One of the most popular time frames for historical fiction is the Tudor Era (which includes Elizabethan times), when the Tudor family ruled England. Another popular time is the Victorian Era, when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire. Not only are the royals themselves fascinating, there were a number of historical figures that still captivate our imaginations – Shakespeare, Austen, the Brontes, Blackbeard, Hamilton. The gossip of the time also provided a large number of conspiracy theories that are still around today, creating more alternative history timelines than we can count. With so much to explore, there’s no wonder that YA writers love these centuries.
16th Century
The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
At the House of the Magician by Mary Hooper
Venomous Kiss by Fiona Paul
1520s
Tarnish by Katherine Longshore
1530s
Brazen by Katherine Longshore
1540s
The Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen
The King’s Rose by Alisa M. Libby
Gilt by Katherine Longshore
1550s
Spy for the Queen of Scots by Theresa Breslin
Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan
My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows
1560s
The Red Queen’s Daughter by Jacqueline Kolosov
1580s
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards
Cross My Heart by Sasha Gould
Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa M. Klein
A Sweet Disorder by Jacqueline Kolosov
Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle
17th Century
Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
The Queen’s Soprano by Carol Dines
1650s
Newes from the Dead by Mary Hooper
1660s
Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman
I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter by Lynn Cullen
At the Sign of the Sugared Plum by Mary Hooper
Ladies in Waiting by Laura L. Sullivan
1670s
The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose by Mary Hooper
1690s
Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill
18th Century
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
The Girl in the Mask by Marie-Louise Jensen
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
1710s
The Freemason’s Daughter by Shelley Sackier
Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel
1720s
Tangled Webs by Lee Bross
Smuggler’s Kiss by Marie-Louise Jensen
To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker
1770s
Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz
The Academie by Susanne Dunlap
The Musician’s Daughter by Susanne Dunlap
Hamilton and Peggy by L.M. Elliott
The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliott
1780s
The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner
Sovay by Celia Rees
1790s
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend by Cora Harrison
Secrets in the Snow by Michaela MacColl
Unclaimed Heart by Kim Wilkins
19th Century
The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Contagion by Joanne Dahme
Wildthorn by Jane Eagland
Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan
This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee
Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics
A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
Secret Letters by Leah Scheier
Timekeeper by Tara Sim
The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
1810s
Duels and Deceptions by Cindy Anstey
Love, Lies, and Spies by Cindy Anstey
A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin
Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury
The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Murder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones
The Season by Sarah MacLean
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
La Petite Four by Regina Scott
1820s
The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray
1830s
Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley
Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
The World Within by Jane Eagland
Always Emily by Michaela MacColl
Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl
1840s
Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
Nobody’s Secret by Michaela MacColl
The Revelation of Louisa May by Michaela MacColl
The Falconer by Elizabeth May
1850s
Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
In the Shadow of the Lamp by Susanne Dunlap
Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves
Everlasting by Angie Frazier
Belle by Beverly Jenkins
A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson
1860s
Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper
Stone Field by Christy Lenzi
Riot by Walter Dean Myers
The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni
1870s
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer
1880s
The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges
Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves
Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards
Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross
These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas
Rebel Mechanics by Shanna Swendson
1890s
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly
The Revenant by Sonia Gensler
Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Winterspell by Claire Legrand
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Jackaby by William Ritter
Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White