'My Top Ten Summer Reads: Shardlake, Genghis, Sharpe and more' blog discussion

snoozer

Simon Scarrow has also written four books about Wellington and Napoleon, the fourth is just out.

Have you tried Stephen Saylor - his Roma Sub Rosa books are excellent, very well researched, with a "detective" called Gordianus.

I'm afraid I don't like fantasy books on the whole but I might try some of those you have recommended.

MSE_Martin

Replies to some of the above

I wasn't that into the Scarrow Wellington books, felt it started to lose it in book three.

I will of course be getting the next Shardlake - FABULOUS stuff.

Of Cornwell, I like the harlequin series, not done arthur and didnt enjoy the US civil war one (part from the sidelong mention of sharpes son)

Think i may need to read song of ice and fire

silverarrow73

Have you tried the Hugh Corbett mysteries written by Paul Dothery? They are set in Medieval England, and there is a huge series of them. The same author also wrote a series of crime books set in Ancient Egypt as well, I can't remember the titles of them off the top of my head, and then there's the Sister Fidelma mysteries that no one I know has ever heard of before, they are set in Cetlic Ireland, and are about a sleuthing nun, and are actually quite good, and they are by Peter Tremayne.

Jules_Wilson

Have you ever read 'Dancers at the End of Time' by Michael Moorcock? There are a few other titles by him, I'd have to look in my attic to find out the titles. It's been a while since I read them. Definite classics.

gnimia

I love the Temeraire novels by Naomi Novik http://www.temeraire.org/

About fleets of dragons in the Napoleonic era - strongly recommended!
Also, Isaac Asimov's FOundation series - pure sci-fi, but fantastic:j

MSE_Martin

And I have to admit a liking to eragon series too (though its meant to be for teens)

lemontart

I have just discovered the l fantastic skills and satire of Ben Elton's books on my 4th one in 6 weeks brilliant and thought provoking at the same time

MSE_Martin

lemontart wrote: »

I have just discovered the l fantastic skills and satire of Ben Elton's books on my 4th one in 6 weeks brilliant and thought provoking at the same time

Couldnt agree more - mrs mse and i dont share taste in books but both love those

Errata

I'd recommend Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle of 3 novels: history, adventure, science, invention, sex, absurdity, piracy, madness, death and alchemy across continents and decades and with walk on parts for Newton, Pepys, William of Orange, Franklin, Louis XIV, the Royal Mint, Longitude and many more.

Sublime_2

nedski wrote: »

Can't believe the Song Of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin wasn't mentioned in your list... an unbelievable epic fantasy that is simply the best stuff I've ever read in this genre. You need plenty of time as the books are huge and there's loads of them but they keep you hooked for sure. He hasn't finished writing the series yet and fans have been waiting for the next instalment for 5 years now; the scope of each book is so big it's simply a mammoth undertaking for the author.
If you started reading them now the next one will probably be out by the time you finish though

The other classic series that have been missed are the trilogies by Robin Hobb : The Farseer Trilogy first and then the Tawny Man Trilogy following on. The characterisation Hobb achieves is second to none and you cannot help but become immersed in the land and the lives of the characters, particularly the central character FitzChivalry.
I guarantee these are books that will stay with you long after you've (reluctantly) turned the last page...

N.

grastgirl wrote: »

Out of those I've read (and re-read):
5. The Sharpe Series – Bernard Cornwell.
6. The Black Magician Trilogy – Trudi Canavan.
8. Emperor Series – Conn Iggulden.

You might also want to take a look at these:
The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett (Fantasy that mirrors reality)

Of the above, I loved George R R Martins ongoing epic The Game of Thrones, and am eagerly awaiting his next (long overdue) installment. It is such an intricately woven tale that I'm sure I'm going to have to re-read the whole series by the time it does come out.

I only recently got introduced to the Farseer trilogy, but excellent too, although I missed one of the books out, so will probably re-read at some stage.

The Black Magician trilogy (for me) was excellent, even though aimed (I believe) at the adolescent market.

Terry Pratchett, remains for me a great author. Who else can successfully combine fantasy, with humour, and mad plots.

One (out of the many) missing from this list would be Patrick Rothfuss, "The Name of The Wind". I have read it twice already, and will probably re-read it again, when the next installment finally comes out.

Another author would be Tad Williams The Dragonbone Chair "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy", and his excellent (and original) Otherland series, which I have just finished reading.