An underrated gem is 'The Lion of Macedon' by David Gemmell. While it's set in an ancient - like medieval world, it has all the elements of great medieval war fiction. There are epic battles, heroic deeds, and a complex plot. The way Gemmell writes about war strategy and the camaraderie among soldiers is really engaging. Another one is 'The Red Knight' by Miles Cameron. It has a very detailed and realistic portrayal of medieval warfare, from the training of soldiers to the actual battles in the field, but it's not as well - known as some other books in the genre.
One great medieval war fiction book is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It vividly depicts the building of a cathedral during a time of war and political turmoil in medieval England. Another is 'Bernard Cornwell's 'The Last Kingdom' series. It follows the adventures of Uhtred, a Saxon nobleman, in the midst of the Viking invasions. Also, 'Game of Thrones' by George R.R. Martin, although it has a broader fantasy element, contains many elements of medieval - style warfare and power struggles among kingdoms.
One of the great ones is 'The Once and Future King' by T.H. White. It retells the Arthurian legend with a focus on the medieval war aspects, full of knightly battles and political intrigue. Another good choice is 'Bernard Cornwell's 'The Saxon Stories'. It vividly depicts the wars between the Saxons and the Vikings in medieval England. Also, 'Ken Follett's 'The Pillars of the Earth' has elements of medieval warfare as it shows the building of a cathedral during a time of conflict and power struggles.
'The March' by E. L. Doctorow is also a bit under - the - radar. It tells the story of General Sherman's march through the South. It has a lot of different storylines intertwined and gives a broad picture of the chaos and destruction during that period.
One of the top ones is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas. It combines elements of fantasy, war, and romance beautifully. The main character, Feyre, gets drawn into a world of faeries where there are political intrigues and battles, all while falling in love with a powerful fae male.
The 'Outlander' series also has elements of this genre. It has a time - travel aspect where a modern - day woman is transported back to the 18th - century Scottish Highlands, a world full of clan wars, medieval - like settings, and a passionate romance between the main characters.
A good medieval war fiction is 'Azincourt' by Bernard Cornwell. It focuses on the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War. Cornwell is known for his meticulous research, and this book is no exception. You get a very real sense of what it was like to be a soldier in that battle, from the muddy fields to the fear of facing the enemy. Another interesting one is 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company' by William Dalrymple. It shows the corporate warfare and power struggles in medieval - like India, with the East India Company acting like a warring state within the country.
Some underrated historical fiction books are 'The Birth of Venus' by Sarah Dunant. It's set in Renaissance Florence and follows the story of a young girl coming of age in a time of great artistic and social change. 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is also underrated. It offers a unique perspective on the court of Henry VIII. And don't forget 'A Place of Greater Safety' by Hilary Mantel as well, which focuses on the French Revolution.
One of the most underrated fiction books is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It weaves together the stories of two mythical creatures in New York City. Another is 'Station Eleven' by Emily St. John Mandel. It has a unique post - apocalyptic setting that is more about the human spirit than just the end of the world. And 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern is also underrated. Its magical circus setting and the love story within it are truly captivating.
One underrated science fiction book is 'The Stars My Destination' by Alfred Bester. It has a unique take on teleportation and a gritty, noir - like future setting. Another is 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It weaves together multiple storylines in a complex and engaging way, exploring themes of time, religion, and artificial intelligence. Also, 'Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said' by Philip K. Dick. It presents a dystopian future full of political and social unrest.
The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. It has a unique magic system and interesting characters. Not as well - known as some big names but still really good. Another is 'The Raven Cycle' by Maggie Stiefvater. It combines mystery and fantasy elements in a story about a group of teens.