Top new historical-fiction books in August 2024
Last updated:
August 31, 2024
August 2024 featuring new releases by Jodi Picoult, Maureen Johnson, Matt Haig, Rhys Bowen, Abigail Rose-Marie, Susanna Kearsley, Sofia Robleda, William Kent Krueger, Iona Grey, Gill Paul and many more.
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By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Two women, centuries apart--one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare's plays--are both forced to hide behind another name to make their voices heard.In 1581, Emilia Bassano--like most young women of her day--is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain's mistress, she has access to all theater in England, and finds a way to bring her work to the stage secretly...historical-fiction · fiction · contemporary · feminism · family · literary-fiction · female-mc · friendship · book · adult -
Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson
From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters...romance · young-adult · mystery · fiction · contemporary · lgbtq · historical-fiction · 20th-century · law-enforcement · book -
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
The remarkable next novel from Matt Haig, the author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Midnight Library, with more than nine million copies sold worldwide“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her...europe · south-europe · spain · fiction · contemporary · historical-fiction · literary-fiction · fantasy · female-mc · aliens -
The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen
An investigation into a girl’s disappearance uncovers a mystery dating back to World War II in a haunting novel of suspense by the bestselling author of The Venice Sketchbook and The Paris Assignment. 1968. Liz Houghton is languishing as an obituary writer at a London newspaper when a young girl’s disappearance captivates the city. If Liz can break the story, it’s her way into the newsroom...historical-fiction · mystery · ww2 · historical · female-mc · crime · cozy · 20th-century · fiction · law-enforcement -
The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie
In a powerful and poignant novel, an artist unravels her mysterious family history and its generations of women who depended on each other to survive.Tig Costello has arrived in Darren, Kentucky, commissioned to paint a portrait honoring her grandfather Benjamin. His contributions to the rural Appalachian town and his unimpeachable war service have made him a local hero...historical-fiction · fiction · mystery · historical · rural · literary-fiction · family · audiobook · crime · murder -
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The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley
For fans of Diana Gabaldon and Philippa Gregory, courtly rivalry and intrigue… 1613: King James – sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots - has unified both countries under one crown. But the death of his eldest son, Henry, has plunged the nation into mourning, as the rumours rise the prince was poisoned. Andrew Logan’s heard the rumours, but he’s paid them little heed...romance · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · early-modern · audiobook · journey · military · forced-proximity · mystery -
Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda
For a young woman coming of age in sixteenth-century Guatemala, safeguarding her people’s legacy is a dangerous pursuit in a mystical, empowering, and richly imagined historical novel.Catalina Cerrato is raised by her widowed father, Don Alonso, in 1551 Guatemala, scarcely thirty years since the Spanish invasion...romance · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · fantasy · magical-realism · early-modern · suspense · latinx-mc · audiobook -
Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger
A disappearance and a dead body put Cork O’Connor’s family in the crosshairs of a killer in the twentieth book in the New York Times bestselling series from William Kent Krueger, “a master storyteller at the top of his game” (Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author).The disappearance of a local politician’s teenaged daughter is major news in Minnesota...mystery · fiction · historical-fiction · indigenous-mc · crime · law-enforcement · police-procedural · suspense · outdoors · murder -
The Housekeeper's Secret by Iona Grey
Duty, desire, and deception reside under one roof.Standing in the remote windswept moors of Northern England, Coldwell Hall is the perfect place to hide. For the past five years, Kate Furniss has maintained her professional mask so carefully that she almost believes she is the character she has Coldwell’s respectable housekeeper...romance · historical-fiction · fiction · mystery · historical · audiobook · fantasy · young-adult · suspense · psychological -
