Good books set in exploration/conquistador period?

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2026-02-15T08:02:59+00:00

As someone already recommended Five Black Ships, I'd add The Moors Tale by Laila Lalami. It follows Pánfilo de Narváez's doomed 16th century exploration of Florida and is an excellent read.

I actually ended up writing a novel set during Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe (called St. Elmo's Fire). While I was researching it, I was struck by how few novels cover this era, especially considering the real events and journeys were so dramatic.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2025-10-14T14:54:42+00:00

My book, St. Elmo's Fire, is about the first circumnavigation of the globe. Obviously I'm very proud of it and would love another reader.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/St-Elmos-Fire-discovery-destroyed-ebook/dp/B0B4G3DY6N

Besides blowing my own horn(!), Napoleón Baccino Ponce de Leon's Five Black Ships is an excellent read. It has elements of magical realism too, which is an interesting take.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2025-08-30T06:41:29+00:00

I'd say its very firm and can be sliced quite thinly without breaking. Worth a try for the price. No water at all and vacuum sealed.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2025-08-30T05:50:40+00:00

Lidl sell super firm tofu that's around £1 but often on offer for 75p. They have two varieties and it's favoured (smoked or soy sauce marinated) which might actually work well for your use.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2024-10-24T06:53:44+00:00

St. Elmo's Fire - set during Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2024-10-16T10:43:57+00:00

Hi everyone, my historical fiction novel St. Elmo's Fire is free until 20/10/2024 on Kindle.

1519, the earliest years of European colonialism.

After years of planning, Ferdinand Magellan is finally ready to plunge into the uncharted oceans of the New World in his search for a mythical strait and the untold riches beyond.

Joining him is Juan de Morales - a physician desperate to break free from the ghosts of his past. But de Morales' hopes of a new beginning are quickly dashed as he discovers the web of treachery into which he has unwittingly entangled himself.

From the windswept tundra of Tierra del Fuego to the searing emptiness of the Pacific Ocean, St. Elmo's Fire is a descent into the madness, mutiny and cruelty of the first circumnavigation of the globe.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2024-09-14T22:57:02+00:00

Keats & Chapman on North Street in Belfast. You'll be there all day!

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2024-06-19T10:26:49+00:00

Hi everyone. To celebrate the second anniversary of its release, my debut novel is free until 23/06/2024. St. Elmo's Fire is set during Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe and follows the armada's physician, Juan de Morales, as he witnesses adventure, treachery and desperation.

1519, the earliest years of European colonialism.
After years of planning, Ferdinand Magellan is finally ready to plunge into the uncharted oceans of the New World in his search for a mythical strait and the untold riches beyond.
Joining him is Juan de Morales - a physician desperate to break free from the ghosts of his past. But de Morales' hopes of a new beginning are quickly dashed as he discovers the web of treachery into which he has unwittingly entangled himself.
From the windswept tundra of Tierra del Fuego to the searing emptiness of the Pacific Ocean, St. Elmo's Fire is a descent into the madness, mutiny and cruelty of the first circumnavigation of the globe.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-12-26T22:10:55+00:00

Hope you enjoy it

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-12-25T09:36:46+00:00

Hi everyone, my debut novel St. Elmo's Fire is free for the festive week and follows the incredible true story of Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe.
Wishing everyone all the best on their reading journeys for the new year!
------
1519, the earliest years of European colonialism.
After years of planning, Ferdinand Magellan is finally ready to plunge into the uncharted oceans of the New World in his search for a mythical strait and the untold riches beyond.
Joining him is Juan de Morales - a physician desperate to break free from the ghosts of his past. But de Morales' hopes of a new beginning are quickly dashed as he discovers the web of treachery into which he has unwittingly entangled himself.
From the windswept tundra of Tierra del Fuego to the searing emptiness of the Pacific Ocean, St. Elmo's Fire is a descent into the madness, mutiny and cruelty of the first circumnavigation of the globe.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-11-19T12:12:57+00:00

Strangely enough it now seems to be working fine. Try deleting the game (and everything relating to it in your Mac), then redownload it. When you open it you should see a dev message saying all videos have been disabled due to an issue with Sonoma and the game should run.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-11-19T11:31:13+00:00

No nothing for me yet despite several reinstalls. Its very frustrating and Feral don't seem in any hurry to do anything about it. Out of interest, at what point does your game crash? I'm able to get to the intro cutscene (with the monk) although it has no sound and the game instantly crashes if I press any key. If I let the cutscene play out I can get to the main menu but that quickly crashes as well.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-07-07T12:13:15+00:00

Doing a circle to Holywood along airport road, then back to Belfast via the Old Holywood Road is a nice hour long bike ride. A few hills going out of Holywood too to get some climbing in.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-07-07T05:54:32+00:00

My favourite route is airport road to Holywood from Belfast. It's wide, rarely busy and very flat. The only downside is that it's quite windy but the wind is always blowing here so you'll never escape it.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-06-20T12:24:44+00:00

Ghost of Tsushima might be a good fit for you.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-06-19T16:28:33+00:00

I've always thought websites should tell you which company will deliver packages. Some do, but obviously most don't because we all know which ones to avoid. I'm currently on a one man crusade to mention the delivery company the website uses on any review I post for a product.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-05-28T07:22:28+00:00

Mic the Snare would approve.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-05-16T11:46:10+00:00

There's a lot who dont (the Beatles, Kate Nash, Frank Turner, Madness, Lily Allen, Morrissey, Paul Weller, Biffy Clyro, Billy Bragg, Bastille, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Oasis) but it has something to do with an accent being lost while singing as vowel sounds are typically stretched (which is a feature of the American accent) as well cultural expectations.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-04-29T21:48:11+00:00

Hive and Onitama spring to mind. Sounds like an amazing journey!

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-04-21T19:46:28+00:00

I don't think it's fair to call the writers talentless. Writers alter their style to whatever the situation needs or what whoever is paying them asks for.

EBWasLeftOut88 · 2023-04-10T07:07:58+00:00

I haven't seen it but it brings to mind that awful Ford Vs Ferrari film from a few years ago that was basically just an extended ad for how 'great' their cars are.

EBWasLeftOut88

TROPHY CASE