I am not one of those mortals who chortle about being born in the wrong era. NAH UH, DUDE. NOT ME. I like my internet and my air-conditioning, thankyouverymuch. But reading? Oh, oh I do so love to read about history.* And even better — I like to read historical retellings. Or historical fantasy? BASICALLY GIVE ME ALL THE HISTORY IN NOVELS AND PLEASE MAKE IT EXCITING, GRUESOME, AND HORRIBLE.**
The prompt for Top Ten Tuesday this week is “the past or future” so I’m taking historical events of the past and asking them to be retold. In the present? With magic? With dragons? In the future? POSSIBILITIES = ENDLESS. I mean, The Hunger Games basically took the past and put it in the future, right? And look how awfully wonderful and feels destroying that turned out.
This is my historical retellings wishlist. And if they never exist, well PERHAPS I SHALL WRITE THEM ALL. I being, obviously, immortal and having tons of time***.
* I grew up on like 80% historical fiction. HISTORY NERD ALERT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
** If you don’t now what the Horrible Histories books are, I am very very sad for the obviously nice childhood you had. Gruesome and gory history books are a much better thing to grow up with.
*** Also, by the way, I have come up with three complete novels in the last week…that makes 6 novels I should write this year. AH HA HA HAHAHHAHA. Oh dear. Help.
(Basically books you didn’t even know you need, BUT NOW YOU’RE GOING TO NEED. You’re welcome.)
1. THE VICTORIAN ERA BUT WITH MAGIC INSTEAD OF INVENTIONS.
Because can you imagine if there was a society run on magic…so they wouldn’t even need inventions? CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW BACKWARD BUT AWESOME THAT WOULD BE? Like they would even need the wheel because they’d just magic stuff places. Ahem. But needless to say dark suits and gothic mansions and magicians.
I may be a little obsessed with this idea and be planning a book about it. IN ALL MY FREE TIME…
2. GENGHIS KHAN AND HIS MONGOL HERD AS A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SOCIETY.
I want yurts and horses still, but in a backwards dusty society where there’s technology? But also HUGE grassy plains and barbaric customs. And lots of yelling. I just envision Mongols being a yelly crowd. Also: did you know the Mongols used to drink their own horse’s blood while on long journeys?
You’re welcome for that knowledge.
3. FRENCH REVOLUTION (OR, BASICALY, NAPOLEON) IN SPACE
I also have a thing for the French Revolution. I’m not sure if this is because the guillotine sounds scary or that Marie Antoinette* said “let the people eat cake” or that the French are just so freaking awesome…Or because I just really love Hornblower.
OKAY FINE WE KNOW IT WAS HORNBLOWER. **
Anyway, let’s throw all this into a space opera immediately.
* Except this IS HISTORICAL MYTH AND SHE PROBABLY DIDN’T SAY IT and I’m devastated. But living in denial for now. She said it, okay? She said it.
** The books are highly boring, though, and the BBC show is the best. I know this is a bookworm travesty to admit…BUT THERE. I SAID IT.
4. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA WITH MAGICAL HUNS AND SCARY MONSTERS
“Why does everything have magic and monsters in it, Cait?” you ask. WELL, because why not? Plus anything with a wall intending to keep stuff out is AWESOME because obviously the wall breaks and chaos ensues. Look at China. And yes okay fine — this is just an excuse for Mulan retellings. You caught me.
5. NORTH POLE EXPLORATIONS BUT THEY WAKE AN ARMY OF ICE DRAGONS INSTEAD OF, YA KNOW, PLANTING FLAGS OR WHATNOT.
If you thought I wouldn’t talk about dragons — HA! You delightfully silly bean. Of course, I think all of history should be rewritten with dragons. But let’s start with ice dragons and the north pole.
I, though, would be cautious if I wrote a novel like this because North Pole expeditions inevitably end up with all the sledge dogs dying. I’M SICK OF KILLING THE SLEDGE DOGS FOR THE FEELS FACTOR. No more. Kill the humans. All of my sledge dogs would live.
6. THE LIFE OF VINCENT VAN GOGH AS A MODERN TEENAGER.
Imagining being around this dude…I mean, he sniffed paint, had like 94892 undiagnosed mental disorders — AND CHOPPED OFF HIS OWN EAR* AND GAVE IT TO SOMEONE. Least to say this’d make a perfectly tragic and horrifying contemporary and I want it. Can you even imagine what Van Gogh would’ve got up to if he’d had modern conveniences? Hahahaa…Gulp.
* Actually, for another brief historical-fact-moment with yours truly: apparently he actually lost his ear in a swordfight instead of chopping it off in a fit of madness. This is unproven though. I mean, most of history is hard to prove…the slogan of history is basically “YOU GOTTA HAVE BEEN THERE TO BELIEVE IT, MAN.”
7. LEONARDO DA VINCI AND MICHAELANGELO (MAYBE WITH GENDER BENDING TOO?!) AS IRRITATING GENIUS TEENAGERS IN MODERN TIMES.
Same as above, but this time with a simply wonderful rivalry with lots of malicious pranks and a teenager fight for “WHO IS THE TRUE GENIUS”. Also gender bending, because reasons. And if you don’t see this as a frictionous romance then I don’t know what’s wrong with you.
8. THE GOLD RUSH IN THE USA BUT WITH FAERIES WHO LIVE IN THE GROUND AND EAT PEOPLE WHO TAKE THEIR GOLD.
Because it would be awesome to have those gold miners hacking away at the ground and then — BOOM — they unearth angry faeries. It would become a great gold war against the supernatural. Plus faeries…but all the trains and stop watches and “FANCY A CUP OF TEA, DEAR CHAP” sort of culture would. be. amazing.
9. AN EGYPTIAN FLAVOURED FANTASY WORLD, HOPEFULLY INVOLVING QUEEN HATSHEPSUT SQUASHING ALL THE PEASANTS BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT QUEENS DO.
I love Egypt. I love how utterly insane it was, especially the royal family. Let’s not even talk about how they intermarried….hahahahah, nope. But a massive epic fantasy series with a bit o’ magic and a bit o’ tragic (that rhymes by the way, I am sacrificing grammar for rhyming and am not ashamed) would be impeccably delicious.
10. JUST EVERYONE STOP MESSING ABOUT AND DO MORE THINGS WITH PIRATES. PLEASE. PIIIIIRATES.
I really do love pirates. When I was a small child (this post is ridiculously full of nostalgia, I beg your pardon) I was going to be a pirate when I grew up. I even had a compass. A REAL COMPASS, OKAY? I was set. Also watching Disney’s Treasure Planet and all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies only fuelled this desire. Ahem. So. I want more pirate books. Time travelling pirates. High seas pirates on magical adventures. Pirates in space. Pirates riding dragons. Pastry pirates. Pirates who yell “AVAST ME HEARTIES” and poke each other with swords and find treasure and all that fun stuff.
Also I’m not really sure why I said “pastry pirates” other than that a) it sounded good, and b) I hadn’t mentioned food in a while and was beginning to feel faint.
And even though I think historical retellings aren’t as popular as they should be (and they totally should be because I decree it so), there are SOME out there. Some authors are listening to my magnanimous demands (bless them) and here are a few I’ve read:
- Game of Thrones: Which is apparently a retelling of the Rose Wars and I definitely see historical cultures influencing his fantasy. Also dragons are historical, totally don’t doubt me.
- Legacy of Kings: Hallelujah, SOMEONE WROTE ALEXANDER THE GREAT AS A TEEN. It’s got magic. And a freaky snake lady. But you’re brave enough to handle this, I believe in you.
- Wolf By Wolf: I’m cheating because I haven’t read this (but I have it on my TBR!) but I believe it’s “what if Hitler was still in power”.
- The Girl From Everywhere: It’s a time-travel book so it’s a bit all-over-the-place historically…BUT IT’S STILL HISTORICAL. And it’s based on a historical Hawaiian Heist in the 1800s! CAN WE SAY FREAKING AWESOME?!?
- Percy Jackson: And I mean, duh, Percy Jackson pulls ancient Greek mythology out and modernises it with sprinkles and horrific cliffhangers.
- Relic: Kindly gives us the western world of the ol’ US of A but with magic dinosaur bones. DON’T JUDGE IT TILL YOU READ IT. Dinosaur bones have got the power.
So they exist, but definitely as a minority…I want to see more. I don’t ask for much.
Um, the dystopian Mongolian story actually happened. It’s called the Yuan Dynasty. Sci fi would be a cool addition though! And YES GREAT WALL OF CHINA. Just yes. And oh yes Hatshepsut retelling. Or Cleopatra! I have some ideas in mind.
WOLF BY WOLF IS FANTASTIC THAT IS ALL
You mean as in the Yuan Dynasty as in a time line or as in a book?? Sci-fing (totally a phrase) ANYTHING would be awesome, like there are seriously not enough space opera-y type stuff out there. 😂 I WANT MORE. Ahem. Also Egyptian fantasy would just be amazing.
I’M GOING TO READ WOLF BY WOLF ASAP.
Oh, I meant like the actual historical Yuan Dynasty. Genghis Khan and friends imposed preeeeetty dystopian measures on the Han Chinese (although I did learn history from a Han Chinese curriculum, so bias possibly), although they weren’t awesome enough to sci fi.
DO IT DO IT. #DiverseYABC (hosted by Aentee @readatmidnight) is reading it for February 😀
1. OMG I WANNA WRITE THE FAERIES IN THE GOLD RUSH RETELLING!! *mind begins to plot* CAIT WHAT HAVE YOU DONEEEEE.
2. Yes, yes, YES, I AM SUCH A HISTORY NERD TOO. Honestly, ask me ANYTHING about Henry VIII AND I WILL KNOW IT. (I was an obsessed ten year old, let me tell you.)
3. aHaHahHhHhHhHhHhH WOLF BY WOLF IS AMAZIGN AND YOU MUST READ IT SOOOOON. It is history at it’s FINEST and basically ASDFGHJKLZXCVBBNNM. *explodes with happy feels*
4. From about the age of eleven to about twelvish I wanted to run away from home and become a pirate! XD I’d dream about it every night and it was one of my BIGGEST obsessions I’ve ever been through. *happy sigh*
5. I REALLY WANNA WRITE THAT GOLD RUSH STORY NOW.
I HAVE DONE EVIL THINGS. AND COME ON. LOOK AT ME???? PITY MEEEEE. These ideas are all kind of stabbing me and I don’t even have time to write so many books OR ENERGY AGH. BUT I WANT TO. And yay for obsessed 10 year olds.😂 I was obsessed with maps. I could name like every country of the world when I was 12 and draw all the maps free style. Ahem.
I WILL READ WOLF BY WOLF SOON I TRUST YOU AND I AM EXCITE.
GO WRITE ME A GOLD RUSH. I kind of half wrote a very badly messy draft once??? But omg I don’t know if I’ll ever even get back to it. MESSY I TELL YOU.
I need all of those retellings. Especially the Victorian era one and the pirates one and the Mongols one. Seriously, we need more Mongols in our books. I barely know anything about them, except for a few descendants who ruled India. And the Victorian era is just fabulous! I love their fashion, the manners, the architecture, the royalty……I think I need to stop.
Don’t you think we need more Vikings retellings though? I know there are some, but it would be better if we had more.
Wolf by Wolf sounds really interesting! Like wow. Hitler in power? Gimme that book.
Yes, that Hashteput retelling sounds amazing! I love Egyptian culture! Ahhh!
I love the idea of #5, because ICE DRAGONS! Someone needs to write that *waits patiently*
And now I want to watch Hornblower, I haven’t seen that in a bazillion years *sigh*
MEEEEE. I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE. I…um….just need some clones. 😂 Omg, it is always a good time for a Hornblower marathon. :’)
When do you start writing? I would real ALL of these books. I’m such a history lover. I am currently writing a fantasy novel that is based off the middle ages but then in a fantasy world. I AM one of those people who feels born in the wrong century. I love the way they rode on horses and the beautiful dresses and men seemed so much more gallant (besides the rapers and murdereds of course oops)
You didn’t mention Outlander in your post above, do you watch the show or have you read the books? I am currently rewatching season one and it’s SUCH an amazing show omg. I love how Diana Gabaldon took all the historical pieces about Scotland like the Jacobite cause and all the clans into her story.
I also love game of thrones, I’m literally obsessed. I’ve read the first 2 books and have seen every season of the tv show 5 times.
Do you know the series the Tudors? It follows the life of King Henry the eight and his court. HUGE recommendation!
~Amber, http://thenamelessbookblog.blogspot.nl/
HAHAH. Now??! 😂 Omg, I need to. These ideas are literally exciting me so so much. hehee. And yayy for history nerds! *hi fives*
omg, yes, 😂 I can never look at medieval times the same way after reading Game of Thrones, but ahem, there is something fabulous about the middle ages nevertheless. I haven’t read Outlander or see the show. I kind of want to??? But I heard it has a lot of rape, and that really turned me off. 🙁 Game of Thrones was pretty bad too in that respect. AHH but omg I cannot watch the last GoT season. *wails* I CAN’T LET MY LITTLE SNOW DIE. (I read the book, but the show makes it more final.)
