10 Best Historical Fiction Books You Need To Read Today
Historical fiction books really have a unique power to collapse the distance between past and present. The strongest novels in this genre do not simply dress characters in old clothes or set them against a famous backdrop, they allow you the reader to walk the same streets, hear the same voices, and feel the weight of history in the details of everyday life.
These stories come in so many forms. Some are sweeping sagas that span wars and revolutions. Others are intimate portraits of families caught in times of upheaval. Together they remind us that history is not abstract, it is lived through the choices and struggles of individuals. That is what makes historical fiction books so absorbing: they bring human texture back into events we might otherwise think of as distant or settled.
Here you will find ten of the best historical fiction books, carefully chosen and reviewed. Some are celebrated modern novels, others are timeless works that have shaped the genre, and a few are rare treasures we have revived at The Lost Book Project. Each one offers its own journey into the past, giving readers the chance to experience history not as something to study, but as something to live.
1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Rating: 9.5/10
Set in Nazi-occupied France, The Nightingale follows two sisters who take very different paths in their struggle for survival and resistance. Hannah’s writing brings out the intimate human cost of war without losing sight of the bigger picture.
I loved how personal this story felt. It is a sweeping WWII novel, but at its heart it is about family, courage, and the choices women make under impossible pressure. Readers who enjoy emotional depth and strong female leads will devour this.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
2. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Rating: 9/10
This Pulitzer Prize winner tells the parallel stories of a blind French girl and a German soldier during World War II, weaving their paths together in occupied France. Doerr’s prose is lyrical and immersive.
What stands out is the tenderness inside a brutal setting. The beauty of everyday moments, even in a world falling apart, makes this novel unforgettable. Perfect for anyone who wants a balance of history and poetic storytelling.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
3. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Rating: 9/10
This international bestseller brings the court of Henry VIII vividly to life through the eyes of Mary Boleyn, sister to the infamous Anne. Full of intrigue, rivalry, and scandal, it’s a portrait of ambition and survival in a ruthless world.
What I love about this novel is its readability. Gregory makes Tudor history dramatic and addictive, turning politics into page-turning drama. If you enjoy romance, betrayal, and rich period detail, this is one of the best historical fiction books you can pick up.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
4. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Rating: 10/10
It may be daunting in size, but Tolstoy’s masterpiece is the definition of epic historical fiction. Following aristocratic families against the backdrop of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, it blends war, philosophy, and romance into one sweeping narrative.
Our edition at The Lost Book Project makes this timeless novel more accessible with careful formatting and new illustrations. It is a journey, yes, but one worth taking. If you want to lose yourself in a world and come out changed, this is the book.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Rating: 9/10
Narrated by Death itself, this bestselling novel follows a young girl in Nazi Germany who discovers the power of words while her foster family hides a Jewish refugee.
It is heartbreaking, hopeful, and surprisingly playful given the narrator’s perspective. Readers who enjoy young-adult crossovers will find it accessible, but it is layered enough to move adults too.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
6. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Rating: 9/10
This medieval epic tells the story of the building of a cathedral in twelfth-century England, weaving together politics, love, betrayal, and ambition.
I loved how Follett makes the architecture itself a character. It is long but incredibly readable, filled with cliffhangers and vivid characters. If you like sprawling sagas, this one deserves its legendary status.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
7. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Rating: 9/10
This bestselling novel weaves together two timelines: a female spy working in an underground resistance network during World War I, and a young American searching for her cousin in the aftermath of World War II. The stories intertwine in a gripping tale of bravery, betrayal, and redemption.
What makes this book so compelling is its pace. It reads like a thriller but still delivers the emotional depth of historical fiction. Fans of The Nightingale or All the Light We Cannot See will fall in love with this one. It’s smart, suspenseful, and unforgettable.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
8. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Rating: 8.5/10
Based on a true story, this novel follows Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who was forced to tattoo numbers on fellow prisoners in Auschwitz. Amid horror, he finds love.
It is a story of resilience and survival, deeply emotional without shying away from pain. For readers who prefer history with a very human focus, this one hits hard.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
9. Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Rating: 9/10
Also known as The Devils or The Possessed, this novel dives into the political and spiritual turmoil of 1860s Russia. Inspired by a real revolutionary conspiracy, it shows how radical ideas can tear through communities with devastating consequences.
I love how Dostoevsky blends history, philosophy, and human drama into a single narrative. It’s dense but deeply rewarding. Our Lost Book Project edition presents this monumental novel in a clean, modern format, perfect for readers who want to explore the darker side of history through fiction.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
10. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Rating: 9.5/10
This modern masterpiece traces the descendants of two half-sisters from Ghana, one sold into slavery and the other married to a British colonizer. The novel follows generations across Africa and America.
What I loved most was its scope. In just 300 pages, Gyasi captures centuries of history, weaving personal stories into a larger narrative of race, identity, and survival. A must-read for anyone who believes history lives on in the present.
Buy HERE on Amazon.com
Final Thoughts
istorical fiction endures because it brings the past to life in a way that still speaks to us today. These novels prove that history is not just dates and battles but living stories filled with love, loss, courage, and change. From the intimate heartbreak of The Nightingale to the bold imagination of Homegoing, and the philosophical power of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, the best historical fiction books remind us why classics never fade.
At The Lost Book Project, we are passionate about publishing new editions of timeless works and rediscovering novels that deserve to be read again. Our Historical Fiction and Classics collections celebrate the books that shaped literature and continue to inspire readers across generations. Each edition is carefully designed to be both beautiful and accessible, so whether you are discovering these stories for the first time or returning to them with fresh eyes, you can enjoy them in a new way.
If you are ready to explore further, dive into our Historical Fiction and Classics collections — a library of masterpieces and hidden gems brought back to life for today’s readers.
