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Best Historical Fiction Novels That Will Transport You to Another Time

If you're a fan of historical fiction, then you know the joy of being immersed in a different era, exploring the lives and events that have shaped our world. From ancient civilizations to recent historical events, historical fiction offers endless possibilities for storytelling. In this article, we will take a journey through time and recommend some of the best historical fiction novels that will captivate your imagination.

1. "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett:
Set in 12th-century England, this epic tale follows the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. Filled with political intrigue, religious conflict, and the struggle of ordinary people, this novel is a masterpiece of historical fiction.

2. "The Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier:
Based on the famous painting by Johannes Vermeer, this novel takes place in 17th-century Delft, Netherlands. It tells the story of Griet, a young maid who becomes the subject of Vermeer's masterpiece. Chevalier's vivid descriptions and attention to detail transport readers back to the Golden Age of Dutch art.

3. "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel:
Winner of the prestigious Man Booker Prize, this novel follows the rise of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII. Set in the tumultuous period of the English Reformation, Mantel's masterful storytelling brings to life the political intrigue, power struggles, and volatile relationships of the Tudor court.

4. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak:
Narrated by Death, this hauntingly beautiful novel is set in Nazi Germany during World War II. It follows the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds solace in books and discovers the power of words. Zusak's unforgettable characters and lyrical prose make this a must-read for any fan of historical fiction.

5. "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco:
In 14th-century Italy, a Franciscan friar named William of Baskerville is called upon to solve a series of mysterious deaths in an isolated monastery. Blending historical events, philosophy, and detective fiction, Eco creates a rich and atmospheric world that will keep readers engaged until the very last page.

To delve deeper into the world of historical fiction, there are several websites that offer recommendations and reviews. Goodreads, a popular online community for book lovers, has dedicated lists and forums for historical fiction enthusiasts. Historical Novel Society is another valuable resource, providing reviews, interviews, and articles about the genre.

In conclusion, historical fiction is a genre that allows us to travel through time and experience different eras firsthand. Whether you're interested in medieval Europe, Renaissance art, or the World Wars, there is a historical fiction novel out there waiting to transport you to another time. So grab a book, settle into a cozy chair, and let the magic of historical storytelling take you on a captivating journey.
Exquisite and Charming Fiction
Exquisite and Charming

With a delicate heart, I strive for a splendid path; even as a daughter of a common family, I can still achieve glory and prosperity in this world! Internal conflicts within the household are endless, but I must plan my own life regardless of the circumstances.

57.29 Million words | 2023-02-13 22:07Update

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Step by step, a lotus grows. Fiction
Step by step, a lotus grows.

Yang Decheng, a diligent community worker, accidentally travels back to ancient times and becomes the most despised illegitimate son of the Ding family, Ding Hao. With neither power nor wealth, Ding Hao, who works as a coachman for his half-brother, harbors a dream of becoming a carefree and prosperous young master in this wicked society, living a peaceful life. Although his dream seems distant, Ding Hao remains undaunted. With the social experience accumulated from his community work, he adeptly navigates through people and events, seizing every opportunity to break free from confinement and strive for everything he desires. The power struggles of the Song dynasty, the joys and sorrows of Li Yu, the ambitions of Xiao Chuo in the Northern Kingdom, the secrets of the Golden Casket Alliance, the mysterious movements behind the scenes, Chen Tun's cunning plot to take Mount Huashan, the eternal regret of the Gao Liang River... The picturesque landscape, the beauty as poetic as a verse, the samsara world, where every step yields lotus blossoms.

356.55 Million words | 2020-11-15 02:01Update

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Joy of Life Fiction
Joy of Life

"Joy of Life" is a novel written by Mao Ni, and was first released on the Qidian Chinese website. The story gradually depicts the ups and downs of the Kingdom of Qing over several decades through the growth journey of a young man named Fan Xian. Throughout the course of several decades, we witness the rise and fall, as well as the changing of prominent figures across three generations. Two main storylines, Fan Xian's growth and Ye Qingmei's life, run through the entire novel, one in the light and the other in the dark, encompassing the storms and vicissitudes of the Kingdom of Qing over several decades.

