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Genre Guide
Historical— Ancient and Medieval Worlds
By:
ChristchurchLib
Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
Staff-created list
If you want to be transported to an era still captivating humanity thousands of years later, try these fictional tales all set in the Ancient and Medieval eras. From Neolithic times, to the ancient and medieval civilisations of Rome, Greece, Britain, Egypt, and more. Stories lavish in detail and with a strong sense of place, breathing life into the ancient and medieval worlds and the intriguing characters there. A Christchurch City Libraries list.
By:
ChristchurchLib
Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi
15 items
15 items
Book - 1991
Delve into the lore of the Scottish land, full of wonder, magic, sex, and violence. Set in Scotland in both 1945 and 1745, we follow the headstrong Claire...Show more
Delve into the lore of the Scottish land, full of wonder, magic, sex, and violence. Set in Scotland in both 1945 and 1745, we follow the headstrong Claire Randall, an ex-army WWII nurse. Clare steps into a stone circle and is thrown back in time, landing straight in the middle of the fight for the Jacobite cause. Follow this up with the TV series or the next book in the series.
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Delve into the lore of the Scottish land, full of wonder, magic, sex, and violence. Set in Scotland in both 1945 and 1745, we follow the headstrong Claire...Show more
Delve into the lore of the Scottish land, full of wonder, magic, sex, and violence. Set in Scotland in both 1945 and 1745, we follow the headstrong Claire Randall, an ex-army WWII nurse. Clare steps into a stone circle and is thrown back in time, landing straight in the middle of the fight for the Jacobite cause. Follow this up with the TV series or the next book in the series.
Show less
A Novel of 2000 BC
Book - 1999
A historical adventure set in 2,000BC by legendary adventure author Bernard Cornwell. This is a captivating Bronze-Age imagining of the origins of Stonehe...Show more
A historical adventure set in 2,000BC by legendary adventure author Bernard Cornwell. This is a captivating Bronze-Age imagining of the origins of Stonehenge, complete with masses of action, intrigue, family drama, and murder. A great read for readers who enjoy Wilbur Smith, and anyone who likes their historical fiction with a large dose adventure.
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A historical adventure set in 2,000BC by legendary adventure author Bernard Cornwell. This is a captivating Bronze-Age imagining of the origins of Stonehe...Show more
A historical adventure set in 2,000BC by legendary adventure author Bernard Cornwell. This is a captivating Bronze-Age imagining of the origins of Stonehenge, complete with masses of action, intrigue, family drama, and murder. A great read for readers who enjoy Wilbur Smith, and anyone who likes their historical fiction with a large dose adventure.
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A Novel
Book - 2010
A powerful story about Saint Brigid, the first and only woman priest/bishop in fifth-century Ireland, by popular historical fiction author Heather Terrell...Show more
A powerful story about Saint Brigid, the first and only woman priest/bishop in fifth-century Ireland, by popular historical fiction author Heather Terrell. Deemed dangerous by the Church for her popularity and different ways of spreading Christianity in Ireland, Brigid risks being charged as a heretic. Saint Brigid's story is told using three points of view, including one from the modern era— this is both an empowering and fascinating read about a remarkable historical figure.
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A powerful story about Saint Brigid, the first and only woman priest/bishop in fifth-century Ireland, by popular historical fiction author Heather Terrell...Show more
A powerful story about Saint Brigid, the first and only woman priest/bishop in fifth-century Ireland, by popular historical fiction author Heather Terrell. Deemed dangerous by the Church for her popularity and different ways of spreading Christianity in Ireland, Brigid risks being charged as a heretic. Saint Brigid's story is told using three points of view, including one from the modern era— this is both an empowering and fascinating read about a remarkable historical figure.
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Book - 2014
The king of historical adventure, Wilbur Smith, has crafted a truly epic and sweeping novel of Ancient Egypt that will enthral and leave you wanting more....Show more
The king of historical adventure, Wilbur Smith, has crafted a truly epic and sweeping novel of Ancient Egypt that will enthral and leave you wanting more. The larger-than-life narrator Taita is one of the most engaging and memorable characters you’ll come across, and Smith’s descriptive and vivid writing will transport you straight to the banks of the river Nile, through raging battles and pulse-pounding scenes of action. This is no slow-burner; if you enjoy books that keep you up all night, this will not disappoint!
