What’s your favorite fantasy or historical fiction novel that few people have read or heard of? Which novels do you feel are underrated and deserve more attention?
Home ยป Discussion Topic: Your Favorite, Underrated Fantasy or Historical Fiction Novel
I mentioned this in a previous discussion topic, but I really like Stephen King’s “The Eye of the Dragon.” It’s a fantasy set in medieval times. It’s a quick read, relatively simple language, but he really spins a great tale. It’s much different than the rest of King’s work. I never particularly enjoyed The Dark Tower series, but this covers different ground entirely.
I need to check this one out. It does seem very different from his other stuff.
I’ll have to look up “The Eye of the Dragon”. Sounds interesting. Stephen King is very, very good when he’s good.
Anne G
Leslie Barringer’s three “Neustria” novels based on a fictionalized 14th France are among my favorite fiction of any sort.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLeslie_Barringer&ei=dnrXSZKaFZbuMu3j1eUO&usg=AFQjCNFbnmQvQmsaBVoJz5m-AVLak-uVRw&sig2=9r6IAPBXMeGxfq8Cou-OOA
Leslie Barringer is a new one for me as well. Thanks for the link, Steve!
Kathleen Herbert’s “Northumbria” trilogy, written in the 1980s, set in sixth and seventh century Britain, and based on actual historical figures. Bernard Cornwell’s beloved Bebbanburg features in the third book as well! There’s plenty of action, but they do have a basic historical romance element.
1) Bride of the Spear ( aka Lady of the Fountain)
The difficult relationship between Prince Owain, son of King Urien of Cumbria and Taniu, daughter of King Loth of the Gododdin
2) Queen of the Lightning
Riemmelth – “Queen of the Lightning” is the last of Cumbria’a royal line. To ensure the safety of Cumbria, Riemmelth, is forced into marriage with her hated enemy, Oswy, a Prince of Bernicia.
3) Ghost in the Sunlight
Riemmelth’d daughter, Alchflaed of Bernicia, stirs up dark secrets from the past when she acts as peaceweaver and marries Peada, the son of Penda, king of Mercia.
Kathleen Herbert really captures the period in detail and attitude, underscored with an impressive numinous quality.
She also wrote several non-fiction history books focusing on various aspects of this time period.
Here’s a 1991 interview Raymond H.Thompson did with her, part of his series of interviews with authors of modern Arthurian fiction.
http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/intrvws/herbert.htm
Thanks, Annis, for the suggestion. I’m not familiar with Kathleen Herbert; I’ll have to check that out. It sounds interesting. I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Chronicles. I’m working my way through those right now.