395.88 Million words | 2022-11-25 09:22Update

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Unparalleled Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty. Fiction
Unparalleled Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty.

Li Jian traveled through the Tang Dynasty and became the son of Li Shimin. At the beginning, he cut off all ties with Li Shimin. "Ding! Congratulations, host, for activating the War System." Li Jian: ??? With the system in hand, I have dominion over the world. This world is ultimately within my grasp!

250.15 Million words | 2022-04-16 18:48Update

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Qin official Fiction
Qin official

At the end of the Warring States period, there was an unprecedented upheaval in the Middle Kingdom. Some were born as nobles. Some were esteemed as princes. But he was reborn as a lowly soldier named Heifu in the state of Qin, a small character in the Yunmeng Qinjian. To avoid death in the ravines and to seize control of his own destiny, he fiercely climbed his way up. Fortunately, he caught up with a great era. The King of Qin swept across the world, his eyes filled with ambition! Centuries-old bloodlines were no match for military achievements and bestowed titles. The elites of the six states were all trampled upon by the officials of Qin. Heifu only wanted to laugh and ask one question: Are the noble and honorable truly noble and honorable? Conquering the Baiyue in the south, repelling the Xiongnu in the north, driving away the Di and Qiang in the west, and crossing the Eastern Sea on towering ships. With his participation, how will history change? However, the First Emperor's death inevitably led to the fragmentation of the world. As an official of Qin, how should he choose? Should he contribute to chaos or try to prevent it?

336.68 Million words | 2022-07-08 23:40Update

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Bring the warehouse to the Ming Dynasty. Fiction
Bring the warehouse to the Ming Dynasty.

Fang Xing transmigrated and brought two warehouses with him! While others bring with them an aura of dominance when they time travel, Fang Xing only wants to farm! "All I want is to live leisurely in this era!" Sitting with his beautiful wives and concubines, he also takes the opportunity to teach a few disciples, working hard to make them climb up, so they can be his support! But who would have thought that these disciples are somewhat unreliable, and it turns out they are...

599.09 Million words | 2022-02-16 02:39Update

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Shao Song Fiction
Shao Song

Shào, First is succession, second is guidance. In the year of the century, the Northern Song dynasty fell. Soon after, Emperor Zhao Guo of the ninth generation ascended the throne in Shangqiu, inheriting the rule of the Song dynasty and adopting the era name Jiànyán. However, within three months, Li Gang was dismissed as prime minister, Chen Dong was killed, Yue Fei was expelled from the army, Zong Ze was abandoned in the capital, and the anti-Jin military plans in Hebei were completely dismantled... After much effort, the officials and military of the entire court finally unified their thoughts and established the brilliant anti-Jin route of supporting Emperor Zhao's southern migration from Huaidian to Yangzhou. But as soon as they set out, after paying homage to the ancestral temple in Mingdao Palace in Bozhou, Emperor Zhao himself fell into the world-famous Nine Dragon Well. When he got up, he no longer recognized who his trusted confidants were! I want to resist the Jin dynasty! But where are my trusted confidants?! This is a sincere cry from a soul nine hundred years later. After reluctantly inheriting the name of the Great Song dynasty, he is determined to lead this court and the world onto a new path. Thus it is called Shào Sòng.