Those gruesome, horrible history books you grew up on explain why all your own books involve lots of murder. XDD
Also, sometimes I would love to be able to look into your brain, Cait. All of these sound fantastic. Maybe I should think of a pirate story… NO. NO BEE NO. YOU’VE GOT PLENTY OF THINGS IN YOUR HEAD ALREADY
HAHH. YES. So blame my parents??? Because obviously they’re at fault for letting me love history. *nods sagely*
OH BAHAHAHA MY BRAIN IS SUCH A SCARY PLACE. But, tbh, I have plots for 8 books waiting to be written now.
*whispers* Piiiiirates Beeeeeee. They caaaaall to you.
Ahh yes, I know the problem. XD So many idea’s in my head. I think my brain would be scary too, but in a different way. 😛
SSSHHHH DON’T!
YES YES YES AND YES TO ALL OF THESE. I want North Pole ice dragons and modern-day geniuses as teenagers and basically ALL the mashed-up historical settings.
So many ideas, Cait, you don’t even know. Except…well, you do, because you’re just as bad as me.
ZOMG IT’S A TOUGH LIFE WE LEAD, RIGHT!?!? My brain literally explodes with ideas all day long. And thanks to this I’m now accidentally plotting out the Mongol one. *cries*
OKAY WOLF BY WOLF IS FANTABOLOUS AND I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO READ IT OKAY JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE.
(but really)
WELL I NEED NO MORE CONVINCING, INEKA. I AM GOING TO READ IT ASAP. IT IS ON MY SHELF. IT IS STARING AT ME WITH LONGING. I AM EXCITED.
Whoa, you’ve got some down that I never would have imagined! You definately need to write some of these. My favorite one is the Vincent van Gogh as a teenager one! <3
If you're into historical retellings, I'd definately recommend 'Troy' by Adele Geras, and 'The Icemark Trilogy' by Stuart Hill! I also really enjoyed the Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel, but that's a bit drier than these fantasy ones you've suggested! 🙂
Things I'd like to see more retellings of: ANYTHING CHINESE MYTH RELATED/CHINESE HISTORY. The world needs more of this.
EEEEP. I HONESTLY PLAN TO WRITE THEM SOMEDAY. I just need 934839 more hours in my day, right?😂 Ahem. Ooh, I shall check out your suggestions too, thank you!! AND YES TO MORE CHINESE MYTH. omg I couldn’t agree more.
Well, you know the solution, then, don’t you? You’re going to have to write ALL THESE BOOKS.
I would love to see fairies who get murderous when people try to steal their gold. And Napoleon in space. He won’t have any height issues because he can just float above everyone else! And PIRATES. Love me some pirates. Especially biased towards one Captain Jack Sparrow.
CLEARLY. I mean what other choice is there? I shall have to do aaall the work around here. omg.
Basically all pirates should be like Jack Sparrow. <3 AHEM. And also everything should probably be retold in space. Why isn't sci-fi more of a thing?! I LOVE SCI FI.
These are amazing haha. thanks for the post
I’m glad you liked it!! 😀
I love your fantasy. And I need it so if you were so kind and let me some of that crazy but amazingly awesome stuff, I’ d be immensely grateful. 😀 But seriously, gold rush and people eating faries? YES, PLEASE! And I agree with you on the pirates. There should definitely be more pirates because they are awesome!
Also, there are books with Greek and Roman mythology but I want me some Egyptian mythology. Is there a book like that? If so, please let me know, I need it in my life.
Oh and why want to have inventions when one can have magic? I mean, it’s magic!!! Magic makes everything better not to say writer can practically do anything with magic and that’s the best thing about it. Maybe that’s why I put magic into all my stories, because there are no rules. 😀
Hey there is a series by Rick Riordan, I can’t remember the series name but the first book is called The Red Pyramid. That is Percy Jacksonesque but with the Egyptian gods!
Just thought I’d drop that bug in your ear!
@Simone: I don’t even understand why pirates aren’t more of a thing?!? I MEAN THEY ARE SO AWESOME. WHERE ARE MY PIRATES. *stamps foot*
Have you read the Kane Chronicles? That’s the only Egyptian mythology I can think of *heavy sigh* and I didn’t actually really love them, so that was disappointing. Because I looooove Egypt.
AND OMG I AGREE!! MAGIC FTW. The world would be so so different if it was built on magic and I’d love to explore that. SOMEDAY.
YES to the Egyptian period please! And possibly the Huns, they’d be pretty cool to read about as well. Great list 🙂
Yayyy!! Thank you!! I’m so glad you liked it. Egyptians are just far too awesome (and messed up😂) to be wasted without retellings!
Are we allowed to maybe borrow some of these ideas, twist them a little, and make them into our own books? Because, like you, I adore historical books, and these ideas are simply delightful AND I WANT TO WRITE THEM ALL NOW. *makes puppy-dog eyes and gives you cake*
OF COURSE. GO FOR IT. 😂 I mean, I intend to write them too, hehe, but I’m a firm believer that ideas never turn out the same so we should all go for it. ;D
Haha, what fun! As it happens, my current WIP is the Crusades, with ninja Assassins and evil enchanters and djinn and a lady knight with a magic lance.
Did you just say NINJA ASSASSINS AND EVIL ENCHANTERS?!?! Your book sounds amazing. <3
I’d really love to know about the Roman Culture. I mean, it’d be great, right? (RIGHT??). With all the unfair things that happened in that era!
RIGHT!! IT WOULD BE GLORIOUS THERE IS NO DOUBT. I would like more emphasis on all the genius of the Romans too, though! Like I keep reading books based on their brutality? But they were really pretty awesome with the roads and architecture and battle tactics..
Yeah that would be AMAZING TOO! AMAZING IDEAS I MAY BE INSPIRED FOR MY BOOK NOW
OMG *writes down all these for future novel ideas* I shall become famous via your brilliant ideas *evil laugh*
#jk#thedayiwriteanovelisnever
BAH. I GET HALVES OF YOUR ROYALTIES. 😂
Wow, your list this week contains ALOT of information! You’re going to hate me but I don’t really read historical fiction so really struggled with this weeks topic. However, after reading your list I LOVE the sound of some of these historical story ideas.
I love the Ice Dragons in the North Pole idea AND the Great Wall of China. There is so much history around that place it would make for some amazing stories (I love Mulan too!) And Egypt, YES!
It’s weird because I love history, I just don’t seem to read much historical fictions, but maybe if some of these happened then I would 🙂 Get writing Cait!!!
Pfft, I shall not hate you. OF COURSE NOT. 😂 Not every genre is for everyone, right?! hehe And that’s why I like HF modernised a lot, because I’m personally not such a wild fan of really old style speaking and all that.
DRAGONS THOUGH. <3 I MAY BE MILDLY OBSESSED.
CAN WE PLEASE HAVE #5???? I have a thing for Antarctica, and I WOULD SO READ THAT. And all of the poor sled dogs!!! WHAT DID THEY EVER DO TO YOU, WRITER PEOPLES???? *sighs*
I REALLY LIKE ICE DRAGONS AND HAVE A THING ABOUT THEM SO YES. YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND. *summons secretary dragons to begin writing it*
I’m with you on the twenty first century. Coffee, internet, women’s rights. Yeah, not things I want to give up.
I have a mild obsession with the French Revolution. I read A Tale of Two Cities last year and, while it was slow in getting around to the good part, it was a great book. I just love the fact that every one went a little bit crazy and blood lusty and when the heads were finally rollin they didn’t seem to care much for stoping. Everyone, men, woman, and children, were caught up in the gore. That’s not something you see too often in history. Also, guillotines. And of course space is the best. Space wars are even better. I 100% approve of this idea. What would be the space equivalent of a guillotine?
Omg yes. Because if there’s one thing that does usually annoy me out of my brain about HF, it’s the sexism. -_- Ugh. So I shall keep the 21st century. *hugs the coffee and cake privileges*
Basically I would read ANY sort of retelling in space. 😂 I don’t think there’s truly enough!! Like Cinder was a little?? But not even really until the last book. ;D
I know. I’ve seen precious little that actually has space battles besides Star Wars. Enders Game counts a little, but not much. And LC didn’t really do much battling in space, which is a shame. I need more exploding space ships in my life.
I hope it’s not rude to jump in like this, but I thought the ARC I’m reading may be of interest. It’s called Tell the Wind and Fire by Sara Rees Brennan and I understand it’s a dystopian fantasy YA retelling of A Tale of Two Cities.
No, not rude at all. Definitely thank you for telling me about this. I need this book in my life. Thanks for the recommendation! *goes to goodreads and marks as to-read*
There’s a series by Mary Robinette Kowal that I have not read but is highly regarded by one of my friends called The Glamorist Histories, and it’s like Jane Austen meets magic. I’m not sure if it’s 100% what you’re looking for but it might be closeish! And I put the French Revolution on my list, but I like your idea of setting it in space!
Ooh, I shall look it up, thank you, Amy!! ;D I haven’t actually read much Jane Austen, but I know the gist. AND I DO LOVE THAT PERIOD WITH MAGIC. <3
OMGS I LOVE THE HORRIBLE HISTORIES SERIES!!!!!!! I want to write some historical fiction books about Egypt(I was and still am obsessed about Egypt….when I was six I received book on Egypt. that’s how deep my obsession went. I WAS SIX FOR ZEUS’S SAKE) one about Vikings, and one set in the UK with King Arthur and badass fairies.
AHHHH A HORRIBLE HISTORIES FAN OMG. WE MUST UNITE MIRONIEL! WE ARE LIKE ALONE IN OUR HORRIBLE HISTORY LOVE!! ahem. Ohhh, I did so love Egypt, but when I was older? Maybe like 10? I really was packing up to go there, I tell you. Omg. Cairo Jim was also my favourite. 😂
I love all your ideas! If you were to write any of them then count me in to read them! You might like Walk on Earth a Stranger if you haven’t already read it. It’s during the Gold Rush era and has some magic but no faeries (that we know of). Great list!
My TTT
I have read Walk on Earth a Stranger AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH. <3 All it needed was some creepy kill faeries. 😂 Ahem. I'm just kidding!! I loved it how it was. ;D
I love idea #8 a lot! Scary faeries are kind of my jam (there, I threw in a rhyme too, it wasn’t intentional). I mean, faeries (or at least some) kind of have a thing for gold, right? (Leprechauns, for one thing.) And humans also kind of have a thing for gold. Would it be told from the POV of the humans or the faeries (or both) do you think?
SCARY FAERIES. < -- That is a phrase of genius. Should be a book title, let us be honest. But yesss, that's what I was thinking, right?! They like pretty/shiny things. IT WOULD JUST WORK SO WELL. From both POVs. Probably two that fall in love.😂 ahem.
It kind of sounds like the title of a short story collection… (I’d read it.) You could write a short story version of gold-obsessed faeries… and probably some of the creepy mermaids… and also those faeries that “adopt” (read as “kidnap”) random infants. It would be totally awesome!
#4 and #5. Yes. This is genius and they need to exist. Except I’m probably not the one to write them because I love history but I’m bad at stuff like, y’know, research. And historical accuracy. And even an alternate history should be accurate in as many ways as possible. (And more pirates would be nice too . . . I wonder if you could combine all these things in one series?)
I’d like to see more Greek/Roman stuff . . . but not necessarily in the PJO style. Something that’s not modern but not ancient, in which the Romans or the Greeks (either one) never lost power. I think that would be interesting.
Finally, a note . . . maybe specify which Relic you mean in your list of existing retellings. Because there’s another book called Relic by Heather Terrell, but it’s basically the exact opposite of what you put- a dystopian society which has regressed to medieval traditions and stuff and which thinks that our modern world was horrible and corrupt (even more so than it actually is) and everyone worshiped Apple. As in the computer/phone/tech gadgets company. And things like medicine and credit cards and technology are thought of as relics in that Apple-worshiping religion (or something to that effect). And fiction is forbidden, which in hindsight is kind of hilarious because their entire concept of the past *is* fiction. So. Yeah. (You’ve probably already read/heard of the book, come to think of it . . . sorry.)
I am actually horrible at research too. This is why I write 90% fantasy in my own worlds so I can make up all the facts. 😂 AHHHEM.
I really like it when history is modernised, too, because it kind of helps me learn some awesome stuff??? and it SITCKS in my head, which is like a pure miracle because my head is swiss cheese basically. AHEM.
OMG SORRY ABOUT THAT. I believe it’s Relic by Renee Collins? I did link to it on Goodreads so I didn’t think to put the author on there too. 😛 And no I haven’t heard of that version of Relic either! It sounds extremely interesting. XD
This is a fab list!
I have two WIPs that sort of brush against what you’ve got here, actually. One is a 1890s murder mystery set in Magical!England/America during the Buccaneers days (when crazy rich American heiresses were running off to England to get married to titled dudes because everyone in England was super broke–in this version, England’s also super broke on magic and the MC girls are pretty stellar magicians). Basically it’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (hey – there’s a good alternate history!) but 1890s and totally different.
Second WIP is a fantasy set in pseudo-South Wales that’s occupied by a Mongolian ruling class (because in this scenario they made it to England). Lots of culture class and misunderstanding and adventures! I would love to set something on the steppe some day, though… Definitely hankering for a desert story someday soon.
