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 1751: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments I've just started The Straw Men


message 1752: by Anne (new)

Anne (spartandax) | 797 comments John wrote: "Am in a pickle right now, trying to pick my next book and spoiled for choice.
I really like a good long book, 600 pages plus if possible, l read way to fast and get though shorter ones to quickly.
..."

For years I have read very quickly. But lately, anything over 600 pages looks daunting-LOL. So many people get credit now for short stories, Novellas, etc. I have only read a couple in my whole life. when I read a book it is usually at least 300 pages.


message 1753: by Elaine (new)

Elaine Smith | 17 comments Margaret wrote: "I'm still struggling with The Monk *sigh*"

I used to do that but no longer will. Life's too short and there are too many books waiting to entice me.


message 1754: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Elaine wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I'm still struggling with The Monk *sigh*"

I used to do that but no longer will. Life's too short and there are too many books waiting to entice me."


I usually don't either, but this year I am doing the reading challenge. I don't want to artificially inflate the figures by including books I haven't completed.


message 1755: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments If I am struggling with a book I will give it away too. I haven't had to do any this year so far (I don't think).


message 1756: by Chris (new)

Chris  | 419 comments John wrote: "Am in a pickle right now, trying to pick my next book and spoiled for choice.
I really like a good long book, 600 pages plus if possible, l read way to fast and get though shorter ones to quickly.
..."


If you are interested in Alexander the Great or writer Christian Cameron John, then you could do a lot worse then the one Bryn mentions God of War: The Epic Story of Alexander the Great. I think it is about 700 pages from memory and I gave it 5 stars.


message 1757: by Crystal (new)

Crystal Bryan | 305 comments Reading Sarum: The Novel of England right now and up next is Ribbon of Love.


message 1758: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Speaking of Cameron.....he has a new author photo that I thought was pretty nice: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...


message 1759: by Chris (new)

Chris  | 419 comments Yep I'd love his armour. Who says dress-ups are only for girls?


message 1760: by John (new)

John Phillips | 63 comments Chris F wrote: "John wrote: "Am in a pickle right now, trying to pick my next book and spoiled for choice.
I really like a good long book, 600 pages plus if possible, l read way to fast and get though shorter ones..."

Thanks mate, will check it out.


message 1761: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments Crystal wrote: "Reading Sarum: The Novel of England right now and up next is Ribbon of Love."

I started Sarum in 2007 and am only about 1/2 way through. I love the book, but found once we got to medieval times I cared less about the characters.


message 1762: by Crystal (new)

Crystal Bryan | 305 comments I can understand that, D. I'm finding the same thing.


message 1763: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I liked the first couple stories in Sarum, but after that it was not for me. I only gave it 1 star.


message 1764: by Bryn (new)

Bryn Hammond (brynhammond) | 1505 comments I need to be engrossed in a book and 'God of War' doesn't do that for me. I'm 200p into Sovereign, which is a quick read for its 600p -- for a start there's about half as much on a page as 'God of War'. I'm not a mystery person, as I knew and know over again, but I expect I like this as much as I'm going to like a mystery.


message 1765: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments They definitely are quick reads those Sansom books despite their 600+ pages. (although sometimes it doesn't seem that way - it took me far too long to finish Revelation).


message 1766: by Carol (new)

Carol (ladygyn) | 304 comments If you liked the Sansom books you might like to look at either the books by Rory ClementsRory Clements and James ForresterJames Forrester


message 1767: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I have just finished Pride of Carthage

The whole novel was fascinating and I learned something of that time period and the Punic Wars. I liked best the character, the common soldier, Imco Vaca, and his feelings and reactions to the battles. The whole subplot involving his love affair was a bit outlandish and I didn't see the point.


message 1768: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Pleased to see you liked the book, Jane. I enjoyed it immensely. :)


message 1769: by Jane (last edited Feb 12, 2013 08:11AM) (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Ancient Rome [exluding much of the Julio-Claudian period] is still my favorite period, although I do try to branch out into other times and places. Gaius Petreius Ruso in Medicus began my interest. Maybe it was fortuitous the author only has a very few books in this series, so I was forced to seek other books.


