Rewriting the Past: The 10 Best Historical Fantasy Books

Experience the intersection of meticulously researched history and breathtaking magic. Historical fantasy, often called "Secret History" or "Alternate History," reimagines our world's past by introducing supernatural elements into recognisable eras. From the dragon-filled skies of the Napoleonic Wars to the occult underground of Regency London, this genre offers a unique lens through which we can explore the power dynamics, cultures, and conflicts of our ancestors.

Our 2025 selection features the 10 best historical fantasy books that masterfully balance period accuracy with imaginative world-building. We have prioritised titles like R.F. Kuang's "Babel" for its searing critique of Victorian colonialism and Naomi Novik's "Temeraire" for its brilliant military alternative history. These novels do more than tell a story; they provide a vivid, immersive escape that feels grounded in reality while soaring with the impossible. Whether you are a fan of Tudor-era witchcraft or ancient Roman myths come to life, these definitive picks are essential for any literary time-traveller.

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10. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker Chan

Shelley Parker-Chan's "She Who Became the Sun" is a searing, queer re-imagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty. Set in 14th-century China, it follows an orphan who steals her dead brother's identity - and his great fortune - to escape starvation. The book is fantastic because it treats "fate" as a tangible, agonising force. By weaving ghosts and divine mandates into a gritty military campaign, Parker-Chan explores gender and ambition with brutal honesty. It is a masterpiece of historical fantasy that balances epic political manoeuvres with an intimate, raw look at what one is willing to sacrifice to exist.

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9. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson's Life After Life is a profound exploration of the "what if" through the lens of early 20th-century history. The story follows Ursula Todd, who dies and is reborn repeatedly, each cycle shifting her fate based on minute decisions. It is a fantastic read because it uses a speculative mechanic reincarnation - to create an intimate, multi-angled portrait of the World War II era. Atkinson's prose is exquisitely detailed, capturing the domestic fragility of English life alongside the sheer scale of the Blitz. It is a haunting, literary masterpiece that turns the linear nature of history into a beautiful, tragic loop.

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8. Hild by Nicola Griffith

Nicola Griffith's "Hild" is a towering achievement of "secret history" that feels more like a vivid memory than a novel. Set in 7th-century Britain, it reimagines the life of Saint Hilda of Whitby. While the fantasy elements are subtle - Hild's "magic" is her peerless ability to read patterns in nature and human behavior - the atmosphere is thick with ancient spirituality. The prose is lush, visceral, and deeply researched, transporting you to a world of mead halls and brutal political shifts. It is a demanding, brilliant read for those who appreciate historical accuracy over flashy sorcery.

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7. A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

P. Djeli Clark's A Master of Djinn is a vibrant, inventive triumph that reimagines 1912 Cairo as a global superpower fueled by the return of the supernatural. It follows Fatma el-Sha'arawi, a dapper agent of the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities, as she investigates a mass murder linked to a man claiming to be a legendary prophet. The book is fantastic for its "steampunk-meets-mythology" aesthetic, replacing Victorian soot with desert sun and clockwork djinn. It is a stylish, fast-paced mystery that masterfully explores themes of anti-colonialism, gender, and the blending of ancient folklore with modern progress.

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6. The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay's The Lions of Al-Rassan is a towering achievement of historical fantasy that priorities emotional resonance over flashy magic. Inspired by medieval Spain, it follows three brilliant individuals from clashing cultures - a physician, a warrior, and a poet - as their world edges toward a holy war. Kay's "quarter-turn" away from actual history allows for a story that feels hauntingly real yet mythic in scope. The prose is breathtakingly lyrical, and the characters are rendered with such depth that the inevitable tragedies feel deeply personal. It is a masterpiece because it explores the fragile beauty of civilisation amidst the rising tide of intolerance.

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5. The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker

Helene Wecker's The Golem and the Djinni is a luminous masterpiece that weaves Jewish and Arabic folklore into the bustling streets of 1899 New York. The story follows Chava, a golem made of clay, and Ahmad, a jinni of fire, as they navigate the immigrant experience in a strange land. It is fantastic because it treats its supernatural leads with profound humanity, exploring their loneliness and desire for agency. The historical atmosphere of the Lower East Side is vibrant and authentic, serving as the perfect backdrop for a slow-burning, philosophical exploration of fate versus free will.

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4. Temeraire by Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik's Temeraire is a brilliant reimagining of the Napoleonic Wars that asks: "What if dragons were the air force of the 1800s?" The book is fantastic because it treats its dragons not as mere monsters, but as sentient, articulate partners with their own complex social hierarchies. The bond between Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire, provides a moving emotional core amidst thrilling aerial combat. Novik's prose perfectly mimics the formal, polite tone of the era, making the presence of high-altitude dragon formations feel historically authentic. It is a masterpiece of world-building that elevates military history into high fantasy.

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3. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale is a stunningly atmospheric journey into the heart of medieval Russia. It masterfully weaves traditional Slavic folklore into a gritty, historical reality where ancient household spirits are fading as a new religion takes hold. The book is fantastic because of its "frost-bitten" prose, which makes the winter wilderness feel like a living, breathing character. Following Vasya, a girl who can see the spirits others have forgotten, the story explores the tension between tradition and change. It is an enchanting, lyrical, and often terrifying tale that captures the raw magic of a world ruled by snow.

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2. Babel by R. F. Kuang

R.F. Kuang's Babel is a breathtaking masterpiece that uses historical fantasy to dissect the soul of the British Empire. Set in 1830s Oxford, it introduces a brilliant magic system powered by silver bars and the nuances of translation. The book is fantastic because it makes linguistics feel like a high-stakes weapon of revolution. By blending rigorous historical detail with a heartbreaking story of friendship and betrayal, Kuang exposes the cost of colonialism and the pain of assimilation. It is a dense, scholarly, and emotionally devastating work that proves fantasy can be the most effective tool for social critique.

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1. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a monumental achievement that reads like a lost Jane Austen novel infused with ancient, eerie magic. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, it chronicles the return of English magic through two rival scholars: the reclusive, bookish Norrell and the charismatic, intuitive Strange. The book is fantastic because of its immersive "footnotes" and scholarly tone, which make the existence of magic feel historically undeniable. It brilliantly contrasts the polite constraints of Regency society with the wild, dangerous realm of the Fairies. It is a slow-burn masterpiece that rewards patience with unparalleled depth.

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