5 Non-Fiction Books
Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I by Tracy Borman examines the beyond-death bond between mother and daughter, the ways in which Anne sought to protect Elizabeth, and the ways in which Elizabeth honoured her mother’s memory throughout her reign.
The House of Dudley by Joanne Paul gives us a historical biography of epic proportions, tracking the many rises and falls of the illustrious and infamous Dudley family across several generations.
Young and Damned and Fair by Gareth Russell is the seminal biography of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth and youngest wife, and makes a persuasive claim that she was, in fact, a very modern woman who asserted radical (for the time period) agency over her own heart and body.
Black Tudors: the Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann challenges the common narrative that 16th Century England was monocultural, with fascinating accounts of some of the many Black people who lived in Tudor England.
Henry VIII: King and Court by Alison Weir offers a richly described biography of Henry VIII himself, revealing his actions alongside and in the context of the machinations of court.
5 Historical Fiction Books
The Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth Freemantle shines a spotlight on the criminally underappreciated Catherine Parr, revealing her quiet passion and determination. The book was recently turned into the film Firebrand, starring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law.
Equal of the Sun by Anita Amirrezvani is a heart-swoopingly gorgeous novel set in 16th Century Persia. The educated and canny Princess Pari and her assistant, eunuch Javaher, navigate the power struggles of the court as Pari’s brothers vie for the throne.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – no list about 16th Century historical fiction would be complete without Mantel’s granular and powerful account of the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell.
Cadfael by Ellis Peters may seem like an outlier on this list, set as it is during the war between Matilda and Stephen in the Middle Ages, but this series of crime novels following a soldier-turned-monk-turned-sleuth set the scene for my love of historical fiction!
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory brings Anne’s sister Mary into focus – pitching her as sweet and pliable where Anne was fiery and iron-willed. It’s a sensationalist bodice ripper that plays fast and loose with fact but is as compelling as they come.
5 Fantasy Books
Black Heat by Bex Hogan features three very different young women trying to survive in a war-riven world that is loosely based on Henry VIII’s reign. Full of feminist rage and featuring a stunningly twisty and bittersweet ending.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri is a modern classic of the genre. Set in an Indian-inspired world of ancient, magical temples, this achingly gorgeous, sapphic romance follows an imprisoned Princess and her maidservant, who is harbouring an explosive secret.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty – come for the swashbuckling adventures, stay for the richly depicted and very real characters; most prominently a middle-aged mother on one last job to retrieve her captured grandchild.
Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran is chock full of political intrigue and reminiscent of the Elizabethan court – if Elizabeth had had a female spymaster and they’d been lovers, that is!
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen offers one of the most original fantasy (or sci fi?) worlds I’ve ever come across. A biting, feminist trilogy about a young queen coming into her power, and the ruthless, charismatic queen of a rival country who seeks to destroy her.
