For the past couple of years I've been reading lots of fantasy series, with my favorites being those with big worlds, large pov casts, focused on politics, war, and intrigue between characters. Given what I enjoy, it's a wonder I haven't read more historical fiction, seeing as the highly fantastical worlds do not appeal as much to me as do lower magic settings.
In terms of historical fiction, however, one of my favorite series of all time has to be "Masters of Rome" by Colleen McCullough. Are there any other big book series with the sort of large settings you would find in MOR? I'm not too bothered about time period, so long as the series is long, has several/many POV characters, and is highly addictive!
P.S.: I've gotten a few YouTube shorts recommended to me recently showcasing some scenes from the show "The Great", about Empress Catherine of Russia. I know it's not very historically accurate, which is why I don't think I'll watch it, but it seemed quite entertaining – something along those lines would be the sort of thing I'd like to read (with more historical accuracy). Thanks in advance!
by MarcoUlpioTrajano
5 Comments
Wolf Hall, for sure.
*War and Peace*, by Leo Tolstoy. (Russian Empire during Napoleon’s invasion.)
*Shogun*, by James Clavell. (How the Japanese Civil Wars finally ended.)
The *Conqueror Series*, by Conn Iggulden (5 books). (The rise of the Mongolian Empire, including what happened after Genghis Khan died.)
The *Claudius Series*, by Robert Graves (2 books). (Rome from the reign of Emperor Augustus, shortly after he consolidated power but before Claudius was born, through the unlikely reign of Claudius, last surviving male heir of Augustus.)
Also, you might enjoy *The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire*, by Edward Gibbons. It was intended as nonfiction but often reads like historical fiction — in part because the ancient histories on which it was based were often at least partially salacious fiction. But it’s full of great stories.
Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett, seems like something you’d like.
I just finished The Saxon Series by Bernard Cornwell. I loved them and I think they fit the bill.
Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser