best historical fiction books ever

If you're a history enthusiast looking for some gripping reads, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll explore a handpicked selection of the best historical fiction books that have captivated readers for generations. From sweeping epics set in war-torn eras to intimate character-driven tales, here are some of the greatest historical novels of all time:

1. "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell:
Transport yourself to the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction period with this timeless classic. Follow the remarkable journey of Scarlett O'Hara as she navigates love, loss, and survival against the backdrop of a nation torn apart. Margaret Mitchell's vivid storytelling will effortlessly immerse you in the turbulent history of the American Civil War.

2. "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett:
Embark on an architectural adventure in 12th-century England with Follett's magnum opus. As the construction of a cathedral unfolds, the lives of a diverse cast of characters become intertwined, showcasing the political and social struggles of the time. "Pillars of the Earth" offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval life.

3. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak:
Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, this hauntingly beautiful tale follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds solace in stealing books. As she navigates the horrors of war, her love for words and storytelling becomes a beacon of hope. Zusak's lyrical prose and unique narrative voice make this an unforgettable reading experience.

4. "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel:
Step into the court of Henry VIII in this Booker Prize-winning novel. Hilary Mantel masterfully brings to life the intrigue, politics, and power struggles of Tudor England through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell. Immerse yourself in the treacherous world of royal politics and witness history unfold in this meticulously researched work.

5. "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco:
Travel back to the 14th century with this intellectually stimulating murder mystery set in an Italian monastery. Umberto Eco effortlessly blends fiction and history, showcasing his deep knowledge of medieval Europe. Delve into the world of religious politics and intellectual curiosity as the protagonist, William of Baskerville, unravels a string of mysterious deaths.

To explore further, you can visit reputable websites such as Goodreads or Historical Novel Society, where avid readers discuss and review historical fiction books. These platforms provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your specific interests.

Whether you're fascinated by the Civil War, medieval Europe, World War II, or the Tudor era, these timeless historical fiction novels offer an immersive reading experience. Their exceptional storytelling and meticulous attention to historical detail will transport you to pivotal moments in history, making them must-reads for any lover of the genre. So grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and lose yourself in the rich tapestry of the past. Happy reading!
The Grey Wolf of Chu and Han Fiction
The Grey Wolf of Chu and Han

A special soldier travels back to the end of the Qin Dynasty, raises the banner of rebellion, becomes brothers with Xiang Yu, marries a beautiful woman, breaks through the Ten-Faced Ambush at Gaixia, and rewrites the history of the Chu-Han contention! 【Fans of Huayan】: Support Huayan! Support "The Azure Wolf of Chu-Han"! Also, I recommend a good book, "Heart's Temptation: Imprisoned Wife of the Wealthy Family". It's a classic in women's literature, different from masochistic stories, it will let you experience a kind of youthful beauty.

56.78 Million words | 2022-06-24 08:29Update

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Champion Marquis Fiction
Champion Marquis

In this life, what I had longed for in my previous life was finally within my grasp. However, it is not easy to protect everything that I have gained. I traveled through time to a world completely different from history, only to be astonished by the fact that it was the world from a novel I had read before. For the sake of my family and my homeland, I witnessed how an ordinary individual can overturn the heavens and the earth.

281.22 Million words | 2023-01-29 12:54Update

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Happy Cow Emperor of the Tang Dynasty Fiction
Happy Cow Emperor of the Tang Dynasty

Emperor Li Shimin: "Niu Dabao, how is the preparation of my mechanized army going?" Niu Dabao: "Your Majesty, please take a look at the Shifeng three-wheeler prepared by me. It has a 360-degree panoramic skylight in the driver's cab, which allows soldiers to spot enemies around them in the shortest time! It has a mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, reinforced rear axle, and can carry a load of 2.

