Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: The Sharon Kay Penman edition

 

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Books Published Before I Was Born, which is a fabulous topic that I might do at a future date, but I really wanted to take a moment to talk about the books of Sharon Kay Penman.


The historical fiction world was rocked a few days ago when the news came out that SKP had died at aged 75. I have long claimed her as one of my favourite authors. I have also been fortunate to connect with others who loved her books, meeting up with fellow fans on a regular basis for several years.

I thought for this week's Top Ten Tuesday post,  I would share ten books by this wonderful author. I have also realised in the course of this post that it has been a long time since I read one and I still have several to read! She bought medieval history to life, making these historical figures so real to her readers in big, detailed books that are sheer pleasure to read.




The Sunne  in Splendour - my first and probably still my favourite this book changed a lot of people's opinion of Richard III





Here Be Dragons - as much as Sunne in Splendour is still my favourite, this is a close run thing. My grandfather on my mother's side is Welsh, so I enjoyed reading some of the history of this country. One day I will make it there

Falls the Shadow - the second book in the Welsh trilogy, this time focussing on a very divisive figure from history - Simon de Montfort.

The Reckoning - this is the third book in the Welsh trilogy and again was another enjoyable read.





The Queen's Man - whilst SKP was known for her chunky medieval historical stories, her Justin de Quincy stories were really enjoyable historical mysteries! The queen in question.....Eleanor of Aquitaine

Prince of Darkness - the final book in the Justin de Quincy series, although there were many times when I saw people asked if there was going to be more books in the series.





When Christ and His Saints Slept - This book is the first book in the Henry and Eleanor (yes, of Aquitaine) trilogy, and certainly helped feed my fascination with this amazing woman.

Devil's Brood - The third book to focus on Henry and Eleanor and their highly disfunctional family





Lionheart - This book changed the focus to Richard the Lionheart, including the crusades!

The Land Beyond Sea - The latest book to be released, once again the crusades are the focus, but this time the central characters is King Baldwin.


Rest in peace Sharon Kay Penman, and thank you for your books.

21 comments:

  1. The Land Beyond the Sea sounds interesting.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.

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    Replies
    1. I do need to read that one still Astilbe.

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  2. Here Be Dragons was the first Sharon Penman book I read. Wow. What a story!

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  3. Have not ready any of these. Happy reading! :D My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/books-written-before-i-was-born-the-classics-edition/

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  4. What a nice list. I hope you enjoy the rest of her books, too.

    My post.

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  5. It's always sad when a beloved author dies :( I've never read Penman, but I've heard lots of good things about her.

    Happy TTT!

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  6. She's one of my favourite historical fiction authors too and I was so sorry to hear the news. I read The Land Beyond the Sea just a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it, but The Sunne in Splendour is my favourite. I'm hoping to read The Reckoning soon as I read the first two Welsh Princes books years ago and never got round to the third!

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    Replies
    1. I loved the first book in that trilogy. I liked the second but loved the third too Helen.

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  7. I have never read any of her books even though I do enjoy historical settings. A very nice post to honor one of your favorite authors!

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  8. A friend recently lent me three of her Eleanor of Acquitaine novels because she knows I like to read about Eleanor (named my daughter after her). I guess I'll have to get to them sooner, rather than later.

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  9. Hmmm.. I never read any books by Sharon Kay. Great list!

    Here’s my TTT!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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  10. I've heard so many good things about her books, but haven't read any yet.

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    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy them if you do get to read them Erin!

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  11. I was also very sad about her death. I sent her an email (probably via her website) the summer I was studying for the bar exam, saying that her book was the only thing giving me pleasure in little relaxing bits at night, and she sent me back the nicest email.

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