historical fiction ya books

Top 10 Must-Read Historical Fiction YA Books: Exploring the Fascinating Past

When it comes to books that transport readers to a different time and place, historical fiction reigns supreme. Combining elements of imagination and reality, historical fiction YA (Young Adult) books captivate young readers with their gripping narratives and authentic depictions of the past. If you're looking to dive into some captivating historical fiction YA books, look no further. Here are the top 10 must-reads that will satisfy your thirst for adventure and knowledge.

1. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak: Set during World War II, this poignant tale follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl in Nazi Germany, as she discovers the power of words and the value of human connections.

2. "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein: This thrilling story takes place during World War II and follows the friendship between a British spy and a pilot, highlighting the sacrifices made by women during the war.

3. "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys: Based on a true, little-known maritime disaster, this gripping novel follows several young people fleeing from war and seeking safety aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff during World War II.

4. "The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue" by Mackenzi Lee: Set in the 18th century, this swashbuckling adventure follows Henry "Monty" Montague, an aristocrat with a penchant for trouble, as he embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe, discovering love, danger, and self-discovery along the way.

5. "Code Name Helene" by Ariel Lawhon: Inspired by the true story of Nancy Wake, this novel explores the life of a fearless woman who became one of the most decorated spies of World War II, risking everything to fight against the Nazi occupation of France.

6. "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd: Set in 1964 South Carolina, this coming-of-age story follows Lily Owens as she escapes her abusive father and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the power of female friendship.

7. "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys: This heart-wrenching novel sheds light on a dark chapter of history, following the story of a Lithuanian girl and her family who are forced into labor camps during Stalin's reign of terror in World War II.

8. "Out of the Easy" by Ruta Sepetys: Set in 1950s New Orleans, this atmospheric novel follows Josie Moraine, the daughter of a prostitute, as she dreams of escaping her difficult circumstances and making a better life for herself.

9. "The Book of Lost Names" by Kristin Harmel: This dual timeline story takes readers on an emotional journey during World War II as a young woman forges documents to help children escape the Holocaust, and decades later, as an elderly woman seeks to reunite with those she saved.

10. "Wolf by Wolf" by Ryan Graudin: In an alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II, this gripping novel follows a young girl with the ability to shapeshift as she enters a cross-continent motorcycle race with the mission to assassinate Hitler.

For more historical fiction YA books, check out reputable websites like Goodreads and BookRiot. These platforms provide recommendations, reviews, and vibrant communities of book lovers eager to discuss their favorite reads.

Immerse yourself in the past with these gripping historical fiction YA books. Whether you're a die-hard historical fiction fan or a curious reader looking for a captivating tale, these novels are sure to satisfy your appetite for adventure, emotion, and historical knowledge. So buckle up and embark on a remarkable journey through time and imagination.
Fu Minglu Fiction
Fu Minglu

A skilled martial artist travels through the palace as a eunuch during the end of the Ming Dynasty. With only two months until Li Zicheng's conquest of the capital, the city stands on the brink of collapse, with devastation and misery rampant. Amidst the infighting of warlords across the land, how will he navigate the turbulent waves, raise the flag in resistance against the Qing, and prevent the Ten Days of Yangzhou and the Massacres of Jiading? Organizing a fearless team of eunuchs, he fiercely protects the young prince, launching attacks against the enemies from within and without, though lacking any supernatural abilities and merely being a humble eunuch. Yet, I will raise the Dragon Flag of the great Ming Dynasty.

569.62 Million words | 2020-07-16 21:48Update

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Rebirth of the Martial King in the War of Resistance. Fiction
Rebirth of the Martial King in the War of Resistance.

A special forces soldier traveled back to the battlefields of the 1930s during a border operation, where he became a deputy platoon leader in the National Army. In the battlefield filled with blood and carnage, facing the savage aggression of the Japanese invaders, survival could only be achieved through relentless combat!

449.71 Million words | 2022-01-08 16:46Update

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convict Fiction
convict

The King of Qin sweeps across the land, his gaze as fierce as a tiger! The flying sword shatters the illusions, and the lords from the west come together!

174.25 Million words | 2022-07-30 19:50Update

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The glory of the Song Dynasty Fiction
The glory of the Song Dynasty

Yang Wanli envies his drunken encounters with beauties; Lu You slanders his face like the king of the underworld; The beautiful memories burden him, and his dreams break his heart; Xin Qiji mocks his thuggish behavior; When historians write about his life, they shake their heads in silence, unable to put pen to paper... (History as the skeleton, imagination as the wings, the spirit of the Chinese nation, vast and magnificent.) QQ Group: [group number]

200.50 Million words | 2021-02-09 04:02Update

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Da Ming: Old Zhu, let's not be in a hurry as we agreed! Fiction
Da Ming: Old Zhu, let's not be in a hurry as we agreed!

