best short historical fiction books

If you have a passion for history and enjoy short reads, you're in luck! In this article, we'll be exploring some of the best short historical fiction books that are guaranteed to captivate and transport you to different eras. Whether you're a history buff or simply looking for a great story, these books are sure to satisfy your cravings for both knowledge and entertainment.

1. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak: Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, this highly acclaimed novel follows a young girl named Liesel as she discovers the power of words and literature amidst the chaos and destruction. With its unique narrative style and compelling characters, "The Book Thief" is a must-read for any historical fiction enthusiast.

2. "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, this beautiful and intricately woven tale takes place during World War II. It follows the lives of a blind French girl and a young German soldier, whose paths eventually cross in unexpected ways. Doerr's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions make this novel a true masterpiece.

3. "The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton: Set in 17th-century Amsterdam, this suspenseful novel revolves around a newly married woman named Nella. As she explores the mysterious and luxurious world of her husband's household, she becomes entangled in secrets, scandals, and the city's dark underbelly. Burton's attention to historical detail and rich storytelling create an immersive reading experience.

4. "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: This heartwarming epistolary novel is set in the aftermath of World War II. It follows a writer named Juliet as she learns about the titular society and its members' experiences during the German occupation of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. Delightfully charming and full of endearing characters, this book is a delight for history lovers.

5. "The Alice Network" by Kate Quinn: Blending two different timelines, this gripping novel tells the story of a female spy network operating in France during World War I. The narrative alternates between the experiences of Eve, a spy with a haunting past, and Charlie, a young American searching for answers in the aftermath of World War II. Quinn's riveting storytelling makes "The Alice Network" an irresistible page-turner.

For more short historical fiction book recommendations and to explore other eras, you can visit websites such as Goodreads or BookBub. These platforms offer user reviews, author interviews, and curated lists to help you discover even more great reads tailored to your specific preferences.

Remember, immersing yourself in historical fiction not only provides entertainment, but also offers a unique opportunity to learn and gain new perspectives on the past. So, grab a cup of tea, curl up with one of these captivating books, and let the power of storytelling transport you through time.
Tang Store Fiction
Tang Store

At the end of the Tang Dynasty, separatist forces arose, plunging the country into turmoil. Within the city of Suzhou, an old and rundown inn quietly changed hands. Its new owner, once a small surgeon, was driven to despair after being murdered by an angry patient. With a heart full of disillusionment, he no longer wished to lay his hands on the dusty scalpel. In this life, he only aspired to be a contented shopkeeper, with no grand ambitions, facing the vast sea as the flowers bloomed in spring...

96.70 Million words | 2022-08-13 23:55Update

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The First Beauty and Wealth in Ancient Times. Fiction
The First Beauty and Wealth in Ancient Times.

One day, she crossed over and unexpectedly became the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's residence. Su Li Luo felt that she had really pulled off a great act! What? This legitimate daughter is ugly and useless? No way! How could she, a genius descendant of a prestigious medical family in the modern era, be so pathetic? Open a medical clinic, establish a tavern, embrace handsome men, and make a fortune; watch how Su Li Luo abuses scum and earns money, rising to the peak of life, becoming a rich and beautiful woman, and marrying a handsome prince who pretends to be a pig and devours tigers! "Princess, what should I do if I can't perform?" "It's okay, impotence is a disease, and Princess has the medicine!" Su Li Luo smiled brightly, but before she

144.29 Million words | 2023-03-06 04:22Update

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The King of Special Mercenaries Fiction
The King of Special Mercenaries

New recruit Li An participated in the special forces selection competition and passed all the tests, aiming to become the king of special forces. However, he was repeatedly targeted by mercenaries and forced to enter the world of mercenaries. With a strong determination, he built his own mercenary team and gradually grew into the mercenary king.

187.80 Million words | 2020-08-10 00:43Update

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The Rise and Fall of My Lord during the Southern Song Dynasty Fiction
The Rise and Fall of My Lord during the Southern Song Dynasty

After the fall of Yaoshan, there was no China; after the demise of the Ming Dynasty, there was no Huaxia. In a twist of fate, special forces instructor Wu Shaogang traveled back to the late Southern Song Dynasty. At this moment, the imperial court of Southern Song was surrounded by the Mongolian invaders, and corrupt officials held sway internally. The situation was dire, and the empire was on the brink of collapse. Amidst the vast land, the question arose: Who will determine the rise and fall? Wu Shaogang's answer was: I shall determine the rise and fall.

161.41 Million words | 2022-01-01 23:37Update

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The Phoenix Reigns over the Kingdom. Fiction
The Phoenix Reigns over the Kingdom.

The Phoenix will soon come to an end, and the new book "Palace Intrigue" has been released. If you are interested, you can take a look. She disguises herself as a man in a foreign country and encounters him, who is aloof and indifferent. Is it a calamity or a debt? With numerous mysterious deaths, intense court struggles, how will she reverse the desperate situation and survive? As her loved ones turn against her and friends meet tragic ends, how will she subvert schemes and laugh at the prosperous age? With relentless conspiracies and a battlefield filled with blood and sand, how will she change the course of fate and rewrite destiny? Ultimately, the heavens choose her, and she will dominate the world, overlooking everything! (In this book, the female lead is similar to the character played by Chen Qiao'en in "The Rise of Phoenixes," and just like her, Gong Yin is passionate and full of emotions.)

