Fallen Skies by Philippa Gregory was published in 1994. Unlike the Tudor novels which she is most famous for, this book is set in the 1920s straight after the First World War. The main characters of the novel are Lily Pears, a young singer embarking on her career; and Captain Stephen Winters, decorated officer newly back from the front. Lily uses the stage name of Lily Valance. She lives with her protective mother above the greengrocer's shop which they own in Portsmouth. Lily's mother Helen has scrimped and saved over the years in order to give Lily a good education so she can have a better life than she herself had. Lily's father was killed in the war after ...  Read the complete review

Why this book **************** Having enjoyed a lot of Philippa Gregory's novels set in Tudor Britain when a friend suggested I read this book I was more than willing to give it a try. Especially as it is set in another favourite time in history of mine the 1920's. However I found the book less satisfying than Gregory's Tudor novels. About the author ******************** Philippa Gregory is an internationally renowned author of Historical fiction. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh University. She lives in Yorkshire on a small farm several of her novels have been adapted fro television and film the most famous probably of these is The Other ...  Read the complete review

~Introduction & Genre~ I'm a big fan of historical fiction - particularly stories set in the first world war and the 1920s, so was immediately drawn to this novel by Philippa Gregory, especially after enjoying several of her other books. Fallen Skies didn't disappoint, and I would say it's my favourite Philippa Gregory novel so far. I've heard people say this is not a historical novel as such - partly because its characters are fictional (compared to stories set in the Tudor court, for example). However, I disagree because I feel that the atmosphere, historical setting and emotions all seem based on reality and likely scenarios - despite the characters ...  Read the complete review