Timeless Tales: Revisit the Year's Most Captivating Reads

Searching for the Past: My Picks for the Best Historical Fiction of 2025

Okay, folks, let's talk books. Specifically, historical fiction. Trying to pick the "best" books of any year is a Herculean task. Seriously, how do you even begin to whittle down the sheer volume of incredible stories hitting the shelves? Well, this year, I didn't do it alone. I enlisted the help of my brilliant colleagues over at Book Riot for our annual "Best Books of 2025" extravaganza. And now, I'm tapping into their collective wisdom once again to bring you a curated list of the year's absolute standout historical fiction.

Timeless Tales: Revisit the Year's Most Captivatin...

Now, I'll be the first to admit, I can't possibly read *everything*. But between all of us Rioters, we cover a pretty impressive chunk of the literary landscape. So, consider this less of a solo pronouncement and more of a consensus, or at least a very strong suggestion. I'm confident these five titles represent the best historical fiction of 2025 – and hey, at least three other Riot writers agree with me, which is a win in my book!

I want to spotlight one title

I want to spotlight one title that seriously got under my skin:

"[Title of Book Here,]" by Jones, is a historical horror novel that I dare anyone to read before bedtime. I experienced a nightmare while reading this book. It got into my subconscious. The true horror is the story that's told of the Marias Massacre, where around 200 Blackfeet were murdered in the dead of winter. The story is told through a journal found in 2012, which was written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor. The pastor records his time with a Blackfeet man named Good Stab, a man with peculiar eating habits and seemingly superhuman abilities… and revenge on his mind. —Erica Ezeifedi

Anyway, I have been writing about historical fiction for a while now, and it is a genre that I am fond of.

And if you are like me, and historical fiction is among your favorite genres, why stop there? If you're looking for more historical fiction treasures, be sure to check out our picks for the best historical fiction of 2024, 2023, and 2022 as well. Want to dive even deeper into the past? We've got lists covering the best historical fiction books from the last 10 years, and even the best historical fiction of the century (so far!). Happy reading!