Historical fantasy is a growing subgenre that appeals to both historical fiction and fantasy fans. It is also drastically growing in diversity. These historical fantasy books touch all different aspects of history – and alternative history. From myths to legends to fate, dive into these fantastic books filled with magic on every page.Â
The Conductors by Nicole Glover
During the Civil War, Hetty Rhodes helped dozens of people escape on the Underground Railroad with her wits and magic. Now she and her husband Benjy reside in Philadelphia and solve murders and mysteries that the white authorities won’t touch. But when one friend is slain in an alley, they are determined to find answers. But the secrets and intricate lies of the elites of Black Philadelphia only serve to dredge up more questions. They will have to face ugly truths around them to solve the mystery.
Everything That Burns by Gita Trelease
In the sequel to All That Glitters, also known as Liberté, Camille now lives for the revolution. In the pamphlets she prints, she tells the stories of girls living at society’s margins. Her writings captivate the public but she begins to suspect a dark magic she can’t control lies at the heart of her success. When Louis XVI claims magic is a crime, bonfires incinerate enchanted books and special police prowl the city. Now Camille must risk everything to find out who she truly is to win the game of revolution.Â
Muse by Brittany Cavallaro
The year is 1893, and war is brewing in the First American Kingdom. But Claire Emerson plans on escaping when her father prepares to reveal a weapon at the World’s Fair. Her father is an inventor who believes his genius is a gift granted by her touch. As her home province look towards war, Claire is determined to take charge of her life even as her best friend tries to convince her to stay and help the resistance movement who wants to put a woman on the throne. When the weapon fails to fire, Claire is taken captive by Governor Remy Duchamp, their young, untried ruler. With his own threats, Remy hopes that Claire is his only and best ally. Claire has no interest in being anyone else’s muse, but she must decide if she wants to live in her world’s shadows or burn it down.
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
When Angrboda is punished by Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, she flees to a remote forest. There she meets Loki and her distrust in him becomes a deep love. They have three unusual children who each have a secret destiny and Angrboda raises at the edge of the world away from Odin. But when her prophetic powers return, she learns all is in danger. With help from the huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she’s foreseen for her beloved family or rise to remake their future.
The Shadow War by Lindsay SmithÂ
World War II is raging and five teens are determined to make their mark. Daniel and Rebeka seek revenge against the Nazis who slaughtered their family; Simone is determined to fight back against the oppressors who ruined her life and corrupted her girlfriend; Phillip aims to prove that he’s better than his worst mistakes; and Liam is searching for a way to control the portal to the shadow world he’s uncovered, and the monsters that live within it – before the Nazi regime can do the same. When the five begrudgingly team up, none of them knows what their future might hold. Will they be able to save their world?
The Desolations of Devil’s Acre by Ransom Riggs
In the sixth and final book of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series, the last thing Jacob Portman saw before the world went dark was a terrible, familiar face. Suddenly, he and Noor are back in the place where everything began – his grandfather’s house. Jacob doesn’t know how they escaped from V’s loop to find themselves in Florida. But he does know Caul has returned. Jacob and Noor reunite with Miss Peregrine and the peculiar children in Devil’s Acre which is being plagued by desolations. Only one hope remains: deliver Noor to the meeting place of the seven prophesied ones – if they can decipher its secret location.Â
