Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
happy wrote: "These are non fiction - but related Ian Mortimer's 4th Time Guide
is on my tbr. Hope you’re enjoying it, Happy.
I haven’t read any Ancient or Medieval books lately. I walk by a stack of Suzanna Gregory’s Medieval Mysteries sitting on the Family room floor. I think #11 is calling my name!!
Do it, May 😁 I have been on several genre binges of late, so I haven’t read any ancient HF. Although I am rereading the Sharpe series, it isn’t ancient!
Since last updating my reading list, I've finished a couple of historical mysteries, A WWII novel by Robert Harris and a couple of NF that might interest some hereThe HF Mysteries
Jeri Westerson's final Crispen Guest Novel
Set in the aftermath of John of Gaunt's death as well a Henry IV's usurpation of the throne.
Lindsey Davis's latest Falvia Alba mystery
This one is set during Domination reign in Ancient Rome
The WW II novel is Robert Harris's new one
Set in late 1944, the two main characters are a German Engineer who was in on the devepement of the V2 and is tech support for the launching Rockets at London and a Female Photo interptetor trying to find the launch sites.
Again a good read
The Non Fiction
I finished
I really liked it -very good biography of one of England's great medieval warriors and leaders
The forth volume of Ian Mortimer's Time Travler's Guide series
If one has read any of the "Time Traveller's Guides", the formula is very familiar. In this entry to the series, Dr. Mortimer looks at life in Regency Britian - 1789 to 1830. All facets of life are looked at-from birth to death, rich or poor, how people were educated, whom they slept with, what they ate, how the worshipped God (or didn't), how people made their living, etc. again very good.
I'll talk more about the novels in the appropriate threads
I finished a reread of Sharpe's Honor last night, and it was just as good the third time around ;) Before that I DNF a military sci-fi book. Sad to say, I finally tossed it aside at the 90% mark. I just didn't care enough to give that last remaining 10%.
Now I'm reading a book in the fantasy genre, and...well...is it just me, or is it getting easier to DNF these last couple of years?! I'm going to give this the ol' college try, but I'm kind of begrudgingly reading at this point.
At least I can reread the next Sharpe book after this!
Michelle wrote: "I finished a reread of Sharpe's Honor last night, and it was just as good the third time around ;) Before that I DNF a military sci-fi book. Sad to say, I finally tossed it aside at..."
I haven't re-read Sharpe yet, but it's definitely on the cards at some future date.
Claire North, who I love, has written a retelling - Ithaca which was an unexpected surprise. I'll be reading in in the next few weeks.
Ace wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished a reread of Sharpe's Honor last night, and it was just as good the third time around ;) Before that I DNF a military sci-fi book. Sad to say, I finally t..."
Ace, he has a new one coming out next year!! It was going to be this year but was delayed due to illness.
Michelle wrote: "Ace wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished a reread of Sharpe's Honor last night, and it was just as good the third time around ;) Before that I DNF a military sci-fi book. Sad to say,..."
I know!!! My hubby and I are eager to read it as soon as we can get our hands on it.
I'm sure he had sworn he wouldn't be returning to Sharpe, but how great that he did. Probably just to shut us all the hell up 🤣
That last is a darned good reason!!
I’m currently reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. Amazing book so far
Ace wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Ace wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished a reread of Sharpe's Honor last night, and it was just as good the third time around ;) Before that I DNF a military sci-fi ..."
That and make some money :)
Appearently - Sharpe's books sell
Finished V2: A Novel of World War III enjoyed it. Interesting look at the British attempts to find and knock out the launching sites for the rockets Solid 4 Stars
Currently reading another Robert Harris Novel
This one is the story of the search for the men who signed Charles I death warrant, after the restoration in 1660. A couple of them escaped to the New World and so far the novel is their story.
Happy, we also enjoyed Harris’s V2 novel. I knew so little about the German rocket program. Found the novel to be a great read well anchored in WWII history!
I finished Act of OblivionReally good - definately one of his better efforts. The story revolves around three men - two of them actual historical figures. The two hsitorical figures are Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, William Goffe, who signed Charles I's death warrant and Richard Naylor (a fictional character) who was in charge of the search for them.
