I’ve never thought of myself as a big fantasy reader, but that perception shifted recently when a friend pointed out how consistently I’m drawn to historical fantasy. Give me a book grounded in the real world—but that takes great liberties with it—and I’m a happy reader. I love the way these stories build on actual, factual elements from the world I know, and then interject a big what if? question into the premise. What if all the women in one family are cursed? What if a certain boat can slip through time to another century? What if a book or a pencil or a flower has magical properties? I’m all in.
The options for these real-but-not-real stories are abundant: stories that place fairy tale elements in a modern setting, well-researched adaptations of cultural folklore, or stories inspired by historical events.
We’ve put together book lists in the past featuring novels inspired by myths and fairy tales. Today, I wanted to give historical fantasy its due: these books all put a fantastical spin on stories grounded in real places, about real people, set in a specific historical time.
I hope you spy a favorite or two in this list, and I hope a title or two catches your eye for your TBR. Most of all, I hope you’ll share your favorite historical fantasy novels in the comments.
15 emotional and action-packed historical fantasy novels
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The Bear and the Nightingale (The Winternight Trilogy #1)
A trip to Moscow left such an impression on Katherine Arden that when she sat down to write her book, "Russia came pouring back out." In this reimagined fairy tale set in medieval Russia based on the Baba Yaga stories, a young girl with a special gift attempts to save her family from the evil lurking in the woods. When Vasya’s new stepmother forbids the family from honoring the household spirits, the village experiences dangerous repercussions. Vasya will be called to defend those she loves as she learns the story of Frost the winter demon is all too real. Listen to the audiobook for all the Russian pronunciations, performed by Kathleen Gati. More info →
The Gilded Wolves
Full of mystery and adventure, this YA historical fantasy set in the glittering world of 1899 Paris is part heist, part treasure hunt. In this world, the Order of Babel rules. Some people are divinely gifted with Forging affinities, allowing them to change or enhance creation. Séverin, the denied heir of House Vanth, delights in reclaiming the items sold off from his House and tracking down Order items for those who will pay him and his crew. As thrilling as it is to read about their adventures, this one also shines for the way the friends look out for one another. More info →
Ghost Talkers
In this alternate WWI history, the British use their top secret Spirit Corps, a group of mediums who communicate with dead soldiers in order to collect valuable information from the front. While working for the Spirit Corps, Ginger uncovers evidence of a traitor within its ranks. Because she is a woman in the early 1900s, no one believes her. To complicate things, the Spirit Corps is being targeted by German forces, and Ginger needs to stop them. If you enjoyed The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, this book is the perfect foray into the fantasy genre. More info →
Gods of Jade and Shadow
This jazz-age fairy tale is inspired by Mexican folklore. Casiopea Tun spends her days cleaning her wealthy grandfather's home, but she dreams of escaping to start a new life. One day, she opens a strange wooden box in her grandfather's room, unleashing the spirit of the Mayan god of death. He makes her an offer: help him take the throne from his brother who betrayed him and earn the life of her dreams. Casiopea can't resist the allure of adventure, even if failure would surely lead to death. She sets out on a journey that takes her far away from home and into the Mayan underworld. More info →
Ring Shout
The horror genre isn't my jam but when Beth recommended this in a Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club discussion thread and compared it to Sarah Gailey and Ralph Ellison, it piqued my interest. Described as "dark historical fantasy," this novella takes place in Prohibition Georgia, where Ku Klux Klan members literally become demons after watching The Birth of a Nation. Bootlegger Maryse Boudreaux and a motley crew of fighters set out to save the world from this hellish nightmare come to life. More info →
The Kingdoms
A mind-bending mystery, alternate history, and queer romance rolled into one. In this time-slip novel, Napoleon conquers England in the Battle of Trafalgar and a stone portal in the sea serves as a passageway between centuries. When Joe steps off a train in the city of Londre, 1898, he has a postcard in his pocket written in forbidden English, with a postmark dated 1805, though it inexplicably bears the image of a recently-constructed lighthouse. “Dearest Joe, come home if you remember,” says the postcard, signed simply “M.” Joe’s search for M leads him to the Outer Hebrides and back and forth through the stone portals many a time on his dangerous quest to reunite with his family without changing the course of history—or erasing his own existence. More info →
The Jasmine Throne (The Burning Kingdoms Book 1)
A captive princess and a maid with forbidden magic come together in this sapphic Indian-inspired historical fantasy. Princess Malini is kept imprisoned in the Hirana temple by her dictator brother. According to their religion, women can only become pure and holy by being set ablaze on pyres but Malini refuses to burn. Instead, she’s going to orchestrate a coup. Priya is soon drawn into the plot and their destinies become entangled. They can’t trust each other but they need each other if they’re going to survive. MMD team member Leigh mentioned this in WSIRN episode 291: The best books of summer (so far) as one of her favorites. More info →
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution
