The Greatest "Historical fiction, Fiction, Low Fantasy" Books Since 1990

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Genres

Historical fiction

Historical fiction is a genre of literature that combines fictional stories with real historical events, settings, and characters. These books often take place in a specific time period and are based on research and factual information, but also include imaginative elements to create a compelling narrative. Historical fiction allows readers to experience the past in a unique and engaging way, while also providing insight into the social, cultural, and political issues of the time.

Fiction

Low Fantasy

Low Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy literature that is characterized by its grounding in the real world or a world very similar to ours, with the inclusion of magical or fantastical elements being minimal and often more subtle than in high fantasy genres. Unlike high fantasy, which transports readers to entirely different worlds or realms filled with magic and mythical creatures, low fantasy stories are set in a recognizable world where magic intrudes on reality but does not dominate it. This genre often explores the juxtaposition of the mundane with the extraordinary, focusing on how ordinary characters react to and interact with the slight, often unsettling, supernatural or magical elements that enter their world. The magic in low fantasy can serve as a metaphor for real-world issues, and the stories often delve into themes of moral ambiguity, realism, and the complexities of human nature, making them appealing to readers who enjoy nuanced storytelling that blurs the lines between the fantastical and the plausible.

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  1. 1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

    The novel follows a World War II nurse who accidentally time travels back to 18th century Scotland. There, she meets a handsome and brave Scottish warrior and is torn between her loyalty to her husband in her own time and her growing love for the warrior. As she becomes more entwined in the past, she must navigate the dangers of a time not her own, including political unrest and violence, while trying to find a way back home.

  2. 2. The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

    "The Golem and the Jinni" is a novel that explores the lives of two mythical creatures, a golem and a jinni, who find themselves in New York City in the late 19th century. The golem is created by a Jewish rabbi to be a companion for a man who dies on the voyage to America, while the jinni is released from a copper flask by a Syrian tinsmith. As they navigate their new lives, they encounter other immigrants and face challenges that force them to confront their own identities and desires. The novel is a rich and complex exploration of identity, culture, and the human experience.

  3. 3. Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon

    The book is the second installment in a historical fiction series that weaves together romance, science fiction, and adventure. It continues the story of a 20th-century Englishwoman who has time-traveled to 18th-century Scotland and fallen in love with a dashing Highland warrior. As the Jacobite rebellion leads to the fateful Battle of Culloden, the couple faces the threat of being torn apart by the tumultuous events of history. Interwoven with their past is the present-day narrative of their daughter, who discovers her parents' remarkable story and the truth of her own origins. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of the past on the present.

  4. 4. The Invisible Life Of Addie La Rue by V. E. Schwab

    The book follows the story of a young woman in 18th-century France who, desperate to escape an arranged marriage and yearning for freedom, makes a Faustian bargain with a mysterious god-like figure to live forever without being remembered by anyone she meets. Her immortality becomes a curse as she moves through the centuries, leaving no mark on the world until, 300 years later, she stumbles upon a young man in a bookstore who, to her shock, remembers her name. This encounter unfolds into a tale of love, memory, and the intrinsic value of leaving one's mark on the world.

  5. 5. The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

    In this historical fiction novel, we follow the continuing adventures of a time-traveling nurse from the 20th century and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander husband as they navigate the perils of life in colonial America. Set against the backdrop of the looming American Revolution, the couple struggles to maintain their family and homestead while dealing with the political and social unrest of the era. The story intertwines romance, historical events, and fantasy elements as the couple faces challenges that test their bond and their ability to shape their destiny amidst the fiery cross of change and rebellion.

  6. 6. A Breath Of Snow And Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

    In this installment of the historical fiction series, the story continues to follow the lives of a time-traveling 20th-century doctor and her 18th-century Scottish Highlander husband as they navigate the perils of life in colonial America. As the American Revolution looms, the couple faces personal tragedies, political upheaval, and the constant threat of violence. They struggle to protect their family and their community in the backwoods of North Carolina, all while dealing with the complexities of their unique situation and the implications of knowing the future. The novel blends romance, adventure, and historical detail, creating a vivid and tumultuous world for its characters.

  7. 7. The Once And Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

    In this enchanting narrative set at the cusp of the 19th and 20th centuries, the story weaves together the lives of three sisters who, estranged and battered by their past, find themselves drawn together in the suffragist movement of New Salem. Amidst the fervor for women's rights, they discover that the echoes of witchcraft from their childhood hold the key to unlocking not just personal empowerment but also societal change. As they delve deeper into the forgotten words and ways of witchcraft, they face a society vehemently opposed to both their gender and their magic. This tale masterfully blends the struggle for equality with the mystical, proposing that the fight for women's rights is intertwined with a deeper, magical battle for freedom and recognition.

Reading Statistics

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Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download