2 Novels of Historical Fiction to Read

by MK French

Do you have a preferred time period when you read historical fiction? I usually read early history (16th - 19th century) but I enjoy more modern historical fiction. Today I'm recommending one set in 18th century Japan and one that is set during WWII.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Song of the Samurai by C. A. Parker

May 2024; Running Wild Press; 978-1960018007
audio, ebook, print (402 pages); historical fiction

Tokugawa Japan in 1745 was highly monitored and regimented. All dissent is stifled, and a network of blackmail and informers maintains order. Kurosawa Kinko is expelled in disgrace as the head music instructor of his Zen temple in Nagasaki. As he travels across Japan, Kinko is followed by assassins and encounters many people and spirits as he tries to redeem his honor. 

As a monk, Kurosawa taught the shakuhachi flute and practiced with a katana regularly. His affair with a married woman became the talk of the town, bringing disgrace to his monastery. Outright expulsion would give credence to the rumors and make everyone look bad, so he's stripped of rank and sent to another monastery to teach. He has great skill but little humility and paid more attention to rank and privilege than to the spirit. The forced exile and travel then sets in motion his journey not only to the new monastery but of his growth as a person and monk. Along the way he meets people, visits his childhood home, and learns more about Japan than he thought possible.

This book is inspired by the life of the historical Kurosawa Kinko (1710-1771), master of the shakuhachi flute and founder of the Kinko-ryu school. This novel explores feudal Japan and the lives of various classes of Japanese who lived in this time period. We get a look at how religion was monitored and policed in those days, as well as the way politics managed to work its way into how monasteries were run. We see various means of travel and checkpoint security, as well as different towns across feudal Japan. There is an incredible amount of detail in this book, with stories within stories and tales about the towns, temples, and people. Some of the tales were familiar (47 Ronin, anyone?) and some weren't but were in line with other folktales I've read before. 

There are minor nitpicks: some inconsistency with names (Kurosawa is referred by his last name in some paragraphs and then Kinko in others), and the Japanese terms are italicized even though this story takes place in Japan.

Buy Song of the Samurai at Amazon

The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan

December 2024; Love Inspired Trade; 978-1335090430
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); historical fiction

Blaming herself for her mother’s arrest by the Gestapo, Paulette is sent away to begin a new life in Paris, working as an apprentice to fashion designer Sabine Ballard. Maison de Ballard creates couture gowns while making clandestine deals and working with resistance fighters. Paulette is recruited as a spy, and she hopes to earn redemption for past mistakes. But the SS closes in, coworkers are missing, and Paulette must make life-and-death decisions.

Paris in WWII was supposedly run by the French, but the Nazi regime was essentially in charge. This meant resistance groups sprung up to save the ordinary people from being starved out or stolen from, and networks developed to hide Jews and enemies to Germany or get them to safety. There were also the greedy or selfish people that collaborated with the Nazis, profiting from others' pain. This is the world Paulette lived in, and the mistake that sent her to Paris was revealing that her mother forged paperwork to hide that one parent was Jewish. In Paris, Paulette was determined to do better than before and help others no matter what. Sabine Ballard and her coworker Nicolle had a resistance network, and Paulette gradually was drawn into it. Along the way, she tried to dodge the gangsters and profiteers that Sabine was forced to work with, as well as the same German agent who arrested her mother.

This book is more of a historical thriller with a romantic thread. Nicolle went on dangerous missions and the risk of getting caught was death. The intensity of the time period meant it wasn't safe for a relationship, and even friendships could be suspect. Paulette and Nicolle have a growing friendship with each other, as well as romantic interests, and a mentor in Sabine. The story really sucks you in, so you feel the ladies' hopes, fears, and despair. But they pushed through and continued to do the right thing, so Paulette more than redeemed herself. 

Buy The Last Fashion House in Paris at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever. 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.