[Erfael]

I find that I usually enjoy fiction that takes place on sailing ships. I have come across some fantasy in this type of setting, and I was wondering if you fine folks could suggest some more.

What I have read or already know about:

Russel's Moontide and Magic Rise
Hobb's Liveship Traders
Marco's Tyrants and Kings
Mieville's The Scar to some degree


Aside from the general fiction sorts of O'Briens and Hornblowers, that's all I can come up with so far for fantasy that has sea life as at least on equal footing as any other sort of element. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[The One]

I don't know if this is the sort of thing you're looking for, but On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers is all about pirates and magic and most of it happens on ships. Anyway, hope it's helpful.

[DrBloodmoney1]

You should check out Paul Kearney's series The Monarchies of God which is heavily nautical based. It is a completed series and should be relatively easy to find. He will start a new nautical fantasy series this year.

Also Sean McMullen's Voyage of the Shadowmoon is very nautical.

For older fiction that is heavily nautical check out a lot of the shorter fiction from William Hope Hodgson. Night Shade Books (www.nightshadebooks.com) is currently reprinting all of his work and it is fairly reasonably priced.

DrB

[FicusFan]

Mel Odom wrote a book that is set in the 1800's and takes place on a whaling ship. It is not historical fiction, or alternate history but sort of "Horatio Hornblower meets Moby Dick meets Predator" according to amazon's description. It is only out in HC, but it was published last July and the PB should be out this summer. I have the ARC on my TBR pile but have not gotten to read it yet, so I don't know about the quality. It is called Hunter of the Dark Sea.

I have read Voyage of the Shadowmoon and it is very good.

Harry Turtledove writing as HN Turtletaub has written two books (so far, it is a series) set in the ancient world just after Alexander's death. It is about two cousins who are traders and they sail around the Med trading. I love ancient historical fiction, and found the first one deadly boring, but you may see it differently. the first is Over the Wine Dark Sea and the 2nd is The Gryphon's Skull

[Erfael]

Thanks for the references so far. Of those, the only I know about so far is the Tim Powers which is a bit of a thorny one for me. I've been wanting to read it for some time but can't seem to locate a reasonably-priced copy anywhere.

[JohnH]

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[Eventine]

Not a very strong reccomendation, but in some of Janny Wurts' earlier Wars of Light and Shadow books, there was a reasonable bit of sailing (well, one of the books is even called "The Ships of Merior" and details building ships and whatnot.) Not a hwole lot though, and not enough for me to label it "nautical fantasy". Maybe "fantasy with nautical elements"?

[Shanoncia]

I've never really read anything I could consider "nautical fantasy" but I do admit that I've always enjoyed the parts of the books spent on boats. I'm constantly impressed by the authors research and knowledge of the various terms and methods... You can learn a lot if your not an avid sailor. I'd be happy to read of the series you mentioned tho Erfael, sounds great. :)

[phil_geo]

Glory Season by David Brin, while not all about sailing, has a large part involving sailing and the author obviously enjoys it from the attention he gives it.

[Khallandra]

I don't know if it counts by Anselm Audley's Aquasilva Trilogy (starting with Heresy) is set on a world which is mainly water and they travel around on manta's and other ships --> quite a good read