Top new historical-fiction books in August 2025
Last updated:
August 31, 2025
August 2025 featuring new releases by R.F. Kuang, Sara Goodman Confino, Cassandra Clare, Cynthia Leitich Smith, David Alexander Robertson, Jane Healey, Addie E. Citchens, Shobha Rao, Louis Sachar, Lyn Liao Butler, Mimi Matthews and many more.
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Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's descent to the underworld.Two academic rivals from Cambridge must travel to hell to rescue the soul of their advisor. Getting there was easy. Surviving it – and each other – is another thing entirely.2025’s most unexpected love story is going to be hell in the new novel by Sunday Times Number One Bestseller R.F. Kuang. Coming August 2025...romance · fantasy · fiction · historical-fiction · mystery · myths · magic · dark-academia · poc-mc · poc-author -
![Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino]()
Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino
A mother- and daughter-in-law. To move on, one of them will have to move out in a hopeful and hilarious novel about widowhood and family friction by the bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write .It’s 1963, two years since Barbara Feldman’s husband died. Raising two kids, she’s finally emerging from her cocoon of grief. Not yet a butterfly, but she’s anxious to spread her wings...romance · historical-fiction · fiction · audiobook · grief · womens-fiction · family · historical · humor · found-family -
![Better in Black by Cassandra Clare]()
Better in Black by Cassandra Clare
Ten original love stories by the reigning queen of romantasy, featuring fan-favorite couples from her #1 New York Times bestselling Shadowhunter Chronicles—one of the most popular series of all time, with more than 50 million copies in print worldwide!Ten couples. United by love. Divided by danger...romance · fantasy · young-adult · urban-fantasy · paranormal · lgbtq · anthologies · historical-fiction · fiction · epic -
![Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories by Cynthia Leitich Smith, David Alexander Robertson, Darcie Little Badger, Angeline Boulley]()
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories by Cynthia Leitich Smith, David Alexander Robertson, Darcie Little Badger, Angeline Boulley
Featuring the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers and edited by bestselling Muscogee author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread.The road to Sandy June's Legendary Frybread Drive-In slips through every rez and alongside every urban Native hangout...romance · young-adult · indigenous-mc · anthologies · fiction · contemporary · fantasy · literary-fiction · spirituality · found-family -
![The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey]()
The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey
A female codebreaker puts her future and her heart on the line in a stirring novel about love, loyalty, betrayal, and Cold War spy games by the bestselling author of The Secret Stealers.1947: Adventurous Radcliffe graduate Catherine “Cat” Killeen cancels her wedding and upends a future that no longer suits her...europe · east-europe · russia · romance · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · audiobook · ww2 · mystery -
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![Dominion by Addie E. Citchens]()
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
The sins of a favorite son rock a small Mississippi town in this taut Southern family drama.Reverend Sabre Winfrey, shepherd of the Seven Seals Baptist Church, believes in God, his own privilege, and enterprise. Besides the barbershop and radio station he owns, he has an iron hand on every aspect of Dominion, Mississippi, society...north-america · usa · mississippi · fiction · historical-fiction · audiobook · literary-fiction · contemporary · family · religion -
![Indian Country by Shobha Rao]()
Indian Country by Shobha Rao
In this fearless novel from the award-winning author of Girls Burn Brighter, a couple from India—so different from generations of white colonialists who came before them—move to Montana, only to discover how brutal and unforgiving hubris can be.Janavi and Sagar were never meant to end up married. Janavi is a wonderfully independent, young modern Indian woman...fiction · literary-fiction · historical-fiction · mystery · contemporary · audiobook · indigenous-mc · realistic · marriage · family -
![The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar]()
The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar
The beloved author of Holes presents his first adult novel, a modern fantasy classic of forbidden love, a crumbling kingdom, and the unexpected magic all around us.Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom...fantasy · fiction · cozy · historical-fiction · historical · action-adventure · humor · magic · myths · paranormal -
![The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler]()
The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler
In Taiwan, the bond between grandmother and granddaughter opens up a healing world for them both in an inspiring family saga about the comfort of food, untold histories, and indomitable mother love.Chef Liv Kuo’s star is on the rise…until a traumatic incident leaves her emotionally unable to venture outside her Manhattan apartment...romance · historical-fiction · fiction · mystery · historical · family · audiobook · literary-fiction · female-mc · 20th-century -
![The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews]()
The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews
A down-on-her-luck Victorian governess and an unrepentant rogue enter into a fake engagement during a lengthy voyage at sea in USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews’s sixth book in her acclaimed Somerset Stories series... -
![The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson]()
The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
In 18th-century England, a widowed confectioner is drawn into a web of love, betrayal, and intrigue and a battle of wits in this masterful historical novel from the author of the USA TODAY bestseller The Square of Sevens. Following the murder of her husband in what looks like a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her head above water...romance · historical-fiction · mystery · historical · fiction · suspense · crime · fantasy · literary-fiction · book -
![A Beautiful Evil by Bea Fitzgerald]()
A Beautiful Evil by Bea Fitzgerald
The eagerly anticipated new YA Greek myth re-imagining from Bea Fitzgerald, TikTok superstar and Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen.Pandora is the first human woman – made by the gods on Olympus for one simple to love and be loved by her new husband, the titan Epimatheos.The only problem? He wants nothing to do with her...romance · fantasy · myths · retellings · young-adult · fiction · audiobook · lgbtq · historical-fiction · historical -
![The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace]()
The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace
Dark Matter meets Girl, Interrupted in this spellbinding psychological thriller about a young woman teetering between two realities.Virginia November 12th, 1954: A young woman wakes, agitated and confused, on a patient transport bus arriving at Hanover State Psychiatric Hospital...north-america · usa · virginia · urban · sci-fi · fiction · horror · mystery · time-travel · historical-fiction -
![L.A. Women by Ella Berman]()
L.A. Women by Ella Berman
An electrifying novel about the complicated friendship between two ambitious and talented female writers in 1960s Los Angeles and the ultimate artistic one writes a book based on the other's life… from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick Before We Were Innocent.After a steady descent from literary stardom, Lane Warren is back... -
![The Heir by Darcie Wilde]()
The Heir by Darcie Wilde
Destined for a life beyond her wildest dreams, born fifth in succession to the throne, and determined to get to the bottom of a most foul puzzle. The future queen becomes a rebellious sleuth when she vows to solve the mystery of a dead man scandalously discovered on the grounds of Kensington Palace—by her. The young Victoria remembers nothing but Kensington Palace...mystery · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · sci-fi · crime · romance · gothic · industrial-era · regency -
![The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh]()
The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh
From a world where women are forbidden to use magic and the only freedom is found on the Caribbean high seas comes a swashbuckling romantasy from USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh.Condemned as a witch, sentenced to die, Alys Tanner uses her innate magical power to flee Puritanical New England...romance · fantasy · outlaws · historical-fiction · witches-wizards · paranormal · fiction · action-adventure · magic · historical -
![The Harvey Girls by Juliette Fay]()
The Harvey Girls by Juliette Fay
Juliette Fay—known for her “well-drawn characters and vibrant historical backdrops” (Library Journal)—transports us to 1920s America with this big-hearted tale of two very different women who must learn to trust each other as one tries to save her family and the other to save herself. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Kristina McMorris...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · coming-of-age · outdoors · young-adult · family · romantic-love · christian · female-author -
![Adversity by Ren Browne]()
Adversity by Ren Browne
A gunslinger. A gambler. And the girl they stole.After the murder of her father, Cora runs away into the unforgiving Old West, determined to hunt down those responsible. But a suspicious small town in the Arizona Territory offers little mercy to a young woman alone.In a twist of fate, she’s rescued by Aiden and Cypress—two outlaws as enigmatic as they are deadly...romance · reverse-harem · western · historical · polyamory · historical-fiction · found-family · slow-burn · age-gap · small-town -
![Mr Collins in Love by Lee Welch]()
Mr Collins in Love by Lee Welch
The year is 1811 and the new rector of Hunsford, Mr William Collins, must be above reproach. He must be respectable, pious, good at losing at quadrille, and disapproving of popular novels. Above all, he must obey his terrifying patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh...romance · historical · mlm · historical-fiction · lgbtq · fiction · retellings · industrial-era · regency · friends-to-lovers -
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![A Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley]()
A Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley
Regency meets adventure in this enemies to lovers romp from a New York Times bestselling author. Advice columnist Miss Vivian Henry despises the Wild Wynchesters her young cousin idolizes. A privileged, wealthy family might get away with murder, while ordinary people are stuck firmly in their place...romance · historical-fiction · historical · fated-mates · fiction · industrial-era · regency · action-adventure · epic · family -
![The Duke’s Untouched Bride: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Daphne Byrne]()
The Duke’s Untouched Bride: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Daphne Byrne
“When you look at me with those eyes, wife, I want to kiss you and make you mine in every way that matters.” Duchess Iris will never see her husband again. Not after he abandoned her on their wedding night…without even touching her.But suddenly, a baby is left at her doorstep. So she seeks out the Duke, demanding answers...historical · slow-burn · steamy · industrial-era · regency · romance · fiction · religion · victorian · historical-fiction -
![The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis]()
The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides in this haunting debut about five sisters in a small village in eighteenth century England whose neighbors are convinced they’re turning into dogs...horror · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · mystery · fantasy · literary-fiction · animals · spooky · gothic -
![Rosa by Any Other Name by Hailey Alcaraz]()
Rosa by Any Other Name by Hailey Alcaraz
In this Romeo and Juliet-inspired retelling set during the civil rights era, a Mexican American girl is driven to join a movement for justice after her white classmate and best friend from the barrio are tragically murdered.Rosa Capistrano has been attending posh North Phoenix High School to boost her chances of a college education and a career in journalism, thanks to the groundbreaking Brown v...romance · historical-fiction · young-adult · historical · retellings · audiobook · coming-of-age · racism · poc-mc · realistic -
![Cathedral of the Drowned by Nathan Ballingrud]()
Cathedral of the Drowned by Nathan Ballingrud
The sequel to Crypt of the Moon Spider, Cathedral of the Drowned is a dripping, squirming, scuttling tale of altered bodies and minds.There are two halves of Charlie Duchamp. One is a brain in a jar, stranded on Jupiter’s jungle moon, Io, who just wants to go home...horror · sci-fi · fiction · gothic · fantasy · historical-fiction · body-horror · spooky · noir · cosmic-horror -
![Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon]()
Bloody Black by Rhiannon Hargadon
He stole her throne, she's come back to reclaim it.Bloody Black is grim dark fantasy retelling of BLACKBEARD is perfect for fans of BOOK OF AZRAEL, A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES, and GAME OF THRONES.---Anne was a reckless, arrogant royal who had never tasted defeat. After a brutal betrayal on her wedding night, Anne vanishes from the kingdom she was meant to rule...romance · fantasy · outlaws · retellings · found-family · dark · action-adventure · slow-burn · revenge · mental-illness -
![This Vicious Hunger by Francesca May]()
This Vicious Hunger by Francesca May
From the author of Wild and Wicked Things comes a dark gothic fantasy about two young women struggling to find the freedom of choice in a world where their path feels predetermined. Turning to each other, they soon find themselves sinking deeper into a world of beauty, poison, and the insatiable quest for knowledge...fantasy · horror · wlw · gothic · lgbtq · fiction · dark-academia · lesbian-mc · historical · romantic-love -
![Black Flame by Gretchen Felker-Martin]()
Black Flame by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Manhunt author Gretchen Felker-Martin is back with Black Flame, a historical horror about one woman's deadly obsession with a haunted film, perfect for fans of Midsommar and Night Film.Ellen, a deeply closeted lesbian spends all her time in solitude, restoring films at a failing archive in New York City...horror · lgbtq · fiction · historical · historical-fiction · wlw · gothic · supernatural · mental-illness · audiobook -
![The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin]()
The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin
A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free. You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society… London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury...historical-fiction · fiction · historical · industrial-era · victorian · friendship · fantasy · season-spring · family · gothic -
![Aphrodite by Phoenicia Rogerson]()
Aphrodite by Phoenicia Rogerson
From the award-winning author of Herc, an enrapturing feminist tale that brilliantly reimagines the story of Aphrodite and how she transformed herself from a lowly outsider to the darling goddess of love, for readers of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint. Aphrodite saw the gods on Mount Olympus and decided she wanted a piece of what they had...myths · fantasy · fiction · historical-fiction · historical · retellings · audiobook · lgbtq · ancient-civilization · action-adventure -
![The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso]()
The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso
