Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
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See Simon Scarrow. At least that's the first one that comes to mind.
PS. I thank that Ben Kane also has something.
Since I am spending money on this one, I'm going to stay away from Scarrow since I know some group members have had unpleasant experiences with him.Ben Kane has a few series. Which would you recommend?
I have three suggestions for you:Wounds of Honour by Anthony Riches
Loved the first book, liked the second. Haven't read any farther.
Spartacus: The Gladiator by Ben Kane
Definitely gory and bloody and fight/battle filled. This would be my suggestion out of this authors series.
Caligula by Douglas Jackson
Haven't read this one but the writing looks good and the reviews mentioned gruesome.
I like Simon Scarrow but would put him down as a more adventure style story. Lots of battles, good characters. Personally think the writing good but simple. Not a lot of blood and gore though.
I don't recall Caligula being particularly gory; but I did quite like it. They're gladiators and the group that takes care of animals, so there is some blood and guys stuff.
Thanks! I put Wounds of Honour in my cart. Now, I just need a third one and my international flight reading list will be complete. For anyone interested, the first one is a fantasy, not HF, Luck in the Shadows.
Dawn wrote: "I like Simon Scarrow but would put him down as a more adventure style story. Lots of battles, good characters. Personally think the writing good but simple. Not a lot of blood and go..."Id second that - defo a "boys own" adventure style of writing. Some of the first in the series set in Britannia were quite good.
I have two other suggestions then:Hild by Nicola Griffith
Loved, loved, loved this book. There is nothing about battles or blood or gore but it really transports you to early Britain.
Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
Completely the wrong genre but great book. If the idea of ascetic, honourable, highly competent medieval warriors appeal....
Blood Song sounds awesome but the paperback doesn't get released until June 24th. I already have my kindle books for the trip and just needed 3 paperbacks for when technology fails (or when I don't want to whip out a piece of technology on a train in the middle of nowhere in Eastern Europe). But now I am so excited to read it! Thanks for the recommendation!
Or Prince of Thorns, this one is pretty action packed and bloody.Now that I've gone completely off genre! :)
Leaving soon then or just being pro-active?? :)I can't wait to head out on my next transatlantic trip!
I'll keep those under consideration. I have one fantasy and one HF so far so I was thinking of maybe something different to spice things up.We are leaving beginning of June, like the 4th or 6th (and I should really check my airplane tickets). And we will be coming back after my birthday, I think June 26th (or 24th, lol).
Dawn wrote: "Or Prince of Thorns, this one is pretty action packed and bloody.Now that I've gone completely off genre! :)"
And yes, we have gone off genre so lets get back to the Romans. I have my June Roman HF picked but I'll need a July one and then an August one and so on so keep them coming!
I have been enjoying Peake's "Marching With Caesar" series. Excellent storyline and good battle scenes. The main character, Titus Pullus, is a fellow you would want to meet in person.
Dawn wrote: "That would be Marching with Caesar: Birth of the 10th Legion by R.W. Peake"That is one of them, yes. The author strongly suggests that one read the books in order as the story follows a timeline. Birth of the 10th Legion is actually a prequel that came out after the first book of the series
is the first of the series.
I recommend the Hannibal series Alicja. As much a tale of Romans as Carthaginians. Battles galore in all three. :)Hannibal: Enemy of Rome
Hannibal: Fields of Blood
Hannibal: Clouds of War
Thanks for the recommendations, Steven, Dawn, Terri!Alicja: if you like lots of battles, you could also try Robert Fabbri's Vespasian series - the first is Tribune of Rome, or if you like gladiator gore - and a woman gladiator at that, try Russell Whitfield's Gladiatrix. Best wishes - Ben.
Terri wrote: "I recommend the Hannibal series Alicja. As much a tale of Romans as Carthaginians. Battles galore in all three. :)Hannibal: Enemy of Rome
Hannibal: Fields of Blood..."
I would also recommend Ben's Spartacus 2 volume set
I beat you to that recommendation happy!! Right down in message #5. :)
Dawn wrote: "I beat you to that recommendation happy!! Right down in message #5. :)"oops :)
Although I haven't read any of Ben's work, I keep seeing his name come up all over the internet lately (must be a good sign!). I would also recommend the Marching With Caesar series by R.W. Peake. It's certainly a series worth getting lost in and never strays too far from violence!
Yes, I believe Marching With Caesar: Civil War by R.W. Peake has already been suggested, David is a big fan. :)
My favourites in the Roman military fiction genre in recent years include Anthony Riches, John Stack, Harry Sidebottom and a couple of Indie authors to try: SJA Turney and Gordon Doherty.
Alicja wrote: "Since I am spending money on this one, I'm going to stay away from Scarrow since I know some group members have had unpleasant experiences with him.Ben Kane has a few series. Which would you reco..."
As an avid Scarrow reader: why did anyone have unpleasant experiences with him?
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Civil War (other topics)Spartacus: The Gladiator (other topics)
Spartacus: Rebellion (other topics)
Hannibal: Enemy of Rome (other topics)
Hannibal: Fields of Blood (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
R.W. Peake (other topics)Michael Curtis Ford (other topics)
R.W. Peake (other topics)
R.W. Peake (other topics)
Anthony Ryan (other topics)
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I tried looking through topics to see if this has been already recommended and couldn't find it. If it has, please just direct me with a link and I'll delete.