This historical fantasy is a cool 545 pages in hardcover, and WOW does Kuang put every one to good use. Set primarily in 1830s Oxford, the workers at the translation institute Babel literally fuel the British Empire by combining their language skills with precious silver bars. While I loved the academic setting and band of four fast friends, Kuang’s engagement with the complexities of race, power, and privilege are what really ground the novel. There's also a lot of philosophizing about the art of translation and discussion of what the practice actually involves, which I found insightful and fascinating. The publisher calls it “a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal response to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell”—if that sounds a little cerebral for you, don’t worry; it’s easy to get swept up in the story. More info →
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
City of Brass author Chakraborty kicks off a new trilogy with this spirited tale of a renegade pirate captain—who happens to be a middle-aged mother simply trying to enjoy her retirement. But after a former crewmate’s daughter is kidnapped, Amina reluctantly accepts one last job and pulls her long-retired crew together again to help. The historical fantasy unfolds on the high seas of the twelfth-century Indian Ocean and bursts with period detail and magical adventures. From the book’s touching dedication to the detailed author’s note and acknowledgments, I found this imaginative tale and irresistible protagonist unique, exciting, and just plain fun. Good news: the second book comes out on May 12! More info →
Divine Rivals: A Novel (Letters of Enchantment Book 1)
From the author of A River Enchanted, this YA duology opener has the feel of WWI historical fiction, but it’s set in a world suffering through a fantastical war and harboring mythical monsters. Iris and Roman are fierce rivals, competing for the same coveted position at the Oath Gazette. He doesn’t know of her difficult family circumstances; she doesn’t know the way his father pressures him. And yet unbeknownst to either, the two are connected by a magical typewriter, and are growing closer to each other with every anonymous letter they exchange. When Iris becomes a war correspondent on the front lines, Roman follows, and the two encounter dangers that threaten not only their burgeoning friendship but their lives. This 2023 Summer Reading Guide selection is an immersive, genre-bending read with broad appeal. More info →
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Epistolary novel fans, take note! Scientist Emily Wilde shares her field notes as she researches fae on a fictional Scandinavian island in 1909. Ljosland’s fae are the final piece for the encyclopedia she’s been working on for years and which will put her career on the map. She’s not exactly thrilled when her colleague Wendell appears uninvited. He’s the perfect counterpart to her prickly antisocial self, however. The fact that she’s pretty sure he’s secretly fae doesn’t hurt either. Whether dealing with abduction via a winter king or a changeling-cursed house, you’ll be rooting for Emily and Wendell as each adventure unfolds. More info →
A Song to Drown Rivers
Bestselling YA author Liang makes her adult debut with a plotty, romantically-laced historical fantasy based on the ancient legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Xishi’s beauty is renowned throughout the land, but when the king’s military advisor discovers she is also brave, she is recruited to use that beauty as a weapon in service of her people. Driven by her sense of duty, she consents, agreeing to spy on the enemy kingdom of Wu by becoming their reviled king’s concubine: her job is to make the man she loathes fall in love with her. A page-turning epic that thoughtfully examines the complexities of womanhood, the horrors of war, the obstacles to love, and even the nature of fame. Heads up for audiophiles: the audiobook narrated by Natalie Naudus is excellent. More info →
The Phoenix Pencil Company
King’s exceptional debut was inspired by her grandparents and the pencil company they once ran in Shanghai. The magical pencils in this book retain the memory of what they’ve written, and those who know how to “reforge” them can bring the memories they contain back to life. This power can be used to expose family secrets, betray a nation, or communicate loving words that were never uttered aloud. This is a real genre-bender, blending WWII-era historical fiction, grounded fantasy, family drama, and queer romance, all with compelling characters and an original and propulsive plot. Readers may also be drawn to the sweet grandmother/granddaughter relationship, close look at Chinese history, and thoughtful exploration of questions concerning data, privacy, and who owns our stories. More info →
The Everlasting
I was emotionally hooked on this story even before the opening line, thanks to the perfect epigraph from a Rilke poem. This is the unlikely love story of two people who never should have met. Una Everlasting was a medieval lady knight, legendary warrior, and patron saint of the nation of Dominion. Owen Mallory is a tweedy scholar obsessed with Una’s legend. But then Dominion’s new chancellor sends Owen back in time to meet Una and write her definitive tale, so that the story may inspire the beleaguered nation. When he first meets her, he’s in awe and can barely believe she’s real. But then he falls in love with her—with disastrous consequences for them both. I don’t want to say too much—but I was completely entranced by this emotional, epic, and achingly intimate love story that unfolds across time and whose outcome will determine the fate of a nation. I’ve loved Harrow’s work in the past, but this is my new favorite by a mile. More info →
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Mr. Norrell, a recluse with an extensive library, agrees to use his magical efforts to help the British fight against Napoleon Bonaparte. When Jonathan Strange, an ambitious magician, arrives on the scene, Mr. Norrell eagerly agrees to teach him the ways of English magic. While Norrell is stuffy and rigid, Strange is wild and eager. Circumstances grow more and more dangerous as they uncover lost magic and become rivals. If you enjoy fiction with footnotes, then this vividly detailed novel might be for you. Fun/embarrassing fact: my brother loaned me this giant book years ago and I still haven’t read it but I keep meaning to! Talk me into it? More info →
What are your favorite historical fantasy novels? Please share in the comments.
