Top 5 Favorite Historical Fiction Authors
Top 5 Favorite Historical Fiction Authors
As an avid lover of all things history related, I love a good historical fiction. There's nothing better than getting engrossed in masterful storytelling and getting wrapped up in the story.
The beauty of a good piece of historical fiction, is it creates a sense of wanting more. The reader wants to research and learn more about the REAL historical figure, the events and the times. King Henry VIII is a perfect example. His story has been told and retold and told again over the ages. The intrigue, the scandals, the murders- it's a perfect recipe for a soap opera but his rule was real. Each time a movie, series or a book is released about him, one of his queens, or a member of his court- a new audience becomes enthralled by the Tudors. One wants to consume everything about them- researching historical websites, books, watching endless movies. That's the beauty of a piece of historical fiction- it captivates the reader and takes one back to the past and sucks them in.
Without further ado, here are my top five favorite historical fiction authors (that you MUST read. If you haven't already). This post contains affiliate links
1. Bernard Cornwell- author of the Saxon Stories.
Have you seen "The Last Kingdom" on Netflix?
If so, it's based on a series of books called "The Saxon Stories" by Bernard Cornwell. The first book is titled, of course, "The Last Kingdom". If not- WHY HAVEN'T YOU?
The books begin in the 9th century and follow the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his life of being raised a Dane but born a Saxon. There are Saxons, Danes, Vikings, kings, castles, battles and more galore. This is a TRUE epic tale.
Although Uhtred is a fictional character, there are REAL historical figures featured throughout the books such as King Alfred of Wessex (Alfred the Great), his daughter Æthelflæd, Ivan the Boneless and many more interesting historical figures.
Definitely watch the series on Netflix, too.
Start with the first book, The Last Kingdom, and be sucked into the world of medieval England.
2. Sharon Kay Penman- author of the Plantagenets series.
Before the Tudors ruled England, there were the Plantagenets. The Plantagenets ruled England for 300 years- from 1154 to 1485 (the death of Richard the III during the War of the Roses) and thus the beginning of the Tudor rule. The Plantagenets rule was bloody and brutal but they are also a fascinating lot and Sharon Kay Penman's series introduced me to the Plantagenet world.
Begin your foray into the series with the first book, "When Christ and His Saints Slept". Between 1135- 1153, England was in a period called the "Anarchy" after The White Ship disaster when King Henry I's only legitimate son, William Adelin, drowned leaving the King without an heir. This is the story of Henry I's daughter, Empress Matilda, and her cousin, Stephen of Blois, wage war to fight for the throne.
Sharon Kay Penman is an incredible storyteller and she brings these historical figures to life.
3. Michelle Moran - author of Nefertiti, Madame Tussaud and other incredible women in history.
One of the most intriguing women in history is the great beauty, Nefertiti. She was the of Egyptian Pharaoh, Akhenaten, who changed up years of religious beliefs by worshipping one god, Aten, vs the polytheistic religion that was an integral part of Egyptian culture and rule for so long.
There are many theories about her but nothing is 100% concrete. Heck, her tomb still hasn't been found. There is a theory that it MIGHT be found but nothing 100% yet!
Michelle Moran wrote a book about her early rule and Nefertiti's sister, Mutnodjmet (supposedly her sister. Mutnodjmet was King Horemhemb's wife and there's a theory that she's really Mutbenret). It's an incredible story that just drags you into ancient Egypt and won't let you go.
Oh and Michelle is really, REALLY nice. In my early days of book blogging (on a now defunct site), I reviewed Nefertiti and she was such a kind soul to work with. She also REALLY loves the book blogging community.
Of course, don't stop with "Nefertiti"- be sure to read about Madame Tussaud (this was a FABULOUS read) and The Rebel Queen.
4. Helen Hollick- author of Pendragon's Banner Trilogy
Okay, King Arthur is a legend vs a historical figure BUT his legend is set during a very real period and place- Medival England. Historians are still arguing whether or not he existed but who doesn't love Arthurian tales?
I am not a King Arthur expert but I have read and watched my fair share of stories about his legend and Helen Hollick's Pendragon's Banner Trilogy is one of my favorite. The Kingmaking is the first book in the series and it's dark, it's gritty, it's bloddy and it's not pretty at all. There's no magic or fantasy which makes it feel much more realistic than most. Don't get me wrong- I love dragons and magic of other tales but I like this take on Arthur as it feels much more realistic (as realistic as a legend can be). I love this series and highly recommend it.
She also has other fantastic books in her bibliography- The Forbidden Queen is an intense telling of Emma, Queen of Normandy, and her husband Æthelred the Unready. This is a phenomenal book!
I haven't read these but she also has a pirate series called the Sea Witch series that is highly rated!
#5- W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear- authors of The First North Americans books.
If you have wanted to know how the first people arrived in North America or just wonder what their lives were like - this is the series to read. It's a massive series that begins in 13,000 B.C. (The People of the Wolf) and is currently up to 1400 AD (The People of the Black Sun). The Gears are not finished with the series yet. The stories of the of the Native Americans are important and this series is one that you have to read.
The authors are archaeologists and husband and wife team. Their passion for history and details is evident.
Who are your favorite historical fiction authors? Share them below!
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