December 2025
- Lindsay Mattison
- Dec 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Historical Fantasy
This month we are reading about stories inspired by the past and discovering what happens when magic, myth, and perhaps alternate histories are mixed in.
Typically grounded in real time periods, expect attention to historical detail such as culture, politics, social norms, and clothing layered with elements such as sorcery, visions, and magic lurking around every corner.
You’ll want to look for complex characters that reflect their time, with tensions between old and new ideas. history is built on change, and we expect clashes, magic, and perhaps folklore in this amazing genre.
The Knight Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
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Verdict:
We got completely lost in The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Everyone adored the immersive, fairytale-like imagery and the circus itself. It so vivid it almost feels alive. Characters, especially Bailey, Marco, and Isobel, were compelling, with complex bonds, childhood trauma, and choices that shaped their lives in surprising ways. The story is both magical and melancholic, with love, sacrifice, and autonomy tangled up in the circus’s mysterious power. A dreamy, bittersweet ride where the world-building steals the show.
The Lost Queen
by Signe Pike
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Verdict:
The verdict on the start of this series was mixed not amazing. The historical vibes and world-building got major points, but most readers struggled with the pacing, flat characters, and the lack of a driving plot. Romance didn’t resonate, time jumps frustrated, and some felt disconnected from the story entirely - though the hints of magic and historical detail were appreciated. Definitely a book where the atmosphere shines more than the "action"!
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