Horselords (Forgotten Realms: The Empires Trilogy, Book 1) [Paperback]

David Cook (Author), Larry Elmore (Author)

Book Description

Series: Forgotten Realms Empires Trilogy, Book 1 | Publication Date: May 1990

Between the valiant kingdoms of the western Realms and the exotic eastern lands of Kara-Tur lies a vast, unexplored kingdom. For centuries, the "civilized" peoples of the Forgotten Realms have given little notice to these barbarians. Now, a powerful leader has united the wild horsemen into a mighty force--an army powerful enough to challenge the world.

The Empires Trilogy: Book One.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880389044
• ISBN-13: 978-0880389044
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Hordelands!, July 26, 2004

By 

L Gontzes (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horselords (Forgotten Realms: The Empires Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Horselords is the first book in the Empires Trilogy, which deals with a neglected part of the Realms, the Hordelands (located east of Faerun), and its inhabitants.
Specifically the book sheds light on Khahan Yamun, leader of the Tuigan tribe and his campaign of conquest in the lands of Kara-Tur. By his side, is Koja, a priest of Furo and advisor to Yamun.
The plot as a whole is very good. The book is a little slow in the beginning, but very well written, and as it goes on the characters come alive. David Cook does a great job of presenting the distinct culture and civilization of the peoples of the steppe. He has done a great deal of research in order to provide such an accurate and lucid description of the Mongol-like people.
There are strong elements that are characteristic of the TV miniseries Shogun, starring Richard Chamberlain, that aired in the early Eighties.
In conclusion, Horselords is strongly recommended for Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts who have a soft spot for Genghis Khan and everything Mongol.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Horselords, January 7, 2000

By 

Marc Almanzor (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horselords (Forgotten Realms: The Empires Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Overall this book was an awesome display of tactical ingenuity. The Tuigans, seemingly modeled after the Mongols during the time of Genghis Khan, embody the Mongol singleminded warring tradition and culture. In Koja the Khazari monk, we see the perspective of someone from outside the culture who is then brought into the Tuigans. He sees the sublime qualities of Yamun Khahan, the leader of the Tuigans. Their enemies portray the Khahan and the Tuigan as cruel, unintelligent barbarians, but as the story shows, though the Tuigans generally cannot read or write, Yamun Khahan shows that sometimes the pen is "not" mightier than the sword. Undoubtedly, the Tuigan "are" cruel (real painful torture techniques) ...but Yamun Khahan parallels a Machievellian idea that "A leader is defined by cruelty used well or used poorly". Yamun embodies a greatness that few leaders have; possessing the power and charisma to drive hundreds of thousands of people to victory, death, and glory. I thought this was a great book, although, I think the ending left something to be desired (but that's my opinion). Nonetheless, that does not detract from the superb storyline and depth with which each of the main characters disposes on the reader.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Horselords: One of the finest pieces of alternative fantasy, April 17, 2005

By 

Rajeev D. Majumdar (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horselords (Forgotten Realms: The Empires Trilogy, Book 1) (Paperback)

Horselords is a novel I first read over 15 years ago, and it still enchants me today, as much as it did then. It is a novel set in the Forgotten Realms setting, but it is a great book by itself and no prior reading is neccesary to enjoy it.

This is a fantasy novel, not with knights, dragons, and princesses... but based on the Mongols and tribes of the Asian steppe. Set around nomad life, and seen in part from the view of a Tibetenesque monk living with this radically different culture.

It is extremely well written, and while it is a tale of war, there is a majority of time spent on culture and life of the nomad, along with dialogue between the juxtaposed monk and the "barbarians."

This is one of my all time favorites, and while its sequels were not of the same caliber (or even the same author), it is a great stand alone story, that leaves you thirsting for more! If you like non-western fantasy settings, mongols, or just a good story, you will appreciate this book.