(There is also a pirate story in my heart that was a WIP until I had to scratch it due to plot reasons. But it involved a faerie pirate lord and a mentally damaged ex-mermaid and I’m hoping I can salvage the bones in a different project someday.)
Anyway the moral is clearly we’re on the same wavelength.
OMGGG YOUR BOOKS SOUND EXCELLENT!! I AM UTTERLY FLAILING HERE. It’s like you read my mind. 😂 I haven’t read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell yet, but everyone keeps mentioning it? So I need to, clearly. But zomg your second idea…afjdkalds MONGOLS. <3
I haven't ever had a good solid pirate story idea yet, but I WANT TO ONE DAY BECAUSE PIRATES WERE MY CHILDHOOD. YOU MUST WRITE YOURS SOMEDAY TOO. We are like WRITING BRAIN TWINS HERE.
You might enjoy His Majesty’s Dragon (Temeraire, Book 1)? It’s an alternate history set during the Napoleonic war, but with dragons. Worth a read for the world–fabulous details to the tune of Master & Commander–but a slightly disappointing read because the characters get a bit lost in it all. Still, a fun book for a rainy day.
Historical retellings with a spin? What a fun idea! And Hornblower!!! Yes, I love him too, although after the books, he also quite annoys me. But the movies are so much better, so that how I prefer to think of him. Although the first couple books are good, expect for the very sad absence of Archie, and Horatio could be quite pathetic when he didn’t have his awesome best friend. Sorry, but just having Bush around doesn’t cut it, even though he got to be played by the 8th Doctor in the movies. 🙂 But enough about that!
There does seem to be a lot of cool historical periods that there isn’t many books about, so I guess we have to get to work! 🙂
SAME. I way prefer the movies…plus they’re less commitment to watch than to read those hefty volumes. hehe. AHEM. But yes, I think Hornblower needed to be around Bush or Archie though, because he made HORRIBLE DECISIONS (aka his wife) when left to his own devices. -_- Have you seen the TV show?? It is my favourite. <3 Bush is adorable.
I love how almost all of your retellings somehow include dragons, magic, and monsters. Totally amazing and I would definitely read these books.
Thanks for sharing!
BAHAH YOU NOTICED. 😂 But it is true…I might have a slight weakness for dragons and magic and monsters? Only slight.
“GENGHIS KHAN AND HIS MONGOL HERD AS A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SOCIETY” sounds amazing to me. I would definitely read that.
And I am game to all english/scottish/irish historical retellings. I found all historical facts/stories from those parts of the world fascinating. Thats why I love Outlander series so much. Or Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness.
So would I.😂 That’s why I want it so bad. SO OMG I GUESS I’LL JUST HAVE TO WRITE IT MYSELF. *stomps off to do all the things* ;D
Ohhh, that is awesome! I at least seem to read quite a bit of Irish history due to reading Faery books? But it’s never enough. I definitely want more!!
Pirates!!! Give me all of the Pirates!!!
And anything involving the Gold Rush would be amazing!…Ugghh now I’m sadmad because I think I need these books in my life.
..
SAME. I think there is a decided lack of pirates in YA at the moment. *gasps* *collapses* I NEED MORE PIRATES IN MY LIFE.
Loving these mash-ups/historical retellings, especially the Ghenghis Khan in a sci-fi dystopian–I can totally see that happening 😛
SAME! It’s the one that’s now sticking to me too, heeh. 😂 I WANNA WRITE.
Yes! Just yes. Everything about this list I would love to see! Especially PIRATES.
Everything needs more pirates. EEEVERYTHING.😂
I AM IN THE PLANNING STATE (haha, well I actually may have already started writing…) OF A SCI-FI/MAGICAL HISTORICAL BOOK!!! It=Epicness.
EXCUSE ME, BUT THAT MEANS YOU ARE THE MOST BEST HERE THEN.
Of late, I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction. It’s just cool to take something real and infuse some magic into it. Right now I’m reading The Golem and The Jinni and it’s so interesting with just a hint of magic.
I really like all your ideas! Especially the pirates and the Mulan retellings! 🙂
Also, some of your suggestions sound cool. TBR.
Aww, thank you!! I’m really fond of them right now too, hehe. 😂 OH. Is the Golem and the Jinni good?! I’ve wanted to read that one for a while!
I just finished it and oh yes, it’s so good! You’re reading it and there are all these plot lines and you know eventually they have to converge and it’s a slow build and finally, they meet and everything that follows is just.. beautiful. And tragic, but such a good read!
I am a HUGE, HUGE fan of ancient Egypt. I would love to see a story about Tut as a young boy growing up in the shadow of his heretic father, Akhenaten.
ME TOO. I only ever really studied Hatshepsut in school? But I would like aaaaall the Egyptian history retellings. ALL.
I never study it in school! Lucky you. I became interested after watching Prince of Egypt. Serious blew my mind…Ramses and Moses being friends?! Amazing. I’ve read Christian Jacq, Margaret George and Michelle Moran. I read a book about Hatshepsut ages ago, but never finished. I wish I could remember the name because I would love to read it now.
When I went to Philly a couple years ago, I saw a piece of stone that had Hatshepsut’s carved out of it. I’ve read over and over about how they would do this. But until I saw it live in person, it didn’t see real.
HORNBLOWER. YES. I haven’t seen the show but Mama read me the books years ago… LUV.
also cait imma have to hit you with a fish again
“The Great Gold War”
excuse me while I GO WRITE A BOOK
*headdesk*
EEEP. Sorry for dissing the books than. 😂 OMG I’M AWFUL. hehe. But seriously the show = I’m like 99% sure you’d like it. It’s adorable and they’re all such proper gentlemen about wanting to kill each other.
EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO WRITE TEN BOOKS. Help…
I SHOULD see the show. Mama wasn’t too impressed with it? Just cuz there’s so much description and layering and stuff in the books that can’t be conveyed on the screen. BUT I WOULD STILL PROBABLY LIKE IT.
actually I might be able to put ‘the great gold war’ into one of my existing stories to give history.
OMG, I love your twists! I say: You should get on it, as in, maybe you should stop waiting for other people to write that and start writing that! 😛 (all of that, please!) 😉
EXACTLY. I really need to just GET ONTO THIS. *summons dragons to start typing*
I haven’t read enough historical novels! I didn’t even realize it until now :O which is terrible cause History is my favourite subject at school! Although I did ass The Girl from Everywhere on to my TBR a couple of days ago and I am super duper excited to read it! *flails*
I haven’t read enough either!! And plus I don’t think they’re all that popular out there, because I don’t see them so often? THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE IS AMAZING AND I LOVE IT AND I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!!!
O_O THESE ARE ALL SO GOOD. *wails* I want to read them all.
When I was younger, I definitely wished I’d been born in the 1600s. Like, it wasn’t just a wish, it was this really painful yearning and I pretty much disliked anything that reminded me of modern times. But now I would be content with just reading these sorts of books. *nods* I would hate to give up the internet and the blogging community and all the bookish connections, and I would hate to miss out on all the new releases that come out every year, and just yeah, I’m happy where I am now. But I would be even happier if we had more of these books. *nods*
The pirates idea sound best (although they all sound brilliant). I think for one of my NaNo projects I’m going to write a pirate story, because why not. Also, I started one when I was younger and I want to salvage certain aspects of the ideas I had when I was a small thing. So there’s that.
SO DO I, LIZ. But considering you write a gazillion words in a month, you really should write them for me and become like my personal writer/slave/thing and when I say “I wanna read this” you can just write it. Solid plan, don’t you think? *nods*
THE INTERNET IS EVERYTHING THO. <3 And also electricity and like the ability to lie on a comfy bed. 😂 I am a wuss, completely, and I won't even deny it.
I never actually considered writing a pirate story until recently? But now I must. LIKE I SERIOUSLY MUST. It is burning inside of me. I have several childhood pirate stories, but no way am I ever touching those embarrassing beasts. ahem. 😂😂
I would totally read the great wall of China one. Especially if it was about how the great wall was built to keep the magical creatures out and you have all those ancient Chinese myth-creatures that are super weird and creepy and pretty much just want to eat you. BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE TOTALLY AWESOME.
And, seriously, this TTT theme gave me all these great ideas including one with dragons and technology and knights who wear hoodies and basically epicness all around and I might have to stop “writing” (I say writing because it mostly involves banging my head against the table and researching depression medications. Writer’s block is still going strong. I just need to get past the first 20k words than I’ll be good)TM&TH for a week or whatever to outline this idea.
YES TO THE ANCIENT CHINESE CREATURES. You could incorporate sooo much mythology into it right??!?! *squeaks and flails* Not that I know much about mythology?! But I would learn, where I to write it.😂
But omg I seriously could write ALL of these and so that’s like 10 new premises and ideas on top of the million I already need to write. GAHHHH MY BRAIN IS EXPLODING. But excuse me did you say knights who wear hoodies?!??! Aine. You are a genius and I already love this. LOVE THIS I SAY.
Yes – please: THE VICTORIAN ERA BUT WITH MAGIC INSTEAD OF INVENTIONS. This is a great idea. I always thought it would be great to do a time travel book, take the person back to the Victorian era, specifically just before the big earthquake in San Francisco… and the person travelling back knows it’s about to happen. 🙂
THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!!! I think time travel books are so interesting and always leave a lot of questions. Which I’m absolutely up for. 😂
I feel like “Victorian era with magic” has been done before… it sounds a lot like steampunk.
BUT. North Pole explorations with dragons & Genghis Khan as dystopian sci-fi sound epic, and I’d read the hell out of em! Also, the Great Wall of China + monsters + magical Huns.
You know what they say: write the book you want to read. And I hope you write every last one of these books (if you’re so inclined, that is!).
Hmm, yes I mean, kinda like steampunk? But I’m thinking more actual magic instead of like science-y stuff?
And YES I love that quote. 😂 I just need the time to write the books I want to read. XD
Ooh, I like your retelling ideas! Especially an Egyptian-flavored novel, because I haven’t read a lot in that vein so I think there’d be plenty of fresh ground to cover.
Ikr?!? It would be GREAT and have so much potential to be unique!!
WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO US? WHY DO YOU TELL US OF THESE MAGICAL TALES THAT DO NOT EXIST BUT SHOULD. omgshhhhhh *dies* I would literally eat any of those historical retellings. x) And hahaha, I knew there would be one with dragons in it!
BECAUSE IF I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE TORTURE, SO SHOULD YOU. SUFFER WITH ME, ANISSA. SUUUUFER. Ahem.
WOW!! What a creative list! I want those too now that you’ve mentioned them. Seeing Van Gogh as a modern day teen would be brilliant. Now, you just need to find an author to write these books for you. 🙂
MY TTT- http://wp.me/p4uAPW-2tB
I VOLUNTEER TO BE THE AUTHOR. 😂 I just have to wade through 94839 other writing projects first.😂
I definitely love your twist to the post. It was extremely creative. I think my favorite was probably the Victorian era with magic. If you’re looking for something close to that I would definitely check out the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray. It takes place at Victorian-feeling boarding school and includes lots of magic. 🙂 Great post!
Ooh, I have heard of that series so I should check it out! I did read The Diviners last year. 😀
I love the way you think Cait, all of these should be a thing. All of them, and if Marie Antoinette didn’t say, then I say it enough for it to go down in history somewhere.
THANK YOU SKYE. I wish I had more time to write…I mean, I could make more time, but hahehehe. Ahem. And I think we can just ignore that Marie Antoinette didn’t say it for sake of GOOD FICTION STORY.
Oh my god, Cait! How do you do this?! How do you come up with all those brilliant ideas – I WANT THEM ALL!!! I’m usually not so much into Historical Fiction but … you made me rethink that and now I’m like: WHAT SHOULD I READ FIRST?! 😀
Also, I’m desperate for … #4, #6, #7 and and and! MAKE THEM HAPPEN, PLEASE! <3
I DON’T EVEN KNOW. I literally wrote and came up with all of these in half an hour. 😂 Now you know why my brain is always a HAY WIRED FRITZ OF MADNESS. Ahem.
I WILL DEVOUR ANY BOOK OF YOURS WITH VICTORIAN MAGIC. I am so excited for that, like really. WRITE IT SOON. We’re both a bit obsessed with Gothic things, because I’m writing a story about Rapunzel, only darker and Victorian, and YOU’RE writing (or obsessing over, either way it’s the same) a story about the Victorian era, but with magicians and all the wonderful magic! YASS YASS YASS. And I’m so glad to have found a history junkie like m’self, I’m actually reading a book about the Romanovs right now. HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD OF HORRIBLE HISTORIES?! MY CHILDHOOD IS RUINED! What are they tho?
I WILL WRITE IT SOON, I SWEART. Tbh, it was first on my to-do list for this year? And then I got distracted by…a zillion other ideas. Omg. I have problems. *sighs* FANTASY THO. <3 And omg I'm so glad your Rapunzel story is dark and Victorian, that is just the BEST NEWS EVER.
AWK OKAY. YOU GOTTA. GOOGLE THEM. They're like kids history books about horrible facts in history. 😂 They are life. (Or actually death, but whatever.)
I want, may NEED, Cleopatra’s teenage years with talking cats and powers. I. NEED. IT.
I also need the roaring 1920s but set in the future. A resurgence of the rebellious attitude towards prohibition but perhaps it is the internet that is now prohibited? Yes. That.
