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86 reviews for:
The Mongoliad: Book One
Greg Bear, Neal Stephenson, Mark Teppo, Joseph Brassey, E.D. deBirmingham, Cooper Moo, Erik Bear
3.37 AVERAGE
86 reviews for:
The Mongoliad: Book One
Greg Bear, Neal Stephenson, Mark Teppo, Joseph Brassey, E.D. deBirmingham, Cooper Moo, Erik Bear
3.37 AVERAGE
I'm afraid I was just bored by it. I really didn't care about any of the characters because I was given so little reason to. They were flat, with little personality and sparse histories. We were never given a chance to get to know them, like passing acquaintances at a large cocktail party.
Though the plot was clear, little of circumstance took place. I felt like the entire book was spinning it's wheels, stuck in the mud, and didn't go anywhere. And that carried on right through the end which offered no satisfaction. Had it ended in a cliffhanger that would be one thing; but it just plain ended with none of the plotted goals achieved, like an old road petering out into the forgotten west.
Other than what seems to be well researched history and weapons and tactics details, there's little to recommend about this book.
Though the plot was clear, little of circumstance took place. I felt like the entire book was spinning it's wheels, stuck in the mud, and didn't go anywhere. And that carried on right through the end which offered no satisfaction. Had it ended in a cliffhanger that would be one thing; but it just plain ended with none of the plotted goals achieved, like an old road petering out into the forgotten west.
Other than what seems to be well researched history and weapons and tactics details, there's little to recommend about this book.
This book was okay. If you want great battle scenes, pick up Joe Abercrombie. I am interested in the characters but after awhile the characters start to blur together. I will read the next one as I have it on my Kindle but I was kind of disappointed,
Several writers have come together to work their magic on what appears to be a historical epic fantasy novel.
"The Mongoliad: Book One" introduces a clash between the knights of Christiandom and the Mongol army. On one side of the story, we have Ogedei - a Khangan and one of Genghis Khan's many sons - who is rapidly losing the respect of his people due to his heavy drinking. Enter Gansukh, an envoy from Chagatai Khan (Ogedei's older brother) who attempts to curb the Khangan's alcoholic exploits, and Lian, a Chinese woman ordered to tutor Gansukh in the ways of the court.
On the other side of the story, we have C'nan, a spy and scout, who seeks out a small order of
Christian knights. She warns them of impending attacks and campaigns against the Great Khan. Lead by Feronantus, these knights make a decision that will either save Christiandom, or destroy it.
While a good book, it was much longer than it needed to be. Some parts raced through to a climax; other dragged for pages and pages and pages and still did not solve the issue at hand. Will I read Book Two? Most likely, as the ending was a major cliffhanger. Do I recommend this book? Sure, to people who enjoy sword battles, tales of killing and dismembering, and who have the patience to deal with the parts that move slower than others.
"The Mongoliad: Book One" introduces a clash between the knights of Christiandom and the Mongol army. On one side of the story, we have Ogedei - a Khangan and one of Genghis Khan's many sons - who is rapidly losing the respect of his people due to his heavy drinking. Enter Gansukh, an envoy from Chagatai Khan (Ogedei's older brother) who attempts to curb the Khangan's alcoholic exploits, and Lian, a Chinese woman ordered to tutor Gansukh in the ways of the court.
On the other side of the story, we have C'nan, a spy and scout, who seeks out a small order of
Christian knights. She warns them of impending attacks and campaigns against the Great Khan. Lead by Feronantus, these knights make a decision that will either save Christiandom, or destroy it.
While a good book, it was much longer than it needed to be. Some parts raced through to a climax; other dragged for pages and pages and pages and still did not solve the issue at hand. Will I read Book Two? Most likely, as the ending was a major cliffhanger. Do I recommend this book? Sure, to people who enjoy sword battles, tales of killing and dismembering, and who have the patience to deal with the parts that move slower than others.
I'm usually not a fan of books written by committee. Fortunately Stephenson's steering this one into a safer harbour. If you like to read about medieval sword fights, incredible bowshots and lots of detail about armour, this book is for you. The plot really moves and it's full of action.
If not...you will be bored off your ass. This is a genre book, make no mistake.
If not...you will be bored off your ass. This is a genre book, make no mistake.
This book started in a way that made me think it was going to be more dark fantasy than historical fiction. Even though I was wrong on my initial impression the book ended up being quite enjoyable.
