what is considered historical fiction

Historical fiction is a genre of literature that combines fictional elements with events, people, or settings from the past. It provides readers with a unique and captivating way to explore different time periods and societies. In this article, we will delve into what is considered historical fiction, discuss some popular historical fiction novels, highlight renowned historical fiction authors, and recommend websites where you can find more great reads in this genre.

Historical fiction encompasses a wide range of time periods, from ancient civilizations to recent history. These novels often blend real historical events with fictional characters and narratives, offering readers a chance to learn about the past while being entertained by captivating stories. The genre allows authors to recreate historical settings, capture the essence of bygone eras, and bring historical figures to life.

One example of a widely celebrated historical fiction novel is "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. Set in 12th-century England, this epic tale follows the construction of a magnificent cathedral against a backdrop of political intrigue and societal upheaval. It combines real historical events, such as the civil war known as "The Anarchy," with fictional characters to create a gripping narrative.

Another notable historical fiction novel is "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, this story revolves around a young girl named Liesel Meminger, who finds solace and escape in books. The novel explores themes of resilience, humanity, and the power of storytelling while providing a vivid portrayal of life under Nazi rule.

There are many accomplished authors who have made their mark in the historical fiction genre. Philippa Gregory is known for her meticulously researched novels centered around strong female characters in various historical periods, such as "The Other Boleyn Girl" set in Tudor England. Bernard Cornwell has gained acclaim for his historical fiction series, including "The Last Kingdom," which follows the adventures of a fictional warrior during the Viking Age.

To discover more great historical fiction novels and authors, there are several websites you can explore. Goodreads.com is a popular online community where readers share book recommendations and reviews. HistoricalNovels.info is a website specifically dedicated to historical fiction, providing book lists sorted by time period and geographic setting. The Historical Novel Society (historicalnovelsociety.org) is another valuable resource, offering book reviews, author interviews, and articles about historical fiction.

In conclusion, historical fiction is a captivating genre that combines fiction with real historical events, people, and settings. It allows readers to immerse themselves in different time periods while enjoying engaging narratives. Whether it's Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth" or Markus Zusak's "The Book Thief," historical fiction novels offer a compelling blend of entertainment and education. Explore the works of esteemed authors like Philippa Gregory and Bernard Cornwell, and visit websites like Goodreads, HistoricalNovels.info, and the Historical Novel Society to discover more fantastic reads in this genre.
Transcend to become an emperor. Fiction
Transcend to become an emperor.

The story of Ye Chen, who gradually becomes stronger in order to protect his younger sister and loved ones. (This book is suitable for all those who love younger sisters and enjoy character development. It is a fictional story set in no specific historical era, so historical accuracy enthusiasts should refrain from reading.)

321.32 Million words | 2021-09-27 12:08Update

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Ming Pirates Fiction
Ming Pirates

In the late Ming Dynasty, amidst the chaotic world, circumstances create heroes. A true hero must wield his blade and rise up, roaring atop the vast sea, freely traversing the heavens and the earth!

373.00 Million words | 2021-01-28 04:42Update

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The Despicable Hero of the War of Resistance. Fiction
The Despicable Hero of the War of Resistance.

What would a beautiful female officer of the Japanese army do when encountering a scoundrel? How would a vengeful and hateful beautiful female officer of the Japanese army act? This is a novel of a completely new style, depicting the legendary story of an unconventional hero during the resistance against Japan. The protagonist's actions will undoubtedly leave you with a refreshing feeling! Orphaned and skilled, cunning and smooth-talking. Ruthless and cunning towards enemies, employing strange tactics; managing justice and benevolence, flexible and measured. Unconventional in his approach, stubborn yet not reckless. During his resistance career, he attracts numerous beauties and profit from all sides. He can be regarded as the Wei Xiaobao of the anti-Japanese battlefield. The book describes the legendary story of resistance against Japan in Xihuo Town, Changzhi, Shanxi Province. Certain historical figures are portrayed accurately, serving as a commemoration of those forgotten anti-Japanese heroes! QQ discussion group: [group name], book title verification.

399.82 Million words | 2021-05-17 02:39Update

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Endless Merchant Emperor Fiction
Endless Merchant Emperor

A light transmigration and growth-oriented historical fiction set in an alternative historical timeline. The plot is logically sound and involves court politics, ancient warfare, business battles, and agricultural development.

545.09 Million words | 2020-08-30 17:15Update

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Dominating the world Fiction
Dominating the world

Some say this period of history is worthy of an epic, while others say it will be forever engraved in our memories. When people of this era speak of the tumultuous and magnificent twenty years, it pales the previous thousands of years of civilization. Future generations call it a remarkable period of changes and developments that left people in awe for thousands of years to come.

