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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.
The Grand Tang's Splendid Romance Fiction
The Grand Tang's Splendid Romance

In the flourishing days of the Kaiyuan era, countless households were hidden in the small town. With rice flowing with oil and millet as white as snow, both public and private granaries were abundantly filled. In the fourth year of the Kaiyuan era, the Great Tang Empire was at its peak, and the capital Chang'an was the most prosperous city in the world, without a doubt. Yao Chong, Song Jing, Li Bai, Wang Wei, Zhang Xu, Wu Daozi, Yan Zhenqing, Gongsun Danniang, Pei Min, Guo Ziyi... At this moment, the sky of the magnificent Tang Dynasty was filled with shining stars. Born in a prosperous era, as a talented prodigy who was once forgotten, Du Shi Yi was not concerned about the overall situation of the world, but about how to live a more splendid life in this second chance. In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, there were those with heroic spirits, those with self-confidence and composure, those with great achievements, and those who enjoyed the luxury of palaces with the entire world bowing to them! After eight years of diligent writing, with nine works, following "The Amorous Adventures of Zhu Men," "The Treacherous Minister," "The Crown and the Robe," and "The Wealth and Glory," Fu Tian brings you his latest work, "The Splendor of the Tang Dynasty," taking you on a journey to truly experience the prosperous era of the Great Tang!

437.37 Million words | 2021-08-16 16:59Update

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The Ultimate Emperor Fiction
The Ultimate Emperor

Special Forces Soldier Lin Feng, during a mission, had an out-of-body experience and inexplicably traveled through time and space, possessing the body of a foolish and tyrannical emperor. He became a new emperor with knowledge, culture, resources, and abilities. In a world of turmoil and competition for supremacy, wars raged on and the beauty of the land enticed. Within the palace, beauties filled every corner, embracing him from left to right. On the battlefield, brilliant generals emerged, but I alone reigned supreme. Recruiting famous generals, seizing beauties, dominating the world, and unifying the land. Custom labels by the author: Return of the Strong, Special Forces, Iron and Blood.

436.69 Million words | 2022-04-06 22:26Update

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My father, Emperor Han Gaozu Fiction
My father, Emperor Han Gaozu

A great empire has just been born, and a new era is about to begin. Liu Chang once considered whether he should strive for the throne and lead this brand new empire himself, but when he looked around at those like Liu Bang, Empress Lv, Liu Ying, and Liu Heng... well, isn't it better to just live a peaceful life? So, Liu Chang put on the hat of the "shameful time traveler" and embarked on a life of idleness and waiting for death. Also known as "My Foolish Oudoudou", "Isn't this kid actually Xiang Yu's?" and "How can we cure the Han Dynasty with someone like you?" and so on.

435.52 Million words | 2021-07-13 23:29Update

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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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Looking for Tang Fiction
Looking for Tang

The prosperous Tang Dynasty, dominating the East and overlooking the world, possessed a broad mind that embraced all under heaven. It was abundant in resources, connected the world with its transportation networks, and thrived with cultural diversity and ethnic integration. It traded and navigated with neighboring countries and distant nations. With its literary accomplishments and military exploits, it impressed the Eurasian continent. However, the collapse of this great empire plunged our Chinese civilization into a cruel era filled with violence, bloodshed, and turmoil. The subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was characterized by chaos, fragmentation, and rampant disorder, where anyone with a gun could become a ruthless warlord. Li Ze, arriving in the late Tang Dynasty, aspired to recapture the splendor of the Tang Dynasty and compose a new song of prosperity.

423.68 Million words | 2021-05-23 11:41Update

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End Song Fiction
End Song

The Song Dynasty came to an end without ever reclaiming Yan Yun. Throughout the entire Song Dynasty, they were constantly oppressed by foreign enemies... As the Southern Song Dynasty approached its demise, he vowed to accomplish the great ambitions that had eluded the dynasty for so long.

