Heckin' Good Historical Fantasy Books

​Joust the other knight, I was thinking about how neat it would be to travel back in time to somewhere like medieval England or Edo-period Japan. Or maybe peer amid some ancient Egyptian wonders while on a magic carpet ride!
 
Isn't it beautiful how fiction allows us to have such rich experiences from the comfort of our own homes (complete with indoor plumbing)? If you're looking for some historical-fantasy adventures, check out the ten awesome ones we've listed below!

1. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke: In an alternate 19th-century England, two magicians collaborate and clash in their efforts to revive English magic amidst the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, ultimately grappling with the dark consequences of their actions.

2. Babel by R.F. Kuang: Robin Swift, a Chinese orphan brought to England, struggles with his identity and loyalty while studying translation and magic at Oxford's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel, uncovering the dark link between language, power, and colonialism.

3. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler: Dana, an African American woman in 1976 Los Angeles, is inexplicably transported back in time to the antebellum South, where she must navigate the horrors of slavery to ensure her own existence in the future.

4. Tigerheart by Peter David: Inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, young Paul Dear embarks on a magical adventure to the Anyplace, a land of eternal childhood and wonder, to rescue his kidnapped sister and confront his own fears and destiny.

5. Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud: Halli Sveinsson embarks on a dangerous journey to seek revenge for his murdered uncle, uncovering the truth about his people's legends and finding his own path to heroism.

6. The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty: Nahri, a con artist in 18th-century Cairo, accidentally summons a powerful djinn warrior and is whisked away to the magical city of Daevabad, where she discovers her hidden heritage and becomes embroiled in the city's dangerous political intrigues.

7. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: A young woman uncovers a hidden history of her family's connection to Dracula through a series of letters and historical documents, leading her on a thrilling and dangerous quest across Europe to find the truth about the legendary vampire.

8. The Once and Future Queen by Parker J. Cole: Guinevere reimagined as an exiled Nubian princess. Forced to flee to the British Isles, Fayola hides her identity among a wild tribal people and bides her time, training and dreaming of vengeance on the one who stole her kingdom.

9. The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer: Jack, an apprentice bard, embarks on a perilous journey with his sister after being captured by Viking berserkers, facing trolls, dragons, and other mythical creatures to save her and fulfill his destiny.

10. The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope: In 1558, young Kate Sutton is exiled by Queen Mary Tudor to a remote castle, where she uncovers a secret community of fairy folk and must navigate their perilous world to rescue her kidnapped sister and save herself.


What’s your favorite historical fantasy book? Tell us in the comments!


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