Reborn in the Great Ming Dynasty, activating the check-in system. Equipped with a "sharp tool," Su Jing only wants to be a wealthy landlord. Unexpectedly, Lao Zhu is just too "good" to the merchants. W

115.30 Million words | 2020-08-16 02:48Update

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The Super Genius of Great Song Dynasty Fiction
The Super Genius of Great Song Dynasty

In that year, the first-class football league of the Great Song Dynasty was in full swing, and Su Dongpo, the national heartthrob, excelled in the college entrance examination. In that year, housing prices in the capital soared, and Ouyang Xiu, an old cadre, was kicked out of his house by his wife for not buying in time. In that year, Zhao Guanjia peeped at the voluptuous female sumo wrestler on the Lantern Festival, only to be caught red-handed by the masses led by Sima Guang. That was also the year when Wang Laohu brought his daughter to participate in a dating show and declared that she would only marry a scholar, causing panic among the four talented scholars by the Golden Ming Lake. And still in that year, Hedong Lion was pleased to get married while the rouge tiger was busy with blind dates, and the national child prodigy competition began with the grand entrance of young talents from all over the country.

215.93 Million words | 2021-08-03 20:52Update

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The Legend of Cao Ming in the Three Kingdoms Fiction
The Legend of Cao Ming in the Three Kingdoms

Yan Kuo, a literary youth, soul transmigrated to the Eastern Han Dynasty and unexpectedly became Cao Cao's daughter, Cao Ming. It's like being a tiger's child, but it's also an opportunity. In this era where the strong are respected, Cao Ming feels immense pressure. Until the final moment arrives, she must make a difficult decision: whether to strive for the pinnacle of power or retreat into the bustling world. (This book is purely fictional, serious readers should refer to The Records of the Three Kingdoms.) QQ book club, I am not the group owner, the group owner is a girl, cough cough.

224.38 Million words | 2022-12-17 11:10Update

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The Dragon's Struggle in the Great Tang Dynasty. Fiction
The Dragon's Struggle in the Great Tang Dynasty.

Don't push me, all I want is to be a peaceful prince, dammit! And here you come! Goddamn it, if I can't be a prince, then I'll... be an emperor! Book club: (Provided by Xuanyuan Gangster Book Club)

457.52 Million words | 2022-04-14 20:46Update

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Teacher Song Fiction
Teacher Song

"Encounter once in a millennium, meet once in a millennium. Thoughts of spring in a night, blossoming in a night!" Joining the military, seizing power, and supporting the imperial cause, navigating amidst numerous beauties, fulfilling one wish after another, leaving behind countless beautiful stories... [Book Club:] New book "Fatal Beauty" has been released, click the link below to enter.

4.29 Million words | 2020-07-15 15:41Update

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Dominance in the Warring States period. Fiction
Dominance in the Warring States period.

The war flames of the Warring States era blaze brightly, witness Zhao Kuo's relentless troop training, his willingness to fight bitterly at Changping, capturing a beauty, driving away the Xiongnu, battling the mighty Qin, challenging Bai Qi, and eventually dominating the world.

320.83 Million words | 2022-12-09 08:17Update

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Iron and Blood, Strong Song. Fiction
Iron and Blood, Strong Song.

In the second day of the first month of the year in AD, the Dragon Raising its Head, Zhao Kuangyin, the Taizu Emperor of the Song dynasty, launched a military revolt at Chenqiao Inn, donned the yellow robe, ascended the throne, proclaimed himself Emperor, established the Great Song dynasty, and adopted the reign title of Jianlong. This prosperous Han ethnic regime, known as the Northern Song, formally emerged as the most flourishing power in Chinese history, following the glorious Tang dynasty. The Northern Song dynasty lasted for many years. In the fourth year of the Xuanhe reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, the Song and Jin dynasties formed a maritime alliance and jointly attacked the Liao dynasty. Emperor Huizong dispatched Tong Guan to lead a Northern Expedition against the Khitan Empire, aiming to recover the lost territories of the sixteen prefectures. This ambitious plan, unfinished by the Taizu and Taizong Emperors, ended in a disastrous defeat as an army of two hundred thousand soldiers halted at Xiongzhou, with numerous corpses scattered and chaos setting in. Yang Ling, a modern university student turned entrepreneur, unexpectedly traversed time and arrived at this volatile era, where wars were rampant and the land was ravaged. Three years later, history would witness the catastrophic Jingkang Incident, a blood-soaked calamity. The Great Liao was on the verge of decline, the Song dynasty remained outwardly strong but inwardly weakened, and the fierce Jurchens were like tigers and wolves, menacing from the sidelines. Facing internal and external troubles, under the brutality of the barbarians, civilization crumbled, millions perished, and blood flowed like rivers. Could a traveler from a thousand years ago reverse the course of destiny, save the declining Song dynasty, and revive the glory of the Han people?

202.89 Million words | 2021-12-16 04:39Update

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Mighty Han Army Fiction
Mighty Han Army

New book in the works!

