It’s time for an authors-helping-authors plug! Since so many of us are seeking to “Ride the Revo Wave” and expand our readership/sales due to the renewed popular interest in the time period for the 250th commemorations, I’ve made up a list of 20 Historical Fiction novels set during the American Revolution which I have read over the past few years, all written by authors I am either friends with or have at least interacted with online in some capacity. This is far from an exhaustive list, and I intend to create a second list in the future with another 20, given all the new authors I have been meeting and books I have been going through. But at least it’s a start.

As most of you know already, I am the author of an ongoing American Revolution trilogy, “All Ye That Pass By,” the first two books of which (“Gone for a Soldier” and “Kingdom of Wolves”) are available on Amazon in print and digital formats (including full print versions and “split” print versions for those who preferred a smaller size). My story follows a young man from a Catholic recusant family in the north of England, who abandons his faith to become a British officer in General Burgoyne’s Saratoga Campaign. His allegiances are increasingly tested by the conflict surrounding him and one warring within his own conscience.

It’s time for an authors-helping-authors plug! Since so many of us are seeking to “Ride the Revo Wave” and expand our readership/sales due to the renewed popular interest in the time period for the 250th commemorations, I’ve made up a list of 20 Historical Fiction novels set during the American Revolution which I have read over the past few years, all written by authors I am either friends with or have at least interacted with online in some capacity. This is far from an exhaustive list, and I intend to create a second list in the future with another 20, given all the new authors I have been meeting and books I have been going through. But at least it’s a start.

As most of you know already, I am the author of an ongoing American Revolution trilogy, “All Ye That Pass By,” the first two books of which (“Gone for a Soldier” and “Kingdom of Wolves”) are available on Amazon in print and digital formats (including full print versions and “split” print versions for those who preferred a smaller size). My story follows a young man from a Catholic recusant family in the north of England, who abandons his faith to become a British officer in General Burgoyne’s Saratoga Campaign. His allegiances are increasingly tested by the conflict surrounding him and one warring within his own conscience.

All the books listed below are available for purchase on Amazon as well.

“The Lacemaker” by Laura Frantz

A sheltered young lady from a respectable Loyalist background in Williamsburg has her life turned upside down, her possessions confiscated, and her marriage prospects jettisoned on the onset of revolutionary unrest. A Patriot landowner of Welsh extraction unexpectedly comes to her aid, and they form an abiding bond. I really appreciate just how vividly Frantz brought each scene to life, capturing the kaleidoscope of colonial Williamsburg, and all the little cultural, societal, and linguistic details laced throughout show the depth of the author’s dedication to each aspect, especially involving the heritage of Wales.

“Cadence to Glory” by Mary Beth Dearmon

Another young woman from a Loyalist background, based in historic Williamsburg, finds herself torn between her family, preparing to return to Britain, and her love for a committed Patriot as the Revolution begins. This novel is part of the “House of Parr Series.” I greatly appreciated just how dedicated Dearmon was to capturing linguistic authenticity from the period. It is evident she took a great deal of inspiration from classic literature, which I do myself, and that creates a sense of mentally time-traveling for the reader which tends not to be commonly produced, due to perhaps an over-eagerness for modern accessibility. The author’s love for the world of colonial Williamsburg and its material culture is also highly apparent.

“A Fallen Sparrow” by Lynne Tagawa

We follow three protagonists: a Loyalist-leaning girl slowly drawn towards the Patriot cause after wrestling with Biblical scruple; a Patriot soldier from Scots-Irish family who wins her arm; and a British officer working under-cover who becomes disillusioned with his mission. This book has two prequels, dealing with the French & Indian War and The Great Awakening. I appreciated how many details from the period Tagawa included to make the world feel lived in, and many historical characters made debuts. Some of them are kind of in the service of the narrative in a way I think alters and distinguishes them in this universe from their historical inspirations (especially Lord Rawdon, who is here the villain), but my favorite inclusions were the Earl of Dartmouth and Lady Hastings, both criminally overlooked characters I am so glad the author sheds light on.

“Daughter of Liberty” by J.M. Hochstetler

A girl from a Loyalist family secretly works for the Sons of Liberty, but finds her position compromised when she finds herself being watched by, and attracted to, a handsome young British officer quartered in their home. It turns out, he has an extremely complicated past and motivations himself. This is the first book in “The American Patriots Series,” by which Hochstetler manages to cover major bears of the American Revolution. This installment I appreciated for its traditional romantic adventure feel, and the author herself has cited “The Scarlet Pimpernel” as inspiration. Like Tagawa, Hotstetler also impresses by the sheer amount of historical characters she included, and likewise it should be noted that some of them (such as General Burgoyne, a fave of mine) serve in the narrative in a way which distinguishes them from their historical inspirations.

