Historical Adventure - Christchurch City Libraries | Christchurch City Libraries

by Cornwell, Bernard, pseud., 1944-

Book - 2004

You'll smell the sweat and blood of bodies at the battle, and the courtly intrigues will envelop you! Utrecht’s Saxon family has been slaughtered, and he...Show more You'll smell the sweat and blood of bodies at the battle, and the courtly intrigues will envelop you! Utrecht’s Saxon family has been slaughtered, and he has been taken captive by Vikings and raised as one of their own. When Utrecht comes of age he seeks Viking-style vengeance on those who betrayed his family and his activities are noticed by King Alfred who enlists him to liaise between the crown and the Viking invasion. Lots of bloody action, fast-paced, and great world building. First of a long and very good series. Show less

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The Long Ships

A Saga of the Viking Age

by Bengtsson, Frans Gunnar, 1894-1954

Book - 2014

If you like the Viking sagas then this is a must-read; it's THE classic story of the young man, dishonoured and betrayed, setting off on a life of travel,...Show more If you like the Viking sagas then this is a must-read; it's THE classic story of the young man, dishonoured and betrayed, setting off on a life of travel, adventure, slavery, battles and fighting, until he makes his way back to reclaim his homelands. Full of action and a really solid likeable central character to take you on the journey. This one ticks all the boxes. Show less

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Gates Of Fire

An Epic Novel Of The Battle Of Thermopylae

by Pressfield, Steven, 1943-

Book - 2000

The warrior classes of ancient Persia meet ancient Greece in this battle royale of adventure fiction. It's an action packed rollercoaster that at a philos...Show more The warrior classes of ancient Persia meet ancient Greece in this battle royale of adventure fiction. It's an action packed rollercoaster that at a philosophical level explores the mental and psychological nature of soldiering and its impact on the individual. It's brutal and the events of the battle of Thermopylae were extraordinary enough, even better now under the pen of Steven Pressfield. Show less

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The Sound

A Novel

by Drummond, Sarah, 1970-

Book - 2016

A confronting and unsanitized tale set across 1800s Aotearoa, Van Diemen's Land, and Western Australia. Our hero is Wiremu Heke, who after a clash of trib...Show more A confronting and unsanitized tale set across 1800s Aotearoa, Van Diemen's Land, and Western Australia. Our hero is Wiremu Heke, who after a clash of tribes, travels across the seas in the company of a crew of sealers. The group makes their way from the South Island to Western Australia, island-hopping along the way, while hunting seals, stealing native women, and killing indigenous tribesmen, until they meet up with their fleet. Or is it too late and has the fleet already gone? Beautifully atmospheric, but unflinchingly brutal - and definitely not for the faint of heart. Show less

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To the Bright Edge of the World

by Ivey, Eowyn

Book - 2016

A tale of exploration and survival set in the 1880s Alaska. Written through diary entries and various correspondences between characters past and present,...Show more A tale of exploration and survival set in the 1880s Alaska. Written through diary entries and various correspondences between characters past and present, this novel blurs the lines between reality and mysticism and the author voices each character with depth and believability. The author is open about her love of Hemingway, Cormac McCarthy, and Richard Flanagan- so if you like these writers you'll go well with this amazing story of discovery and adventure. Show less

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The Count of Monte Cristo

by Dumas, Alexandre, 1802-1870

Book - 1955

The classic 19th century tale of an innocent man wrongly, but deliberately, imprisoned and his brilliant strategy for revenge against those who betrayed h...Show more The classic 19th century tale of an innocent man wrongly, but deliberately, imprisoned and his brilliant strategy for revenge against those who betrayed him. A tale of suffering and retribution, with a quest for treasure, all told with exquisite detail and melodrama, The Count of Monte Cristo will delight readers of high adventure. Show less

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To Name Those Lost

by Wilson, Rohan

Book - 2014

Set against the violent and chaotic backdrop of the Tasmania Launceston Railway Riots in the 1870s in the searing heat of summer, the central characters a...Show more Set against the violent and chaotic backdrop of the Tasmania Launceston Railway Riots in the 1870s in the searing heat of summer, the central characters all demonstrate considerable depth, their choices, and actions blurring the lines of good vs. evil in people and behaviors. Beautiful language and descriptive writing, the place and time itself bearing impact on the characters' decision making, and excellent to see such great storytelling coming from and about Tasmania, especially depicting the difficult times in its history! Show less

