Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
General Discussions
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What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)
Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West and Leonidas and the Kings of Sparta: Mightiest Warriors, Fairest Kingdom
I finished my book on Elizabeth of York, Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her WorldNow I can join all of you who are reading Cornwell's
- It's on a two week check out from the library, but is shouldn't take that long :)
Finished The Gods of Guilt last night and started Hawk Quest this morning. Just over 100 pages in and finding it very good so far.
I just joined the group today. In my younger days I read all the books about English historian figures our libray held. I forgot how much fun it was for me reading history novels. My husband read all Conn Iggulden books and this group is inspiring me to start reading this genre again. Tnx.
Welcome Jeannette Any particular era that your are interested in?
I always had a soft spot for the middleages in England. I would like to expand that to mainland Europe. Since my travel China (in 2001) I am also interested in Asian (djengis Khan, the Chinese and Japanese emperors) history.
Welcome Jeannette. I'm sure you will find a couple of people around who share you interest in Asian historical fiction. Mainland Europe is also pretty well covered off too. In short, you've come to the right place :)
Thank you, Darcy, for making me feel welcome. I am looking forward to see what new books this group comes up with. :)
Hi Jeannette. Welcome. :)
Started
The Sea Road / Margaret Elphinstone: Icelandic woman in the Viking Age travels with Eric the Red to Greenland, then Vinland. This is her story.
That is one I will get to one day. Will be watching for your thoughts, Jane.
I'm enjoying both Simon Scarrow and Manda Scott so have started the next books in both series.
The Eagle in the Sand and
Rome: The Eagle of the TwelfthI'm listening to two books as well, an Amelia Peabody book
The Snake, the Crocodile & the Dog and
The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith which is quite interesting. I've been meaning to read more on the Mormon religion since the nice missionary boys came to the door but it took me a little while to find a book that was impartial.
Dawn wrote: "... The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith which is quite interesting. I've been meaning to read more on the Mormon religion since the nice missionary boys came to the door but it took me a little while to find a book that was impartial. "
Personally I thought it was a pretty good look at Mormonism
When you finish that one and if you are still interested
Jan Shipps's
is also pretty good.
twelvejan wrote: "Hey Dawn, saw that you're reading M.C. Scott's Rome series. I'm a total sucker for ancient Rome historical fiction. Will definitely give this a go!"I really didn't like Roman Empire historical fiction, but this one won me over. Enjoy!
Thanks happy. I think I will be interested still, it's quite a fascinating religion. I'm planning on a very short visit to Salt Lake City in June too, so this will help with some context for the place.
twelvejan, I like Roman history too. The M.C. Scott series has been quite popular around here. I loved the first book but found the second only good. It lost my interest for the last third of the book.
Have you read all four of the series Darcy?? The last 2 seem to go off with a different character......are they still good??
I thought #3 was great; #4 was good but nothing outstanding. I never read #1 or #2. Maybe someday...
What you thought of 3 and 4, I thought of 1 and 2 respectively. I have four days off this weekend so I should be able to power through book three and see what I think.
Dawn wrote: "What you thought of 3 and 4, I thought of 1 and 2 respectively. I have four days off this weekend so I should be able to power through book three and see what I think."Let me know what you think, Dawn.
Dawn wrote: "Have you read all four of the series Darcy?? The last 2 seem to go off with a different character......are they still good??"In my opinion #3 is the best of the lot. Number 4 is another approach, but you'll get back to more of the usual characters and is, I think as good as #1, #2 wasa the weakest in my opinion.
The third book is a step back to provide a history of what is going on while #1 & #2 are happening - we get back to the usual suspects at the end ;)
Darcy wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Have you read all four of the series Darcy?? The last 2 seem to go off with a different character......are they still good??"In my opinion #3 is the best of the lot. Number 4 is anot..."
So, I can assume with my taste, #1 & #4 equally good, but not great?
