Well, in royal historical fiction, the focus is on the royalty, obviously. So, it shows their daily lives, their ceremonies, and their decision - making processes. It also often has a large cast of characters, from the highest nobles to the lowest servants in the court. This helps to create a more complete picture of the historical period. And the plots usually revolve around political intrigue, family feuds, and the struggle for the throne. Like in many stories about the Wars of the Roses, where different branches of the royal family fight for the crown.
The most popular ones? 'The White Queen' by Philippa Gregory is up there. It's part of her Cousins' War series and has a huge following. People love the way she weaves the story of Elizabeth Woodville. Also, 'I, Claudius' is still popular today, decades after it was first published. It gives such an interesting view into the Roman royals. And 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' also has a lot of fans as it continues the story of the power struggles in the Wars of the Roses.
The 'best' gay historical royal fiction is one that can transport the reader to the time period effectively. It should be able to make you feel like you're in the court of a 17th - century French king. The plot needs to be engaging. A story about a secret gay relationship among the royals that has political implications and love - related drama is far more interesting. Also, the way it challenges or conforms to the historical views on homosexuality of that era is important. If it can show how a gay royal overcame the prejudices of his time, it can be very powerful.
Power is a common theme. In these stories, young royals often have to navigate the power struggles within the court, like in 'The Selection' series. Another theme is love, which can be complicated by their royal status.
Well, 'Cinder' by Marissa Meyer can be considered in this category. It's a retelling of Cinderella but in a sci - fi royal historical YA fiction setting. Cinder is a cyborg living in a world that has elements of royalty and a lot of political drama. Then there's 'Rebel of the Sands' which has a desert - based royal inspired world with a strong - willed female protagonist who gets involved in the power struggles of the land. It gives a fresh take on royal historical YA fiction with its unique setting and characters.
One great example is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'. It's not strictly about royalty but has themes of self - discovery in a historical context that can be related to the exploration of gay identity. Another could be 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster which is set in a period - piece England and deals with a gay relationship within the upper - class society which has elements of royalty - adjacent settings. And 'The Song of Achilles' which is based on Greek mythology and has a relationship between two men, and in the context of Greek mythology, there were figures with royal - like status.
Well, one characteristic is the strong presence of Christian values. Characters often rely on their faith for guidance in matters of love and court politics. For example, they might pray for wisdom in choosing a partner or in handling the intrigues of the royal court.
One great royal historical fiction book is 'The Other Boleyn Girl' by Philippa Gregory. It tells the story of Mary Boleyn and her sister Anne's relationship with King Henry VIII. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which focuses on Thomas Cromwell's rise in the court of Henry VIII. Also, 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' by Philippa Gregory is good, as it shows the power struggles during the Wars of the Roses.
Sure. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is an excellent one. It offers a vivid portrayal of the court of Henry VIII through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell. Another great choice is 'The Other Boleyn Girl' which focuses on the life of Mary Boleyn in relation to the Tudor court.
I really like 'A Royal Marriage'. This book tells a story of a royal couple in a historical setting. The Christian elements are well - integrated, such as the characters' reliance on their faith during difficult times in their relationship and within the royal court. It's a very engaging read for those who love this genre.