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The Good, The Bad and The History
by Taylor, Jodi
Max and her colleagues at St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research are back at it, proving once again that history is far less of a dusty academic subject and more of a series of near-death experiences. This installment keeps the signature frantic pace of the series, balancing laugh-out-loud British humor with the very real, often dangerous consequences of messing with the timeline. You will find the usual blend of sharp-witted dialogue and a deeply loyal found family who prioritize each other above all else, even when they are busy running for their lives across centuries. It is perfect for readers who like their time travel with a heavy dose of irony, a lack of respect for historical decorum, and characters who are as likely to crack a joke as they are to face a catastrophe.
10 Books similar to 'The Good, The Bad and The History'
Since you enjoyed the blend of academic absurdity and high-stakes chaos in this book, we have curated a list that leans into those same sensibilities. Whether you are looking for more meta-fictional wit like Jasper Fforde, the bureaucratic time-travel headaches found in Neal Stephenson, or the intense, character-driven emotional stakes of Amal El-Mohtar, these picks share that core DNA. We focused on stories that treat history as a living, breathing, and often volatile character, perfect for those who love an ensemble cast that finds humor in the face of inevitable disaster.
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Like Jodi Taylor's work, this novel blends time travel with sharp wit and historical chaos, creating a delightful romp through Victorian England. It captures the same spirit of academic absurdity and high-stakes adventure that fans of St. Mary's will instantly recognize.
by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland
This book shares the bureaucratic, slightly cynical, and deeply scientific approach to time travel found in Taylor's writing. It balances complex historical exploration with a grounded, modern-day organizational setting that feels very familiar to St. Mary's readers.
While darker and more serious than Taylor's work, this classic explores the visceral, dangerous reality of being pulled into the past. Readers who appreciate the 'history is not a playground' aspect of St. Mary's will find this deeply impactful and thought-provoking.
Fforde matches Taylor's penchant for genre-bending humor and literary playfulness. The protagonist, Thursday Next, navigates a world where history and fiction collide with the same chaotic energy and dry, British wit that defines Jodi Taylor's narrative voice.
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by Charles Yu
This novel offers a meta-fictional, highly introspective take on time travel that mirrors the emotional depth occasionally hidden beneath the humor of Taylor's books. It is a smart, character-driven story that treats time as a fragile, messy construct.
by Stephen King
For readers who enjoy the 'what if' scenarios and the meticulous historical detail of Taylor's work, this novel provides a gripping, immersive experience. It shares the tension of trying to fix history while grappling with the consequences of changing the past.
While more focused on romance than Taylor's action-heavy series, this book excels at exploring the logistical and emotional complications of living outside of linear time. It captures the bittersweet nature of historical displacement that often surfaces in the St. Mary's chronicles.
by John Scalzi
Fans of Taylor's irreverent, self-aware humor will appreciate this meta-commentary on sci-fi tropes. It features a tight-knit group of characters facing absurd, life-threatening situations, mirroring the 'found family' dynamic and high-casualty rate of the St. Mary's team.
by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
This book offers a lyrical, high-stakes look at agents manipulating history across time. It shares the 'history as a battlefield' theme found in Taylor's work but elevates it with beautiful, intense prose and a deep focus on the personal cost of time travel.
by C.S. Lewis
While a classic of children's literature, it shares the 'portal fantasy' element that Taylor utilizes so effectively. The sense of wonder, historical stakes, and the transition from a mundane world into a complex, dangerous past will resonate with fans of the St. Mary's adventures.
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As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.