Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

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General Discussions > What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)

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message 6001: by Ioana (new)

Ioana I'm reading The Last Empress. It's ok so far, but I'm fascinated about everything China, so I am enjoying it.


message 6002: by GeneralTHC (last edited Jan 15, 2015 11:03AM) (new)

GeneralTHC | 22 comments Had to give THE EMPTY THRONE a break--I'll come back to it, probably. Really bummed with the direction Cornwell decided to take it .

About to finish up Heresy (Giordano Bruno, #1) by S.J. Parris by SJ Paris.

Will start The Religion (Tannhauser Trilogy, #1) by Tim Willocks tonight.


message 6003: by Histolicious (new)

Histolicious Histolicious Will start The Religion (Tannhauser Trilogy, #1) by Tim Willocks tonight.



OMG I loved loved loved this one.

I was so absorbed by this book, it was insane. One of the best picks I ever made.


message 6004: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I agree, great book.


message 6005: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Staring Mr. Jeck's

Fields of Glory by Michael Jecks


message 6006: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I've just finished Snuff (Discworld, #39) by Terry Pratchett Snuff and City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett City of Stairs

I'm listening to The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien The Fellowship of the Ring

I'm going to start Tower Lord (Raven's Shadow, #2) by Anthony Ryan Tower Lord


message 6007: by Mark (new)


message 6008: by C.P. (last edited Jan 18, 2015 03:37PM) (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 564 comments Finished and loved Gutenberg's Apprentice. My review is here.

Now resting my brain with Devil's Cub (yeah, I know—not this group's cup of tea) while trying to find my way back to A Burnable Book.


message 6009: by Kimber (new)

Kimber (kimberlibri) | 785 comments Dawn wrote: "I've just finished Snuff (Discworld, #39) by Terry PratchettSnuff and City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett

SnuFF! Love me some Pratchett. Reading The Golem and the Jinni The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker


message 6010: by Ioana (new)

Ioana I loved The Golem and the Jinni! Hope you'll like it too.


message 6011: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Finished Beyond Hell and Back: How America's Special Operations Forces Became the World's Greatest Fighting Unit 3.5 stars (if we could do half stars)

Finished The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden 1 star

Started The King's Hounds not impressed after the first 50 pages


message 6012: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) So the new reading year is starting out a little rough?


message 6013: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments YES! :(


message 6014: by Sarah (last edited Jan 18, 2015 07:16PM) (new)

Sarah Dawn wrote: "I've just finished Snuff (Discworld, #39) by Terry PratchettSnuff and City of Stairs by Robert Jackson BennettCity of Stairs..."

How was City of Stairs? I'm reading that in March.


message 6015: by Sarah (new)

Sarah The Golem and the Jinni is a brilliant novel.


message 6016: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Reading White Slave Really enjoying it. All other reads have gone on hold until I finish this one. :)


message 6017: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Sarah wrote: "How was City of Stairs? I'm reading that in March...."

I thought it was really good. Interesting concept, good characters, unusual world building....all in all enjoyable, I finished it in under 24 hours. :)


message 6018: by Shannon Elizabeth (new)

Shannon Elizabeth Heffner (thepinkroseoftexas) | 571 comments Finished Queen Hereafter A Novel of Margaret of Scotland by Susan Frasier King. Very mixed feelings about it. While there were things that I enjoyed, there were so many things that I really didn't like at all, e.g.: the ending! I won't go into details in case this book is on anyone's TBR list, so I'll just say the narrative seemed to be building up to this big event in the last few chapters in which I felt didn't really pan out. One thing I will say for this book is that it's author can write. Her prose are lovely, and I'd be willing to try another book from her. Three stars is what it's getting from me (I had trouble rating this one). Now I've decided to pick up Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour. I read it when I was a teenager and just loved it, so that's why I chose it. It's just so good! I was in the mood for a novel set during the Wars of the Roses, and I can't think of a better one.


message 6019: by Histolicious (new)

Histolicious Histolicious Finished The Whale Road (Oathsworn, #1) by Robert Low . I liked it. A little slow in the first 100 pages, but rather good.


message 6020: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Anell wrote: "Finished The Whale Road (Oathsworn, #1) by Robert Low. I liked it. A little slow in the first 100 pages, but rather good."

yep, those first 100 can give readers a headache.


message 6021: by Ioana (new)

Ioana Terri wrote: "Finished The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden 1 star"

Ohhh, sorry to hear that. I read his Genghis: Birth of an Empire, and loved it. I just assumed all his other books would be as good...I guess maybe not.