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The king of historical adventure, Wilbur Smith, has crafted a truly epic and sweeping novel of Ancient Egypt that will enthral and leave you wanting more....Show more
The king of historical adventure, Wilbur Smith, has crafted a truly epic and sweeping novel of Ancient Egypt that will enthral and leave you wanting more. The larger-than-life narrator Taita is one of the most engaging and memorable characters you’ll come across, and Smith’s descriptive and vivid writing will transport you straight to the banks of the river Nile, through raging battles and pulse-pounding scenes of action. This is no slow-burner; if you enjoy books that keep you up all night, this will not disappoint!
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Book - 2014
Set in 785AD Norway, this tale of loss, adventure and vengeance makes a great read for anyone who enjoys Viking settings. With his whole family either kil...Show more
Set in 785AD Norway, this tale of loss, adventure and vengeance makes a great read for anyone who enjoys Viking settings. With his whole family either killed or scattered, having been taken, Sigurd is on a bloody mission of revenge. Led by the gods and transforming himself into a mightier leader and warrior, he leads his ragtag crew of killers with him to make his family's murders pay. If you like authors like James Wilde, this could be your next read.
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Set in 785AD Norway, this tale of loss, adventure and vengeance makes a great read for anyone who enjoys Viking settings. With his whole family either kil...Show more
Set in 785AD Norway, this tale of loss, adventure and vengeance makes a great read for anyone who enjoys Viking settings. With his whole family either killed or scattered, having been taken, Sigurd is on a bloody mission of revenge. Led by the gods and transforming himself into a mightier leader and warrior, he leads his ragtag crew of killers with him to make his family's murders pay. If you like authors like James Wilde, this could be your next read.
Show less
Book - 2017
Set in 1322 Cambaluc (modern-day Beijing) we follow Marco Polo's grandaughter Joanna Wu as she navigates the changing political world in the Great Khan's ...Show more
Set in 1322 Cambaluc (modern-day Beijing) we follow Marco Polo's grandaughter Joanna Wu as she navigates the changing political world in the Great Khan's court. For her safety, she must make her way to Venice to find her grandfather, and there's only one way to get there— the Silk Road. Filled with wonders, dangers, and self-discovery, this historical fiction is a great read if you enjoy books like Edward Rutherford's 'China'.
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Set in 1322 Cambaluc (modern-day Beijing) we follow Marco Polo's grandaughter Joanna Wu as she navigates the changing political world in the Great Khan's ...Show more
Set in 1322 Cambaluc (modern-day Beijing) we follow Marco Polo's grandaughter Joanna Wu as she navigates the changing political world in the Great Khan's court. For her safety, she must make her way to Venice to find her grandfather, and there's only one way to get there— the Silk Road. Filled with wonders, dangers, and self-discovery, this historical fiction is a great read if you enjoy books like Edward Rutherford's 'China'.
Show less
A Novel
Book - 1980
Auel's story of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens has become a modern classic, and for good reason. When a natural disaster leaves Ayla— a Cro-Magnon ch...Show more
Auel's story of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens has become a modern classic, and for good reason. When a natural disaster leaves Ayla— a Cro-Magnon child— isolated from her own kind, she is taken in by the Clan, a group of neanderthals. We follow Ayla through her journey of self-discovery in the Paleolithic era, for all it's joys, challenges, and dangers. A great read if you enjoy books about early humans that is well-based in science (for the time it was written).
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Auel's story of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens has become a modern classic, and for good reason. When a natural disaster leaves Ayla— a Cro-Magnon ch...Show more
Auel's story of Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens has become a modern classic, and for good reason. When a natural disaster leaves Ayla— a Cro-Magnon child— isolated from her own kind, she is taken in by the Clan, a group of neanderthals. We follow Ayla through her journey of self-discovery in the Paleolithic era, for all it's joys, challenges, and dangers. A great read if you enjoy books about early humans that is well-based in science (for the time it was written).