“The Line of Splendor” by Salina Baker

A biographical novel following the personal life and military career of General Nathaniel Greene, from the time when he begins to espouse the revolutionary cause to his death. I am not an expert on or particular fan of Greene (I’m a loyal Andre girl, and, well, Greene was very involved in toasting him lol), but Baker clearly brings such a love for the character to the fore with her extensive research, it’s impossible not to feel a real sense of empathy for Greene and his family by the time the book concludes. She also makes clear that his often overlooked skills and stamina were absolutely vital to the survival and success of the revolutionary cause.

“But One Life” by Samantha Wilcoxson

A biographical novel about the brief life and execution of Patriot hero Nathan Hale, covering his time as a teacher, his embrace of the revolutionary cause, and his ill-fated spying misadventure. Wilcoxson’s detailed research on her character of focus is admirable, and the emotional impact of her writing really shone in particular towards the last act of the tragedy, as this young man we have been following seems to be reaching his end before his story has truly begun, yet manages to do so with inspiring courage and faith. I admit I was less fond of the rather revenge-laden epilogue with Andre, but, again…I am very loyal to him, and shall ever be lol.

“The North Spy” by S.W. O’Connell

A Patriot spy goes under-cover as a Loyalist officer to infiltrate the British train under General John Burgoyne, and gets to know various characters along the water, including General Simon Fraser and his cousin Alexander. This book is part of a wider series, “Yankee Doodle Spies,” in which O’Connell explores the importance of espionage during the revolutionary period. This particular installment I appreciated for it shining a light on Saratoga history, which tends to be rather underrated, and how the author showed his spy lamenting Fraser’s fall, because even though they were on opposite sides, a certain level of respect through their interactions had been forged.

“Perpetual Rainbows” by Jessika Caruso

A young woman who secretly practices Catholicism in colonial New Jersey struggles with the ups and downs of working as a midwife. When Continental officers, including Benjamin Tallmadge, end up staying in her family’s home, she ends up in a love triangle that kind of becomes a square when she ends up volunteering as a spy and having a liaison with a British officer while she is under an assumed name. This book is projected to have a sequel, so I am curious to see where the plot goes from here. I appreciated that Caruso, a fellow Catholic, wove aspects of her faith into the narrative via a complicated protagonist, and demonstrated the difficulty of practicing under anti-Catholic laws across various colonies. I also appreciate the amount of research she clearly did on the critical job of 18th century midwifery.

“For Our Cause Was Just” by Larry Chiger

An alternate history novel in which the American Revolution has a very different outcome due to a series of almost accidental “wins” for the British, including Washington being shot in battle, causing Arnold to defect earlier in the timeline. My favorite of this book was the emphasis Chiger placed on two of my favorite historical characters, Major Patrick Ferguson and Major John Andre, both of whom, in this universe, survive to the war’s conclusion and get personal happy endings. I particularly thought the author did a good job, for the most part, replicating their reasoning and voices, and feeling in sync with actual correspondence preserved from them. Arnold’s fate was an interesting twist as well.

“To Outwit Them All” by Peggy Wirgau

A socialite who initially desired to stay out of politics ends up befriending an imprisoned Patriot soldier who then dies from British mistreatment. She becomes a spy for the revolutionary cause, even as she is charmed by Major John Andre of British Intelligence. As mentioned elsewhere, I am a big Andre fan, so I generally like it when he is portrayed in stories, even when I end up less keen on the characters involved in sending him to the gibbet. Wirgau clearly did a great deal of research creating the diverse backdrops of revolutionary New York City, which adds a clearly defined sense of time and place as she uses her imagination to posit a possible identity for the anonymous lady spy we know served the Patriot cause during this crucial juncture for the revolutionary cause.

“A Patriot’s Tale” by Nicole Pierman

A young woman, disguised as a man, seeks to aid the Revolution and take revenge on the British after her brother is killed. She ends up as the hostage of a British officer, who vacillates between brutality and a code of honor, and seeks to make up for missed opportunities for love. This book I appreciated for the nuance with which the antagonist tended to be handled, creating a well-rounded character who, in so many scenes, I could not help but hope could be redeemed. This made the conclusion more distressing for me, especially given the amount of gore involved. But while the author leaves the reader’s interpretation open-ended, I can’t help seeing it as a bit of a tragic commentary on violence begetting violence and moments of grace too often being swallowed by the cruelty of war.

“Fire, Brimstone, and Blood” by Clayton Taylor Ramsay

A patchwork quilt of character perspectives and historical recollections from the Southern Campaign, including plenty of real memoir and pamphlet excerpts that demonstrate the fierce fighting between Patriots and Loyalists for different visions of America. This book I hesitate to strictly call a novel, as it has a very unique format which does not fall within a traditional narrative structure, but however you care to categorize it, Ramsay clearly put in a great deal of passion for this particular slice of revolutionary history, which is other overlooked regionally in favor of the northern campaigns, except perhaps with the exception of Yorktown. The alternating characters and shifting scenes seem bound together by the threads of mythos and memory.

