Historical Fiction – Page 56 – Trigger Warning Database

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

With astonishing empathy and the effortless grace of a natural storyteller, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie weaves together the lives of three characters swept up in the turbulence of the decade. Thirteen-year-old Ugwu is employed as a houseboy for a university professor full of revolutionary zeal. Olanna is the professor’s beautiful mistress, who has abandoned her life of privilege in Lagos for a dusty university town and the charisma of her new lover. And Richard is a shy young Englishman in thrall to Olanna’s twin sister, an enigmatic figure who refuses to belong to anyone.

As Nigerian troops advance and the three must run for their lives, their ideals are severely tested, as are their loyalties to one another….. Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Graphic rape
Murder
War themes

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor

Aware of the racial tumult in the years after the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, Mei tries to remain blissfully focused on her job, her close friendship with the camp foreman’s daughter, and telling stories about Paul Bunyan–reinvented as Po Pan Yin (Auntie Po), an elderly Chinese matriarch. Anchoring herself with stories of Auntie Po, Mei navigates the difficulty and politics of lumber camp work and her growing romantic feelings for her friend Bee.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Hate crime, off-page

The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett

The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett

London, 1940. When nurse Elsie offers to send a reassuring letter to the family of a patient, she has an idea. She begins a book of last letters: messages to be sent on to wounded soldiers’ loved ones should the very worst come to pass so that no one is left without a final goodbye. But one message will change Elsie’s life forever. When a patient makes a devastating request, can Elsie find the strength to do the unthinkable? London, present day. Stephanie has a… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Rape mentioned
Dementia
World War Two (theme)

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Running into a long-ago friend sets memory from the 1970s in motion for August, transporting her to a time and a place where friendship was everything—until it wasn’t. For August and her girls, sharing confidences as they ambled through neighbourhood streets, Brooklyn was a place where they believed that they were beautiful, talented, brilliant—a part of a future that belonged to them. But beneath the hopeful veneer, there was another Brooklyn, a dangerous place where.… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Misogyny
Fatmisia & body shaming
Rape
Sexual assault
Adult-minor relationship
Alcoholism
Suicide
Self-harm
Overdose mentioned
Pregnancy

Blood and Sand by CV Wyk

Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves. Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slavery
Suicidal ideation

A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

James Spencer is hardly the typical “troubled youth” who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends and indulging in his love of writing, while contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years. Rumours that only further pique James’ curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armour… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Homomisia
Rape recounted
Depression
Drug abuse
Blood depiction
Murder, off-page
Torture
Blackmail

No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib

No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib

Hadi and Sama are a young Syrian couple flying high on a whirlwind love, dreaming up a life in the country that brought them together. She had come to Boston years before chasing dreams of a bigger life; he’d landed there as a sponsored refugee from a bloody civil war. Now, they are giddily awaiting the birth of their son, a boy whose native language would be freedom and belonging. When Sama is five months pregnant, Hadi’s father dies suddenly in Jordan, the night before his visa appointment at the embassy. Hadi flies back for the funeral, promising his wife that he’ll only… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Pregnancy & childbirth
Death of a father
Imprisonment recounted
Refugee experiences

Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson

Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson

Orphaned after her parents were killed by Comanches, Loretta Simpson still lives in terror that the warriors will return, her fear so powerful, she is no longer able to speak a word. Hunter of the Wolf believes that Loretta is a woman of ancient prophecy whom he must honour. But Loretta can only see him as the enemy who has kidnapped her, and she refuses to succumb to his control—or his touch.

Despite the hatred between their peoples, Loretta and Hunter gradually find their enmity changing to respect and care. In the midst of such conflict, it will take all the force of their love to find a safe haven.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Rape
Death of a pregnancy wife recounted
Death of parents recounted
Murder

Simply Love by Catherine Anderson

Simply Love by Catherine Anderson

Cassandra Zerek is a true innocent in a wild and dangerous place — but her indomitable spirit and gentle soul make her stronger than anyone suspects. The owner of a Colorado mining empire, Luke Taggart’s wealth and position can buy him anything, yet he has grown bored with a life of saloons and gambling. Nothing soothes his restless inner yearning — until he spies Cassandra, as fresh and pure as a spring morning, and vows he will possess her. The radiant, charmingly beauty seems blind to the depth of Luke’s desire or the lengths he is willing to go to seduce her. But the lady is wise, with unwavering faith in the magical powers of love. And she’s determined to awaken the good man hiding in Luke’s tormented heart, for only one precious gift will truly win her: his deep, passionate, and unsullied love

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Slut shaming
Child sexual abuse & rape
Dubious consent scenario
Wrongful imprisonment
Gun violence

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

As darkness falls, a man caught in a snowstorm is forced to shelter at the strange, grim house Wuthering Heights. It is a place he will never forget. There he will come to learn the story of Cathy: how she was forced to choose between her well-meaning husband and the dangerous man she had loved since she was young. How her choice led to betrayal and terrible revenge – and continues to torment those in the present. How love can transgress authority, convention, even death.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Indentured servitude
Racism & racial slurs
Arranged marriage
Abusive relationship
Gambling addiction
Hallucinations & delusions
Suicide
Suicidal ideation
Pregnancy
Death from childbirth
Death from starvation
Desecration of a corpse
Captivity & confinement