Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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JUNE 2012 (Group Read 1): Rome : The Emperor's Spy by Manda Scott
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I'm still right into The Emperor's Spy. The chariot racing was well done. I felt like I was there watching it. Go green team!
Didn't get much reading done last night. Was sleepy *yawn*.
I gotta get a move on so I can read Inquisition.
I too am really enjoying this novel. The characters are interesting and I feel transported to the time.
It definitely is transportive. She is a special writer.
I finished this last night. I rated it 4 star.I really think that reading the previous series would have been useful. I felt that I was missing out on quite of bit of the back story and while the book was good enough without it, it feels like I've missed part of the story.
And thank goodness for the historical note at the end. I spent most of the book trying to figure out which biblical characters she was portraying as who........
Well I'll look forward to that historical note, because I haven't even picked up on anything biblical or Jesus related yet. Lol! :D Don't tell me though. I will wait for the historical note.
I only knew because I was looking for it. :)It doesn't resemble the bible story very much, so that is what made it so difficult to figure out. Names are changed, the story is changed........
Interesting. I am nearly tempted to read the historical note...but I shall restrain my curiousity. I don't want to know yet.
Well, hurry up and finish. I want to know what you think... :)
Haha. :D 300 pages of 574 done. 274 to go. Give me 4 more days. :-)
Make that less than 4 days. It is such an easy book to burn through. I read for a couple hours this afternoon. I now have less than 200 pages to go.
message 114:
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Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd
(last edited Jun 19, 2012 07:51PM)
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rated it 4 stars
I gave the book 4 stars. I initially gave it 5 stars with only a few chapters to go, and then I sat on my 5 stars for a day or so. Decided I wasn't happy with a few things and downgraded it to 4.Still an excellent book! So glad I read it and that some of you read it with me. Also glad I bought the second book in the series as I plan on going on with the series when I get the chance.
Dawn (and others who have finished the book)
Ending spoiler
(view spoiler)
Well peeps, June is coming to an end. I feel of the two group reads in June, this one and Inquisition, this one shone for me. I really liked it and am more than chuffed to have begun a new series that I enjoy.
Nicely done Manda Scott.
Obviously...I totally agree. :)I am, at the moment, trying to convince my Dad to try this series and tell me what he thinks.
Oh, I hope you can talk him into it. he is a religious man? It would be fascinating to get his opinion on it. To see if he worked out which biblical characters are portrayed in the book.
My library answered with a 'no'. I'm on a list at paperbackswap though. I'll start with Dreaming the Eagle first anyway.
THAT I am looking forward to. Those Boudica books..you know..they are the kind of book where I have no idea what any person would think of them. they are unique and while well written, I have no idea who would like them and who wouldn't. They are very good though. I am confident in my memory of her writing in those books.
Terri wrote: "Oh, I hope you can talk him into it. he is a religious man? It would be fascinating to get his opinion on it. To see if he worked out which biblical characters are portrayed in the book."Not religious but he is way better informed with the Bible story and with all the other theories based on it. He likes the Simon Scarrow books so I think I may be able to convince him.
If you were impressed, I probably will be too. I'll let you know. :)
Damn and blast! 5 copies of the third book in this series was up for grabs in a Goodreads Giveaway. I entered weeks ago. I had high hopes of winning, but I didn't win a copy. :(
I am finally reading the second book in this series.
Rome: The Coming of the King
So far, the first half of the book is BRILLIANT! Loving it. The first book had its flaws with me. Too much time spent describing chariot races and the ending, but this one doesn't have any chariot racing.
It is a very different setting.
Set in the Middle East and in Jerusalem. Pantera is on the job chasing down (view spoiler)
I really enjoyed the second one. I'll be starting Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth in a few days and hopefully by the 30th I'll be starting the newest one Rome: The Art of War. I know I've said it before, but this is the series that encourages me to read more Roman Empire historical fictions. Considering I pretty much loath this period, that's saying a lot.
I am with you there.As you know from our discussion in the What Are You Reading Now thread, it is this series that got me reading more Roman stuff too.
I had ZERO interest before I read Rome: The Emperor's Spy. It piqued my interest. I still am nt mad about Roman era fiction, but at least I am trying it now, whereas before..there was little chance of me reading any.
I find the writing quality in the Roman era HF books very inconsistent.
I believe the movie Gladiator and the tv series Rome created a rush of adventure type Roman HF of questionable quality.
You have to kiss a lot of frogs in the Roman HF sub genre before you find some Princes (or Princesses..whatever you fancy..:)..)
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Rome: The Emperor's Spy (other topics)Rome: The Art of War (other topics)
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth (other topics)
Rome: The Coming of the King (other topics)
Adventures in Bad Writing With Dwayne And Jessica (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Simon Scarrow (other topics)Manda Scott (other topics)
Manda Scott (other topics)
Until recently I would have agreed, but I've read a few HF books in the last year that had a strong element of what could be described as a religious or supernatural element. Not necessarily from the point of view that such things exist, but that in the past people were every bit as superstitious and religious as they are today, and therefore it helps with the authenticity of a work (for me anyway) and the whole challenge of recreating a past world, culture or time.