Bones of the Hill

by Conn Iggulden

Reviewed by Coral

Three years after letting his generals ride to conquer their own lands, Genghis calls them back to face a new threat, the greatest his people have ever faced. The army of Shah Muhammad II of Khwarezmhas insulted Genghis and murdered his envoys. Now Genghis seeks revenge for this insult. But faced with an army with vast numerical superiority, this may be one battle Genghis cannot win.

As the third book in this series and the book that brings us to the end of Genghis’ story, I was a little disappointed in the book.

I thought there was a little too much time spent with Jelaudin when it could have been spent with the characters we’ve been following throughout the series.

I also that too much time was spent (in this book and last book as it turns out) with the Buddhist monk and Genghis’ second wife, especially with how the story ended. The book seemed to be setting one thing up and then went a different direction. I wouldn’t have minded their story if it seemed like it was heading in the same direction all along.

Because it has been so long since I read the first book in the series (and since I have read any historical non-fiction material on Genghis Khan) I forgot that Genghis even had a sister; I don’t think she was mentioned once in the second book but she is suddenly back here.

I also wish more time had been spent on the relationships that were central to the ending and those that look to carry forward onward into the series. There was a nice chapter on the beginning of a friendship between Jochi and a newly raised general, Jebe. But then it disappears minus a brief mention at the end. Similarly, any of Jochi’s relationships with his two youngest brothers were unexplored, which is a shame given Ogedai’s importance moving forward. I would have also liked more time spent with Tolui and his wife, considering their son’s importance in later history, but maybe I have to wait until book four.

Considering the amount of time we spent with a character last book, I thought their death was handled so flippantly.

There are some things I’ve read from historical non-fiction sources that I would have liked to see included in the book, including accusations of disloyalty from Khasar. There was a point where I thought that was where the story was headed, but it didn't.

Everything around Jochi disappointed me. I hated how Genghis treated him. I hated how Jochi’s story came to an end, especially since it didn’t seem consistent with what I have read. I was envisioning a different ending for him. I know the books can’t include every historical character, but Jochi saying he had no children was a little unexpected and ridiculous considering I think he had something like 16 children historically.

I wanted to like this book, because I have enjoyed the series so far, but somewhere around the middle I kind of lost interest in it. I hope book 4 in an improvement.

 Grade: C