For fans of The Ministry of Time and The Midnight Library , a sweeping, unforgettable novel following two remarkable women moving between postwar and Cold War-era America and the mysterious time space, a library filled with books containing the memories of those who bore witness to history...romance · historical-fiction · fantasy · sci-fi · time-travel · historical · fiction · ww2 · magical-realism · magic -
![Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De la Rosa]()
Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De la Rosa
A scandalous arrangement between a hellion heiress and destitute duke reveals truths that neither can outrun….As the youngest and most rebellious daughter of the overly protective Luna family, Gabriela Luna Valdés claws after her freedom in any way she can. This time, her hunger for adventure has led her aboard a windswept ship bearing for her homeland, away from a mob of fumbling British suitors...romance · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · latinx-mc · poc-author · poc-mc · industrial-era · victorian · forced-proximity -
![Doubts and Desires by Charlotte Wren]()
Doubts and Desires by Charlotte Wren
Welcome to The Highfield Chronicles, a six-book romance series featuring the Northcott family of Highfield Hall, Yorkshire. Louisa Northcott faces her second Season with quiet resolve. Her first wasn’t disastrous, but it failed to deliver the heart-stirring romance she craves. She longs for more than a “suitable” match, she wants someone who quickens her pulse... -
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![The Devil Himself by Julia Talbot]()
The Devil Himself by Julia Talbot
Owner of the Devil's Playground, a gaming establishment and pleasure club, Rys Grey has given up ties with his aristocratic family after a falling out with his father. His brother Owen is the marquess now, and Rys is happy with his life, running his club and staying out of family politics. At least until an old family friend arrives to tell him his brother has been killed...romance · historical · mlm · historical-fiction · lgbtq · steamy · suspense · industrial-era · regency · fiction -
![Joyful Reunion Vol. 1 by Fei Tian Ye Xiang, foxghost]()
Joyful Reunion Vol. 1 by Fei Tian Ye Xiang, foxghost
An unwanted child becomes a man with a great destiny in this danmei/Boys’ Love novel from acclaimed author Arise Zhang, also known as Fei Tian Ye Xiang (非天夜翔)! All his life, Duan Ling has been an unwanted child. Abandoned as an infant, he has grown up scrabbling for scraps in the dirt, beaten and abused by his adoptive family...fiction · lgbtq · fantasy · historical-fiction · mlm · family · historical · romance · military · violent-conflict -
![The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas]()
The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas
When a demonic presence awakens deep in a Mexican silver mine, the young woman it seizes must turn to the one man she shouldn’t trust… from bestselling author Isabel Cañas.In 1765, plague sweeps through Zacatecas. Alba flees with her wealthy merchant parents and fiancé, Carlos, to his family’s isolated mine for refuge...horror · historical-fiction · historical · fiction · paranormal · gothic · fantasy · latinx-mc · suspense · poc-mc -
![My Other Heart by Emma Nanami Strenner]()
My Other Heart by Emma Nanami Strenner
A mother's missing child, a search for identity, and ever-changing notions of “home”—class and race intersect with belonging in this stunning debut novel of mothers, daughters, and best friends.In June 2000, Mimi Truang is on her way home to Vietnam when her toddler daughter vanishes in the Philadelphia airport...fiction · historical-fiction · contemporary · poc-author · mystery · literary-fiction · friendship · female-mc · family · book -
![House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama]()
House of Monstrous Women by Daphne Fama
A young woman is drawn into a dangerous game after being invited to the mazelike home of her childhood friend, a rumored witch, in this gothic horror set in 1986 Philippines.In this game, there’s one rule: survive.Orphaned after her father’s political campaign ended in tragedy, Josephine is alone taking care of the family home while her older brother is off in Manila, where revolution brews...horror · gothic · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · mystery · dark · fantasy · paranormal · action-adventure -
![The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren]()
The Book of Heartbreak by Ova Ceren
FROM BOOKTOK AND BOOKSTAGRAM SENSATION OVA CEREN: A Middle Eastern legend get a magically romantic modern makeover perfect for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.A young woman must find a way to end the curse on her heart before it claims her forever in this delightfully witty fantasy romance.Sare Silverbirch has already had her heart broken three times...asia · west-asia · turkey · urban · romance · fantasy · historical-fiction · fiction · historical · young-adult -
![Of Serpents and Sorrow: A Medusa retelling by Katherine Shaw]()
Of Serpents and Sorrow: A Medusa retelling by Katherine Shaw
Before the myth, there was a woman.Medusa has been groomed her entire life to follow a single serve her term as the highly-respected Priestess of Athena, and then become the perfect, obedient wife to a wealthy nobleman she would never love.Ismene has grown up despised by her tyrannical father, hidden away from polite society so she cannot bring shame to her family...romance · wlw · fantasy · historical · myths · fiction · lgbtq · historical-fiction · ancient-civilization · book
