The Best Historical Fiction for Anyone New to the Genre
You've got romance. You've got fantasy. But next up, we're predicting that historical fiction will be the next big book genre. Already, we've got breakthrough stories like Daisy Jones & the Six and anything from Bridgerton. And we love it, so publishers, we're begging you: give us more!
If you're interested in diving deeper into historical fiction, look no further. Below, we've gathered some of our favorite releases that everyone will love.
Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
We are just counting down the days until the next season of Bridgerton, starring the most underrated brother, Benedict. As you prepare for the release, read the story where it all began. Small spoiler: it's a Cinderella story, so grab your tissues because you will get all the feels. Who can resist a happily ever after?
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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Historical fiction doesn't have to mean 18th or 19th century. It can be as simple as returning to the '80s. Taylor Jenkins Reid has one of our favorite not-so-far-away stories with Malibu Rising. It's about a family of surfers living in Malibu—and an intense party that will change everything.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah's The Women has more than a million reviews and a nearly perfect five-star rating. That's almost unheard of, so you know this story is nothing short of spectacular. This book uncovers the unheard tales of frontline nurses in the Vietnam War. As she reveals, women are and have always been heroes, and this novel will help you appreciate the unseen work in an even more inspiring way.
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Fiona Davis's The Stolen Queen is like Indiana Jones with not one—but two female leads, and it's actually the book that got us into reading adventure stories. This story follows Charlotte Cross, a veteran archeologist, who teams up with Annie Jenkins, a budding fashion intern to solve the mystery behind a missing artifact at the Met. But Charlotte must confront her past to make for a better future.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Let's take it all the way back to ancient Greece. Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles offers an action-packed retelling of Achilles, who forges an unlikely partnership with Patroclus. But after feelings arise and Achilles joins the Trojan War, Patroclus must make a difficult decision to pursue love or logic.
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Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Victoria E. Schwab
Is it technically historical fiction if it involves vampires? Well, we're considering it so. Victoria E. Schwab's Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, arriving in June, follows three young vampires in three different points in time. As life begins to unravel, they'll each learn how their paths are interconnected.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
You can never go wrong with a little bit of time travel, and Kaliane Bradley's Ministry of Time is one of our favorites to do it. In this award-winning series, a civil servant is put on assignment to observe the expats, who didn't actually die in history but transported themselves to a new timeline. During her research, our protagonist unexpectedly grows a fondness towards him, complicating her work.
Searching for even more book recommendations? Click HERE to discover six authors to know this Black History Month and beyond.