Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

Hi all,

Firstly I'd like to say thank you as I have read a few of your suggestions I have found and been hooked. From Bernard Cornwall's Warrior chronicles series to Simon Scarrow's Cato & Marco series to the series i have just completed Anthony Ritches Empire series.

I've also read Conn Igguldons's Emperor and Conqueror series's which started me off after years of not bothering to so I have Conn to thank for reigniting my imagination.

So in short I'm looking for a series where you see a character or characters develop, i am fascinated about Rome and any era where it was swords and shields but I am willing to try something different as long as it's a great series.

Any ideas?

you might want to check out Harry Sidebottom's

Warrior of Rome series

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4604...


also Ben Kane has several series

Steven Saylor Ancient Rome series

Master and Commander historical and nautical fiction.

You might enjoy some of David Gemmell's books too.

Thanks all, should keep me busy for a while

Jamie, for a slight shift in focus, we have loved David Gemmell's TROY series. It was a recommendation from this Group!!

Thank you May, will do

I second Steven Saylor's Ancient Rome series and also recommend his historical mystery series about Gordianus. Roman Blood is the first of 12 or so.

Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series is amazing, but not light reading.

Douglas Jackson's Gaius Valerius Verrens series.
Nick Brown's Agent of Rome series.
Q.V. Hunter's Embers of empire series.
Ian Ross' Twilight of Empire series.
Gordon Doherty's Legionary series

Kimber wrote: "I second Steven Saylor's Ancient Rome series and also recommend his historical mystery series about Gordianus. Roman Blood is the first of 12 or so."

I just started "Arms of Nemesis" my first Saylor novel. Seems a bit quirky but I'm ok with that

Eileen wrote: "Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series is amazing, but not light reading."

I agree, I have the whole collection and I'm about to start rereading

For something different, Robert Low's Viking series.
The Whale Road..The Wolf Sea..The White Raven..The Prow Beast..Crowbone

You might try David Wishart's Marcus Corvinus series. I think he has 13+ books within that.

Also, Lindsey Davis has several dozen Roman books that would definitely keep you busy for awhile.

Less swords and shields, but adding if anyone else on the thread is interested...I also quite enjoyed Kate Quinn's Empress of Rome series, four books.

Winston Graham's Poldark series. Ross Poldark, struggling mine owner, liberal-minded member of the Cornwall gentry, battles against adversity, marries, has children, continuously fights his enemies, experiences triumphs, setbacks, and tragedy. The series concludes with Graham's narration of the adult experiences of Ross's children. Wonderful series that begins after America has won its independence from England and extends past the Napoleonic Wars. Excellent portrayal also of secondary characters.

'Tom Fleck' is set in Northern England of 1513 and is concerned with the Battle of Flodden. The main character is met again, during the 1536 rebellion against Henry VIII's seizure of the monasteries. That sequel is 'The Black Caravel'
The Black Caravel

Tom Fleck

Paul Doherty, also known as P C Doherty and Anna Apostalou has several series. My favorite is the Hugh Corbert series (18 books and counting) beginning with Satan in St Mary's.

He also has an Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Greek series.

I see that two of my favorites, Steven Saylor and Lindsey Davis are mentioned above. Not mentioned but also great are John Maddox Roberts with 13 books in his SPQR series (starting with SPQR I: The King's Gambit), and Ruth Downie with 9 books in her Russo series (starting with Medicus). See also Rosemary Rowe.

Just a note of interest....'speaking' out loud mostly. You have suggested all series' I am yet to read, Mike.

I wonder why I have avoided those series'... Doherty I would read,but maybe the others I have skipped because I don't read much Ancient History Historical Fiction.

Time to broaden your horizons, Terri. :)

Mehhhhhhhhh......*shrug*

You might have a little trouble with some of Doherty's series Terri

Personally I think his Bro Athelstan and Hugh Corbet series are pretty good.

I read one or maybe two in his Rome series come to think of it. I didn't dislike them, but I wasn't moved by them.

I didn't particularly care for his one set in reign of Constantine, but I did like his one set with Alexander the Great. His ancient Egyptian series wasn't bad either.

One thing about Doherty - he is prolific :)

This series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4338...

Yeah, he sure does pump them out! It amazes me how authors such as Paul Doherty and even Michael Jecks can keep coming up with fresh ideas. They must just have excellent memories, to not tread old plots too much.

Terri wrote: "This series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4338..."

Try the Athelstan series, Terri. Set during the reign of Richard II/John of Gaunt.

To be honest, I thought the Roman series was not that good. He's just not that successful with female protagonists.

