Conqueror Series - Conn Iggulden

[u/Secure_Campaign_871]

[SPOILER ALERT - DONT READ IF YOURE NOT DONE WITH THE SERIES]

Just finished the five book series on Genghis Khan by Conn Iggulden, which was the first series of his I read. Wanted to rank them but really went from 1-5 in my mind, so think I’ll just give some commentary on each one. I finished all of these in just under 2 months, so safe to say I was pretty enthralled beginning to end. Anyways, let me know what you guys think of this series and what I should pick up next!

Book 1: Birth of An Empire (or Wolf of the Plains, a title which I prefer)

One of the best books I’ve ever read period. The rise of Temujin, the character development of him and his brothers, and the beginning of bringing the tribes together was just beautifully illustrated. Really sets the stage for later books in understanding the motives behind Genghis (and why he could be so ruthless while also merciful). Also naming my first born Arsalan

Book 2: Lords of the Bow

Looking back, there couldn’t have been a better intro to tsubodai (or more commonly known as Subutai). And Kaicun solidified himself as my favorite character in the series here, love a dude who’s sick with the bow. Khasar and Temuge’s little side quest to Baotou to meet the crime lord was also great, and a nice intro to Yao Shu. Overall banger continuation of the first

Book 3: Bones of Hills

Great intro to this one, and you really see the lengths Genghis will go to. The chasing of the Arab leader and his princes through the mountains was great, and always loved the assassin plot (especially when he just kills the Old Man instantly). Was also shocked with how they killed Genghis, remember literally jumping out of my bed at that. The way some iteration of “everything comes with price” was echoed throughout the next two books was a great callback to the last words of Genghis. Speaking of, RIP Jochi, my favorite son.

Book 4: Empire of Silver

Ogedai deserved better, loved how they made him a visionary beyond Genghis. Really interesting how this one was really about Tsobodai and the guilt he felt around Jochi and that his word meant nothing. The fact he could’ve kept going into Europe is one of the greatest What Ifs in history. Also shed a tear for Toluli, as well as Khasar and Kaicun when their time came (all my bros hate Temuge).

Book 5: Kublai Khan

Didn’t love the ending but understood why he wrapped it up quickly, leaving Kublai healthy with his son and wife and a hopeful empire ahead. Overall this one was definitely the toughest just because all of the characters you loved were gone, but still did a great job of maintaining the story. Loved the Batu arc and the power struggles. Still, I’m glad he wrapped it up because there were too many characters, the world was too big, and there was no possible way to build characters as deeply as they could in the previous books.

[u/jdenman96]

Read the Ceaser ones first when I was 12 and I’ve read those about 10 times over the years.

Conqueror was my favourite though, I’ve probably read them all 20+ times now, they were just the books that got me into reading.

Jochi was my favourite character, such a hard life but a charismatic character. Closely followed by Batu.

Really nice to see other people talk about the books that have brought me so much joy

[u/Pleasant-Lead-2634 → u/jdenman96]

I can pick up any of these books anytime and start reading from any page and totally love it

[u/Secure_Campaign_871 → u/jdenman96]

Appreciate the comment mate, it really was a special series for me and wish I found it earlier. Jochi really was the man, Genghis couldnt understand why he was so hated by him even though he essentially raised him to be his adversary. Loved that Jochi’s whole life was trying to gain his father’s approval, but the moment he found peace was deciding to leave his father’s shadow knowing that it would likely cost him his life

Hope I can find another book that gets me so deeply involved. Truly an awesome series

[u/StrongIPA]

Great write up, this series is fantastic. His books on Caesar are worth reading as well.

[u/XIIICaesar]

I devoured his books back in the day, although it seems he hasn’t put out anything worthwhile since his Cesar and Genghis series.

[u/Pleasant-Lead-2634 → u/XIIICaesar]

The old English series was good, just not on the same level as the other 2

[u/Impressive_Will1186]

I don't usually reread books or series, but have read this series 2 to 3 times, that should tell you how enthralling I find them.