Scandalous Women: A Novel of Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann by Gill Paul
Mad Men meets the world of publishing in international bestselling author Gill Paul’s new novel about Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann, two dynamic, groundbreaking writers renowned for their scandalous and controversial novels, and the beleaguered young editorial assistant who introduces them...fiction · historical-fiction · feminism · historical · season-summer · 20th-century · family · friendship · breakup · domestic-drama -
The Enchanted Lies of Céleste Artois by Ryan Graudin
In this lush and lyrical fantasy, Ryan Graudin transports readers to the hidden magic pockets of early 1900s Paris, a place of enchanted salons, fortune tellers who can change your stars, and doorways that can take you to the most unexpected places—and introduces readers to the delightful Céleste Artois, a con artist who will make a deal with the devil in exchange for her life.. -
Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher
Beloved author Lex Croucher's second queer historical YA romance, with all the swoons, laughs, and heart-pounding moments you'd expect from a story about the granddaughter of Robin Hood and the girl she's accidentally kidnapped.‘You aren’t merry,’ said Clem to her captor. ‘And you aren’t all men. So there’s been some marketing confusion somewhere along the line...romance · wlw · fantasy · lgbtq · young-adult · historical-fiction · retellings · historical · fiction · lesbian-mc -
The Volcano Daughters by Gina María Balibrera
A saucy, searingly original debut about two sisters raised in the shadow of El Salvador’s brutal dictator, El Gran Pendejo, and their flight from genocide, which takes them from Hollywood to Paris to cannery row, each followed by a chorus of furies, the ghosts of their murdered friends, who aren’t yet done telling their stories.El Salvador, 1923...north-america · central-america · el-salvador · urban · california · france · historical-fiction · fiction · magical-realism · fantasy -
The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson
To the world he's a legend.To her he's a liar .Lavinia never asked to be fought over. But now Turnus, her childhood sweetheart, has waged a war that threatens to destroy all she holds dear, because Lavinia's father has promised her to somebody else.Aeneas, rumoured to be the son of Venus, is famed for his bravery, cunning and his vision for a new great Empire...myths · historical-fiction · fantasy · retellings · fiction · historical · audiobook · roman-empire · ancient-civilization · war -
The Last Light Over Oslo by Alix Rickloff
A gripping historical novel set in Norway and Sweden in 1940, based on true events, which follows one of the first female US Ministers, Daisy Harriman, and her fictional niece as the two are unexpectedly caught up in the German invasion of Norway.Cleo Jaffray was an American. A war in Europe had nothing to do with her...historical-fiction · ww2 · fiction · 20th-century · journey · historical · war · female-mc · action-adventure · violent-conflict -
Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
A nobleman must work with a dashing soldier to save his sister from a mystical bargain gone wrong, diving into a world of malicious fey, enigmatic cults, and treacherous magic in this irresistible romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material.The year is 1815, and Mr. John Caesar is determined to orchestrate a successful coming-out for his younger sister, Mary...europe · british-isles · united-kingdom · england · urban · romance · fantasy · historical · lgbtq · historical-fiction -
Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley
Bold, curvy Elizabeth Wynchester loves cuddling hedgehogs almost as much as she adores vanquishing villains with the sharp blade concealed inside her cane. Despite others’ opinions about her body and gender, nothing will stop her from seeing justice done...romance · historical-fiction · historical · industrial-era · regency · fiction · disability · humor · found-family · forced-proximity -
The Republic of Salt by Ariel Kaplan
In this riveting sequel to The Pomegranate Gate, Toba, Naftaly, and their allies must defend a city under siege—while the desperate deals they’ve made begin to unravel around them.After a near-disastrous confrontation with La Caceria, Toba and Asmel are trapped on the human side of the gate, pursued by the Courser and a possessed Inquisitor...romance · fantasy · historical-fiction · lgbtq · myths · epic · sword-sorcery · literary-fiction · historical · fiction -
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid comes a reimagining of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her. The Lady knows the stories: how her eyes induce madness in men...retellings · historical-fiction · fantasy · historical · fiction · gothic · lgbtq · feminism · book · adult -
