Good Historical Fiction?

Depends on the period, I can recommend one from almost any time period. However, if you want to stick with the Roman Empire, I have a couple of suggestions right off the bat. Steven Saylor's Gordianus the Finder Series. Excellent, excellent, excellent. These are mysteries set in the late Republic period. The first book is Gordianus assisting Cicero in the defense of a patricide. The books go up to Julius Ceasar taking over. Saylor also wrote a sweeping novel covering Rome from its founding to Ceasar. He did this because he wanted one epic like an Edward Rutherford novel. Unfortunately, he hit about the middle of Rutherford's works, not as bas as Russka, but not as good as London. About "The Forest" or the "Dublin" series. If you have no clue what I am talking about, read these books too (not Russka or Sarum, if you value your life). From the Empire Period, about 76 A.D. is Linsday Davis' Didius Falco series. Amazing stuff. Again, detective stories, but the work she puts into the history. Oy. It is just fantastic. Both authors are highly approachable through the web. In Steven Saylor's case, I had the honor to speak to him every year at the Texas Book Festival. Once when he was just hanging out at a friend's booth. If you need more suggestions or would like a different time period, just holler. Historical fiction is my favorite, although alternative history is quickly becoming a close second.

If you liked "I, Claudius" by Robert Graves then you obviously would also like "Claudius the God and his wife Messalina", also by Robert Graves When we are in ancient Rome already, perhaps you try "Ides of March" by Thornton Wilder too. I liked it very much. Let's make a trip to the 19th century India too. "Far pavillions" by M.M. Kaye was great in my opinion! I have read her "Shadow on the moon" too. It was also good but not as good as "Pavillions".

I really liked Olivia & Jai by Rebecca Ryman. Its kind of like a romance but Im not into romances so it must of been just enough but not too much. It takes place in 19th century India and I just think her writing flowed so well and it felt like you were there because she was really good at describing the scenes. Its not a new bestseller and I just got it from a library sale but it was a nice read. I too am interested in reading more historical fiction, have my eye on Systems of the World but not sure really. I'll keep an eye on your discussion to see if anyone else can come up with some more.