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 7351: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Dragonflies / Grant Buday : Odysseus at Trojan War.


message 7352: by happy (last edited May 24, 2016 02:37PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments happy wrote: "Finished The Harold of Hell - fun, quick read. Not great literature, but a fun little murder mystery.

currently reading this NF look at the Magna Carta

King John England, Magna Carta and the Making of a Tyrant by Stephen Church..."


I finished King John - not really a look at the Magna Carta, but more a summary of John's reign and a look at how he managed to lose most of his possessions in France (Normandy, Brittany, Anjou and half of Aquitaine) and by doing that upset most of his nobility, a little dry is spots - 3.25 stars rounded down.

Currently reading

The Relic Master by Christopher Buckley A historical novel set in 1500's Germany about a man who is in the religious relics business. I think this is Buckley's first attempt at HF.


message 7353: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader It's been a long dry stretch for the HF in my life, I'm reading historic fact a lot so, Krakatoa The Day the World Exploded by Simon Winchester
at the moment.


message 7354: by Meri (new)

Meri (aussie_bookworm) | 66 comments I loved that book Deborah! Really good background to the eruption and after effects. Made me want to read his other books too


message 7355: by Bobby (new)


message 7356: by Deb (new)

Deb Omnivorous Reader Meri wrote: "I loved that book Deborah! Really good background to the eruption and after effects. Made me want to read his other books too"

All of his books that I have read I liked Meri! I would especially recommend The Map That Changed the World because his world building is so perfect. Although, as someone who is more than a little ocean obsessed, I found his Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms & a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories fascinating.


message 7357: by Bobby (new)


message 7358: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments Two very interesting books there Bobby, I've added both...

I'm reading The Sudden Appearance of Hope
The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North


message 7359: by Kimber (new)

Kimber (kimberlibri) | 785 comments I've been on a long, non-historical fiction spell. Reading a lot of alternative history, mystery thriller and fantasy. Right now I'm on The Good Girl by Mary Kubica who is often compared to Gillian Flynn.


message 7360: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Starting a 3 v. in 1 of The Sheltering Sky, Let it Come Down, The Spider's House by The Sheltering Sky, Let it Come Down, The Spider's House by Paul Bowles by Paul Bowles. Set in Morocco.
Quite a change from my last read: The Moon on the Hills by Bill Page The Moon on the Hills, set in Brittania, with fantasy elements.


message 7362: by Pamela (new)

Pamela (bibliohound) Just starting a book I won in a giveaway Skin and Bone Skin and Bone (Cragg & Fidelis Book 4) by Robin Blake by Robin Blake.


message 7363: by Paul (last edited Jun 08, 2016 01:04PM) (new)

Paul Burnette | 57 comments Started Elisabeth Storrs' Elisabeth Storrs third novel in the Etruscan-Roman series, Call to Juno (Tale of Ancient Rome, #3) by Elisabeth Storrs a couple days ago. Waited -- somewhat impatiently -- for a couple years for her to finish this series, and I'm very pleased so far with how she's evolved her characters and kept her own storytelling skills so sharp!


message 7364: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Started a new HF series Still Life With Murder (Nell Sweeney Mysteries, #1) by P.B. Ryan and loved it!


message 7366: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments Finished The Sudden Appearance of Hope and started The Body in the Library my second Christie novel. Lots more to go yet!


message 7367: by Alice (new)

Alice Poon (alice_poon) siriusedward wrote: "Reading Watership Down The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan and The Golden Gate"

I've heard great things about Watership Down. How are you finding it?


message 7368: by Alice (last edited Jun 09, 2016 10:07AM) (new)

Alice Poon (alice_poon) Ace ⚓ wrote: "Finished The Sudden Appearance of Hope and started The Body in the Library my second Christie novel. Lots more to go yet!"

I used to be a fan of Christie's novels featuring Hercule Poirot :) But I've forgotten all the title names and stories, except the title Murder on the Orient Express.


message 7369: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments Alice wrote: "..
I used to be a fan of Christie's novels featuring Hercule Poirot :) But I've forgotten all the title names and stories, except the title Murder on the Orient Express..."


That's actually one I'm really looking forward to Alice. I assume you read it pre-goodreads?


message 7370: by Alice (new)

Alice Poon (alice_poon) Ace ⚓ wrote: "Alice wrote: "..
I used to be a fan of Christie's novels featuring Hercule Poirot :) But I've forgotten all the title names and stories, except the title Murder on the Orient Express..."

That's ac..."


Oh Ace, I read it ages ago, when I was in my late teens or early 20s. I don't have a trace of it now... I think I liked the movie too.


message 7371: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments siriusedward wrote: "Reading Watership Down The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan and The Golden Gate"


Wow..."Watership Down"....now that brings back memories.


message 7372: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments I cannot remember how long ago I read WATERSHIP DOWN. It was an incredible reading experience! Loved it! Hope you do also!!


message 7373: by siriusedward (new)

siriusedward (elenaraphael) | 37 comments It was a beautiful read... i enjoyed the book...the starting was a bit slow but then it turned out to be a very adventurous journey


message 7374: by Alice (new)

Alice Poon (alice_poon) I've just finished reading The Queen's Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile. Very engrossing and educational. 4 stars.

My Review


message 7375: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments Waiting for my husband to finish Ben Kane's THE FORGOTTEN LEGION.


message 7376: by Bobby (new)


message 7378: by Paul (new)

Paul Burnette | 57 comments Alice wrote: "siriusedward wrote: "Reading Watership Down The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan and The Golden Gate"

I've heard great things about Watership Down. How ..."

