The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer

The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer - 224 pages
Book 1 in the Merlin's Immortals series

This book is a reworking of the author's previous work Magnus. 

Thomas had been abandoned and left with his nurse to live at an abbey in medieval England.  The monks are very cruel to Thomas and treat him as a virtual slave.  Thomas's only comfort is his nurse and the secrets she teaches him from her hidden books about his destiny and how it involved reconquering the mysterious city of Magnus.

In typical fantasy quest fashion Thomas acquires companions to help him on his journey to Magnus to execute his audacious plan to take the city.  These companions highlight the secret war going on between the Immortals and the Druids behind the scenes of daily life.  Thomas doesn't know who to trust and the Immortals don't know if he has been turned by the Druids. 

There is a lot of world building in this book but I was intrigued by the characters and the mysteries of Magnus to want to know more. 

Battles of the Medieval World, 1000 - 1500: From Hastings to Constantinople by Kelly DeVries

Battles of the Medieval World, 1000 - 1500: From Hastings to Constantinople by Kelly DeVries -- 224 pages

Introduces 20 key battles from Europe and the Near East in an age when traditional codes of chivalry gave way to increasing professionalism. These battles include Hastings, Hattin, Leignitz, Lake Peipus, Bannockburn, Crecy, Agincourt, Constantinople, and many more. The book includes exciting, full-color tactical maps for each battle, showing the reader the dispositions and movements of the opposing armies at a glance.

A Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1), by George R.R. Martin, 835 pages

Here is a story of kings, knights, ladies and dragons, but it feels like reading historical fiction. For that reason, I think this could have appeal to readers other than those who stick to fantasy   The story is told from several different characters, all living in a fantasy realm where winter can last years, dead men can walk, dragons are thought to be extinct, and there is no end to the scheming of nobles when it comes to who sits upon the realm's throne.  It's definitely lengthy, but it has the feel of a wide-reaching saga that keeps the reader enthralled and waiting to find out what happens next.  The sex and violence is definitely not glossed over, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to any squeamish readers.