Best Historical Fiction Books of 2025: Top 9 Picks

We curated a list of the best books for historical fiction, bringing past worlds alive with gripping tales and vivid characters.
The Book Thief coverAll the Light We Cannot See coverThe Nightingale cover

Travel back in time with our list of the 9 best books for historical fiction! We focus on plots that transport you to different eras, engage your imagination, and stir your emotions. Each book offers a unique perspective on history, characters that stay with you, and stories that you’ll want to share with friends. Whether you’re drawn to epic tales of war, the intrigues of royal courts, or the daily lives of remarkable individuals, our picks promise unforgettable journeys through time.

On this list:

9 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2005
  • Pages: 552

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This book made us cry like onions at a chopping fest. Set in Nazi Germany, it’s narrated by Death. A unique take on WWII.

8 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All the Light We Cannot See cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2014
  • Pages: 531

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A blind French girl and a German soldier during World War II. This thrilling story twists around like a pretzel.

7 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2015
  • Pages: 440

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Two sisters in WWII France. Courage, romance, and resilience. We sobbed like babies reading this one.

6 Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Pillars of the Earth cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1989
  • Pages: 973

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Medieval England, cathedral building, and heaps of drama. We’re not even builders but felt the urge to erect something.

5 The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2009
  • Pages: 464

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1960s Mississippi, racial tensions, and courage. You might laugh out loud, maybe even snort a bit.

4 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

A Gentleman in Moscow cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2016
  • Pages: 462

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Count Rostov under house arrest in a hotel. We imagine eccentric Russian accents as we flip the pages.

3 The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Shadow of the Wind cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2001
  • Pages: 487

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Post-war Barcelona, a cemetery of forgotten books, and a mystery. You’ll want to visit a library right away.

2 Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Girl with a Pearl Earring cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1999
  • Pages: 233

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Inspired by Vermeer’s painting, this is art and history intertwined. We started painting our walls, then realized we’re not artists.

1 Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

Wolf Hall cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2009
  • Pages: 653

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The top pick for best books for historical fiction. We walk with Thomas Cromwell in Tudor England. It’s like a gritty episode of ‘Game of Thrones’. Mantel’s rich prose brings history alive, and you feel like you’re wearing a ruffled collar while reading. The political intrigue will make your head spin like a carousel, and the attention to detail is astonishing. For a deep dive into the tumultuous times of Henry VIII, this book is unmissable. We couldn’t put it down, even spilled coffee on our copy. It was worth it!

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!