Twisted History!
Books that are set in an alternative historical timeline. A list of books with the "could have been" Please also leave in your recs and suggestions . The more the merrier! EDIT : Please look at the comments here there are more !
created by Elfundertheshelf
last updated November, 2025
Comments
the man in the high castle by Philip k dick! it's also an amazon prime TV show
Oooohhh! That will be a cool one I had it on my watchlist!!
my dad was watching it when I was in high school and now I kinda regret not watching it with him
That's such a dad move ngl! They'll watch things in secret and if you ask them they say "oh just Tv"
my dad's "special interest" was ww2 so he straight up told me he was watching it. I just wish I had made more use of my time with him
I feel you make lists especially for me. Rude, I know. ehehehehh
This was supposed to be our secret đ But a thousand times yes
Would the book Dread Nation by Justina Ireland fit? It follows an alternate history where the US Civil War was interrupted up by a zombie apocalypse.
Oooooh i haven't heard of this !!! And that sounds so cool I'll add it . Thank you đđââïž
OMG I LIT HAD THIS IDEA THE OTHER DAY WEâRE SO CONNECTED ELFIE
Fate it's fated we speak in each other's minds !
Gasp!!!!!!!!
I love this! I immediately saw Naomi Novik's His Majesty's Dragon and ran over (I really need to finish this series). Oh would Babel by R.F. Kuang or Circe by Madeline Miller fall into this? (Sorry if you're still adding books as well, just got excited)
Babel I think yes , though I haven't read it. Circe would be more Greek mythology retellings. I made this one to specifically include actual world history told with twists or alternative endings of elements. I'll add Babel ! Thank you đ„čâš
Oh gotcha gotcha! Thank you âš I'm definitely going to be taking a bunch of these books to my 2026 TBR, you're a gem for making this!
Always! I'll be doing the same đđ I think that's also why I make half of these things, so I don't forget half of what is on my Tbr
Love this list!! Not sure if it's exactly the vibe but one of my favorite alternate histories is Sarah Gailey's River of Teeth which is set in a version of America that passed the (real) early 1900s proposed bill to introduce hippos into the bayous of Louisiana
I have never heard of this one , goes to the list and my TBR thank you so much. I love that we are adding all of world history because a majority of what i find is based on European history.
the peacekeeper by b.l. blanchard! first book in an alt history series where north america was never colonized
Thank you ! I have so many new books to read on this topic now . I'll check this out too
thank you for putting together this list!! since falling in love with the show for all mankind i've been desperate for more alt history but it feels like the most prominent ones are "what if the nazis won?" which i don't care for. but this list seems like a life saver
I am so glad to hear this I just had the idea on a whim! I think historical reimagining can be so much fun I myself would like to read more in the sub genre. Most of these are companion novels series so you'll get more from each one. Hope you enjoy
May I suggest In the Balance by Harry Turtledove? Basically first contact during WW2. He has other alt histories as well, but not sure how many you want from a single author. There's a Southern Victory line that starts with How Few Remain, The War that Came Early (Chamberlain doesn't sign the accord), and The Hot War (Cold War goes hot).
I haven't read any of these yet. He was suggested to me after I watched The Man in the High Castle. I still haven't read PKD's book it was based off of. đ
Suggest away my friend! I have no limits I also want to explore more in this sub-genre single authors are not a problem they do write several books !
And The Rose Bargain !!!
You guys are just the greatest !
Mwah!
I feel like The Everlasting should be on here too
Wait it fits !! ? I have not read that one yet
Its basically an alternative version of our own culture. And a lot of the same themes are explored
Just here to say I love this list idea! đ€© I've read the And I Darken series and loved it, and see a couple other on my TBR/Interested lists... will let you know if I think of any recommendations hehe!
Absolutely we love our Last Vlad xD I should get around to reading this one soon . And yes please put your recs in !
Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman would work for this I think! Also The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal and The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
I will add everything to my tbr ! There is no escaping that. Thank you for the recs đ„ș
would A Song of Ice and Fire count? Westeros being based on medieval Britain
Ummm what if mediaeval britain had dragons and crazy dragon rider rulers why not! Count it in !!
Hello everyone! This list has gotten so many brilliant, brilliant recs from all of you and in case I forget to add or can't keep up, I have mentioned this in the description so others will know to check . Please keep putting in your recs here as and when you find one or wish to! Thank you all so much đ„șđ„șđ„ș
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