Genghis: Bones of the Hills

One of the dangers of sequels is the fact of unfulfilled expectations - how can a sequel be as interesting or compelling as the original? How can the author bring something new to the table without losing that which made the original interesting? In Bones of the Hills, the well-researched historical novel continues the story of Ghengis Kahn, a history not really well known in the West. Having overcome mythically-awful tests as a youth to rise to power, and having conquered the Chin in the first novel, in this sequal we see him turn west to consolidate and expand his growing empire. In addition to the blood-and-guts battles, the chilling brutality of the camp, and the intrigue of a wide number of well-drawn characters, we see in this book the development of his sons - and the obvious seeds for future dispute. This is a saga about turning a group of tribes into a true Empire, absorbing what they need and what they can from those they conquer. The book accomplishes what good historical fiction must do: it provides a sense of place and time, while also being a terrific read. It left me eager for the next in the series.

This is the best in the series. The first was also very good. I stayed up all night reading this. This series is addictive. If you like Conn Iggulden you simply have to read this book. I am not sure how closely it relates to the "actual" history, but it is absolutely entertaining. If you want a good read for your vacation this is it. You don't necessarily have to read all three, but the first and the third are the best. I am not sure if it is a "guy thing" but the book seems to appeal more to gentleman then the ladies. Have fun, this book is a guilty pleasure!

Conn Iggulden claimed several days of my life reading the three novels comprising his Genghis adventure - and how I wish he would continue to more volumes. Iggulden is simple the contemporary master of historical fiction. (Please note, these volumes are historical FICTION, not histories. Far too many people think that historical fiction is supposed to be a history volume. Wrong.) In Genghis, Iggulden follows the rise of the eldest son of the khan (leader) of a small, but fierce tribe of Mongol leaders. After his father is ambushed and dies an agonizing death, Genghis's claim to the khanship is usurped and his family left behind to starve or be killed by lawless wanderers. The first two novels detail the ascension of Genghis as he pulls together the constantly warring tribes into a single Mongol nation - that then attacks its eternal enemy, the Chin. Each book is rich in historical fact, legend and invention. The third volume has Genghis, now the Great Khan, in Arab lands, avenging an insult to the Mongols from a satrap of the Shah. As you might expect from a man and people whose life from childhood to death revolved around war, there are extensive battle scenes which Iggulden handles with a perfect touch. You can smell the sweat, the horses, the blood, the death. You can feel the stoicism with which both Muslims and Mongols fight to the death. Iggulden invents a family and tribal life for Genghis that embodies the few facts that are known and many of the myths and legends. There are the eldest sons ,Jochi, possibly a bastard product of rape, and Chagatai, Genghis's second, who are engaged in an increasingly savage sibling rivalry. Two wives sharing Genghis have their own conflicts. Genghis' generals, faithful onto death, have their own feelings to contend with. It is, in all, a tour de force. Iggulden weaves in the Assassins (whom the Mongols did repeatedly attempt to quash), a Buddhist holy man, a vile Mongolian shaman, Arab princes, merchants and mercenaries, the Chin(ese), even some Russians whose lives were cut short. Iggulden evokes an age when death was a constant companion to all. Not only death by natural causes and disease, but violent death, such as that suffered by the 163,000 captured by Mongols who were put to death by the sword as a lesson to the Muslim lands. "Genghis" in its entirety is a compelling narrative of what life was like in the day of Genghis. It is, in a word, breathtaking and this third and final volume is the best of the lot. Jerry

This is the final book in the three novel arc on the life of Genghis Khan written by Conn Iggulden. I found it to be the best of three and a very interesting read. As you can imagine there are many battle scenes, but there is also much intrigue in Genghis's world. He finds many enemies within his own family and warriors as on the grassy plains and mountains of Asia. It is best to start with the first book of this trilogy and read all the way to this final book. Five stars and well worth your time.

Birth of an Empire, the first of the trilogy, was a fine work. Things slipped for Lords of the Bow, the second of the trilogy. Bones of the Hills brings us back to the level of Birth of an Empire. Birth was local: Lords of the Bow centered on the invasion of the Chin Empire, and Bones takes us south and west, to India and Persia, the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas. There are two primary enemies: one an Arab, and the other the leader of the Assassin sect. Genghis Khan is aging, his sons are grown, and the empire would certainly seem to be getting unwieldingly large. The enemies are getting smarter--they are beginning to adapt to and counter the Mongol war tactics. Temujin must choose an heir: his sons certainly do not see eye to eye with each other. The developing situation is not unlike that of the Diodachi after the death of Alexander--can the empire be held together? Temujin was the focus of the first book. In Lords of the Bow Temujin is more of a spectator--most of the story seems to be about others, not Temujin. In Bones of the Hills Temujin is once again the focus. You get a fine view of the Mongol war machine, the conquests, the sieges, the tactics. Iggulden can do a fine job when he keeps his focus. If you want some additional reading--additional fiction--Until the Sun Falls by Cecelia Holland is a great novel about the general Psin on the western edge of the Mongol Empire. This is fiction that you won't regret reading if you have enjoyed Iggulden's trilogy.