Some back ground. When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, he pardoned everyone who had supported/fought for Parliament during the Civil War except those who had signed his father's death warrent. Many where already dead, some escaped to the continent and 2 (Whalley and Goffe fled to the Puritan colonies in New England.
This is the story of the manhunt for the regicides, the largest in the 17th century. In his authors note, Mr. Harris says all the dates, places, people and their actions are as accurate as he could make them. He also states that the Naylor character is fictional. There is no record on just who conducted the man hunt. But, as he states, with a manhunt that extensive, there had to have been a manhunter.
A word of warning - there is a scene early in the novel where some of the regicides are drawn and quartered that is VERY discriptive of just what D-Qing entails
Goffe's longing to be reunited with his wife is a very good subplot. The two exchanged letters, which still exist and where used in the novel.
(view spoiler)
Currantly reading Nelson DeMille's latest John Corey novel
This a police procedural novel based on a series unsolved murders on Long Island.
Over 100 pages left to finish The Black Prism. Interesting read.
I recently finished another Suzanna Gregory novel (#11). I continue to enjoy Matthew’s quandaries and Michael’s shenanigans! A bit sad at the ending of this one, however.
Listening to the audiobook of "Son of York" by Amy Licence. I like it so far because most books that I have read surrounding the Wars of the Roses focus on what happens after Edward becomes king. In this book, Richard, Duke of York and his son Edmund are still alive. Edward is not yet a man, and Henry VI is still King.
Reading A ROOSTER FOR ASKLEPIOS by Christopher D Stanley. Truly enjoying it!
I finished my Sharpe series re-read, and that was so much fun! I actually enjoyed Sharpe's Assassin even more the second time around :)
Ryana wrote: "Listening to the audiobook of "Son of York" by Amy Licence. I like it so far because most books that I have read surrounding the Wars of the Roses focus on what happens after Edward becomes king. I..."Just added
to my tbr. Thank you.
Been reading "A Walk with Love and Death" by Hans Koning. It's a short read, but has been a wonderful adventure! It takes place 10 years after the Great Mortality, following the protagonist on his quest to leave France for England. He encounters peasant uprisings, vagabonds, and falls in love. I'm anxious to see how this ends up.What have YOU been reading in this wonderful genre?
I am reading Feast of Sorrow
by Crystal King. set in 1st century CE ancient Rome. Very good so far. Love all the talk of cooking so many years ago.
Started Nights of Plague / Orhan Pamuk. Good so far. Plague on Mediterranean island investigated also a murder. Set in Ottoman Empire, in 1901.
I forgot to post about one in this thread. Shame on me! I read "The Wall" by Douglas Jackson a couple of weeks ago. It dealt with Hadrian's Wall around 400 AD. I enjoyed it! Even though I'm on the Desktop version of GR, via Firefox on my Kindle Fire, the ability to link a book seems to have disappeared.
And now I can add book links again. Ridiculous. Here's the link for Douglas Jackson's book: The Wall.
Michelle wrote: "And now I can add book links again. Ridiculous. Here's the link for Douglas Jackson's book: The Wall."The book links come and go. I know, it's annoying.
Jane wrote: "Michelle wrote: "And now I can add book links again. Ridiculous. Here's the link for Douglas Jackson's book: The Wall."The book links come and go. I know, it's annoying."
Isn't it, though?
I just finished Susanna Gregory's latest Thomas Chaloner
Interesting and fun read - set in the summer of 1666 and all that entails (just prior to the great fire, a break out of the plague, a war with the Dutch that is not going well)
As far a I can tell, the history is solid (as with all of her books) and the mystery is interesting. The back drop is a shortage of eggs and the machinations of the egg monopoly to keep the price high. Also going on in the background is a great party some of the courtiers are planning for the King, that will use lots and lots of eggs.
Solid four star read
also posted in the historical mystery thread
I'm currently reading Dan Jones's first novel
In this novel, Mr. Jones follows a small company of men in Edward III's army from the landing in Normandy through to the climatic battle of Crecy.
I also recently finished a non fiction history that some here might enjoy
This is by Lady DI's brother Charles. In this tome he looks at Henry I's reign and what the effects of the death of his only legitimate son and heir had on English history.
