Historical Fictionistas discussion

I just think she is a fabulous historical fiction writer who does a wonderful job of balancing history and fiction in her novels. I've read her Welsh Princes Triolgy and The Sunne in Splendour. Does anyone else love her like I do?

I really love her work and she's a lovely person too. I think Here Be Dragons is my absolute favourite.

Totally love her. Reading The Sunne in Splendour as a 17 year old really did change my life. Up until then I didn't have much interest at all in English history.

SKP is an automatic buy. No matter how much the hardbound is.

Here Be Dragons is my favorite book of hers too. Has anyone read Lionheart? If so do you recommend reading her Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy before reading it?

Here books are at the top of my list to read.

I have not yet had the pleasure though I've got Here be Dragons on my shelf for read coming very soon. I have a couple of other books in front of it that simply MUST be read first. I had not heard of this series of book or the author until reading of her work here on Good Reads.

Samantha wrote: "Here Be Dragons is my favorite book of hers too. Has anyone read Lionheart? If so do you recommend reading her Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine trilogy before reading it?"

I got a copy of Lionheart as an early review and I read it immediately following the Henry/Eleanor trilogy, (literally the next day) and while the book can definitely be read as a standalone, if you are planning on reading the trilogy I would read it first so you can get the full picture of Richard.

And the further you push back Lionheart, the closer you can read it to when the sequel comes out, which is supposed to pick up exactly where Lionheart leaves off.

I read Sunne in splendour this past year and thought it was excellent. I started finding out the other books she has written and bought When Christ and his Saints slept.

I have loved her work for a long time. is one of my absolute favorite books. I also love . Extremely interesting history. My husband is actually related to Simon De Montfort. I think she writes some of the most readable historical fiction.

I just finished reading The Sunne In Splendour. Before that I read Here be Dragons. I feel just blown away. Penman's books are so enveloping, so thorough...

I bought a copy of not long ago, but haven't had a chance to read it yet... and I bought it because of all the positive posts/reviews I've seen here on GR about it.

Valerie wrote: "I bought a copy of not long ago, but haven't had a chance to read it yet... and I bought it because of all the positive posts/reviews I've seen here on GR about it."
I want to reread it, probably in January if you would like to wait and do a buddy read. It is an amazing book.

Leslie wrote: "I want to reread it, probably in January if you would like to wait and do a buddy read. It is an amazing book...."

I haven't read it yet but I was thinking about it, I'd love to get in on a buddy read if on gets put together.

I just picked up

I am finally going to give this author a try and read for the challenge starting Feb 1st.

I only recently discovered SKP, but she has already become one of my favorite authors. The Sunne in Splendour is my favorite so far (I have Here Be Dragons and its sequels on my to-read shelf). When Christ and His Saints Slept is what first got my attention. I agree with what others have said here - I don't need details, if she wrote it I will read it!

Samantha wrote: "I only recently discovered SKP, but she has already become one of my favorite authors. The Sunne in Splendour is my favorite so far (I have Here Be Dragons and its sequels on my to-read shelf). W..."

I'm the same way Samantha, I just discovered SKP last year in January when I read The Sunne In Splendour, after that I read When Christ, Time and Chance, Devils Brood, and Lionheart. This year I want to read her Welsh Trilogy. So far The Sunne In Splendour is my favorite too.

Out of interest, is the author British? I studied Welsh history at university (in Wales) - didn't realise anyone had chosen to write about the Welsh kings in depth.

Let me look it up. She lives in New Jersey and She does keep a monthly blog. Her website is http://sharonkaypenman.com/

I believe she is American,but is clearly quite the anglophile! :-)

Samantha wrote: "I believe she is American,but is clearly quite the anglophile! :-)"

Gabriel wrote: "Let me look it up. She lives in New Jersey and She does keep a monthly blog. Her website is http://sharonkaypenman.com/"

I visited a local bookstore today and found a few books written by her and read her blurb. She seems to live the other side of the Atlantic (to me) but has Anglo-Irish parents which perhaps explains her interest. Interestingly the books on the shelves were all imported versions - am surprised given the subject matter that a British publisher hasn't issued a British published version. The imported versions were competitively priced though which was good to see. Will have to see what my library stocks :-)

I also enjoy books by Sharon Kay Penman. For another author who wrote about the Welsh Princes, The Brothers of Gwynedd series is excellent. The titles are Sunrise in the West, The Dragon at Noonday, The Hounds of Sunset, and Afterglow and Nightfall. These were written by Edith Pargeter who also wrote as Ellis Peters.