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The Yandere Came During the Night by Feng Liu Shu Dai, 風流書呆
Two families’ children were switched at birth. One of the families is a household that does business, and the other is a household of a marquis. There is a vast difference in status.Unfortunately, Yu Xiang transmigrated as a person that was originally from a business household and was brought up in marquis’s residence...asia · east-asia · china · romance · historical · historical-fiction · fiction · ancient-china · ancient-civilization · revenge -
The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers
The Edgar Award–winning author of A Dreadful Splendor blends mystery and spooky thrills with friendship and romance in this delicious love letter to Gothic fiction, featuring two brides who must band together to unravel the ghostly secrets at the heart of a crumbling island manor. 'Til death do us part..romance · mystery · gothic · historical-fiction · fiction · fantasy · historical · haunted-places · friendship · female-mc -
A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience by Stephanie Burgis
Margaret Dunhaven may have been forced into marriage with the sinister vampire owner of Shadowcroft Manor in order to fulfill a family obligation, but she's not about to stay trapped there for long...romance · fantasy · vampires · historical · fiction · paranormal · cozy · gothic · historical-fiction · marriage-of-convenience -
I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband 我给前夫当继母 by Jiu Yue Liu Huo, 九月流火
Lin Wei Xi found out after she died that she was just cannon fodder in a novel, used as a contrast to the gentle and considerate and virtuous female lead.The male lead was her ex-husband, the dignified heir of Yan Wang, his family was superior and brilliant, but the heroine was not her...romance · fantasy · historical · historical-fiction · time-travel · reincarnation · revenge · age-gap · fiction · slow-burn -
The Fourteenth Year of Chenghua [成化十四年] by Meng Xi Shi, 梦溪石
It is the fourteenth year of Chenghua.As the harem has Imperial Consort Wan, the Western Depot has a Commander named Wang Zhi. Crown Prince Zhu Youcheng is merely eight years old—and no one knows if he will be able to reach adulthood without issue...romance · historical · historical-fiction · mystery · mlm · lgbtq · politics · murder · fiction · law-enforcement -
In Want of a Wife by Rebecca Paula
When Lily Abrams is jilted yet again, she takes matters into her own hands by responding to a matrimonial ad. Expecting the groom, she’s instead met by his charming but equally infuriating brother, Lieutenant Rafe Davies of the Royal Navy.Rafe, down on his luck and nursing a grudge against his older brother, places a reckless ad for a bride on the earl’s behalf... -
The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer by Anonymous
One of the great books of world literature--an unforgettable tale of jealousy, unrequited love, greed, and vengeance. Based on Viking Age poems and composed in thirteenth-century Iceland, The Saga of the Volsungs combines mythology, legend, and sheer human drama in telling of the heroic deeds of Sigurd the dragon slayer, who acquires runic knowledge from one of Odin's Valkyries...europe · scandinavia · classics · myths · medieval · fiction · epic · fantasy · historical-fiction · historical -
Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, All Thanks to a Single Moment of Impulse by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang, 九鹭非香
Xiao Xiang Zi, a cloud spirit In heaven, and Chu Kong mess up the red strings of fate by accident during their brawl.As a consequence they are sentenced to be a fated couple in the mortal realm for 7 lifetimes as a punishment for not getting along with each other... -
The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
This is a story of change seen through the eyes of a child. In 1870 when Prussian forces under Otto van Bismark attacked and captured parts of France. The historically French districts of Alsace and Lorraine were governed by the Prussians. The new Prussian rulers discontinued the teaching of French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine...fiction · classics · literary-fiction · war · historical-fiction · university · politics · tragedy · anthologies · coming-of-age -
We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft
Locked in a toxic female friendship, two vampires careen toward catastrophe in this dark and dazzling page-turner, set amidst London's glittering disco scene.London 1979. Two women with a deep love for disco meet one fateful night on the dance floor, changing the course of both their lives forever...fantasy · horror · vampires · fiction · paranormal · supernatural · historical-fiction · mystery · historical · friendship -
The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis
