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Myths & Monarchs: Historically-Based Fantasy
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items When I am reading fantasy books, sometimes it feels a bit too fantastic if you catch my drift. I always want a bit more like Homerian epics, or something that could have been a tale told around a fire of old. These books bring real-world politics, cu...
Sections
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Courtly Conspiracies and Medieval Machinations
Eastern Epics Reimagined
Magic Beneath Real European History
Crusades, Conquests, and Cloaks
Courtly Conspiracies and Medieval Machinations
These books blur the line between medieval politics and magical realms, crafting worlds that feel both ancient and eerily familiar.
A sweeping story inspired by Moorish Spain, this book captures the political intrigue, religious conflict, and poetic beauty of the medieval Iberian Peninsula. The fantasy elements are minimal but powerful, blending seamlessly with real-world histori...
The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay
Drawing inspiration from medieval Provence, troubadour culture, and crusader politics, this is a lyrical tale of music, war, and identity. It’s a great entry point for historical fantasy lovers who crave authentic cultural texture.
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay
Modeled after 15th-century Castile, this story follows a disillusioned soldier turned tutor who uncovers divine plots and courtly secrets. Historical worldbuilding and religious structure shine in this rich, character-driven novel.
The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
Inspired by Byzantium under Emperor Justinian, this book follows a mosaicist drawn into court politics. Layered, slow-burning, and historically rich, it’s an immersive blend of artisan craft and empire.
Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay
Eastern Epics Reimagined
These fantasy novels dig deep into Eastern history, transforming cultural legacies and philosophical ideas into unforgettable stories.
Set in a world inspired by Tang Dynasty China, this book explores the gift of a hundred horses and its explosive political implications. The setting is gorgeously rendered, with elegant prose and courtly drama.
Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
A brutal, grimdark epic based on Chinese history, especially the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Opium Wars. While fantastical, the magic system is deeply intertwined with real-world trauma and war.
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
A reimagining of the rise of the Ming Dynasty, this novel swaps historical figures with queer characters and infuses fate, ambition, and gender politics into its core. Gritty and powerful.
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
Magic Beneath Real European History
These stories slip magic into the cracks of real European history, making familiar timelines feel fantastically unfamiliar.
Set during the Napoleonic Wars in an alternate England where magic is being rediscovered, this sprawling novel is rich with footnotes, wit, and historical detail.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, Paperback
What if the Napoleonic Wars had aerial combat via dragons? Novik combines military realism and dragon lore in a unique, alternate-history series starter.
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Though not based on a specific real-world culture, the court politics, social hierarchies, and etiquette are clearly inspired by historical imperial structures. Perfect for fans of diplomacy over sword fights.
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
A moody, slow-burn tale of dueling magicians in Victorian England. Its historical setting, period technology, and layered narrative make it feel like a lost chapter of real history—with some supernatural sleight of hand.
The Prestige by Christopher Priest, Paperback
Crusades, Conquests, and Cloaks
Historical campaigns, religious conflict, and sword-and-sandals aesthetics collide in these gritty, well-researched tales.
While technically a fantasy world, Tigana’s fractured peninsula and occupied culture evoke Renaissance Italy and the aftermath of conquest. Themes of memory, identity, and cultural erasure drive the emotional core.
Tigana: Anniversary Edition by Guy Gavriel Kay
While not a fantasy novel, this real historical account of the Comanche Empire reads like epic fantasy—and can inspire fantasy writers or readers looking for grounded conflict and tribal dynamics.
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne (Non-fiction honorable mention)
A baroque, literary science-fantasy epic series that feels like a medieval manuscript unearthed from a distant future. Often mistaken for fantasy, its roots in history, theology, and philosophy give it surprising historical weight.
The Complete Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe