Fantasy Reads for Young Adults: Historical

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

When sixteen-year-old orphan Tessa Gray's older brother suddenly vanishes, her search for him leads her into Victorian-era London's dangerous supernatural underworld, and when she discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must learn to trust the demon-killing Shadowhunters if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother.

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move. On top of all that, Evvie's magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation--a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie's talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface...AND when the demons of Evvie's past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage, and summon the power that lies within her.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Shanghai, 1926. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. Juliette Cai, a former flapper, has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang, a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette's first love-- and first betrayal. When gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, there are whispers of a contagion, a madness, of a monster in the shadows. Juliette and Roma must work together, for if they can't stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell

Seventeen-year-old violinist Moira Alexander joins with an old friend, Jude Osric, in seeking a killer after the sirens who live near their island are falsely accused of murder.

Cursed by Thomas Wheeler

Nimue grew up an outcast. Her connection to dark magic made her something to be feared in her Druid village, and that made her desperate to leave. . . . That is, until Red Paladins slaughter her entire village, and Nimue's fate is forever altered. Charged by her dying mother to reunite an ancient sword with a legendary sorcerer, Nimue is now her people's only hope.