274.10 Million words | 2022-04-02 12:10Update

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Under the Cover of the Night Fiction
Under the Cover of the Night

Reorganizing the vassals, relocating the capital, conquering the Mongols five times, venturing into the South Seas seven times, I am everywhere, yet no one knows my presence. Taking the world into my hands, clad in a brocade robe, I move stealthily in the night. Low-key! Low-key is the royal way. The twists and turns of a lineage, the continuation of a passive destiny, have led to his rise and counterattack. Seemingly without agency, he has turned the tides of his own life, creating a new situation for the entire environment. The fierce struggle for the throne, the meticulous reform to reduce the vassals' power, the glorious moment of the Yongle Encyclopedia, the manipulation of relocating the capital and controlling the world, internal peace and external defense, all the shining moments cannot erase his shadow or conceal his footsteps. The early Ming Dynasty was a time of constant turmoil. In this tumultuous era, a nobody from the modern world, how could he overturn the heavens and earth, and leave his own quiet brilliance amidst such chaos?!

382.09 Million words | 2020-10-27 07:37Update

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Drunken Pillow Over the Rivers and Mountains Fiction
Drunken Pillow Over the Rivers and Mountains

Emperor Wu Riyue, the Empress of Domination, Shangguan Wan'er, weighs the world, Li Guo'er, as enchanting as a flower, The Five Xingzi compete and conspire, Princess Taiping finds it difficult to bring peace, Li Sanlang of the Li family is truly outstanding, Di Renjie, Zhang Yizhi, Feng Xiaobao... Talented scholars, beautiful women, butchers of dogs! Red Sleeve Recruitment, wandering heroes, traversing under the Tang Dynasty sky, Intoxicatedly resting on the pillow of the landscape, laughing and looking at the universe!

394.94 Million words | 2021-11-02 23:47Update

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Countless charming figures Fiction
Countless charming figures

In the second year of the Yonglong era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a flourishing era conceals underlying concerns. The nobles and officials are adorned with colorful attire, while civil and military officers face the fiery trials. Internal strife between factions persist both in the north and south, while external threats loom on the nine borders. This is both the best and the worst of times. The key lies in how one navigates through it. With courage and perseverance, watch me embrace a resolute and elegant path, striving to change the course of the heavens! This is a historical narrative that nurtures the political environment, and I ask for your support, my friends. Join the loyal readers' group of Rui Gen for discussions and updates.

814.36 Million words | 2021-09-24 02:31Update

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Beautiful scenery Fiction
Beautiful scenery

He originally thought that being a bandit in troubled times was a very promising job, but he never expected to become a favorite of the court, the person Yang Guang trusts the most. When he became immensely popular and wanted to pursue his grand ambitions, he was helpless to discover that the world was in chaos, in a complete state of disorder. Xiao Buyi, who started out as a nobody, rose to power, with his iron horse galloping and no one daring to oppose him! - - - - - - The new book "Stealing Fragrance" by Mo Wu, set in the Three Kingdoms era, has already been released on Qidian. There is a link in the description below, with over a million words! Friends are welcome to go and support it!

434.02 Million words | 2022-08-06 23:06Update

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The Night Emperor Fiction
The Night Emperor

He inherited a position without succession, yet he is not of royal blood; he comes from a prestigious family, yet he is not from a noble lineage. As one of the heads of the Six Doors, he initially intended to dutifully pass down the iron rice bowl handed down by his ancestors through generations. However, he never expected to be deceived by a charlatan and lose his little world. From that moment on, a formidable figure emerged. He proclaimed himself as a selfless friend who would sacrifice himself for others, but wherever he went, he would always hide away those with virtuous wives and noble daughters, never daring to reveal them to the public. He claimed to have a pure and kind nature, but only to avoid serving under his superior, he amusingly used the excuse of "filial piety" to happily resign from his high-ranking position and return to his hometown. He declared himself a loyal subject, but because of him, the diligent Emperor Wanli no longer attended court early. Yang Ling is known as "Yang the Beheader" by the people, while Yang Fan is called "Plague Doctor", but he has even more nicknames to his name – "Mad Historian," "Ass-Carrying Official," "Night Emperor"... Each nickname represents one of his legends.

338.08 Million words | 2022-12-31 03:27Update

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Once upon a time, there was a carefree nobleman. Fiction
Once upon a time, there was a carefree nobleman.

