Fantasyis a genre that can lend itself to any time period, and historical fantasy books are especially interesting because they reimagine familiar events from the past. Whilerealistic fiction also grapples with different time periods and major moments in world history,adding a fantasy element to these types of stories makes them even more fun and escapist. While plenty of fantastical works of literature take place in societies and realms that are similar to Earth’s past, they’re often set in other worlds, disqualifying them from technically being historical.
High fantasy novels can easily be bogged down by intricate and exposition-heavy worldbuilding that takes away from the plot and characters.
Many of thebest historical fantasy TV showsare based on books, and this is due to the breadth of the genre.Historical fantasy appeals to a wide array of audiences because it transports the reader into another world with magical aspectswhile rooting itself in a familiar piece of history that doesn’t require as much worldbuilding. High fantasy novels can easily be bogged down by intricate and exposition-heavy worldbuilding that takes away from the plot and characters. Setting the novels in a real part of the past avoids this problem and is an effective shorthand for authors.
10My Lady Jane (2016)
Written by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, & Brodi Ashton
The first inThe Lady Janiesseries,My Lady Jane, rewrites the history of Lady Jane Grey, the British noble who was Queen for just a few short daysbefore being executed during the Tudor period. However,My Lady Janethrows in a fantastical twist and gives Jane the opportunity to tell her story on her own terms. In this version of history, Jane lives in a world where certain people can turn into animals at will, but they’re hunted ruthlessly by the monarchy. As Jane ascends to power and falls in love, she realizes the injustice of this.
Politics, treason, and first love all populate the story, making it in conversation with historical events while imbuing plenty of magic into the plot.
Recently,the book got a screen adaptation on Amazon Prime,which brought the love story between Jane and her husband, Guildford, to life. Politics, treason, and first love all populate the story, making it in conversation with historical events while imbuing plenty of magic into the plot. ThoughAmazon canceledMy Lady Janebefore it could get a second season, the original book is still great to revisit when audiences are missing Jane and Guildford.
9Outlander (1991–Present)
Written by Diana Gabaldon
Diana Gabaldon’sOutlanderbook series has become a long-running smash hit with readers everywhere,as it combines history, fantasy, and romance for exciting results. After Claire is sent back in time from the 1940s to the mid-1700s in Scotland, she meets the man of her dreams, Jamie, but she has a husband waiting for her back in her present. However, Claire soon gets caught up in the conflict between the Scottish people and the British government. For many of the books, Claire and Jamie’s love story is told through major world events and conflicts.
Outlanderwent on to become one of thebest period romance TV shows ever made, largely due to the central relationship between Jamie and Claire. Though they’re primarily motivated by their love for each other,Jamie and Claire care about the fate of the world and travel across countries to help the people of Scotlandand fight for what they think is right. While the fantasy element doesn’t extend far beyond the time travel, this creates enough intrigue to sustain the story.
8The Night Circus (2011)
Written by Erin Morgenstern
Two magicians battle to the death inThe Night Circus, but their playing field isn’t a bloody battleground but a mystical circus that brings to life people’s wildest dreams. Celia and Marco were trained by magicians with opposing ideologies to prove whose methods were the best,groomed from childhood to compete at the circus. However, only one of them can survive the test, and without meaning to, Celia and Marco fall irreparably in love.
Though much of the story takes place in London, the circus travels to all corners of the world, touching the lives of many other characters along the way.
Set in the Victorian era,The Night Circusblends aspects of steampunk into its narrativeand fleshes out a beautiful world that Celia and Marco’s magic only makes more beautiful.The Night Circusis an example of abook that perfectly blends fantasy and romance, and it uses the elements of Victorian society to mirror the social restrictions that keep Celia and Marco apart. Though much of the story takes place in London, the circus travels to all corners of the world, touching the lives of many other characters along the way.
7The Monsters We Defy (2022)
Written by Leslye Penelope
A magical heist is the central throughline ofThe Monsters We Defy, as Clara Johnson, the protagonist, uncovers what’s targeting her community in 1920s Washington D.C. The author, Leslye Penelope, is a powerhouse within the fantasy genre, but she proves just as capable of capturing the spirit and truth of the United States' history inThe Monsters We Defy.Clara has the ability to speak with spirits, and though this sets her apart, it also empowers herto take action and makes her a compelling main character.
The Monsters We Defyincorporates African American folk tales and history into its storyand takes a critical look at the past while also using the most fun aspects of the setting. Though it takes place in D.C., the story is in conversation with the exciting art, culture, and innovations of the Harlem Renaissance. As Clara plans her heist and meets new people, she takes readers on a journey through a unique part of history full of vivid characters.
6The Radiant Emperor (2021–2023)
Written by Shelley Parker-Chan
She Who Became the SunandHe Who Drowned the Worldmake up the historical duology from Shelley Parker-Chanthat takes place in a version of 14th-century China under Mongol rule where the divine right of heaven is real. Featuring a great LGBTQ+ protagonist, Zhu rises from humble beginnings as an unwanted second daughter and assumes the identity of her brother, going on to lead an army. She claims the right of heaven as she takes her place as Emperor, but there are other people vying for the throne, just as desperate for power.
Throughout Zhu’s story, it becomes clear that what matters most is her internal belief that she is destined for greatness and is the ruler the country has been waiting for.