445.70 Million words | 2023-04-23 03:38Update

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Iron horse in the mountain pass Fiction
Iron horse in the mountain pass

In the year of the Common Era, Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang launched a second siege on Bianjing. Emperor Qin Zhaohuan was forced to enter the Jin camp for negotiations and wrote a letter of surrender before returning to the city. From then on, the Wanyan brothers began their endless extortion, taking everything from money, beautiful women, to sacred artifacts. In order to protect themselves, Emperor Qin and the retired emperor adopted a reckless spirit of

160.81 Million words | 2021-10-23 07:01Update

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Shu Han Fights Ghosts Fiction
Shu Han Fights Ghosts

Settling on the policy of first south, then north, the founding emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, aimed to end the fragmented situation of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. However, he was killed by his own brother, who took the throne. In his final moments, in order to fulfill his dream, he chose to abandon everything and be reborn. As a result, he lost all memories of his previous life and became a lowly soldier in the Shu Han army before the Battle of Yiling. With his combat skills and some advanced knowledge, can Zhao Xing (his new identity) fulfill his dream of unifying the nation from his previous life? Will he become an emperor again or seek out a wise ruler? Completely unaware of what the future holds, Zhao Xing embarks on a completely new life in this even

295.00 Million words | 2021-02-24 16:02Update

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The Strongest Veterinarian of the Southern Song Dynasty. Fiction
The Strongest Veterinarian of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Ma Chao, due to a small accident, crossed over to the end of the Southern Song Dynasty and unexpectedly became a lowly veterinarian within the territory of the Jin Dynasty. In this world dominated by bandits and foreign invaders, Ma Chao, relying on his identity as a veterinarian, skillfully deals with enemies, fearlessly facing danger with both wisdom and courage. With his own wisdom, Ma Chao carves out his own territory. By chance, Ma Chao meets Xin Qiji and takes control of the Fei Hu Army. When news reaches the capital, he is immediately summoned and suppressed. However, Ma Chao quietly breaks free from the whirlpool of power by relying on a veterinary clinic. No one could have imagined that this small veterinarian is changing the fate of the entire Southern Song Dynasty...

414.18 Million words | 2022-06-08 21:57Update

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Don't treat time travel as a job. Fiction
Don't treat time travel as a job.

Have you ever seen someone use "time travel" as a job? Have you tried to capture a fugitive from the Warring States period at a Metro supermarket? Don't pay for him, or you'll end up broke. Or maybe pay the fine for drunk driving by Li Bai? Remember, never let him drive again. Also, the whole team works overtime and goes on business trips to the Tang Dynasty, chasing after the "number one fugitive in Chang'an," Emperor Tang Xuanzong. Oh, Your Majesty, please don't panic. Our director's name is not An Lushan. By the way, have you seen a missing university student? Doesn't this job sound great? Especially if it comes with the benefits of a

472.69 Million words | 2020-08-24 21:39Update

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Poor Scholar Becomes the Top Scorer Fiction
Poor Scholar Becomes the Top Scorer

Tired of the glint of swords and the sound of trumpets, perhaps you can savor the arduous livelihood of the grassroots in society. This book tells the story of Shen Xi, who travels through the declining impoverished families of the Great Ming Dynasty. In an era where reading is the only way to climb the social ladder, he changes his fate step by step through his efforts, ultimately reaching the peak of his life's journey. A monumental historical masterpiece that deserves your possession, Your Majesty!

1,046.66 Million words | 2022-01-25 00:53Update

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Song Era Fiction
Song Era

During the flourishing of wildflowers in the capital region of the former Xia Dynasty, a powerful nation will emerge to become the hegemon. The legitimate and illegitimate son of the Lu family will illuminate the path of war, while the ninth prince of the Song Kingdom will bear the imperial power with the support of

38.67 Million words | 2020-10-19 21:33Update

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Rebel unifies the world. Fiction
Rebel unifies the world.

A modern ordinary person travels to a strange world, where there are no three emperors and five empires, no Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, or Qing dynasties. Instead, there exists a massive empire that is powerful enough to intimidate everyone! Officials are corrupt, the emperor is incompetent, frequent natural disasters occur but no one comes to aid, and the common people suffer endlessly... Wang Xu, starting from being an insignificant beggar, takes step by step to overcome obstacles, removing every stumbling block in his path. With the use of modern knowledge, he creates numerous advanced weapons... He is unwilling to be ordinary; he wants to rebel! [Dear friends, please collect if you like it, thank you!] [Join the Qianye Book Club chat group for

420.83 Million words | 2021-09-27 04:05Update

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Special Forces of China: A Special Breed Fiction
Special Forces of China: A Special Breed

We are special forces, training relentlessly in secret places known only to a select few. Each of us can navigate vast distances alone, but when we come together, we become the mightiest beings on earth! Whether in deserts, mountains, or jungles, we dominate the terrain instead of passively waiting as guests!

