Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles - similar novels/series?

drazzy · 01-18-2009, 03:53 PM

Love these novels, definitely among my favorites, but apart from them, I've never really delved deeper into the historical fiction 'genre'. So, if anyone has any recommendations at all (medieval era is perhaps the most interesting to me, personally - but a good story is a good story no matter what the time period!) I'd love to hear them. Being a mass consumer of mostly speculative fiction, it'd be a welcome change for sure.

Sparrow · 01-18-2009, 04:54 PM

You might find some of the options discussed in this thread interesting.

They're not medieval - but I enjoyed C. S. Forester's Hornblower books.

wayspooled · 01-18-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drazzy

Love these novels, definitely among my favorites, but apart from them, I've never really delved deeper into the historical fiction 'genre'. So, if anyone has any recommendations at all (medieval era is perhaps the most interesting to me, personally - but a good story is a good story no matter what the time period!) I'd love to hear them. Being a mass consumer of mostly speculative fiction, it'd be a welcome change for sure.

My personal favorites are "The Game of Kings" (16th century Scotland and Europe) and "Niccolo Rising" (15th century Europe) by Dorothy Dunnett, "Master and Commander" (18th Century Europe and England) by Patrick O'Brian, "Scaramouche" (French Revolution) by Rafael Sabatini, "The Pillars of the Earth" (12th Century England) by Ken Follett, Alan Mallinson's "A Close Run Thing" (1815) and Sharon Kay Penman's "The Queen's Man" (12th Century England). Not to mention the historically based Alexandre Dumas novels of which there are 5 or 6 depending on how the 3rd one is published (as one book or two). Anyway, the Dumas D'Artagnon books begin with The Three Musketeers and end with The Man in the Iron Mask.

I also like Lindsey Davis's roman mysteries and Steven Scarrow's roman adventures.

Historical Novel Society has a list of nominations here, might find something that interests you. http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/nominations.html

drazzy · 01-18-2009, 08:57 PM

Cheers to both of you, those Roman Empire novels should be very interesting, also bookmarked the HNS site, looks like a great resource.

Dumas I'm familiar with of course, but those other authors are completely new to me - will definitely check them out first chance I get.

wayspooled · 01-18-2009, 09:01 PM

I forgot to mention that I also love the Cornwell Warlord novels too.

Novasea · 01-19-2009, 12:29 AM

Sharon Kay Penman's Welsh Trilogy is excellent. Her stand alone The Sunne in Splendour is also good. Actually..she has another series..the name of which I can't remember right now. Her detective series..in my opinion..is not up to her usual standard.

Over · 01-19-2009, 05:49 AM

Don't forget Steven Saylor's Roma Sub-Rosa series!

wayspooled · 01-19-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayspooled

I also like Lindsey Davis's roman mysteries and Steven Scarrow's roman adventures.

Correcting myself, that's "Simon Scarrow's" roman books, not Steven. And as was mentioned, Steven Saylor has the roma sub rosa series too. Somehow I combined the two to get "Steven Scarrow".

All three authors are good.

richard83 · 01-20-2009, 05:49 PM

If you enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's novel then I can recommend his "Grail Quest" series set in the early 1300's about an english archer in france. Very good set of books!

Peadar Ó Guilín · 01-21-2009, 11:53 AM

As another lover of The Warlord Chronicles, I'd recommend something by David Gemmell. Legend, for example. It's fantasy rather than historical fiction and not quite as gritty as Cornwell's work. Most of the plot describes the build-up to a huge and very exciting battle.

There is also George R. R. Martin's amazing epic that begins with A Game of Thrones. There are plenty of great battles in this series too with wonderfully drawn characters to boot.

Novasea · 01-21-2009, 01:06 PM

I am reading Martin's Game of Thrones right now...loving it. Didn't think I would..but it is very good. I also enjoyed Edward Rutherfurd's Princes of Ireland and Rebels of Ireland. Both excellent historical fiction in my opinion. Of course, in my opinion again, Martin is more fantasy than historical fiction.

Barcey · 01-21-2009, 06:07 PM

Just reading Bernard Cornwell's other series could keep you busy for a while. I think you'd like his "Grail Quest" series. I've read the first two of his "Saxon Stories", listened to audio books of the "Starbuck Chronicles" and most of the "Sharpe Books". Different time periods but all good books.

If you like the Arthurian legends I really liked Jack Whyte's Camulod-Eagles but alas they don't seem to be available as ebooks. He has the first two books out of a trilogy on the Knights Templar though which are available as ebooks.

I'd also recommend Conn Iggulden's Emperor series if you're interested in Romain historical fiction or his Conqueror series on Ghengis Khan.