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Lancelot

by Kristian, Giles, 1975-

Book - 2018

This is the tale of Lancelot, legendary and celebrated knight of King Arthur's court. The narrative transports us to 5th century England- a land beset by ...Show more This is the tale of Lancelot, legendary and celebrated knight of King Arthur's court. The narrative transports us to 5th century England- a land beset by warring parties- and amidst the carnage and bloodshed Lancelot rides alongside his king. He is at once loved, admired, and feared; but crossing the lines of love and trust causes unrest and suspicion, even among those who love him. A masterfully crafted novel, full of action and brutally descriptive writing- a brilliant take on Arthurian legend from a new perspective. Show less

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Revenant

A Novel of Revenge

by Punke, Michael, 1964-

Book - 2015

A fictionalised account of the revenge-fueled journey of Hugh Glass. Working as a guide in the wilds of the North American fur trade, he's mauled by a bea...Show more A fictionalised account of the revenge-fueled journey of Hugh Glass. Working as a guide in the wilds of the North American fur trade, he's mauled by a bear and left for dead by a pair of men with only money on their minds. Remarkably he survives, and as he regains his health he begins tracking those who betrayed him, exacting his vengeance. A great read, good pace, and very descriptive writing. Frontier adventure at its best. Show less

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The Gates of Rome

by Iggulden, Conn, 1971-

Book - 2003

Ancient Rome in full colour! All of the treachery, violence, beauty, and strength of the Roman world comes alive in the beautifully descriptive writing of...Show more Ancient Rome in full colour! All of the treachery, violence, beauty, and strength of the Roman world comes alive in the beautifully descriptive writing of the author. It follows two boys from very different ends of Roman society as they strive for greatness in the world’s greatest empire. There’s politics (of course, it’s Rome!), with many ambitious citizens looking to advance their own causes. Can the boys survive? Thrive, even? The action sequences in these books are quite something, an area the author excels at. This is the first in the blood-soaked, action-packed 'Emperor' quintet. Show less

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Call of the Raven

by Smith, Wilbur, 1933-2021

Book - 2020

Set in 1800's America, this suspense-filled story by adventure mogul Wilbur Smith serves as a prequel to his ever popular Ballantyne series. Augustus Mung...Show more Set in 1800's America, this suspense-filled story by adventure mogul Wilbur Smith serves as a prequel to his ever popular Ballantyne series. Augustus Mungo St John is a wealthy young man from a family that has made its fortune from slavery. When he returns from university he finds all he knows turned upside down - his inheritance gone, his family in tatters - and his sweetheart has been taken. He will commit his last breath to finding his love and will leave nothing to chance. This is a revenge tale, looking at the brutality of slavery and the injustice that fuels hatred in men. Show less

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Washington Black

A Novel

by Edugyan, Esi

Book - 2018

Born in chains, eleven-year-old “Wash” is a slave on a Barbados sugar plantation. Chosen as a manservant to his master’s brother, his life takes an unimag...Show more Born in chains, eleven-year-old “Wash” is a slave on a Barbados sugar plantation. Chosen as a manservant to his master’s brother, his life takes an unimaginable turn. Christopher Wilde is an abolitionist as well as an inventor, explorer and all-round eccentric. Wash soon finds himself traversing the skies in a flying machine, living a life of dignity and purpose but their adventure is cut short when a bounty is placed on Wash’s head for murder. A story of love and friendship, of betrayal and redemption, and an affecting look at what true freedom really means. Show less

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Outlawed

by North, Anna

Book - 2021

A historical western adventure abuzz with action! Set on the new frontier in an alternate history where an outbreak of deadly flu has wiped out large swat...Show more A historical western adventure abuzz with action! Set on the new frontier in an alternate history where an outbreak of deadly flu has wiped out large swathes of the population. Fertility is highly prized and for the childless teen bride Ada, her survival depends on it. With danger on her coat-tails our brave intrepid heroine runs away to join up with a gang of gender-fluid feminist outlaws who together devise a cunning and dangerous plan to improve their lives for the better. A highly original, fresh take on a western! Show less

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For the Term of His Natural Life

by Clarke, Marcus Andrew Hislop, 1846-1881

Book - 1926

This classic of early Australian literature is an adventurous saga of epic proportions. It follows the framing for murder of a young Englishman, his convi...Show more This classic of early Australian literature is an adventurous saga of epic proportions. It follows the framing for murder of a young Englishman, his conviction of transportation, and his subsequent incarceration as a convict of Van Diemen's Land. He assumes the name of Rufus Dawes, so as not to bring shame to his mother, and a series of events lead to his escape and his bid to clear his name and reclaim his own identity. A rollicking adventurous tale and also a great look at life in the penal colonies of Australia in all its brutality. Page turning and full of interesting characters, if you like historical adventure classics such as 'Oliver Twist' or 'The Count of Monte Cristo' then get a copy of this! Show less

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