This book was hardly a fantasy novel, in that there was very little of the aspects of what I would say make up the fantasy genre. No monsters or magical people (elves and dwarves and stuff) and very little magic as well. I take that back, there is a dragon's spirit in the last chapter. This is more a study of a culture, which is completely based on the Mongols, and presented in a fantasy setting, and I say fantasy meaning fictional. Okay, so having said that, it could just be the slow begining of a series that needs a strong cultural basis for the reader to really get involved with what is going on...but I must say I sorta doubt it. As I have already started the second book, which seems to be based on Japanese culture, more than Chinese (which I'm not sure I understand why), the Mongol stuff has already been swept to the wayside, except to comment on how well they fight with bows from horseback. There is only one genre of novel that I like as much as fantasy, and that's historical fiction. This book was like one of those movies that trys to blend romance and action, but doesn't have enough of either to make it good...Anywho, I'm such a forgotten realms dork that I still gave it 3 stars and the second book is already better than the first, so, for that reason, I'm glad I got through it.
What do You think about Horselords (1990)?
This is the first book of the "Empires Trilogy", as such, it introduces the world and people who take part into the whole story. Because of that, the first chapters introduce each character and develop the story from there. Despite of this fact, this initial introduction to the peculiarities and traits of the different people and races is not a boring one. I found it very easy to follow and pleasant.The plot slowly unfolds in the middle chapters, and from there on the book turns out to be truly compelling. The story line is kind of plausible, but I would not regard it as predictable. Expect a lot of political intrigues, epic battles and action from this.The Tuigan people are the main race depicted in this book, and they are inspired in the Mongol people. So one aspect that I found really interesting was the fact that some customs from the nomad people in the real world are the ones of the Tuigan. In that sense you will learn something or at least it will awaken you to know more about the actual Mongol people (as it happened to me :-) ).On a personal note, I really enjoyed the book, it left me wanting for more!!!. I definitely would suggest to anyone to give this book a try. It's quite enjoyable in my humble opinion.
—Sicofonia
