The Drowing King by Emily Holleman (historical fiction 2017)

The sequel to Cleopatra's Shadows is so good, first rate historical fiction.  Ms. Holleman has done her research and her editor is great.  This book is enjoyable all on its own although I highly recommend starting at the beginning.  Caesar makes his entrance to Alexandria in this volume and her characterization is a lot of fun.

The Confessions of Young Nero by Margaret George (historical fiction) 2017

I have been reading Ms. George for many years, and have been looking forward to this book because I have always been fascinated by Nero. The first book (in what is planned to be a series of two) ends just as Nero is rushing to Rome when he hears it is burning, which was an effective cliffhanger. George has clearly done a lot of research on life in Rome at the time, with fun and detailed descriptions of places like the Circus Maximus and religious rituals that Nero would have participated in. 
I think what many ancient history fans are looking for is how Nero justifies his many famous and horrible political murders to himself, other transgressive acts, and how he sees his role as emperor in the light of his desire to be an artist. Nero is simply delusional about how his artistic performances are seen not only by the senators of Rome, but by common people, which seems plausible.  One character tries to tell him the truth but Nero brushes it off. As for murders, taking part in a marriage ceremony with a man, and scandalous stuff like having upper class Romans participate in artistic endeavors and prostitution, it's always someone else's fault. Here and there it seems like a lame excuse, but it also seems like what a privileged emperor might tell himself.

Feast of Sorrow by Crystal King (historical fiction 2017)

It's a great idea to write about the Roman patrician Apicius, supposedly the writer of the first cookbook.  This book has a lot of wonderful detail about the dinner parties and food from the early empire, and interesting portrayals of some characters we know, such as Tiberius, Sejanus and Livia. The life and love story of the main character, a slave that Apicius buys to help him fulfill his dream of becoming the gastronomic advisor to the emperor, is extensively researched.  He goes through exciting and terrifying ups and downs.

The Devils of Cardona by Matthew Carr (historical fiction 2016)

Excellent exciting mystery, adventurous and sexy.  This novel is set in Spain during the Inquisition, and I loved it.  Wonderful characters ranged from the King of Spain, Henry of Navarre, and peasants.

Vita Brevis, a Gaius Ruso mystery by Ruth Downie (historical mystery, 2016)

I love this series - read it from the beginning.  Lovely details about the Eternal City, wonderful characters, new turns in Ruso's relationship with his Britannian wife Tilla.  Fun stuff.

Graveyard of the Hesperides, a Flavia Albia novel by Lindsey Davis (historical fiction 2016)

Another hit in the series.  I love this female detective in the City of Rome.  The characters are always varied and so well-researched, you feel like it's a real time and place.  I recommend starting at the beginning, and you'll be hooked.

The Devils of Cardona by Matthew Carr (historical fiction 2016)

16th c. Spain, the Inquisition, murders, adventure.  This book is awesome fun and suspense.

Daughter of Albion by Ilka Tampke (historical fiction 2015)

I enjoyed this bit of fluffy historical fiction about an abandoned girl in the time just before much of Britain became a Roman province.  She's got a dog, a couple of boyfriends, and a mission.  I would be into a sequel.

Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cromwell (historical fiction 2016)

Continuing the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, I find that Cromwell does not lose steam like some other series writers.  He is able to craft an exciting yarn without getting stuck in explaining what happened before.  The book stands alone and as part of the series quite well.

Murder in Megara by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer (historical mystery 2015)

The 11th book in the John, the Lord Chamberlain mysteries follows John and his family to Megara in exile.  I have enjoyed other books in this series, but for some reason this one lacked energy. 

Brothers in Blood by Simon Scarrow (historical fiction 2014)

A new entry in the Roman Legion series, starring our lads Cato and Macro, it's a quick fun read that involves a mystery of sorts as well as a gripping siege scene.  Expect to learn a little something about the life of the legions on the frontiers of Britannia during Claudius' reign, but don't expect to be super historically accurate. 

Dictator by Robert Harris (historical fiction 2016)

The last in a trilogy about the life of Cicero, as told by his secretary Tiro, who is freed in this volume.  The trilogy is absolutely wonderful, a must-read for historical fiction lovers, especially as it encompasses a time of such upheaval in history.  Amazing description of Caesar's assassination.

Cleopatra's Shadows by Emily Holleman (historical fiction 2015)

Exceptionally good historical novel about Berenice and Arsinoe, Cleopatra's sisters.  Of course we know nothing about these individuals' childhoods, but Holleman does a fantastic job of taking us to Alexandria and the world the royal ladies must have lived in.  Suspenseful, beautiful and sad.

The Master Yeshua: the Undiscovered Gospel of Joseph by Joyce Luck (historical fiction 2014)

Told from the point of view of a non-existent nephew of Yeshua, or Jesus, this book gets a lot of historical details right.  It attempts to tell the story as the Ebionites believed.  That group, among others, was declared heretical in the early church when they decided to go with Paul's version. 

While the narrative is mostly a delight, the author's voice breaks through the narrator's many times, which can be jarring.  The reader certainly gets the impression that the author is a good and sincere person, but might rather enjoy the POV of the fictional narrator uninterrupted.

The Pope's Daughter by Dario Fo (historical fiction 2014)

This award-winning book by a theater guy about Lucrezia Borgia suffers from choppiness that may be a result of the translation, but it's a lot of fun.  It really tries to see the real girl behind all the crazy stories.

A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker (Christian historical fiction 2015)

A.D. 30 was better, as this book suffers from a little bit of maudlin goofiness.  But it's still better than pretty much all Christian historical fiction out there. 

Still Waters by Marilyn Todd (A High Priestess Iliona Ancient Greek Mystery) (historical mystery 2010)

Ms. Todd really packs in the historical details and fleshes out the characters.  I can't say much more to recommend an historical mystery.  A few awkward phrases did nothing to take away from the fun.

Deadly Election by Lindsey Davis (historical fiction mytery 2015)

Excellent romp, great fun.  I like this third book in the series very much.  The mystery is great and the character development this time around is central.

The Field of Swords, A Novel of Julius Caesar by Conn Iggulden (historical fiction 2005)

Really first-rate masculine violent historical fiction.  Mr. Iggulden does have a great resource in Caesar's own histories.  I enjoyed this book very much.

Wars of the Roses: Margaret of Anjou by Conn Iggulden (historical fiction 2015)

I've read a lot about these conflicts, and this is a good effort.  A few times, I was not quite convinced that Iggulden was getting a medieval state of mind, but this is a fast-paced, well-researched book.