Top new historical-fiction books out this week: 24 Aug - 30 Aug 2025
Last updated:
August 30, 2025
This week featuring new releases by R.F. Kuang, Sara Goodman Confino, Cynthia Leitich Smith, David Alexander Robertson, Darcie Wilde, Eva Leigh, Erica Ridley, Rolf and Ranger, Nathan Ballingrud, Rhiannon Hargadon, Francesca May 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 -
![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 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 -
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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 -
![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 -
![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 -
![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 -
![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 -
![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... -
![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 -
![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
