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 2551: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments It's very short, written for the layman, and it's not difficult to absorb the information. In fact, when I finish, I may reread it.

The Day of the Barbarians The Battle That Led to the Fall of the Roman Empire by Alessandro Barbero by Alessandro Barbero


message 2552: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Brothers on the Run: Fleeing Hitler, Fighting Franco
I finished the book yesterday and have struggled with my review getting the final draft done and posted today. I started Call Sign, White Lily today. Thank you, Anne, for your finds.


message 2553: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments I couldn't finish 1356 (The Grail Quest, #4) by Bernard Cornwell
Thought it was awful and gave it 2 stars.

On to The Oath (Knights Templar, #29) by Michael Jecks
which I had to put aside after the first 20 pages for the group read. Good to be back with it. Good writing.


message 2554: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I read 1356. I don't remember what I gave it, but I can't remember a thing about it.


message 2555: by Bryn (new)

Bryn Hammond (brynhammond) | 1505 comments Jane, you gave it two stars. :) As a friend I can see. No text.


message 2556: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Thanks, Bryn. Well, it sure made no impression on me and I guess I had no opinion.


message 2557: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments That's funny! It did not even leave an impression on you! :D
That is a very bad sign.

To be honest. It left no impression on me either (the half a book I read before giving up that is). There are so many high quality HF writers out there now. And many of those authors leave 1356 in the shade. I cannot be stuck in a book I can't stand while there are so many others waiting inline to be read.


message 2558: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Magdeburg and really enjoying the simultaneous stories in it. Takes place in Germany in the 1600's.


message 2559: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Bobby wrote: "Magdeburg and really enjoying the simultaneous stories in it. Takes place in Germany in the 1600's."


Ah yes, I recall this book name being bandied about when we were reading The Hangman's Daughter.
Good to see you are enjoying it, Bobby.


message 2560: by Mark (new)

Mark | 1885 comments The Iron Wyrm Affair (Bannon & Clare, #1) by Lilith Saintcrow historical Steampunk


message 2561: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Mark wrote: "The Iron Wyrm Affair (Bannon & Clare, #1) by Lilith Saintcrow historical Steampunk"

I rather liked this one. It's like a steampunk Sherlock Holmes story. Kinda fun. :)


message 2562: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I've been reading Brother Cadfael A Morbid Taste for Bones and lots of Agatha Christie lately.

I've just started Shakespeare's Rebel by C.C. Humphreys Shakespeare's Rebel. No opinion on it so far.
Also Kraken by China Miéville Kraken which I am really enjoying.


message 2563: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Let us know what you thought if Shakespeare's Rebel when you do formulate a response, Dawn. I am interested to hear it.


message 2564: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) I have to get a few more chapters in, it's still setting up the story and I haven't got a feel for it yet. I'll let you know what I think as soon as I have an opinion. :)


message 2565: by Jane (last edited Jun 24, 2013 03:19PM) (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I just started Across the Waters of Time Pliny Remembered by Ken Parejko

Pliny the Elder is looking back over his life... it is good so far.I know this is a historical novel, but, looking Pliny up in the encyclopedia, I never realized he had such a full life. Across the Waters of Time: Pliny Remembered


message 2566: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (last edited Jun 24, 2013 03:25PM) (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Hi Jane,
That name Pliny jogged a memory. I thought..who's Pliny, why does that sound so familiar. And then I remembered. The two Pliny's witnessed the Vesuvius eruption. :-)
Love it when I remember stuff. I swear I forget more than I remember!


message 2567: by Jane (last edited Jun 24, 2013 03:40PM) (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Yes, I think that's probably the connection for most people. If I remember right, the kind of eruption of Vesuvius that day has been given the name 'Plinian' from the nephew's [the Younger's] description.


message 2568: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments They were in the book. Pliny the Elder played a fairly prominent role. They (view spoiler)


message 2569: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Isn't Pliny the younger also remembered for asking Hadrian, "What do you want me to do with the Christains?" or words to that effect in about 120, and Hadrians response was basically - Leave them alone, unless they do something extraordinary.


message 2570: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Not sure. My Pliny knowledge is limited. :)


message 2571: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments happy, I think you're right except wasn't it Trajan not Hadrian?


message 2572: by happy (last edited Jun 24, 2013 10:05PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments @ Jane - you are probably right. My memory is getting fuzzy, age is creeeping up :)

To satisfy my curiosity, I looked it up. Here is wikipedia entry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_th...

Trajan answer was not leave them alone, but basically don't go looking for them, and if they are brought before you and won't recant, they must be punished (killed).


message 2573: by Chris (new)

Chris  | 419 comments Jane wrote: "Yes, I think that's probably the connection for most people. If I remember right, the kind of eruption of Vesuvius that day has been given the name 'Plinian' from the nephew's [the Younger's] desc..."

That's right Jane, he wrote two letters to Tacitus about the eruption, which are the only remaining eyewitness account of the eruption.


message 2574: by Linda (last edited Jun 29, 2013 03:31PM) (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Tread Softly on My Dreams I am still struggling with this book. I gave this author four stars for another of her books. I am 33% through the book, and I expected it to get interesting by this point. If I am at fault for failing to get into the book because my mind is elsewhere, I do not want to blame the author. Today is Tuesday. I thought it was Wednesday until one of my swim partners set me straight. That suggests that the fault is mine rather than the author's. I cannot find a low review of this book. That settles the matter.


message 2575: by Nate (new)

Nate | 416 comments Just started The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great. I've always been interested in the guy but I've never read any fiction about him. I'd be curious to hear about anyone's experiences with any.


message 2576: by Darcy (last edited Jun 27, 2013 05:40AM) (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments We had a group read about this book last August that you could add your thoughts to (and read what we thought)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

I liked the novel, but I had seen Oliver Stone's Alexander which was heavily influenced by the book. So, if you get the sense you've experienced a certain scene before, that would be why.

