanoko" ("deer's child"). From here on on, his fate/destiny becomes entwined with that of the kingdom. The plot is fast moving and the lack of in-depth interior thought may fail to engage some readers fully; but I stand by my review of 2016:

Stylized like a translation of a feudal Japanese tale, this is a story of magic, passions, political power and shifting allegiances. It is spare prose that yields rich imagery, a slender book that bears an epic story. The internal beat or meter of the story is reminiscent of medieval chansons de trouveres with the evocation of poetry, the lyrical prose, the linear narrative told in small sections, and the ultimate sum being greater than the parts.

On to the second title in the series, Autumn Princess, Dragon Child

>30 Tanya-dogearedcopy: This seems quite interesting. I didn't know of this series. It now is in my whishlist !

>30 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I loved that fantasy series!

I have completed my read of Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton. It is the second book of a YA fantasy trilogy that is set in a desert country that is part Arabian Nights and part American Western. I am looking forward to the third volume!

May thread is up: https://www.librarything.com/topic/350125

I read The Winter of the Witch, the last in the Winternight Trilogy set in 14th century Russia. Very good.

>34 antqueen: I loved that series!

I finished Autumn Princess, Dragon Child yesterday. This picks up where Emperor of the Eight Islands leaves off; but the focus shifts away from Shikanoko to Nishnimi no Akihime ("Aki"), a young woman promised to a temple as a nun-- but who finds her destiny subverted. On the run with the true Emperor, she must find sanctuary and her own fate. Relationships are entangled and movement through the imaginary kingdom is swift with many place names sounding similar-- so even though the novel is relatively short, having the "List of Characters" and a Map at the beginning of the print editions is very helpful when a quick reminder is needed.

Now, on to the third title in the series, Lord of the Darkwood :-)

I finished Autumn Princess, Dragon Child yesterday. This picks up where Emperor of the Eight Islands leaves off; but the focus shifts away from Shikanoko to Nishnimi no Akihime ("Aki"), a young woman promised to a temple as a nun-- but who finds her destiny subverted. On the run with the true Emperor, she must find sanctuary and her fate. Relationships are entangled and movement through the imaginary kingdom is swift with many place names sounding similar-- so even though the novel is relatively short, having the "List of Characters" and a Map at the beginning of the print editions is very helpful when a quick reminder is needed.

ETA: Earlier this week, I also picked up the Audible Daily Deal, the novella, Tread of Angels (by Rebecca Roanhorse; narrated by Dion Graham) - This is a mystery set in an alternate 1883 Denver, where Celeste (a faro dealer at a saloon) must find out what really happened when her sister is hauled off to jail for having killed a man. Sounds like a thin premise; but what makes this story a standout are the rich world building and original plotting. This Denver is the site where the Satan fell when he was cast down to Earth. His demon allies and those who bear a certain mark are known as The Fallen; while the Archangels and their followers are known as The Elect. The Elect rule with a strict and prejudicial hand while the The Fallen are tolerated because only they can detect where the rich deposits of energy-driving ore can be found. As Celeste moves though this landscape where she treads as an unmarked Fallen, the audiobook narrator's voice seduces the listener into a nuanced society and a surprising plot within a short number of pages/hours. I love this and hope there is more to come from this world.

>21 amberwitch: Just be aware that Blackout is only the first half of the story and arrange to have All Clear on hand as soon as you finish! I really enjoyed them.

>9 majkia: The Dark is Rising is one of my all-time 5 star books. You know that feeling you get when you finish a book and just sigh and feel replete? While it is set in 20th century England, there are certainly historical reverberations and time shifts, so I would say it qualifies.

A fun option would be The High Crusade by Poul Anderson, where an alien spacecraft lands as a Medieval English army is preparing to leave for the Crusades.

>39 ronincats: Love that one!

>40 christina_reads: Yup!

And this article cropped up on Portalist today...

Historical Fantasy Novels to Help You Rediscover Old Worlds
https://link.theportalist.com/view/626dbac9d3124e40e4093b53ijj29.q8d/a0ad1192

I read The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen Flynn, wherein two time travelers try to insinuate themselves into the Austen family's inner circle to gain access to any lost manuscripts that might have been available.

>38 ronincats: Thanks for the heads up:-)
I have All clear on hold at the library, so I hope it becomes available soon.

I finished the third title in the Tale of Shinanoko series, Lord of the Darkwood (by Lian Hearn). In this "installment" of the story, the disparate fates/destinies of the characters are converging. Our protagonists make mistakes which end tragically, while the antagonists seem to be getting away with their crimes-- but the Empire overall is cursed with drought and famine. The overall pace is picking up as we head into the last book in the quartet, The Tengu's Game of Go!

I finished What Moves the Dead, a novella by T. Kingfisher (a.k.a. Ursula Vernon). It's a retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher by Poe.

Finished Hans Vogel is Dead by Sierra Barnes -- an 'anti-fascist fairy tale about the power of narratives, the question of individual responsibility in a totalitarian regime, and the struggle to be a better person'. Set with WWII as a backdrop, it's got absolutely gorgeous illustrations, especially where magic and high emotion are concerned. I loved it. Honestly, it reminded me why some stories really are best told as graphic novels.

>34 antqueen: Yes! What a great series.

>9 majkia: I need to delve back into this series, too. Thanks for the reminder.

I finished Prince of Annwyn by Evangeline Walton, a re-telling of the First Branch of the Mabinogion. In her expanding of what is a simple, 12th Century tale, Walton brings in the shift in history and religion that was happening, the Old Tribes vs. New Tribes, the corruption of the Druids, all happening within the historic Dyved and other kingdoms of old Wales.

I've just started Arabella of Mars which seems like it should be fun.

>49 majkia: So fun! Hope you enjoy it!

I read Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix, which is basically a YA Regency romance with some fantasy elements including a magic jewel and an evil sorceress.

I read His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik and I enjoyed it. It was a nice break from Thomas Bernhard

I just finished The Bright and Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill, another romance/fantasy mashup set in an alternate 19th-century England. I liked it a lot and will be getting the sequel from the library soon!

I just finished the fourth and last book the the Tale of the Shikanoko series, The Tengu's Game of Go (by Lian Hearn). The individual fates & destinies of the characters play out in unexpected ways-- even to the last page; but none of the endings are implausible despite the involvement of spirits, magic & sorcery. One of the exciting things at the last (not a spoiler!) is that this Tale is something of a prelude for the Tales of the Otori! Onwards!