Riot Headline Book Riot’s 2025 Read Harder Challenge

#Historical Fiction

2025’s Best Historical Fiction, BIPOC Edition

This most anticipated titles will take you from the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, to 19th-century China and France.

Historical Fiction About Little Known History

Little known history is front and center in these obscure historical fiction books about obscure figures and events.

8 Historical Novels with Court Intrigue

Engrossing historical reads filled with court intrigue, politics, in-fighting, and more.

The Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of 2025

There's no shortage of new books from beloved and bestselling authors as well as debut releases generating all kinds of buzz.

An Epic Love Story Illuminating the Chinese Diaspora: Read an Excerpt of HOMESEEKING by Karissa Chen

Visit wartime Shanghai to meet lovers on the cusp of an event that will separate them until they run into each other in L.A. 60 years later.

The Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century (So Far)

The best historical fiction of the 21st century so far takes readers to pre-Civil-war America, 1920s Russia, 1970s Kabul, and more.

The Historical Fiction Book That Should Make All The Best-Of Lists This Year

*The* book that should be on all the historical fiction best-of lists this year. Plus, Oprah's favorite historical fiction, and oral histories.

Cozy Up With December’s New Historical Fiction Releases

These new December historical fiction books will take you all over the world, and are perfect for cozying up in front of a warm fire.

Big Easy Does It: 10 Historical Novels set in New Orleans

There’s no other city like New Orleans. It’s a city that’s both incredibly alive and inexorably steeped in death.

Romance, Drama, and a Wealthy Black Family: Read an Excerpt of THE DAVENPORTS: MORE THAN THIS by Krystal Marquis

Ruby, Olivia, Amy-Rose, and Helen are back in the second book of this romance series about a wealthy Black family in 1910s Chicago.