Best Medieval Historical Fiction: What Are the Must - Read Titles?

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.

I would recommend 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. This novel tells the passionate and often tragic love story between Heathcliff and Catherine. It's set in the Yorkshire moors in the 19th century. The wild and desolate landscape serves as a perfect backdrop for their intense and unruly love. Also, 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon is a popular choice. It combines time - travel and historical romance, with the story of Claire Randall who travels back in time to 18th - century Scotland and falls in love with Jamie Fraser.

A must - read in medieval times historical fiction is 'The Once and Future King'. It's a modern take on the Arthurian legend that delves deep into the ideals of leadership, justice, and the human condition in a medieval context. 'The Sunne in Splendour' is also essential for those interested in the Wars of the Roses period. It provides a detailed and sympathetic portrayal of Richard III, challenging some of the traditional views.

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.

Well, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' can be considered a historical fiction must - read. It shows the racial tensions in the American South in the 1930s. Then there's 'The Book Thief' set during World War II in Germany. It tells the story from the perspective of a young girl and shows the power of words. Also, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, which is set during the French Revolution and has some of the most memorable characters and scenes in literature.

Some popular historical fiction books include 'The Kite Runner' which takes place in Afghanistan and shows the country's history through the eyes of a young boy. 'I, Claudius' is another one that dives into the history of the Roman Empire. It gives a detailed look at the lives of the Roman emperors. 'The Name of the Rose' is set in a medieval Italian monastery and is full of mystery and historical detail.

Definitely 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare. Although it's a tragedy, it's also a great historical romance. Set in Verona, Italy, it shows the intense and doomed love between the two young lovers. 'The Duchess War' by Courtney Milan is also a great historical romance. It has a great story set in the Victorian era, with strong characters and a captivating love story. 'A Knight in Shining Armor' by Jude Deveraux is another popular one, with a time - travel aspect that takes the reader to different historical periods in the name of love.

One of the great 2023 fiction books is 'Trust'. It offers a complex exploration of power, wealth, and relationships through multiple perspectives. Another is 'Demon Copperhead' which is a modern take on 'David Copperfield' and tells a powerful story of a boy's struggle in Appalachia. And 'The Covenant of Water' is also notable for its beautiful storytelling about family across generations.

One great dystopian YA fiction is 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. It's set in a post - apocalyptic world where children are forced to fight to the death in an annual event for the entertainment of the Capitol. Another is 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth. In this story, society is divided into factions based on different virtues. And 'The Maze Runner' by James Dashner is also a great one, where a group of boys are trapped in a maze with no memory of their past.

Definitely check out 'A Lineage of Grace' by Francine Rivers. It tells the stories of five women in Jesus' lineage in a very engaging way. 'The Screwtape Letters' by C.S. Lewis is also a must - read. It gives insights into how the devil tries to tempt people away from God through the letters of a senior demon to a junior one. 'The Mark of the Lion' series by Francine Rivers is great too as it shows the early Christian church in the Roman Empire.