Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
Early Middle Ages (476–1000)
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The Saxons
I agree. When I first found it I was instantly pleased to see it. I have wanted someone to write a good hf from this perspective for a long time. Then I forgot about it. :) Thanks to Jaq for reminding me.
I think it is a good choice. I am enjoying Sworn Sword. Had some issues with pet health this week so haven't been as focused on reading as I would have liked. Still only approx 150 pages in, but I really like it thus far.
After three years of research and six months of writing I published my debut novel "Blood and Honour - The Battle for Saxony", a historical novel set in the dark ages, as an Kindle ebook on Amazon.com in December 2012.
Description:
Europe, in the year of the Lord 772. Like a bloody storm, Charlemagne's armies ravage early medieval Europe, leaving devastation and misery in their wake. They have subdued the kingdom of the Langobards, defeated the duchy of Bavaria; they threaten the Moors in the west and, in the south, the pope in Rome.
Yet Charlemagne has even more ambitious plans: he covets the Saxon territories in the north. The Saxons put up an unexpectedly fierce resistance. When Charlemagne's troops destroy the Irminsul shrine, the Saxon holy of holies, there ensues a struggle to the death. Led by the legendary Duke Widukind, for decades the Saxons fight savagely for their beliefs and their independence. And they will have their revenge...
Blood and Honour: The Battle for Saxony
Not many historical fiction that cover that era, John. Good to see.
Terri wrote: "Not many historical fiction that cover that era, John. Good to see."If its OK to spam then I would like to mention I've a couple of short stories in that era available on kindle:
All the King's Thanes
and
Beowulf's Return
Well it is okay for you to spam, my friend, as you are an active group member. :-) Re: that era
Your shorts aren't Charlemagne and the Franks though are they? That is the era of history I feel is not touched on much, if at all, in historical fiction.
Does anyone know of any historical fiction based on Charlemagne and the Franks and the expansion of their kingdom?
Sons of the Wolf by Paula Lofting. Set at the time of the Norman Conquest. I haven't read it, just heard about it.
Has some good ratings. (Some not so good too, but more good ones than bad)
Hi all, just joined the group.I'm interested in finding historical fiction focussing on Alfred the Great. I'm aware of Bernard Cornwell's series but I tend to prefer in depth one-off books which aren't part of a long series.
Any suggestions?
I'll get back to you. :-) Lol. I mean, I have to think about it for a bit.
Thanks Mark and Terri, that's a good lot to keep me going.
Good luck finding some reads you enjoy, Laura.
Not sure how on earth we overlooked this book for so long. I only found it because I spotted the second in the series.
The Bone Thief
The second one is
The Traitors' Pit
At first I thought they were YA. I don't think they are.
I can't help thinking that i have seen it before now. But for some reason it never made an impression. I think the second cover was what made the impression.Covers are everything when it comes to that sort of thing.
They must be eye catching. That book one, while the cover is nice enough, it is not memorable.
Hi, I'm just posting a quick note here so that I get notifications of updates here.Hi everyone!
If you click on the Email me when people comment link above the comment box and then hit the tiny edit link that comes up.....you can set the notifications you want for any thread without posting in it. Or you can post in the thread, that is also fine with us. :)
It's not a car park... but it's a score for Phil Harding of Time Team fame.http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/20...
Darcy wrote: "It's not a car park... but it's a score for Phil Harding of Time Team fame.http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/20......"
That's brilliant. Thanks for posting that one. Good to hear what Phil Harding is up to. Most of all though...very exciting finds.
What 6 years of digging can reveal about an Anglo-Saxon settlementhttp://archaeology.org/issues/89-1305...
Ooooo. Great article..that main picture of the site blew my socks off...long though. :-) I didn't get it all read. Shall come back later today.
Yeah. That mound of dirt could be a lesson on how to build a Saxon barrow. ;)
It is just fabulous. I am glad they got an overhead shot like that. It is the only way to truly show the splendid nature of the site.
This has been talked about in the Bernard Cornwell thread, but really, it has to go here too. So all you Saxon series fans can find it through this thread.#7 in the Bernard Cornwell Saxon series (Warrior Chronicles) is out September 2013.