585.35 Million words | 2022-12-11 22:52Update

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North Sea Without Stele Fiction
North Sea Without Stele

He possessed the best strategies in all of Kyushu, annihilating the Qi kingdom, toppling the Northern Yan, all to fight for the crown prince and bring about peace. But the person who repeatedly opposed and brought him down from his position as general was surprisingly someone who had been reborn after death... Watch as he manipulates conspiracy theories, overturns the balance, and escapes unscathed through countless bloody battles.

216.75 Million words | 2022-05-27 20:24Update

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Legend of the Flying Fox Fiction
Legend of the Flying Fox

The Red Army led by Zhu Mao embarked on the Long March, leaving behind a large number of wounded soldiers and small units that had not had a chance to rejoin the main force, to continue fighting in Jiangxi. With the outbreak of the full-scale Anti-Japanese War, the Shanghai and Nanjing defenses suffered consecutive defeats, and the Japanese troops captured Jiangxi en route to prepare for the Battle of Wuhan. Due to their outdated equipment, the remaining Red Army soldiers were forced to retreat into the mountains. This work narrates the tragic history of the Jiangxi Red Army's resistance against the Japanese.

414.05 Million words | 2021-03-09 08:55Update

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Unparalleled Literary Excellence Fiction
Unparalleled Literary Excellence

What is the unparalleled literary cauldron? Confucius said, "Through literature, one can attain the essence of the Way, consolidating talents and abilities to create battle poems and verses to conquer demons and barbarians!" Emperor Huangdi said, "If you cannot truly consolidate it, then practice and forge your own vessel for amusement!" Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, said, "Regardless of the cauldron, as long as it can smash demons and barbarians with pleasure, it is a good cauldron!"... Ahem, now let's get down to earth. Zhao Mingcheng, a talented scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty, was defeated in a poetic contest with the super talented Li Qingzhao, damaging his literary heart and unable to consolidate the literary cauldron. He could only wander through famous rivers and mountains, turning to the path of martial inscription. However, the martial world was treacherous, with demons and barbarians running rampant. If he wanted to find a place to settle and establish his life, he must obtain the unparalleled literary cauldron! Come, let's sing a song, make a fresh start, and witness my triumphant return, sweeping across the world as a king!

180.06 Million words | 2022-08-14 17:56Update

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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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Book Tang. Fiction
Book Tang.

In the ninth year of Wude, a modern youth was transported back in time. Despite having a respectable position in the Eastern Palace, he would become the fertile ground to nourish the upcoming Xuanwu Gate Incident. He didn't want to die, so he bravely wielded his butcher knife, facing conspiracies and treachery from all sides. After dealing with one scheme after another, he suddenly realized he had completely offended Emperor Li Shim

1.85 Million words | 2021-06-20 00:43Update

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Rebuilding the Prosperous Tang Dynasty of Life Fiction
Rebuilding the Prosperous Tang Dynasty of Life

They say there are five types of people that Tang Chuan shouldn't be: one being the Crown Prince. If you don't understand, just read Li Chen's story. As soon as he transmigrated, he almost got killed. Then he was about to be thrown into a cesspit. Just when he thought he had escaped, he was going to be buried alive. Why does the dog emperor keep chasing after me? Even when I fled to the temple, I was still pursued. On the escape route, I even ended up with four tag-alongs. How am I going to live like this? It's okay, I'm not afraid. I swear to speak with an influential Tang dynasty. All under heaven shall be the land of Tang, and all the coasts of the world shall be inhabited

18.30 Million words | 2021-11-14 03:07Update

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Carpenter Fiction
Carpenter

He began his apprenticeship at the age of thirteen and became a master at sixteen, starting his decades-long career as a carpenter. He found brilliance in ordinary life. He persisted in delivering free couplets to his fellow villagers for decades. He saved Yu'er from near starvation and gave her a home. He promised and fulfilled his duty to take care of his master and mistress in their old age. He was once captured by the invaders and forced into labor. He successfully smuggled two North Korean workers to Northeast China. He organized the village youth to eliminate two invaders who entered the village. He established a voluntary literacy class in the village. In his later years, he passed on his craftsmanship to the younger generation. In the multitude of professions, excellence can be found in any. When we focus on those who accomplish extraordinary things, we must not overlook the achievements of ordinary people, for they too are indelible.

568.93 Million words | 2022-08-27 18:00Update

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Three Kingdoms Opening a Supermarket Fiction
Three Kingdoms Opening a Supermarket

Liu Bei: Give me a hundred thousand bags of spicy strips, my army is losing motivation without them! Cao Cao: I haven't smoked for three days, I'm feeling anxious! Sun Quan: Are there any new episodes of Little Yellow Book recently? I'm getting itchy! Duke Qiao: How old are my children this year..................... Royal Attendant: After the weight loss program aired, many girls found partners... Zhang Fei: Is there any stock left of the limited edition Tiger Whip liquor?..................... The Three Kingdoms Supermarket has transparent pricing, fair and square. Copper coins, silver ingots, gold, and treasures, bring them all for exchange. The winds of Liu Feng are about to sweep the land three feet deep. QQ Group: Join us for a discussion, . Welcome!

