Horselords

Horselords is a novel I first read over 15 years ago, and it still enchants me today, as much as it did then. It is a novel set in the Forgotten Realms setting, but it is a great book by itself and no prior reading is neccesary to enjoy it. This is a fantasy novel, not with knights, dragons, and princesses... but based on the Mongols and tribes of the Asian steppe. Set around nomad life, and seen in part from the view of a Tibetenesque monk living with this radically different culture. It is extremely well written, and while it is a tale of war, there is a majority of time spent on culture and life of the nomad, along with dialogue between the juxtaposed monk and the "barbarians." This is one of my all time favorites, and while its sequels were not of the same caliber (or even the same author), it is a great stand alone story, that leaves you thirsting for more! If you like non-western fantasy settings, mongols, or just a good story, you will appreciate this book.

Horselords is the first book in the Empires Trilogy, which deals with a neglected part of the Realms, the Hordelands (located east of Faerun), and its inhabitants. Specifically the book sheds light on Khahan Yamun, leader of the Tuigan tribe and his campaign of conquest in the lands of Kara-Tur. By his side, is Koja, a priest of Furo and advisor to Yamun. The plot as a whole is very good. The book is a little slow in the beginning, but very well written, and as it goes on the characters come alive. David Cook does a great job of presenting the distinct culture and civilization of the peoples of the steppe. He has done a great deal of research in order to provide such an accurate and lucid description of the Mongol-like people. There are strong elements that are characteristic of the TV miniseries Shogun, starring Richard Chamberlain, that aired in the early Eighties. In conclusion, Horselords is strongly recommended for Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts who have a soft spot for Genghis Khan and everything Mongol.

This is one of those books that when you finish it you just sit back in silence and say to yourself "WOW"! Not because it had a revolutionary ending or anything like that, but because it is just a great book that is extremely well written and well thought out. Its nice to read a fantasy novel once in a while where there doesn't have to be a battle every five pages and yet captures your attention so good. What makes it so great you ask? I can't really point out one or two specific things. Its just a really good book. Read it!

This book opens one of the best series I have ever read. It tells the story of a Koja, the Khazari monk, who finds himself sent to the side of Yamun, the leader of the barbarian tribes called the Tuigan. The story allows the reader to see the culture of the Tuigan barbarians through the monk`s eye and puts a large question mark on the meaning of the word "barbarian". Yamun is revealed as a leader full of both diplomatic and tactic wisdom, and as the story goes on Koja is being troubled with the definition of his position at Yamun`s side - an ambassador or a consultant ?A great storyline, deep and evolving. You will not be able to stop until you finish it. And a after that - two more books await ...

Overall this book was an awesome display of tactical ingenuity. The Tuigans, seemingly modeled after the Mongols during the time of Genghis Khan, embody the Mongol singleminded warring tradition and culture. In Koja the Khazari monk, we see the perspective of someone from outside the culture who is then brought into the Tuigans. He sees the sublime qualities of Yamun Khahan, the leader of the Tuigans. Their enemies portray the Khahan and the Tuigan as cruel, unintelligent barbarians, but as the story shows, though the Tuigans generally cannot read or write, Yamun Khahan shows that sometimes the pen is "not" mightier than the sword. Undoubtedly, the Tuigan "are" cruel (real painful torture techniques) ...but Yamun Khahan parallels a Machievellian idea that "A leader is defined by cruelty used well or used poorly". Yamun embodies a greatness that few leaders have; possessing the power and charisma to drive hundreds of thousands of people to victory, death, and glory. I thought this was a great book, although, I think the ending left something to be desired (but that's my opinion). Nonetheless, that does not detract from the superb storyline and depth with which each of the main characters disposes on the reader.