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 9051: by Cynthia (new)

Cynthia Miller (cinzia8) | 81 comments The Invention of Fire A medieval mystery centered around the creation of the 'handgonne'. John Gower is a poet and trader in secrets and a friend of Chaucer. He's caught up in the mystery of the mass murder of men 'bearing wounds none have seen before.'


message 9052: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Winter of the Gods (Olympus Bound) by Jordanna Max Brodsky Winter of the Gods


Murder mystery cum fantasy set in modern-day NYC. Someone is murdered atop the "Charging Bull" statue on Wall Street. The Olympian gods and goddesses in modern disguise and with modern names seek to solve who did it--possibly some kind of cult led by one of their own?


message 9053: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Robert wrote: "12 Children of Paris.

Tim Willocks

Excellent"


The Twelve Children of Paris (Tannhauser, #2) by Tim Willocks


message 9055: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Finally started my first book of the new year: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford and so far liking it a lot. This period of American history is uncharted territory for me.


message 9056: by happy (last edited Jan 04, 2019 07:44PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments happy wrote: "I'm currently plowing through #3 of Ken Follett's Century Trilogy - its over 1000 pgs.

Edge of Eternity (The Century Trilogy, #3) by Ken Follett

The time frame is from 1961-1989 (the life of the Berlin..."

For anyone interested, I finally typed up my thoughts on Edge of Eternity

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

also posted in the "Modern Age" thread


message 9057: by Bobby (new)


message 9058: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments 1356: A Novel (The Grail Quest Book 4) by Bernard Cornwell is my latest read.


message 9059: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments Bernard Cornwell 1356 is my next read


message 9060: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Marilyn wrote: "1356: A Novel (The Grail Quest Book 4) by Bernard Cornwell is my latest read."
Here's the link
1356 (Grail Quest #) by Bernard Cornwell


message 9061: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments I tried using the link (I’ve done it before on the computer) but it just wouldn’t work this time. Especially for the title the msg said “not found” and it wouldn’t link up for Cornwall so I figured computers must have bad days, too, so I just walked away.


message 9062: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments happy: It just says: here’s the link: (and nothing shows). Go figure.


message 9063: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments Whoa! Now it shows. Oh, well.


message 9064: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Currently reading Sir Jeffrey Archer's latest

Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer

It's a political thriller with a Russian backstory


message 9065: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 103 comments Just starting The Essex Serpent The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry


message 9066: by Tamara (new)

Tamara Agha-Jaffar Patricia wrote: "Just starting The Essex SerpentThe Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry"

I really loved that book. Hope you enjoy it.


message 9067: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments ALEXANDER HAMILTON by Ron Chernow


message 9068: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Robert wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9..."

Been a while since I put that in a group read poll. Might be time again.


message 9069: by Laura Tenfingers (new)

Laura Tenfingers | 178 comments Terri wrote: "Robert wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9..."

Been a while since I put that in a group read poll. Might be time again."


Yes please 😊


message 9070: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Das Salz der Erde by Daniel Wolf Das Salz der Erde by Daniel Wolf

12th century France: a salt merchant.


message 9071: by Tamara (new)

Tamara Agha-Jaffar I know this is technically a historical fiction group, but I thought some of you might be interested in a really good biography of Cleopatra: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff.

Schiff's research is impressive. Sometimes it gets to be a bit overwhelming with all the names and Ptolemies who intermarry. But she pieces together a portrait of a fascinating woman.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 9072: by happy (last edited Jan 15, 2019 02:13PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments May wrote: "ALEXANDER HAMILTON by Ron Chernow"

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

I think Chernow is one of the best biographers currently writing, but somehow, in spite of this book' reknown, I haven't found the time to read Hamilton. It really needs to move up on the TBR pile :)


message 9073: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments I would encourage that decision!! Totally engrossed in his writing & research!!


message 9074: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I've read his bios of Washington, Franklin and Grant and he IS superb!


message 9075: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments I’ve seen the recommendations, but this is the first biography I’ve read by him. Already convinced that I need to add the others to my TR list!


message 9076: by happy (last edited Jan 24, 2019 06:58PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I just started Cornwell's latest

War of the Wolf (The Saxon Stories, #11) by Bernard Cornwell War of the Wolf


message 9077: by May (new)

May (mayzie) | 968 comments Happy, I’m feeling like this Hamilton biography is the text for a PhD in history... Mr Chernow certainly did the research and included it all!!!
Glad there won’t be a final exam!!!


message 9078: by Marilyn (last edited Jan 26, 2019 02:54PM) (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments Im right behind happy in starting War of the Wolf


message 9079: by Laura Tenfingers (new)

Laura Tenfingers | 178 comments Just finished The Wreath first book of Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. Life in Norway in the 14th century. I thought it was fantastic!


message 9080: by happy (last edited Jan 27, 2019 09:01AM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I finished War of the Wolf - not his best, a bit talky. There are 2 pretty good battle sequences, but for the most part is seems to be about who will rule Northumbria - Uther's Son in law/Danes-pagans or the Kings of Wessex-Christians. Still a 4 star read for me.

