Fantasy Book Club discussion

Hi, does anyone have any recommendations for epic fantasy based in ancient Rome - or indeed any other ancient civilisations like Egyptian, Persian, Babylonian etc.?

There should definitely be magic. Don't mind war and bloodshed. Also don't mind series recs or stand alones.

Thanking you in advance!

I recommend the Belisarius series by David Drake and Eric Flint. It has all of the above stipulations you described.

On second thoughts the Belisarius series might not be your thing, it's less magic and more scifi, but it kind of has the same feel as the typical magic.

Sounds interesting to me anyway.

You can perhaps try the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. It is an alternate world, but with definite influences from the Roman Empire.

A.L. wrote: "Sounds interesting to me anyway."

It's kind of a mish-mash of genres. On one hand, it's military, it's also science fiction/magic, alternate history/world. If that still interests you, I hope you read and enjoy the series. A bonus is that the series is complete, so if you do decide to read it, all the books are available.

Dave wrote: "You can perhaps try the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. It is an alternate world, but with definite influences from the Roman Empire."

I second that suggestion. Can't believe I forgot to suggest this series as it's one of my favourite series.

What about the bunch of alternate history books Harry Turtledove wrote about the Romans? I've forgotten the series title, but the first novel if I remember correctly is called the Misplaced Legion. If I recall correctly, this series has some magic, but it isn't the main focus. Don't quote me on it though, I'm going off what I've been told by a friend, as I haven't personally read them.

The Sarantine Mosaic duology by Guy Gavriel Kay is based on the Byzantine Empire.

Wow I didn't expect such swift responses- thank you :)

Is the Jim Butcher you mention the author of the Dresden files or a different one?

I will search the title anyway and also Harry Turtledove.

Yeah, less sci-fi and more magic please. I like alchemists, wizards, mages that kind of thing. Temples and ruins and magical objects, you get my drift!

Moving to recommendations folder.
:)

Yeah the same author wrote both Alera and Dresden.

I enjoyed Jack Whyte's series about Merlin and Arthur. Less 'fantasy' and more history-based I think.

I can't think of any Roman based fantasy, but:

The Macht trilogy by Paul Kearney is epic fantasy heavily based on ancient Greek culture. First book:The Ten Thousand

The Killing Moon and The Shadowed Sun by N.K. Jemisin are based on ancient Egyptian culture.

That sounds like an intriguing combination. Sorry that I can't give you any recs, but thanks for bringing it up, I might read one of the books being mentioned.

Yes, like Robin said, the one and the same Butcher. Quite differnt style, though, but packed with action and pace.

Oh, and I second Paul Kearney's Macht trilogy.

In a bit different vein, David Gemmell had the Greek series (about Alexander the Great) and the Troy series. Although they seem to start out as historical fiction, there are definitely some fantasy elements in there.

I would recommend Kearney's Monarchies of God series over his Macht series. The only fantastical element of the Macht series is that some of the commanders have magical black armor. The Monarchies of God has wizards, familiars and shapeshifters so much more fantastical.

You guys are so helpful, amazing!
Byzantine, Greek..these are good too.
I havent heard of any of the above books so I'm happy that this stuff is out there. Right now, am particularly intrigued by Monarchies of God...

Hope you'll have got some tips from here too

I would Highly recommend David Gemmell .... dont know how to make the link,https://www.goodreads.com/series/4378...
growing up the trojan war and its hero's was one of my all time favorite's and Mr. Gemmell (R.I.P) had his own vision of the war and the story has a life of its own with familiar name's and a fantastic story.
This is a trilogy and easy to get caught up in the read... well it Is David Gemmell after all'

Dave wrote: "Yes, like Robin said, the one and the same Butcher. Quite differnt style, though, but packed with action and pace.

Oh, and I second Paul Kearney's Macht trilogy.

In a bit different vein, David G..."

I've only read the first book in the Macht trilogy but so far it's very good. An original take on Xenophon and the ten thousand. I was actually surprised at how well Alera turned out, just another sign of how good a writer Jim Butcher is. As switching genres is a challenge, but Mr Butcher pulls it off with panache and aplomb.

Had to bookmark this thread, thanks for asking. :) I love this kind of setting to the point of feeling compelled to write my own. :)

I enjoyed these books, though they're more historical fiction.

The Gates of Rome

I believe the Harry Turtledove series that starts with The Misplaced Legion is the Videssos Cycle and I concur it's a great series. He has another series set in the same world about 500 years earlier I think (Krispos) which is also good, but doesn't have the Roman Legion element.