Show less
A Novel
Book - 2008
Part historical fiction, part myth retelling, this story is inspired by the Indian epic 'Mahabharat'. Told from Panchaali's point of view, we see everythi...Show more
Part historical fiction, part myth retelling, this story is inspired by the Indian epic 'Mahabharat'. Told from Panchaali's point of view, we see everything from her birth, to dysfunctional family and power dynamics, as well as destiny and fate. This is a great read for anyone who doesn't mind their historical fiction with a flavour from fantasy, or anyone who enjoys a myth retelling. If you liked 'Circe' or 'Ariadne', this could be for you.
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Part historical fiction, part myth retelling, this story is inspired by the Indian epic 'Mahabharat'. Told from Panchaali's point of view, we see everythi...Show more
Part historical fiction, part myth retelling, this story is inspired by the Indian epic 'Mahabharat'. Told from Panchaali's point of view, we see everything from her birth, to dysfunctional family and power dynamics, as well as destiny and fate. This is a great read for anyone who doesn't mind their historical fiction with a flavour from fantasy, or anyone who enjoys a myth retelling. If you liked 'Circe' or 'Ariadne', this could be for you.
Show less
Book - 2011
Stunning settings with strong female characters and an adventurous story that'll captivate your imagination! Hoffman is well known for her beautiful story...Show more
Stunning settings with strong female characters and an adventurous story that'll captivate your imagination! Hoffman is well known for her beautiful storytelling and unforgettable female characters. The Dovekeepers is a story of survival, hope and strength. Centered around four Jewish women's experiences during the siege of Masada in 73 CE.
Show less
Stunning settings with strong female characters and an adventurous story that'll captivate your imagination! Hoffman is well known for her beautiful story...Show more
Stunning settings with strong female characters and an adventurous story that'll captivate your imagination! Hoffman is well known for her beautiful storytelling and unforgettable female characters. The Dovekeepers is a story of survival, hope and strength. Centered around four Jewish women's experiences during the siege of Masada in 73 CE.
Show less
Book - 2014
This story originates from the Book of Genesis written by Moses, and follows the biblical story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Written in Dinah's voice and h...Show more
This story originates from the Book of Genesis written by Moses, and follows the biblical story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Written in Dinah's voice and her version of the story, we are taken on an intimate and deeply affecting journey to learn what life was like for women in this period of the ancient world.
Show less
This story originates from the Book of Genesis written by Moses, and follows the biblical story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Written in Dinah's voice and h...Show more
This story originates from the Book of Genesis written by Moses, and follows the biblical story of Dinah, Jacob's daughter. Written in Dinah's voice and her version of the story, we are taken on an intimate and deeply affecting journey to learn what life was like for women in this period of the ancient world.
Show less
Book - 2007
This expert historical fiction writer explores the harsh life of existence on the Mongolian Plains, with this vivid and dramatic portrayal. This first boo...Show more
This expert historical fiction writer explores the harsh life of existence on the Mongolian Plains, with this vivid and dramatic portrayal. This first book in a series focuses on the legacy of Genghis Khan, and begins with our central character as a young boy. His family is deeply imperiled following eviction from their tribe and facing a brutal life, exposed and hungry. Loads of action and drama throughout as young Temujin (Genghis) is formed by his culture and surroundings.
Show less
This expert historical fiction writer explores the harsh life of existence on the Mongolian Plains, with this vivid and dramatic portrayal. This first boo...Show more
This expert historical fiction writer explores the harsh life of existence on the Mongolian Plains, with this vivid and dramatic portrayal. This first book in a series focuses on the legacy of Genghis Khan, and begins with our central character as a young boy. His family is deeply imperiled following eviction from their tribe and facing a brutal life, exposed and hungry. Loads of action and drama throughout as young Temujin (Genghis) is formed by his culture and surroundings.
