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

Tom Paine’s War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time

By Jack Kelly - Published 2026

Genres:

Thomas Paine (b. 1737 in England) had been in America only two years when he penned his fast-selling pamphlet, Common Sense, in January 1776. In ...Read Review

Lady Tremaine

By Rachel Hochhauser - Published 2026

Genres:

Historical Fantasy

Lady Etheldreda Tremaine Bramley wants what is best for her daughters. But since the death of her second husband, the family is impoverished. ...Read Review

The Blitz Secret (John Cook Thriller)

By Stephen Ronson - Published 2025

Genres:

Thriller

This is certainly not a feel-good story about the London Blitz. Ronson gives us the Blitz in all its horror and squalor, not ...Read Review

The Determined

By Rachel Rueckert - Published 2026

Genres:

Adventure Biographical Fiction Nautical

1721. The Golden Age of Pirates is winding down as two pregnant young women, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, face the gallows for piracy. ...Read Review

The Sun Rising: King James I and the Dawn of a Global Britain, 1603-1625

By Anna Whitelock - Published 2025

Genres:

Nonfiction

The ascension of Scottish King James VI to the English throne as King James I in 1603 ushered in a new, global empire known ...Read Review

The Belgian Girls

By Kathryn J. Atwood - Published 2025

Genres:

Children/Young Adult

This is a beautifully written dual-timeline novel about two courageous Belgian women, one in World War I and the other in World War ...Read Review

Under Fire

By Hazem Asef (illus.) - By Sufiya Ahmed - Published 2025

Genres:

Children/Young Adult Mystery/Crime

There is wonderful storytelling for 9-11s in this story by Sufiya Ahmed, who has previously won CrimeFest’s Best Crime Novel for ...Read Review

The Tombstone Maker’s Daughter

By Amanda Taylor - Published 2024

Genres:

This is an ambitious, emotionally freighted novel set in Cornwall in the uneasy years following the Civil War and during the recurring plague ...Read Review