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samanthagoodman787's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
الكاتب ابدع في وصف العلاقة بينهما وصف جميل جدا أعطى عمق أسطوري للقصة وجماليه ل النهاية
midwifereading's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, Iggulden hits it out of the park. These books are such a sweeping, vivid illustration of the Mongolian Empire and its powerful leader, Temujin, whom we know as Genghis Khan.
The writing is stellar. It is a bold, strong style with excellent pacing and broad strokes. The pacing is excellent, the story line easy to follow, in spite of multiple plot lines going on at the same time.
Iggulden doesn't shy away from the hard topics of warfare, and all that went with it at the time. He doesn't glorify Genghis, neither does he vilify him. He tells the story objectively, but powerfully. I found myself shaking my head and wondering what it was all FOR. The map of Genghis' empire is blood-soaked. No more so than other empires, I would imagine, but this close-up look at it just emphasizes the futility and horror of war. It's awful. There is nothing good about war.
There is, however, something good about people. About survival. Family. Children. Even in the midst of ugly war, there is honor, respect, loyalty, courage, strength, and power displayed in the men who wage it. All things that are good in and of themselves. What a shame that they were wasted on wanton killing, for no reason other than a desire to conquer. It all felt so empty at the end. And I felt worn out after following the Khan's story.
Then, there are the historical notes at the end, laying the groundwork for all Iggulden did. The man was pretty darn accurate to what information is actually available to us. Amazing work.
These books deserve a place on my shelf.
The writing is stellar. It is a bold, strong style with excellent pacing and broad strokes. The pacing is excellent, the story line easy to follow, in spite of multiple plot lines going on at the same time.
Iggulden doesn't shy away from the hard topics of warfare, and all that went with it at the time. He doesn't glorify Genghis, neither does he vilify him. He tells the story objectively, but powerfully. I found myself shaking my head and wondering what it was all FOR. The map of Genghis' empire is blood-soaked. No more so than other empires, I would imagine, but this close-up look at it just emphasizes the futility and horror of war. It's awful. There is nothing good about war.
There is, however, something good about people. About survival. Family. Children. Even in the midst of ugly war, there is honor, respect, loyalty, courage, strength, and power displayed in the men who wage it. All things that are good in and of themselves. What a shame that they were wasted on wanton killing, for no reason other than a desire to conquer. It all felt so empty at the end. And I felt worn out after following the Khan's story.
Then, there are the historical notes at the end, laying the groundwork for all Iggulden did. The man was pretty darn accurate to what information is actually available to us. Amazing work.
These books deserve a place on my shelf.
rayarriz's review against another edition
5.0
Genghis' story continues, and Iggulden presents it just as glowingly as the previous two. The empire rises under the leadership of the khan and the assistance of his faithful brothers, Khasar and Kachiun. Iggulden never comes short of the very best in storytelling.
staypuft_5's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Genghis Khan had nearly broken the Chin under his rule when an Arabian city refuses tribue, leading to conflict with Shah Ala-ud-Din Mohammed. Has the Khan finally earned the ire of even an enemy he can't defeat...
The concluding volume of The Conqueror trilogy did not disappoint. The rivalry among Genghis's sons Jochi and Chagatai reaches it's conclusion. Genghis names his heir. City after city fall before the might of the Khan.
The Khan's Arabian enemies are depicted as more formidable than any he had previously faced. Even though I knew how it was going to end up, I was still convinced the Arabians would come out on top. I particularly enjoyed the use of the assassins, and their leader, the Old Man of the Mountain. The hashish using assassins never get enough play.
The battles were even more spectacular than in previous volumes. The Conqueror trilogy deserves the treatment Rome got on HBO. Since the Mongols live in tent cities, the budget wouldn't have to be as astronomically high as Rome's.
I can't imagine anyone who read the previous two would choose not to read this. It brings the trilogy to a satisfying conclusion and sets the stage for the next one, focusing on Kublai Khan from what I've heard.
The concluding volume of The Conqueror trilogy did not disappoint. The rivalry among Genghis's sons Jochi and Chagatai reaches it's conclusion. Genghis names his heir. City after city fall before the might of the Khan.
The Khan's Arabian enemies are depicted as more formidable than any he had previously faced. Even though I knew how it was going to end up, I was still convinced the Arabians would come out on top. I particularly enjoyed the use of the assassins, and their leader, the Old Man of the Mountain. The hashish using assassins never get enough play.
The battles were even more spectacular than in previous volumes. The Conqueror trilogy deserves the treatment Rome got on HBO. Since the Mongols live in tent cities, the budget wouldn't have to be as astronomically high as Rome's.
I can't imagine anyone who read the previous two would choose not to read this. It brings the trilogy to a satisfying conclusion and sets the stage for the next one, focusing on Kublai Khan from what I've heard.