From the author of the bestselling The Dangerous Book for Boys BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Conn Iggulden’s Khan: Empire of Silver.For centuries, primitive tribes have warred with one another. Now, under Genghis Khan—a man who lives for battle and blood—they have united as one nation, overcoming moats, barriers, deceptions, and superior firepower only to face the ultimate test of … superior firepower only to face the ultimate test of all: the great, slumbering walled empire of the Chin.
Genghis Khan comes from over the horizon, a single Mongol warrior surrounded by his brothers, sons, and fellow tribesmen. With each battle his legend grows and the ranks of his horsemen swell, as does his ambition. In the city of Yenking—modern-day Beijing—the Chin will make their final stand, confident behind their towering walls, setting a trap for the Mongol raiders. But Genghis will strike with breathtaking audacity, never ceasing until the emperor himself is forced to kneel.
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The second book about Genghis Khan tells about his first military campaigns outside Mongolia.
Plot. Rating 4
This book has a more complex and rich plot than the previous book in the series. The reader can follow the campaigns and military tricks of Genghis Khan, his relations with his children, the affairs of his brothers, and various intrigues both in Mongolia and in other states.
Some events have been simplified to speed up the plot. For example, the war against the Naimans or the acquisition of siege technologies by Genghis Khan.
Characters. Rating 5
In the second book, less time is devoted to Genghis Khan, although his actions, decisions and relationships with people are more diverse. Also, I think the old and new minor characters have made the story more detailed. Their human qualities are well shown, and it was interesting for me to observe them.
Dialogues. Rating 4
The dialogues are good. There are quite a few details from the life of sedentary people that are revealed in dialogues.
Writing style. Rating 5
Compared to the first book, there are more necessary descriptions here which makes it possible to better present a picture of the events taking place. Also, sentences have become longer and smoother.
Worldbuilding. Rating 4
In connection with the expansion of the world, it became more detailed. It was interesting for me to learn about the various aspects of the life of the Mongols and other peoples. The combat scenes are excellent. The battles and sieges of cities are shown clearly and in detail for historical fiction. I enjoyed reading about the various military tricks of Genghis Khan and his people.
However, there are plenty of historical inaccuracies in the book, and, as it seems to me, they were optional. For example, the age of Genghis Khan is understated by almost half, and his sons are shown as small children, although by the time of the war against the Jin empire, they’d already commanded troops and had their own children. I suppose this was done to show some great scenes from the childhood of the boys, but they could have been conveyed through flashbacks.
Overall conclusion. Rating 4
I liked the second book more than the first. This is a great story about the Mongols, not only for those unfamiliar with their history.
A fun book to read. I am enjoying this series and will finish it at some point. That Genghis… pretty mean dude at times.
Loved this whole series that follows Gengis Khan and his legacy via his offspring and their offspring! Both informative and great story telling! You can read any of them as a stand alone book but I would advise to try and read them in order if possible.
A great read…I love historical fiction and this author is one of my favorites…I read all the Genghis series and have started on the Romans…
Genghis Khan has united the Mongol clans and risen to power. Now he turns his attention to the Chin dynasty that has torn his people apart for centuries.
Lords of the Bow is a battle-filled sequel to Wolf of the Plains, part of the Khan Dynasty series. Genghis and his massive army march further and further south into Chin lands, conquering and burning in brutal fashion the Mongols were famous for. As the Mongols grow stronger and wealthier, opposition to his rule dissolves in the wake of his overwhelming success.
Anyone who knows a bit about Genghis Khan and his conquests would not be surprised by anything that happens in this book. While the author clearly took some liberties, he also clarified those issues in his note at the end of the novel.
Like the previous book, I enjoyed the story, but I had a hard time investing in the characters. The use of psychic distance and head-hopping Iggulden uses to tell the story can make it hard to really dive deeper into their thoughts and emotions. The setting is rich. The battles are grueling. But the emotional investment is lacking.
Lords of the Bow ends with something of a cliffhanger. Genghis has taken the Chin emperor’s home wit the promise of peace, even if temporary, but the emperor betrays him. What will happen next? I’ll find out soon enough, though to be fair history has already answered that question for us.
Will I keep reading the series? Yes, if nothing else but for the details about their way of life. It’s great additional research for my own Mongolian fiction.
Do I recommend the book to others? Only if you’re fascinated by Genghis Khan and his empire. If not, the book will likely fall short of your expectations.
This was one of a great series of books, I enjoyed and ripped through them all