Reading The Last Empress now. It's good, but not terrific. I love anything / everything China though, so even though I read about this period before, I still find it interesting.


message 6022: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Reading GOD'S BURIED CHILDREN by Daniel Farcas. The book is not out yet so no b/a feature.


message 6023: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Ioana wrote: "Terri wrote: "Finished The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden 1 star"

Ohhh, sorry to hear that. I read his Genghis: Birth of an Empire, and loved it. I just assumed all his other books ..."


Well, that told me something when the only vol. in the series the library has is the first. I guess their opinion was not so good.


message 6024: by Ioana (new)

Ioana Jane wrote: "Well, that told me something when the only vol. in the series the library has is the first."

I never thought of that, but it sounds right. I usually rely on reviews here, but maybe the library is another type of "meter". Although I know, not always reliable...


message 6025: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) Started I Bring the Fire: Part I Wolves and so far I think it's brilliant. I am bordering on a reading slump and this book appears to be just the thing to keep me from falling head first into said slump. It's not historical fiction but who can resist Norse mythology. I can't make this up, I am currently wearing a shirt with Thor on it.


message 6026: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Still try it Ioana, if you liked his Ghengis you still may like his Rome series.


message 6027: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC | 22 comments Still reading THE RELIGION. Great prose, good story, but the machismo factor is a wee-bit high for me. It gives it sort of a melodramatic vibe in places.


message 6028: by Darcy (new)


message 6029: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Leonidas of Sparta: A Peerless Peer

Just finished the delightful and humorous The Whistling Season


message 6030: by Ioana (new)

Ioana Terri wrote: "Still try it Ioana, if you liked his Ghengis you still may like his Rome series."

Thanks, I will...someday. I want to finish his Genghis series first. It's a time and place I know little about...


message 6031: by Histolicious (new)

Histolicious Histolicious I have a hard time. Seriously.

After watching Vikings I read The Whale Road (Oathsworn, #1) by Robert Low and I was perfectly happy with it. I wanted Vikings, and hell yes, I get Vikings.

This weekend I watched Peaky Blinders. Now I want to read something about gangs, thieves, drugs, alkohol and smuggle. But I dont find any books like the Series. All I have is Sworn in Steel (Tales of the Kin, #2) by Douglas Hulick Yes, okay, it´s about gangs and thieves, but ... I dont want to read historical Fantasy/HF with historical setting. Same thing goes with The Republic of Thieves (Gentleman Bastard, #3) by Scott Lynch and The Fallen Blade (The Assassini, #1) by Jon Courtenay Grimwood .

Argh it drives me nuts!

If there is anybody out there, who knows a book for a Peaky Blinders fangirl, please let me know.


message 6032: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments Anell wrote: "I have a hard time. Seriously.

After watching Vikings I read The Whale Road (Oathsworn, #1) by Robert Low and I was perfectly happy with it. I wanted Vikings, and hell yes, I get Vikings.

This weekend I w..."


try Brighton Rock by Graham Greene


message 6033: by Shannon Elizabeth (new)

Shannon Elizabeth Heffner (thepinkroseoftexas) | 571 comments Chuck wrote: "Still reading THE RELIGION. Great prose, good story, but the machismo factor is a wee-bit high for me. It gives it sort of a melodramatic vibe in places."

Darcy wrote: "The Religion"

I loved The Religion! The sequel The Twelve Children of Paris is awesome as well. It's a shame there was a seven year gap in between release dates! And since it's supposed to be a trilogy, I certainly hope there won't be another seven years to wait. Lol. However, I do agree with you, Chuck. There's a more than a few overwhelming testosterone fueled scenes in both books, but the excellent prose and character development made up for it, in my opinion. But I do totally get what you're saying.


message 6034: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Anell, I am also a mega fan of Peaky Blinders. The only books with that feel that I know of are New York gangs and told more from the police perspective.


message 6035: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Jan 20, 2015 04:52PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Chuck wrote: "Still reading THE RELIGION. Great prose, good story, but the machismo factor is a wee-bit high for me. It gives it sort of a melodramatic vibe in places."