DID YOU JUST SAY TALKING CATS AND POWERS BECAUSE OMG, ALISSA. THAT IS GENIUS. YES YES YES. And yes please roaring ’20s in the future.😂 I didn’t even know I needed that until now.
Cait, you brilliant evil genius! I am now furiously (ha! Blog pun!) writing about talking cats and powers and Egypt! I ordered an Egyptian history book… WHAT EVEN AM I DOING?!?
I’ve dropped all my other writing projects and I woke up at 4:00am this morning because I was having a dream about my story. I’m too excited about this! It’s your fault and I love you for it.
*does so many happy wiggles*
*flails wildly*
I CANNOT CONTAIN THIS EXCITEMENT!!
OMGGG I AM FLAILING RIGHT ALONG WITH YOU NOW!! THIS IS SO EXCITING. This book gets dedicated to me right?! *wink wink* 😂😂 But 4:00am with ideas? Omg, you are true writer. :’)
NEVER CONTAIN THE EXCITEMENT!!
FEED IT CHOCOLATE AND LET IT GROW!!
Oh, I loved Wolf by Wolf – that’s a good retelling of history. I think your ideas are great! Some of these would be seriously awesome books, especially the artists being teens ones.
I seriously cannot wait to start Wolf by Wolf! It’s like TOP of my TBR right now!!
This was such a good post!! Your ideas were so honestly fascinating. O_O I really want to see some of them written. You could write experimental first chapters and post them on Wattpad!! =D
I COOOULD. And tbh, I really really want to?! Only I can never start something unless I intend to finish it. But all I need is a week, right?!? ;P
I like the idea of ice dragons! Or any dragons, really. I’m also super intrigued by the idea of a modern day Van Gogh He’s been my favorite painter since I was pretty young, and I was always fascinated by his story. I’m a little disappointed that he may not have actually cut his ear off, to be honest. XD YES, always more pirates.
I’m looking forward to Wolf by Wolf (er, I may have had the library book out since October. /o\) and The Girl from Everywhere! I’m trying to think of what historical retellings I’ve already read. I guess a lot of fantasy is based on historical time periods, but it’s usually different enough not to count. I think the Sevenwaters trilogy would count, though! I know I’ve read more, I’m just having a hard time figuring out what counts, haha.
I was actually really disappointed about his ear…and then disappointed at myself for being so macabre. BUT SERIOUSLY?!? It’s like legend and the internet ruined it. *sighs* (I tentatively have a van Gogh retelling on my brain actually. Along with 93839 other ideas…omg.)
How long are you allowed to keep library books?! YOU LUCKY THING. I heard enough good things about it to convince myself to go ahead and buy it. heeh. So I HOPE IT’S GOOD. Because buying books and hating them is my #1 worst thing.
Hahaha, I’m glad it’s not just me. XD
Three weeks, but we can renew up to 99 times if no one else has it on hold! I definitely take advantage of that, hahaha.
You’re going to buy Daughter of the Forest? Eep. To be honest, I think you should look for an audiobook version, if it exists. I’m worried that you won’t like it because it’s a slower fantasy. I mean, it’s hard for me to imagine NOT liking it, but I know you don’t always get along with adult fantasy.
WAIT. 99 TIMES?!??!!?!? My library has 9 weeks (if it’s not on hold). 😂 Clearly America is ahead in the library respect…sheesh.
Oh, heheh, I meant I bought Wolf by Wolf! I do want to read Daughter of the Forest, but I kind of don’t in case I don’t like it?! I mean, I KNOW YOU WON’T EAT ME.😂 But I would feel immensely bad if I didn’t love it!!
Haha, my library is particularly awesome, I have to say.
Oh! That makes more sense. I would only feel bad that you didn’t like it if you wasted money on it, otherwise it would be completely okay!
*SCREECHES* THAT MICHELANGELO AND LEONARDO DA VINCI ONE MY HEART. Can you imagine if their parents insisted on calling them “Mike” and “Leo” when they preferred “Michelangelo” and “Leonardo da Vinci”, the more impressive, artsy names they’d made up for themselves? And their real names were like Michael Angileri and Leonard Davenport?
Okay, I may have to write this.
SPACE PIRATES YESSS. Also A+++++ use of that POTC gif, that seriously had to be one of the best moments in the whole movie.
Your first idea kind of reminds me of the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, idk if you’ve read them already (if not, you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BECAUSE THEY’RE SO FREAKING GOOD). It basically takes place in modern-day England, but in an alternate universe where magic exists and the British have built up an empire stretching across most of the world with magic as their war machine. It follows the adventures of young Nathaniel, a magic apprentice, and the snarky djinn Bartimaeus he summons one day. And iT’S SO GOOD. Bartimaeus will be your absolute favorite character in the history of ever once you’re done, I swear.
AJFKLDSD YES. AND JUST SO YOU KNOW IT WOULD BE BRILLIANT. 😂 I have a tentative plot for it in my head but nothing too solid, hhahaa. *ahem* I seriously want to write everything.
I love POTC. So so soooo much. I will never be sad when they announce another movie. I could watch Jonny Depp be Jack Sparrow FOR ABOUT FOREVER. Ahem.
And I actually own the first Bartimaeus book but haven’t read it yet!! SQUEEEEE. I SHOULD GET ONTO THAT.
Did you ever read Pirates! by Celia Rees? That was excellent, my sister and I both read it about 164 times each. Historical retellings can go badly wrong though – I read a review of a retelling of the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in a high school and it sounded terrible.
Also…interested….is it called the “Rose Wars” in Australia?
I DID NOT. But I shall look it up!! And omg, yes any genre has the potential to be awful, right?! And I thiiink I know the book you’re talking about and I’ve heard it was a disaster. 😂
Isn’t it called the Rose Wars everywhere!???
100% recommend Pirates! Especially because the exclamation mark is part of the title. There aren’t any dragons in it, but there are lots of pirates.
In England we call it the Wars of the Roses, but I think the Rose Wars sounds prettier. If that’s not a petty-nerd comment. Haha.
Ohhh *FACEPALM* I’m sure everybody calls it the War of the Roses then. 😂 I’m notorious for saying things the wrong way and backwards, haha, ahem. So let’s just assume that only I have ever dubbed them that. 😂😂
I would read the hell out of ALL of those! I quite like a good historical retelling when the mood takes me – such as Gail Carriger’s Victorian era, steampunky series in which vampires and werewolves are part of high society (start with Soulless if you haven’t read them) and Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series – it’s the Napoleonic era WITH DRAGONS! And I love them (alright, so there are a few issues, but on the whole it’s a most enjoyable series).
I HAVEN’T READ THEM. So I shall look up Soulless directly!! THANK YOU. And I’ve read Uprooted by Naomi Novik so clearly I need to read some more by her. AND ALSO YOU SAID DRAGONS SO I’M SOLD.
Love your list! And I would really love to see Hornblower in space (Archie and Horatio were my first slash ship, after all). I actually had an idea ages ago for a fantasy book with a setting that’s a mix of Ancient Egypt and Spain. I might not ever write it, but having the idea counts for something, doesn’t it?
ARCHIE AND HORNBLOWER. <3 BUT DON'T FORGET BUSH OMG I LOVE BUSH SO MUCH. Ahem. I was actually devastated when Hornblower married that random girl out of duty. I mean, no dude. You...just...stahp.
Ahem.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF YOUR FANTASY BOOK. The idea is half the battle anyway, right?! So we'll count it. 😂
Oh my goodness these all sound like they would be AMAZING. I feel like I’ve read some things -similar- to number one but not necessarily exactly like it. But it would definitely be cool. I’m not really huge on historical novels because I like fantasy and scifi and the occasional contemporary so much more but I feel like I’d give any of these a try because I think a reasonable amount of magic would make it all more interesting to me. Great post as always! 😀
I’m sure books like these DO exist!!! Because there’s nothing really new under the sun, right?! hehe, but I think we do need more of it. ;D
I love the ice dragon one. XD LET MY SLEDGE DOGS ALONE YOU MURDEROUS WRITERS.
There’s actually one I’m toying with. Ever heard of Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the Pacific Ocean through America? *ahem* Boldly going where no man had ever gone before?
So, writing that, but with Star Trek characters. Spock is a Native American. The Vulcans are a tribe. And Scotty wears a kilt. XD
YESS SAVE THE DOGS SAVE THEM!! I basically quit on books/movies with dogs in them now because the authors are always SO MEAN to the animals.
BOLDLY WRITE THAT THING. BECAUSE OMG THAT SOUNDS AMAZING. So kind of fanfic then, with using the Star Trek characters?! You are awesome.😂
I like historical fiction and I love modernised myths. I do think it’s a bit wierd retelling actual peoples lives though… like maybe thay are the stuff of myths and legends now, but would they have been okay with you interpreting it in your own way? I guess historical fiction does that sometimes too, but it’s also researched. It’s kind of like displaying mummies– lots of questionable ethics that it is important to think about as a writer. I can get right on board with myths though. I also love pirates. The Mongols are fascinating– I read a really cool (non fiction) book a while back called A Secret History of the Mongol Queens which was all about how influential the Mongol ladies were. I would love a retelling of the Dehli sultanate (before the Mughals) because I love Indian historical fiction and ALL SORTS of interesting things went on. You could also do a cool retelling of Samudra Gupta and his Licchavi wife. There’s also a cool NZ book called hunter which is about a girl who gets stranded and it incorporate Maori myths and is awesome.
Really?!? It appeals to me SO MUCH to retell actual people’s stories. 😂I mean, most historical fiction books kind of do that, but usually without emphasising the historical person. *nods* But I SO loved Legacy of Kings with making Alexander a teen and all that, that I just want moooore.
I have not thought of the ethics of displaying mummies. OMG SHANTI. MAKING ME THINK THE THINGS. Ahem.
That Mongol book sounds amazing. Especially if it’s about the awesomeness of women. That I can get behind. XD
YES TO INDIAN HISTORICAL FICTION TOO. I mean, I’m sure they exist but a) probably not in English? and b) probably not easily available to people like me D:
Napoleon. In space.
The Gold Rush. With fairies.
Your imagination must be an awesome place. Terrifying, but awesome.
I didn’t think that I read much historical fiction (because, when I think of historical fiction, I think of stories set in the past, and I’ve read next to none of those), but you’ve listed Percy Jackson. If historical fiction is just stories that use history in some way, I’ve probably read quite a few of those.
I want to read a Tudor tragedy (read: a story about the rise and fall of Catherine Howard). I’m cheerful like that.
IT IS. ABSOLUTELY. But seriously I came up with all of these in half and hours, so, um, now you know the depths of my exhausting brain. I NEVER SLEEP. *cackles like a wild scientist* Ahem. I don’t read much HF anymore? But I used to, so maybe I just filled up on it as a kid and now forget to read it. (Okay, truth is I’m so addicted to fantasy, omg. I’d stop but I can’t ever stop.)
TUDOR TRAGED ALSO YES.
WE WANTS THEM ALL PRECIOUSSSS! I also want books about South Korea in the Middle Ages, probably with magic and stuff like that, because I’m really into Korean dramas and I need books about that kind of stuff too! (Preferably in English…)
I LIKE THE SOUND OF ALL OF THIS TOO, ELIZABETH. WRITE IT. WRIIIIITE IT FOR ME. There are definitely not enough books with Korean culture!!
First of all, yes to pirates. Where are all the pirates stories? Have I missed them? And yes to #2- there’s something about Mongolia that has always fascinated me, the great grassy plains (what exactly is a steppe? Same thing maybe). North Pole explorations- that’s a good one too. Waking dragons (or other more horrible things) sounds fun. 🙂
The gold rush and general westward expansion would be awesome too- faeries that eat people LOL. I like the idea of settlers finding strange creatures , creatures linked to the land-hmm, maybe I’ll write that LOL. that could be creepy/ fun.
Fun post!
I totally agree! I like NEVER see pirate stories around?!? It’s very odd because pirates are endlessly awesome. *nods* AND YES TO MONGOLIA. I’ve always had a mild infatuation with it. XD Also Russia. Ahem. More russian retellings would be nice too, I can’t believe that didn’t make my list. *facepalm* AND OMG, one could wake so many creepy ice creatures in a book like that. IT’D BE SO FUN. ;D
Get out of my to be written files. Now! Egypt & Khan.
WE WRITERS MUST BAN TOGETHER AND WRITE THESE. HUZZAH.
I want to read so many on this wishlist!! Especially the Van Gough and De Vinci/Michaelangelo ones! I love the idea of taking historical figures and putting them into a modern context!
I AM THE GREAT HORSE by Katherine Roberts is a really great novel about Alexander the Great, but from his horse, Bucephalus’ POV! I don’t know what exact genre it is but it hovers between YA & adult and history & fantasy. It’s been a few years since I read it last but I highly recommend what I remember of it!
SAAAAME!! I like have read it a few times?! But seriously not enough, because I think they’d be so fun to retell. 😛
I should look up this I Am The Great Horse then. OMG THANK YOU FOR THE REC!!
