Here is an archive of my historical fiction book reviews. Although I read broadly, I primarily enjoy reading historical fiction that is set in a period over 50-100 years ago. The traditional “cut off” point for historical fiction is 50 years or more, but to me, “historical” fiction should be older than I am.
Few artifacts capture the complex political and religious landscape of 16th-century England as vividly as the Philip and Mary shilling. Issued during the reign of Mary I of England and her husband, Philip II of Spain, these coins are a reminder of religious upheaval and intense power struggles that marked Francis Drake’s passage into adulthood.
The tiny, cramped bay of San Juan de Ulúa erupted into chaos as the sun approach its zenith overhead. The air, moments ago filled with the gentle lapping of waves in between closely moored ships, now crackled with cannon and musket fire and the clash of steel. Francis Drake, barely twenty-eight, burst from his cabin aboard the Judith, sword in hand. This was his first command as a captain. His eyes widened at the sight of Spanish Marines swarming over the rails, their faces twisted with rage. “Heretics!” they cried, their blades flashing. As Drake parried a vicious thrust, his mind raced. How had it come to this? The truce, the promises of safe harbor – all shattered in an instant. San Pedro’s cannon roared. In that moment, as the smell of gunpowder and blood filled his nostrils, Francis Drake knew that his life would never be the same.
The meaning of Sic Parvis Magna is from small beginnings, greatness. This is the title of the first book of the historical fiction series Adventures of Francis Drake.
The historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is the coming of age story of Francis Drake—a farm boy before his notoriety as a pirate who spectacularly raided the Spanish Main, or his fame as a circumnavigator and bold admiral who “singed Phillip’s beard.”
“Je suis Guy Alphonse Guichenot, Comte de Montreuil. Capitaine du Hailaetus.” He executed a hand flourish, but without a bow.
The Pirate / Privateer Captain Guichenot walks onto the page of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.
In Tudor England, could an abandoned, noble bastard become a murderous, thieving criminal?
Explore this character sketch of James Reynard, a villain of the historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna.
Can an AI “Artist” create a theme-specific cover image or illustrations for a historical fiction novel?
I am pleased to announce that the manuscript of the historical novel Sic Parvis Magna, the start-of-series of the Adventures of Francis Drake just crossed 80k words.
Had nothing happened, the 8-year-old, ruddy-haired Francis might have followed 300 years of family tradition. He lived in Tavistock, a small village in southwest England. He might have become a tenant farmer, tending to the land and husbanding the animals, or would have followed his father’s footsteps, becoming a preacher, living out his life in quietude and never venturing outside of the village. And history would not have taken a second glance.
But as it pleased the Almighty, the events of 1548 thrust his life in a very different direction. Little did he know that in mere six years, he would be on his way to become one of the greatest mariners, a legendary English admiral, and a feared pirate ‘El Draque,’ the sworn enemy of the Spanish Crown.
Historical naval fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is set in the period of Francis Drake’s youth. There are no records, leaving me to speculate what his apprenticeship was like. In this research post, I explore the ship that he apprenticed on.
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