top read historical fiction

One of the top historical fiction books is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, filled with complex characters and detailed historical settings.

One great WW2 historical fiction is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's told from the perspective of Death and focuses on a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. Another is 'All the Light We Cannot See' which follows a blind French girl and a German boy during the war. And 'Code Name Verity' is also a remarkable one with a complex and engaging story about female spies during WW2.

One great historical fiction gay book is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It's set in the early 20th century and explores the life and self - discovery of a young man named Maurice. Another is 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Achilles and Patroclus from Greek mythology in a very homoerotic way. 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin is also notable. It delves into themes of identity and homosexuality in a 1950s Paris setting.

One great inspirational historical fiction book is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It's set during World War II and tells the story from the perspective of Death. It shows the power of words and the human spirit in the face of great adversity.

One great historical fiction thriller is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It combines historical facts and mystery in a thrilling way. The story takes place in different historical locations and involves a lot of religious and historical symbols.

One great book is 'Redeeming Love' by Francine Rivers. It's set in the 1850s California Gold Rush. The story is a retelling of the Bible's story of Hosea and Gomer, but in a very engaging historical context. The main characters' love story is full of trials and redemption.

A great one is 'The Once and Future King' by T.H. White. It retells the Arthurian legend in a way that also reflects on the medieval world. It has courtly love, jousting, and the complex relationships between knights and royalty.

One of the top must - read medieval historical fictions is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with complex characters and a richly detailed setting. Another great one is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott. It takes place during the time of Richard the Lionheart and features knights, tournaments, and political intrigue. 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is also highly regarded. It combines a murder mystery with the atmosphere of a 14th - century Italian abbey.

One of the top literary fiction works in 2018 in the historical fiction genre could be 'The Essex Serpent' by Sarah Perry. It's set in Victorian England and combines elements of mystery, historical detail, and complex characters.

I'd recommend 'Johnny Tremain'. It's set in the time leading up to the American Revolution and follows the journey of a young apprentice. 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' is also excellent. It's about a young girl in Puritan New England and her interactions with the local community during a time of religious strictness. These historical fictions are great for middle school students as they combine interesting stories with important historical contexts.