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Books Like The Ten Thousand

6 books to read after The Ten Thousand by Paul Kearney, sorted by what you loved about it.

6 books By Sandro Andreatta, historian Updated
Cover of The Ten Thousand

You loved

The Ten Thousand

Paul Kearney

A mercenary army hired to overthrow a ruler must fight for survival after its employer dies.

First novel of The Macht sequence.

Get your personal matchSee it on the shelf

If you loved: stay with mercenary soldiers

Cover of The Black CompanyThe Black Company

The Black Company

Glen Cook Start with Start with The Black Company; the early sequence continues with Shadows Linger and The White Rose.

Editorial match

What it is
Croaker, male physician and annalist of a mercenary company. Secondary-world conflict involving a mercenary company and powerful sorcerous rulers.
Why it fits
The fighting group must survive service to dangerous powers.
The difference
A continuing chronicle with more overt sorcery rather than the same retreat plot.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: more command and battlefield detail

Cover of The Red KnightThe Red Knight

The Red Knight

Miles Cameron Start with Entry to The Traitor Son Cycle.

Editorial match

What it is
A mercenary commander accepts a contract to defend an abbey against creatures of the Wild.
Why it fits
Military effectiveness depends on professional leadership.
The difference
Medieval defence against supernatural enemies, not ancient-inspired withdrawal.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: another army facing destruction

Cover of LegendLegend

Legend

David Gemmell Start with Drenai publication entry; Legend only, not Druss’s full chronology.

Editorial match

What it is
Ageing warrior Druss joins the defence of Dros Delnoch against an overwhelming Nadir army.
Why it fits
Collective resolve matters under overwhelming pressure.
The difference
Holding a fortress and veteran heroism replace retreat.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: campaigns with muskets

Cover of The Thousand NamesThe Thousand Names

The Thousand Names

Django Wexler Start with Book one of The Shadow Campaigns; the broader series has five novels.

My pick Editorial match

What it is
Soldiers of Vordan face a campaign in a setting inspired by Napoleonic Europe and North Africa, with supernatural stakes.
Why it fits
An army’s decisions and leadership drive the action.
The difference
Gunpowder and concealed magical stakes; not an Anabasis retelling.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: more Paul Kearney

Cover of Hawkwood’s VoyageHawkwood’s Voyage

Hawkwood’s Voyage

Paul Kearney Start with Book one of Monarchies of God; five novels.

My pick Editorial match

What it is
Amid invasion and religious persecution, Hawkwood’s expedition carries refugees across an ocean toward unknown lands.
Why it fits
War and imperilled people connect these separate settings.
The difference
Same author, separate universe: religious conflict and ocean exploration broaden the focus.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

If you loved: the soldier within the company

Cover of Sheepfarmer’s DaughterSheepfarmer’s Daughter

Sheepfarmer’s Daughter

Elizabeth Moon Start with First novel of The Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy.

Editorial match

What it is
Paks leaves an arranged future behind to join mercenaries and discovers the demands of army life.
Why it fits
Mercenary life is a central point of interest.
The difference
A recruit’s growth and heroic outlook replace a defeated army’s escape.

On the shelfSee who recommends it

FAQ

What should I read after The Ten Thousand?

It depends on what you loved about it. For stay with mercenary soldiers: The Black Company by Glen Cook. For more command and battlefield detail: The Red Knight by Miles Cameron. For another army facing destruction: Legend by David Gemmell.

How many books like The Ten Thousand are on this page?

6 books, grouped by what readers loved about The Ten Thousand. Each one says why it fits, what is different and who backs the recommendation.

How this list is made: every match comes from Sandro's research catalog, which records who recommends what (book creators, readers, book sites) and an editorial comparison of what each book offers. Matches marked "Editorial match" are his own comparison. Recommendations cannot be bought.