P.S. Science Fiction/Fantasy for beginners, 7 cozy fantasy novels for when you need a comforting escape, and 20 historical mysteries featuring feisty female characters.
23 comments
Anyone into historical fantasies who hasn’t read The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker is in for such a treat! It’s about a Jewish golem and a Syrian jinnie/genie who meet each other in turn-of-the-century immigrant NYC.
This look fascinating! Thanks for the recommendation.
No Outlander? The swooniest historical fantasy of them all.
True!
True!
I really enjoyed “Babel” and have given copies of it as holiday gifts. Among my favorite historical fantasy novels are “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour bookstore” and Leigh Bardugo’s “Ninth House.”
The Bear and the Nightingale is the first of a trilogy and I highly recommend all 3 books!
Some of my other favorites:
– The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
– The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I recommend The Bear and the Nightengale trilogy all the time. What a spectacular take on folk tales!
Surely Outlander fits the description.
I have just finished the new novel by Francis Spufford, Nonesuch which is an amazing historical fantasy set in the second world war in London in which angels can be imprisoned in statues and our heroine is trying to prevent a plan to turn back time and assassinate Winston Churchill before he can become Prime Minister and refuse the opportunity to surrender to Hitler. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz (1983). Similar to the descrioton of The Ghost Talkers, Pagan groups in England during WWII have to use their powers to repell a Nazi invasion. Excellent past lives, life cycle and family drama. Have had the tattered paperback for year and finally upgraded to Kindle. Its one of my favorite “comfort rereads”.
Yes! I was thinking of that book, but couldn’t remember the name.
I am currently reading A Far Better Thing by H. G. Parry. It is the story of Darnay and Carton from A Tale of Two Cities with Darnay as a changling and Carton being raised by the Fae. Charles Dickens plot with magic. So good.
These look so good, thank you. Currently on audiobook of The Everlasting and enjoying the fine writing and storytelling. Plus the British humor!
My daughter and I really enjoyed the Found Things series by Paula Brackston. The first book is The Little Shop of Found Things.
Naomi Novik’s Temeraire novels are set during the Napoleonic wars with dragons! His Majesty’s Dragon is the first in a series of nine books. The audiobooks are narrated by the great Simon Vance.
This is such a great post, Anne. I really do love fantasy where as you perfectly describe it, they’re grounded in the real world but take liberties with it. Interestingly, there are books on your list that I loved and a couple that I DNF’d. I’m eager to try the others and hope there are some wins!
I *love* historical fantasy! Aside from anything and everything by Alix E. Harrow, my most recent fave in this genre was “A Resistance of Witches” by Morgan Ryan. Britain is losing WWII, so they enlist the help of a secret coven of witches.
And for something light and frothy: “My Lady Jane” by Cynthia Hand. This YA alternate history made me laugh *and* had me burning through the pages to find out what would happen next.
For a fun little romp, I’d recommend Queen’s Gambit Declined by Melinda Snodgrass; it’s William of Orange with magic powers!
12-22-63 by Stephen King
Time travel to stop the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy. It is a fabulous story with twists and roadblocks and even love.
The title of the book is 11-22-63. Mistyped!
I would add “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner to the list!
The Monsters we Defy – set in 1920s Black Washington DC, this books is a historical fantasy heist novel. It was my favorite read the year it spcame out. So good. The audiobook is fantastic.
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