A Tuesday Ten: 2015 Alternate Histories

So here’s at least one more 2015 list–books taking place in alternate histories!  This is where the story takes place in a world that is almost our own, but events are changed, maybe magic is added and everything is just a bit different from our reality.

1.

A Riddle in Ruby by Kent Davis (Greenwillow, September 2015)

In an alternate steampunk history full of strange mechanical creatures, mysterious magic and warring factions young Ruby finds her life turned upside down when it turns out that everyone is suddenly hunting for her.  Adventure, amazing world-building and great fun.

2.

The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud (Disney-Hyperion, September 2015)

Book three in the Lockwood & Co. series, this paranormal alternate history sets us in a Britain where progress has come to a halt due to some kind of paranormal event that has left hauntings and the undead of every kind lurking in the night.   An alternate history ghostbusters with plenty of dark deeds, paranormal baddies in this creepy thriller/mystery.  I haven’t gotten to read this one yet, but look forward to doing so. (Love the cover.)

3.

The Buccaneer’s Code by Caroline Carlson (HarperCollins, September 2015)

Another Book 3, this one in The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series.  Young Hilary Westfield lives in a version of Britain where the world has all sorts of small magics alongside everyday life.  Now the Enchantress is enlisting Hilary to help her in a final battle against Captain Blacktooth for the Presidency of the League.

4.

My Diary from the Edge of the World by Jodi Lynn Anderson (Aladdin, Expected Publication November 2015)

Gracie Lockwood lives in a world where dragon migration is a normal thing,  where merfolk hunt the shoreline and dark clouds come for people when they’re about to die.  Gracie’s father believes there’s a world out there much like their own, but without the monsters and magic, and without the foreboding dark clouds.  So when starts appearing on the horizon, the family goes on an epic trip across the country to and to the edges of the world itself to try and find a way to that other world . . .

5.

Second Guard by J. D. Vaughn (Disney-Hyperion, April 2015)

Admittedly, this takes place in the fictional kingdom of Tequende, where the rulers are part of a matriarchal line and all second children must serve the Kingdom for a set number of years, either as servants or as fighters.  But there’s evidence that outside this kingdom lies somewhere in Europe, with other, more familiar countries nestled around it.  While that doesn’t come up much in the story, it still counts as alternate history in my book!

6.

School for Sidekicks by Kelly Mccullough (Feiwel & Friends, August 2015)

Evan Quick has always dreamed of being a superhero, just like the real superheroes that live in his world.  But when his dreams come true he finds out that maybe being a superhero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  Especially when you’re stuck as a sidekick.  An alternate time-travel history full of superheroes that’s lots of fun to read, although I’ll be waiting to find out more in the sequel!

7.

Lilliput by Sam Gayton, illustrated by Alice Ratterree (Peachtree Publishers, August 2015)

In this version of Victorian London,  Gulliver is a real person.  He has stolen a Lilliputian child away from her home as physical proof of his discoveries.  That child is young Lily, and she refuses to stay caged.  A mixture of Swift and steampunk along with some very real London backdrops help to make this a solidly engaging adventure!

 

8.

The Courage of Cat Campbell by Natasha Lowe (Simon & Schuster, January 2015)

A companion volume to the author’s previous title: The Power of Poppy Pendle, this story follows the exploits of Poppy’s daughter, Cat.  Unlike her magic-averse mother who only ever wanted to bake, Cat yearns to be magical and go to a magic school.  But can she convince her mother to let her pursue her dreams?  In this alternate history magic academy’s are a regular part of society and being a powerful magic user is  considered to be quite the thing.

 

9.

Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage (Shadow Mountain, September 2015)

Trenton Colman lives in the city of Cove, a city inside a mountain where the inhabitants are forbidden to tinker and invent new things.  The citizens are supposed to stick to the ways and machines handed down from the Founders, but Trenton can’t help tinkering.  Mysterious clues around the city lead Trenton into deeper forbidden territory, but he’s too caught up to stop now.  Especially when what he’s uncovering may lead him to clues about the truth of Cove itself.  This steampunk fantasy is definitely an alternate history, but I can’t really reveal how without giving the story away–so you’ll just have to find out for yourself!

10.

The Ire of Ironclaw by Kersten Hamilton, illustrated by James Hamilton (Clarion Books, July 2015)

The second book in the Gadgets and Gears steampunk series. Boy inventor Wally and his daring dog Noodles are off on another adventure.  This time they’ll be aboard a dirigible with the famous Nikola Tesla facing all sorts of wild events and dangers to finally confront old enemies once again.  This turn of the century alternate history series is great fun, especially since our first person narrator is Noodles himself.

So there’s my ten! Any more to add?  Please comment with the titles!