Scan barcode
eharper007's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
buoymehome's review against another edition
I picked it up in the boy's shelves to read a bit last night (as I have the book home and then could easily keep going once back at home)
Ended up reading the whole book this afternoon at his place, mystifying him as I managed to read a whole book in mere hours!
Now I'm wondering why I did not get the second book from his shelves as I could have read it this week.
I really like the pacing of the story and even the sound of a movie playing in the room didn't manage to get me out of the book.
Ended up reading the whole book this afternoon at his place, mystifying him as I managed to read a whole book in mere hours!
Now I'm wondering why I did not get the second book from his shelves as I could have read it this week.
I really like the pacing of the story and even the sound of a movie playing in the room didn't manage to get me out of the book.
amrix11's review against another edition
5.0
Hands down my most recommended read for historical fiction. Conn takes a very unique and personal point of view of a character many tag as a 'villain'. Conn forces you to see this cold heartless warrior from a different point of view, and its nothing short of incredible.
The story follows Genghis Khan, from his childhood to adulthood. The things that happened to him in his childhood are amazingly cruel, and you find yourself rooting for him. Then you follow him as he matures and suddenly everything he does makes sense from his point of view and Genghis is no longer a villain as far as the reader is concerned. I love that.
The connection Conn forms between you and the characters are very real. If Conn has a talent, its writing in a way that the reader forms a strong connection with his characters, and that is critical in any fiction novel.
The writing style is very easy and well done, you can "read through it like butter". Its text and descriptive adjectives are rich, the the language easy to understand. The pace is very fast, the battle scenes packed with every kind of emotion, it will leave you breathless.
Excellent book, I can not recommend this series, or author, enough!
The story follows Genghis Khan, from his childhood to adulthood. The things that happened to him in his childhood are amazingly cruel, and you find yourself rooting for him. Then you follow him as he matures and suddenly everything he does makes sense from his point of view and Genghis is no longer a villain as far as the reader is concerned. I love that.
The connection Conn forms between you and the characters are very real. If Conn has a talent, its writing in a way that the reader forms a strong connection with his characters, and that is critical in any fiction novel.
The writing style is very easy and well done, you can "read through it like butter". Its text and descriptive adjectives are rich, the the language easy to understand. The pace is very fast, the battle scenes packed with every kind of emotion, it will leave you breathless.
Excellent book, I can not recommend this series, or author, enough!
drawde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eososray's review against another edition
2.0
Alright, I think I've given Iggulden a fair shot now. I've read each of his series and none of them hold any interest for me.
This one has good subject matter but I didn't/don't really care about how Genghis was created or came about. The story smacked too much of the pre-history that I dislike so much. The 'early' years are never my favorite parts of the story.
This did leave me with an interest in the Chinese side of this story rather than the Mongol horde side though.
This one has good subject matter but I didn't/don't really care about how Genghis was created or came about. The story smacked too much of the pre-history that I dislike so much. The 'early' years are never my favorite parts of the story.
This did leave me with an interest in the Chinese side of this story rather than the Mongol horde side though.
matt_furka's review against another edition
3.0
More detail to follow...
Enjoyment: 0.5 * 2 = 1
Kept me coming back for more but underwhelming when it came to character investment.
World: 0.5
Not immersive. Good tensions between tribes.
Characters: 0.5
Main character was fine. Side characters were underdeveloped.
Plot: 1
Historical fiction so only so much that can be done here. But lots of plot points consecutively without much down time.
Enjoyment: 0.5 * 2 = 1
Kept me coming back for more but underwhelming when it came to character investment.
World: 0.5
Not immersive. Good tensions between tribes.
Characters: 0.5
Main character was fine. Side characters were underdeveloped.
Plot: 1
Historical fiction so only so much that can be done here. But lots of plot points consecutively without much down time.
riseclare's review against another edition
5.0
Thought it might be a book just for guys, but I really loved it! I did not find it to be too gory and the battle scenes are brief and interesting. (long winded battle scenes bore me) Very interesting story lines, and great character development. Had a good pace- I didn't feel the need to skim whatsoever. Liked the afterword with details on where creative license was taken and what was history. Moving on to book 2!
pwochnowski's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
jodilync's review against another edition
5.0
I, like many other won this book through a Good Reads giveaway. When first reading about the book, will admit that I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I tend to get stuck in a rut but try to read something out of my normal picks from time to time, and usually find those picks enjoyable. This one most certainly one of those times.
I really did love this book. It didn't read more than a few pages before I was sucked into the story. The descriptions of the things that happened to Temujin and his family were really descriptive. I love feeling emotions while reading books. This book did not disappoint in that area.
I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
I really did love this book. It didn't read more than a few pages before I was sucked into the story. The descriptions of the things that happened to Temujin and his family were really descriptive. I love feeling emotions while reading books. This book did not disappoint in that area.
I can't wait to read the next one in the series.