I believe some people felt there was a better sense of Alexander as a person in Pressfield's other book about him, The Afghan Campaign but I've not read it.


message 2577: by Nate (new)

Nate | 416 comments Thank you, Darcy. I'll do that. Kinda sad I missed out on it but at least there's that :) I haven't seen the Stone film, which is odd because I usually really like his stuff. Maybe that'll help my enjoyment of the book, though.


message 2578: by Darcy (last edited Jun 28, 2013 05:22AM) (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments Nate wrote: "Thank you, Darcy. I'll do that. Kinda sad I missed out on it but at least there's that :) I haven't seen the Stone film, which is odd because I usually really like his stuff. Maybe that'll help my ..."

I wouldn't be in a hurry to get it. Enjoy the book first imho. :)


message 2579: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Yes, get to the book first. The film later. That is my rec too. :)


message 2580: by Jaime (new)

Jaime (goodreadsjaime_contreras) | 38 comments I am reading Petrus Romanus and enjoying every page of it.


message 2581: by Nate (new)

Nate | 416 comments I'll do that :) I absolutely can't stand Colin Farrell so it won't be a problem.


message 2582: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Jaime wrote: "I am reading Petrus Romanus and enjoying every page of it."

Is that this one, Jaime?
Petrus Romanus, The Final Pope is Here


message 2583: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Nate wrote: "I'll do that :) I absolutely can't stand Colin Farrell so it won't be a problem."

Join the club. I can't stand him either. I do not think I have enjoyed him in a single movie.

Jared Leto was hot in Alexander though. He made it worth watching. :)


message 2584: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments I wasn't a fan of Farrell's until he did In Bruges. I agree about Leto. It's kind of interesting to see what some of the guys who played Alexander's buddies are doing now.


message 2585: by Nate (new)

Nate | 416 comments I did like In Bruges but not enough to cross him from my "I hate that guy" list. Really, Terri? Leto? I thought you were more of a manly-guy-liker ;)


message 2586: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Nate wrote: "I did like In Bruges but not enough to cross him from my "I hate that guy" list. Really, Terri? Leto? I thought you were more of a manly-guy-liker ;)"

Nope. I mean,okay, yes, manly guys are fine, but I like pretty men more. :)


message 2587: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Oh and I agree, In Bruges. I forgot about that one. I think that is the only thing I did not mind Farrell in too.


message 2588: by Jaime (new)

Jaime (goodreadsjaime_contreras) | 38 comments Yes, it is. It will challenge many established notions one may have of the Catholic Church.


message 2589: by Tim (new)

Tim Hodkinson (timhodkinson) | 577 comments Terri wrote: "Nate wrote: "I'll do that :) I absolutely can't stand Colin Farrell so it won't be a problem."

Join the club. I can't stand him either. I do not think I have enjoyed him in a single movie.

Jared ..."


I find it very hard to warm towards the man as well, though i recently watched an interview with him on the flight from Ireland to the USa and realised he has some hidden depths (as well as his own crosses to bear). Though he annoyed me in it in equal measure. He wasn't bad in "Epic".


message 2590: by Bobby (last edited Jun 29, 2013 01:05PM) (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments I'm not a huge fan but I did really like http://www.imdb.com/media/rm248738995... My girls loved it.


message 2591: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments Ondine was also quite good.


message 2592: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Started City of Silence this am. Has anyone in the group read it? Need feedback from someone other than reviewers.

Tread Softly on My Dreams turned out to be a good book.


message 2593: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments STILL LIFE by Michael Montoure ( no 'add book/author available ) just came in. Starting to read. THANK YOU, MICHAEL!


message 2594: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Linda wrote: "Started City of Silence this am. Has anyone in the group read it? Need feedback from someone other than reviewers.

"



Don't know the series. Have you read the first two in the series, Linda?


message 2595: by Linda (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments City of Silenceby Kim Wright. No, I haven't read the other books in the series. This book was free or 99¢ via Anne, I believe. I will go back to it when I finish Michael Montoure's STILL LIFE. If anyone gets the offer to read this pre-publication book, do so. It isn't historical fiction, but he knows his vampires! Really, he is a talented writer. STILL LIFE is a book, not a collection of short stories.
COS: The way a writer's words appear on the page makes a big difference in its readability. ' rather than " makes a big difference. A quote starting in mid-paragraph is easily missed if ' is used. My COS should be in Random Thoughts. Fogive me?


message 2596: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Wow, this almost never happens....I've only got 1 book in currently reading!

Benefits of this is that I got to spend a few hours deciding on the next bunch......I've picked out
Nefertiti by Michelle Moran Nefertiti, The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Rose Rent (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #13) by Ellis Peters The Rose Rent, The Jackal of Nar (Tyrants and Kings, #1) by John Marco The Jackal of Nar and Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters


message 2597: by Darcy (last edited Jun 30, 2013 09:24PM) (new)


message 2598: by Bobby (new)


message 2599: by Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd (new)

Terri | 19576 comments Trying to finish The Oath (Knights Templar, #29) by Michael Jecks (can't find any reading time)

Want to start Wounds of Honour (Empire, #1) by Anthony Riches in the next few days.


message 2600: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Bobby wrote: "Semper Fidelis (Gaius Petreius Ruso, #5) by Ruth Downie"

I think you will enjoy it - I know I did


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