Top 10 Historical fantasy books
This genre takes a period of history from this world’s past and introduces fantasy elements to it.
1 Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
The year is 1806 and the country is England. The Napoleonic wars are raging in France and magic, an academic subject only, is no longer practised. A street peddler foretells of a prophesy of the return of magic to England, which has been dead since the disappearance of the Raven King some three hundred years ago.
2 The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane
Romulus and Fabiola are twins, born into slavery after their mother is raped by a drunken nobleman on his way home from a good night out. At 13 years old, they and their mother are sold: Romulus to gladiator school, Fabiola into prostitution, where she will catch the eye of one of the most powerful men in Rome, and their mother into obscurity and death in the salt mines. Tarquinius is an Etruscan, a warrior and soothsayer, born enemy of Rome, but doomed to fight for the Republic in the Forgotten Legion. Brennus is a Gaul; the Romans killed his entire family.He rises to become one of the most famous and feared gladiators of his day - and mentor to the boy slave, Romulus, who dreams night and day of escape and of revenge. The lives of these four characters are bound and interwoven in a marvellous story which begins in a Rome riven by corruption, violence and political enmities, but ends far away, where Romulus, Brennus and Tarquinius find themselves fighting against the Parthians and overwhelming odds.
3 The Story of Cirrus Flux by Matthew Skelton
The Story of Cirrus Flux is an engaging and very well written book from UK author Matthew Skelton. After the success of his first book, Endymion Spring, Skelton’s star looks certain to stay in the ascendancy thanks to this atmospheric, realistic and detailed book that will enchant young-adults.
4 Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell
Gemmell incorporates epic and historical fantasy into a set of novels set in the era of the Trojan Wars. Drawing upon Greek mythology and using his own inimitable style Gemmell draws us into the fables of Agamemnon, Aeneas (Helikaon), Andromache and Hector. This refreshing re-telling of the Greek epic follows the battle between Troy and Mycanae.
5 The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke
For anyone who has looked at Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and has been unsure whether they want to commit so much time to a first time author should read this book by way of introduction the delightful and original style that is Susanna Clarke’s. This is a hugely enjoyable book and one that will be read more that once.
6 The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
The ruling Asharites of Al-Rassan have come from the desert sands, but over centuries, seduced by the sensuous pleasures of their new land, their stern piety has eroded. The Asharite Empire has splintered into decadent city-states lead by warring petty kings. King Almalik of Cartada is on the ascendancy, aided always by his friend and advisor, the notorious Ammar ibn Khairan – poet, diplomat; soldier – until a summer afternoon of savage brutality changes their relationship forever.
7 The Storyteller and other tales by KV Johansen
The Storyteller and other tales by KV Johansen is a collection for adults and older teens that will take you on a journey through exotic worlds and times. Demon bears take human shape and devils walk in the north of a world where every hill hosts a god and every river and spring a goddess. The storyteller Moth draws Ulfleif, a warrior-princess who would rather carry a lyre than a sword, into an unfinished tale, and old lays of vengeance and betrayal wake into bloody new life around her.
8 Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Billi SanGreal is the only girl in the Knights Templar, and the most kick-ass weapon-wielding heroine around. At fifteen, her life is a rigorous and brutal round of weapons practice, demon killing and occult lore – and a whole lot of bruises. But then, she didn’t have much choice.
9 Raven: Blood Eye by Giles Kristian
For two years Osric has lived a simple life, apprentice to the mute old carpenter who took him in when others would have cast him out. But when Norsemen from across the sea burn his village, Osric finds himself a prisoner of these marauders. Their chief, Sigurd the Lucky, believes the Norns have woven this strange boy's fate together with his own, and Osric begins to sense glorious purpose among this fellowship of warriors.
10 Dartmoor... The Saving by BJ Burton
Beneath the wide-open spaces of Dartmoor live the Dini. Now just two feet tall, their bodies no longer able to bear children, the Dini are dying out. Only ten survive on the moor. Dartmoor… The Saving is a charming tale from author BJ Burton; part historical fantasy, part contemporary fantasy, this is a story that will leave you believing that little people really do exist in the remote areas of the British Isles.
Latest reviews...
- Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
- The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane
- Dartmoor... The Saving by BJ Burton
- Wizard of Arabah by Tristan Parrish
- Raven: Blood Eye by Giles Kristian
- The Storyteller and other tales by KV Johansen
- Spellbound by Margit Sandemo
- The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke
- Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell
- The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
