Top Hat Books strives to publish historical fiction that is slightly different to the mainstream norm. If you’re looking for a Tudor romance with a headless woman on the cover, you won’t find it on our shelves.
You will find stirring tales of the political machinations of the woman behind Sparta, re-imaginings of how Britain might have been if the Romans had not colonised it, sneak peeks at the underbelly of Baroque society, and lively adventures that start with MacBeth but go much, much further …
All these intriguing novels are published this month.
Legacy of A Warrior-Queen by Maria Herring.
This is history as it might have happened. Instead of sweeping across the British Isles, and bringing Christianity, the Romans failed. They faltered and they collapsed much earlier than we currently know it. Instead of the Iceni warrior-queen, Boudica, seeing her rebellion crushed, she prevails. And her legacy is brutal and shocking.
Britain, in this wild adventure, is re-written as a collection of tribes led by women but directed by Druids. But that is just the backdrop to an intense and troubling tale of one boy. Arawn is damaged, and in turn he wreaks his own vengeance - upon women, and ultimately upon the fracturing society as the sexes battle for order, power and supremacy.
There are issues raised in this book that resonate for us today. By setting it in as an alternate history, the complex nature of gender politics is explored from a new angle. It doesn’t offer any easy answers. The author takes risks and they pay off; it’s a challenging book but also, on another level, an exciting adventure story.
Recommended for anyone who likes adventures, especially with strong female characters; anyone who enjoys tales of Celtic Britain; and those interested in gender politics, history and religion.
The Queen of Sparta by T. S. Chaudhry.
The sub-title is “A novel of ancient Greece.” This is, however, so much more than the typical swords-and-sandals fare as popularised by films such as 300.
The prime mover in this novel is Gorgo, the Queen of Sparta. She might not be on the battle-lines but the distance gives her space to reflect, to plot and to scheme. Politics isn’t just the grand set-pieces of glory and war (though there is plenty of this in the book) but it relies on a network of messengers, meetings, dealings and double-dealings.
Gorgo is mistress of them all.
Make no mistake: this is not alternate history. This is a carefully researched piece of history, as accurate as the scholarly author can make it. T. S. Chaudhry is a former Pakistani diplomat who is now working for the UN on the peace process in Somalia. He has an obvious knowledge and understanding of how the everyday emotions and desires of real people involved in global politics affect the lives of millions. His writing style brings huge issues from the past alive for us, today. It’s a startling, remarkable and lyrical book, and highly recommended for all fans of Ancient History whether they prefer battles and fights, or political intrigue - this has it all.
Heir To A Prophecy by Mercedes Rochelle.
This is not history and it is not fantasy and it isn’t really alternate history … yet it is all of those things, and most importantly, it’s a great read.
In MacBeth, Banquo is murdered. But the Weird Sisters told him that he would start a line of kings - and his son, Fleance, escapes. So what next?
That’s the question which is answered in this action-adventure book. Fleance has fled, and through an ill-fated love affair his son, Walter, is born illegitimate in Wales. Yet from these humble and inauspicious beginnings, Walter carves out his place in society.
Watched, always, by the shadowy eyes of the Fates who direct his future…
Recommended for Shakespeare fans, historical adventure fans, and readers of “dark ages” fiction.
This book is about Handel - but don’t be misled. It’s not a biography. It’s told through the eyes of the young man, Harry Walsh, as he explores his sexuality, his place in society and his potential career under the wing of the great man.
The sub-title is “Love, music and malice at a time of Handel” and that does accurately describe the true scope of the novel. It’s far less a factual biography and far more a light-hearted romp through the operatic scandals of eighteenth century London. Harry is an adolescent with the same urges, confusions and dramatic mistakes that anyone can relate to, but set against a glorious backdrop of music and melodrama, gossip, spite and moments of tenderness.
This book is recommended for any fans of eighteenth century historical novels primarily. Fans of opera will also enjoy it, and those interested in Handel.
Legacy of a Warrior-Queen by Maria Herring
The Queen of Sparta by T. S. Chaudhry
Heir To A Prophecy by Mercedes Rochelle
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