That's how I'd describe it yes. The first one is very good - gets you into the series. Number 4 could never live up to #3, so it rates like #1.
That's good to know because I found #2 very disappointing after #1.
twelvejan wrote: "Hey Dawn, saw that you're reading M.C. Scott's Rome series. I'm a total sucker for ancient Rome historical fiction. Will definitely give this a go!"Great series, in my opinion. I don't even like Roman HF and I love this series by M.C. Scott
Dawn wrote: "Thanks happy. I think I will be interested still, it's quite a fascinating religion. I'm planning on a very short visit to Salt Lake City in June too, so this will help with some context for the p..."
We do have our quirks :D
Any particular reason you'll be in town? - or just vacationing :)
I finished and reviewed Lady Justice Takes A C.R.A.P. City Retiree Action Patrol by Robert Thornhill this morning. My review is on Goodreads. I will add the review to Amazon when my ASUS gets out of the ASUS Hospital. I have started Michael Jecks' The Leper's Return today.
The Lady Justice book sounds like the R.E.D. ( retired, extremely dangerous) films with Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren, among others. I think they are a lot if fun.
happy wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Any particular reason you'll be in town? - or just vacationing :) "Vacation, my sister and I are planning a road trip to Yellowstone and thought we could fit in a day trip down to Salt Lake. I love architecture and want to see Temple Square, even though I'm disappointed that I can't go in the Temple.
Just trekked out to the mailbox and there was a book I won:
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great / Eva Stachniak. It looks fascinating! I'll start it when I've finished my 'currently reading'.I also want to reread
/ Eleanor Fairburn. Maybe I can review it this time...
Winners are grinners. :]
Bryn wrote: "I'm also reading Salammbô. Hard to have an opinion yet, if ever. But I'm enjoying it."Bryn, did you ever see that movie I mentioned to you once: Cabiria--the 1914 movie? Salammbo and Cabiria reminded me of each other. Gabriele D'Annunzio wrote the script.
@Jane. A little of it, Jane. :) I haven't much patience to watch anything on my laptop screen, that's why I jumped through it.
Jane wrote: "Just trekked out to the mailbox and there was a book I won: The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great..."I was wondering if that was you that won the other Catherine novel. I haven't received mine yet. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Bryn wrote: "Losers are boozers."hahaha. ;)
I am reading BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel and am finding it just as riveting as Wolf Hall!
Time period doesn't especially interest me for these two so I will try
A Place of Greater Safety to get some idea of her style.
Finished The Pagan LordExcellent - Much better than the previous chapter of the series - 4+ stars
Currently reading a NON FICTION account of the Indian Mutiny
I'll definitely be seeking out more Abercrombie after reading this. If it gets even better, I'll be a happy man. :)
Yer not wrong there yous too! quality is JoeJus finished Pagan lord meself, i did a review of which i think i'm in the minority, not totally sold on it in truth.
Terri wrote: "That is one I will get to one day. Will be watching for your thoughts, Jane."Don't bother, or put it low on your priority list. Well, you may like it better than I; it is about the Viking Age. I gave it 3*** [more like 2.5].
twelvejan wrote: "I just finished 
. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this. So good."Good news! :)
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Since you read Hound at the same time as me, ..."
I sort of remember that as well but here was my overall review that gives me hope Hawk will be a fun ride.
Done and done...and so glad I stuck with it. A solid four. If I hadn't been disappointed at the beginning this could have been a possible rare 5 star. The last 200 pages made the tale unputdownable!! The relationship that developed between Cuchullain and Leary was priceless. Maeve was wonderfully evil and the most pitiful charcter of all had to be Ailell. He had to be married to Maeve and he was the only person that seemed to at least make attempts at keeping the peace, albeit in futility. Writings and stories like this, created over the centuries the legends that we still retell with awe and marvel. George Green would have made the perfect bard in ages past...and apparently serves that purpose in the busy world of today!!