169.00 Million words | 2021-09-04 16:59Update

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The Art of Taming: Spoiling the Farming Little Princess Fiction
The Art of Taming: Spoiling the Farming Little Princess

The emperor found a woman who claimed to be a precious pearl from the sea, and bestowed upon her the title of Princess Changle, causing nationwide celebration! However, rumors soon spread that the princess was overbearing and savage, causing people in the palace to avoid crossing paths with her. Not long after, it was said that three prominent young men in the country fought in the streets over the opportunity to invite the princess for a meal. And before one could realize, the cries of distress from the princess's residence became a regular occurrence, with passersby unable to resist feeling a sense of Schadenfreude.

402.57 Million words | 2021-08-29 08:39Update

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The Thirteen Secret Fiction
The Thirteen Secret

Heaven as a tent, earth as a blanket, The sun, moon, and stars accompany my sleep. In the night, dare not extend my feet, Fear of treading upon the mountains, rivers, and sacred places. The QQ discussion groups for this book are as follows: 影魅饕餮商羊虚耗 本有八个群,现在集中一下 希望都加到四个群里 在镜花水月混沌傲因这四个群的观众 希望看到后能够转移。

183.68 Million words | 2021-03-03 16:49Update

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The Legend of Seeking Qin: The Return of the Dragon to Qin Fiction
The Legend of Seeking Qin: The Return of the Dragon to Qin

In the xx year, another unexpected discovery was made in Emperor Qin Shi Huang's underground mausoleum. In addition to the surging treasures, a mysterious flying saucer and a high-tech pistol were unearthed. Buried underground for over two thousand years, the Chinese Academy of Sciences attaches great importance to this and conducts secret research. They seek the assistance of the young and legendary figure, Long Tianyu, in the experiment. However, during the process, strange phenomena occur and Long Tianyu is seemingly transported back to the Qin Dynasty by the mysterious aircraft, experiencing a life in a different time and space, amidst the Chu-Han contention and the allure of various beauties. Excitement, shock, thrills, uniqueness, and love are all part of this story. An end to one life is also the beginning of another. This online novel follows the formula of a popular genre, allowing anyone to imagine themselves as the protagonist indulging in the classics of famous authors, as long as

505.06 Million words | 2021-08-09 20:48Update

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The Assistant of Sleeping Dragon in the Three Kingdoms Fiction
The Assistant of Sleeping Dragon in the Three Kingdoms

New book is available now, please show your support by reading it. Below is the brief introduction: Title: The War God Liu Feng in the Three Kingdoms In this year, Liu Bei's biological son, Liu Shan, was born. In this year, Cao Cao's army of 800,000 marched south. In this year, a modern accountant traveled back in time and became Liu Bei's adopted son, Liu Feng. Awkward identity, imminent danger, and a tragic ending in the future - Liu Feng, who is aware of it all, can only rise up and resist the fate's arrangement

484.53 Million words | 2020-08-28 14:28Update

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Zhu Yuanzhang Fiction
Zhu Yuanzhang

Zhu Yuanzhang treated power with instincts similar to how a wild beast treats its prey: a strong desire, dreadful patience, long periods of laying low, remaining vigilant in chaos, discerning real opportunities, baring its fangs, and striking a deadly blow. This power-hungry founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty left behind a prosperous era known as the "Hongwu reign of governance." This is a comprehensive account of Zhu Yuanzhang's strategies and struggles in obtaining power, manipulating power, seizing power, and wielding power throughout his life.

367.08 Million words | 2021-08-17 05:41Update

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Rebirth of the Gang Leader in the Kanto Region Fiction
Rebirth of the Gang Leader in the Kanto Region

Qi Tian, a special forces soldier from the Hua Xia Shen Yang Military Region, went on a mission and perished alongside foreign mercenaries at the border of Bai Tou Mountain. Rewinding time, he is reborn at the foot of Bai Tou Mountain as a hunter with the same name. In this chaotic world, Qi Tian, who possesses the family's inherited sword skills, relies on cold weapons and vows to clash with firearms. In an era plagued by warlords and rampant banditry, the young Qi Tian emerges from Bai Tou Mountain and embarks on

70.04 Million words | 2021-09-04 20:51Update

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The Good Prince of the Three Kingdoms. Fiction
The Good Prince of the Three Kingdoms.

