Bones of the Hills

Starred review from March 5, 2007
Author of the bestselling Emperor series on the life of Julius Caesar, Iggulden turns to another of history's great conquerors, Genghis Khan, for a new series of brilliantly imagined and addictive historical fiction. Future conqueror Temujin—"a man of iron"—is born to the khan (ruler) of a fierce Mongol tribe that roams central Asia's steppes in the 12th century. When his father is killed by Tartar raiders before Temujin reaches manhood, a rival claims the tribe and banishes Temujin's family. Left behind without resources when the tribe migrates, the family struggles to survive the harsh environment, and Temujin dreams of gathering similar outcasts—wanderers and herdsmen—into a new tribe. After assembling a core of these "men scorned by all the others," Temujin begins raiding Tartar camps. As his fame spreads, Temujin launches an ambitious campaign to unite the Mongol tribes "after a thousand years of warfare" into a single people, defeat the Tartars and invade China. Building on the fragments of Genghis's life, Iggulden weaves a spellbinding story of an exotic and "unforgiving land" and the enigmatic young man—charismatic, a brilliant tactician and capable "of utter ruthlessness"—who sets out to tame it. This is historical fiction of the first order.

April 13, 2009
Verdict: The third and likely final volume in this lively series is a brilliant re-creation of the Mongolian Empire. This is historical fiction at its best, and readers can only wonder what path Iggulden will travel next. Highly recommended for fans of adventure and action-packed historical fiction. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/08.] Background: Genghis Khan is lord of all he surveys, but his sons are growing up and jockeying for position as his heir. When a Moslem force destroys a Mongol army, the Mongol "hordes" make for the Arab world. The ensuing war is bloody and long, and the Mongolian victory still seems incredible, given that they were so outnumbered. Their success-as depicted in this thrilling narrative-was owing to their savage martial strategy and peerless leadership, discipline, and ability to endure hardship.-Robert Conroy, Warren, MI

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2009
Genghis Khan continues his conquest of Asia in the third installment of Igguldens stirring epic (following Genghis: Lords of the Bow, 2008, and Genghis: Birth of an Empire, 2007).As Genghis and his armies push into central Asia, they are challenged by the crafty and powerful Shah Mohammed. The Arabs prove to be formidable enemies, and the Mongols spend years attempting to defeat them. Meanwhile, Genghis is threatened by forces within his own camp as two of his sons vie for influence among factions of warriors. Igguldens mastery of the battle scene is in evidence as the brutally long campaign rages on. This appropriately page-turning treatment of a sweeping historical saga will appeal to fans of gritty combat fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

Starred review from January 19, 2009
The exciting third novel in Iggulden's Genghis Khan series tells the dramatic story of the Mongol invasion and conquest of Central Asia. Genghis has already defeated the Chinese and Koreans, and now marches his vast army west to punish and conquer the Muslim lands of central Asia ruled by Shah Mohammed. For eight years the Mongols ravage the shah's empire, crushing armies, destroying cities and slaughtering anyone who resists. Iggulden's vivid descriptions of bloody battles, masterful sieges and political intrigue are gripping, showcasing Genghis's brilliance as a strategist, tactician, administrator and leader. Side plots include the deadly rivalry between two of Genghis's sons, the rape and murder of Genghis's sister by a trusted adviser, the surprising rise of the shah's son as a capable enemy and the treachery of Genghis's son toward his father. This is epic historical fiction at its finest: exciting, suspenseful, colorful and well-grounded in fact. With this tale, it is easy to see why the name Genghis is synonymous with conquest and military genius.