Top 11 Underrated Historical Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

Editor's Picks

11 Novels

This list focuses on historical novels that rate well but haven't achieved the same popularity as top entries. "Underrated" here means strong quality with lower visibility, not that these are universally overlooked.

Historical web fiction usually involves transmigration into past eras. These entries handle their settings with varying degrees of accuracy. If you've exhausted the popular historical options and want more, these provide alternatives worth considering.

Completed
1
TOP PICK
The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage
4.6
(2.7K ratings)
Genre: fantasy, historical, josei
Shen Miao, the Di daughter of a military family, was pure, quiet, gentle, and gracious. Because of her foolish love for Prince Ding, she forced her way into becoming his wife.
First Impressions
"The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage" is a web novel that I found myself thoroughly engrossed in, despite a few reservations. It's a complex tale of revenge, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance, all set against the backdrop of ancient China. From the start, I was drawn in by the premise. Shen Miao, a former empress reborn into her younger self, is determined to rewrite her tragic past. It's a familiar setup, but the execution felt fresh. I was immediately invested in her journey and eager to see how she would use her knowledge to dismantle her enemies....
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Completed
2
RUNNER UP
Golden Stage
4.6
(1.0K ratings)
Genre: drama, historical, mature
The notorious imperial court lackey and the meritorious military general were well-known for their mutual dislike, a pair of arch-enemies set in stone. Who could have foreseen the unexpected change in the winds of heaven: the general injured on the battlefield, both legs disabled, and even force...
First Impressions
"Golden Stage" promised a blend of political intrigue and sweet romance, and after diving in, I can definitely see why it has such a dedicated following. This historical yaoi novel, with its adapted-to-drama-cd status, had me intrigued from the start. Initially, I was a little hesitant. Some mentioned the preface being dense, but I'm glad I pushed through. I was immediately drawn into the complex world of ancient China, and the setup of a forced marriage between "enemies" Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan was compelling. The initial chapters are a bit heavy, but they set the stage well....
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Completed
3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The Job of an Imperial Concubine
4.6
(664 ratings)
Genre: drama, fantasy, historical
To pass as an imperial concubine, one must be professional. Actually, the profession of an imperial concubine is pretty good.
First Impressions
"The Job of an Imperial Concubine" had me intrigued from the start with its premise: treating life in the harem as a career. I dove in expecting a compelling story of palace intrigue, and while I found a lot to enjoy, some aspects held it back from being a complete knockout. The concept is undeniably clever. Zhuang Laoyan, our protagonist, approaches her role with a calculating mind, prioritizing power and luxury within the system. She's intelligent, perhaps even overly so, and this initially drew me in. I was eager to see how she navigated the treacherous waters of the imperial court....
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Completed
4
EDITORS CHOICE
Qiang Jin Jiu
4.6
(593 ratings)
Genre: action, adult, drama
The six prefectures of Zhongbo were offered to foreign enemies on a silver platter, and Shen Zechuan was taken into custody in the capital, reduced to a drowning dog—loathed and condemned by all. Xiao Chiye followed the scent of the furor and made his way over.
First Impressions
"Qiang Jin Jiu" has been quite the ride, and I can definitely see why it's garnered so much attention. It’s a sprawling historical drama with political intrigue and a central romance that isn’t for the faint of heart. This isn't a light and fluffy read, but a deep dive into a complex world. Initially, I felt a bit overwhelmed. The sheer number of characters and the intricate political landscape were a lot to take in. Several readers have mentioned that the first few chapters require patience as the world-building is dense, but I found that sticking with it was worth the effort. I was quickly d...
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Completed
5
EDITORS CHOICE
Those Years In Quest Of Honour Mine
4.6
(576 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, historical
Yu Ziyou and Zhong Wan served different masters. They had once been the closest of souls, and were the bitterest of enemies.
First Impressions
This novel has been quite the ride! I dove in expecting a historical romance, and while that's certainly present, "Those Years In Quest Of Honour Mine" offers so much more than just that. It's a blend of comedy, drama, and political intrigue, all wrapped around the central relationship between the main characters. Initially, I was a little thrown off by the pacing. The story starts slowly, and it took me a bit to get fully invested in the world and the characters. However, I soon found myself drawn in by the complex dynamic between Zhong Wan, the clever and shameless MC, and Yu She, the troubl...
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Completed
6
#6 PICK
A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City
4.6
(281 ratings)
Genre: comedy, fantasy, historical
There are three treasures in the imperial city: Me, my husband and my mother-in-law. Su Guifei¹ was favored and envied by countless imperial consorts in the harem.
First Impressions
"A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City" is a delightful read that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. This historical romance, with its comedic undertones and sweet slice-of-life moments, is like a comforting cup of tea on a rainy day. While it might not be the most complex or groundbreaking novel, it certainly excels at delivering a heartwarming and enjoyable experience. From the very beginning, I was charmed by the unconventional female lead, Ming Jiuzhu. Raised by Daoists, she possesses a refreshing innocence and a unique perspective that often leaves those around her utterly baffled...
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Completed
7
#7 PICK
I Am This Type of Woman
4.6
(321 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, historical
A s*upid father with good luck, a kick-ass and protective mother, and a dandy younger brother all want a principal husband. Her engagement has been broken off three times yet she does not panic.
First Impressions
I Am This Type of Woman promised a fun, historical romance with a confident female lead, and I'm happy to report it largely delivered. It's a novel that doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's part of its charm. Right from the start, I was drawn in by the promise of a unique protagonist. Ban Hua isn't your typical demure historical heroine. She's bold, beautiful, and unapologetically herself. The setup, with Ban Hua dreaming of a tragic future and deciding to live life to the fullest, felt fresh and provided a good foundation for the story....
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Conclusion

These 11 historical novels offer quality comparable to more popular entries. They suit readers who want historical content beyond the obvious recommendations. Not every entry will match your taste, but the rating floor ensures baseline quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings combine reader ratings (40%), popularity metrics (25%), engagement data (20%), and editorial review (15%). We update rankings quarterly to reflect the latest reader sentiments.

The best historical novels excel in their genre-specific elements while delivering compelling characters and plots. Reader satisfaction and re-readability are key factors in our selection.

We update our rankings quarterly throughout 2026 to incorporate new releases, changing reader preferences, and updated rating data.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage

First Impressions

Golden Stage

First Impressions

The Job of an Imperial Concubine

First Impressions

Qiang Jin Jiu

First Impressions

Those Years In Quest Of Honour Mine

First Impressions