Best Great Historical Fiction Books 2025: Top 6 Reviews
Explore six great historical fiction books that transport you through time, with tales of adventure, intrigue, and romance.
Let’s embark on a journey through time with our list of 6 great historical fiction books that will captivate your imagination and transport you to different eras. We picked these gems based on their gripping plots, rich historical settings, and the unforgettable characters they bring to life. Whether you’re exploring wartime tales or delving into Tudor intrigue, these stories promise to entertain and educate, making them perfect for both history buffs and casual readers alike.
On this list:
6 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
We love ‘The Nightingale’ because it paints World War II France as vividly as my Aunt Mary in her French lessons. It’s a tale of two sisters fighting for survival. It’s like a historical soap opera, but with more resistance fighters.
5 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This book made us see the Second World War through innocent eyes. It’s like wearing glasses with a 1940s filter. Multilayered and beautiful. We were hooked.
4 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Here, Death narrates a WWII story. Sounds grim, but it’s surprisingly heartwarming. Liesel steals books and our hearts. It’s a real page-turner. Expect to cry.
3 Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
It’s like ‘Game of Thrones’ but with Henry VIII instead of dragons. Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power is full of intrigue. Masterful storytelling.
2 The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
We got lost in this Tudor tale of love, ambition, and royal drama. It’s like a historical reality show, minus the cameras. Juicy and riveting.
1 The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Ranked as the best, ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ is an epic saga set in the 12th century. It’s as gripping as my gran’s tales about knitting. Follett takes us back to medieval England, where building a cathedral is as serious as baking a cake in a storm. There are monks, builders, and enough scandal to keep us giggling and gasping. This masterpiece is timeless, spanning decades with rich detail and captivating subplots. It’s like a sort of rollercoaster but with knights and stone masons. This book is the reason some folks mistakenly think they’re medieval architects.