Show less
A Novel of Japan
Book - 1975
Set in feudal Japan in the 1600s and based on real characters, 'Shogun' gives us an account of the military leader Toranaga (in real life his name was Tok...Show more
Set in feudal Japan in the 1600s and based on real characters, 'Shogun' gives us an account of the military leader Toranaga (in real life his name was Tokugawa Ieyasu) and his rise to power. Weaving together Eastern and Western understandings of life, the story is told from the viewpoint of the first British person to enter Japan, John Blackthorne. 'Shogun' is the first in the three-part 'Asian saga' series by James Clavell.
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Set in feudal Japan in the 1600s and based on real characters, 'Shogun' gives us an account of the military leader Toranaga (in real life his name was Tok...Show more
Set in feudal Japan in the 1600s and based on real characters, 'Shogun' gives us an account of the military leader Toranaga (in real life his name was Tokugawa Ieyasu) and his rise to power. Weaving together Eastern and Western understandings of life, the story is told from the viewpoint of the first British person to enter Japan, John Blackthorne. 'Shogun' is the first in the three-part 'Asian saga' series by James Clavell.
Show less
Book - 2012
A true classic of Chinese literature, and originally written in the fourteenth century, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' depicts some of the troublesome ye...Show more
A true classic of Chinese literature, and originally written in the fourteenth century, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' depicts some of the troublesome years during the Han Dynasty (202-220AD). This is an absolute must-read for any fans of historical fiction with an interest in ancient China.
Show less
A true classic of Chinese literature, and originally written in the fourteenth century, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' depicts some of the troublesome ye...Show more
A true classic of Chinese literature, and originally written in the fourteenth century, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' depicts some of the troublesome years during the Han Dynasty (202-220AD). This is an absolute must-read for any fans of historical fiction with an interest in ancient China.
Show less
by Fagan, Oisín
Book - 2019
A gripping and surreal story set in medieval Ireland plagued by the Black Death. Taking advantage of the chaos and destruction the black death has caused,...Show more
A gripping and surreal story set in medieval Ireland plagued by the Black Death. Taking advantage of the chaos and destruction the black death has caused, nineteen-year-old nobleman Osprey de Flunkl and his men are travelling the land buying up cheap property. Yet, they aren't the only ones using the plague to profit— things start to get heated when a group of Gaels arrive, set on taking back as much of their land as they can. This would make a great choice for readers who enjoy literary fiction, as well as historical.
Show less
A gripping and surreal story set in medieval Ireland plagued by the Black Death. Taking advantage of the chaos and destruction the black death has caused,...Show more
A gripping and surreal story set in medieval Ireland plagued by the Black Death. Taking advantage of the chaos and destruction the black death has caused, nineteen-year-old nobleman Osprey de Flunkl and his men are travelling the land buying up cheap property. Yet, they aren't the only ones using the plague to profit— things start to get heated when a group of Gaels arrive, set on taking back as much of their land as they can. This would make a great choice for readers who enjoy literary fiction, as well as historical.
Show less
A Novel
Book - 2017
A well-researched and riveting read that bounces between the modern era, and forty thousand years in the past. We follow Girl and her family, the only rem...Show more
A well-researched and riveting read that bounces between the modern era, and forty thousand years in the past. We follow Girl and her family, the only remaining Neanderthals, as they try to survive in their harsh world— and winter is coming. In our time, Paleo Archaeologist is rushing to finish her dig to find out more about the Neanderthal family before her baby is born. A great read that explores women's lives, and make you think more about what it means to be human.
Show less
A well-researched and riveting read that bounces between the modern era, and forty thousand years in the past. We follow Girl and her family, the only rem...Show more
A well-researched and riveting read that bounces between the modern era, and forty thousand years in the past. We follow Girl and her family, the only remaining Neanderthals, as they try to survive in their harsh world— and winter is coming. In our time, Paleo Archaeologist is rushing to finish her dig to find out more about the Neanderthal family before her baby is born. A great read that explores women's lives, and make you think more about what it means to be human.
Show less