message 1770: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments Agincourt The King, The Campaign, The Battle by Juliet Barker just got this today for light reading.


message 1771: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments I'm taking a break from Dunnett and starting on the opposite end of the spectrum when approaching historical fiction; Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser.


message 1772: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I've started my 2nd Jan de Hartog novel The Captain by Jan de Hartog It's great so far; I'm about 1/3 through!! It's the fictionalization of the story of a Dutch tugboat captain on the Murmansk Convoy run in WWII. De Hartog himself had been to sea in the Dutch Merchant Marine, and he used some of his experiences in all of his sea novels. I can feel the authenticity.
The Centurion which I've read previously and really enjoyed, was about the same Captain Harinxma.


message 1773: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I am just devouring the books this weekend (I scored 4 days off!), I've finished:
The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller The Return of Captain John Emmett,
Villette by Charlotte Brontë Villette,
The Wandering Arm (Catherine LeVendeur, #3) by Sharan Newman The Wandering Arm,
The Blockade Runners by Jules Verne The Blockade Runners and
Day after Tomorrow by Robert A. Heinlein Day after Tomorrow


message 1774: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments D wrote: "I'm taking a break from Dunnett and starting on the opposite end of the spectrum when approaching historical fiction; Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser."

I will be intrigued to hear what you think of Flashman. I have heard much bad and much good.


message 1775: by Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila (new)

Margaret (margyw) | 3341 comments Terri wrote: "D wrote: "I'm taking a break from Dunnett and starting on the opposite end of the spectrum when approaching historical fiction; Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser."

I will be intrigued to hear wh..."


I was never able to get into Flashman. I tried.


message 1776: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Many people have said the same.


message 1777: by Bryn (new)

Bryn Hammond (brynhammond) | 1505 comments Attila 2 arrived today: that's Attila: The Gathering Of The Storm, the follow-up to our group read. I'll dive in at once.


message 1778: by Damona (new)

Damona (darlingdamona) | 3 comments I just finished reading Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach. I was rather disappointed. I wasn't expecting the religious part (I downloaded it free from Amazon awhile ago), but it was ok, not overdone. The book just kind of... ran to the ridiculous after awhile. The history part was beautifully done, and I'm sad that I couldn't get into the story very much. Has anyone else read it? What did you think?


message 1779: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Margaret wrote: "Terri wrote: "D wrote: "I'm taking a break from Dunnett and starting on the opposite end of the spectrum when approaching historical fiction; Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser."

I will be intrig..."


Flashman doesn't even sound interesting.


message 1780: by John (new)

John Phillips | 63 comments l need to re-read the Flashman books, tried them in my teens and did not like , but as l get older am more drawn to the anti-hero.


message 1781: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments I am familiar with MacDonald Fraser's writing style having read The Reavers so, I understand he's not for everyone. So far I'm enjoying it; but if someone is really put-off by crass, self-absorbed, narcissistic rakes with a penchant for being in the right places at the right times in history, then probably giving this author a wide berth is best. He's not given to flowery prose, but I think, and perhaps I'm wrong, he captures well the stereotypical masculine attitude of the time in an honest yet tongue-in-cheek manner.


message 1782: by Anne (new)

Anne (spartandax) | 797 comments Two Graves (Pendergast, #12) by Douglas Preston By two of my favorite authors who write as a pair and also separately. This is the newest in the Pendergast series and I am about 1/2 done and it is definitely up to their usual standards.


message 1783: by Gentian (new)

Gentian | 41 comments I love Flashman. The character is deliciously repugnant (to his credit he knows his flaws) and the historical setting well researched. The problem with the later books is that the author can't help making the character more agreeable which is a shame.

That said Flashman will always be my favourite cad and bounder.


message 1784: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Damona wrote: "I just finished reading Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach. I was rather disappointed. I wasn't expecting the religious part (I downloaded it free from Amazon awhile ago), but it was ok, not o..."

