Historical fiction is a genre that allows us to step back in time and experience the events and people of the past through the lens of imaginative storytelling. There are many great stand-alone historical fiction books, but sometimes we crave more in-depth exploration of a particular time period or characters. This is where book series come in, offering readers the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a historical world over the course of several books. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best historical fiction book series and what makes them so compelling.
Best Historical Fiction Book Series
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is a beloved and bestselling historical fiction book series that has captured the hearts of millions of readers. The series follows the story of Claire Randall, a former combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland. There, she becomes embroiled in the Jacobite uprising and falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a Scottish warrior. The series is known for its sweeping romance, rich historical detail, and vivid characters.
The Poldark Series by Winston Graham
The Poldark series by Winston Graham is a classic historical fiction book series set in 18th and 19th century Cornwall, England. The series follows the story of Ross Poldark, a former British Army officer who returns home to find his father dead, his estate in ruins, and his former love engaged to another man. Over the course of the series, Ross rebuilds his life, falls in love with a new woman, and becomes embroiled in the politics and social issues of his time. The series is known for its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and compelling storytelling.
The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett is a sweeping historical fiction book series that covers the events of the 20th century. The series follows the stories of five families from different parts of the world, including the United States, England, Germany, and Russia. The series begins with the start of World War I and ends with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The series is known for its epic scope, meticulous historical detail, and richly drawn characters.
The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell
The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell is a historical fiction book series that retells the legend of King Arthur from a historical perspective. The series follows the story of Derfel Cadarn, a warrior and friend of Arthur, as he recounts the events of Arthur’s life and reign. The series is known for its vivid depiction of medieval warfare, its well-drawn characters, and its masterful blending of historical fact and fiction.
The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell
The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell is a historical fiction book series set in 9th century England. The series follows the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior who is captured by the Danes and raised as one of their own. Over the course of the series, Uhtred fights to reclaim his birthright and defend his homeland from Viking invaders. The series is known for its vivid depictions of medieval warfare, its intricate plotting, and its complex and well-drawn characters.
If you’re looking to dive into a historical fiction book series, here is a checklist of some of the best series to get started with:
- The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
- The Poldark series by Winston Graham
- The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett
- The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell
- The Saxon Stories by Bernard
