Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

This is the May 2015 Medieval Group Read of Stormbird by Conn Iggulden

I loved this book! Reading the discussion thread will get me excited for book 2.

Perfect, I know a few of us have read this already. And someone...Andy, I think....has already been at the sequel.

I'm on hold for book 2, so the library does have it on order. I think I liked Stormbird a bit more than others here.

Hmmm, good reminder. I'll go check the stats.

So, member stats so far:

5 star = 8
4 star = 10
3 star = 7
2 star = 2

I'm one of those 2 stars but then I've never been a Iggulden fan so don't take my rating too seriously. :)

Its been a while since I read Stormbird, looking at my review I think I found it very bitty & difficult to get into. For those wanting to read on though I'd say you'll be well rewarded as Trinity is a much smoother read - i believe its out soon stateside?

Yes but they changed the title

Margaret of Anjou

Amazon says the release date is June 16. That means I'll be reading it sometime in the fall

There is a Goodreads giveaway going on for the second novel.

I thought Stormbird was ok. I haven't had great success with Iggulden so far. I've only read two of his books but I didn't think either was anything special. Stormbird was a bit slow for me.

Margaret of Anjou? That seems an odd title option.

Agreed - but then again we do get some odd titles on English history books/novels here

You'd think they'd use something that tied in with the title theme that Book one created, as opposed to a person's name wouldn't you.

Wonder what their issue was with calling it Trinity. Maybe because the Uris book is well known????Trinity

Terri wrote: "You'd think they'd use something that tied in with the title theme that Book one created, as opposed to a person's name wouldn't you.

Wonder what their issue was with calling it Trinity. Maybe bec..."

So, they could have used another term implying threes.

Subtitle would set it apart from the Uris book.

Gretchen wrote: "There is a Goodreads giveaway going on for the second novel.

I thought Stormbird was ok. I haven't had great success with Iggulden so far. I've only read two of his books but I didn't think either..."

Thnx - I've just entered

All right, I will kind of be in the read....I will be reading book 2. I picked it up from the library, and it is Trinity on the cover.

We get the commonwealth version of Iggulden up here, not the US version.

I have no idea how they choose which release we get but it's the same with Cornwell too.

Very excited for this read--finishing up Sunne in Splendour right now, so this comes right on the heels. I have had it on my wish list. I'm also reading Alison Weir's The War of the Roses (nonfiction), too. It's my "work" book. An interesting historical time, it was, indeed.

I borrowed it from the library already. I've got to read Sunne in Splendour at some point too, I've been meaning to do it for many years now :)

It's good to see so many interested in this read. It's definitely a great period of history.

What are we reading? Book one STORMBIRD or Book Two, renamed?

Book One Linda, always book one in a series. :)

Some members are using this read as an opportunity to read the second book though.

Dawn wrote: "Book One Linda, always book one in a series. :)

Some members are using this read as an opportunity to read the second book though."

I beg to differ--I don't ALWAYS start with Book 1. Sometimes subsequent volumes could be standalones: case in point, Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth. I feel the better authors put enough of previous action in subsequent volumes so I'm up to speed.

OK. Thank you. Sophia was referring to the second book because the one we are group reading came out last year. I pre-ordered the second book and it is not out yet in USA. I thought July was the target date, but I was maybe a little confused. There is nothing better than title changes.lol

Linda wrote: "OK. Thank you. Sophia was referring to the second book because the one we are group reading came out last year. I pre-ordered the second book and it is not out yet in USA. I thought July was th..."

Publishers have $$ in their eyes; they pick titles that they think will sell better in a particular country.

Money will do it every time. Lol

I just meant that the group reads are always book one but in regards to Sophia, I believe she is talking about the paperback addition of Stormbird. It is coming out on May 5.

I am clear now.