Currently reading the late historian, John Julius Norwich's last book

A History of France by John Julius Norwich

If you haven't read any of his books I highly recommend them. He has written a lot on the history of the Med. I haven't read all of them, but his trilogy on the Byzantine Empire is a five star read

https://www.goodreads.com/series/9310...


message 9081: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments If anyone is interested, here are my thoughts on War of the Wolf

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

(also posted in the Bernard Cornwell thread and the Saxons threads)


message 9082: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments I finished reading War of the Wolf by Bernard Cornwell. I liked it better than I thought I would. I want to read about the Battle of Brunanburh or however it spells.


message 9083: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn (mbk1857) | 415 comments Just finished “The Earth is the Lord’s” by Taylor Caldwell (about Genghis Khan). Very good.

Next, “Shadow on the Crown” (Emma of Normandy) by Patricia Bracewell.


message 9084: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Here are the links

The Earth Is the Lord's by Taylor Caldwell

Shadow on the Crown (The Emma of Normandy Trilogy #1) by Patricia Bracewell

I'm currently reading another Paul Doherty

The Mansions of Murder (The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #18) by Paul Doherty


message 9085: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments What do you think of the Paul Doherty? I quite enjoyed that one.


message 9086: by happy (last edited Feb 06, 2019 12:55PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I'm just getting started, so I haven't had a chance to form an opinion. I'll get back to you in a couple of days:)

I also finished A History of France - excellent! Written in a conversation style and very readable. The main problem I had is that the first 800 yrs (from Ceasar to Charlemaign) is covered in about 30 pages!

For me it is a 4+ star read.

I also read Hampton Sides NF look at the Battle of the Chosin Reservior during the Korean War

On Desperate Ground The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest Battle by Hampton Sides

Not a whole lot new, but still an excellent read. Again a 4+ star read


message 9087: by Allison (last edited Feb 06, 2019 06:11PM) (new)

Allison | 1704 comments I added A History of France by John Julius Norwich when I saw you were reading it, Happy. Glad it was great! Now it can stay in Mt. TBR :)


message 9089: by Laura Tenfingers (last edited Feb 07, 2019 03:34AM) (new)

Laura Tenfingers | 178 comments Jane wrote: "Reading The Strangled Queen (The Accursed Kings, #2) by Maurice Druon The Strangled Queen by Maurice Druon"

I just got that from the library. How is it so far?


message 9090: by Jane (last edited Feb 07, 2019 05:45AM) (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Laura Tenfingers wrote: "Jane wrote: "Reading The Strangled Queen (The Accursed Kings, #2) by Maurice Druon The Strangled Queen by Maurice Druon"

I just got that from the library. How is it so far?"


I like it. I'm about half way. It's nice to read about royalty that is not English for a change. The author has one character going from France to meet with Edward II, so maybe he'll appear.


message 9091: by Alice (new)

Alice | 74 comments I am reading The Confessions of Young Nero (Nero, #1) by Margaret George by Margaret George. I have enjoyed her other books.


message 9092: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Alice wrote: "I am reading The Confessions of Young Nero (Nero, #1) by Margaret George by Margaret George. I have enjoyed her other books."

I enjoyed that one, but was unable to get into the second one.


message 9093: by Alice (new)

Alice | 74 comments Margaret wrote: "Alice wrote: "I am reading The Confessions of Young Nero (Nero, #1) by Margaret George by Margaret George. I have enjoyed her other books."

I enjoyed that one, but was unable to get into the second one."


I know very little about Nero so I am finding it very interesting. I enjoy Ms. George's writting style.


message 9094: by C.P. (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 564 comments Have been reading too fast to post, alas, but things are slowing down at last. Currently enjoying The Black Ascot by Charles Todd, a mystery story set not long after World War I.


message 9095: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments The Last Hours (Black Death, #1) by Minette Walters
Really getting into this. Horrifying Black Plague!


message 9096: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I have that one to get to, Bobby (thanks to Margaret who posted her copy to me last year). Plan on getting to it soon. In the meantime, I just lent it to my dad and he has read it. He commented on the realistic way the author writes the plague.


message 9097: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Just started Robert Low's new one.. Beasts Beyond The Wall (Brothers of the Sands, #1) by Robert Low


message 9098: by Bobby (last edited Feb 11, 2019 06:07PM) (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Terri wrote: "I have that one to get to, Bobby (thanks to Margaret who posted her copy to me last year). Plan on getting to it soon. In the meantime, I just lent it to my dad and he has read it. He commented on ..."

True enough Terri. It isn’t a book you enjoy...more like a book you absorb. It’s like I’m sitting on a sideline watching the tale play out!


message 9099: by Tamara (new)

Tamara Agha-Jaffar I finished The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.

I thought it started off well, but it lost strength and focus in the second half of the novel. A bit disappointing, especially the mushy, fairy-tale ending of happily ever after.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

(Also posted in Featuring the Jewish thread.)


message 9100: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments I finally started reading The Hangman's Daughter (The Hangman's Daughter, #1) by Oliver Pötzsch !! Been wanting to read this for years!


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