Wu Hao, in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, only wanted to live a carefree life, but unexpectedly ended up beating Zhou Yu. He wanted to join either Sun, Cao, or Liu's family to avoid retaliation from Zhou Yu in the future. However, considering the marriage contract his mother held for the grand bridge, he decisively embarked on a glorious path of inciting his own father to rebel.

499.55 Million words | 2022-09-10 12:23Update

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The Young Gentleman of the Great Ming Fiction
The Young Gentleman of the Great Ming

In the Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty, wisps of blue smoke rose, The southern barbarians and northern invaders gazed upon the vast land, After nearly two hundred years, the Empire of Ming was showing signs of decline, In the darkest days of Ming, a loud sound came from the sky, and a young man appeared out of nowhere. Many years later, the young man would say with deep emotions, "If I hadn't taken a second look at you in the crowd, would I have become like this?" PS: This book has been contracted, please feel free to bookmark it. The author has already completed two VIP books, "Man Tang Chun" and "Ming Dynasty Hero." Please show your support!

298.35 Million words | 2021-05-04 13:02Update

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Gangster Emperor Fiction
Gangster Emperor

When he was born, the rosy clouds danced and the dragons and phoenixes sang, carrying the name bestowed upon him. Who would have thought that the taller the tree, the stronger the wind blows, and he would suffer secret attacks, obscuring his brilliant talents and presenting himself as a ruffian. As the ten imperial stars converge in the sky, who is the true heaven-sent emperor? Conce

12.76 Million words | 2023-02-28 08:50Update

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Rebuilding Tsinghua Fiction
Rebuilding Tsinghua

On June 11th, in the second year of the Xianfeng reign, a woman slowly walked into the Shunzhen Gate, later to be known as the evil Dowager Empress, Satan's wife, and the Iron-blooded Queen, Cixi. Little did anyone know that history would take a drastically different turn. "When the Lobster Army returned triumphant alongside the Gallic Rooster at the Baili Bridge, the remnants of the Taiping Rebellion had already quietly ignited the gunsmoke in India. The brightest jewels on the crown of the Queen of England were about to gather dust. As the Russian bear's reach into the Far East was severed, the awakening dragon had set its sights on the succulent meats of Lake Baikal and Alaska. As the Meiji Restoration began to take shape, the Beiyang Fleet, born out of the twenty-year Westernization Movement, visited Japan with the might of a second Black Ship..." In the Jien Hall of the Yuanmingyuan, under the carved moon and opened sky, Xingzhen set aside the chapter of the Tongdaotang and opened her eyes. She looked at her unusually long lifeline in the palm of her hand, and her eyes emitted a daunting radiance. Since I am Cixi, then no one shall be spared!

108.73 Million words | 2022-09-06 11:21Update

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Misty promise of the towering mountains. Fiction
Misty promise of the towering mountains.

Sunuo is a know-it-all, funny girl, while Ji Yaoyi is a single-minded young man. Together, they experience unimaginable moments in life, where various cringeworthy plot twists unfold. From being a skilled martial artist, Sunuo turns into a helpless girl who can only run when in a fight. And Ji Yaoyi, who once possessed extraordinary talent, becomes a supporting character. Witness the unconventional love story and extraordinary lives of this small woman and the, the, the tofu-like man.

