Fantasy, Westerns, and Historical Fiction Annotations

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 Historical Fiction



Author: Nancy Horan

Title: The House of Lincoln: A Novel

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date: June 2023

Time Period: 1858-1861

Geographical Setting: Springfield, Illinois

Pages: 352

 

Plot Summary

We follow the story of Ana, a live in servant to Abraham Lincoln. Through Ana eyes, we see the events leading up to Lincoln’s run to the Presidency. This is an intimate rendering of what Lincoln’s family life was like living in Springfield.

 

Subject Headings

President Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln

Slavery

Springfield, Illinois

Civil War

 

Appeal

Pacing: Slow. The story drags without much to hold reader’s interest.

Tone: Depressing. Characters can be hateful such as the slave catchers.

Characterization: Story is narrated by Ana.

Language: Modern English

 

3 Term Description

Historical Changes

Racism

Eyewitness Account of Slavery


Similar Books


The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood

The story of how Edith Wilson became the first lady. Edith was a widow who started dating Woodrow Wilson. They would marry and Edith found herself as First Lady of the United States. We learn of her struggles during the First World War.



 


The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

A recounting of the friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. Read how these two remarkable ladies helped form the Civil Rights Movement.



Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Mamah Borthwick Cheney is a married mother looking to build a new home with her husband. They hired famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The two became close and started a love affair. This is a story of how that love rocked Chicago Society.


Western


Author: John Deacon

Title: A Man Called Justice

Genre: Western

Publication Date: April 2022

Time Period: 1800’s

Geographical Setting: New Mexico

Pages: 230

 

Plot Summary

Justice has no memory of what happened to him. He awakens to find a widow named Nora tending to his serious wounds. He is grateful for help and stays to protect her from outlaws. This is book one of a series.

 

Subject Headings

Cowboy

Outlaws

Cattle

 

Appeal

Pacing: Medium

Tone: Adventurous

Characterization: Narrated by Justice.

Language: English

 

3 Term Description

Gunslinger

Rancher

Engaging


Similar Books


The Covenant by B.N. Rundell

Elijah returns from the Civil War to find his wife dying. Their twins are missing. Elijah vows to find their sons. Follow Elijah into dangerous Native American territory to search for his sons.



A Rambling Man: Lucas Cain by Robert Vaughn

Lucas Cain is a Union soldier who is being held prisoner in a Confederate camp. After the war is over Lucas sets off for the West to heal and to find himself.



Forever Texas by William Johnstone

In 1852 Regis Royle is recovering from the Mexican War. With his little brother along for the ride, Regis wishes to lay claim to the Santa Calia range. He finds himself in another battle to claim the land.


Fantasy


Author: D.K. Holmberg

Title: The Risen Shard

Genre: Fantasy

Publication Date: September 2020

Time Period: Modern Day

Geographical Setting: Yoran

Pages: 378

 

Plot Summary

Gavin Lorren is a trained hit man. He does not like killing innocents, so he frees himself from that life. He settles in Yoran hoping to settle down. Unfortunately, a team of deadly warriors try to overtake the town. Gavin will have to call upon his past to save the citizens.

 

 

Subject Headings

 

Assassin

Sorcery

Warriors

Dragons

 

Appeal:

Pacing: Fast

Tone: Violent

Characterization: Narrated by Gavin

Language: English

 

3 Term Description

Sorcerous

Thrilling

Intriguing


Similar Books



Swords of Empire by Robert Ryan

Shar sets off to bring justice to her ancestor. She goes on a quest to find the fabled swords of the emperor. The Shamans learn of her blood line and seek to kill her.



The Eighth Excalibur by Luke Mitchell

Nate Arturi is just enjoying his normal life on earth. He is in his senior at Penn State when aliens start raining from the sky. A homeless man gives him a magic sword and tells him its his job to save the planet. Is Nate up to the task?



 

The Traitors Son by Pedro Urvi

Lasgol had a hard upbringing. He lives in a small village because the King deemed his father a traitor. When Lasgol becomes of age, he sets off to clear his father’s name. He joins the Ranger’s Camp to learn the ways of the world. Will he be able to clear his father’s name? 



 


 




 










Comments

  1. TarynMarch 24, 2024 at 6:53 PM

    I was astounded to read that you had read three books for this annotation and was blown away. I had to space out my books for my own sanity, but I am highly impressed that you had done all three genre's for this specific genre set. I am impressed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erin CataldiMarch 29, 2024 at 7:44 PM

    That is a lot of reading to cover in one week! A daunting task. Your summaries are on the brief side. I would have liked them to have been a little more fleshed out. The readalikes for each are strong.

    ReplyDelete

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