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drakoulis's review against another edition
5.0
The Mongol Ascension is Andrew Varga's best book so far. The writing style is better, the characters have more personality (although Dan remains annoyingly thirsty) and the plot is moving quicker.
The departure from the familiar old England background also makes a difference versus the previous books, as well as the back and forth between past and present. This book is an "independent" adventure like the previous ones as but it's also where you feel that the bigger plot is moving and more pieces find their place in the board.
Andrew Varga succeeds once again into making the past feel unpleasant. Glory, nobility and heroics? No, because the truth is that you found yourself in medieval Mongolia, you would have to eat the (honestly disgusting) food of the Mongol horsemen, you could be attacked and killed at any moment, and if you're Sam you would be constantly ogled and harassed by thousands of men.
The bigger picture remains kind of vague: Victor is grandstanding and it's quite unclear how he plans to use the past to change the future yet.
One small remark, it's kind of strange that Dan didn't know who their 17-year old Mongol protector/protegee was, this name is quite known especially to history nerds. Like, I knew immediately.
Thank you NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for the ARC!
The departure from the familiar old England background also makes a difference versus the previous books, as well as the back and forth between past and present. This book is an "independent" adventure like the previous ones as but it's also where you feel that the bigger plot is moving and more pieces find their place in the board.
Andrew Varga succeeds once again into making the past feel unpleasant. Glory, nobility and heroics? No, because the truth is that you found yourself in medieval Mongolia, you would have to eat the (honestly disgusting) food of the Mongol horsemen, you could be attacked and killed at any moment, and if you're Sam you would be constantly ogled and harassed by thousands of men.
The bigger picture remains kind of vague: Victor is grandstanding and it's quite unclear how he plans to use the past to change the future yet.
One small remark, it's kind of strange that Dan didn't know who their 17-year old Mongol protector/protegee was, this name is quite known especially to history nerds. Like, I knew immediately.
Thank you NetGalley and Imbrifex Books for the ARC!
queencleo's review
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The Mongol Ascension follows Dan & Sam's time travel jump back to the rise of Genghis Khan and the battle with the Merkits following the abduction of the 17 year old Khan's wife Borte.
This series of books is great for boys aged 10-13 that maybe aren't so into reading - they depict real battles in history with real snippets of what life was like back then. A museum story come to life, with high stakes.
This 3rd instalment in the series is differently paced, as the time jump section of the story only takes up the first half of the novel - the rest is taken up with setting up for a big arc for a future narrative, without spoilers - some teenage relationship angst, finding your place in the world, coming of age and Saving the World With a Bunch of Misfits.
This series of books is great for boys aged 10-13 that maybe aren't so into reading - they depict real battles in history with real snippets of what life was like back then. A museum story come to life, with high stakes.
This 3rd instalment in the series is differently paced, as the time jump section of the story only takes up the first half of the novel - the rest is taken up with setting up for a big arc for a future narrative, without spoilers - some teenage relationship angst, finding your place in the world, coming of age and Saving the World With a Bunch of Misfits.
jordynstrange's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC
This was a very enjoyable historical fiction. I can see young readers enjoying this as an introduction to the Mongol empire. It is a great vessel to make people interested in history without being boring, and the author has done his homework. This was obviously very well researched from the historical characters, to the setting, to what Mongols liked to eat and drink. I appreciate the attention to detail and it makes the reader feel as though they are right there with our time traveling protagonist.
Speaking of, Dan is a great character to see this world through. I think that young readers in particular (but honestly everyone) will be able to identify with his struggle of having this huge responsibility and trying to be a normal teenager at the same time. It is a difficult thing to juggle. I have not read any of the other books in this series (I was unaware that it was a series when I requested it) but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. The basic premise and plot that seems to be present in all the books was very easy to pick up on in this one and I did not feel like I was behind at all.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be recommending it to some family members who I also think would enjoy it.
tinitalorene's review
4.0
Another fabulous installment to the series! Mongolia is such a fresh setting. I loved the new location and new plot twists. I can’t wait for the next one.
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