InThe Radiant Emperorseries, political alliances and resources are just as important, if not more, than the heavenly proof that someone is capable of assuming the throne. Throughout Zhu’s story, it becomes clear that what matters most is her internal belief that she is destined for greatness and is the ruler the country has been waiting for.Vengeance is also a huge motivator for every character in the books,as grudges don’t fade when the fate of one’s family and home is on the line.
10 Great Fantasy Books With Settings That Aren’t Based On Western Europe
So many fantasy books base their settings on Western Europe, but there are great additions to the genre that draw inspiration from elsewhere.
5The Adventures Of Amina Al-Sirafi (2023)
Written by S. A. Chakraborty
S.A. Chakraborty first penned theDaevabad Trilogy, which is also a historical fantasy, but much of the novels take place in the world of djinn, and the real world is easily forgotten. However,The Adventures of Amina al-SirafiseesAmina, the protagonist, travel across the vividly imagined open ocean and resume her pirate lifefor the chance of gold and glory. Chakraborty excels at writing great female characters who defy the expectations of both the reader and the other characters within the story.
Though Amina was used to throwing herself headfirst into danger,she came too close to the supernatural and retired from the high seas for good for the chance to raise her daughterin peace. However, fate has other plans, and she’s pulled back into a dangerous world full of backstabbing enemies, and the magical world isn’t through with her yet.The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafidelivers a pirate story with just enough magic to satisfy the bravest adventurer.
4The Winternight Trilogy (2017–2019)
Written by Katherine Arden
Katherine Arden’sThe Winternight Trilogybegins withThe Bear and the Nightingale, which takes place in medieval Russia and infuses Russian folklore and fantasy into its story. The novel chronicles the experiences of the Vladimirovich family, particularly the youngest daughter, Vasya, who has the ability to see creatures and feels a connection to the stories she heard as a child. It eventually falls to her to save her village from the evils of a malevolent monster and embrace her powers, even though they cost her a place in the town.
As the novels progress, Vasya grows more powerful and becomes entangled in larger plots that threaten all of Russia.
The conflict between the rise of Christianity in Russia with the traditions of folklore and paying tribute to spirits play a large role inThe Winternight Trilogy. As the novels progress, Vasya grows more powerful and becomes entangled in larger plots that threaten all of Russia.Torn between the politics of court life and Moscow and her true life as a witchand connection to the spiritual world, Vasya is forced to make tough choices throughoutThe Winternight Trilogy.
3Temeraire Series (2006–2016)
Written by Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik uses theTemeraire Seriesto posit what history and the great wars of the past would look like if dragons were real and an essential part of a nation’s army. Beginning withHis Majesty’s Dragon,the books take place during the Napoleonic Wars, and the first installment focuses on the relationship between Will Laurence and his dragon.Within the story, dragons and their handlers form deep bonds, as dragons are just as capable of complex thoughts and emotions as people are.
Though Will is hesitant to bond with his dragon, Temeraire,they grow extremely close while being trained to fight in the war for Britain against Napoleon.However, this is only the beginning of the adventures of Will and Temeraire, as they travel the world and are sent on incredible quests that bring them into contact with intriguing aspects of world history. With a total of nine volumes in the primary series,Temeraireis a fantasy series of epic proportions.
10 Ambitious Fantasy Book Series That Really Pay Off
Every great fantasy series includes intricate worldbuilding and character arcs, and the best can balance complex magic with compelling stories.
2Babel (2022)
Written by R.F. Kuang
R.F. Kuang has become one of the best and most relevant fantasy writers of the 21st century, and it’s certain that she’s going to continue expanding her oeuvre with time. Her most recent historical fantasy,Babel, reflects the true history of our world with a small caveat: there are magical silver bars that are fueled by the power of language. In this version of the past,Oxford University has a department, Babel, that’s dedicated to training students to create these barsand harness their magic for the wealthy and powerful.
Robin, the protagonist, is brought to England from Canton at a young age and trained to be part of Babel, but as he ages, he begins to see that working within the system won’t change anything.
Robin, the protagonist, is brought to England from Canton at a young age and trained to be part of Babel, but as he ages, he begins to see that working within the system won’t change anything.Kuang uses the fantasy element to fuel her metaphor and exploration of colonialismand the idea that assimilation is the only way to survive prejudice. Though it’s set hundreds of years ago,Babelfeels as though it could be written about the present time, given the urgency and relevance of its message.
1The Once And Future King (1958)
Written by T.H. White
T.H. White’sThe Once and Future Kingis considered the definitive adaptation of theLe Morte d’Arthurand chronicles a period of British history that has been retread many times. While Arthur’s existence might not have been real andWhite fabricates certain elements of England’s history, there are recognizable pieces of the storythat set it in the canon of historicalfantasy.The Once and Future Kingis as much a coming-of-age tale as it is an epic, as it touches upon much of Arthur’s early life.
Reading about his training with Merlyn and his eventual rise and fall from power makesThe Once and Future Kingas tragic as it is rich, warm, and funny.Even reading the book today, knowing that Arthur and his golden court are doomed, it feels just as important and thrillingto witness him undergo his trials and take his rightful place as king.Every King Arthur movieowes a lot toThe Once and Future King, as its influence has been far-reaching within the entire genre.
