Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

Hi all,
My reading so far has mostly leaned toward classic literature and contemporary novels. Outside of reading, I’ve always had a strong interest in history—especially through documentaries, films, and series. Now, I’d really like to explore that interest through historical fiction. I’d greatly appreciate any beginner-friendly book recommendations that are engaging and easy to get into.

I would say depends which period of history you like. As English is not my first language I tend to look for books with sort of easy to follow writing style. Ben Kane if you like Romans, Philippa Gregory if you like Plantagenets and Tudors.

Agree with the above.

I'm not sure if they're 'beginner', but I really enjoyed:
- Bernard Cornwell's 'The Winter King', Warlord Chronicles.
- Manda Scott's Boudica series.
- Dan Jones 'Essex Dogs', currently reading book 2 'Wolves of Winter'
- Elodie Harper 'The Wolf Den'
- Conn Iggudden 'Wolf of the Plains'

I like Conn's books and thinking about Boudica series myself. Didn't read too many Cornwell's books but they are on my TBR list 😁

I second the Bernard Cornwell rec. If you have any interest in the Napoleonic Wars, his Sharpe series is fantastic, too.

The Boudica series is a 6⭐ for me. The start of the first book may seem a little 'slow', character/world building, etc...BUT, get past this...great middle...GREAT end!

I'll try the Sharpe series 👍

If you like vikings, God of Vengeance by Giles Kristian...I really enjoyed this too.

Another here with a nod to Cornwell, esp enjoyed his Arthurian trilogy as a lot of the action is in my locale so could easily picture the landscape, that said his works have very good characterisation & dialogue making them a very fluent read. And he's just a grand storyteller.

I too enjoyed the Conqueror series (Genghis Khan) by Conn Igguldden, another flowing writer.

Tim Severin is another favourite series of mine with his Viking Trilogy, although I would say it's almost half way between n/f & fiction as he does go into detail, great read though, also his voyage series are excellent too (n/f) for the record.

Roman series by Ian James Ross (Twilight of Empire) set in the Constantine period. Also Robert Fabbri's Vespasian series is another I'd recommend for that period. I do enjoy Simon Scarrow's too with his "boys own adventure" style, although can be (very) repetitive after a while. I would say his first 5 books which were all set in the Britannica Campaign/conquest I enjoyed the most.

Pride Of Carthage by David Anthony Durham covers the Hannibal vs Rome period & is a great piece done by an excellent storyteller.

Robert Harris & his Cicero series is excellent for Roman politics of that era. A grand trilogy.... very detailed & involved.

David Gilman & His master of War series is very good, set at the start of the 100yrs war period, gritty style

Angus Donald (Outlaw chronicles) which bills Robin Hood as the main man..... but in fact it's Will Scarlet that we follow, great adventures & storytelling set over the European theatre of war

Michael Arnold's English Civil War series whose writing follows a likeness to Bernard Cornwell in how his MC is portrayed.

Chris C Humphreys work is worth a look with his individual books written around European events/personages in the late 1400's/early1500's - very knowledgeable flowing stories I found.

And then there's a fair few series I follow in the C20th?

I tend to write a review for most books that I've read if you fancy a looksee in more detail.

Enjoy!

Definitely yes to Tim Severn and his Viking trilogy 😁. Also Angus Donald - I read his Fire born series, his Outlaw Chronicles still waiting for my attention 😁

I've been looking for a 'Robin Hood' series 👍

I've TBR'd all of these , thanks. The Essex Dogs series is around the 100yr war, it would be great to get a different story to that time in history.

I read only Conclave by Robert Harris - so adding Cicero to to my TBR list, and agree to Vespasian series by Robert Fabbri (didn't completed yet - but defo what I read so far is great read).

Few weeks ago I finished The Cardinal by Alison Weir, she's good historical fiction author too (specially Tudor period).

Andy wrote: "Another here with a nod to Cornwell, esp enjoyed his Arthurian trilogy as a lot of the action is in my locale so could easily picture the landscape, that said his works have very good characterisat..."

Wow! You just have my TBR pile massive bloat 😸

Maurice Druon's The Accursed Kings series is good

The Accursed Kings (French: Les Rois maudits) is a series of seven historical novels by French author Maurice Druon about the French monarchy in the 14th century. Published between 1955 and 1977, the series has been adapted as a miniseries twice for television in France. A new adaptation for film was announced to be in development in late 2024.

American author George R. R. Martin called The Accursed Kings "the original game of thrones", citing Druon's novels as an inspiration for his own series A Song of Ice and Fire.

starts with The Iron King. I really enjoyed this series.

I'm still waiting for the U.S. release of Michael Arnold's ebooks, mentioned in Andy's post. The author said he just switched publishers so hopefully it won't be long now.

Michelle wrote: "I'm still waiting for the U.S. release of Michael Arnold's ebooks, mentioned in Andy's post. The author said he just switched publishers so hopefully it won't be long now."

I'm pleased he's found another publisher as i saw it was the reason he hadn't published anymore books in the series (which is about a decade now) despite having books written.

Michelle wrote: "Andy wrote: "Another here with a nod to Cornwell, esp enjoyed his Arthurian trilogy as a lot of the action is in my locale so could easily picture the landscape, that said his works have very good ..."

Always pleased to help :D

Monika wrote: "I read only Conclave by Robert Harris - so adding Cicero to to my TBR list, and agree to Vespasian series by Robert Fabbri (didn't completed yet - but defo what I read so far is great read)."

Conclave was quite good, enjoyed that one, also Fatherland, one of his earlier although it's more of an alternate history of the C20th conflict between Germany/Russia

Fabbri's other series about Alexander the great's legacy is quite good too, im a few books into that so far & enjoying it

I'm late to this, but if you like mysteries, Michael Jecks's Last Templar Mysteries series -set starting in 1316 is one that I really like

Thank's for all your suggestions, great to see this is such a lively community.

I also like to buy my books second hand and I found someone who was selling the titles underneath, so this will be my starting point:

Valerio Massimo Manfredi - Alexander : the Sands of Ammon
Valerio Massimo Manfredi - Alexander : Child of a dream
Robert Harris - Imperium
Bernard Cornwell - The Last Kingdom
Bernard Cornwell - The Pale Horseman
Conn Iggulden - Emperor, the Death of Kings
Conn Iggulden - Emperor, the Field of Swords
Conn Iggulden Emperor, The Gates of Rome

Mathieu wrote: "Thank's for all your suggestions, great to see this is such a lively community.

I also like to buy my books second hand and I found someone who was selling the titles underneath, so this will be ..."

Solid list!
I'd like to add my absolut favorite viking adventure: Red Orm (a k a The Long Ships).

Ian wrote: "Agree with the above.

I'm not sure if they're 'beginner', but I really enjoyed:
- Bernard Cornwell's 'The Winter King', Warlord Chronicles.
- Manda Scott's Boudica series.
- Dan Jones 'Essex Dogs..."

That's a lot of canines!

I didn’t see any mentions yet for the Matthew Shardlake series, murder mysteries in Tudor England, really gives a picture of life in that era. Dissolution is the first in the series.

Tina wrote: "I didn’t see any mentions yet for the Matthew Shardlake series, murder mysteries in Tudor England, really gives a picture of life in that era. Dissolution is the first in the series."

Good shout, an excellent series

Without knowing the time period preference...I would consider "People of the Book" "All the Light We Cannot See" "Orphan Train" "Rules of Civility"