Aphrodite’s Blessing by Clemence McLauren.

A feminist retelling of classic Greek love stories; McLauren writes the facts about life for women in early Greek society, and how the fates of women were tied to their subjugation of their fathers and husbands. However, the heroines of McLauren’s story refuse to be subjugated by males and decide to remain in control of their own destiny.

Phantoms in the Snow by Kathleen Benner Duble.

With the onslaught of smallpox in the early twentieth centaury, Noah’s parents are claimed by the epidemic. With no one remaining to care for him, Noah is sent to live with his uncle in Camp Hale , Colorado . Camp Hale is the military base and home for a division of soldiers called the Phantoms. However, Noah is a pacifist and does not support warfare of any kind. Will Noah be able to survive amongst his new soldier neighbors?

Ithaka by Adele Geras.

Ithaka is a retelling of Odyssey through the eyes of a young servant girl of Penelope named, Kylmene. The uniqueness in this tale is that it doesn’t focus on the fantastical journey of Odysseus, but rather focuses on the Queen as she awaits his return after the Trojan War.

Breath by Donna Jo Napoli.

The medieval town of Hamlin is overrun by the scourge of pestilence, starvation, and an infestation of vermin. The town places all their hopes for salvation in the services of a piper to lead the vermin away. However, when they default on their promise, the piper leads all of the town’s children as well.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.

A poetic novel narrated by Death during W.W. II  It tells the story of a young girl named Liesel Meminger who is sent to live with new foster parents in Molching , Germany . Even though Liesel is unable to read, she steals her first book, The Gravediggers Handbook which her foster father reads to lull her to sleep. Throughout the proceeding centauries Liesel continues to steal books to create a complex and beautiful collection.

The Luxe Series by Anna Golberson.

At present this series contains four novels, The Luxe, Rumors, Envy, and Splendor. Taking place during an era of decadence: 19^th century NYC. These novels are overflowing with opulence that would make many of today’s celebrities blush. The stories illustrate the lives of wealthy socialites in their quest to achieve status and grandeur by means of deceit and deception. The era may have a facade of mild manners and refinery, but the girls in this story are anything but.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libby Bray.

The majority of the novel takes place in nineteenth century England where we follow our protagonist, Gemma. Gemma is unlike many of her peers, in that she was raised in India where she discovers she has magical powers. Upon her return to England she lives in a girls boarding school where she is relentlessly shunned by her peers until she blackmails herself into a cruel clique of popular girls. Gemma is continuously plagued my visions of spirits, while a young man she met in India warns her that she must avoid them at all costs. Gemma’s visions allow her and her new clique to enter new realms for fun, but the cost for her amusement is high.

A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper.

On an island off the coast of England resides what remains of the once royal FitzOsbornes, now a group of orphans are living in their crumbling castle. The year is 1936, and the world seems to be on the cusp of yet another war. During the political turmoil a boat of Nazi, “historians,” arrive on the island. The remainder of the novel illustrates the orphans’ quest to preserve their family’s integrity.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly.

Set in the Adirondacks during the summer of 1906, 16 year-old Mattie Gokey is working as a waitress at a up-scale hotel. Mattie has a passion for writing and is accepted into the prestigious Barnard College in NYC. However, two things are preventing her from attending, a boy named Royal Loomie and her devotion to her parents. While working at the hotel, Mattie is given a handful of letters by a young woman who later disappears on a boating trip with her companion. As Mattie reads the letters she realizes she may be holding the key to the young couple’s disappearance.

Sphinx’s Queen by Esther Friesner.

Taking place in the beautiful yet tumultuous Ancient Egypt, we follow young Nefertiti, who would one day become queen. Nefertiti is betrothed to Thutmose who falsely accuses Nefertiti of blasphemy. She is then forced to flee the city and seek refuge along the west bank of the Nile . Nefertiti’s character is strong with a modern sensibility, and is fearless in standing up to wrongful religious persecution.