The Pagan Lord
The new novel in Bernard Cornwell's number one bestselling series The Warrior Chronicles, on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Alfred the Great is dead and Edward his son reigns as king. Wessex survives but peace cannot hold. The Danes in the north, led by Viking Cnut Longsword, stand ready to invade and will never rest until the emerald crown is theirs. Uhtred, once Alfred's great warrior but now out of favour with the new king, must lead a band of outcasts north to recapture his old family home, that great Northumbrian fortress, Bebbanburg. Loyalties will be divided and men will fall, as every Saxon kingdom is drawn into the bloodiest battle yet with the Danes; a war which will decide the fate of every king, and the entire English nation.
Loving the book cover:
I just pre ordered
The Pagan Lord.The Book Depository had a 5% discount on any books in your wishlist, so I decided to pick up a few books.
It should be shipped on the UK release date. September?
Finished Severin's "Saxon", it was okay, solid 3-4 stars. Some quite major niggles in it, but I enjoyed the style so I'll probably read the next in the series.I'm looking forward to "The Pagan Lord" VERY much!
Here's the link for that one. Gotta link if not linked in last four posts. :-) Saxon: The Book of Dreams (beware folks, this one may be fantasy)
I see his next one is this one due out in August. Doesn't sound fantasy like the first: Saxon: The Emperor's Elephant
Jone Wolf Has a book out about Alfred the great called edge of light. I haven't read it yet, but it looks intriguing.
Has anyone read Hereward. If so, what did you think of it?(I believe it was marketed under this alternative name in the US The Time of the Wolf: A Novel of Medieval England)
I just started last night...
I read the sample via 'look inside' on Amazon...a couple times. The writing is not my kind of writing. Others here have enjoyed it though. So good luck!
Terri wrote: "I read the sample via 'look inside' on Amazon...a couple times. The writing is not my kind of writing. Others here have enjoyed it though. So good luck!"
Ah, I was hoping you were going to tell me it gets better! I'm a few chapters in and he's already killed a dozen men single-handedly, as well as a pack of wolves. The dialogue is cheesy and sometimes incongruous.
It's almost as if he's describing a violent B Movie or an adult comic.
It appears that you are seeing what I was seeing. Sorry to hear it. But yeah, your descriptions are bang inline with my impressions.
Exciting, Terri! I have no idea when I'll be able to get that book.
And I should have said before but it's nice to have you back Darla. :)
Thanks, Dawn!! It's good to be back and to see that you and Terri are still running this interesting group!
Yep. We aren't going anywhere. :)
What would I do while I watched TV if I didn't have GR's? I have to stay just for that. :)
I'm not sure if this is appropriate however, Medieval Warfare magazine's current issue is titled 'King Alfred the Great and the Great Heathen Army'. The articles are a good background for Cornwell's series.
Sure, looks interesting. We take our history wherever we can find it. :) Link here: http://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/...
Jarrod wrote: "I'm not sure if this is appropriate however, Medieval Warfare magazine's current issue is titled 'King Alfred the Great and the Great Heathen Army'. The articles are a good background for Cornwell'..."Tis entirely appropriate. :)
Terri wrote: "Tis entirely appropriate.:)"Good to know.
I think this is the right place to mention this. I've just finished reading Hild by Nicola Griffith which is absolutely wonderful. It's not the usual battle-heavy Saxon novel but one that focuses on the rhythms of life at this date and the relationship between the people and the land - centred on Hild, niece and seer to Edwin of Northumbria. The writing is beautiful and the history (as far as I can tell) very good. I've heard now that it's intended to be the first part of a trilogy following the entirety of Hild's life. I would really recommend it - with the warning that it's quite languid and subtle, with some battles (and a shield wall!) but also quite a lot of quiet watching and learning as Hild studies the people and natural world around her. It's one of the few books that has really made me feel as if I'm being enveloped in the time in question.You can see my review here
That is a very new book. My library has it on order so I think it will add it.
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Uhtred's Feast: Inside the World of The Last Kingdom (other topics)The Last Kingdom (other topics)
The Last Kingdom (other topics)
The Last Kingdom (other topics)
The Last Kingdom (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
James Aitcheson (other topics)Conn Iggulden (other topics)
Matthew Harffy (other topics)
Griff Hosker (other topics)
Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
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Saw this book on Goodreads..
Ha..."
The only stuff I've read about Hardrada that is from a Viking point of view has been non-fiction, where he seems to have had some positive characteristics as well as some of those more usually expected of Viking kings. The only HF I've read about him has been pro-Saxon and negative, so this one could be very interesting.