290.17 Million words | 2022-06-22 11:36Update

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Ming Tiger Minister Fiction
Ming Tiger Minister

A time-traveler with the "Banner of Command," a son renowned in future generations as a fearless hero. How will he ignite a frenzy of passion during the late Ming Dynasty? How will he trample upon those dissatisfying individuals in this turbulent era? If you desire to witness blood boiling with passion and a time-traveler who ignores rules, look no further than "The Great Ming Tiger Minister"!

98.01 Million words | 2020-08-25 00:25Update

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Southern Ming Storm Fiction
Southern Ming Storm

When the tower is about to collapse and the jade pillar sinks, the blood ocean overwhelms the Huazhou clan. Behold my magnificent emergence from the sky, crushing bandits like a car running over mountains and forests, and suppressing the Japanese pirates in the East Sea. With fury, I trample the red-haired under my feet, resolute as lightning to shake the universe, and restore the pride of the Great Han! Book progress by Bu Xiaosheng: 1. Alternate history novel "Storms and Rain in Nanming": A journey of a carpenter in the late Ming Dynasty. Serialization completed, currently under embargo. 2. Alternate history novel "Iron Wings Soaring": Flying in the skies of World War I France. Currently serializing and gradually being released. 3. Fantasy legend "The Spirited Donkey": A romantic and eerie detective story set in a different world. Currently serializing. Contact information for Bu Xiaosheng: QQ: [removed] Bu Xiaosheng Group A: [removed] Email: [email protected] "The Hero I Am" by Zuoduan: The latest urban work by Zuo Duan. Book number [removed]. Please stay tuned.

410.55 Million words | 2021-09-04 16:33Update

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Being a warlord in the Three Kingdoms Fiction
Being a warlord in the Three Kingdoms

The protagonist's determination and strong fighting spirit attract numerous renowned generals and talents. They then search for a territory, develop it, and ultimately unify the world. Are such plotlines not overused?

223.96 Million words | 2022-08-07 14:01Update

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Historical consulting firm Fiction
Historical consulting firm

Having a family heirloom compass that can teleport through time and space, Liu Zhi has become a consultant in the realm of historical worlds. Sun Jian: Mr. Liu, may I know where the imperial jade seal is? Liu Zhi: Isn't it in the dried well of the palace? Liu Bei: When can I restore the glory of the Han Dynasty? Liu Zhi: Well... forget about that. Let me introduce you to a strategist, his name is Zhuge Liang... Li Zicheng: I want to meet Wu Sangui at Shanhaiguan! Liu Zhi: It's better if you bring some troops with you!

343.27 Million words | 2022-08-14 09:10Update

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The Cute Consort of the King Fiction
The Cute Consort of the King

"The King's Adorable Concubine" has thrilling and captivating plot twists that were skillfully written by the author, Yin Mei Hu. You can read the latest refreshing and clean chapters of this novel for free on the Qidian platform.

548.80 Million words | 2023-05-27 16:47Update

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How far is happiness? Fiction
How far is happiness?

In the late decade of the last century, Li Ping, a female worker at the Baoding Tobacco Factory, harboring dreams of marriage, slipped a tiny note into a cigarette box. This note would pave the way for her marriage to Officer Wu Tianliang, but her married life was far from happy. Gradually, she became close friends with Wang Xiaomao, a subordinate of her husband. Shortly after, Wu Tianliang's unit was transformed, becoming the North China Engineering Bureau, and he continued his involvement in the construction of the National Defense Line Nine...

296.88 Million words | 2023-05-06 18:39Update

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Great Ming Fireworks Fiction
Great Ming Fireworks

Zhu Yuanzhang: 'A group of corrupt officials who embezzle and pervert the law, I want to kill them all.' Han Du: 'Your Majesty, hold your anger. Instead of killing them, it's better to exploit their remaining value and squeeze them dry.' Zhu Yuanzhang: If my dear readers think 'Great Ming Fireworks' is good, please don't forget to recommend it to your QQ groups and friends on Weibo! w.

500.10 Million words | 2022-03-29 20:29Update

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