Good medieval reading?

[Staggerwing]

Some of the blurps I've just read say it obliquely leads into the 'Celtic Crusades' series, of which 'The Iron Lance' is the first. I may have read some of Lawhead's early books long ago but the only book I am sure of is 'Albion'. Interestingly, though it's an Arthurian story it is set in modern times. In fact, very slightly in the future.

[bayonetbrant]

if it is I never got clued in.  I wasn't looking for another book when I finished it.  It was pretty self-contained to me.

[Martok]

^Teasing me again!! Is Byzantium the first of a series?

Heh.  No, nothing like that.  Just a cool little thing (for me, anyway) that's mentioned at the end of the book. 



EDIT:  WTH??  Staggerwing and brant's posts hadn't shown up for me at the time I posted this... 

[Gusington]

Bought, along with a book on the disappearance of Rome's 9th Legion...which fof some reason won't be delivered for a month.

[bayonetbrant]

Bought, along with a book on the disappearance of Rome's 9th Legion...which fof some reason won't be delivered for a month.

is that book the one the movie is based on?

[Martok]

Some of the blurps I've just read say it obliquely leads into the 'Celtic Crusades' series, of which 'The Iron Lance' is the first.

I would disagree with those blurbs. 

To be sure, the Celtic Crusades trilogy (which I also own and enjoy) takes place in the same -- continuum? universe? -- as Byzantium:  There's an organization called the Cele De that's common to both works (in addition to Lawhead's standalone novel Patrick: Son of Ireland, which precedes both), and I believe the CC trilogy also makes a reference or two to Aidan (the main character in Byzantium) as an historical figure. 

Other than that, however, there's really no direct link between them.  Similar to how Patrick is (obviously) set several centuries before Byzantium, the events in Byzantium take place 130-150 years (IIRC) before The Iron Lance (the first book in the Celtic Crusades trilogy). 


All that being said, I do tend to read Patrick, Byzantium, and the CC trilogy as a larger series.  It's by no means necessary to do so, however, as the first two really are separate books that stand on their own. 

I may have read some of Lawhead's early books long ago but the only book I am sure of is 'Albion'. Interestingly, though it's an Arthurian story it is set in modern times. In fact, very slightly in the future.

I'm guessing you meant Avalon: The Return of King Arthur?  Or were you referring to Lawhead's Song of Albion trilogy? 

Interestingly, the former can be read (if one so desires) as a sort of distant finale to his Pendragon Cycle novels.  I admittedly don't care for it as much as the main series, but it's still a decent read if you enjoyed the Pendragon books. 

[Martok]

Bought, along with a book on the disappearance of Rome's 9th Legion...which fof some reason won't be delivered for a month.

Sweet.  I really hope you like it! 

[Toonces]

Thanks for the recommendations.  Byzantium is in the library, so I have that one on the list for later.

What I did end up picking up (all for Kindle) are:

The Dragon and the Raven
Sir Nigel
The White Company

I don't know how any of them are, yet, but I'll keep you informed.  Incidentally, all of these books are available for free for your Kindle on Amazon.com!

[Staggerwing]

I'm guessing you meant Avalon: The Return of King Arthur?  Or were you referring to Lawhead's Song of Albion trilogy? 

Interestingly, the former can be read (if one so desires) as a sort of distant finale to his Pendragon Cycle novels.  I admittedly don't care for it as much as the main series, but it's still a decent read if you enjoyed the Pendragon books.

LOL- Yes, I meant Avalon. Silly me. I did like it even if it was slightly preachy. I'm guessing that trend probably runs through Byzantium and Patrick as well.

[Martok]

^  You are correct sir. 

[besilarius]

Toonces, think you'll like the White Company quite a lot.
Arthur Conan Doyle, the Sherlock Holmes author, believed his historical fiction would last.  The Holmes stuff?  Forgotten in twenty years.