Welcome to my new blog series! I’m starting this to introduce some great sets of twofers: two books I’ve read and want to recommend.
I got the idea for this series when I recently finished two great Tudor-themed YA novels: GILT by Katherine Longshore and TRANSCENDENCE by C.J. Omololu. On the one hand, these books couldn’t be more different (details below), but I loved them both for different reasons, so anyone else fascinated with that time period will probably love them, too!
GILT is historical fiction at its best. From the first page, I was pulled into the head of Kitty Tylney, best friend to Catherine Howard, the fifth of the infamous Henry VIII’s wives. The details of life at this time and place, the intrigue of the situation in which she finds herself, the conflicted loyalty she feels–WOW! I had to restrain myself from looking up the facts that formed the basis for this story in Alison Weir’s THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VII until I finished.
TRANSCENDENCE is a great contemporary YA that pulls us into different times and places with likewise vivid details, including recurring visits to the Tower of London in Tudor England. Main character Cole’s swoon-worthy romance with Griffon that spans lifetimes makes this book worthy of a read in itself, but when combined with the intriguing mystery Cole uncovers of a cello rival in her past–and present–I couldn’t pass the pages quickly enough.
Any other great Tudor YA reads out there? I’d love to see some more recommendations to add to my TBR pile!
I have been meaning to read GILT, I need to bump it up my TBR and need to add TRANSCENDENCE to the list. Thanks for the recommendations, Kip!
These have both been on my list. Thanks for the review!
Love the titles of these two. Thanks for sharing your reviews.
Great endorsements. Gilt is on my to-read now.
So glad these recommendations were a hit! Looking forward to doing more twofer posts in the future. 🙂
Those are both on my mile-long TBR list, but I’m glad to know you enjoyed them!
Let’s see, books I’ve read and really enjoyed lately? TOUCH by Jus Accardo, and I finally started the UNEARTHLY series. (It’s only been on the TBR list for a couple years.) In the historical fantasy realm, I really enjoyed THE FAERIE RING. Of course, those are all YA because that’s my bread and butter. For MG, the Michael Vey series is now a family favorite.