The Ultimate Kate Quinn Book Ranking
If you enjoy escaping into the past through the pages of a good book, you're in for a real treat every time you pick up a Kate Quinn book. Regarding the best historical fiction authors, Kate Quinn is high on the list. Historical fiction fans can always count on her to capture their attention and draw them into a heart-pounding adventure with a strong female lead. Here is my ultimate Kate Quinn book ranking in order of preference!
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The Huntress: Her Best Work
- published in 2019
- the baddest FMC of all time
- coming-of-age story
- LGBTQ representation
Synopsis
Jordan's long-time widower father finally remarries a wonderful woman who's clearly too good to be true. Although she should be happy for her dad, missing the obvious signs is hard. Call it a hunch, but Jordan's determined to prove her new stepmother is a Nazi sympathizer. Meanwhile, Ian, a former war journalist-turned-Nazi hunter, is hot on the trail of a notorious female Nazi known as "The Huntress." Ian needs one of the deadliest weapons known to man to catch his mark: a woman who's lost everything. Once part of Russia's notorious group of female fighter pilots, "The Night Witches," Nina is willing to do anything to finish what she started long ago when she came face to face with the woman Ian was hunting. It just so happens Nina's out for her blood, too.
Thoughts
OMG, this book is everything! Of all the Kate Quinn WWII fiction, I loved The Huntress the most, making it my #1 Kate Quinn book. It also appears on my list of the top historical fiction novels ever. Fast-paced and action-packed, I couldn't put this novel down! The drama, multiple timelines, and main characters are captivating. It's impossible not to fall for Nina, the character who can capture your heart and hold on tight until the bitter end. I loved this character SO much; she's my all-time favorite Kate Quinn MC. I'd never heard of The Night Witches (a real WWII all-female fighter pilot crew), so learning more about them was one of the book's highlights. If you love a STRONG AF female protagonist who takes no prisoners, then DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK.
The Alice Network: A Close Second
- published in 2017
- door-ajar spice
- grief/loss themes
- found family
Synopsis
Charlie St Clair is on the run! She's got to get away from her overbearing mother for more reasons than one. She's got a little secret, but first, she's got a mystery to solve. See, Charlie's determined to find her long-lost cousin, Rose, who was last seen in a countryside French town during the height of the Nazi Occupation. Charlie's desperate enough to enlist the aid of Eve, an unpredictable older woman with scars and secrets of her own.
Thoughts
The Alice Network is fast-paced for Quinn, which means it's a definite page-turner. The world-building is well executed for both timelines, and I easily felt connected to both main characters. The chapters are short, which works really well for the dual timeline, and dual point-of-view structure. Quinn has a knack for descriptive text without being overly flowery, which I enjoy. This book definitely deserves to be on your TBR. I highly suggest starting with this book if you've never read any of Quinn's WWII fiction. Read my full review of The Alice Network for more details!
The Rose Code: The Fan Favorite
- published in 2021
- wholly of glitz and glamour
- powerful female friendships
- homefront service story
Synopsis
Olsa is determined to shake the stereotype of silly Deb. For as long as she can remember, she's always been labeled as a society girl, but she knows she's got more to offer the world. So, when allowed to join the war effort as a translator, she eagerly signs up. En route to Bletchley Park to start her new life, Olsa meets Mab, an East-End girl desperate to crawl out of poverty. Not long after arriving, they meet bright but shy Beth, who soon joins the two at Bletchley Park cracking codes. For a while, the three are thick as thieves, but the pressures of secrecy can erode even the closest of friendships. Years later, the estranged friends must reunite to clear Beth's name and uncover the traitor. Will they be able to put their differences aside in support of their beloved Bletchley Park?
