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Historical Fiction Meets Fantasy in These Magical New Novels
One of the most consistently dynamic intersections in fiction, the genre known as historical fantasy, takes the best from both worlds. You get the time-travel effect of historical fiction—detailed immersion in other places and eras—plus the imaginative kick of magic, myth, and other speculative fiction elements.
We’ve gathered below 33 new and upcoming historical fiction titles for adventurous reading in 2024. It’s so much fun. Note that the top two rows here spotlight books coming later this year. The rest of the collection features historical fiction books going back to 2020. Also, we’re focusing on adult titles here; we’ll get to YA books another time.
Some highlights, in no particular order: Fantasy veteran Leigh Bardugo—creator of the Grishaverse—turns back the clock to the Spanish Golden Age with The Familiar (slated for release in April). Look for sorcerers, alchemists, menacing immortals—this sort of thing. In August, author Ava Reid returns to shelves with Lady Macbeth, an occult retelling of Shakespeare’s classic from the Lady’s point of view.
Among the recent goodies, look for a Manchurian murder mystery circa 1908 (Yangsze Choo’s The Fox Wife), a multigenerational witch hunt in Europe (Emilia Hart’s Weyward), and historical sorcery in an alternate-universe Cairo (P. Djèlí Clark’s A Master of Djinn). And if you happen to be in the mood for 19th-century Mexican vampires, well, we have some good news there, too.
Click on the book cover images for more information about each title, and don’t forget to feed your Want to Read shelf.
Upcoming Historical Fantasies
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New Historical Fantasies
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OK, readers, your turn! Share some of your favorite historical fantasies in the comments below!
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Eva Therese
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Feb 07, 2024 12:11AM
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is an old favourite of mine. The Napoleonic wars with magicians and fairies.
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Super excited for Katherine Arden's new book!!!
Both versions (UK and US) of Ava Reid's Lady Macbeth slapped!!
Yay, Babel is on the list! I wanted to read that. But it's not new; it was published in 2022. Weyward was a massive disappointment. Avoid at all costs.
I’ve read a few of these. Weyward, The Invisible Hour and The Once and Future Witches are some of my favourites. When Women were Dragons is a brilliant feminist book.
Pretty much any of the beautiful books written by Guy Gavriel Kay. I especially recommend A Song for Arbonne to start.
The Once and Future Witches and Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies are both excellent stories! Very recommended.
Eva Therese wrote: "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is an old favourite of mine. The Napoleonic wars with magicians and fairies." I really didn't like the style of that book. Have you had experience with other Susanne Clarke books? Does she use that old English/historical text style for her other books too or was the style choice specific for Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell?
Jordan L Hawk's Whyborne and Griffin books, Allie Therin's Magic in Manhattan and KJ Charles Magpie verse
Steve wrote: "Eva Therese wrote: "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is an old favourite of mine. The Napoleonic wars with magicians and fairies." I really didn't like the style of that book. Have you h..."Her other book Piranesi is quite a different story, and I thought the writing style was different in that one. I thought that one was wonderful as well, but SC can do no wrong in my eyes, so I'm biased. :) Still, though, I would recommend looking up Piranesi. If it helps, it's quite a bit shorter as well. :)
Law wrote: "Yay, Babel is on the list! I wanted to read that. But it's not new; it was published in 2022. Weyward was a massive disappointment. Avoid at all costs."The intro specifies that the list goes back to 2020.
Anyway, Babel is great!
Zac wrote: "Both versions (UK and US) of Ava Reid's Lady Macbeth slapped!!"No bc I’m obsessed with both, may have to find a way to get both
What does "New" even mean if you're counting novels from four years ago? Why even use the word new. On another site it might be okay, but Goodreads publishes lists with the same books over and over. I've seen Leigh Bardugo's new book multiple times in Goodreads lists and I'm sure I'll see it again. It would be fine if these lists were designed to do anything besides peddle books to their target demographic, but that's the Amazon influence I guess.
I didn’t realize until seeing this list that Historical Fantasy was a genre, but I think it’s one of my favorites right now!I really loved Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (excellent audiobook performance), and Weyward from this list.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton is another Historical Fantasy I’ve loved (it’s a series with 3 books). It’s takes a minute to get used to the writing style but the dry humor and romance are excellent.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez is a fun YA historical fantasy that is similar to The Mummy (the Brendan Fraser one).
And if you enjoy weird and campy… I found Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne to be hilarious and out there in the best way. The author described it as her quarantine Frankenstein fan fiction/fever dream and if that intrigues you, maybe give it a shot!
This list would be improved by the addition of Gail CarrigerStart her witty and wonderful books with Soulless (the first in The Parasol Protectorate series) or Etiquette & Espionage (first in The Finishing School series).
The stories occur in a steampunk world populated with mythical monsters and the best emsemble cast of characters I have ever encountered.
Mackenzi wrote: "What does "New" even mean if you're counting novels from four years ago? Why even use the word new. On another site it might be okay, but Goodreads publishes lists with the same books over and over..."Right on! New should mean books being published NOW!
Law wrote: "Yay, Babel is on the list! I wanted to read that. But it's not new; it was published in 2022. Weyward was a massive disappointment. Avoid at all costs."Awww I loved Weyward!
Mackenzi wrote: "What does "New" even mean if you're counting novels from four years ago? Why even use the word new. On another site it might be okay, but Goodreads publishes lists with the same books over and over..."Sophie wrote: "Zac wrote: "Both versions (UK and US) of Ava Reid's Lady Macbeth slapped!!"
No bc I’m obsessed with both, may have to find a way to get both"
Sophie wrote: "Zac wrote: "Both versions (UK and US) of Ava Reid's Lady Macbeth slapped!!"
No bc I’m obsessed with both, may have to find a way to get both"
Please read the intro to the article so you can understand why those particular books were included.
Janet wrote: "Mackenzi wrote: "What does "New" even mean if you're counting novels from four years ago? Why even use the word new. On another site it might be okay, but Goodreads publishes lists with the same bo..."READ the intro to the article, please.
Law wrote: "Yay, Babel is on the list! I wanted to read that. But it's not new; it was published in 2022. Weyward was a massive disappointment. Avoid at all costs."I loved Babel and I loved Wayward.
Lone Women was very thought-provoking and haunting and a good read. Also The God of Endings was masterfully told and richly played out. Though very dif
Thoroughly enjoyed the golem and the jinn series. Babel was an epic fail for me. I found the Invisible Life of Addie Larue to be unique and entertaining. The Adventures of Amina Al-Surafi was ok, I think the Empire of Brass trilogy was better. She Who Became the Sun was historical in some way, but the second book? Intolerable.
