Worst HF you've ever read

[Alaric]

[quote=""Carla""]I've read Conn Iggulden's Emperor series. I don't think I'd be quite so harsh It depends what you're looking for in a novel. I'd rate Iggulden's series as an action film in book form, complete with superheroes, cast-of-thousands battle scenes and all Hollywood's usual respect for historical accuracy. More detailed review here (http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/emperor.htm) and cross-posted to the reviews forum.[/quote]

I've read the first two in that series, but his one on Genghis Khan is much improved overall. Certainly more historically accurate as he followed The Secret History of the Mongols as close as the story would allow, although the superhero complex is still there with Genghis (particularly if the narrative is with one of his brothers). Mind you, Genghis does very much that superhero feel about him anyway given the things he accomplished.

[donroc]

[quote=""Alaric""]I've read the first two in that series, but his one on Genghis Khan is much improved overall. Certainly more historically accurate as he followed The Secret History of the Mongols as close as the story would allow, although the superhero complex is still there with Genghis (particularly if the narrative is with one of his brothers). Mind you, Genghis does very much that superhero feel about him anyway given the things he accomplished.[/quote]

An entertaining HF based on the life of Genghis was popular in the 1950s, The Earth is the Lord's, and was the basis for that "turkey" of a film starring John Wayne as the main man.

[LCW]

The Horse Goddess by Morgan Llewelyn is now on my list for worst HF ever. It was just really awful!! The language she gave to her characters made them sound like mentally challenged cave men. It grated on the nerves each time one of them spoke. The author was trying to portray that they were speaking in accents but it was just a big flop. Another one for my "hated" list!!

[Misfit]

[quote=""1lila1""]The Horse Goddess by Morgan Llewelyn is now on my list for worst HF ever. It was just really awful!! The language she gave to her characters made them sound like mentally challenged cave men. It grated on the nerves each time one of them spoke. The author was trying to portray that they were speaking in accents but it was just a big flop. Another one for my "hated" list!![/quote]

I tried ML's The Wind from Hastings and finally gave it up. Not bad, but rather dull.

[Perdita]

[quote=""donroc""]Interesting regarding #1.

When Exodus was released, I was in grad school, and a Lit. professor trashed it because Mike, the journalist, who is important in the opening chapters, was unceremoniously dropped and never heard from again. The prof's negs did not impede our enjoyment of the book or that of millions.[/quote]

Now I come to think of it that's probably not a bad fault, per se. It's just that in the case of Scandal of the Season it grated on me because the actual storytelling felt too leisurely. I just wanted the author to get on with it!
I don't mind a few non-essential characters popping up as long as they add something to the overall reading experience

[Helen_Davis]

Well- just what it says! What's the worst HF you've tried to read? For me, the one I remember recently is "The Other Queen." Also, "Kathryn the Wanton Queen" by Maureen Peters.

[JMJacobsen]

Off the top of my head, I can recall The Pirate Queen by Alan Gold just about did me in. One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus probably rates a close second.

And despite my ranting lately, The Jewel of Medina doesn't even make my top 5 worst hf reads. Okay, make that top 3.

[Alaric]

I have to say I really didn't enjoy The Pillars of the Earth.

[Carine]

For me it was a dutch book, I mean by a dutch writer, it was called Setna and was a celtic story set in Ireland. It just didn't go anywhere so halfway it was thrown aside.

[Vanessa]

The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag. Interesting in parts but just too philosophical and long winded!