I have found Neal Stephenson books to be hit or miss. I really enjoyed Cryptonomicon but his other books felt a little too much like Neal was just trying to show everyone how much he knew instead of telling a compelling story.
I think, in this book, Neal's tendency to try and educate the reader has been tempered by the fact that this was a collaborative work. This restraint has been for the better. I really like the style of writing and the story being told. Plus, the characters are all pretty interesting.
My only real complaint with the story is that a character who blazes somewhat brightly in the middle of the story disappears for the remainder of the book. That characters story line was just getting interesting and it is a shame it is, probably intentionally, left in the dark for so long.
I have found Neal Stephenson books to be hit or miss. I really enjoyed Cryptonomicon but his other books felt a little too much like Neal was just trying to show everyone how much he knew instead of telling a compelling story.
I think, in this book, Neal's tendency to try and educate the reader has been tempered by the fact that this was a collaborative work. This restraint has been for the better. I really like the style of writing and the story being told. Plus, the characters are all pretty interesting.
My only real complaint with the story is that a character who blazes somewhat brightly in the middle of the story disappears for the remainder of the book. That characters story line was just getting interesting and it is a shame it is, probably intentionally, left in the dark for so long.
The Harlequin novel for medieval combat lovers. A true history-nut's wet dream. It wont ever be a literary classic... but you will love every engrossing detail of this bloody tale!
This book has a myriad of authors and I don't know what or how this came about. I saw Neal Stephenson's name on this and needed an audio book for help during my travels so I picked it up.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I need to go back and check on the reader, however, because he definately helped. He was able to use about 10 different (and well done) voices throughout the book and made the listening a pleasure.
The story has two major plot lines. The first is a group of knights who decide they will travel deep into the mongol territory in order to kill the Kagan. (Khan). This is a fairly straight forward story that is made enjoyable by the different personalities of the knights and the occasional combat between the knights and the mongols.
The second storyline is about a mongol emmissary from one Khan sent to another Khan's court (both son's of the late Ghengis), to tell him that he is drinking too much. Obviously, this is not an easy mission as Khans do what they like and be damned to anyone else who tells them otherwise. An older member of the court takes a liking to the emmissary and trains him in the way s of the court, as it is vastly different than life on the steppes. To do this, he uses a chinese woman/slave who teaches him about the court.
Ultimately, this is a true first part and doesn't resolve any of the storylines. When you buy a book 1, I guess you run this risk. Ultimately, in was an intriguing story about a time period I normally wouldn't pay much attention to. I will search out the Audio versions of Books 2 & 3 to finish the stories.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I need to go back and check on the reader, however, because he definately helped. He was able to use about 10 different (and well done) voices throughout the book and made the listening a pleasure.
The story has two major plot lines. The first is a group of knights who decide they will travel deep into the mongol territory in order to kill the Kagan. (Khan). This is a fairly straight forward story that is made enjoyable by the different personalities of the knights and the occasional combat between the knights and the mongols.
The second storyline is about a mongol emmissary from one Khan sent to another Khan's court (both son's of the late Ghengis), to tell him that he is drinking too much. Obviously, this is not an easy mission as Khans do what they like and be damned to anyone else who tells them otherwise. An older member of the court takes a liking to the emmissary and trains him in the way s of the court, as it is vastly different than life on the steppes. To do this, he uses a chinese woman/slave who teaches him about the court.
Ultimately, this is a true first part and doesn't resolve any of the storylines. When you buy a book 1, I guess you run this risk. Ultimately, in was an intriguing story about a time period I normally wouldn't pay much attention to. I will search out the Audio versions of Books 2 & 3 to finish the stories.
Mosaic books like this tend to be a bit uneven, but there are definitely lots of fun parts. Reminds me slightly of the Wildcards mosaic book, in terms of overall character: some parts really focus on character and description, others on plot, others on the historical background. I made a point of reading new Mongoliad books when they came out, so clearly they were satisfying.
The second half was better. Part of that for me was probably being past the introductory stuff and just being able to focus on the story.
Neal Stephenson AND Greg Bear? How can I say no?
Intriguing set of tales, all wound together. I have to keep reading to see how they'll intertwine.
Intriguing set of tales, all wound together. I have to keep reading to see how they'll intertwine.