Thoughts
No Kate Quinn book ranking would be complete without The Rose Code, a favorite of many readers. Anyone who enjoys stories of female homefront efforts during World War II must read this book, but they should know it's slow. Based loosely on the true stories of female code breakers, The Rose Code envelops the reader in the secret world of British intelligence. Quinn's world-building and character development shines in The Rose Code. However, this book's plot and pacing suffer more than in her World War II novels. Not much happens in this book until the last quarter of the book. Fans looking for a fast-paced read might be disappointed. That's not to say this book isn't good. It's excellent, but The Alice Network and The Huntress are better options for those who prefer action over storytelling.
The Diamond Eye: Good but Not Great
- published in 2022
- fierce battle scenes
- frontline romance
- strong feminist themes
Synopsis
Mila is one of the most dangerous women in the world, not because she can shoot a gun, but because she was given a chance to use one. Russia's progressive views of women's role in the war meant that women like Mila could take up arms to defend The Motherland from Nazi occupation. And she'll do anything to protect the land, the culture, and the people she loves. The moment she makes her first kill, Lady Death is born. Suddenly, she's taken from the front line and thrust onstage to promote the US/Russian relationship. On center stage, she can finally shed the skin of her former life. But can she escape the call of the cold steel barrel she knows so well?
Thoughts
Fiction meets real life in Quinn's latest WWII novel, The Diamond Eye. Based on the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, The Diamond Eye is one of Quinn's most tactical novels. I thoroughly enjoyed the battle scenes, but I could see why some might not want the hyper-realistic portrayal of war that Quinn manages to capture. Her writing left me absolutely immersed in the fight alongside Mila, which means I found this book un-put-downable. The ending is my least favorite of Quinn's novels; it's highly dramatic but a little too far-fetched for my liking. It's still a great book, and I highly recommend reading it if you enjoy detailed accounts of a woman's life behind the front line.
The Phoenix Crown: Falls a Little Short
- published in 2024
- co-authored with Janie Chang
- Gilded Age San Francisco
- unlikely female friendships
Synopsis
Gemma's desperate to make it as an opera singer, and this may be her last chance to stand on a world stage to sing for the masses. Suling is desperate to get out from under her uncle's thumb after the recent death of her parents. This unlikely duo crosses paths in the home of Henry Thornton, one of San Francisco's elite. As a patron of the arts, he's promised to back Gemma's debut performance. Decorated in Thornton's priceless antique Chinese headpiece and surrounded by dancers clothed in Suling's extraordinary designs, Gemma soon realizes Thornton's promises will come at a cost for her and everyone in her orbit.
Thoughts
There was much to like about The Phoenix Crown and some issues. As with many other co-authored books I've read, the transition between the two authors' writing styles was sometimes a bit jarring. While I enjoyed Chang's attention to detail and thorough research, her chapters fell flat compared to Quinn's superb writing skills. And, like The Diamond Eye, there were moments in this book that felt very far-fetched and unrealistic. I buddy-read this with some Bookstagram friends, who agreed it was highly entertaining but maybe not the most memorable of her novels. Still, if you've read and enjoyed her other books, you'll likely find this enjoyable.
The Briar Club: Up Next
I've not read The Briar Club, but I've got high hopes for the latest from Kate Quinn. I've seen mixed reviews, mainly focused on the book's structure. The book is a series of interconnected short stories linked by one main character: The Briar Club, a boarding house. I've also seen complaints about the chapter lengths, but that could easily be a personal pet peeve. I'll read this in August 2024, so stay tuned to my social media channels for a review. Please bookmark this page for future updates, or sign up for my email list for the latest news and reviews.
More from Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn has authored two series, one set in ancient Rome and another in medieval Rome. While I have not read any of these books yet, they are definitely on my To-Be-Read list! The ratings and reviews for both series are high, which is no surprise considering Kate Quinn's talent for character development and storytelling.
Final Thoughts on Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn is one of the best historical fiction authors for a reason. Her work is superb! Any historical fiction lover who hasn't read her books will be delighted to read any of her World War II fiction. Although I have a clear favorite, everyone experiences books differently. I've not ranked any of her books lower than four stars. That means I highly recommend every single one of these books. I hope this Kate Quinn book ranking helps you find and fall in love with your next historical fiction novel!
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