414.51 Million words | 2023-05-01 08:58Update

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Great Ming Scholar Fiction
Great Ming Scholar

Before the Forbidden City, there are nine layers of gates, Countless officials with adorned hats pass through the Southern Gate. Their hats adorned with palace flowers, faces like the morning sky, The Golden Hall echoes their prestigious names far and wide. Riding horses through the ten-li Imperial Street they go, Revered as the top scholar of the Great Ming, high and low. This is a story of a modern person dedicated to studying in the Ming Dynasty, Constantly striving for progress, his achievements will fill two million words undoubtedly. His character is dependable and trustworthy, Join our reader community and chat to your heart's content effortlessly.

412.88 Million words | 2022-04-01 00:36Update

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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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Contracting Da Ming Fiction
Contracting Da Ming

A financial analyst accidentally travels back to the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli era and becomes the son-in-law of a wealthy merchant. He initially believed that he could live a prosperous life in ancient times, like the protagonists in time-travel novels, with wealth and multiple wives. However, everything changed when he encountered Emperor Wanli... "Your Majesty, regarding the commission for the common people..." "There's no need to worry, I will have the Ministry of Revenue issue it to you." "What the heck! Your Majesty, you previously asked me to empty the treasury and replenish the imperial household, and now the treasury is as empty as a mouse's droppings!" "Well, that's true. In that case, the treasury shall be entrusted to you." "Your Majesty, may I say something?" "You may." "Damn it!"

395.92 Million words | 2021-03-01 00:48Update

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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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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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Mister High Official Fiction
Mister High Official

In the ninth year of the Yongle reign, a prosperous era descended upon the land, and the people were filled with pride. People from all corners of the world flocked to pay tribute to the nation. In such a moment, I ask, who wouldn't dream of becoming an important official!

394.49 Million words | 2022-08-21 11:45Update

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I am the king of the Spring and Autumn period. Fiction
I am the king of the Spring and Autumn period.

Reborn in the Spring and Autumn period, I became a lowly offspring of a noble family, banished to the stables to accompany horses and cattle. Little did I know that from there, I would lay the foundation of my empire and divide the Jin Dynasty into three factions. Too low-level, I'd rather play as the Zhao clan, replacing the Jin Dynasty instead! I ride west on a cow, with Confucius full of youthful spirits. Wu and Yue contend with each other, beautiful women distressed and parting. By the banks of the Wei River, a woman in a long dress recites the poem "Cattail and Dew" with passion. With a long sword in my right hand, poetry and books in my left, I unify the world with different ways of thinking. Stepping into the twilight of the fading sun, can I question the importance of the tripod? This is my Huaxia, my "Spring and Autumn" - I am the king! PS: This book has already...

392.63 Million words | 2021-03-19 09:21Update

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Han village Fiction
Han village

We have inherited the legacy of our ancestors, which has brought brilliance to China for thousands of years. We are so content and serene, never considering a return to the era when we struggled in the face of difficulties. To repay our suffering ancestors and discover the true meaning of homeland within, is the story that this book aims to tell.

382.56 Million words | 2021-05-11 22:17Update

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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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Late Tang Fiction
Late Tang

In the 14th year of the Xiantong era in the great Tang Dynasty, in the year of AD. The 17th Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Yizong, passed away, and the empire in the setting sun welcomed the 12-year-old 18th Emperor, Emperor Xizong Li Xuan. It was only a few months before private salt merchant Wang Xianzhi led ten divisions to rebel against the Tang Dynasty, and another private salt merchant, Huang Chao, who loved singing chrysanthemums, had long held grievances against the Tang Dynasty. At this time, Prince Jin Li Ke used was still a small frontier officer, and the Thirteen Guardians had yet to make a name for themselves. Emperor Zhu Wen of Later Liang was feeding pigs at a landlord's house, Prince Wang Jian of Shu was killing donkeys, Xu Wen of Southern Tang was smuggling salt, King Qian Liu of Wuyue was a hired thug for salt smugglers, Prince Ma Yin of Chu was a carpenter, and Prince Gao Jixing of Nanping, a notorious gambler, was working as a house servant for a merchant family. The three Wang brothers, rulers of the Min Kingdom, were still low-level clerks in the county office, Prince Muzhi Li Maozhen was a low-ranking soldier in the Chengde Army, and King Yang Xingmi of Wu was a bandit hiding in Luzhou. At this time, the Khitan people, who would later oppress the Han people for hundreds of years, were still grazing on the grasslands. The future Dali Kingdom, which would eventually become a separatist in the southwest, had not yet been established, and the Western Xia Xiangxiang people, who would dominate the northwest in the future, were still loyal to the Li Tang Dynasty. It was at this moment that Li Jing accidentally stumbled into this waning empire of the Tang Dynasty. Group ID: [群号]

374.89 Million words | 2022-08-26 21:42Update

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I want to be the emperor. Fiction
I want to be the emperor.

