It’s mash-up time! My first review roundup featured some of my favorite fantasy books; the second highlighted historical fiction. For part three, you’re getting a combo—below are my thoughts on some of the best historical fantasies I’ve read recently.
This is my preferred genre to write. (Case in point: My new boxed set Colors and Ghosts contains Books 1–3 of a series set in a magical version of Early America.) And when it comes to reading historical fantasy, there are tons of great options. But if you only try one of the books I’m recommending, make it Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Susanna Clarke’s masterpiece has whimsy for days and is set in one of my favorite eras (Napoleonic Europe). It’s not exaggerating to say I had trouble putting this book down. The TV miniseries adaptation is also excellent.
If you’ve read Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell or any of the other books on this list, feel free to let me know what you thought. And if you try one and like it, I’d love to hear about that too.
The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang
Gods of Jade and Shadow, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Black Leopard, Red Wolf, by Marlon James
Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
You can also view these recommendations on my Shepherd bookshelf. For more reviews like them, sign up for my monthly newsletter.
