Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

2137 views
General Discussions > What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)

Comments Showing 2,401-2,450 of 10,106 (10106 new)    post a comment »

message 2401: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments I'm reading Rivka's War by Marilyn Oser Jews in WWI Russia and The Tudor Secret (The Spymaster Chronicles, #1) by C.W. Gortner which on the surface looks a romance but halfway in, just a light thriller.


message 2402: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I am trying to squeeze in The Lion at Bay (Kingdom Series, #2) by Robert Low The Lion at Bay before the Insurrection Group Read starts.


message 2403: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited May 25, 2013 02:31PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments No, not entirely new. Newish though. It is a trilogy (the one I am reading being book two) and the trilogy finishes with the one Robert released a couple weeks ago
The Lion Rampant (Kingdom Series, #3) by Robert Low The Lion Rampant

The trilogy started with The Lion Wakes


message 2404: by Chris (new)

Chris  | 419 comments Tried t get intoA Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara during the week, but couldn't, may be my mood as much as the book so may try another time. Now reading Caveat Emptor by Ruth Downie.


message 2405: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Reading an Olde English version of The Riverside Chaucer by Geoffrey Chaucer . I find that by reading out loud its an easy read. Trying to silently decipher is impossible.


message 2406: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Very popular author..


message 2407: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments Marina wrote: "Just started The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) by Joe Abercrombie.
And I thought I didn't like fantasy.... Turns out I just never read the right fantasy."


It's a fantastic book and the others are just as good.


message 2408: by Betty (new)

Betty (betty30554) The Moghul by Thomas Hoover


message 2409: by Nate (new)

Nate | 416 comments I've been waiting to read that Abercrombie forever. I've heard nothing but good things.


message 2410: by Simona (new)

Simona | 1453 comments Mark wrote: "It's a fantastic book and the others are just as good..."

I agree.


message 2411: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Reading Song at Dawn by Jean Gill and surprisingly interesting. Don't judge this book by it's cover.


message 2412: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments Marina wrote: "Mark wrote: "
It's a fantastic book and the others are just as good. "

I love it so far. Isn't it great, discovering "new" authors?"


To me Joe has has put fresh air into fantasy again with his style of writing.


message 2413: by Betty (new)

Betty (betty30554) Bobby wrote: "Reading Song at Dawn by Jean Gill and surprisingly interesting. Don't judge this book by it's cover."

I really enjoyed Song at Dawn. If I remember correctly, I gave it 4 stars and wrote a review. Since reading it, I have put Jean Gill on my "To Read" list.


message 2414: by Paula (new)

Paula Lofting (paulalofting) I've just started reading Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman and just finished reading Rome: The Emperor's spy Rome The Emperor's Spy (Rome, #1) by M.C. Scott and Three Kings - One Crown Three Kings - One Throne by Michael Wills

The Emperor's Spy was excellent an have reviewed it here
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Three Kings One Crown is not a book I would recommend unless you're more interested in reading Non-fiction with a bit of dialogue. It was supposed to be YA but i wasnt told this when i was asked to review it, but if i were a young person i think i would have fallen asleep a long time before the end.


message 2415: by Simona (new)

Simona | 1453 comments Mark wrote: "To me Joe has has put fresh air into fantasy again with his style of writing. "

Yes, it's definitely adult fantasy - not meaning sex but not princesses and unicorns either, thank you very much.


message 2416: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments @ Everyone: I recommend most highly Awen Powys/Mercia, Offa's Dyke, Canu Heledd, 793-796 Ad by Susan Mayse , which I read last fall and has become one of my favorite books. It's an unusual story: 700s clash between Kingdoms of Mercia and Powys, before the existence of an England and a Wales.


message 2417: by Ndf (new)

Ndf Betty wrote: "The Moghul by Thomas Hoover"

Ooh that looks interesting. I’m quite interested in India history and culture so I’ve added that to my reading list.

Thanks for mentioning that, I’m glad I poked my nose in here now!


message 2418: by Ndf (new)

Ndf I’m currently reading the Angus Donald series.

Just finished this one King's Man (The Outlaw Chronicles, #3) by Angus Donald and am now a quarter of the way through this one Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4) by Angus Donald and then I’ll have to wait for this one Grail Knight (The Outlaw Chronicles, #5) by Angus Donald to come out.

In the meantime I’ll move on this one The Blood of Gods (Emperor, #5) by Conn Iggulden which will finish the Emperor series and then hopefully this one Holy War (Saladin, #3) by Jack Hight which will finish a really excellent series on Saladin by Jack Hight.

After that I’m not sure, I have many HF book series in my reading queue.


message 2419: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Ndf wrote: "I’m currently reading the Angus Donald series.

Just finished this one King's Man (The Outlaw Chronicles, #3) by Angus Donald and am now a quarter of the way through this one Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4) by Angus Donald and then I’ll h..."