“The Scarlet Ribbon” by Naomi Stephens

A prostitute finds herself hoping for freedom from her torrid past, either in the arms of her Loyalist former-lover, who left her pregnant out of wedlock, or a Patriot spy she shielded from discovery. Eventually, she finds herself drawn into a highly dangerous position, suspected by both sides, in a fort under attack. Stephens makes clear that her goal in the story is to retell the Biblical story of Rahsb, which is a novel concept. I think my favorite character in the story was the minister who keeps trying to do the right thing by these deeply troubled characters, and give the protagonist hope for redemption, while also insisting that whoever wins the war, the inner struggles of the soul, and its yearning for God, will remain the same.

“Susanna’s Midnight Ride” by Libby McNamee

A young girl, whose house is being occupied by British General Charles Cornwallis and his officers, makes a daring ride to save the Marquis de Lafayette from being captured. As a book for young people, McNamee does a good job making the experience of a young person caught in the flux of war feel real through Susanna. One of the most harrowing scenes is when she goes to check the casualty list for her loved ones, and sees one of her neighbors marked down instead, but does not have the heart to tell his mother, waiting in line to check. I also liked the brief moment of humanity when Cornwallis acknowledges a similar pain to Susanna’s widowed mother, for he recently lost his wife too. I honestly wish more was down with that thematic threat, and his character, but I understand the main focus is making the true story of her ride more widely known.

“Patriot at the River” by Jayna Baas

A Baptist community, sympathetic with the cause of revolution, deals with Loyalists occupying their settlement. Also, a British officer who was close friends with Major Patrick Ferguson seeks revenge for his slain comrade. This is a sequel to “Preacher on the Run,” which explored Baptist persecution and resistance in the Carolinas during the 18th century. I admit I liked the first book better, as the premise was more unique, but the second still does demonstrate Baas’ keen creativity when it comes to character depiction and sympathetic treatment of faith in the face of hardship. As a Ferguson fan, I honestly wish the main British officer had just been him, but I also appreciate wanting more freedom that a fictitious character allows without compromising too many records.

“Spark of the Revolution” by Megan Soja

An English girl and her brother come to America after the death of their mother to reunite with their absent mercantile father, only to find that he has remarried. Meanwhile, struggling with this strange new familial dynamic she has been thrust into, the girl begins a romance with a blacksmith in league with the Sons of Liberty, to her Loyalist father’s consternation. This is the first book in Soja’s “Harbor of Spies” series, which follows interconnected characters as they navigate the webs of espionage in Boston as the Revolution heats up and boils over. In this volume, I appreciated how much family dynamics played a central role, especially involving the complexity of the father-daughter relationship, and her struggle to adjust to her new stepmother and stepsister.

“Guns of Providence” by Douglas Bond

A young man from Connecticut, who is the descendent of Scottish characters, is drawn into the events of the American Revolution and eventually serves under John Paul Jones on the high seas. This book is part of the “Faith and Freedom Trilogy,” which is itself a sequel to the “Crown and Covenant Series.” I find the author’s clear interest in archery to be a unique motif, especially in works that span the 17th-18th centuries, and the way that he weaves in Covenanter traditions and familial memories into even the later volumes. I also appreciated the way he showed the family had been split over this war, with a certain haunting, fratricidal element emerging towards the end, even though they are still connected by the religious tradition of their ancestors.

“The Convention” by Lars Hedbor

A redcoat who has been taken prisoner in the aftermath of Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga manages to get time away from the harsh conditions of the prison camp to labor on a nearby farm. He becomes involved in the personal lives of those hosting him, including a young woman pregnant out of wedlock. This book is from Hedbor’s “Tales of a Revolution Series,” which offers slices of life in each of the original colonies and other territories involved in the war. I liked the fact that we get to focus on the difficulties of POW life, and it was interesting to explore what an outcome might look like for a soldier who chose to abandon his previous life to try and establish a new one. Whether that is laudable or not under the circumstances is left open to the reader.

“The Unlikely Life of Oliver Atkinson” by David Jones

A young English orphan, forced into a life of drudgery by an opportunistic aristocrat to pay off his late father’s debts, escapes and ends up in America, where he becomes a witness of and participant in many of the major events of the Revolution. My favorite part of this was probably the way Jones focused on Paul Revere’s family, into which the protagonist is effectively adopted. That type of humanizing of a now legendary figure adds a sense of warmth and authenticity. At times the trajectory could feel a bit like “Liberty’s Kids,” with so many locations and time jumps happening, but I know the author’s goal was in part educational, so spanning the timeline fit into that intention.

“The Ghosts of Saratoga” by David R. Ossant and David Dampf

A teenaged boy with ample skill at shooting ends up being a Patriot Rifleman during the Saratoga Campaign, and after inflicting many deaths, deals with trauma that causes dreams and reality to blur. This is definitely a memorable book for its use of supernatural imagery for its coming of age trajectory while hitting all the main historical beats of the Saratoga Campaign. It’s left open-ended exactly what we are to make of it all, but the scenes themselves certainly stand out compared to so many other revolutionary reads. The authors clearly knew a lot about the local area and day-to-day living in that period, grounding the more fantastical elements.