Young, headstrong Psyche has captured the eyes of every suitor in town and far beyond with her tempestuous beauty, which has made her irresistible as a woman yet undesirable as a wife. Secretly, she longs for a life away from the expectations and demands of men...romance · myths · fantasy · lgbtq · fiction · retellings · wlw · historical-fiction · ancient-civilization · historical -
His To Love : Second Chance Books by Elena H. Covens
Emily Underwood has spent her life avoiding suitors while seeking adventure between the pages of books. But when a lightning storm sends her into her favourite book, can she find a way to survive this exciting new world and the dangerous pirate within it?Flynn Sawyer, one of the most well-known pirates within his world, spent his entire life plotting to kill the King...romance · fantasy · outlaws · time-travel · paranormal · historical-fiction · portal-travel · historical · high-fantasy · steamy -
定海浮生录 [Dinghai Fusheng Records] by Arise Zhang, 非天夜翔, Fei Tian Ye Xiang
仙术、法宝、神通,以及天地间浩浩瀚瀚的灵气,一夜之间消踪匿迹,众多驱魔师尽成凡人。三百年后,五胡入关,拉开了华夏大地一场大动荡的序幕,亦随之带来了千魃夜行,神州覆灭的末日。幸而在这万法归寂的长夜里,尚有一枚星辰,在地平线上熠熠生辉。心灯现世,光耀四野,一名年方十六,并将在二十岁那天结束自己生命的少年,踏上了找回被封印的天地灵气的道路——只剩四年时间前路荆棘重重,看上去不太像能成功的样子。陈星:“关键现在全天底下就只有我一个驱魔师,唯一能用的法术就是发光,我能怎么办?”耐心等候吧,待定海珠再现人间之际,众生浮沉的命运轨迹,将被彻底打乱重新交汇。陈星:“给我配个正常点的护法武神行吗?”你的护法不是很能打吗?陈星:“能打是能打,可他疯起来连我都打……”这没办法,怪就怪你自己色令智昏吧。"Dinghai Fusheng Records"Immortal arts, magic weapons,...romance · fantasy · historical · lgbtq · historical-fiction · mlm · action-adventure · fiction · xianxia · ancient-china -
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable
A stunning debut novel of music, intoxication, and betrayal inspired by the true story of Anna Maria della Pietà, a Venetian orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi and ultimately became his star musician—and his biggest muse.Anna Maria della Pietà was destined to drown in one of Venice’s canals. Instead, she became the greatest violinist of the 18th century... -
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The Eunuch is Pregnant by Zu Meng Qing Kuang
After Le Yao Yao died in the modern world, her soul ended up in another girl’s body from an ancient era. Oddly enough, the body of the girl was wearing an eunuch outfit! Before Le Yao Yao could figure out how to escape, she was found and dragged to serve the legendary Prince Rui aka Leng Jun Yu.Prince Rui was known to be ruthless and cruel...historical-fiction · romantic-love · mystery · magic · humor · historical · female-mc · fiction · book · adult -
Empress With No Virtue by Jiu Xiao Qi, 酒小七
The Story begins with our Ye Zhen unwillingly being made into an Empress. On the night of the wedding, she kicked the Emperor down from their bed which resulted in him looking for his concubine instead. Since then they both have a growing dislike for one another... -
You're the Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban
The enemies-to-lovers queer Victorian romance follow-up to Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend, in which a young lord and a second son clash, but find themselves thrust together again and again by their meddling cousins...romance · lgbtq · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · mlm · enemies-to-lovers · young-adult · audiobook · industrial-era -
嬌妻難逃 Wife Can't Escape by Ming Yue Xiang Bing, 明月像餅
Song Luan transmigrated into a book called “The Powerful Minister” and became the wife of the Male Lead. In the book, the original owner was snobbish, abandoned her son, and finally died in a fire. Song Luan, who had read the book, expressed a panic. Then, she prepared to be a new leaf and hug the male lead’s golden thigh...romance · historical · fantasy · male-mc · historical-fiction · angst · abuse · royalty · multi-pov · sad -
The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson
This lush, atmospheric novel blends witchcraft, queer love, a vibrant Edinburgh setting, and Scottish folklore for a propulsive and emotional story exploring what it means to resist the patriarchy and find your voice. In an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, every woman lives in fear that she will be the next one hanged for witchcraft...romance · fantasy · historical-fiction · witches-wizards · historical · fiction · lgbtq · gothic · wlw · season-autumn -
Cannon Fodder Cheat System by Tangerine Boat 橘子舟
At first, when he learned that he was forced to go to many different routine worlds and be reborn into all kinds of cannon fodder, he was against it.Because while villains usually all only have a moment of satisfaction, the endings of cannon fodder are also frequently quite miserable...romance · lgbtq · sci-fi · omegaverse · historical-fiction · high-fantasy · fantasy · dystopia · contemporary · apocalyptic -
Mare Nostrum by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
Notice: This Book is published by Historical Books Limited (www.publicdomain.org.uk) as a Public Domain Book, if you have any inquiries, requests or need any help you can just send an email to [email protected]...