By Naomi Whittaker

Historical fiction ranks among the most read genres, with some of the most popular classics emerging from the field. Unlike other genres, historical fantasy serves as an escape from the present while immersing you in a fictional world inspired by actual events.

To help you prepare your read list, we covered the 5 best historical books to consider. Grab a cup of coffee and lose yourself in one of these fantastic historical fiction novels. 

To help you make a fantastic choice, we covered various reviews and determined the well-told stories that impacted various historical fiction disciples. Without further ado, here are some of the best historical fiction novels on the market.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This New York Times bestseller vividly paints the heartwarming story of human goodness amidst the contradictory power of technology. The story follows the life of Marie Laure, a French girl that goes blind at the age of six. The father builds a detailed miniature neighborhood to help her navigate the neighborhood quickly.

When Marie is twelve, Nazis occupy their region, forcing them to flee to the unfamiliar Saint-Malo with what could perhaps be considered the museum’s most valuable jewel. Meanwhile, Werner, an orphan raised in a mining town in Germany, finds and gets enchanted by a crude radio and becomes an expert at fixing radios.

This skill earns Werner a spot in the elite, brutal military academy, where he becomes a highly specialized resistance tracker. Doerr’s allegory paints a touching picture of human nature amidst the horrors of World War II. 

The story maintains a lively tone that is bound to immerse you in the detailed narration and evoke feelings as the characters express goodness is perhaps the most daunting times of history. 

The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes

Told from the perspective of two women, Jocasta and Ismene, this allegory offers a fresh perspective of the Oedipus myth. The Children of Jocasta retells a misfortune-riddled tale where young Jocasta is married off to the kin fog Thebes at the tender age of 15.

The king refuses all forms of emotion to Jocasta and orders that she sire a child with a helper in the castle. Upon receiving a son, their housekeeper Theresa, out of jealousy, steals the baby and claims it is dead. This leaves Jocasta in grief with more added in the form of torture from the housekeeper.

After the king of Thebes is dead, Jocasta rises to power and marries the boy sent to deliver the news. The two are blessed with a daughter, Ismene, who, like a mother, is faced with adversity in her life both from society, her power-lusting brothers, and her self-centered sister.

The precise retelling by Natalie will evoke sorrow as the characters face various misfortunes in the hands of men and a celebratory warmth as Jocasta finds love in young, charismatic Oedipus. The crescendo of the allegory comes as poor Jocasta takes her life upon the realization that Oedipus is her son.

The book obscures the element of incest in ambiguity, making it an ideal novel for various audiences. 

City of Vengeance by D.V. Bishop

Set in Renaissance Florence, the city of vengeance is a story of a former soldier, Aldo, tasked with solving the murder of a Jewish moneylender. Aldo is given four days to apprehend the murderer, or else he will face harsh consequences. 

Aldo’s investigation uncovers a plot to overthrow the Medici, a plan that would endanger the entire city if it were to be executed. To mount the pressure, a rival soldier is on a mission to expose Aldo and ruin his life by exposing secrets of his private life. 

This novel by D.V. Bishop is a gripping, entertaining story that will have you walking the streets of Florence and feel the building pressure as Aldo rushed to apprehend the murder before the feast of the epiphany. 

The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell

Like other Cornwell novels, the winter king is a gripping tale that will hook you through excellent storytelling and its rich plot. This novel borrows elements of the Arthurian myth, vividly depicting the chaos left behind in a kingdom without a leader.

In this novel, Hugh, the king, leaves behind an infant, Mordred, and its mother. The infant is placed under the care of his warlord uncle Arthur who assumes leadership of a country in throes. Can Arthur hold the kingdom together with a threat of invasion from Saxon armies and his hectic relationship with Guinevere? 

A Woman of no Importance: The untold story of the American spy who helped win World War II by Purnell Sonia

How could a single woman define the fate of the world war? The riveting story in Sonia’s novel is one of heroism, espionage, and personal triumph regardless of overwhelming adversity.

Purnell tells the tale of Virginia Hall, a Baltimore socialite that negotiates her way into special ops executive. In her narration, Purnell answers various questions, including why Hall wallowed in ignominy for long besides her notable accomplishments.

She also covers Hall’s formative years and how they led her to adventure. This novel thus dispels the common notion that espionage is a man’s field and shows that women can lead, serve, and execute in various situations if given a chance. 

Final Take

Finding the best historical fiction book with an overwhelming catalog of books to select from can prove a challenge. These recommendations are great time-travel reads bound to capture you in the articulate imagery built by the writers. 

Author Bio

Naomi Whittaker is an educational writer with experience in academic writing and a knack for various novels. When she’s not assisting students in making the most of their assignments at ThesisHelpers, you may find Naomi sipping a cup of joe and immersed in a novel.