While fantasy will always be my favourite genre, historical fiction is a pretty close second (especially when it has steampunk, historical, or fantasy elements). Like fantasy, I love exploring the world of the past. It’s fascinating to see how they dealt with life, especially with all those diseases and social conflicts. I’d never want to go and live in the past though. I like my rights and health care possibilities.
Anyway, there are some eras of history I love to read about more than others so I thought I’d write a post about it (with lots of photos as another attempt to pretend we’re still posting real content here while struggling with busy lives).
Wild Wild West
This is a genre I only discovered I absolutely loved when Vengeance Road came out! All the grit and revenge and horses, it’s perfect for me. The only other western I’ve read is Walk on Earth a Strange (also amazing! Cannot wait to read Like a River Glorious). I have Under the Painted Sky on my TBR but I NEED MORE.
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Victorian Era
All of my favourite mysteries have been set within the Victorian era (also some of my favourite romances). Some of my favourites from the past year include A Madness so Discreet, Stalking Jack the Ripper, and These Shallow Graves.
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Roaring Twenties
The 20’s are a tonne of fun about because the era was just so quirky! All that slang is strange and hilarious, plus they really loved to party. The Diviners is the only book I clearly remember being set in that era but I love it so much. Definitely need to check out more.
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Feudal Japan
This is a bit of a cheat. The Lotus War is based on Feudal japan but is actually a steampunk/fantasy novel. I haven’t read any books based in ancient Japan yet, but there is a fantastic manga called Sengoku Stays which gave me a desperate need to read more stuff set there.
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Any other era I haven’t mentioned that is pre-1900s
Basically the moral of this post is that if it’s set before the 1900’s, I want to read it. Middle ages, ancient China, the pirate age, regency Europe, I don’t care GIVE IT TO ME! I want to learn more about all the past eras!
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Jordann @ thebookbloglife
I adore Historical Fiction books – my favourite era is WWII, preferably Russian.
I have to check out about 100% of the books on this list, some of them I already have on my TBR but just haven’t gotten to!
Brill post!
Bec
WWII books always break me. They’re so sad. I can’t think of one that I got through without crying.
I hope you get to read them soon!
Tasya
I love historical fiction, even though it’s not a genre much explored in YA. Sadly, wild wild west and 1920’s usually doesn’t work for me, I think the Great Gatsby ruined the latter for me xD I do like anything victorian and pre 1990 era though, they are fascinating!
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Bec
It’s slowly getting a bigger niche in YA! It’s a shame it’s not bigger because there are some AMAZING YA historicals out there.
I haven’t read The Great Gatsby yet but I hope it doesn’t ruin it for me!
Tyler H. Jolley
Great list, and as always, beautiful photographs. Happy reading.
Bec
Thanks :)
Cait @ Paper Fury
Oooh, I love these too!! I really like the wild west for some reason ahah (VENGEANCE ROAD THO) and I also really like 19th century Australian historical fiction. It’s so interesting. Aaaand can’t deny the middle ages are awesome. AND OH OH the renaissance period!! I really like epic fantasy but like when they’ve just started to get pistols (like Six of Crows!) or pianos and things.
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Bec
I think it’s all the action and revenge stories. Plus most of the ones I’ve read features the “girl disguised as boy” trope which I LOVE A LOT.
I don’t think I’ve read anything set in 1800s Australia. It would be fascinating!
Yesss seeing all the inventions start to appear and be used is so much fun.
Alexandria
I love the 20s and the Victorian era! I’m actually not a fan at all of the Wild West (I don’t know why, it just doesn’t appeal to me). Regency Europe and the pirate age are AMAZING though, I could read so many more books with those settings. I’m currently reading my first book set in Ancient China! It’s cool so far. My favourite historical settings would have to be Ancient Greece and Rome.
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Bec
Not every setting will be right for everyone.
HELL YEAH PIRATES!! I can always do with more pirates.
The only book I’ve read about China is technically a Chinese inspired fantasy called Eon. I really want to read more of those settings you listed!
Greg
Fantasy is my favorite too but a good historical fiction (or better historical fiction w/ fantasy) is always good. I like the Victorian era too (and Regency) especially for mysteries or if the paranormal is involved. Speaking of, have you read The School for Unusual Girls series by Kathleen Baldwin? Good stuff and set during the Napoleonic era.
I’d love to read more pirate stuff, and I don’t think I’ve read anything set in feudal Japan. That would be a great era to explore as well.
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Bec
Historical fantasy is so fantastic! We get the best of both worlds.
I haven’t read that series but I’m going to look into it! It sounds really fun.
Fuedal Japan is great! I need more of it.
Dragonfly @ Our Familiarium
Of your list I’ll have to go with Wild Wild West my favorite is WWII! :) great post :)
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Bec
WWII books always make me cry! It’s a fantastic setting (one of the post 1900s settings I do enjoy) but they’re always so sad :'(
Ethan
My favorite has to be any WWII era setting. I’m working on The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan right now and loving the historical setting.
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Bec
WWII is an era I associate with sadness now. Every book I’ve read in that setting has hurt me so much (in the good way haha)
Sara Letourneau
If you like the Roaring Twenties, you might like A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly. It’s not YA, though the main characters are 19 and early 20s, but it’s a fun spin on the Prohibition Era where magic is outlawed instead of alcohol.
I don’t know if I have a *favorite* historical era. I just simply enjoy reading about time periods and places that are different from mine. But the historical era I’ve read the most about has been Europe during World War II.
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Bec
HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS??? That’s such an interesting premise! I need it stat.
I feel the same. I love so many different eras and they’re all great. We can learn so much about the past through fiction.
Jackie
Lately I’ve been devouring anything to do with the Gilded Age in America, the Victorian era in England, and the Belle Epoque in France.
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Bec
I haven’t delved that much into French and American history too much (aside from the Wild West). I definitely want to get into more French stuff I think