What to Read After You’ve Finished A Tyranny of Petticoats

History, romance, the occasional steampunk goddess—A Tyranny of Petticoats is the short story collection I never knew I needed so much. With contributions from so many of your favorite writers (including Marissa Meyer, Marie Lu, and Beth Revis, just to name a few), the tales span the entire range of historical fiction. Of course, like all good books, A Tyranny of Petticoats has one major drawback: once you’ve finished those 15 excellent stories, you’ll have to find something else to read.
The risk of following something so full of deliciously badass girls  and twisted history with something not quite up to snuff is strong, so I’ve put together a list of five perfect follow-up reads.

These Vicious Masks, by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas
Four words you’ve never been happier to hear: Jane Austen meets X-Men. These Vicious Masks is an enchanting mix of historical romance and paranormal, all wrapped up in the story of one girl who just won’t quit. Evelyn is bored with her society life, so when her sister mysteriously disappears, she doesn’t hesitate to start a rescue mission—with a little help from the handsome Mr. Kent. But with a strange, reclusive gentleman claiming Evelyn and Rose have healing powers of a supernatural kind, things might get more exciting (read: dangerous) than Evelyn bargained for. With unpredictable humor and lots of spunk, this book will definitely maintain your good-read bubble.

Tangled Webs, by Lee Bross
Sometimes, a girl just has to be bad. Literally has to: Arista’s creepy and abusive master, Bones, forces her to do his blackmailing for him. But when things go wrong and Arista is rescued from death by Jonathan Wild, she doesn’t expect to do anything on her next mission besides prove herself. Which, of course, is why she falls in love. With entirely the wrong person.  Set against a backdrop of 1800s London, full of sweeping ball gowns and enticing masks, this book will have you rooting for misbehavior in no time (as if you weren’t already).

Love, Lies, and Spies, by Cindy Anstey
Juliana does not want to fall in love. Unfortunately, her father expects her to do just that. So when she meets Spencer in the middle of her first season and discovers he shares her disinclination to romance, it’s easy enough to stage a fauxmance. And easy enough after that to actually develop feelings for each other. Things get more complicated, though, when Spencer is tasked with spying on Juliana and her traveling companions. For an adorable, lighthearted tour through espionage in Regency England, Love, Lies, and Spies is your perfect read.

My Lady Jane, by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
If you like A Tyranny of Petticoats, chances are you’re also a fan of The Princess Bride. And if you love The Princess Bride, you’ll absolutely adore My Lady Jane. Jane Grey gets a bit of a rough go with history—all that business with being queen for nine days and being subsequently beheaded. Luckily, this trio of coauthors is here to set the story straight. At 16, Jane is about to married to a complete stranger, not to mention being trickily forced onto the English throne. But with a little romance, a little fantasy, and a lot of laughs, things just might work out okay.

Stone Field, by Christy Lenzi
Catrina is ready to leave her past behind, but that’s easier said than done when living in Missouri on the brink of the Civil War. But when she meets a naked man in the middle of her family’s land who has actually left his own past in the dust—thanks to a little amnesia, anyway—she can’t help but fall in love. The war that’s coming might tear them apart, but then, so might Stonefield’s memory, if it ever comes back. It’s Wuthering Heights set in the middle of Civil War America, with all the history and the wild, tempestuous leading lady to match.