Historical fiction is a much feared and largely underappreciated genre as often they are considered long, boring, or downright depressing. They have been known for making even those who never cry over books end up bawling. Now, sure, they do that sometimes, but they also cover moments from so many parts of history! They bring to light stories that history maybe steamrolled over, people whose existences were ignored, and then forgotten moments we’ve never heard of before!
This list brings you 10 historical fiction novels that will make you feel a range of emotions and also tie in with other genres such as fantasy and young adult. Who knows, even people who are not big fans might just fall in love with the genre along the way!
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
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An exhilarating plot, characters you will fall head over heels in love with, bickering siblings, wicked nobles, highway robbery, mad scientists, scandals, daring escapades, impossible quests, grave mysteries, and of course, a gorgeous and epic love story. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue has it all! It also tackles issues like racism, sexism, homophobia, disability, and physical abuse with great care, but in a way that never gets preachy. Monty’s witty, wry, and unapologetically bi voice is an added bonus.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
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With beautiful prose and well fleshed out characters, All the Lights We Cannot See is bittersweet and heartbreaking in the best possible way. However, going into this book, don’t expect a typical wartime love story. It is very different, in a much more haunting way.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
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Along with being historical fiction, this is also a portal fantasy book! Harrow’s writing is magical and lovely, and almost tricks you into believing in Doors that will take you to worlds unseen before. Be prepared for the disappointment you are bound to feel when you come out of the book and back to reality, though.
The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
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Fantasy and magic seamlessly merge with history, making the story of two people who have never known freedom before into a grand tale of epic adventure. An enchanting novel full of heart and raw emotions, The Bird King is going to stay with you for a long time.
Ziggy Stardust and Me by James Brandon
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This book is honest, blunt, heart-wrenching, and incredibly important. The writing style is very unique, although sometimes it might seem a little disjointed too, but that fits Jonathan, a boy who is losing his identity and being shattered into a million pieces every day as he goes through “therapy” that would “fix” him. Ziggy, Stardust and Me possesses the unique power to put the reader in its main character’s shoes, to render the reader as vulnerable as Jonathan feels and takes the reader through the horrors he faces. Brace yourselves, this is going to hurt.
Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George
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Ah, a Shakespearean retelling set in the glorious Jazz Age sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? George has created such loveable, delightful characters; sometimes you want to shake them until their teeth rattle because they would die before admitting their feelings out loud, but that’s just part of their charm. There’s lots of drama and lots of romance and amidst it all, the plot is carried out satisfactorily too. If all that isn’t enough to convince you, Beatrice and Benedick are basically the enemies-to-lovers trope personified!
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
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Sepetys portrays a brutal time in history with compassion, but also in a way that hits hard. If you enjoy well researched and informative historical fiction, this book is definitely for you. Make sure you check out Sepetys’s other works too, all of them are similarly brilliant and immersive.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
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Pulley recreates Victorian London and Japan during the civil war with loving precision, and blends historical events with elements of fantasy deftly, making this into an atmospheric read not just read but thoroughly savoured.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
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Told from Ari’s point of view, the story is lyrical and gentle, and takes the reader smoothly through the pages. You’ll find yourself relating to at least one of the characters, at least a little.
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows
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You know those books you just can’t stop hugging? My Lady Jane has the potential to become one of those for you. Brimming with humour, romance, adventure, and pop culture references, MLJ is a charming historical retelling that everyone should give a try, especially if you are not a fan of the genre. And then try the other books in the Lady Janies series. You won’t regret it.