Cancer patient Chen Xiao time-traveled, thinking he wouldn't live much longer. Despite this, he demonstrated exceptional courage and accomplished remarkable feats, even winning over a beautiful woman. On their wedding night, palace officials arrived, revealing that his fiancee was actually an escaped princess. Enraged by the sight of his fiancee being taken away, Chen Xiao declared, "This equestrian official, I will claim her as my own!" Dear readers, if you find "The Carefree Equestrian Official" intriguing, please don't forget to recommend it to your friends in your QQ groups and on Weibo!

59.49 Million words | 2020-09-13 16:01Update

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Tang Dynasty: Li Shimin Exiled to a Deserted Island at the Beginning Fiction
Tang Dynasty: Li Shimin Exiled to a Deserted Island at the Beginning

Researcher Jiang Feng accidentally stranded on a deserted island, cultivating crops while waiting for rescue. One year later, three men dressed in ancient attire broke into the island. Old Li: Let's be honest, I am the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty! Old Sun: Well, I'll be honest too, I'm not Old Sun, I am Zhang Sun Wuji! Old Du: I'll be honest as well, I am Du Ruhui! Jiang Feng: When in doubt, quantum mechanics, I also know it. So, here's the truth, I am...!

146.59 Million words | 2021-05-10 19:34Update

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Great men of the Northern Song Dynasty. Fiction
Great men of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Later generations all say that the Great Song Dynasty lacks brave men, thus making it weak and unable to defend itself, clinging to a corner. As a result, the Divine Land sinks. Shen An really wants to become a great man, but first, he must carry his four-year-old sister and seek a living in the city of Bianliang... The QQ group for the new book is: Fangjiazhuang, number: xxxxxxxx. This is an ordinary group. Once the book is published, after verification of the complete subscription in the group, you can join the complete subscription group.

601.93 Million words | 2020-11-29 10:50Update

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The Rise of the Poor Family Fiction
The Rise of the Poor Family

This is the story of a graduate student majoring in Ancient Chinese who has been repeatedly frustrated in his career. He goes back to the middle of the Ming Dynasty and ends up in the body of a young child in a rural village. With a reserved father and a fierce mother, and all kinds of troublesome relatives, the farmhouse is far from peaceful. Fortunately, our protagonist has thousands of years of historical accumulation, with a solid foundation in the Four Books, Five Classics, and the art of essay writing. Moreover, his expertise is well-suited to this era, and he can even perceive fate. Who says it is difficult for a poor family to produce an outstanding child? As the country's strength rises, the government maintains stability; however, there is lax law enforcement and bureaucratic inefficiency. There are a few treacherous officials and occasional pirate attacks, but overall, this is a fertile land where scholars and gentlemen can thrive freely. A legendary rise from a humble background begins here. With this story, I pay tribute to all the classic time-travel novels.

409.01 Million words | 2021-10-19 20:25Update

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Elder of the Small Pavilion. Fiction
Elder of the Small Pavilion.

Standing before you is: the guardian of the Ming Dynasty, the close comrade-in-arms of Emperor Wanli, the beloved son of the Prime Minister, and the wealthiest individual in the history of human civilization. The hidden hand behind the Ministry of Personnel for thirty years, the gravedigger of the feudal system, the second Yan Shifan according to the Donglin Party, and Zhang Juzheng who proclaimed himself invincible. The confidant of Hai Rui, the patron of Xu Wei, the one who shaved off Matteo Ricci's head, and the mentor of six top scholars including Xu Guangqi. The veil of the poetic world in the Ming Dynasty, the author of over seven hundred books across various disciplines, the inventor of more than two thousand seven hundred patents, and the pioneer of modern universities and science. The protector of overseas Chinese, the pioneer of new sea routes, the maintainer of global order, and the contractor of large-scale projects worldwide. The instigator of turmoil in Europe, the adoptive father of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the savior of Sebastian, and the low-rank officer wholeheartedly dedicated to the people.