I WANT TO READ ALL OF THESE!!!! Why Cait, why did you come up with these flawless ideas. Somebody must create these NOW! Also POOR SLEDGE DOGS!!!! Dogs are better than people!!! There is a thousand reasons why. I could write 750000000 blog posts on how dogs are better than everything. But I feel as though people would be kinda confused on why I am talking about dogs on a book blog. BUT THATS OKAY BECAUSE DOOOGGGGSSS! Love the post though <3
I DON’T KNOW. I JUST FIND IT VERY EASILY TO COME UP WITH BOOK IDEAS. 😂 But omg the dogs though…the dogs. I never read dog books or watch dog movies because THEY ALWAYS KILL OF THE DOGS AND ENOUGH. Ugh to humans. LOVE TO DOGS.
I LOVE THIS! So much truth in one post! AHHH. (Excuse me as I fangirl over the could-be’s.) Also, (one of) my current WIP(s) involves time travel AND pirates, so NEVER FEAR!
EXCUSE ME AS I FANGIRL WITH YOU OVER THE COULD-BE’S. Omgggg but are you fulfilling ALL MY DREAMS, Aubrey?! You clever clever pineapple. I shall keep you.
Probably not ALL of your dreams, (but maybe I will include some cake for you?) Hahaha. Thank you!
Very fun! I would like more pirates too, please. I love historical settings! Love them. I have several that I’ve enjoyed and will enjoy in the future. I’m sure. Two on my list that I’m hoping to read this month are These Vicious Masks and The Dark Days Club. I do tend to like Victorian and Regency England time periods and also those set in the historically West of the US.
ENDLESS AMOUNTS OF PIRATES!! HUZZZAH!! (Honestly though, where are they all?! I never find newish YA books with pirates. D:) I really want to read The Vicious Masks! Doesn’t it have superpowers in it plus Victorian eras?! THAT I NEED.😂
Oh my god I need all of these. Seriously. All of them sound so much fun to read about and are so interesting. I need them. Especially more pirates 😀
I’m like 100% sure there are NEVEr enough pirates in literature, but honestly, I never see pirates in newer YA books? I SHALL FIX THIS ONE DAY.
HORATIO HORNBLOWER! Yes!
I happen to like #3. Also, 5. Because dragons and ice dragons would be awesome. And then of course #10, because I think I would have to say I would historical retellings that have anything and everything to do with tall ships and pirates, and/or the Norse and vikings. VIKINGS AND PIRATES! Basically. . . they are the same, just that one is Norse, and the other is of ambiguous nationality.
Also, anything about nomadic Celtic tribes. That would be fascinating.
*FLAILS BECAUSE YOU KNOW HORNBLOWER* I honestly loved those movies (mini movies? idek what they are😂) so so much when I was growing up. I STILL DO. Although I haven’t re-watched them in a while…so clearly it’s time.
VIKINGS HOW DID I FORGET VIKINGS. I WANT MORE OF THOSE TOO. Celtic also. *nods* Particularly with all their mythology.
So you totally did the twist and now I want these all, especially anything that has to do with Egypt and Space and WWII AND WHY NOT. And you should read Wolf By Wolf. Now. Who cares about those 6 novels you’re planning to write. Just kidding I do.
I DID THE TWIST. I ALWAYS DO A TWIST. Idek if I’ve ever done a prompt as it’s intended??? I have problems. *ahem* EGYPT THO. <3 I read your TTT post and yes yes yes to Mara, Daughter of the Nile. Did you ever read The Golden Goblet? I was so obsessed with that book. I LOVE EGYPT. Not that I'd want to live there though. Those people were CRAAAAZY.
And yes, abandon those silly six other novels. I have 10 new ones.
The Golden Goblet? Is that like, a sequel? Or just another book? I will go check it out because why not. OH IT IS A CHILDRENS BOOK TOTALLY UNRELATED. No I have never heard of it or seen it!
You’ve listed interesting topics eh? CAIT IT’S A SIGN! WRITE THEM ALL! (>o<) Especially the pirates! AAAAAH
Reading your list made me realize I should read more fairy tale retellings. I loved Lisa Kleypas' historical romances, but other than that naaah. I've started reading Percy Jackson and I loved it, but I have to continue with the series.
IT IS A SIGN. I SHALL TAKE IT AS A SIGN AND RUN WILD WITH IT. Pirates need to be more of a thing, though, because seriously? WHERE ARE THE YA PIRATES. I want one or nine.
OH MY GOODNESS YES. Yes to the ice dragon North Pole, yes to the French Revolution in space and definitely, definitely (definitely!!) more pirates. And ninjas. I swear, YA does not have enough ninjas. (Pirate ninjas, anyone???)
Zomg, I will absolutely agree for pirate ninjas. WHY DON’T THEY EXIST?!?!? I mean, they probably do in some book somewhere. But sheesh, we need MORE BOOKS to fill these holes.
HOW ARE YOU SO SMART?? Honestly, I couldn’t come up with half this stuff! Legacy Of Kings was a fantastic book, even though there wasn’t much romance (which apparently you like). Also I once had to do a grueling, LONG project on Alexander The Great, and that book got me through the muddle of hatred I felt for him after finally pulling through with that thing. *shudders* ANYWAY, I am total Cait fan now! Get used to seeing me around! 🙂
AHAHAH OMG YOU’RE SO NICE.😂 Coming up with book ideas is literally my #1 thing. I don’t even know??? I just have SO MANY IDEAS. Ahem.
Oh? But no, I’m not a huge fan of romance. 😂 I mean, I like it okay, but I like it without just as much! ALEXANDER IS AWESOME. <3 I really am excited to see where the storyline goes, eeep.
OMG A CAIT FAN. *gives you cake* I AM A FAN OF THIS COMMENT. <333
There are so many amazing ideas here and I think someone needs to write about some magic during the Victorian era. I nominate you because I am pretty sure that you would kick it out of the park. I need to read some (or ANY) books with Greek mythology. I may need to read the Percy Jackson series soon. Great list!
I ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION. I shall begin practising my magic and time travelling to the Victorian era for research. I SHALL BE DONE FOR YOU, CYNTHIA.
Wow those sounds like some amazing times for sure and the books you picked as well, I admit I haven’t read any yet but I know some of them well! Good list!
Well. None of them actually exist? This is a wishlist. 🙂
OMG I definitely agree with you! All these sound like great plot lines that I would definitely read. Unfortunately, they don’t exist. 🙁 I do love some good Historical Fiction, but most of those I’ve read are based on WWII, They are good, but I’d like some more variety. I’ll make sure to check out the ones you’ve mentioned! Great post Cait!
SOMEONE NEEDS TO WRITE THEM FOR US. 😂 I need to…grow more arms and eyeballs so I can do all of this, hehe.
(Oh and I tried to visit your blog but the link you left wouldn’t let me?!?)
Oops, I must’ve made a typo! Sorry ’bout that! I’ve fixed it now 🙂
Kindly gives us the western world of the ol’ US of A but with magic dinosaur bones.
I’m in, lead me to it.
When I find the treasure map, I SHALL LET YOU KNOW.
Did you read Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho? It is a bit like your #1 on the list (though it is Regency era, not Victorian, and there are still inventions, they rely mostly on magic). Same goes for “Newt’s Emerald” by Garth Nix and “Sorcery and Cecelia” by Patricia C. Wrede. As I said, none of them are Victorian, but they have a similar feel to what you described 🙂 And they’re all hilarious.
PIRATES ARE MY FAVORITE! I have at least three pirate/pirate-themed books in various stages of completion. One of them is a fairy-tale retelling that involves pirates, elves, curses, and medieval monster hunters, so you’re not alone on throwing in monsters everywhere 😛 They make everything better.
These are all fabulous suggestions. There are so many unexplored settings for historical fiction/fantasy. I love historical fiction as well, and if you write any of these, that would be awesome!!
I haven’t heard of the Sorcerer and the Crown. BUT I SHALL LOOK IT UP DIRECTLY. And I do know of Newt’s Emeralad, but tbh, I’m scared because I haven’t ever read a Garth Nix book before and I don’t know where to start. 😛 Funny though? FUNNY IS MY THING.
Pirates. <3 I have no idea why there aren't more piratey books.
PS. I’m really sorry I never comment on your blog, Rebekah.😭 I don’t have google+. But your posts are fabulous!
No worries! And thank you, that’s sweet of you to say 🙂
I tend to accidentally do things, and one of them was setting up my blog to have only google+ comments, and now if I take it off, all the comments go! :0 But seriously, I am trying to teach myself Korean, and I accidently booby-trapped my phone – unless I answer a Korean question, I can’t unlock it . . . (I actually just figured out how to turn this off, but it’s actually good motivation, so it stays on)
Ohh, I totally understand that! 😛 I switched to Intense Debate comments when I was on blogger? But then when I moved over to WP I lost ALL of those comments and it was really rather devastating. *wails*
Omg the booby-trapping your phone is hilarious. 😂 Forced language learning motivation. I LOVE IT.
EEEEEEEEE HAHA so the title of this post totally grabbed me just saying. xD and YES, historical fiction is brilliant! Mostly because it’s like history that’s actually entertaining and therefore gold to this homeschooled kiddo. (Also the fact that you grew up on 80% historical fic means that I have my work cut out for my next big writing project to be 150% accurate to history so I can impress you and be happy and stuff. xD) Oh but I wouldn’t find any trouble with making history gruesome and horrible. BC IT’S ALREADY LIKE THAT. *hides under covers*
DUDE THAT HORSE BLOOD THING IS GOING TO GIVE ME NIGHTMARES NOW THANKS. xD jk it probably won’t but still that’s very gross and I’ve actually never heard of that dude and his…herd. x) omg HAHA the cake thing though. I’M ALMOST 100% SURE THAT THE NAMES GOT MIXED UP AND IT WAS SAID BUT BY NAPOLEON AND NOT MARIE ANTOINETTE. (at least, that’s what my sister tells me.) WE, TOO, are kind of French revolution geeks. Literally when me and my sister were younger (mind this was not very long ago) we would celebrate Bastille Day every year and dress up like the opposing people (I think my sister was always the revolutionary? makes sense. xD and I was the loyalist) and we would march around our house and throw candy (for no one) and red ribbons (idk why) and makes speeches and BASICALLY WE WERE AWESOME.
OOOH dude you definitely need NEED to write that one about the north pole ice dragons. Like I would sooo read it. (Because dragons, duh) AND ALSO wintery things remind me of Narnia?? idk. Winter is just always better in books. WHEN YOU CAN SHUT IT AND PUT IT AWAY. “Can you even imagine what Van Gogh would’ve got up to if he’d had modern conveniences? Hahahaa…Gulp.” < AND THIS ONE. I'm wilting from the awesomeness over here hold on…
oki. I'm now 100% sure (that I've used too many %'s in this comment but whatevs) that the WWII trilogy I mentioned before is going to be SOMETHING YOU LOVE TO PIECES. i will mention cake and i will think of you. x)
THIS POST THO. ♥
love,
Pineapple Abbie
Omg, just because I grew on on historical fiction doesn’t mean I remember it all. 😂 OMG ARE YOU WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION, THOUGH, ABBIE??!! THIS IS GLORIOUS NEWS. I’m so not brave to actually write legit HF, because…research. Can I be an utter wimp and confess that I never research?! I’M AWFUL. I just research by reading kids books like Mara, Daughter of the Nile and The Bronze Bow. #noregrets
I KNOW LOADS OF HORRIBLE HISTORY THINGS. I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY BRAIN, WITH WHAT IT CHOOSES TO STORE.
Omg Napoleon?!?!? I never heard that! I just heard it was a total myth. 😂 But I’ll take it if it was Napoleon because rumour has it he’s short write? So a short cake-lover is someone I can totally relate to. #NapoleonFTW
Well your childhood was more calmly awesome than mine. MY SISTER AND I USED TO PLAY GLADIATOR’S. Yus. On the trampoline. We would be lions and totally kill each other and, I mean, omg? What even, Little-Cait??
I have written a Japanese Ice Dragon book before, but tbh, I NEED TO WRITE MORE THINGS.😂 WITH DRAGONS. ALL THE DRAGONS. CAN EVERYONE PLEASE WRITE DRAGONS? There is a dragon shaped hole in the universe, I think.
FRENCH REVOLUTION IN SPACE. I would read this one in a heartbeat! Just think of all the possibilities!!! Also, I’m a big fan of pirates. I need more pirate stories in my life. Seriously though, what a fabulous list, Cait! You’re making me wish all of these stories existed already 😉
I KNOOOOW RIGHT?!!?? I did tentatively draft a book like that…but it was horrible and needs like 394839 more rewrites. haha. Ahem. And knowing French history also would be, erm, helpful. I’LL PUT THAT ON MY TO-DO LIST. Pirates tho. <3 Why are there not enough pirates in my life?!
LOVE LOVE LOVE these ideas!
Now let me know when you’ve finished writing them. I’ll be patiently waiting. ; )
JUST GIVE ME A FEW DAYS. *nods* THAT SHOULD DO IT.
Cait, I’m not entirely sure if it will be your bag, but you might be interested to hear about God Save the Queen by Kate Locke, which is a kind of alternate future where Queen Victoria still reigns because all of the aristocracy have the plague – some form of undeath. It’s got vampires and werewolves as the ruling class, and it’s got magic alongside technology, and it’s pretty awesome. It’s not specifically about Queen Victoria though. It is old mingling with the new, and there’s a mystery, and it’s wonderful. But it’s adult, so maybe not your bag? But I absolutely loved it!
