Historical Fiction

Love Hate and Other Filters – Read It and Rate It

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Love Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Love, Hate & Other Filters” by Samira Ahmed follows Maya Aziz, a high school senior torn between her parents’ traditional expectations and her dreams of pursuing filmmaking. Maya navigates the challenges of cultural identity, young love, and Islamophobia after 9/11. When a terrorist attack occurs and the suspect shares her last name, Maya faces hostility … Read more

Amal Unbound – Read It and Rate It

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Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) “Amal Unbound” by Aisha Saeed follows Amal, a young Pakistani girl who dreams of becoming a teacher. Her life takes a turn when she accidentally offends a powerful local landlord, Khan Sahib. As punishment, she is forced to be a servant at his estate. There, she encounters a world of oppression and injustice. Despite the challenges, Amal remains … Read more

Our Violent Ends – Read It and Rate It

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Our Violent Ends These Violent Delights duet #2 by Chloe Gong Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Romance Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Our Violent Ends” is the end to the duology that began with “These Violent Delights”. “Our Violent Ends” is set in 1920s Shanghai, and it picks off where it left off with Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai. They are both heirs to rival gangs—the Scarlet Gang and … Read more

These Violent Delights – Read It and Rate It

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These Violent Delights These Violent Delights duet #1 by Chloe Gong Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery Romance Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Based on Shakespeare’s classic, “Romeo and Juliette,” “These Violent Delights” by Chloe Gong is set in Shanghai during the 1920s. The story follows Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, heirs to rival gangs, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers. When they were fifteen, they were deeply in … Read more

Ground Zero – Read It and Rate It

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Ground Zero by Alan Gratz Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) In New York City on September 11, 2001, nine-year-old Brandon is at the World Trade Center with his father when the terrorist attacks begin. He must navigate the chaos and destruction to escape the collapsing towers. Eighteen years later, on September 11, 2019, in Afghanistan, eleven-year-old Reshmina lives in a war-torn village, dreaming of a peaceful future. When a battle … Read more

Natural History of Dragons – Read It and Rate It

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A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent Lady Trent Memoirs #1 by Marie Brennan Adventure Fantasy Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Growing up in a Victorian-esque era, Isabella Hendemore has a problem. She likes dragons—, no, she loves dragons. However, this is not very ladylike. And, when an incident with a dragon who is most definitely not dead leaves Isabella with several scars across her shoulder, … Read more

Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – Read It and Rate It

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab Fantasy Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Adeline “Addie” LaRue makes a deal with a god to live forever, but she is forgotten by everyone she meets. Here begins her 300-year journey from France to several continents, history, and art, despite never physically making a mark. In 2014 she meets a man in a bookstore who can remember her name. (Published for … Read more

Out of the Dust – Read It and Rate It

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Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse Historical Fiction Novel in Verse Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse tells the story of Billie Jo, a young girl growing up in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Through a series of free-verse poems, Billie Jo narrates her struggles with the harsh environment, the death of her mother, her physical and emotional scars, and rebuilding her life and family back … Read more

Nothing Else But Miracles – Read It and Rate It

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Nothing Else But Miracles by Kate Albus Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Named for the sea, since, after all, both of their parents are. Fish (Fisher) Byrne, Dory (Doris) Byrne, and Pike Byrne are siblings living in Manhattan at the time of World War II. This is nothing new, yet there is something very distinct about these siblings. 1) Their father is away, fighting in the war. 2) They are … Read more

Emily of Deep Valley – Read It and Rate It

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Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It’s at the end of the school year, and all of the exciting events are occurring. There’s the Junior-Senior dance, dresses to be made, the parade, and of course, Commencement day in which orations are given, and the seniors are officially graduated. Emily Webster is a quiet, shy, and socially awkward girl who … Read more

CLOSING NOTICE: The Huntley Area Public Library will be closed Monday, September 7th, 2026, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The exterior book drop will close at 5:00 p.m. the evening prior, Sunday, September 6th. The library and exterior book drop will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th, at 9:00 a.m