I just finished readingHere be Dragons and I loved every word of it! It was interesting to read something from the Welsh point of view. I will probably read the whole series and I am now starting Falls the Shadow.Has anyone else read the whole series yet?

I've read the first two in the series, and am planning on reading the third soon. I've also read other books by her. I just finished the third book in her Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine series. It was fabulous!
These are the three books in that series. The second one is probably my least favorite of all her works but it is still very good. Devil's Brood kept me completely enthralled from beginning to end.

In the middle of Here be Dragons, Sharon Kay Penman is now my favorite author!

So glad you are enjoying this!! It's one of my top 5 books I've ever read. She is an amazing author.

HBD is a big book I have to take my time with it and its also alot of information as I'm used to reading it from another point of view. The names are strange I have to keep remember who is who and what side they are on lol.

Yes, the welsh names and all the different historical figures are crazy to remember. I constantly google when I read her.

"Here Be Dragons" got me started on historical fiction, many years ago. I collect dragons, and have since I was a child. :)

I just finished When Christ and His Saints Slept the first book in her Plantagenet series. I would rate this higher than 5 stars if allowed!

Loved Here Be Dragons and The Sunne in Splendour, among my favourites ever.

However, for some reason When Christ and His Saints Slept failed to resonate with me. I liked the sections with Ranulf, especially when he went to Wales. I think Penman has a real affinity with Wales. But I was less interested in the actual historical action and I never got around to the sequels.

I also have to say that "Penman" is the best surname for a writer ever.

Fiona wrote: "Loved Here Be Dragons and The Sunne in Splendour, among my favourites ever.

However, for some reason When Christ and His Saints Slept failed to resonate with me. I liked the sections with Ranulf, ..."

I've often wondered if "Penman" is a pen name.

Sharon Kay Penman is an GR author and I know she was active at some point in this group. I'm sure if you post a question on her author page she will respond as she seems to be very reader friendly.

Here's the Here be Dragons thread she participated in: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm halfway through There Be Dragons. I'm finding that it drags. Should I keep going?

Yes. It is a good series and more you read and find about the Welsh Princes.

It was posted on her official Facebook page that Sharon Kay Penman passed away a few days ago from cancer. A tragic loss for her family, friends and many fans. One of my favorite authors. Loved reading her blog posts. She was always generous in responding to her readers and introducing us to her favorite author's novels.

So sorry to hear this.

So sad to learn of her passing. She is my favorite writer of historical fiction. I love her ability to immerse you in the time and place and the way she developed the characters in her novels. I love her attention to detail. May she RIP.

Very sad to hear this. A tragic loss indeed.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "It was posted on her official Facebook page that Sharon Kay Penman passed away a few days ago from cancer. A tragic loss for her family, friends and many fans. One of my favorite authors. Loved rea..."

Although I haven't gotten to any of her novels yet. I enjoyed her blog posts as well and was so sorry to learn of her passing.

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I will miss seeing new books from her. The Sunne in Splendour, which I read in high school, will always be one of my all-time favorites.

I enjoyed Here Be Dragons and was sad to hear she died.

This is such sad news-her books really brought the Crusades and that time period alive for me. She was a truly excellent storyteller.

Lindsey wrote: "This is such sad news-her books really brought the Crusades and that time period alive for me. She was a truly excellent storyteller."

I also love Penman's work, all of it, but if you want to read a fascinating account of the Crusades, research Harold Lamb. I think you will love it!

Here Be Dragons made me interested in history and historical fiction when it was lent to me by an enthusiastic friend when we were both in our early twenties. So grateful for all I’ve read and enjoyed in the 25 years since and for learning about the incredible Eleanor of Aquitaine.

I just started her book Lionheart today.

The only book of hers I've read so far is Here Be Dragons, but I really enjoyed it.

Sharon Kay Penman is my favorite historical fiction writer. Here Be Dragons was the first book I read, and I fell in love with Sharon and Wales. All her books are excellent and I would highly recommend.