Tad wrote: "I believe the Harry Turtledove series that starts with The Misplaced Legion is the Videssos Cycle and I concur it's a great series. He has another series set in the sam..."

Does he do his usual thing and have a load of character POV switching. Haven't actually read any of his books, but friends have told me that he likes to use a large cast of characters.

You might check out Soldier of the Mist by Gene Wolfe. Greek soldier with a head wound that leaves him only able to remember the last 24 hrs or so (like Memento). Has to write everything down so the next day he can know what's going on as he tries to figure out who he is and such.

Oh and now he can see the Gods and other supernatural beings.

Time period - "the second Persian invasion of the Peloponnese" - whenever that was, I dunno :)

Damn you all, more books for my TBR....:)

A.L. wrote: "Damn you all, more books for my TBR....:)"

LOL. I totally agree, my TBR is out of control. At this rate i'll be on my death bed and I'll be complaining at how much I still haven't read on my TBR.

A.L. wrote: "Damn you all, more books for my TBR....:)"

Haha tell me about it. Soldier of the Mist sounds good too...

Robin wrote: Does he do his usual thing and have a load of character POV switching.

I read them a while ago but I don't recall a great deal of POV switching, or if there is, it's with a much smaller cast of characters. I think the POV switching is more a feature of his bigger alternative history series, like the World War series.

I just mentioned it in another thread, but the Oath of Empire series by Thomas Harlan, starting with The Shadow of Ararat, would probably fit the bill.

And they're not fantasy -- they're straight historical -- but The Assyrian and The Blood Star by Nicholas Guild are well worth checking out.

And if you want something older (and with Romans as the bad guys), then there's always either Bran Mak Morn: The Last King by Robert E. Howard (and Bran Mak Morn: Legion From The Shadows by Karl Edward Wagner) or Complete Tros of Samothrace by Talbot Mundy.

At least some of the Howard and Mundy stories should be available as free eBooks.

Maybe this is what you're looking for:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MB7BRU

Stephen Lawhead did a series that mixed Atlantean and Arthurian myth together and the first few novels were set in the Roman pull back from Britain. It's called The Pendragon cycle. His book on St Patrick was also pretty good.

There was an interesting novel , cant recall the name.
Its about the trojan war,and the gods ... there is a guy writing about the interaction, like taking notes and diff' planet's,worlds... really a different sort of novel.
I really liked it,then didnt then I was really confused ,lost then it all made sense and then you finish and your left on a cliffhanger lol.
I Just Found the novel Dan Simmons https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Just came across this, if anyone is interested
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Alexand...

Its free until 10 Dec

Satinder wrote: "Just came across this, if anyone is interested http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Alexand... Its free until 10 Dec"

Thanks, Satinder. Kindle version is also free in the U.S at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Other-Alexander...

Tad wrote: "I believe the Harry Turtledove series that starts with The Misplaced Legion is the Videssos Cycle and I concur it's a great series. He has another series set in the sam..."
Definitively worthy :D

I recommend Guy Kay's Sarantine Mosiac series (2 books)...

If you are familiar with Kay's work you will know it's history with a bit a twist. This deals with Rome and Constantinople (Sarantine).

I loved it..

I second Codex Alera. I am also currently writing an Epic Roman Fantasy, complete with invading barbarians, magic, an end of the times plot, all powerful deities, political intrigue,civil war, flying cities with death rays and much much more. I should be finished with it some time next summer, let me know if you are interested.

Jack wrote: "I second Codex Alera. I am also currently writing an Epic Roman Fantasy, complete with invading barbarians, magic, an end of the times plot, all powerful deities, political intrigue,civil war, flyi..."

Yep, I sure am. Will u be looking to publish it?

I am going to publish it. I am about half way through the first novel. So I still have to edit it and get it on the market.

See, I was struggling with coming up with an idea since it seemed like all the ideas were taken. Then I read Codex Alera. Since I loved the Romans anyway I decided to write a Roman based Fantasy Novel since there aren't that many out there. Its going to be a mix of G.R.R.M, Jim Butcher, and my own flavor. By G.R.R.M I mean the grittiness but it will still be good for YA readers.

I am planning on making it a 5 book series. Not that I have it planned that far out! I am not a planner when it comes to books, lol

Jack, this book club is for for readers. If any of our readers are also authors (we have many) :), postings of their work goes into the self promotion folder.
There are occasions when we ask some authors to discuss their work. if we read their book.

I realized that after I posted it I apologize

Thanks for understanding.
:)