I first heard about the "White Ship" in a Nat Geo article years and years ago ('60s or '70s). For those who don't know, Henry was William the Conqueror youngest son and took took the throne of England when his older brother, William II died unexpectedly in a hunting accident. While Henry had lots and lots (at least 22) illegitimate children, he had only 2 - a son and a daughter - with his wife and queen.
His son died in a ship wreck and Henry never had any more legit children. He was concerned with the succession and tries to get his nobles to recognize his daughter as his heir. They all agreed to it, until he died and then they wanted nothing to do with a queen as ruler, so they picked a nephew of Henry's to succeed him. This set of a civil war the eventually let to Matilda's son taking the throne as Henry II ( you might know him as the King in the movie Becket or Lion in Winter)
Interesting read, but the title is a bit of a misnomer - there are only a few pages on the ship wreck itself, this is more about Henry I rise to power and his reign than about a shipwreck in 1120, Henry lived another 20 years after the death of his heir.
Reading Ben Kane’s CRUSADER, book 2 in his Lionheart series. Engaging!!
I really liked the series - I hope you do also
Happy, we are reading this series at your recommendation. Loved LIONHEART. Then waited for CRUSADER to be published in paperback. Bill is already looking forward to the 3rd!!
Musahi by a name I cannot spell. I decided to read this because Mr. Colin Falconer had read it. it fits in with James Clavell's Shogun. I cannot recall ever studying Japanese history so I took the Wi
I'm reading the latest, (#13?), in Anthony Riches' series about the Roman legions: Storm of War. One character that I really liked was just killed. I hate that!!
I'm about halfway through War Lord, and I have to tell you that I'm really going to be upset if both Uhtred and Finan aren't alive & well at the end of this book :)
I just finished another Charles Spencer Book
Recently I've read a couple of books on the "Regicides" who escaped to New England. However, this one looks at the fate of all 80 or so men who were directly envolved in Charles I's execution. The basic story is that Charles II pardoned everyone who had supported Parliament during the Civil Wars except those 80 or so men - those he wanted very, very dead, by a traitors death. I.E. Hanging, drawing, beheading and quartering.
In telling the process of D-Qing, Mr. Spencer explains some of the symbolism behind each step. It wasn't just to be a painful drawn (pun intended) out death.
If anyone cares - my thoughts
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finshed The Mistletoe and the Sword: A Story of Roman Britain
by Anya Seton. 3 stars out of 5. Anya Seton is won of our early HF writers, this book was first published in 1955. I have read many of her other books and liked them a lot. This one I felt was rushed it is only 253 pages and it jumps from month to month quickly with out a lot of filler. It is set in 60 AD Englad with Rome invading. The writing is lovely, clear and crisp.
Just started
Aaka, ein Pharao zum Verlieben: Vier phantastische GeschichtenThese are four short stories. All are fantasy, from his own bits and pieces. I hope they'll be as good as his Pomponius mystery series, which I really enjoyed. This particular author's German is not hard to read.
Currently reading Son of Ishtar by Gordon Doherty
by Mercedes Rochelle. About the Peasant's Revolt under Richard II, and the nobility overthrowing his chosen advisors/ favourites
I've finally discovered Robert McCammon's Matthew Corbett series, and it's terrific! It's a mishmash of HF, Mystery, Thriller and Horror. I'm not a fan of horror, but this series has definitely grabbed my attention!
Hello everyone! I’ve been gone a long time - that’s because my e-phone got screwed over. Just found my way back here. Yes, I must get a lap top computer. Will work on that. So glad I’ve found you again!
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
M*A*S*H: A Novel About Three Army Doctors (other topics)A Court of Betrayal (other topics)
Imperium (other topics)
The Handfasted Wife (other topics)
The Swan-Daughter (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Harris (other topics)Carol McGrath (other topics)
Carol McGrath (other topics)
Carol McGrath (other topics)
Ken Follett (other topics)
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Ian Mortimer's 4th Time Traveler's Guide
This one looks at life England/Britain between 1789-1830. As with the others, Dr. Mortimer covers all aspects of life - from birth to death. What people ate, how the made their living, who/what they worshipped, who they married or didn't marry, how class affected their lives etc. Really good if one wants to know how people lived in the time frame - shaping up to be a solid 4 star read
The other is a biography of the "Black Prince", Edward III, eldest son, name sake and heir and the victor of Portiers in 1356. The author says he was one of the great commanders of the era