Cirrus@Austlit

'In the steppes of High Asia, the year 1166…

'‘What is a Mongol? – As free as the geese in the air, as in unison. The flights of the geese promise us we don’t give up independence, to unite.’

'The hundred tribes of the Mongols have come together with one aim: to push back against the walls that have crept onto the steppe – farther than China has ever extended its walls before. Walls are repugnant to a nomad. But can people on horses push them down, even with a united effort?

'This story begins when nobody has heard of Mongols – not even most Chinese, who think the vast Northern Waste at its weakest and are right. A spectacular history starts obscurely…' (Publication summary) 

'Mother Hoelun was never ashamed or embarrassed by their hardships. When Jochi wore a dog’s pelt for a cloak, because they had no fleeces and no felt and had to trade for hides and dog was cheap, none of the children felt a sense of indignity. Indignity was alien to her.

'The Mongols are a people of orphans. A disastrous battle with China has left wives without husbands, children without fathers. Temujin is one of these children, impoverished by the heavy tribute China has punished them with, in danger of forgetting what a Mongol stands for. Worse, Temujin's the subject of a prophecy: that he is to fight that terrible battle over again, except this time with victory.

'Temujin doesn't believe in prophecies – not when they have to do with him. He's only an ordinary Mongol. But ordinary Mongols have to step up these days, or give in to a grim future. What young Temujin does believe in is his people. While there are Mongols to remember the past there is hope.' (Publication summary)

'“Imagine you had a prophecy you’re the advent of the Promised One, the Right Guide and the Champion of Light. You’d believe that, right? And if you didn’t, you’d love to meet people who do.”

'Temujin has an awkward time with the prophecy about him and he’s happy to remain unknown. However, war and politics rudely intrude. Toqtoa, a shaman and a king from the Great North Forest, has watched the Mongols sink into squalor and he takes his opportunity to step onto the grass highway. “History doesn’t happen in the forest. It happens on the steppe.” This king with his spirits has history in his sights, while Temujin thinks of nothing but his stolen wife Borte.

'Is history run by fate and royal spirits? By history-makers like Toqtoa, or by accident? Borte, in captivity, cannot see her half-child husband a rival to this warlock king. Nor wishes to.' (Publication summary)

'In the steppes of High Asia, the year 1188…

'‘Jamuqa rode his trophy mare, off-white, black-pointed, on a Tartar seat, high arches of ornamental silver fore and aft. He wore a winterfur of snow leopard, near white with black whorls. The effect was kingly and fantastic: he might be Irle Khan himself, the king of ghosts, in his eerie splendour.’

'Aged twenty, Temujin has been named Tchingis, khan over the Mongols. But only a third of his people accept a kingship based on dreams and omens. His own sworn brother Jamuqa challenges his title, and comes in the guise of a mock king against him.

'The steppe has been without a great khan for three hundred years – fragmented in the face of giant China. Are dreams and omens enough to unify its peoples? What makes a true king?'' (Publication summary)

'‘Jamuqa had witnessed, aged fifteen, his tribe strung up on trees. Perhaps you have to go one further.’

'Jamuqa is mad, and commits an atrocity in challenge of Temujin.

'His actions – that might have more to do with how he feels about his oath-brother – plunge the Mongols into intertribal war. Temujin’s lack of an election, too, has caused controversy and a split into camps. The anti-Tchingis set find his ideas newfangled, while his followers almost worship him. Even Temujin, sad in private, dedicated instead to his public self, fears Tchingis has gotten out of hand.

'This isn’t what Galut Queen had in mind when she put an honest Mongol in government to save the Mongols’ traditions.' (Publication summary)

'Is he Saint Tchingis? Has he grown a monster? Perceptions differ. From the arse end of the steppe, out of nowhere, now he towers over other kings.

'The other kings club together, as he threatens the very idea of aristocracy, in a last stand of the steppe against Tchingis. Where does old Toghrul stand, the Hirai king who has been to him as a father? And Jamuqa – the only one to have beaten him in battle, a man Temujin is said to be in awe of – Jamuqa is quite a catch for the enemy side, even brainsick, even with his ambivalent past.

'Because Temujin knows, although he’d never say, there are two great men on the steppe.' (Publication summary)