Also, if you do ever read Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy, the second trilogy in that world, The Liveship Traders, involves pirates and dragons are kind of a thing (throughout all series) that almost died out but are brought back to the world.The Liveship Traders heavily involves pre-dragons? (THIS IS SO HARD TO TALK ABOUT WITHOUT SPOILING!) I can’t say any more. But I recommend them! And the way you read, despite there being five series (three trilogies, one series, and one trilogy finishing this year), you’ll be up to date in a month. I know I’ve talked about them before, but I think if you read them all, you’ll love them. The first book in the first series is Assassin’s Apprentice – and you know, George R. R, Martin is a Robin Hobb fan! So. 🙂
Awesome post, Cait! 🙂
I shall look up this God Save the Queen. Thank you, Jo! ;D I don’t read a LOT of adult, but if my library has it, I can sometimes be persuaded, hehe.
AND I NEED TO READ ROBIN HOBB!! Those books are literally very high on my need-to-get-to list, so never fear. I SHALL. And plus I’ve seen it on lists of “what to do when you run out of GoT” lists. So I’m onto that. ;D
‘GENGHIS KHAN AND HIS MONGOL HERD AS A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SOCIETY.’ – I read the title of this post and was about to vent to the world at large at the need for something to do with Genghis Khan and … you stole the words, my friend. This would be so wonderfully cool (and gruesome – let’s not forget that. Very. Very gruesome.)
I AM JUST READING YOUR MIND, NESS. But seriously there is a horrific lack of Genghis Khan inspired books in our lives. ALL THE GRUESOME.
You had me at French Revolution. Honestly, the only historical type novels I find myself loving are those surrounding the French revolution. But for me it’s the streets of Paris, the Prussian art and brutality of a revolution during the period. As cruel and unforgiving as it was, there is almost a sad kind of romance to the era too. Now if you can pop all that up in space, I’m gonna read the shit outta THAT!
I actually suggested a few weeks ago on twitter for someone to write a book based on the Celtic sacred trees. I’m Irish, and the Irish have a mythology based on a few species of trees being magical and housing faeries. It ties in with an old Welsh poem Battle of The Trees. An enchanter was basically said to have animated the trees in order to form an army. I think it was more symbolic than magical but I don’t know why anyone hasn’t explored it. The Irish have such a beautiful mythology.
IKR?! THE FRENCH ARE JUST AWESOME. All those croissants and beheadings. <3 I think more French inspired literature should be A THING. *nods* And more things should be thrown in space, tbh. I want to read a Wonderland retelling in SPACE HECK YES. Ahem.
OMG YOU'RE IRISH KELLY?! THAT IS AWESOME. I may call you Irish Kelly from now on for no better reason that to be annoying. But I think Irish trees would be great. HAVE YOU READ THE RAVEN CYCLE YET?!? THE TREES SPEAK LATIN AND ARE WELSH.
Great idea – all of these are sound so cool, and somebody should definitely get on writing each and every one of these. I especially love the Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Di Vinci and Michelangelo and Genghis Khan, although they are all so imaginative!
Great list and here’s my TTT
AHH THANK YOU. I have a bit of a crazy imagination…as one can see.😂
1. YES! Magic and the victorian times. Love this idea.
2.Oh my god I want so badly. Yes to yurts and all the yelling. 😀
3. I LOVE HORNBLOWER. And Archie. And Mr. Bush. All three of them are so fantastic and I had to fangirl.
4. Ooh so are we allowed to take ideas from this post? Are they copyrighted, that’s what I want to know. 😉
5. Yes. Because dragons.’
6. *sniffles because Dr. Who* this could be really feely.
7. Genderbending is da best.
8. Because why wouldn’t fairies eat people? 😀
9. I feel like a lot of these ideas go: Cool historical setting, interesting people AND LOTS OF DEATH. And I’m going: great idea, oh cool, WOAH THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY.
10. Pirates are very cool. This could be fun. 😀
AFJDLASD HORNBLOWER FANS UNITE!! *flails* Archie, Hornblower and Bush are EVERYTHING. And Idek why we get to call Archie by his name and the others by their surnames BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.
Bahahha. I mean, I don’t have license on ideas, right?! No matter where we get inspiration it’ll always come out different. xD I do tentatively plan to write some of these…someday. Omg, HALP ABI, THERE’S NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY. I’m definitely writing #1 in the future *nods* But go for it. 😂
YES!! 😀 I’ve always wondered that too. I mean Archie is a nice name, but so is his last name. And it’s not like Kennedy is any harder to say than Hornblower.
Lol okay thanks. 😀
EXACTLY. Plus it just has always been just Archie. *nods* I think it’s because he’s like the baby and they must watch out for him. <3 (Also it was exceptionally weird when my sister [not a Hornblower fan, mind you] named her kid Archie. 😂😂 I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT HORNBLOWER WHENEVER I sEE HIM.)
Aww that’s probably true. Though now I’m all sad thinking about what happens to him at the end. 🙁
Lol that’s great! 😀
I’ve read some historical fiction, and I usually enjoy it. I’m not quite sure what you mean by “historical retellings”, though, unless you’re talking about stories about famous events and people (as opposed to a story about some unknown peasant who laboured in the Middle Ages.
One of the best ones I’ve read in that vein is The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller. It’s about the Romanov family. No fantasy, though. For that, you’d have to try something like Laura Whitcomb’s The Fetch.
Your idea about the gold miners and the fairies reminded me of a short story I read in an anthology once. I had to go back and check to find the name. It was “Where the Light Is” by Jackson Pearce. It’s about a coal miner and a mysterious girl he encounters in the darkness of the mine. It’s in a book called Defy the Dark, if you’re interested in reading it.
By historical retellings I mean…just what I’ve described in this list! XD So real events mixed with fantasy or speculation, I guess!? Most historical fiction is basically a retelling, right? Because you never 100% KNOW what happened in the past….
I LOVE Russian stuff so I should check out The Lost Crown. THANK YOU FOR THAT REC.
omggg, I love Jackson Pearce. <3 I should go find it. XD
Ahh! Yes x 100 to your first option. That’d be SO cool. Also, Horatio Hornblower is one of my most favorite period drama series. It’s SOO good.
Oh, and YES to more Pirates! Love(love) that idea. 🙂
Thanks a bunch for visiting Dreaming Under the Same Moon. Really appreciate that. 🙂
AFJDKLAFSD FOR HOWRNBLOWER FANS. <3 I HAVE SUCH LOVE FOR THAT SERIES IT'S PROBABLY RIDICULOUS. Such rage. The sea life was really sucky to those poor dears.
Pirates though. <3 I have no idea why there aren't more pirates. The swashbuckling horrible darlings. <3
#3 sounds like Firefly to me. Basically. And #4 kinda sounds like that fireplace Doctor Who episode with Ten… sort of
I’ve never read (watched?) Firefly, so I wouldn’t know!
YESSSSS. Clicked on this post already loving it. Modern retellings of classics (esp. in the webseries form) is MY THING. So huge thumbs up from moi.
First of all, YAY for growing up with historical fiction! I read a ton of it when I was younger, then got kind of burned out for a while, and have only recently started reading it again. (And Horrible Histories is INCREDIBLE.)
HORATIO IN SPACE – YES I NEED THIS. Speaking of space, have you seen Firefly? SPACE WESTERN WITH CHINESE INFLUENCES. IT’S A MUST.
LOVING the ideas of historical figures like Michaelangelo and Van Gogh as modern, angsty teens. I CAN SEE IT. SOMEONE MAKE THIS A THING.
Okay so pirates in space reminded me of Firefly again. Cuz they’re space pirates too. And speaking of pirates (AND TREASURE PLANET, WHICH WAS MY CHILDHOOD), I grew up on Wayne Thomas Batson’s books, including his pirate novels, which are just great. You could probably read both of them in an afternoon and enjoy them as much as 13-year-old me did. Violence and gore and amnesia and pirates with a side of teen romance. It’s great.
Whoa, I’m adding like all of those books to my TBR shelf. (I read the first like four Percy Jackson books last year, but I think I was a little old. Wish I’d read them when I was younger!)
As far as retellings I’d recommend, I think I’ll go with The Little Women Letters (modern AU of guess what), and Dear Mr. Knightley (a modern retelling of Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster, with a Jane Austen twist).
And speaking of Jane Austen, I’d love to see Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but nobody wants to go with me. I think it’s going to be ridiculous and I can’t wait.
HUZZZZAH!! *hi fives* I seriously do love historical retellings, but I rarely read them??? So clearly I either a) need to find more, or b) need to write some. 😂
SAME TOO FOR ME AND CHILDHOOD HISTORICAL FICTION!! Like I’ve only started craving it again this year, after spending like the first 16 years of my life reading solely it. No regrets, hehe, but still…I did get a bit overdone?
I’M GONNA MAKE THE ANGSTY ARTISTS A THING. *nods* There’s like so. so. much. to. work. with if one goes for historical-people-retellings.😂
I haven’t ever read (watched?) Firefly but I vaguely hear about it now and then. I’M SO GLAD YOU AGREE WITH THE GLORIOUSNESS THAT IS TREASURE PLANET. BEEEEN. I LOVE BEN. I read the Wayne Thomas Batson Door Within trilogy when I was a small fry and loved it. It was one of the books that got me into writing, tbh! <3
Same! Have you watched any webseries that are modern retellings of classics? My favorites are The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (Pride and Prejudice), Emma Approved (Emma), Nothing Much to Do (Much Ado about Nothing), and Lovely Little Losers (Love’s Labor’s Lost). SO GOOD.
DO THE ANGSTY ARTISTS THING. I WILL READ IT. Haha, yeahhhh. That’s why I’ve never finished a historical novel that I’ve started. I’m too nervous about it being inaccurate.
It’s a TV show, but you have to be careful because there’s only one season. (*shakes fist* STUPID FOX) I think you’d like it. SPACE COWBOYS. And they’re kind of pirates, so there you go. OH MAH GOSH, MARTIN SHORT IS THE BEST. And Jim was one of my childhood crushes, so. : D Aww, his books got me back into writing, too! : )
YES OMG I LOVE THE LIZZIE BENNET DIARIES. They are like my favourite thing on all of youtube. XD I haven’t watched any others though, because I actually have never read a Jane Austen book?! (I know, I am a shameful bean)
Omgggg, I shall look up Space Cowboys too. :O Because I shall never say no to space pirates. SPACE PIRATES ARE EVERYTHING.
I haven’t read Jane Austen yet, either. : P Hoping to this year!
IT’S SO GREAT; YOU’LL LOVE IT.
Brilliant ideas! I especially love the gold rush one, the ice dragons one, and the Great Wall of China one. SO MUCH YES.
I’ve had the occasional historical retelling idea . . . The most persistent one involves the Roanoke Colony in the U.S.–you know, the one where the entire colony disappeared without a trace? And there are other mysterious disappearances throughout history, like Amelia Earhart or Henry Hudson. I’ve had the idea of linking all those vanishings together. Maybe a portal fantasy/alternate history? I dunno. There’ll be a common thread between them all, whatever it is. 🙂
THANK YOOOOU. *flails* I seriously have way too many ideas.😂
I haven’t ever heard of the Raonoke Colony. Omg that sounds like grand literature matiral too. SQUEAKS. And also I didn’t know Amelia Earhart disappeared until recently and NOW I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. IT’S GOTTA BE FAERY SNATCHINGS. GOTTA BE.
All of these are amazing and now I want to write all of them, even though I have a current WIP. Oops…
ALL THE PLOT BUNNIES ARE ATTACKING US. 😂 I have like five books I need to write and now….I just created 10 more that I love.😂
I’m totally onboard with Genghis Khan, more Mulan, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, the Gold Rush! Currently trying to reimage Jason’s Gold by Will Hobbs with fairies!
AHHH I’M GLAD YOU LIKE THEM. *summons dragons to begin taking these ideas and drafting them*
I can NEVER make up my mind about my thoughts on historical retellings. For some reason, the concept doesn’t really sound like a good idea to me, but then I REALLY like the ones I read, like the Leviathan trilogy. A Criminal Magic looks really good too: it’s Prohibition in the U.S., but instead of alcohol being illegal, it’s magic! I need to read that one ASAP. I think I’ll need to try some more historical retellings before I can really make up my mind about how I feel about them as a whole, but there are so few! So I desperately want to read all of your ideas about modern Vincent van Gogh and fairies in the Gold Rush.
Omgggg, that Criminal Magic sounds a bit like the Curseworker trilogy by Holly Black! Except it’s not the prohibition era? But still magic being outlawed and restricted and stuff. I LOVE BOOKS LIKE THAT. (So I’m looking up those ones you’ve mentioned, hehe.) I don’t actually think historical retellings are really a BIG thing either?
This is the coolest wishlist I’ve ever read and I want every single one of these ideas right now. These concepts are so cool and I’m in lust over books that don’t exist yet. The struggle is real.
AHH THANK YOU SARAH. I just need 39489 more hours in my day to write them, eh?!😂 but omg lusting after non-existing books IS SUCH A BOOKWORM STRUGGLE. We lead the tough life.
