February, for some, is the month of love. For the purposes of this blog, it’s love of books! Even though it’s a short month, February will bring us lots of amazing new historical fiction. I’ve picked what I believe to be the best ones to share with you here.

BEST COVER

Bianca’s Cure by Gigi Berardi (1563 Florence, February 10)

“For fans of Lessons in Chemistry, a based-in-fact novel imagining young Renaissance noblewoman Bianca Capello’s experiences as she pursues a cure for malaria in the Medicis’ Florence.” ~book description

All of these have covers that stand out. The florals in The Fourth Princess and The Secret Courtesan are beautiful. The softness of the color palette in Ellie’s Great War and Shadows Behind the Scenery are surprisingly appealing since I usually love bright colors like those in A Deeper Well. Bianca’s Cure, however, has a great mix of color and softness, and who can resist knowing what Bianca is trying to cure with those amazing little bottles? (spoiler alert: it’s malaria and the Medici family)

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang (1911 Shanghai, February 10)

 A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith (ancient Israel, February 17)

The Secret Courtesan by Kerry Chaput (1609 Venice, February 11)

Ellie’s Great War by Diane Keech (World War I, New York, February 24)

Shadows Behind the Scenery by Mary Ann Noe (World War II London, February 5)

 

BEST TITLE

The Resistance Knitting Club by Jenny O’Brien (Guernsey 2010/Paris 1941, February 6)

“Inspired by the true story of a woman who used knitting patterns to encode intelligence during World War Two.” ~book description

I  like titles with interesting words or concepts, and titles that juxtapose conflicting ideas. The Resistance Knitting Club is one of those. Knitting conjures little old women, and resistance brings to mind strapping young people. A resistance knitting club grabs my attention.

Beattie Cavendish and the Highland Hideaway by Mary Jane Riley (1949 Scotland, February 19)

Daybreak Birdsong Always Wakes Him by Pamela Ryder (19th century American West, February 15)

A Crown of Stars by Shana Abe (1900 England, February 24)

Book of Forbidden Words by Louise Fein (1552 Paris/1852 New York,  February 17)

The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda (Tenochtitlan, February 24 )

 

MOST INTRIGUING

The Vermillion Sea by Megan Chance (February 5)

“From the author of Glamorous Notions comes a harrowing tale set aboard a yacht in the 1920s, where luxury borders on lunacy and mysteries of the deep blur the lines between science and the occult.” ~book description

I’ve enjoyed books by Megan Chance, so this one caught my eye. It features a brilliant female scientist trying to prove herself aboard a ship where her ex-husband shows up unexpectedly. Strong women overcoming challenges is my thing, so I can hardly wait for this one.

A Crown of Stars by Shana Abe (1915 England, February 24)

The Lost Diary of Lucrezia Borgia by Johnny Teague (February 24)

Sharpened Blade by Joseph J, Swope (19th century Pennsylvania, February 19)

The Pohaku by Jasmin Iolani Hakes (multigenerational Hawaii/California, February 3)

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi (February 24)

 

Need more historical fiction on your TBR? See Paper Lantern Writers’ weekly round up in the Facebook group Paper Lantern Readers. See even more new release titles at Historical Novel Society.

“This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.”