Skull rack

Battles, beer and blood at the library!


Braithwaite, Ron. Skull rack, Augusta, GA. : Harbor House, 2007.



This is the thrilling tale of young Rodrigo de la Pea, orphaned by the Inquisition, he leaves his homeland to be a Spanish mercenary in Italy. Hearing tales of riches and adventure, and needing to get away from the girl he has gotten pregnant, he sets off for the New World. What ensues is a bloody tale of revenge, cannibalism, human sacrifice and conquest. The narrative is interwoven with corrupt Catholic clergy trying to force a historian to rewrite the story of Spain's conquest of the Aztec people.

Review at Amazon and further info at Historical Novels

Aztec

Battles, blood and beer at the library!



Jennings, Gary. Aztec, New York : Atheneum, 1980.

Written as a series of letters from a Catholic monk to the King of Spain as a means of giving an insight into the newly conquered heathens, "Aztec" chronicles the fictional life of Mixtli. Coming from humble beginnings, Mixtli rose through the ranks of Aztec society, starting as a scribe then a trader, renowned warrior and eventually as counsel to the Aztec king. The author has included much of historical accuracy as by using the story arc that he has, he has been able to cover much of Aztec culture, including the invasion of the conquistadors. The first of a series, this book is a thrilling look at the violent, sexually charged and ultimately decimated world of the Aztec.

For more on the author or reviews at GoodReads

A year of ravens

Battles, blood and beer at the library!

Downie, Ruth.  A year of ravens : a novel of Boudica's rebellion, [Place of publication not identified] : Knight Media, [2015].

 “ If you know how rich, violent, and disturbing historical fiction can be, this book will make you cackle with delight" says one Goodreads reviewer. And this book will surely delight anyone with a thirst for sharing in the story of the red-haired Celtic queen Boudica's army and their violent struggle to prevent the Romans conquering of ancient Britain. Featuring the interwoven stories of druids, slaves, warriors and royalty, this is truly an epic and gory tale of conflict, loyalty, invasion and death.

Goodreads review or Catalogue

Tongwan City

 Battles, blood and beer at the library!

Jianqun, Gao. Tongwan City, New York : CN Times Books, c2013.

Set in ancient China, this epic saga by acclaimed author Gao Jianqun, tells a story of murder and conflict amidst the grassland frontier of this ancient culture. Weaving together the building of the Great Wall, the rise of the Huns and the Buddhist philosophy that ultimately united them, this is a beautifully written tale of Chinese Imperial conflict, warfare and intrigue.

Find more at Trove or review at Amazon 

River God

                    Battles, blood and beer at the library

Smith, Wilbur. River God, New York : St. Martin’s Press, 1994.

From legendary author of historical fiction, Wilbur Smith, comes the first in his ‘Egypt’ series. A tale of a eunuch slave who inadvertently gets caught up in the passions, intrigues and violence of the pharaonic court. With the main players caught up in their respective power struggles, affairs and deceptions, the encroaching Hyksos army with their superior war technology threatens to annihilate  the entire Egyptian civilisation.

More on the author at Wilbur Smith or Publishers Weekly

300

Battles, blood and beer at the library!

Miller, Frank & Varley, Lynn (colourist). 300, Milwaukie, Oregon :

Dark Horse Books, 1999.

Frank Miller’s beautifully bloody graphic novel tells the tragic tale of the famed 300 Spartan soldiers who dared to stand up to the might of the invading Persian army. Made into an acclaimed film, this graphic novel is highly stylised in it’s depiction of some fairly gruesome violence, yet it is also a great vehicle for the story of  king Leonidas and his fierce yet ill fated Spartan warriors who battled bravely to the bitter and very bloody end in their attempt to prevent the invasion of Greece by the massive Persian force.

More information Goodreads  Trove 

By the will of Genghis Khan

Battles, blood and beer at the library!

  By the will of Genghis Khan : The legend of a conqueror, Australia :     Eagle Entertainment, c2011. 1 DVD.
                                    
This film from Russia tells the story of famed warlord Genghis Khan, from his beginnings to his bloody reign of terror as conqueror of much of the known world. The story follows him and his two brothers as they follow their destined paths – one to become a great tribal shaman, and the other two following the way of warfare. This is a story of bloody battles, conquered peoples, passionate love and a rivalry that leads to fratricide. Only one of the three brothers can be called Khan.
Catalogue or view the Trailer here