Don't know this one, Damona. Sounds like it isn't something I will race out and read. :-)


message 1785: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I have started the group read: Attila

I am impressed so far (20 pages in).


message 1786: by Nate (new)

Nate | 416 comments Some of the quotes from the Flashman books are seriously mean-spiritedly hilarious.


message 1787: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Feb 13, 2013 06:01PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Oh boy. I don't do mean spirited or mean spirited just for laughs. :/
A friend who's opinion I value highly warned me off the Flashman books. Maybe this is why.


message 1788: by Lia (new)

Lia (lia_mb) | 638 comments For my Historical Fictions time I currently devouring Conn Iggulden Genghis Series.
Finished Genghis: Birth of an Empire, just starting Genghis: Lords of the Bow, and Genghis: Bones of the Hills waiting patiently in my bag.


message 1789: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Lia wrote: "For my Historical Fictions time I currently devouring Conn Iggulden Genghis Series.
Finished Genghis: Birth of an Empire, just starting Genghis: Lords of the Bow, and Genghis: Bones of the Hills w..."


Enjoy...love Conn Iggulden's writing!!


message 1790: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I liked the first two in that series and then both struggled to like and deeply disliked, some of the others in the series.
But most people enjoy them all, so I have no doubt you'll like them, Lia. :)


message 1791: by Lia (new)

Lia (lia_mb) | 638 comments Bobby wrote: "Lia wrote: "For my Historical Fictions time I currently devouring Conn Iggulden Genghis Series.
Finished Genghis: Birth of an Empire, just starting Genghis: Lords of the Bow, and Genghis: Bones of..."


Thank you, I really like his writing so far.


message 1792: by Lia (new)

Lia (lia_mb) | 638 comments Terri wrote: "I liked the first two in that series and then both struggled to like and deeply disliked, some of the others in the series.
But most people enjoy them all, so I have no doubt you'll like them, Lia. :)"


I probably will end up reading the whole series... But now I am torn between past and future because I also currently reading Arthur C. Clarke Odyssey series... (greedy me)


message 1793: by Monica (new)

Monica Davis Just finished The Alehouse Murders. A good old fashioned "Whodunnit?" Very quick read, nothing too deep...kept me guessing (and changing my mind on who the real culprit could be). I'm off to start the second of the series: Death of a Squire.

Curious to know if anyone has read Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades? In her author's notes, Maureen Ash names this book as her basis for information on the Knights Templar.


message 1794: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I haven't read that Dungeon, Fire and Sword one.


message 1795: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments The Butterfly Forestby Tom Lowe is the book I started last might. It was a free book Amazon. It is not historical fiction, but a good mystery. This is the second book by this author that I have read. Most of the readers I follow read historical fiction and mystery/thrillers. The reading pattern cleanses the palate(sp). There has to be a spell check on this Nook, but I cannot find it.


message 1796: by Rick (new)

Rick | 16 comments Lia wrote: "For my Historical Fictions time I currently devouring Conn Iggulden Genghis Series.
Finished Genghis: Birth of an Empire, just starting Genghis: Lords of the Bow, and Genghis: Bones of the Hills w..."


Super! Absolutely one of the best reads on Genghis.


message 1797: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Correction: started THE BUTTERFLY FORREST last night.


message 1798: by Betty (new)

Betty (betty30554) Terri wrote: "I liked the first couple stories in Sarum, but after that it was not for me. I only gave it 1 star."

Same here. I liked The Princes of Ireland much better.


message 1799: by John (new)

John Phillips | 63 comments Rick wrote: "Lia wrote: "For my Historical Fictions time I currently devouring Conn Iggulden Genghis Series.
Finished Genghis: Birth of an Empire, just starting Genghis: Lords of the Bow, and Genghis: Bones of..."
Agreed mate, awesome series of books.


message 1800: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Betty wrote: "Terri wrote: "I liked the first couple stories in Sarum, but after that it was not for me. I only gave it 1 star."

Same here. I liked The Princes of Ireland much better."

Yes, the earlier chapters were much more interesting. I felt the same about the author's
Russka: The Novel of Russia
also.


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