Historical version: When the Ming Dynasty lost its deer, the whole world pursued it. Modern version: At the end of the Ming Dynasty, famine and foreign invasions plagued the land. Let's witness how Luozhi Xue, with his wisdom, brings an end to this chaotic era and leads our people to stand at the pinnacle of the world, forging a prosperous era for our nation. Luozhi Xue's version: I want to be the emperor!

373.87 Million words | 2020-07-29 14:06Update

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Holy Roman Empire Fiction
Holy Roman Empire

Austria's Road to Revival, the Struggle of the Habsburg Family! Neither holy, nor Roman, but the Holy Roman Empire revived! !!! The completed book "The Road to Mediterranean Hegemony" is now available for those who are looking for new books to read! Welcome to join the New Moon Book Club, group chat number: [群聊号码].

372.36 Million words | 2021-01-07 08:50Update

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Jin Medical Guard. Fiction
Jin Medical Guard.

The forensic doctor reveals the truth, holding the authority of justice. He solves cases and hunts down criminals, discerning the truth from the lies. With his hand, he supports the 400 provinces and oversees vast territories. He sails across the seas for ten thousand miles... His eyes are sharp as lightning, penetrating the depths of hell. His sword shines brightly, eradicating all evil spirits! -------------------- A new book by Mao Tiao is released, encompassing youth and campus life, as well as the world of officials and businessmen. A butterfly of destiny: "The School Beauty Is Reborn to Love Me." Qi Ran, as ordinary as a stone on the roadside, is suddenly noticed by the school beauty and the daughter of the city mayor... Holding hands, they cross the divide of ordinary life. Life unfolds in an exciting and colorful manner, step by step.

370.76 Million words | 2022-02-10 04:33Update

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The Farmer's Daughter Consort, Don't Be Too Sweet. Fiction
The Farmer's Daughter Consort, Don't Be Too Sweet.

"If you were a ruler, you would definitely be a foolish one," she whispered in his ear. He chuckled, "If I were for you, I'd gladly be a foolish ruler." In truth, he did so much more for her. He was the powerful King of Nanling, known for his elegance and humility. Though the world saw him as a gentleman of integrity, the people of Nanling knew that for the sake of the little divine physician, Liu Yusheng, he could become utterly mad. Betrayed by his closest kin, he found himself traversing into an ancient farming clan. With the love and care of his family and the adoration of the villagers, Liu Yusheng brought with her a lifetime of blessings. Using her spatial spiritual spring to heal the sick and save lives with a golden needle, she only wanted to live peacefully in her secluded paradise. However, the person she once saved from death couldn't help but be infatuated with her from a young age. He always asked, "Sheng Sheng, when will you marry me?" He said, "Bestow upon me the flute, and I shall give you my kingdom." (This is a story of protection, indulgence, healing, and no abuse throughout. Enter at your own discretion.)

366.64 Million words | 2021-03-26 06:53Update

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Return to the Ming Dynasty as a Prince Fiction
Return to the Ming Dynasty as a Prince

The author, Yue Guan, tells a story about Zheng Shaopeng, a kind-hearted man who mistakenly goes back to the period of Ming Dynasty's Zhengde era. It was a vibrant time, filled with conflicts between the Eastern Factory, Western Factory, Inner University, Outer Court, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. This is a story about the celestial patrol who eliminates corrupt officials, suppressing Japanese pirates, expelling the Tatars, eradicating the rebellious tribes, and engaging in major battles against the Portuguese. It also involves the lifting of the maritime ban and the migration to Siberia.

364.94 Million words | 2021-06-22 20:03Update

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