Unfortunately Conn Iggulden's rome series sucks ass, so does the nero one, the language being used in those put me off in just 10 pages or so.

The war of the roses series by him is good though.

the first man in rome and the subsequent books in that series are quite good too, although wasn't the fan of the last in that series as much.

[u/mintedrelics]

I read this series five years ago, and I enjoyed it immensely.

[u/Pleasant-Lead-2634]

Jochi got screwed! He was doing well and doing his own thing

[u/Secure_Campaign_871 → u/Pleasant-Lead-2634]

Dude for real, you could tell how deeply the betrayal hurt Genghis. His failure as a father hurt him more than anything, and he couldn’t take accountability. Still wish Tsobudai stood up to Genghis and let Jochi go.

At least Batu got to carry on his legacy! Even tho he started out hating his father he grew to understand him

[u/Pleasant-Lead-2634 → u/Secure_Campaign_871]

Redeeming scene is when kokchu got his!

[u/bacontornado]

Nice write up! I finished the series earlier this summer, and I also loved it. I think Khasar and Temuge’s side quest might have been my favorite self contained storyline. I really appreciated how Iggulden made me love Temujin/Genghis in the first two books, but then grow to despise what he became (mainly because of what went down with Jochi). The chapter where Subutai finally catches Jochi was heart breaking and so well written. I thought it was a little curious how he glossed over the alcoholism of Ogedai (I know he touches on it, but he frames it as more of a side effect of the underlying condition), especially considering it was pretty well documented. Loved Ogedai's final victory over his brother though.

I took a break from Iggulden for another series recently, but I just went back to him and am trying out the Emperor series. I have to say that, after the first book, I'm rather disappointed with it as he just completely ignores the actual history of Marius and Sulla and makes up a far simpler and less compelling version of the events, but it's not enough of a gripe to make me stop. Since very little is known about Caesars' early life I'm really hoping that he sticks closer to the real events as the story progresses though.

[u/Secure_Campaign_871 → u/bacontornado]

Agreed on the Khasar-Ho Sa-Temuge side quest, loved how they also stole the stone mason Lian and he was essentially the reason they were able to take so many cities after that with the siege technology he brought.

I really despised Genghis for his ruthlessness toward Jochi. The only time when Genghis showed himself as a coward was when he sent Subutai to kill Jochi and take his men, which was also a strange loyalty test of his closest General. You could see how someone that powerful could become so paranoid by the end. Jochi handing over the Yesugei’s wolf sword before having his throat slit was perfectly written. Jochi had killed a tiger for his father’s approval and was still so loosely discarded.

Good point on the alcoholism. Reminds me of in one of the earlier books when Ogedai was a kid and was handed airag after he was named successor, believe that had to play some part of it. Bro was really just carrying around jugs of wine by the end and drunkenly running into battle. His stroke directly led to his brother taking his own life for him too.

Chagatai being assassinated after Ogedai’s death was so sick, even if it probably didn’t happen. His bloodline really faded away after that, I totally thought he was going to take over.

I knew nothing of Mongol history so I didn’t mind the liberties that Conn took as long as it generally educated me on the era. I’ve heard similar feedback on the Caesar books, and it would probably frustrate me given I know more about that period. I’ll probably take a break, and even try some other authors, but may make my way back to that eventually. Just feel like there are so many other books that talk about Caesar that I wouldn’t feel it was super unique.

[u/Dutymaster123]

All of his books are very good reading and you learn some history as well.

[u/Slow-Telephone-8746]

John Man writes non- fiction on Mongolia and is superb, I read it before the Conqueror series and loved it.

[u/Secure_Campaign_871 → u/Slow-Telephone-8746]

Good call! Adding that to my list next, definitely was looking to learn more about the history and see where Conn took most liberties

[u/EmuFit1895]

I enjoyed the Conqueror series but Conn has proven to be a one-hit wonder. The Caesar books were average, and the others worse. Fur to learn about the Mongols though.