October 17, 2014

Ready to Become a Fan of... Katherine Longshore


Ready to Become a Fan of... focuses on those authors new and old whose works I have every intention of eventually reading, but haven't been able to devote the time to just yet. By discussing authors and their works that I'm sure I'll love, given the chance, hopefully I can be more easily compelled to take the next step in not simply acquiring one of their books, but actually take the time to read it.

This month I'm putting on record that I am ready to become a fan of Katherine Longshore.


About the author:
According to her Twitter profile, Longshore is a "YA writer, world traveller, author of the GILT series and MANOR OF SECRETS. [She likes] books and history (and chocolate). (source)


Work I'm most looking forward to reading:
Gilt

In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free--and love comes at the highest price of all.

When Kitty Tylney's best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII's heart and brings Kitty to court, she's thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat's shadow, Kitty's now caught between two men--the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat's meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head. (Goodreads)


Why this author & this work:
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, although I haven't read much of it recently. Part of the reason, I think, is that I have this perception that there isn't much in the way of quality YA historical fiction. It's a perception I'm fully aware is most likely skewed and wrong. So, I'm trying to correct it by reading some fantastic historical fiction written for a YA audience.

And where better to focus than with a time period I'm already very much a fan of? I've devoured all of Philippa Gregory's Tudor-era books (though I'm probably at least five years behind with her recent releases), and subsequently read a ton of adult historical fiction that also focused on the Tudor era. I think my familiarity with the time period will help make Longshore's books easy to get into and enjoyable.

I must say, though, that the Tudor books I've read focused on Henry VIII's earlier wives or his children, not so much on his later wives. So it'll be interesting to read about poor Catherine Howard. The fact that the story is told from an outsider's perspective also intrigues me.

I actually own copies of Gilt and Tarnish after winning a copy of the newly released bindup, Courted. I'm hoping to enjoy Gilt so much that I'll then dive into Tarnish right away. When I actually regain some reading time once again, that is.

For those of you who've already read some of Longshore's works, I'd appreciate hearing what you think about them. For those who also haven't read his works yet, let me know what's been holding you back!

Ready to Become a Fan of... is an original feature of Late Nights with Good Books.
author image

Amanda

Amanda loves few things better than sitting down with a cup of tea and a book. She frequently stays up far too late, telling herself she just needs to finish one more page. When she's not wrapped up in the stories of others, Amanda works as a children's librarian in a public library.

3 comments:

  1. YES to this! I agree with so much you've said here. First of all, I'm going thru this massive Tudor-era craving right now. I agree with what you mention about the perception about historical fiction in YA - when I think of reading historical fiction, I immediately go to the adult stacks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I want to read this author too! I hardly know where to begin and feel almost overwhelmed by her backlog with so much historical fiction but I have a feeling I'd enjoy these novels a lot. I can't wait to see what you make of Longshore, Amanda!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and I absolutely adored Gilt. I haven't actually picked up anything else of hers, which is baffling, but I hope you enjoy Gilt too!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! I strive to make my blog the very best it can possibly be and I appreciate each and every comment on here.