YA Historical Fiction Month: Guest Post from Keyona!

Keyona from Only Sexy Books Allowed is stopping by to talk about some of her favorite YA Historical Fiction Books. She picked some great ones!

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YA Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres. I'm obviously a huge fan of Young Adult books, but I feel like Historical fiction brings so much more to the table. As a reader we have the opportunity to learn abouta whole different point in time. It may be an era we'd learned about in school but reading it in a fiction novel sometimes makes it not only more realistic, but a lot more entertaining and engaging. Instead of telling us what happened during that time period, these books are practically transporting us there. The scenery, the language, and even the clothes that are worn play a hugepart. Here are some of my favorites:

The Agency by Y. S. Lee

This novel set in the 1850's Victorian London. This is one of my favorites because the main character, Mary isjust too fierce forwords. She's supposed to be cracking a mystery quietly about a shady rich merchant butinstead she's coming across even more secrets about the whole family and even herself. Breaking into warehouses, and hiding in wardrobes one day at a time. Who says she isn't a proper English woman?

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

This one is more so historical fantasy. When Nimira "trouser girl" gets offered a job to sing for Hollin Parry, she discovers that his Automaton is being haunted by the fairy prince Erris. This novel is filled with an odd love triangle, loads of unexplainable magic, mystery, and romance.

Everlasting by Angie Frazier

This historical fiction novel is set in 1800's San Francisco. This turned out to be a forbidden love story, turned adventure/mystery. There was definitely some romance but it was so much more to this than that. Frazier gives such great imagery as we follow Oscar and Camille all over Australia in the search for an ancient stone that has powers. With characters that jump off the page at you whether you love them or hate them, this novel will keep you wanting more.

Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham

This novel is set in 1932 Gee's Bend, Alabama. I love this because the author gives the reader an accurate account on what life was like during that time, and even educates us on rich quilting that Gee's Bend is famous for. Throughout the bookwe are going on a journey with Ludelphia to get her sick mom some medicine. Some of the people she meets along the way are very helpful and kind. Other people she encounter appear to be helpful but may have other motives. She learns at her young age that not everyone can be trusted and that looks are sometimes deceiving.

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

This actually comes out in stores January 11, 2011 but I recently finished it and it was so good I had to include it. When Michele finds the beautiful chain with the key, she is transported back in time to her ancestors. Set in New York City 1910, to the roaring 20's, and through the World War Michele is there. The Gilded Age is where she finally finds the man she's been dreaming about since she was a little girl and that's when things get a little tricky. This novel is humorous at times, heart breaking, engaging and romantic. I truly enjoyed it and it is a beautiful love story definitely for hopeless romantics.

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Thanks again, Keyona!

What are some of your favorite YA Historical Fiction Reads?