Well, they often feature strong and fearless Viking warriors. The settings are usually in the cold and harsh Scandinavian landscapes or during their raids in other lands. There's also a focus on their unique culture, like their ships which were masterpieces of engineering, and their religious beliefs such as Odin and Thor. Their social structure, with chieftains and clans, is also commonly depicted.
The settings are typically in the Viking age, with descriptions of their longships, villages, and the cold northern landscapes. In 'The Sea Road', the descriptions of the fjords and the Viking settlements add to the authenticity of the story.
There's also 'Eaters of the Dead' by Michael Crichton. It takes elements of the Beowulf story and presents them in a historical fiction context about Vikings. These books are great for those interested in the Viking era as they blend historical facts with fictional elements to create engaging stories.
A good Vikings historical fiction book is 'The Last Kingdom' by Bernard Cornwell. It focuses on the power struggles between the Saxons and the Vikings in England during the Viking Age. It has great character development and battle scenes. 'Viking Fire' by Justin Hill is also worth reading. It's about a young Viking's journey to find his place in the world. And 'The Sons of the Wolf' by Juliet Marillier is set in a Viking - influenced world and weaves a tale of family, loyalty, and adventure.
Many of them would likely blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. So, you could have a story set during a real war, like the Napoleonic Wars, but the main characters could be fictional people whose lives are intertwined with the events of the war. This creates a more immersive experience for the reader as they get to see the big historical events from a more personal perspective.
There's also 'The Long Ships' by Frans G. Bengtsson. This book follows the adventures of a Viking named Red Orm. It combines humor with the harsh reality of Viking life, making it an engaging read.
Historical fiction books in the fiction category also tend to have a strong narrative arc. They're not just a recitation of facts. They tell a story that engages the reader, whether it's a love story set during World War II or an adventure in ancient Egypt. The goal is to make history come alive and be relatable through fictional storytelling.
They usually do a lot of research. Authors of historical fiction need to know about the time period they are writing about, like the social customs, the political situation, and the daily life. Take 'War and Peace' for instance. Tolstoy had to be well - versed in Napoleonic - era Russia to create such a detailed and accurate portrayal of that time. And they can also give different perspectives on historical events, allowing readers to see things from new angles.
Many of the 2020 historical fiction books had a strong focus on underrepresented voices. For example, books explored the experiences of minorities and women in different historical periods more in - depth. They often combined meticulous historical research with engaging storytelling, like in 'The Vanishing Half' which was based on real - life historical settings of racial segregation and the search for identity.
Historical books fiction often blends real historical events with fictional characters and storylines. For example, in 'The Other Boleyn Girl', it uses the well - known historical event of Henry VIII's relationship with the Boleyn sisters, but creates fictional dialogue and personal relationships among the characters. This allows readers to experience history in a more engaging way than just reading a dry historical account.
These 17 historical fiction books usually blend real historical events with fictional characters or storylines. They can make the past come alive. For instance, they might describe the daily life of people in a certain era, from their clothing to their social customs. They also often explore themes like power, love, and survival in the context of historical settings. Some may have a strong sense of place, making you feel like you're really in that historical location.