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The Judas Blossom

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
An imaginative and sprawling epic fantasy reimagining of the Mongol Empire's invasion of Persia, following the lives and treacherous journeys of four key figures in the heart of war.
1260, Persia: 
Due to the efforts of the great Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire covers a vast portion of the known world. In the shadow of his grandfather, Hulagu Khan, ruler of the Ilkhanate, is determined to create a single empire that covers the entire world. His method? Violence. 
His youngest son, Temujin Khan, struggles to find his place in his father’s bloody rule. After another failure, Temujin is given one last chance to prove himself to Hulagu, who is sure there is a great warrior buried deep inside. But there’s something else rippling under the surface… something far more powerful and dangerous than they could ever imagine… 
Reduced to the position of one of Hulagu’s many wives, the famed Blue Princess Kokochin is the last of her tribe. Alone and forgotten in a foreign land, Kokochin is unwilling to spend her days seeking out trivial pursuits. Seeking purpose, she finds herself wandering down a path that grants her more power than a wife of the Khan may be allowed.
Kaivon, the Persian rebel who despises the Mongols for the massacre of his people, thirsts for revenge. However, he knows alone he cannot destroy the empire. When given the opportunity to train under the tutelage of Hulagu, Kaivon must put aside his feelings and risk his life for a chance to destroy the empire that aims to conquer the world.
Family and war collide in this thrilling and bloody reimagining of the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Persia.
File Under: Fantasy [ A Conqueror's choice | Flickering light | Rebellion sparks | Stolen Survival ]
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    • Publisher's Weekly

      May 1, 2023
      Aryan (the Quest for Heroes series) puts far more political intrigue than magic in this dry historical fantasy that opens the Nightingale and the Falcon series, which reimagines the Mongolian empire’s invasion of Persia. Hulagu Khan, grandson of Ghengis, hopes to fulfill his grandfather’s vision of ruling the world via brute force. This leaves many of his conquered enemies biding their time to destroy him, among them his newest concubine, Kokochin, the Blue Princess. The only survivor of her clan, Kokochin finds purpose in learning to defend herself and joining an underground resistance group. Meanwhile, defeated Persian general Kaivon pretends to switch sides to serve under Hulagu, hoping to gain insider knowledge and manipulate the empire to its ruin from within. There’s real suspense to the imperial machinations, but the fantastical element only comes through the story of Temujin, Hulagu’s weak youngest son, who eventually discovers that he’s descended from an ancient race with powers that could remake the world. It’s a bit too little, too late. Aryan lays an extensive foundation for exciting things to come at the expense of the present volume. This series has yet to find its footing. Agent: Juliet Mushens, Mushens Entertainment.

    • Library Journal

      May 12, 2023

      This sweeping historical fantasy features the lesser-known history of the tumultuous times of the Middle East in the 13th century. The story follows four believably flawed characters, both the conquerors and the conquered. Hulagu ruthlessly expands the Mongol Empire while his son Temujin struggles to overcome a reputation of cowardice and to discover his purpose. Kaivon, a Persian general, and Kokochin, the princess of a dead tribe, refuse to relinquish their lingering resentment and hate for the enemy. Behind the scenes, a scheming network of spies and assassins pulls the strings. Written with heart and cunning, this is a gripping tale of revenge with complex political intrigue, harrowing battles, and masterful infiltration. Every character has their own violent and unforgiving agenda, and even as they confront harsh realities, their spirits are never crushed. Their stories are beautiful and terrifying in equal measure, capturing the brutality of war and questioning what it means to have worth and power. VERDICT Aryan's latest (after The Warrior) is perfect for those who enjoy dynamic historical fiction with a touch of magic, like the work of Guy Gavriel Kay.--Andrea Dyba

      Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      June 1, 2023
      Aryan's latest reimagines the Mongol Empire's conquest for world domination in a story that is fast paced and immersive. Hulagu Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson, rules the Ilkhanate and conquers cities with no mercy. He is determined to make a warrior out of his son Temujin, whose nonviolent nature and propensity for failing to meet expectations exasperate and disgust him. But there is something lurking beneath Temujin's gentle surface, and once awakened, its power cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, the Blue Princess Kokochin, the last of a tribe slaughtered by the Mongols, is given to Hulagu as another wife. She lives like a mouse in the palace of Tabriz before a fateful, fearful night triggers her to fight for survival and introduces her to a resistance movement she never imagined existed. Family and honor feature heavily as old alliances are broken and new ones are made. While the majority of this novel centers around the blood-soaked battlefields and cities that are ravaged then slowly rebuilt under Mongol occupation, the resistance bubbling to the surface whispers hope that someday their rule will end.

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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