You have such great ideas! My favorite is the one involving the monguls and the North Pole, especially the fact that all the sled dogs get to live. I also like the idea of a the Gold Rush with murderous fairies! I am a huge fan of weird westerns. One of my favorites is M.K. Hobson’s The Native Star. No vengeful fairies but it does start in gold rush California and there’s some very cool earth magic system in it.
Anyway, I hope you DO write some of these ideas some day! Great list!
LIFE FOR SLED DOGS! *FLAILS* Hehe. Omg I shall check out this Native Star too, because I recently rekindle my love for Westerns. 😂
I NEED THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA W/MONSTERS AND THE GOLD STEALING FAIRIES. Seriously I wish I had you imagination, you come up with the best ideas. ASDFGH. So many possibilities.
Also Wolf by Wolf is really good, I recommend it 10/10. I had no idea that Game of Thrones was based off of anything, that’s actually pretty awesome.
I HAVE TOO MUCH IMAGINATION, TBH. IT IS VERY HARD TO EVER TURN MY BRAIN OFF AND SLEEP.😂
Omg, I really need to get to Wolf By Wolf! I’m so RIDICULOUSLY excited to own it right now. *flails* And for Game of Thrones, IKR?! There are tons of theories for how the books will end up based on how the actual history played out too, which is pretty awesome!
These are all great ideas! If you want magic in Victorian England, Mary Robinette Kowal writes Jane Austen with Magic. Check out Shades of Milk and Honey. 🙂
I SHALL THEN, THANKYOU! I feel like I’ve vaguely heard of it too?!? *goes to google further*
Yep, I’d be totally down with more pirates. And LOVE your idea about ice dragons. More dragons, please.
More dragons EVERYWHERE would be nice. There are not enough dragons. Neeeever enough dragons. *cuddles all the dragons*
Oh my god yes, the 21st century is fine with me thanks hahaha. I’d like to be a historical tourist though! Retellings, fantasy, all of it- I love historical fiction SO MUCH! I’ve loved history since I was really little, mummies and Buckingham Palace and all that. I seriously can’t resist a good sounding historical book. Oooooh Victorian Era with magic!! Yes please! I do love Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series if you haven’t read that; it’s steampunk meets Austenesque comedy with vampires and werewolves and all sorts of paranormal creatures. It is VERY addicting! French Revolution in spaaaaaace omg! DUDE MULAN WITH MONSTERS, YES. DRAGONS BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL?!?! (This is very much what I want in ASOIAF btw, an ice dragon sleeping in The Wall). HAHAHA HERE ARE THE ICE DRAGONS! NORTH POLE! Yes! I’d also like a really cool Santa Claus origins story so maybe we can mix that up with the North Pole ice dragons (sounds like a sports team). Modern Leo and Michelangelo would be AMAZING. I’m picturing them like Mycroft in Every Breath haha. You are seriously the most creative person ever. Fairies who eat people who take their gold!??!?!?! Yesssss gimme an epic Egyptian fantasy series! PIRATES! Always more pirates necessary. Ooh I have Relic and Legacy of Kings, need to read both 🙂 I LOVE that ASOIAF has War of the Roses influences! And apparently the Red Wedding was based on a real event in Scotland called the Black Dinner! I need more historical retellings in my life. I really liked A Curse Dark as Gold, which is Rumplestiltskin in 19th century England. And you MUST read The Dark Unwinding & A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron- it’s a historical duology with a touch of Jane Eyre, steampunk, and quirky characters. It’s very good. Her other book is even cooler: Rook is a Scarlet Pimpernel retelling set in FUTURE FRANCE THAT FEELS HISTORICAL because technology has been decimated by a natural event. It’s the coolest mix of elements and awesome characters. Ooh also For Darkness Shows the Stars is a futuristic retelling of Persuasion, also with a slight historical feel. And I’m just finishing My Lady Jane which comes out in June and YOU MUST READ IT. It is extremely hilarious, tongue-in-cheek, and fun, and a retelling of Lady Jane Grey in the Tudor court. Very Princess Bride-esque. My own post was quite long this week haha 😀 Never too much history! I honestly can’t help but leave you the most ridiculously long comments. I love your posts.
I haven’t read the Parasol Protectorate series yet. I SHALL LOOK IT UP DIRECTLY. And omg I love history so much…but nope to living it. 😂 I like history…from a distance?! ahhahaha ahem. Although I would like to see really awesome museum one day!! That would just be AH-MAZING.
OMGGGGG I NEVER THOUGH ABOUT THAT. An ice dragon under the wall?!?! Yes please and thankyou. PLEASE LET GRRM KNOW THIS IMMEDIATELY. *ahem* Or…fanfiction?!? 😂 (Omg but I need to look up this Black Dinner now!? I really like the historical twist to it too…it makes the series even more clever, I think, that he’s incoproating so many fantasy layers with actual history.)
And I shall always support one picturing Mycroft.<3 Ahem. but yes exactly like that!! I think we need more teenage-historical-figures and not just ones like Sherlock, but like inventors and artists too. IT WOULD BE AMAZING.
Omg, I need to lOMG I REALLY WANT TO READ MY LADY JANE!! IT'S ON MY WISH LIST. AND DID YOU JUST MENTION THE PRINCESS BRIDE? BECAUSE I'M SOLD.
(And I honestly love your comments. <333 And all these rec's. EEEEP!!)
OMG! Yes! ALL OF THESE NEED TO EXIST! We especially need more books set in the Victorian era with magic! The only one I can think of would be the Gemma Doyle trilogy and it was great! I’d also like to see more of the Regency era with magic ala Patricia Wrede’s books: A Matter of Magic and Sorcery & Cecelia! Oh! And Garth Nix’s Newt’s Emerald! Okay… I just want all of the magical alternate history retellings!
Ooh, I’ve been recommended that Gemma Doyle trilogy twice now SO CLEARLY I NEEDS LOOK IT UP. *nods sagely* Basically magic EVERYWHERE would be great. Yes please and thank you, authors of the universe.😂
The French Revolution in space sounds amazing! Someone needs to write that!
~Sara
I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE.
I did know that fact about mongols. THE POOR HORSES THEY DIDN”T deserve it. but their milk and blood helped the mongols conquer without slow supply trains so they were very necessary. These all sound wonderful. Especially modern day michaleangelo/da Vinci, the Egyptian one (why aren’t there more Egyptian retellings? We need this SO MUCH.) And the North Pole thing sounds fabulous! WORLD, write these NOW. Did you read the Roman mysteries series as a kid? (Caroline Lawrence, I think) I have fond memories of those. We need these books a lot *nods*
YES. POOR HORSES. But then, history does far worse, so I guess I shouldn’t whine too much. Ahem. But you are seriously the only person who knew that fact out of everybody. *HISTORY NERD HI FIVE*
And omggg YES I loved the Roman Mysteries! They were hysterically hilarious. Their poor poor teacher…😂😂
I feel like you need to do a couple things: 1. Copyright these ideas immediately because they are freaking phenomenal. 2. Write these books at your earliest convenience, or tomorrow, whichever comes first.
Dude seriously, I NEED like, all of these. Dystopian Genghis, soooo much yes. And the gold rush people eaters? YEP. Egyptian queens are necessary. and the North Pole! YESSS.. Seriously, these need to be a thing. You need to work YOUR magic, my dear, because I must read them and I don’t think I possess the creativity to write anything close to this level of fabulous 😀
I’VE GOT MY DRAGONS ON WRITING FIRST DRAFTS AS WE SPEAK. *feeds dragons cake to keep them working* Why do I have so many ideas, though, Shannon? WHY. WHY AM I TORTURED SO. I made all these up basically in half an hour. *strangled noises*
And the dystopian Genghis is getting the most reaction. 😂 WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE I LOVE IT A LOT. Egypt for everything. <3
You’re right, there aren’t enough of them! One retelling is ‘Prince of Shadows’ by Rachel Caine. Technically more of a Shakespeare retelling, but it’s pretty good. 🙂
Omg I loved Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine SO I SHOULD TRY THAT!! (And tbh, Ink and Bone was a historical retelling now that I think of it.😂)
Pirates? Pirates you say? Well I’m sure you’re aware of The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig but there’s also Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman coming up later this month.
It’s going to be AWESOME!!!
YES I JUST READ THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE AND I FREAKING LOVED IT. <3 I'm 99% sure that's because of pirateness. I mean, it wasn't fully piratey? But it was a little. heeh. And I've heard Blackhearts is lacking in swashbuckling, so I'm unsure whether to try it... but cover love, omg.
Historical retelling!? Yes, please!
I didn’t know how much I needed GENGHIS KHAN AND HIS MONGOL HERD AS A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SOCIETY until I saw it, haha. I’ve been thinking of picking up Wolf by Wolf, too! Definitely heard some great things about it.
And I never understood why Victorian era magical society isn’t a think already! Though I fee like Patricia C. Wrede actually has a few books that might fit the criteria!
Great discussion, Cait!
YES YOU NEED IT. I NEED IT. WE ALL NEED IT. Either I shall write it or we can conspire to kidnap an author and have them write all the things for us. *nods* I’m sure that will work…
CAIT. CAN YOU PLEASE WRITE ALL OF THESE. PLEASE.
I’m especially a fan of #5. ” I’M SICK OF KILLING THE SLEDGE DOGS FOR THE FEELS FACTOR. No more. Kill the humans. All of my sledge dogs would live.” Haha!! That plus ice dragons and I’D BE SOLD.
Also, #1, #2, #3, #4, and… well all of them, but especially those!!! *sighs with happy feels*
I WILL. I PROMISE. I’LL GET MY DRAGONS ONTO TYPING UP ROUGH DRAFTS. *nods* But seriously I have so many ideas and my brain is exploding. HALP.
Haha, I can relate. WELL, if it helps, just start with the books that YOU want to write MOST. 😉 It helps narrow things down. Also… there’s always the possibility of merging ideas… I do that all the time! xD
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LOVE ALL MY IDEAS EQUALLY?!?!? I know it’s illogical and I’m not supposed to…but I doooooo. I could literally pick any of them and get excited and write and have a good time.😂
You had me at ‘french revolution in space’. I’m so there for that retelling. In fact, any major historical happening, but sci-fied. WOO!
SCI FI ALL THE THINGS. We need to kidnap some authors and make them write these things…
I absolutely LOVE all these ideas, especially the ones with faeries, historical artists as modern teenagers, and dragons in the North Pole! the sound so good! I would love to read them!
EEEEP. I AM SO GLAD, THANK YOU, DINA!! *flails*
I love, love, LOVE historical retellings but gosh darnit it is a rare and fine day when I come across one! I love all of your ideas there Cait, especially the one about the magical nuns on The Great Wall of China (it sounds particularly outlandish). I wish imagination was more of a Thing!
Aww, thank you.😂 I wish these existed, I TRULY DO. And I’ll probably write some of them eventually (definitely #1 anyway, hehe).
Going through your list thinking “Yes, yes, yes, somebody WRITE THESE NOW PLEASE!!!”
And I can partially fill your wish for Victorian Era with magic: one of my all-time favourites Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. It is a beast of a book (but you’ve read George R. R. Martin’s books so you should be fine with that, right? Riiiiight… ), and it’s set in England during the Napoleonic wars (so not Victorian era, but still). There is magic and tomfoolery and faeries and it is wonderful. 😀
I also really, really want to read Wolf by Wolf. Darned school cutting into my reading time!
AHHH I WANT TO READ THAT BOOK!! I’ve heard it’s very slow though? So I do want to read it, but I’m trying to locate an audio book hehe (That’s how I survived Game of Thrones). Ahem. BUT SQUEAK it sounds really awesome.
SCHOOL IS A CRUEL THING TO BOOKWORM HABITS.
In truth I’m not a big fan of historical fiction and historical retellings, so non recs from me. Though I feel like a fish out of water here, I definitely enjoyed reading your list, Cait (especially the life of Van Gogh as a modern teenager) lol.
Aw, thanks, Ksenia!! Even if you don’t like HF so much. hehe It’s not for everybody, right?!?
OHMYGLOB. An ‘Inspired Post.’ I love Inspired Posts. Because we all totally need ten more ideas on top of the seventy-six thousand we have already.have.
I like the Gold Rush one because magic and trains and underground settings and it’s nearness in time to the beginning of the Civil War, which provides ALL SORTS of lovely and/or horrible plot possibilities. Also, the setting’s like in my backyard (well, a state over, but looking at it relatively,) so if SOMEBODY were to write this *cough* writersthat’syourcue *cough* I would be SO STOKED there would not even be any words to describe it.
Also, I’m still trying to figure out Pastry Pirates, because that should be a thing, but I don’t know how… maybe Poisonous Pastry Pirates who rid themselves of their enemies with flaky, golden-brown delicacies? Or just pirates who spend all their raided gold somewhere in a cafe on the French coast? I dunno, but I think both could possibly involve the kidnapping of innocent pastry chefs and that sounds fun.
Basically I want to READ THEM ALL FOREVER, BUT IN THIS TRAGIC TWIST OF FATE THEY DON’T EXIST?? What have you done, Cait?
