About
Book Reviews
- Our print magazine for members The Historical Novels Review has published reviews of 20,000+ books. Become a member to get exclusive early access to our latest reviews too!
  Browse our magazines
  
  Submit your novel for review
Articles
- Our features are original articles from our print magazines (these will say where they were originally published) or original articles commissioned for this site. If you would like to contribute an article for the magazine and/or site, please contact us.
What's On
- Our worldwide membership loves to meet up. Many travel thousands of miles to do so. Discover more about our conferences, local chapters and more.
Member Directory
- Our online member directory allows visitors to view members’ profiles, their latest website/blog posts and links to their Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads accounts. It is also where our staff first look for news and features for the site.
Awards
- HNS Awards have helped discover and launch the author careers of Michel Faber, Ruth Downie, Hilary Green, Martin Sutton, Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, Nikki Marmery, Margaret Skea, Warwick Cairns, Katherine Mezzacappa and Elizabeth Macneal. Our ARA and Saudi awards are amongst the most generous of all literary prizes.

Reviews

Reviews of some 20,000+ historical fiction books

The Discovery of Chocolate

By James Runcie - Published 2001

Genres:

Alternate History Historical Fantasy Literary

Humor and endearing candor ring through the narrative voice of Diego de Godoy. Notary to Cortés, the conquistador, he falls in love ...Read Review

Home Across the Road

By Nancy Peacock - Published 2001

Genres:

Literary Saga

Generations of the Redd family, divided into the white Redds and the black Redds, people this novel which the New York Times Book ...Read Review

My Dream of You

By Nuala O'Faolain - Published 2001

Genres:

Literary Mystery/Crime

A beloved colleague’s abrupt death propels travel writer Kathleen de Burca into a quest for personal and historical truths in this debut ...Read Review

Waiting for Time

By Bernice Morgan - Published 1999

Genres:

Adventure Saga

These two novels, relating one family’s struggles and triumphs in Newfoundland from the early 19th century until the present, were originally written ...Read Review

Random Passage

By Bernice Morgan - Published 2000

Genres:

Saga

(reviewed alongside Waiting for Time) These two novels, relating one family’s struggles and triumphs in Newfoundland from the early 19th century until ...Read Review

The Gospel of Judas

By Simon Mawer - Published 2001

Genres:

Alternate History Literary

Set primarily in the present, The Gospel of Judas revolves about Leo, middle-aged priest and expert in ancient texts. Leaving Rome for Jerusalem, ...Read Review

Family Orchard: A Novel

By Nomi Eve - Published 2000

Genres:

Literary Romance Saga

Nomi Eve’s first novel is a lyrical and poetic Jewish family history, from 1837 to present day. The story is told in two ...Read Review

So Far Back

By Pam Durban - Published 2000

Genres:

Historical Fantasy Saga

For generations, the women of one black Charleston family have served the Hilliards — first as slaves, later as hired servants. When a flood ...Read Review

Gabriel’s Well

By Blaine M. Yorgason - Published 2000

Genres:

Historical Fantasy Thriller

Yorgason has created a curiously compelling book that blends mild elements of fantasy with the story of a town caught up in a ...Read Review

Crooked River Burning

By Mark Winegardner - Published 2001

Genres:

Literary

Winegardner’s insightful and witty novel of Cleveland from 1948 to 1969 documents the decay of a great city and reveals much of what was ...Read Review