I am wanting help finding historical fantasy books. I haven't reead a lot of shifter-style(?) historical fantasy but I recently read an older release book called The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe. I tried the other books in her series and they were a complete miss for me. While The Smoke Thief has an interesting plot and magic, there were themes of nonconsensual sex that were off putting to say the least. But I did enjoy the setting, historical fantasy elements, and originality of the plot. So ya, looking for book recs similar to The Smoke Thief (historical fantasy or fantasy realism) but maybe with a more modern lens.
For context of other books along a similar thread that I have enjoyed:
I have read Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and enjoyed the unique plot and magic systems, the thematic elements, and the blend of fantasy/realism. I've recently also read The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope and found it to be a really enjoyable listen (audiobook).