What are the characteristics of historical fiction witch books?

The characters in these books usually include strong - willed women who are wrongly accused of witchcraft. They are often at odds with the patriarchal society of the time. These books also tend to explore the power dynamics between the accusers, who were often men in positions of authority, and the accused women. They may include details about the so - called 'proofs' of witchcraft like the presence of a mole or a cat, which were absurd but taken seriously in that historical context.

Many Salem witch trial books in historical fiction often focus on the hysteria. They show how quickly false rumors can spread and destroy a community. For example, in 'The Crucible', the whole town gets caught up in the witch - hunt frenzy.

Often, they feature witches with dark or mysterious powers. For example, they might be able to control shadows or perform spells related to death and decay.

Often, they have strong female characters. For example, in 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond', Kit Tyler is a strong - willed character who has to face the false accusations of witchcraft bravely.

Good witch fiction books often have well - developed magic systems. For example, in 'A Discovery of Witches', the magic related to alchemy and spells is detailed. They also usually have interesting characters. In 'Practical Magic', the Owens sisters are complex and relatable. Another characteristic is a unique setting, like the boarding school in 'Hex Hall' which adds to the overall charm of the story.

Many of them would likely blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. So, you could have a story set during a real war, like the Napoleonic Wars, but the main characters could be fictional people whose lives are intertwined with the events of the war. This creates a more immersive experience for the reader as they get to see the big historical events from a more personal perspective.

They usually do a lot of research. Authors of historical fiction need to know about the time period they are writing about, like the social customs, the political situation, and the daily life. Take 'War and Peace' for instance. Tolstoy had to be well - versed in Napoleonic - era Russia to create such a detailed and accurate portrayal of that time. And they can also give different perspectives on historical events, allowing readers to see things from new angles.

Many of the 2020 historical fiction books had a strong focus on underrepresented voices. For example, books explored the experiences of minorities and women in different historical periods more in - depth. They often combined meticulous historical research with engaging storytelling, like in 'The Vanishing Half' which was based on real - life historical settings of racial segregation and the search for identity.

Historical books fiction often blends real historical events with fictional characters and storylines. For example, in 'The Other Boleyn Girl', it uses the well - known historical event of Henry VIII's relationship with the Boleyn sisters, but creates fictional dialogue and personal relationships among the characters. This allows readers to experience history in a more engaging way than just reading a dry historical account.

These 17 historical fiction books usually blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. They can make the past come alive. For instance, they might describe the daily life of people in a certain era, from their clothing to their social customs. They also often explore themes like power, love, and survival in the context of historical settings. Some may have a strong sense of place, making you feel like you're really in that historical location.