Terri wrote: "Yeah, he sure does pump them out! It amazes me how authors such as Paul Doherty and even Michael Jecks can keep coming up with fresh ideas. They must just have excelle..."

Often Paul, being an historian, will come across a real event and make it the plot for his stories.

His character of Sir Hugh Corbett is based on a real person. John de Drokenford, a senior chancery clerk who was Keeper of the King's Wardrobe to King Edward I.

That female character in the Rome series was so, um, not sure of the word... bland? Maybe bland. or lacking in depth. Yeah that is probably more of an explanation. She had no depth or texture. Was like an extra doing walk on, walk off parts.
I thought her guy was hot though.

This said, I really happy to see you up amd running, Terri. We missed you!

Terri wrote: "I read one or maybe two in his Rome series come to think of it. I didn't dislike them, but I wasn't moved by them."

Library only has #1, so that tells me they didn't feel it was worth it to buy others in the series. Same with the Macro and Cato Eagle series; the library only has about 4 of them.

Simona wrote: "This said, I really happy to see you up amd running, Terri. We missed you!"

I've also been meaning to say that...

I've been reading some of Doherty's books in his Egyptian series. Right now, The Anubis Slayings. It took me awhile to get into it, but I like it all right. I'm writing something right now where part of the story takes place in ancient Egypt, so I'm interested in some of the details he provides. Even though I'm finding him both helpful & interesting as a writer--as a reader, I often feel bogged down with the details. I'll have to try his other series (es?) at some point.

series-singular
series-plural

Haha! Thanks!

Simona wrote: "This said, I really happy to see you up amd running, Terri. We missed you!"

And I missed you guys. I was so checked out for so long there. I tried to reboot, but bombed. I feel my old GR self again

Jane wrote: "

Library only has #1, so that tells me they didn't feel it was wort..."

My library has a few, but they are all over the place. I feel the hands of book thieves is to blame.

Terri wrote: "That female character in the Rome series was so, um, not sure of the word... bland? Maybe bland. or lacking in depth. Yeah that is probably more of an explanation. She had no depth or texture. Was ..."

Bland covers it. As does boring.

Harold wrote: "Winston Graham's Poldark series. Ross Poldark, struggling mine owner, liberal-minded member of the Cornwall gentry, battles against adversity, marries, has children, continuously fights his enemies..."

I second this - great series - I loved first 4, not so keen on 5, picked up again thereafter. All the characters are well rounded, good and bad and the evocation of setting is excellent.

Terri wrote: "Simona wrote: "This said, I really happy to see you up amd running, Terri. We missed you!"

And I missed you guys. I was so checked out for so long there. I tried to reboot, but bombed. I feel my o..."

Terri,

Welcome back - you were missed

I hope everything has worked itself out for the best!

Thanks, happy. Yes, all is going well. Now I just have to start reading again. For the first time in about 12 months I have actually felt like reading. So relieved my slump has passed.

Terri wrote: "Thanks, happy. Yes, all is going well. Now I just have to start reading again. For the first time in about 12 months I have actually felt like reading. So relieved my slump has passed."

*pokes Terri with a book* Read, woman, read!

Terri wrote: "Thanks, happy. Yes, all is going well. Now I just have to start reading again. For the first time in about 12 months I have actually felt like reading. So relieved my slump has passed."
I have been there Terri but my slump rarely lasts more than two months. Now I am in a music slump. No music for me running, driving or doing chores, I don't feel like It, I have been like this for more than 3 months (Is like this when You get old? I'm almost 57 years old) It is a bummer to get old.

My reading so-called slump: I'm running out of Roman titles and even those of the ancient world [ancient Greece is fine but I don't like ancient Egypt] are becoming scarce. So I'm rereading. Opera I've cut down on. I'm 76.

Me too Carlos, I still listen to my old favourite music, but nothing new for a couple of years now. I think mine is age related too, I am turning 51 soon. I now prefer to listen to books while doing chores.

I haven't listened to new popular music for years now.

Hi Ace, I m 51 too! But you know what they say, there are people that die at 25 but don't notice until they're 80... Kudos to our silver haired members that daily put me to shame remembering perfectly dates and names!

Indeed, I can hardly remember yesterday. Jane blows me away! Amazing.

I must said, sadly, that I prefer new music indeed. I mean, I love The Smiths (hardcore fan), Megadeth and Tom Petty but I feel at ease with Rihanna, Lorde and this song which is in my head all day: https://youtu.be/m-M1AtrxztU with this one: https://youtu.be/OXWrjWDQh7Q
Don't hate me, please.

Okay guys, time to get this thread back on track. Maybe move the music discussion to: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... :)

So, series recommendations? :)