Conn Iggulden

[Connavar]

I like Macro most in Scarrow works. I liked Young Bloods and the two legion books i have read. I think Conn is alittle better making great historical character come to live and better prose too but not much different other than that.

Scarrow has more humor. I like the way he writes about the daily life of historical soldeirs in his two series. I hope he improves in Legion series as a writer cause there is huge difference in quality beteween the first book of Legion and Young Bloods who are one of his newest books.

About Young Bloods, i couldnt stand Wesley. He seemed unlikeable even when he became a soldier. Alittle more interesting in the latter half when he became a leader in battles. Napoleon i adored, he was very interesting even as alittle boy. He seemed like the real Napoleon,the little you know about him. He was a force of nature. I hope as you say that Wesley is more likeable in Generals.

Also its easier liking Napoleon going from an immigrant from a small island to a french military genius and hero so fast. His backround history of the avreage man against the rich noble Irish guy who cant do anything without his family doing everything for him.

[nj1]

I think he does improve as a writer in the later legion books, the plots and character building are better than the first two books. You've alot to look forward to.

[nj1]

Anyone read Conn's LORD OF THE BOW yet, which was out in Jan.
I haven't got round to getting a copy yet, so was wondering if it's as good as his previous novels?

[biodroid]

Read "Wolf of the Plains" a few weeks ago and thought it was brilliant. I really did feel like I was in that time, even though it was very harsh I thought it was depicted very well. It was gruesome in some parts and you wonder how these people used to think in those days reflecting their actions. I have yet to read Gates of Rome have got it waiting

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by nj1

Anyone read Conn's LORD OF THE BOW yet, which was out in Jan.
I haven't got round to getting a copy yet, so was wondering if it's as good as his previous novels?

I have read like 40 pages of it. Sampled it, it was very good. Im sure it will be better the great Wolf of the plains.

I have it in TBR pile since my brother just finished it and gave it to me.

[Tambo]

I'm a big fan of Iggulden over here. Reading his books tweaked my interest in the historical fiction genre, and the more I delve into it, the happier I am.

I do think that the Emperor series started a little slower than the Conqueror series. An earlier poster in this thread mentioned something similar.

The books got me thinking about the depths of hopelessness to which both Julius Ceaser and Genghis Khan had sunk before they begun their rise to greatness.

Perhaps it is only through extreme adversity that extreme greatness is born?

[chump]

I picked up Wolf of the Plains at the airport because I reconised Conn's name from this site and I am very glad I did. I have hardly been able to put the book down since. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and his roman series as well.

[sloweye]

I'm working my way through 'field of swords' now and i have to say it's fantasticly writen. He really makes you feel like you are a part of the story.

I'm finding Iggulden much easyer to read than the scarrow books i've tried (i have reading problems), the pace of writeing is keeping me interested.
I find myself looking at the other books of his in my TBR pile and willing myself to finish this one so i can get to the next.

All in all I'd put him right up there with Bernard Cornwell (he is my HF addiction) as a HF writer.

[Connavar]

The Emperor series was fantastic almost my fav historical fiction series only Hornblower beats it. Despite you know the history of Ceasar,those times of Rome it was an imaginative take,story,great military historical series.

Scarrow books are not really as well written when it comes to characters,battles,history.

[sloweye]

I've never really got in to the Rome stories before, but he really has me gripped. I'm more for the Saxon/Northmen stories. But i shall be on the look out for more of his from now on.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by sloweye

I've never really got in to the Rome stories before, but he really has me gripped. I'm more for the Saxon/Northmen stories. But i shall be on the look out for more of his from now on.

Im in sweden so all those Saxon/Norse stories from the British POV is not cool. The viking sterotype is old news to us here.

Rome was not interesting to me before Iggulden.

My new fascination is Napoleon era, CS Forrester is great and i have read first Sharpe book chrono wise Sharpe's Tiger. Sharpe was character,battles wise was hardcore.

[sloweye]

Bernard Cornwell is top of my list when it comes to HF. The sharpe books are amazing and his saxon books are out of this world. Sharpes Tiger is awesome, i have alot of the series but some i have had to loan from the library.

I've been watching the Sharpe TV series lately too, i have most but not all on DVD. it's So well cast.

[Connavar]

I like Sean Bean but im glad i didnt watch the tv series, it wasnt as hardcore. Have you read Hornblower/Forrester ?

Sharpe saved Cornwell name for me. I tried reading the first book in Saxon series and didnt like it.

[sloweye]

The DVDs are a little, but not much, better than the TV cut's (Waterloo is well done)

I couldn't get in to Hornblower, i'm not sure why, it just didn't grab me.

The Saxon series got better as it went on, but i read the second book first without realising it was part of a series. I bought it in a pound shop while i was hanging around town for an appointment, when i found out there were other books i went on the hunt

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by sloweye

The DVDs are a little, but not much, better than the TV cut's (Waterloo is well done)

I couldn't get in to Hornblower, i'm not sure why, it just didn't grab me.

The Saxon series got better as it went on, but i read the second book first without realising it was part of a series. I bought it in a pound shop while i was hanging around town for an appointment, when i found out there were other books i went on the hunt

Let me guess it was sail jargon that was hard in Hornblower ? I thought he was joking with that since i ddint understand a word without using wiki dictionary.

I think Cornwell should not use first person POV he was weak with that the first Saxon book. Sharpe was third person and much more fluid,smooth read.