Unmissable Historical Fiction Books History Lovers Will Adore

Here at Books of Brilliance, we love a great historical fiction novel. It’s a genre that continues to deliver some of the most powerful, immersive, and unforgettable stories out there—and honestly, it dominates my list of all-time favorites.

There’s just something different about historical fiction. The way it blends real events with compelling storytelling makes every book feel meaningful. You’re not just reading a great story—you’re stepping into another time period and experiencing it firsthand.

That’s exactly why we had to put this list together.

We’re sharing some unmissable historical fiction books that history lovers—and really any reader—will absolutely adore. These are the kinds of novels that pull you in from the very first page and don’t let go.

And if you’ve read enough in this genre, you already know—there are a lot of incredible options out there.

In fact, I’d argue that historical fiction is one of the strongest genres when it comes to consistently great books. Many award-winning novels come from this space, and it’s easy to see why. The depth, the research, and the emotional weight behind these stories make them stand out.

But with so many amazing choices, figuring out what to read next isn’t always easy.

That’s where this list comes in.

We’ve put together a mix of classic historical fiction novels and newer releases that feel destined to become classics over time. These are books that will keep you hooked, turning pages late into the night, and wondering how you ever went without reading them.

If you’re trying to hit your reading goals this year, this is a great place to start.

Check out the full list below—you might just find your next favorite book.

Unmissable Historical Fiction Books History Lovers Will Adore

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead 
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 
• Beloved by Toni Morrison 
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of my favorite novels of all time. Without this novel, I don’t know if I would gotten into reading historical fiction books.  This classic novels tells one of the best stories about World War II, love, and unwavering strength. It is novel that belongs in every person’s bookshelf.

The novel takes place in Nazi Germany starting in 1939. Liesel Meminger is a foster child that is adopted by Hans and Rosa Hubermann. One day, Hans help hide a Jewish man named Max Vandenburg in the basement of their home. Liesel and Max form a bond as the war goes on. 

Once a thriving town, Now Molching is a ghost town. The Hubermann are treated horrible because of Hann’s hatred of the Nazi party. His distaste of the party catches up with the family and they are punished as a result.

The writing is incredible but what I love the most is using death as a narrator. If you haven’t read this timeless classic, then you are missing out.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 

A fantastic novel that everyone who loves historical fiction books needs to read is A Gentleman in Moscow. This is a beautifully written novel where it takes place in a hotel. And yet that is part of what makes this novel special.

The idea for the novel came from Towles’ own experiences of staying at luxury hotels. While in Geneva, he met guests that were living at the hotel permanently. You won’t find another novel with an interesting and fresh plot like this novel.

Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov was born in Saint Petersberg, Russia on 24 October 1889. His godfather Grand Duke Demidov served in the cavalry and was his father’s comrade. In 1900, both of the Count’s parents died of cholera and his godfather becomes his guardian and prepares him for adversity. 

One lesson his godfather instills in him in him is that “”…adversity presents itself in many forms, and if a man does not master his circumstances, then he is bound to be mastered by them.” The Count and his sibling have to make social visits to nearby estates as it is a requirement.

When the Count is a young man, he is sent out of the country as he was required to because of custom and a scuffle. But when he returns home after the Bolsgevik revolution in 1917, he is arrested. 

The Count is sentenced to house arrest for the rest of his life in his current residence, Hotel Metropol. Life happens around the Count and he makes the most of his situation. Russia goes through a lot of changes and the Count experiences it from the confounds of Hotel Metropol.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

When I think about one of the best classic historical fiction books ever written, I always think of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This adventure novel was written in the mid 1800s and has aged like fine wine since it was first written by the French author.

The novel tells the story of Edmond Dantès who has just been named the captain of the ship Pharaon. He plans to propose to his girlfriend but never happens as Edmond is accused of treason and locked up in an island fortress.

After years of imprisonment, Edmond escapes the prison and searches for the hidden treasure that his cellmate hid before getting arrested. Now, with newfound wealth and fame, Dantès seeks to get revenge on the people who falsely accused him and ruined his life.

What I love about The Count of Monte Cristo is that it reads like a soap opera. The drama and plot twists as well as the long plans for revenge would make a few good seasons for any TV show. maybe that is why it is still popular to this day. And who doesn’t love a good revenge story?

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

It took me a very long time to get around and read One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. And I am still mad that I waited as long as I did to read this incredible novel. I was hooked on page one and loved this wonderful magical world that Márquez created. So, save yourself from making the same mistake as I did and read this novel as soon you can!

After killing Prudencio Aguilar because of an argument, José Arcadio Buendía and his wife Úrsula Iguarán leave town to search for another place to live. Eventually, they settle near a riverbank and call their new home Macondo.

What follows is the story of seven generations of the Buendía family and the rise and fall of Macondo. The stories of the family go from happy to sad and happy again as the town they live in goes through changes, sweeping the family along as a result.

Every single page of this novel was perfect and I am glad that I did read this. It is easily one of the best books I read in 2025 and one I will revisit next year. in 1982, Gabriel García Márquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature because of this novel.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

A historical fiction novel that was released in the 2020’s that I would put high on everyone’s to read list is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. The novel won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize along with Trust by Hernan Diaz and won the Women’s Prize for Fiction. The storytelling and writing are what you would see in a classic novel. And I think in a few years, this novel will be considered just that.

One of the first historical fiction books I read in 2025 was Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It was the recipient of the2023 Pulitzer Prize along with Trust by Hernan Diaz and won the Women’s Prize for Fiction. With these two prestigious accolades, I knew I had to read this novel.

The story follows Damon Fields, better known as Demon, and his single mother. They live in a trailer home in Lee, County, located in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Demon’s life is difficult takes a turn for the worse when his mom starts dating a guy who abuses Demon. 

Things go from bad to worse and Demon tries to make the best of his situation as he tries to survive and overcome his situation. The novel is a retelling of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens in the 21^st century and is a must read for anyone that enjoyed the classic novel.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many unmissable historical fiction books that history lovers will enjoy. Choosing just ten is hard but it had to be done. You can always check out our other lists for more recommendations.

How many of these historical fiction books have you read or plan to read? What other books would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!