Hi, historical fiction fans!
In this week’s historical fiction, we’re focusing on haunted manors. I didn’t intend to let the cold, rainy weather of late influence this week’s topic, but it’s hard to deny that gray weather and creepy manors go hand in hand. Whether it’s dark or sunny where you’re reading from, gothic novels are always a good way to go.
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Bookish Goods
TBR Card Deck from Magic and Books
I’m really intrigued by the idea of gamifying your TBR. These cards are definitely a gorgeous way to go about it, too. $40
New Releases
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue (Jan 9, 2024)
Enrigue depicts Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, at the height of its power. The Spanish have arrived, and everything teeters on the brink. But in this novel, the future remains uncertain. The fateful meeting between Cortés and Moctezuma approaches, but what will happen if things play out differently this time around?
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan (Jan 12, 2024)
A once grand South African estate now serves as a boardinghouse for desperate tenants. Most are content to ignore the mysteries of Akbar Manzil’s dark corridors. But not Sana. Not content to leave the house’s secrets locked away, Sana unearths terrible secrets that will haunt the living–and the dead.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
If the idea of an ancient estate with a dark (and possibly haunted) past, as described in The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years, intrigues you, these other haunted manor books are perfect for you, too.
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
Desperate for stability after the Mexican War of Independence and the execution of her father, Beatriz marries a man rumored to have a dark past. It’s the house itself that most worries Beatriz, though, as she begins her new life at Hacienda San Isidro. Her fears are dismissed by everyone around her. Everyone, that is, except a young priest who has had his own experiences with witchcraft.
The Woman in the Castello by Kelsey James
An aspiring actress gets a second chance at stardom after a canceled film shoot when she discovers her aunt’s eerie lakeside castle is to be the set of a new movie. Silvia snags the lead, taking on the role of an ingénue haunted by the past. But when her aunt disappears, and the horrors of the film begin to cross over into real life, Silvia’s reality begins to feel more and more like the horror film she’s making.
That’s it for now, folks! Stay subscribed for more stories of yesteryear.
If you want to talk books, historical or otherwise, you can find me @rachelsbrittain on Litsy, Goodreads, and Instagram.
Right now, I’m reading Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale. What about you?