Recommendations from our site
“The story is gloriously told, wild with the intrigues, plots and counter-plots of the War of the Roses as experienced by a boy who might be everything and nothing. There is so much to admire: the wit, the use of language, the imagination, the tone and the most difficult skill of all, the sifting of history into a page-turner.” Read more...
The Best Historical Fiction of 2026
Katharine Grant, Historical Novelist
“This book is a masterclass – it encapsulates everything I love about historical fiction. It’s witty and immersive, full of atmosphere, and full of character. You’ll be transported to the 15th century in a way that feels effortless and easy and absolutely real, and find yourself on the streets and in the courts of Europe without the breadth of the research ever feeling heavy or imposed. But the reason I think it’s truly brilliant, and shout about it to anyone who will listen, is because Harkin takes the idea of a ‘pretender’ to the throne, and gives us a jaw-droppingly good exploration of identity that is profoundly contemporary.” Read more...
Historical Novels Based on True Stories
Emily Howes, Novelist