Did you read my review, Chuck? oh hang on, I recall chatting about it with you. Strike that question. Lol.


message 6036: by Kimber (new)

Kimber (kimberlibri) | 785 comments Just closed the last page on The Golem and the Jinniand really did enjoy it. So much so that my next book choice is going to be difficult. I have a few from old monthly reads lined up such as Silk Road and I, Claudius but atm have no idea what direction I want to go in.


message 6037: by Ioana (new)

Ioana Kimber wrote: "Just closed the last page on The Golem and the Jinniand really did enjoy it. So much so that my next book choice is going to be difficult. I have a few from old monthly reads lined ..."

SO glad you enjoyed The Golem and the Jinni...I did not expect much from it, but it was a beautiful read.
I found I, Claudius to be a difficult read, the language was not too accessible...good luck picking your next.


message 6038: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC | 22 comments Terri wrote: "Did you read my review, Chuck? oh hang on, I recall chatting about it with you. Strike that question. Lol. "

Yep, you absolutely turned me on to this one--and I'll probably read THE WHALE ROAD next if I don't go straight into the sequel. I think the prose is absolutely outstanding for the most part. I'd call it literature. I think it's up there close to Hilary Mantel's league even.


message 6039: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Kimber wrote: "Just closed the last page on The Golem and the Jinniand really did enjoy it. So much so that my next book choice is going to be difficult. I have a few from old monthly reads lined ..."

Oh, I have a suggestion for you if you can get it. The Book of Splendor has some of the same features and might be a good choice.


message 6040: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Hi Chuck, yes, agreed! It is literature to me too. Not just a pulp fiction offering, but a work of incredible skill....except for the very, very poorly done sex scenes. :)
Excited you maybe soon will get to The Whale Road


message 6042: by Histolicious (new)

Histolicious Histolicious Okay I´ve started The Devil in the Marshalsea by Antonia Hodgson and it is so so so good.

But I HAVE to take a break. I started Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy, #1) by Pierce Brown and it´s insane. It´s so so so good. Okay no HF but ... damn.


message 6043: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments The Shoemaker's Wifeby Adriana Trigiani From Italian Alps to Minnesota this, book travels. The main characters are fictitious acting in actual and historical places and circumstances. The book was on special on Amazon two days ago.


message 6044: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) I just finished Last Seen in Massilia and it was brilliant. Rome is reaching her dramatic climax and Gordianus has a front row seat. I have immediately picked up A Mist of Prophecies. I am still working on Silk Road. For some reason it just doesn't seem to be grabbing my attention. I think it's the format. I'm reading it on my kindle and I find books on my kindle just aren't as appealing as tree books.


message 6045: by Lia (new)

Lia (lia_mb) | 638 comments I have the same problem with Gretchen when reading on Kindle. Slower reading speed and more difficult to concentrate on my reading (although, the Kindle is better for reading than iPad).

Oh, "Last Seen in Massilia" was a very touching one. Unexpected ending for sure.


message 6046: by Ioana (new)

Ioana Gretchen wrote: "I just finished Last Seen in Massilia and it was brilliant. Rome is reaching her dramatic climax and Gordianus has a front row seat. I have immediately picked up [book:A Mist of Prop..."

Gretchen, are the books in the Roma Sub Rosa series stand alones? Or should I read them in order?


message 6047: by Gretchen (last edited Jan 22, 2015 03:53PM) (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) Ioana wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "I just finished Last Seen in Massilia and it was brilliant. Rome is reaching her dramatic climax and Gordianus has a front row seat. I have immediately picked up [bo..."

I wouldn't read them as stand alone novels. I think you would miss out on some of the finer details and certain characters might be slightly confusing. I am reading the books listed in the chronological order Saylor outlines on his website
http://www.stevensaylor.com/RomaSubRo...
not the order Goodreads has them in. I think Goodreads lists them by the date they were published. Some of the books are just short story collections but I liked reading the short stories in between the larger novels. It helped fill in a few of the gaps. There is a new book set to be released this year that is suppose to follow [book:Raiders of the Nile|17934427]

Ok, I've tried three times to edit my post to tag the book Raiders of the Nile but I can't make it work for some reason.


message 6048: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments Gretchen wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "I just finished Last Seen in Massilia and it was brilliant. Rome is reaching her dramatic climax and Gordianus has a front row seat. I have immediately..."

Raiders of the Nile


message 6049: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) Thanks Mark!


message 6050: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments Gretchen wrote: "Thanks Mark!"

Your welcome.


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