Jane, I read out a sequence quite often by intention or by mistake. I find an appealing title or a freebie and read. With Conn Iggulden, I read in the order of publication. Sharon Kay Penman, I read whichever book is on sale. lol. At my age, finding a bargain makes my day. AARP and Amazon need to have a little talk.

Linda, There are only a few series I've read strictly in order, and fewer still one right after the other with no other books in between.
I've now reached the point I've read all in several favorite series and just wait for when the next one will come out.

By now, that is what I do, too. Reading strictly in order one immediately after the other is the mark of a good author, I think.

Sophia wrote: "I'm looking forward to reading this. Amazon says it'll be out on May 5, so that's soon enough to join the discussion!"

Yes, I preordered the paperback, but canceled it today and got the hardback, just because I was so compelled to have it before May 1. I'm doing my summer reading ordering. Some books are only kindle books, but some books are meant to be lap books while floating in the pool on my off time (I'm a teacher). This was one!

Keeping cool in the pool while reading a good book. That's the life!

Yep, that's the one.

Though the Hardcover and Kindle versions are already released. It's only the paperback one that isn't out until the 5th.

Sophia, I read Stormbird by Conn Iggulden on July 14, 2014, on Kindle. It was the availability date of May 5, 2015, that confused me. Dawn explained it to my satisfaction. I am pleased you asked as I did not know whether you were about to read book 1 or 2 in the series. It gets worse. Along the way, the name of one book was changed. You have probably heard from Dawn by now that you have the correct book for the group read.

I enjoyed Stormbird and have Trinity on my list for next month. I ordered it from the UK to avoid waiting and lame US titles. Look forward to the discussion!

Only a week to go before we can start up...

Finished reading for a second time today. My review of 2014 can be found on Goodreads and Amazon.

Readers: This book is not as exciting as the Emperor Series or the Conqueror Series, but the author's style is just as good. For instance, the last chapters slow down just like a braking car slows down. You will actually feel the process--not merely read it. There are three major storylines woven together throughout the book which creates a back and forth that some readers may not like, but it is a picture of real life. There are displaced Englishmen, a Dullard King, and a feud among the 'uppa crust' that makes this book better than a Barnum and Bailey three ring circus.

I just received message from the library that my copy is ready. Will join this reading discussion for sure.

be watching how you all go

I already went one time. You did too!

I'm hoping that this book is a good pick for most folks.
It's definitely a fascinating period and has some great characters.

Other than those who've already read this one, who is taking a stab at it for the first time??

I'll be reading it for the first time, but probably towards the end of the month

I'm reading it for the first time.

I Would like to know who is reading Conn Iggulden for the first time. If readers are forming their opinions about Mr. Iggulden based on this book, they may not hold his writing in the highest regard. If readers have already read the Emperor and Conquer series, then this book would mean more to them.

That is solely my opinion. BTW, what is the plural of series?

Linda wrote: "I Would like to know who is reading Conn Iggulden for the first time. If readers are forming their opinions about Mr. Iggulden based on this book, they may not hold his writing in the highest rega..."

The first book in his Emperor series I thought was SO bad, I've sworn off him entirely. Someday I MAY read this one [library has it] but it's not high priority.

Plural of series: both singular and plural are the same.

Thank you about the plural of series. As to Mr. Iggulden, I am so pleased that I read the Conqueror series first. As I recall, readers of Emperor found too many historical fallacies to get into the read. That is the reason I stay on my stump urging readers to take on Conqueror first.

Jane wrote: "The first book in his Emperor series I thought was SO bad, I've sworn off him entirely. Someday I MAY read this one [library has it] but it's not high priority.."

I agree completely. I've never tried his books since and now I'll join in on this one because I borrowed it from a library.

I'll be joining in on this one. The book has been sitting on my to-read shelf for awhile so now I have a reason to finally get to it. This will be the first Conn Iggulden I've read.

I read one of his books on Genghis Khan. I wasn't too impressed, but I've read worse. And some people rave about his books, so I figured maybe I didn't get him at his best.