500.87 Million words | 2022-01-11 02:56Update

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Struggle for Supremacy Fiction
Struggle for Supremacy

Since more than two thousand years ago, after the unification of China by Qin Shihuang, the country has experienced cycles of division and reunification, peace and chaos. Through many dynasties, it was not until six hundred years ago that the Mongols rose to power from the north. The Mongols relied on their formidable military strength to invade China, using their steel swords to conquer the people, plunder the nation's wealth, and enslave the labor force. They indiscriminately slaughtered and indulged in greed, acting lawlessly. This regime built upon violence and slavery is like a thatched hut constructed on volcanic rock. Eventually, the scorching lava will erupt and devour everything. In the early fourteenth century, as history's pages continued

70.15 Million words | 2023-05-03 18:46Update

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The Chinese Dining Table Fiction
The Chinese Dining Table

All the people in the world, all the matters in the world, are nothing more than dishes on the dining table of the great Tang Dynasty. Although the original ingredients possess the primitive charm of food, Yun Chu still believes that the most delicious food needs to be sliced, cooked, and processed before being presented on the table, in order to be in line with the appetites of the people of the great Tang. Steamed, braised, stir-fried, stewed... there are as many cooking methods in the kitchen as there are things in the world. Whether it is Goguryeo, the Turks, Tubo, Tuyuhun, Xue Yantuo, Tiele... or whales, tigers, giant sharks, hungry wolves, in the melting pot of the great Tang, they can all be cooked into exquisite delicacies... With the addition of Li Zhi, Wu Zhao, Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, Li Ji, Cheng Yaojin and other extraordinary seasonings, there will always be something that makes you unforgettable in terms of color, aroma, and taste. Yun Chu hopes to have a seat of his own at such a luxurious feast! Now, the delicious food has been cooked to perfection - Yun Chu spreads out the napkin, picks up the deer carving knife, closes his eyes slightly, and prepares to enjoy an unprecedented great meal to satisfy his hungry stomach.

280.02 Million words | 2021-02-05 16:26Update

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An Enlightenment at the Last Moment Fiction
An Enlightenment at the Last Moment

Crossover into a chaotic era was not caused by a lightning strike, but by their own choice. Some wanted to become kings and dominate, some wanted to rescue the people from turmoil, some wanted to use their own strength to prevent the last brutal conquest of civilization and rewrite the history of the Chinese nation. Of course, there were also those who only desired multiple spouses and indulged in an excessively corrupt lifestyle. This group of ordinary people with mixed intentions carried ambitions and dreams, lacking the physique of tigers, the aura of kings, and the props of foolish enlightenment. They squeezed onto an old ship in chaos, armed with modern machinery, technology, and various theories. With ambitions, dreams, and ideals that cannot be achieved in the present world, these time travelers embarked towards the chaotic era of the Ming Dynasty. Destination: Hainan.

866.35 Million words | 2023-03-20 21:24Update

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Restore the Han Fiction
Restore the Han

Striving to gain the support of the lords and seeking to preserve my life in chaotic times! As a child who lost my father at a young age, Gong Sunxun obtained a life guideline early on from my mother, who claimed to be a time traveler. However, as the years passed, Gong Sunxun always found things to be a little off: "My cousin Gong Sun Zan is unreliable, what should I do, Mother? Waiting online!" "Yuan Shao, who holds the position of Three Excellencies for four generations, is on the brink of self-destruction, what should I do, Mother? Waiting online!" "The extraordinary Cao Mengde and the unwavering Liu Xuande are about to form an alliance against me, what should I do, Mother? Waiting online!" "Um... Mother, recently Sima Yi and his group have presented me with a memorial urging me to abdicate. I feel quite anxious. What should I do?" "Oh, just chill? Shouldn't disturb your busy schedule of selecting a daughter-in-law and enjoying the life of a queen dowager? Understood, I will definitely listen to you this time. I've always been obedient since childhood!"

322.80 Million words | 2021-04-03 15:35Update

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