I think pastry pirates needs to be a thing immediately, if only to utilise the delicious alliteration. AHEM. BUT OMG I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED MY IDEAS. And of cooooourse writers need more plot bunnies. It’s not like some of us are drowning under a zillion already. *coughs awkwardly*
I’D SAY SORRY BUT I’M NOT BECAUSE IF I HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THEM NOT EXISTING, YOU SHOULD TOO.
Okay, I absolutely LOVE all of your ideas. someone needs to write all of these right now. I suggest YOU do it, because you would do it LIKE A GENIUS. 😀
1. the french revolution THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. EVERYTHING FRENCH. YES. DO IT. Now I want to write this, dammit. CAIT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
2. I ACTUALLY HAVE A CHINESE MYTHOLOGY HISTORICAL THAT TAKES PLACE DURING THE BUILDING OF THE GREAT WALL AND HAS DRAGONS AND GODS AND YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS A;LSDKFJ;SALKDJF;LKASJDF;KLASJDF
3. Can we please just have this Van Gogh NOW RIGHT NOW PLEASE NOW
4. Also can we have Leonardo and Michelangelo genderbent in historical times with a splash of magical realism? Kthxbai.
5. I LOVE #8 A LOT OKAY. IT COULD BE CREEPY AND SCARY AND AWESOME AND YES.
I basically love all of these but those I had to comment on specifically. Because yes. :O
I HAVE SORT OF DONE THE FRENCH REVOLUTION ONE. 😂 But I wrote the sequel first…like IDEK DUDE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FIRST BOOK!??! But turns out it was the sequel and writing the first book seemed exhausting so I went onto other projects. hehe. But ooone day I shall return there. 😛
OMG YOUR CHINESE MYTHOLOGY ONE SOUNDS IMMEDIATELY GLORIOUS.
Why thank you. :’) SOMENE FIND ME A TIME TURNER THO SO I CAN WRITE THEM ALL.
AAAAAH THAT IS SO EXCITING AND I WANT IT SO MAKE IT HAPPEN, CAIT. MAKE. IT. HAPPEN.
DUDE. I went to China last summer and it was GLORIOUS AND CRAZY AND WEIRD AND OMG THE STORIES WE HEARD FROM OUR GUIDES WERE JUST A;SDLKFJA;LSKDJF and one day i will have to sit down and rant at you about this idea because maybe it will help me organize it in my mind???? haha
I WANT A TIME TURNER TOOOOO. As of now i have like…30 individual ideas and i just….a;sldkfja;lskdjf;laksjdf WHEN WILL I EVER WRITE THEM ALL?!
OMGGG YOU MUST RANT TO ME YES YES?? I WOULD LOVE THAT. BECAUSE I ADMIRE YOUR WRITING DEDICATION LIKE SO SO MUCH. <3 I shall be here waiting
impatientlypatiently.(Also I went to China for a month a few years back. IT WAS AMAZING AND I LOVED CHINA. Except it was too busy/noisy for me and I nearly died several times just of overload but it was still goooooood.)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH CAN I PLEASE?!?! I will take you up on this I swear. When I start getting more ideas I will shout at you to the high heavens and rant and probably cry (INFJ here, hard not to cry) and you can just say yes/no/that’s stupid/you’re a genius and whatever else suits your fancy. Yes? YES? OH PLEASE SAY YES.
Omg wasn’t it crazy? Totally different world for both of us. So many things were shocking/kind of scary, but it was incredible. I can’t wait to go back someday. (After I tackle Eastern Europe next. I have too many stories set in Eastern Europe to not make this happen soon.)
UMMMM HECK YES PLEASE AND THANKYOU. I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO CHAT BOOKS WITH YOU. <3 Here or twitter DMs or email or facebook or WHATEVER. BECAUSE YOU'RE PROBABLY A WRITER GENIUS AND I NEED TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU BEFORE YOU'RE FAMOUS. #priorities
(Omg Eastern Europe would be amazing. I have a thing about Russia too. I would really like to go to Russia…)
OMG THAT’S IT. I’M MESSAGING YOU RIGHT THIS SECOND.
OMG Cait that Great Wall of China Mulan Retelling and the Egyptian fantasy world (you must read Reawakened and the Kane Chronicles btw, I think you would like them) and the genius teenagers, all of these sound fantastic! I want to read them all ASAP. Please write them!
MORE World War 2! Wolf by Wolf is a “what if Hitler won” story YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ IT.
But I want more YA based in that time period. All YA is either before or after that – like, dudes, it happened, can we please talk about it? Or actual post-apocalyptic/post-nuclear war. Is that historical fiction? I don’t know, but I’ll take one order of YA Fallout, please! No more of this “society rules us and tells us what to wear, now let’s pair up with the most handsome boy and fight the power!” stuff. I want “oh shit, the world was destroyed, now there is radiation and we need to survive in this open world with mutants, and bandits, and huge sewer rats – but look! there is also an attractive male that I can look at during this horrible time”
Maybe that’s just me, though.
I WILL READ WOLF BY WOLF. It is sitting on my TBR waiting for me to devour it. ;D
I totally want that sort of apocalyptic tales too *nods* I guess that’s sci-fi technically? Because it’s futuristic? And I looove that kind of thing. Like I just watched Mad Max: Fury Road, which totally isn’t a book, I know😂 But it still had that whole vibe with destruction of the world and sickness from radiation AND IT’S SO INTERESTING AND AWESOME.
I LOVED THIS TOPIC! I had my list all written out, but this top 10 tuesday fell on the week that I felt burned out from blogging :/ so it didn’t get posted. Some things I wanted was- a book about the triangle fire, A BOOK TOLD DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISNEY WORLD, one about Blackbeard’s siege on Charleston, definitely more westerns, BOOKS ABOUT ARCHAEOLOGISTS! I WANT MORE “MUMMY” TYPE STORIES BUT ABOUT THE AZTECS OR ANCIENT RUSSIA OR SOMETHING IDK JUST MORE HISTORICALLY OBSESSED PROTAGONISTS WITH ADVENTURE AND MYTHOLOGY AND LOVE STORIES. Whew!
Btw I LOVED THE HORATIO HORNBLOWER SERIES!!! It’s been like, 10 years since I watched them but some days I still remember Archie… and sob :'( Also, you said “sledge” dogs and that’s the cutest thing I think I’ve ever heard xD OH OH AND THERE IS A THEORY THAT VINCENT VAN GOGH WAS JACK THE RIPPER! YOU’RE WELCOME —> http://www.buzzfeed.com/dalelarner/5-reasons-why-vincent-van-gogh-was-jack-the-ripper-ascd
BUT YES OMG YES I NEED. MORE. PIRATES! I want one of Bonny and Calico Jack’s adventures. DID YOU KNOW THEY HAD A KID, DROPPED HIM OFF IN CUBA, AND CARRIED ON LOOTING SHIPS AND TERRORIZING THE HIGH SEAS?? I want /mermaids/ and pirates. I want A MERMAID PIRATE?? She keeps her mermaid side a secret or something??? I WANT ASIAN PIRATES! and omg omg what if pirates went up against a dragon for its hoard of gold O_O PIRATES AND MAGIC /THAT ISN’T A PETER PAN RETELLING/.
I love a good historical fiction and all… But THIS sounds FABULOUS. 😀
I WANT TO READ ALL THE BOOKS!! *grabs greedily* The only one on the ‘existing list’ that I have devoured is the Percy Jackson series. I love how Riordan put a more modern spin on the old tales… Twas quite refreshing! I’ve been considering starting the Game of Thrones series too. Should I try?
(Also, I know I am insanely behind on commenting! It’s been forever since I dropped you a line on your blog… So if you see my name popping up over & over, that is just me trying to catch up again! lol!)
AHHH THANK YOU. *happy dance*
It honestly depends about Game of Thrones.😂 It’s very graphic in the violence/sexual sense and the description is pretty dense…buuuut, if you’re okay with those then I DO RECOMMEND. I really love it. <3 Although most of the sex scenes were a bit too much...ahem.
(Awww, no worries!! <3 I love and appreciate all comments WHENEVER. I shall pop over to your blog directly too!!)
You are most welcome! 😀
*groans* That’s kind of a shame. It frustrates me when authors decide to add that “stuff” into their books. I don’t like having to skip huge chunks of chapters, but I flat-out don’t want to read those *ahem* scenes. It maketh me quite sad… 🙁 Thank you for warning me, though! Many people wouldn’t have bothered with saying so!
And thank you for stopping by my blog! You are so sweet about catching up with everyone! <3
I figured you might not like loads of sex scenes so that’s definitely why I mentioned it. 😉 It’s hard to skip too, because usually they talk over important plot points at the same time.😂
You’re genius. I genuinely dislike historical fiction with a passion, but I LITERALLY WANT TO READ ALL OF THESE STORIES. Obviously, my problem isn’t with historical fiction, it’s that people aren’t writing the right stuff.
(Please, if you ever write any of these, hit me up because they’re all so good).
AHHH THANK YOU MORGAN, YOU KIND BEAN. :’) I honestly have waaay too many ideas in my head, hehe, but I do want to write a lot of these!! EVENTUALLY.
ALL. OF. THESE. RIGHT. NOW. THIS. SECOND! (Also, since the sequel to Vicious is canon now, your #7 basically NEEDS to be that sequel! Or at least a spinoff. One way or another, that’s a Victoria Schwab brand of genius and rivalry just waiting to happen, in all its GLORIOUSNESS!)
You know that completely bonkers (AND COMPLETELY GLORIOUS) video on YouTube called The History of Japan? I want to see that whole video – its entire two millennia – in book-form. <3 "Hire a saaaaaaaaaamuraaaaaaaaaaaai."
(Also, I wrote my thesis on Van Gogh and it's faaaaaaaaar likelier that he cut his own ear off than that he lost it in a swordfight. Like, 99%. Which is perfect, because it fits into your modern-retelling-with-956295-mental-illnesses plot wonderfully. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!)
AHHHH THANK YOU LEXIE. I’M GLAD YOU LIKE MY LIST. *happy dance* I’m totally going to do #7….and, like, all of the others. Ahem. I’ve got 3 of them plotted out so far. xD I need to work on a pirate one though because HELLO?!?! THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PIRATE BOOKS.
Omg and REALLY?! Good. Because when I was researching the internet about his ear…I was really disappointed with the potentially-not-self-mutilation. So you renew my faith in Van Gogh’s psychotic tendencies. THANK YOU. Ahem.
I fully support these ideas, especially the Gold Rush and Ice Dragon one’s because HELL YES! 😀
SOMEBODY, PLEASE WRITE THESE. THEY WILL SELL – I’M 10000% SURE
I VOLUNTEER AS WRITER. Like, after the 934839 books I already have to write are done. (Whyyy brain, whyyyy torment me.)
I so want Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo with a bit of gender bending (I think Leonardo would have done much better as a girl)!! Like ohmygosh!! I would totally read it!!!
-Dani
YESSSS. WOULDN’T IT BE BEYOND FUN!??! I must needs work on that one day.😂
If I haven’t read a book based on every idea in your list by the end of my existence I’m going to be terribly upset. I may just have to come back from the dead JUST so I can finish this list, because oh my gOd they’re all brilliant.
I’ve always wanted a historical retelling form the time of the Black Plague, like, I am dangerously obsessed over this idea. Is that just me? Probably. But like, IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL. It could be all dark and creepy and maybe the source of the plague is actually dark magic? I just really need it in my life please and thank you.
Also, I’ve seen quite a few books centred around the Great Wall of China that seem to entail dragons?? They pretty much look like the books I see in dreams (but I’ve never bought any of them??). ALTHOUGH, I have read The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly, and it’s like, some people discovered that dragons exist and kept it a secret from everyone and the Chinese government hid them within the Wall and planned on turning it into the newest Disneyland but with dragons? *Inhales because that was a large piece of Englishing* I found that it wasn’t that enthralling, but the concept was really great (obviously, because dragons). And, sadly, it’s set in modern times. But it’s there to check out if you wanted 😉
… I’d like to formally apologise for such an unnecessarily large message, although, I knew it would happen so I guess I’m not actually sorry 😂
THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU, THAT IS ALL
OMGGGG I’M SO PLEASED YOU LIKE THEM. *beams happily* And tbh, I plan to write at least 1 or 928943 of them multiple times so I SHALL HELP WITH THE VOID. *nods sagely* But duuuude, I think the Black Plague would make a GREAT retelling. There are so many options! I have no idea what historical retellings aren’t used more?!? Like fairy tale sare awesome, but history is so terrifying. We need more of it in books. 😂 AHEM.
OKAY THAT IS REALLY AWESOME TO KEEP DRAGONS IN THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. They could bust free at the appropriate time. I shall look it up!! 😀 Thank you!
(But seriously never apologise! <3 This is SUCH an awesome comment!!)
omg the first time I try to comment on your blog and it posts prematurely I’m so ashamed 😂
WRITE ALL OF THESE CAIT. I especially want the Van Gogh and the Michaelangelo x Da Vinci retellings (what have you done to me I now ship them. HARD).
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[…] few days ago, Cait Grace of Paper Fury did a post on historical retellings she’d like to see, and it got me thinking. After fantasy and sci-fi, historical fiction is […]
[…] in ancient Persia and, excuse me while I flail, because it’s an historical retelling and we all know how much I love those. I also love that particular compass. […]