Sharon Kay Penman specialized in historical novels and mysteries. Her popular works like The Sunne in Splendour and Here Be Dragons vividly portray medieval history with careful attention to detail.
If you enjoy reading books by Sharon Kay Penman then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Chadwick writes historical fiction that plunges readers into the vivid drama of medieval Europe. Her characters feel real, navigating conflicts, romance, and political intrigue with authenticity.
Her thorough research breathes life into medieval settings without overwhelming the story. Fans of Sharon Kay Penman's rich historical atmosphere will enjoy Chadwick's style.
A great place to start is The Greatest Knight, focused on William Marshal, a remarkable knight who rose from obscurity to become one of England's greatest heroes.
Anya Seton's novels combine history, romance, and detailed storytelling, creating stories that transport readers into richly drawn historical settings. Her stories often weave personal struggles into important historical contexts, making for emotional and immersive reading.
Fans of Penman's carefully crafted history and deep character development may find much to love in Seton's novels such as Katherine, a moving story about Katherine Swynford, whose romance with John of Gaunt changed her life and affected England's royal history.
Philippa Gregory is well-known for novels featuring strong female protagonists placed at the heart of historical dramas. She often writes about royalty, family rivalries, and intrigue, especially within Tudor England.
Gregory's accessible style and gripping plots can appeal to Penman's readers who enjoy stories that highlight the personal costs and ambitions of historical figures.
Her novel The Other Boleyn Girl focuses on Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary, showing a deeply human perspective on the volatile Tudor court.
Alison Weir is both a historian and novelist, bringing impressive expertise to her fictional works. She skillfully blends meticulous historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, often writing about English royalty and significant events.
Readers who love Sharon Kay Penman's historically accurate approach and deep character explorations could appreciate Weir's style. Her novel Innocent Traitor highlights the tragic life of Lady Jane Grey, dramatizing her brief reign and heartbreaking fate.
Bernard Cornwell specializes in vivid, action-packed historical stories, often revolving around war, conflict, and heroism. His novels move quickly, focusing on characters who are deeply involved in shifting historical events.
While his themes often include military adventure and strategy, Cornwell's novels share with Penman an attention to detail and realistic portrayals of the past.
It's worth checking out his novel The Last Kingdom, which depicts the clash between Danes and Saxons in medieval England, brimming with intrigue, heroism, and vivid action.
Conn Iggulden crafts engaging, character-driven historical fiction that vividly portrays people and events from ancient times. He blends well-researched historical detail with exciting storytelling, focusing on themes of leadership, ambition, and struggle for power.
Fans of Sharon Kay Penman's rich narratives will appreciate his series opener, The Gates of Rome, which brings Julius Caesar's early life to thrilling life.
Edward Rutherfurd writes historical sagas that span generations. His novels trace the evolution of cities, countries, or landmarks through interwoven personal stories, capturing the essence of history through human relationships.
Like Penman, he weaves thoroughly researched historical facts into highly readable stories. His book Sarum follows families whose destinies are interwoven with the growth and history of Salisbury, England, offering readers deep insight into the past.
Ken Follett is known for his absorbing, detailed novels filled with historical excitement, strong plotlines, and carefully developed characters. He often explores themes of power, religion, rivalry, and ambition, especially within medieval settings.
Readers of Sharon Kay Penman will particularly enjoy Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, an epic story about the construction of a cathedral and the lives entangled with it in medieval England.
Cecelia Holland brings history to life with her clear and vivid writing style, focusing closely on authentic-feeling characters caught up in dramatically realistic events.
The human dimension of historical conflicts stands out clearly in her novels, much like Sharon Kay Penman's approach.
One notable historical novel by Holland, The Secret Eleanor, gives readers an insightful portrait of Eleanor of Aquitaine that matches Penman's compelling portrayals of powerful medieval women.
Margaret George is a skilled storyteller whose novels blend meticulous historical research with emotional depth. She often focuses on historical figures, exploring their inner lives, struggles, and motivations.
George's writing shares Penman's gift for humanizing historical giants. Readers who enjoy the depth and detail of Penman's characterizations should try George's novel, The Autobiography of Henry VIII, which vividly brings the Tudor monarch's complex character to life.
Edith Pargeter writes vivid historical novels filled with drama, rich descriptions, and deep character insights. Her stories often center around medieval Britain, exploring historical conflicts with great emotional depth and accuracy.
Readers will appreciate The Heaven Tree, which brings to life the ambition, love, and tragedy surrounding the building of a great cathedral in 12th-century England.
Elizabeth Fremantle offers engaging, emotional narratives set in Tudor England, particularly about influential women who navigate dangerous royal politics.
She looks closely at personal motivations and relationships, resonating with readers who favor careful historical accuracy mixed with strong storytelling.
Try her novel Queen's Gambit, a gripping portrayal of Katherine Parr's life as Henry VIII's last wife struggling to survive the intrigue at the royal court.
C.W. Gortner creates historical fiction centered on powerful characters faced with difficult choices, political turmoil, and personal struggles. His energetic writing style brings real-life historical figures vividly alive, filled with human complexity and emotional depth.
Interested readers can start with The Last Queen, where he explores the dramatic and tragic story of Queen Juana of Castile, offering an intimate portrayal of her challenges and courage.
Hilda Lewis is a historical novelist who blends compelling storytelling and psychological depth, often exploring darker aspects of power and personality. Her historical representation is carefully researched and convincing, offering readers memorable scenes and characters.
Try her notable novel I Am Mary Tudor, which offers a sympathetic and convincing depiction of Mary I of England as a complex individual navigating her conflicting emotions, beliefs, and obligations.
Jean Plaidy's historical novels bring clarity and engaging drama to royalty and historical figures across various time periods. She has a talent for portraying historical events through personal experiences and giving historical characters relatable emotional depth.
Readers new to Plaidy can start with The Lady in the Tower, a vivid dramatization of Anne Boleyn's tragic rise and fall within the Tudor court, told with sincere emotional impact and strong historical context.