Pirates, Pride, and Noir: A Glimpse of 2026 Historical Fiction

Book Riot highlights 2026's top historical-fiction releases, including Vanessa Riley’s Fire Sword and Sea (a seafaring tale about lady pirates), June Hur’s Behind Five Willows (a Pride-and-Prejudice-inspired Joseon-era romance with censorship and book transcription), The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams (multi-generational Alabama/1917 secrets starting in 1995), Sunyi Dean’s The Girl With a Thousand Faces (Hong Kong-set historical dark fantasy about a ghost talker), and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Intrigue (1940s Veracruz noir-styled boardinghouse caper). The lineup promises diverse settings and compelling premises for fans of historical fiction in 2026.