6 Historical Fantasy Books You Should Read

It’s hard to remember exactly when I found out that historical fantasy books were a thing. However, once I started to fall down this particular rabbit hole, it was clear that this would be my new favorite genre. To everyone’s delight, I’m happy to confirm this. The best thing about this genre is the fact that it’s still fantasy, so the stories are filled with magic. They are even more interesting when you consider that they all have some connection to history. Given my love for historical fantasy, it is no surprise that I decided to compile a list of the top historical fantasy books.

This list is now divided into two sections. This first section is filled with fantasy books that reimagine historical events and add magic elements. They draw inspiration from historical events in order to create a story. They reimagine historical events. The second section focuses on fantasy books that are historical fiction settings. Last disclaimer: This list is not complete nor exhaustive. There are many other historical fantasy books that are equally as impressive and unputdownable.

Let’s now get to nine historical fantasy books.

FANTASY BOOKS THAT REIMAGINE HISTORY

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN BY SHELLEY PARKER-CHAN

This is one of my favourite 2021 releases! It’s more subtle than some of the other books in this list. It’s still the first book in a duology, at least for now. She Who Became The Sun shows how China’s Ming Dynasty rose. You can expect action-packed fight scenes, political intrigue and a cast full of morally gray characters. The story follows a girl who is destined for nothingness while her brother is destined to greatness. When Zhu Chongba dies, the girl is given his name. Zhu discovers that she has the burning desire to be great and takes her brother’s fate as her own. This is how Zhu finds herself in a monastery, and then later in rebellion.

RING SHOUT BY P. DJÈLÍ CLARK

P. Djeli Clark said that the Ku Klux Klan should be demons. That’s why I’m here . This novella borders on horror and sci-fi territory, even though it is still fantasy. Ring Shout is set in 1915. It asks the question, “What if?” What if The Birth of a Nation were a spell? What if D.W. Griffith were a sorcerer You get demons. You also have Maryse Boudreaux, a demon hunter who is a real kickass. She is a skilled shooter and a member the resistance fighters. Her business is to hunt demons. Things are heating up and the Klan’s plan for the end of the universe is nearing fulfillment — only Maryse has the power to stop them.

THE POPPY WAR BY R.F. KUANG

Whenever people talk about The Poppy War, they also tend to talk about the historical context. This is probably because the book contains scenes straight from history books about Second Sino-Japanese War — and they’re harrowing. Rin is a war orphan from south who passed the Empire’s most difficult exam. She was allowed to study at the most prestigious military school in the country because of her success. Things seem to be going well for a while there. A rivalry develops between her and a nobleman’s child, which leads to her discovering that she is a shaman who can summon power from long-lost gods. One day, however, they are attacked by their neighboring country. Rin’s power might be the only way out.

DREAD NATION BY JUSTINA IRELAND

The horror-filled last book in this series borders on the absurd — it contains zombies! Dread Nation revisits the Civil War, asking: What if the country were plagued by zombies? Jane is a student to be an Attendant. They learn weaponry and proper etiquette. They are trained to protect elites and kill zombies. Jane doesn’t want this for her life, so when she returns to the academy, she turns a blind ear to politics. That is, until several families go missing. Jane finds herself trapped in a conspiracy that makes fighting Zombies seem easy, and is forced to fight for the life she loves.

FANTASY BOOKS WITH A HISTORICAL SETTING

GODS OF JADE AND SHADOW BY SILVIA MORENO-GARCÍA

This book is so unique, both due to its setting and because you feel like you are reading a fairy tale or myth. Gods of Jade and Shadow takes place in 1920s Mexico and follows Casiopea Tun, a young woman. Her grandfather treats her very poorly and she feels almost like a maid at his home. She longs for a better life and is granted her wish by Hun-Kame, a Mayan god named death. Casiopea accidentally set him free, and they are now tied together. She must now help him in his quest to reclaim his throne. Unless she wishes to die.

THE KEEPER OF NIGHT BY KYLIE LEE BAKER

This genre has the unique ability to take you to places and times you didn’t know existed. This book takes you to the 1890s in London , and Japan. The Keeper Of Night is a world-building project that’s influenced by Japanese folklore. It tells the story Ren Scarborough, a half-British Reaper and half-Japan Shinigami. She has been living in London for centuries collecting souls from the dead. Because of her other abilities, she isn’t able to fit in with the rest of the community. She flees to Japan, along with her younger brother, in search of acceptance. She is then sent to the Japanese underworld, where she serves the Goddess of Death. Ren is given the task of eliminating three Yokai demons in order to earn her position. This is a risky mission that will show Ren how far she’s willing go to get what she wants.