378.26 Million words | 2020-07-31 20:58Update

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The Legend of Yaoxiang Fiction
The Legend of Yaoxiang

During the middle period of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Shengping's second daughter, Yaoxiang, was mischievous from a young age, often causing trouble. As a result, she was sent by her parents to train in the Hezhong Army. In Hezhong, Yaoxiang honed her skills and became a well-known female warrior. As border conflicts escalated, Yaoxiang fell into an enemy trap and the Hezhong Army suffered consecutive defeats on the verge of collapse. Faced with these setbacks, Yaoxiang had to abandon her carefree nature and transform from an innocent girl into a resilient and independent female general. She took on the mission of revitalizing her family and rebuilding the Hezhong Army.

2.57 Million words | 2020-09-02 18:16Update

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Fake Lu Bu Fiction
Fake Lu Bu

Translating the text into English: Transmigrated into the body of Lu Bu in a game, originally supposed to be mighty and unparalleled. Unfortunately, his notorious reputation made it impossible for anyone to shelter him. In this situation, what path should he take? Xu Province has fallen under the control of Cao Cao, with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to the north, Yuan Shu, Sun Ce, and Liu Biao to the south. It can be said that he was born in the wrong era. Let's see where the protagonist will go. Join the discussion group for this book: [group link]. Welcome to join. (This book is serialized on the Zongheng platform, feel free to collect and support it.)

134.60 Million words | 2023-01-06 11:26Update

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Exotic Vanguard Fiction
Exotic Vanguard

The mighty warriors of the Infinite Clan descended upon a parallel dimension, striking fear into the hearts of their enemies even without their powers. Join the army and become a fearless warrior defending our homeland! Mozi Qi, with his gun in hand, wrote a legendary chapter in the modern military history of China. The hot blood of men flows freely, and the tenderness of ironclad souls reveals itself after lights out. The Chinese Reaper Society will make sure that anyone with ill intentions towards China knows that those who dare to provoke us will be crushed, no matter how far. Eliminating internal threats, repelling strong enemies, with a gun in hand, the reaper comes to this world.

113.16 Million words | 2022-05-20 19:21Update

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Three Kingdoms Military God Fiction
Three Kingdoms Military God

Chen Xu, who traveled back to the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, was merely an ordinary civilian. In this era filled with influential families, he only wanted to provide a better life for his own family. However, fate had other plans. Oppressed beyond measure, Chen Xu eventually joined the doomed Yellow Turban Rebellion, creating a new chapter in history. Through trials of blood and fire, he transformed from a compassionate individual to a ruthless hero, a military god who conquered all. Book enthusiasts group:

499.25 Million words | 2020-08-22 10:15Update

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The Supreme Hero Zhù Biāo in Water Margin Fiction
The Supreme Hero Zhù Biāo in Water Margin

The greatest tragedy for a time traveler is to be transported into a situation where his fiancée is about to be kidnapped by a group of bandits, his family is about to be killed, and even his own head is going to be chopped off. And somehow, the carefree Jiang Weimin finds himself in such a predicament. Who did he travel into? He became Zhu Biao, one of the three heroes of the Zhu family in "Water Margin," whose village is about to be attacked by Liangshan troops. How can he prevent his fiancée, Hu Sanniang, from being violated by these loathsome bandits? How can he save his family from being killed? And how can he avoid having his head chopped off by Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind? In the near future, the Jurchen cavalry will descend rapidly southward, sweeping through the Central Plains. On the eve of this turbulent era, as a young man with 21st century advanced thoughts, culture, science and technology, and management concepts, he should change history! Well, let's not talk nonsense, he should first change his own fate of being killed...

363.31 Million words | 2021-06-24 05:39Update

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Madness at the end of the Ming dynasty. Fiction
Madness at the end of the Ming dynasty.

Wu Shigong traveled to the end of the Tianqi period and reluctantly boarded the sinking ship of Wei Zhongxian. In the late Ming Dynasty, there were internal power struggles in the court and rebellions on the outside. In the harsh environment with the threat of the Later Jin army at the border, he did not understand the historical process and engage in opportunism; he

338.60 Million words | 2020-12-08 07:51Update

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The Dawn of Apocalypse Fiction
The Dawn of Apocalypse

During the Tianqi period at the end of the Ming Dynasty, strong enemies lurked outside, while eunuchs ran rampant within. The court's governance became increasingly lax, powerful forces merged and plundered, and the people suffered. As the Emperor, I make the decisions! I will confront the strong enemy, eliminate corrupt officials, and punish the powerful. I will reverse the decline and support the crumbling empire. I will crush the enemy's onslaught, save the common people from water and fire. Of course, this cannot be achieved without many beautiful women and abundant wealth.

429.30 Million words | 2023-04-04 05:09Update

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Enchanting Brothel: The Tale of an Indomitable Empress Fiction
Enchanting Brothel: The Tale of an Indomitable Empress

On her first night in the brothel, she was auctioned off. Poisoned and almost raped, she narrowly escaped. When she returned, stripped of her dignity, she became a victim of ruthless exploitation, enduring countless instances of harassment. In modern times, she was betrayed by her boyfriend and found herself in this sexually liberated era, where men resembled hungry wolves and fierce tigers. She had to be cautious and on guard at all times...

23.95 Million words | 2020-11-23 11:11Update

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