81.84 Million words | 2022-08-03 22:35Update

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Youthful Emperor Fiction
Youthful Emperor

"The Young Emperor" is a long historical novel depicting Shunzhi, the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty after its establishment. Faced with the severe situation of the transition from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, Shunzhi strives for change and reforms, but is constantly hindered by conservative forces within the court. Shunzhi is knowledgeable in literature and art, tender-hearted and sensitive. He is deeply devoted to pursuing love and marital life that align with his desires. However, the Emperor's love and marriage are intertwined with the struggle for power within the palace, and Shunzhi's actions in this regard also lead to sharp contradictions of love and hate, life and death. Throughout his short life of twenty-three or four years, Shunzhi's political failures and the collapse of his love reflect profound character and historical tragedies. The novel has a rigorous structure, a solemn style, and a fluent and exquisite language, incorporating various artistic techniques. The author's profound artistic skills give the novel a unique artistic charm. This book won the third Mao Dun Literary Award.

68.57 Million words | 2023-02-18 16:18Update

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In Search Fiction
In Search

He had exhausted all his schemes in vain in his previous life. If given another chance, he would prefer to live a simple life, enjoying the pleasures of eating, drinking, playing, and having fun. However, before that, there was still an obsession in his heart. After plotting for a while, he ultimately became entangled in this era of great strife. In turbulent times, some people wielded their blades in resistance, while others sang mournful songs. Amidst the sound of horses neighing, arrows flying, and swords clashing, he had originally thought he was just a bystander. But it turned out that what awaited him

78.68 Million words | 2022-09-24 05:32Update

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Capture Berlin. Fiction
Capture Berlin.

War is a play and a pathway to wealth. There's nothing unimaginable in this world, only things we cannot achieve. The crazy soldier will reveal all the facts to you. Modern man Guo Bin travels through time to the chaotic world of World War II. In the battlefield, Guo Bin learns to be despicable and cunning, doing whatever it takes to ensure his own survival. It's not easy for Guo to come to this world, so he must find a way to return and enjoy life, right? With his special abilities, Guo Bin seamlessly blends into major battles and writes about the humorous moments of the soldiers in World War II... If you, my dear readers think "Conquering Berlin" is not bad, please don't forget to recommend it to your friends on your QQ groups and Weibo!

342.00 Million words | 2020-10-27 20:12Update

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The Three Kingdoms: Alone, Different, Few. Fiction
The Three Kingdoms: Alone, Different, Few.

Liu Kun found a rusty bronze mirror in his ancestral house, only to discover that it could unexpectedly connect him to the end of the Han Dynasty. With the support of reality, what kind of waves will Liu Kun create in the waning years of the Han Dynasty? And what is the true origin of this bronze mirror? Does it have other abilities? Please read "The Solitary and Isolated Path of the Three Kingdoms" to find out.

14.56 Million words | 2022-08-27 22:03Update

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Wolf Warrior flag Fiction
Wolf Warrior flag

Everyone knows Zhijiang Airport, but how many people know about Fenghuang Airport? It is even more unknown. On the eve of the Xuefengshan Battle, a special Japanese squadron once launched a surprise attack on Fenghuang Airport, but mysteriously disappeared in the Wuling Mountains... He would stop at nothing for the rise of his family! For the prestige of his family, he initiated three Torch Wine ceremonies! No one knows why he, who had once refused to resist the Japanese, resolutely launched the Torch Wine ceremony and personally led four hundred fearless soldiers to enter the vast Wuling Mountains to ambush the Japanese army... A mysterious life, a

164.86 Million words | 2022-07-18 16:15Update

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The Rebirth of the Ultimate Prince Fiction
The Rebirth of the Ultimate Prince

New book "Emperor of Time Travel" http://www.k.com/book/.html. Those who like this book can go take a look. He was the world's top magician, and he was a time traveler. The first thing he did after time traveling was to kill Han Gaozu, Liu Bang. Liu Xiaobang's flattery made Qin Shihuang feel comfortable, but it made

210.39 Million words | 2021-09-06 11:43Update

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Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King. Fiction
Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King.

Hong Renkong, a senior high school student majoring in liberal arts, unexpectedly becomes Hong Xiuquan from a hundred years ago. He comprehensively understands the history of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and laments for it. Determined to change history, he wants to make the movement that once caused widespread suffering and cannibalism a true source of national pride! As a poem goes: "The shadow of the Heavenly Kingdom shines upon China, pitying the people who have not yet been spared from calamity. With a heart for the impoverished masses, he defies history and the Qing Dynasty, leaving behind a Taiping legacy of tranquility."

294.31 Million words | 2021-05-22 23:28Update

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