Adams' Watership Down and White's Once and Future King are both fictional comments on Nazi-ism in conflict with more democratic governments, I think. But more than that, they are both wonderful stories with captivating characters facing incredible conflicts. I will never forget Merlin's lessons to the young Wart (Arthur) taught through his experiences as an ant, a fish, and a goose. Powerful, evocative, and true!


message 7379: by Alice (new)

Alice Poon (alice_poon) Paul wrote: "Alice wrote: "siriusedward wrote: "Reading Watership Down The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan and The Golden Gate"

I've heard great things about [book:Watership Dow..."


Thanks for the heads-up Paul! I look forward to reading it :)


message 7380: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) Potentially throwing a bomb in a birdcage here but I've been reading Outlander. I'm pleasantly surprised by it so far. It hasn't been nearly as cable television-ish as I was told it was going to be. Of course I'm only about 300 pages in. I still have a lot of book left.


message 7381: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I just finished James Aitcheson's
Sworn Sword (The Bloody Aftermath of 1066, #1) by James Aitcheson

Very good read - takes place during the English siege of York in 1069. I'll post my more complete thoughts when I get the chance.

Currenly reading the second volume of the trilogy

The Splintered Kingdom (The Bloody Aftermath of 1066, #2) by James Aitcheson

This is something that I normally don't do, but I am also reading

Civil Wars Of England, The by J.P. Kenyon


message 7382: by Leslie (new)

Leslie Ross | 2 comments Gretchen wrote: "Potentially throwing a bomb in a birdcage here but I've been reading Outlander. I'm pleasantly surprised by it so far. It hasn't been nearly as cable television-ish as I was told it wa..."
No bomb here Gretchen. I've been reading (and recommending) Gabaldon since Outlander was published in 1991. Her characters are strong, and her research is thorough. It's not her fault (although I'm sure she's enjoying it) that STARZ found her books.


message 7383: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments I agree w Leslie... Gabaldon's series was an incredible read ... initially. I shared her first 5 books with everyone I knew who love HF as much as I do. Lost my enthusiasm after her graphic novel... don't remember which one in the series that was. BTW - Not happy with the Starz interpretation.


message 7385: by Simona (new)

Simona | 1453 comments I loved Outlander. Less so the second book....but good again the third
They were fun.


message 7386: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I'll admit it, I enjoyed the first 3 Outlander books. I felt the series lost it's way when it moved to the New World (North Carolina) and barely finished #5 and haven't read any since.


message 7387: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments happy wrote: "I'll admit it, I enjoyed the first 3 Outlander books. I felt the series lost it's way when it moved to the New World (North Carolina) and barely finished #5 and haven't read any since."

Wow, how many are there?
We watched Series 1 and couldn't really handle the chest heaving scenes which were so overacted and soppy. I can't read the books now with those images in my head.


message 7388: by happy (last edited Jun 16, 2016 03:16PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments IIRC there was originally supposed to be 6, but there are 8 with a couple more under contract (I think)


message 7389: by Bobby (new)


message 7391: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments Jane wrote: "The Whispers of Nemesis by Anne Zouroudi The Whispers of Nemesis / Anne Zouroudi"

Hehe very funny. ..
" In a village where gossip flows like ouzo "


message 7392: by Kimber (new)

Kimber (kimberlibri) | 785 comments Just finished The Queen of the Night The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee by Alexander Chee. Haven't reviewed it yet but Loved it. Would have 5 starred it except for some style problems and some sometimes unclear timeline parts but the story...Oh my.


message 7393: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments Kimber wrote: "Just finished The Queen of the Night The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee by Alexander Chee. Haven't reviewed it yet but Loved it. Would have 5 starred it except for some sty..."

Good to know Kimber, I have this on my list.


message 7394: by Ace (new)

Ace (aceonroam) | 19 comments I finished The Persimmon Tree which is set in Rabaul and the Pacific (Durch East Indies) and Melbourne and Brisbane during around 1940 to 1946. All places I have lived, visited or sailed around. Great story as usual by this author.


message 7395: by Kimber (new)

Kimber (kimberlibri) | 785 comments Ace ⚓ wrote: "Kimber wrote: "Just finished The Queen of the Night The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee by Alexander Chee. Haven't reviewed it yet but Loved it. Would have 5 starred it exce..."
I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. It was confusing at times because she bounces back and forth from current times to backstory without a lot of warning. I had to go back and re-read a few things and I kept interrupting my reading to try to find out who a character was based on in real life. Turns out he wasn't based on anyone (that the author let on) but others were. So don't knock yourself out until afterwards looking people up. :D


message 7396: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) Read Persona Non Grata today while hanging out by the pool. I don't think this series is for me. I was hoping Gaius would develop a little more by the third book but he still seems to be bumbling along. I might try the fourth book once I get through some of my other books first.


message 7397: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I finished The Splintered Kingdom. I liked to better than the first book. This volume of the trilogy looks at the Norman's attempts to pacify/conquer the Welch Marches. Solid 4 * read.

I'm reading the last book of the Trilogy

Knights of the Hawk (The Bloody Aftermath of 1066, #3) by James Aitcheson


message 7398: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) happy wrote: "I finished The Splintered Kingdom. I liked to better than the first book. This volume of the trilogy looks at the Norman's attempts to pacify/conquer the Welch Marches. Solid 4 * re..."

I thought the second one was the best of the three. There was a rumor a while back that a fourth book was suppose to be coming but I haven't seen anything recently.


message 7400: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments I thoroughly enjoyed the trilogy. These were my first exposure to the history from the Norman perspective. Gave them 4 or 5 stars!!!
Hope Gretchen is right and there is a 4th in the works...


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