About
- Established in 1997, the Historical Novel Society is an international literary society devoted to promotion and advocacy for the genre of historical fiction.
Membership
- Historical Novel Society members include authors, readers, librarians, editors and industry professionals – membership is entirely open, and anyone enthusiastic about the genre is welcome.
Events
- Our worldwide membership loves to meet. Many travel thousands of miles to attend our conferences in person; many more enjoy our virtual options from home. Others form member connections in their area through regular Local Chapter meet-ups. Discover what’s on with conferences, Local and Virtual Chapters, and more.
Book Reviews
- Our exclusive, members-only print magazine, the Historical Novels Review, publishes reviews of hundreds of historical fiction books each quarter, in addition to features and columns. Become a member to receive the magazine and enjoy all our other benefits.
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Articles
- We publish articles in our members-only print magazine, Historical Novels Review, as well as web features exclusive to this site. All are original pieces, commissioned by our Features Editors based on topics of interest to members – interviews with historical fiction authors, publishers, and agents; explorations of novels and subgenres; guides, and regular columns on historical fiction market news, debut authors, and more. Articles are written by vetted contributors, most of whom are Society members. If you’re a member interested in joining the team, Contact Us.
Awards
- HNS Awards have helped discover authors and launch their careers (e.g., Michel Faber, Ruth Downie, Nikki Marmery, Hilary Green, Elizabeth Macneal, and many more) and provided vital support for others. Our ARA Award is one of the most generous of all literary prizes. If you’d like to partner to sponsor an award, Contact Us.
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Reviews

Reviews of some 25,000+ historical fiction books

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter

By Heather Fawcett - Published 2026

Genres:

This is a story about cats and magicians, and Agnes Aubert, who finds herself caretaker to both. Agnes runs a shelter for the ...Read Review

The Descendant

By Linda Stasi - Published 2026

Genres:

Saga

The Descendant opens in the Colorado mountains in 1915 with a blizzard raging outside a crude cabin as a child is born into the ...Read Review

The Cave Explorer

By Kate Winter - Published 2025

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Literary

Kate Winter’s previous picture book The Fossil Hunter, a biography of paleontologist Mary Anning, won her the 2024 Klaus Flugge Prize awarded to ...Read Review

A Dark and Wild Wood

By Sarah Nicole Lemon - Published 2026

Genres:

Historical Fantasy

Born cursed, Salomé and her older sister Rochelle are raised by “The midwife, Valerie,” who, soon after appearing, is burned as a witch. ...Read Review

Cherry Blossom Suite

By kaila e. haines - Published 2025

Genres:

Biographical Fiction

Matilde di Canossa ruled during a period marked by persistent warfare, political intrigue, and repeated excommunications by the Church. In the final years ...Read Review

A Deeper Well

By Jill Eileen Smith - Published 2026

Genres:

Inspirational

This engaging historical fiction based on a well-known Bible story draws the reader into Nessa’s world on the day she becomes a ...Read Review

Zephyr Songs for Ghosts

By Clara Kumagai - Published 2025

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

When Eurasian 17-year-old Adam, a student of the cello and Japanese, is struggling from breaking up with his boyfriend, he discovers a 1911 diary ...Read Review

Songs of the Dead Road

By Carolyn Newton - Published 2025

Genres:

Warsaw, June 1939, and nine-year-old Ján loiters on the staircase, watching his parents’ party guests below. It’s a glittering throng, in a ...Read Review

Spider, Spider

By L. C. Winter - Published 2026

Genres:

Thriller

London, 1857: Spider, survivor of a private asylum, casts her bone sticks with the aid of her pet crow, and plots vengeance from within ...Read Review