Oh boy Ndf. You are in trouible in here. Your to read pile is about to explode!!! Judging by those books you have read/currently reading/upcoming reading you have found the right group.
Every one of those books you show are talked about often in here.
We even did a group read of
Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1) by Angus Donald at the beginning of the year.


message 2420: by Anne (new)

Anne (spartandax) | 797 comments The Beggar King Started this Tues. night. without my computer I did not realize it was book 3 of the series. Oh, well-they seem to be pretty much stand alone. And I am loving it.


message 2421: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments I'm happy to hear that Anne. I have the 2nd and 3rd one as well waiting in queue, but it's always better when they can also be read as stand alones. I think it was Bryn who asked if they could be read out of order, so this might be helpful to her.

I'm currently reading Crossing the Wire: One Woman's Unlikely Journey to the Afghan War, and Her Surprising Revelations about the Dangers We Face and Ratcatcher.

Ratcatcher is such an easy read and fast paced book, I'm really liking it. The font is a bit larger than I would have liked but I'm willing to make the sacrifice.


message 2422: by Ndf (new)

Ndf Terri wrote: Oh boy Ndf. You are in trouible in here. Your to read pile is about to explode!!! Judging by those books you have read/currently reading/upcoming reading you have found the right group...."

Thanks Terri!

I feel right at home as I really do enjoy reading this style of historical fiction. I do try to mix it up between historical fiction and pure history as I'm interested in both.

The books I’ve listed on my read/to read list are somewhat misleading as I’m new here I’ve only put up the most recently read and near future reads. Suffice to say I’ve read virtually every single Bernard Cornwell book set in a historical setting and I haven’t even listed any of those yet!

I’m really looking forward to picking up some new authors and books to add to my to read list from this group.

So many books, so little time!


message 2423: by Ndf (last edited May 30, 2013 04:29PM) (new)

Ndf Darcy wrote: "Ratcatcher is such an easy read and fast paced book, I'm really liking it..."

Ratcatcher is a cracking little read, as you say, fast paced, easy to read and a lot of fun. I read it a year or so ago and really enjoyed it. I’ve got the next one in the series Resurrectionist in my to read queue, I’m just not sure when I’m going to get to it!

Highly recommended for fun reading.


message 2424: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments I've just ordered Resurrectionist and Rapscallion. I noticed the next two Rebellion andThe Blooding have completely different designs and that Ratcatcher is now being sold as Hawkwood


message 2425: by Bryn (new)

Bryn Hammond (brynhammond) | 1505 comments Darcy wrote: "I think it was Bryn who asked if they could be read out of order, so this might be helpful to her."

I did ask, Darcy, thanks. I'll crack open my number two, then.


message 2426: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited May 31, 2013 01:06AM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Darcy wrote: "I've just ordered Resurrectionist and Rapscallion. I noticed the next two Rebellion andThe Blooding have completely different designs and that Ratcatcher is now being sold as Hawkwood"

Hawkwood hey...maybe this is a title change on a US edition? Mayhaps he got a US deal. Good on him if he did.
This is the publisher of Hawkwood I think (Pegasus Crime is an arm of Pegasus Books). They are based in New Jersey if it is the same Pegasus Books.
http://www.pegasusbooks.net/about-us/


message 2427: by Darcy (last edited May 31, 2013 04:35AM) (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments Terri wrote: "Hawkwood hey...maybe this is a title change on a US edition? Mayhaps he got a US deal. Good on him if he did."

Good question, I'm not sure. I saw it on TDB, but that doesn't really mean anything. Oh, I see you already answered that haha

Congrats to him then!

ETA: He writes SAS novels too....*goes to research*


message 2428: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Does he? That's news *off to look too*


message 2429: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Sliding On The Snow Stone by Andy Szpuk. It was free from Amazon a few days ago. I am halfway through, and the book is excellent. The people of Ukraine were trapped between the Soviets and the Naziis during WWII. This is part of their story.


message 2430: by Jane (last edited Jun 01, 2013 09:59PM) (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I got an early start a few days ago and read this month's loser. A few thoughts...
Premise of Xenophon's mistress narrating the events of the Anabasis sounded promising. Very childishly written, except some descriptive parts here and there. I disliked the narrator's use of nicknames. I liked the descriptions of when the army was in Armenia/Kurdistan in the mountains amid the snowstorms. The narrator made it seem SHE influenced the events; any time there was a plot or treachery, SHE discovered it. SHE saved the day on many occasions. I disliked her; she seemed too full of herself. No wonder Xenophon finally dumped her and didn't mention her in his diary!!! :)
I did like Xenophon telling her some Greek mythology.
The ending seemed hurried and improbable; it seemed like the author was rushing to finish the book to make a deadline.
The book was nothing special.
Ford's The Ten Thousand was a much better fictional treatment--or Xenophon's Anabasis, the true account of what happened. I consider Manfredi's Spartan a much superior book, if you want to read Manfredi. The Ten Thousand A Novel of Ancient Greece by Michael Curtis Ford The Persian Expedition by Xenophon Spartan by Valerio Massimo Manfredi The Lost Army by Valerio Massimo Manfredi I gave Lost Army 2 Stars.


