Are you the type of person who reads all the awards nominations and picks your next read from best-of-the-year lists? Then you won’t want to miss these six historical fiction books that Book Riot’s book professionals have determined (so far) to be the best of the best. Year-end lists have an inevitable level of recency bias, so I love that Book Riot even puts out a list halfway through the year. Not only does this give readers a chance to take a look at some of the biggest and best books before the year ends, but it also ensures that books published early in the year—sometimes more likely to be overlooked on year-end lists—get a chance to shine.
Now, this does not mean that these books are first half of the year Good. Don’t be surprised if you see some of these titles reappear on big best-of lists in November and December as well. These books are not only great for the first half of 2026, they are a great period. From historical epics to intimate family portraits, these six recommendations from my fellow rioters and me are some of the best historical fantasy books of 2026. Read on so you don’t miss out!
my choice
burn the master’s house by clay cane
The Burnt Down Master’s House is a masterpiece of historical fiction that takes an unflinching look at the horrors of slavery in the United States. Its focus on acts of rebellion and revolution – based on actual historical events – is more important than ever at a time when our government is actively trying to cover up the real history of this country. This book is a must read.
A beast slithers towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
This book is fiction at its finest. In an shifting, dual timeline, a father and daughter confront intergenerational trauma, degenerative disease, and the horrors of the Cultural Revolution in China. It’s a haunting read that doesn’t shy away from the horrors of history while also reveling in the beauty of Yang’s prose.
past tense
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johnson four By Christina Hammonds Reed
in the vein of Daisy Jones and the Six, johnson four It follows the rise and fall of a musical group in the 1960s, but with an added touch of fable that makes it truly unique and unforgettable. More than music, it’s a story of family, of how we help and hurt those we love, and how we grow together and apart over the years, sometimes by choice and sometimes without even realizing it.
Selection from other rioters
Dupree’s seven daughters By Nikesha Ellis Williams
Spending time with the Dupree women was one of the best decisions I made all year. Nikesha Ellis Williams’ debut novel is a powerful and deeply gratifying read for any fan of generational sagas, and Williams is particularly adept at focusing on generational trauma. Through subtle magic and gripping stories involving the enslavement of the Dupree women, the chapters trace the path of a protective and destructive curse that birthed generations of Daughters and significantly impacted their lives, whether it was understood or not. -S. zainab williams
There’s only one sin in Hollywood By Rashid Newson
Screenwriter and producer Rashid Newson is known for his work on shows such as Bel-Air and The Chi. He brings insider knowledge of his industry to this dazzling historical novel about bizarre life in Golden Age Hollywood. It tells the story of Javier, an up-and-coming black actor, and Aaron, the studio “fixer” who was tasked with keeping Javier in the closet. This becomes more complicated when Xavier is cast in a biopic because the Navy hero Aaron fell in love with while fighting with her in World War II. Newson beautifully blends real historical figures with richly layered fictional characters to create an unforgettable story that I’m already looking forward to seeing on screen. -Susie Dumond
land By Maggie O’Farrell
When I really need to feel something, I pick up Maggie O’Farrell, knowing that I’ll feel not just something, but everything, and possibly sit in a pool of my own tears. Set before and after The Great Hunger, this gorgeous historical novel follows a cartographer and his son as they set out to map all of Ireland. It is a story about alienation, colonization, resistance, folklore, survival and the intimacy of our relationship with place. Emotions were felt and my heart opened, so wonderfully and beautifully. -Vanessa Diaz
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