156.35 Million words | 2022-09-24 03:48Update

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Tang Dynasty Urban Management Brigade Fiction
Tang Dynasty Urban Management Brigade

"The Tang Urban Management is a quasi-military organization developed secretly in our country. They manage the city during peacetime and train in guerrilla tactics. During wartime, they can be incorporated into the regular army. They are an excellent reserve force that can charge into battle, conduct reconnaissance, endure hardships, tolerate suffering, and fight bravely." Xu Yang adjusted his attire and said, "As the spokesperson for the Tang News, I solemnly promise that our country will never be the first to use Urban Management forces against foreign entities." "In our eyes, if the Turkic cavalry is like dust, then we are a sandstorm." - Excerpt from the preface of "The Outstanding History of Urban Management" "I'm sorry, but I can only answer that I don't know because it involves the highest secrets of the Tang Empire." - Response from the Urban Management captain when asked about their training by a journalist "You must have never seen the Urban Management... If you had, you wouldn't be standing here so intact..." - Disabled Gokturk swordsman "When the Urban Management appears on the battlefield, I know that our doomsday has come." - Former Japanese Emperor, Wood Kawasei "The Tang Urban Management, the best in the world." - Joint letter from the Arab, Silla, Gupta, Persian, and Abbasid Emperors.

411.23 Million words | 2022-08-28 23:45Update

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Transcending the Martial World: Strange Legends Fiction
Transcending the Martial World: Strange Legends

Queen Xiaoxiao atypically transmigrates to this peculiar, bizarre, and unheard of martial world, embarking on her dream to become a female hero who roams the jianghu, upholding justice and righteousness. However, little did she know that the jianghu created by the author is extraordinary and astonishing, leaving her dumbfounded. Luckily, she is aware that she is the protagonist of the author's pen, relying on her lively spirit, strong will, and occasionally revealed meticulous thinking to overcome various dangers. Kind-hearted, spontaneous, adorable, and full of energy, Wang Xiaoxiao also begins to anticipate the male lead chosen by the author, while unknowingly being affected by the people around her in every move they make...

3.45 Million words | 2020-10-18 22:13Update

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Otaku Fiction
Otaku

Reborn, she, who graduated with a major in architecture in her past life, may not become a legitimate noble woman, but in this ancient era with only shabby thatched houses, she should still be considered half a technical genius. Wherever she goes, she can display her skills. Who would have expected that in the Great Rong Dynasty, everyone relies on the I Ching for divination, predicting fortunes before leaving the house, and casting a hexagram upon entering. Her father is the grand national teacher who directly controls the fate of the dynasty. Compared to her amazingly talented younger sisters, she is even more useless than a waste. Who cares if she can build tall buildings? Just as she was about to become a freeloader at home, she suddenly heard, "Two hundred taels of silver, who will build a magnificent mansion with me?" This is what they call, gold never rusts.

128.62 Million words | 2022-10-27 10:35Update

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I, the transformed antagonist female protagonist, am entangled by beautiful girl Fiction
I, the transformed antagonist female protagonist, am entangled by beautiful girl

Transmigrating into the role of Tang Xin, the notorious senior sister of the Xuanling Sect, I had hoped to build a good relationship with the protagonist, Su Ling, the future number one sword god of Jiuzhou. However, the system forced me to continue being a "villain"... Huh, something's not right. Why is it that the more I insult her, the more she likes me? Why are there more and more beautiful girls around me?

485.27 Million words | 2022-08-26 18:14Update

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The unparalleled talent amid the chaos caused by the Five Barbarians. Fiction
The unparalleled talent amid the chaos caused by the Five Barbarians.

During the period of the Two Jin Dynasties and the Southern and Northern Dynasties, when the Five Hu (non-Han ethnic groups) invaded and chaos reigned, human lives were as insignificant as grass and hay. The Han people were regarded as lambs waiting to be slaughtered, with only one in ten Han people surviving. In such times, who could possess extraordinary talent and prowess? Let us witness how Shi Jia will turn the tide and restore the mighty glory of Great Han.

297.92 Million words | 2022-12-19 18:18Update

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Bandit camp Fiction
Bandit camp

He traveled through time but lost his memories; He was a hero, yet he cherished love for his children; Wearing uniforms of the Nationalist Army, eating food from the Eighth Route Army, he had only one purpose: to beat the hell out of the little Japanese! His name was Ye Tufei, a bandit leader who had no recollection of his past. With his bandit camp, he created a legendary tale of iron and blood during the resistance against the Japanese invasion!

87.36 Million words | 2020-11-23 16:22Update

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