message 2431: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Thanks for the feedback, Jane.
I hope you don't mind, I will make a copy of your post and paste a double up to the era thread for The Lost Army. That is the kind of feedback members will not want lost in the What Are You Reading Now Thread. Your thoughts may help someone who is deciding on a Manfredi. Thankyou very much. :)


message 2432: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Terri, Of course I don't mind, good idea, I should have thought of it myself!
I copied it from my GR review and posted it late last night [when I probably should have been in bed. I was probably half asleep.:)] Spartan was the only Manfredi the library had. Libraries choose most of their collections from library magazine positive reviews. I put aside Lost Army to donate to the library monthly book sale; I don't want to reread it, even.


message 2433: by Gentian (new)

Gentian | 41 comments shadow of the wind The Shadow of the Wind it came highly recommended by two friends, completely independently on the same day.


message 2434: by Donna (last edited Jun 02, 2013 02:30PM) (new)


message 2435: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Finally started, Prophecy: Clash of Kings our Ancient Group Read.
Not far in. Like the start!


message 2436: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Gentian wrote: "shadow of the wind The Shadow of the Wind it came highly recommended by two friends, completely independently on the same day."

I really liked this one but was not enamoured of the sequels.


message 2437: by Paula (new)

Paula Lofting (paulalofting) Oh dear my TBR pile is going to go bust!


message 2438: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Paula wrote: "Oh dear my TBR pile is going to go bust!"

Only now??? That is taking longer than expected. ;)


message 2439: by Paula (new)

Paula Lofting (paulalofting) Terri wrote: "Paula wrote: "Oh dear my TBR pile is going to go bust!"

Only now??? That is taking longer than expected. ;)"


lol!I have high expectations. So many books - so little time! *crying face


message 2440: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) We have a solution for this right?? I recall something about early retirement and speed reading?? :D


message 2441: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Only problem with early retirement for me (and for me it would be called early, 'early' retirement, as I am a fair ways off the usual retirement age) would mean that I'd be off doing things everyday and wouldn't get much chance to read that way either. :-)


message 2442: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I could go with a 10 year hiatus. I think I could get pretty caught up then, even with new releases. :)


message 2443: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments 10 years paid leave. Wouldn't that be nice?


message 2444: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I would spend all my time traveling though. So not sure I would get enough reading done. :)


message 2445: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Jun 03, 2013 02:49PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments That would be my problem...although I do have pets, so strike that. I couldn't travel for very long. Just short trips and my doggies would go to their 'grandparents' to get doggysat, and those same 'grandparents' (my parents that is) would have to also run our farm while we are away...they would not be very happy if we were going away every couple weeks and lumping everything on them. Lol.
So lets go with a weeks holiday somewhere every 6 months for us over that 10 years. But every week we would be day tripping. To local areas. Cheese tasting, sight seeing etc..


message 2446: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, #1) by Diana Rowland

not historical but its a very good enjoyable read. also getting some very strange looks on the bus as people notice the cover and title. mind me chuckling every so often is not helping.;D


message 2447: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Mark wrote: "My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie, #1) by Diana Rowland

not historical but its a very good enjoyable read. also getting some very strange looks on the bus as people notice the cover and title. mind me..."


It is a great cover. They are probably just admiring it. :)


message 2448: by Beorn (last edited Jun 04, 2013 02:33AM) (new)

Beorn (bsceadugenga) I seem to be carry on my semi-tradition of having a fiction and non-fiction on the go at the same time namely
False God of Rome (Vespasian, #3) by Robert Fabbri
and
Eat Your Heart Out Who Really Decides What Ends Up on Your Plate? by Felicity Lawrence though the latter is dragging quite slowly as I'm too easily distracted by the fiction atm.


message 2449: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Just starting Jeff Shaara's new one on the Battle of Vicksburg

A Chain of Thunder A Novel of the Siege of Vicksburg by Jeff Shaara

(also posted in the ACW thread)


message 2450: by Bryn (new)

Bryn Hammond (brynhammond) | 1505 comments Finished Penthesilea: A Tragic Drama the other day, and most of the way through The Adventures of Sayf Ben Dhi Yazan: An Arab Folk Epic from the Mamluk age. Both heaps of fun, and pretty books.

Penthesilea A Tragic Drama by Heinrich von Kleist The Adventures of Sayf Ben Dhi Yazan An Arab Folk Epic by Lena Jayyusi


back to top