Sweetpea · 01-23-2009, 02:03 AM

I like Stephen R. Lawhead and his Pendragon series. I must find the second book of hist newest series, which goes about the legend of Robin Hood. Most of his books play in Wales.

astra · 01-26-2009, 07:06 AM

If you are interested in Arthur's legends, then to people who liked Warlord chronicles, Mary Stewart's Merlin series are usually recommended.
I have not read any of them, but I am planning to.
Some say that Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon are not bad.

01-18-2009, 03:53 PM	#1
drazzy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: prs-505	Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles - similar novels/series? Love these novels, definitely among my favorites, but apart from them, I've never really delved deeper into the historical fiction 'genre'. So, if anyone has any recommendations at all (medieval era is perhaps the most interesting to me, personally - but a good story is a good story no matter what the time period!) I'd love to hear them. Being a mass consumer of mostly speculative fiction, it'd be a welcome change for sure.

01-18-2009, 09:01 PM	#5
wayspooled Bibliophile Posts: 429 Karma: 4580 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Tablet PC until a 10" comes out that I like	I forgot to mention that I also love the Cornwell Warlord novels too. __________________ “Honor has not to be won; it must only not be lost.” - Arthur Schopenhauer

01-21-2009, 11:53 AM	#10
Peadar Ó Guilín Author of The Inferior Posts: 121 Karma: 200001 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ireland Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3 (soon...)	As another lover of The Warlord Chronicles, I'd recommend something by David Gemmell. Legend, for example. It's fantasy rather than historical fiction and not quite as gritty as Cornwell's work. Most of the plot describes the build-up to a huge and very exciting battle. There is also George R. R. Martin's amazing epic that begins with A Game of Thrones. There are plenty of great battles in this series too with wonderfully drawn characters to boot. __________________ "Read this, and remember why science fiction lit your fire in the first place." * * * * * Guy Haley in DeathRay Sample chapters are here (pdf). Kindle ----- Sony ----- Mobi/Microsoft

01-26-2009, 07:06 AM	#14
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,308 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	If you are interested in Arthur's legends, then to people who liked Warlord chronicles, Mary Stewart's Merlin series are usually recommended. I have not read any of them, but I am planning to. Some say that Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon are not bad. __________________ Only Two Things Are Infinite, The Universe and Human Stupidity, and I'm Not Sure About The Former. Albert Einstein Saving the Planet

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01-18-2009, 04:54 PM	#2
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,400 Karma: 1358102 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	You might find some of the options discussed in this thread interesting. They're not medieval - but I enjoyed C. S. Forester's Hornblower books.

01-18-2009, 08:57 PM	#4
drazzy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: prs-505	Cheers to both of you, those Roman Empire novels should be very interesting, also bookmarked the HNS site, looks like a great resource. Dumas I'm familiar with of course, but those other authors are completely new to me - will definitely check them out first chance I get.

01-19-2009, 12:29 AM	#6
Novasea Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 212 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony 505	Sharon Kay Penman's Welsh Trilogy is excellent. Her stand alone The Sunne in Splendour is also good. Actually..she has another series..the name of which I can't remember right now. Her detective series..in my opinion..is not up to her usual standard.

01-19-2009, 05:49 AM	#7
Over Wizard Posts: 1,450 Karma: 3949068 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle DXi, Kindle 3, iPad and iPhone 4	Don't forget Steven Saylor's Roma Sub-Rosa series!

01-20-2009, 05:49 PM	#9
richard83 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	If you enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's novel then I can recommend his "Grail Quest" series set in the early 1300's about an english archer in france. Very good set of books!

01-21-2009, 01:06 PM	#11
Novasea Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 212 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony 505	I am reading Martin's Game of Thrones right now...loving it. Didn't think I would..but it is very good. I also enjoyed Edward Rutherfurd's Princes of Ireland and Rebels of Ireland. Both excellent historical fiction in my opinion. Of course, in my opinion again, Martin is more fantasy than historical fiction.

01-21-2009, 06:07 PM	#12
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,078 Karma: 2675390 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: PocketBook 301+/Cybook GEN3 /iPod Touch	Just reading Bernard Cornwell's other series could keep you busy for a while. I think you'd like his "Grail Quest" series. I've read the first two of his "Saxon Stories", listened to audio books of the "Starbuck Chronicles" and most of the "Sharpe Books". Different time periods but all good books. If you like the Arthurian legends I really liked Jack Whyte's Camulod-Eagles but alas they don't seem to be available as ebooks. He has the first two books out of a trilogy on the Knights Templar though which are available as ebooks. I'd also recommend Conn Iggulden's Emperor series if you're interested in Romain historical fiction or his Conqueror series on Ghengis Khan.

01-23-2009, 02:03 AM	#13
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,746 Karma: 21843110 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: HTC Flyer; BBMini; Sony PRS650	I like Stephen R. Lawhead and his Pendragon series. I must find the second book of hist newest series, which goes about the legend of Robin Hood. Most of his books play in Wales.

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