ABANDONED. Fantasy novel without magic, woman hero, rises to command

[Grey]

I read this series of 3 (4?) novels 10 or 12 years ago. I can see the covers in my mind showing the woman against a sort of Middle Eastern cityscape.Large banners were important. AFAIK there was no magic in this series, it was Fantasy in that it was alternate ancient history set in a different world than ours. A woman hero, started off low but rose to command by the end of the series. Was excellently written, a woman author I think.

[Tab]

I know you said no magic, but besides being an alt ancient history story, were there any other fantastical elements, like dragons/centaurs/etc?

When you say without magic, do you mean the heroine used no magic? Did she use any type of weapons?

[Grey]

I don't remember magic existing at all, or dragons etc. Its a long time though. But all I remember is it being like a pseudo-ancient history story albeit set in a different world. The letter A seems significant

[Fayley]

Doesn't fit exactly, but could you be thinking of Sheepfarmers Daughter by Elizabeth Moon (Paksenarrion series)? It started out having no magic, and she was a foot soldier who worked her way up.

[Arielle Rae]

The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon?

[K.V.]

I don't have a suggestion, but it sounds fascinating and I'd like to know the title too, now!

[Grey]

Reading The Deed of Paksenarrion description doesn't sound at all like what I remember, but thanks for the suggestion. I recently finished another Elizabeth Moon series (The Vatta War)

[Andy]

How about Ash
Ash 1: A Secret History

http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/185798...

[Grey]

The plot certainly sounds more like it, but I don't think so on balance. IIRC there were 3 or 4 books in this series, and although my memory is fallible (I've never been as old as I am now!) I recall more of a mediterranean feel to it. I also tried to find the cover image I remember for all of those for ASH but it wasn't there.

[Andy]

Ash was published as one big novel and then republihsed in four pieces (described here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash:_A_S...)

This link has some cover images http://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2009/...

[Grey]

Golly, but some of that sounds so familiar while some of it rings no bells at all (Burgundy?). And I know the cover stuck in my mind is not any of those showing. Hmm...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Grey, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Cheryl]

abandoned, apparently :(

[Fayley]

Oh no, I wanted to know this too!