I made it back to YouTube and more.

The Mongoliad: Book One (Foreworld #1)
by Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear, Mark Teppo , E.D. deBirmingham,
Erik Bear, Joseph Brassey, Cooper Moo

I give this book a 4.

This is an epic tale in the tradition of something like the Song of Roland, but I think this is more much accessible to modern readers. This tale covers a short period of the Mongol rule in which various knights of Christendom are charged with the task of saving what little territories are left, but instead they decided to just take out the Khan. The main character of this story is oddly enough not a Christian or a knight. She is a scout of mixed nationality who goes along for the ride to help in any way she can, hoping she doesn’t die, and soon begins to empathize with the cause of her comrades.

I like this book for the many stories it tells. There are so many details and lives that cross in this book. It’s a true pleasure to read great stories like these. Cnan and the knights have a great adventure tale shared between them, but each of this group has a story worth learning, even though they don’t all get told in this book. Even though they are united to save Christendom, most these knights aren’t Christians, they just want to take down the Mongols. There are a few however who remind you of such characters as the Knights of the Round Table.

Then there is Gansukh (a hunter/warrior sent to look after the Khan), and Lian (an obedient and wise slave looking for an escape), and the slave fighters of the Mongols whose names aren’t important right now. There are so many characters and interesting stories to be told in the book that it does sometimes get confusing, but if you stick with it, it all comes together.

I love the way the hunting and tracking scenes are described, and the fight scenes aren’t bad either. My main reason for not giving this book a 5 is the fact that it doesn’t really end. I mean the pages stop, but there is no type of conclusion drawn. I find this a bit irritating. I get that books in a series never really end until the series ends, but I at least expect some type of indication that this part of the series is now complete.

I will never be on board with this idea that a series is an excuse to just stop in the middle of a story so the next book can be printed. I probably would have given this book a 5 if the goal of it had been for the characters to reach the Shield Sisters. The next book could start with what happens after that, but no- this book just stopped.

This is a great historical fiction epic that I think would appeal to readers of fantasy looking to try something different. If you can read the Game of Throne books, you can read this.

This review has been posted to GoodReads. If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try this link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

As promised, here’s what’s happening with Solomon’s Swords.

So when I originally got the idea to start this story, I was thinking that it would be a simple mini-epic fantasy adventure, but now- who knows? I just keep coming up with all these twists and plotlines and backstories.

First, I’m no pushover. I’ve had some pretty good back stories for my other characters and books, especially my Eternal Curse Series, but have always been able to weed out the best and most important parts to keep for the story, while using the rest as build up material on my blogs or in marketing. The problem I’m having now is that most of the back stories I’m coming up with are so good that I feel that they must be told along with the rest of the story.

Second, I know a waste of words when I see it and I write it. I know that sometimes books are extending solely for the purpose of producing or selling more units, but I’ve never felt a need to break up a story for that reason. At this point, I think this story might be becoming so much more that I originally anticipated. This could possibly be another series for me, but I still trying to launch my first series.

Lastly, I’ve literally written two chapters of this story that don’t even mention the characters from the original conceptual idea. I know how this new material will eventually line up with those original ideas, but I am at a loss trying to figure out why I can’t develop my original ideas more without developing these new ideas first. I’ve always been able to work on story ideas in a categorical manner, but I’ve never been bound by chronology. With this story, I can’t seem to move forward with developing the back story first and then moving on.

Ok, so enough babble about my creative difficulties, here’s what’s going on with the story.

Solomon, the sword maker, is now the descendent of an illegitimate king who just so happens to have been pure of heart, unlike other kings of his time…but that’s only the beginning.

I have now developed the world in which this story will take place. There are 5 true kingdoms, 1 false kingdom, and a desert. There are also some differences in how days, years, and seasons are experienced in this world, but there’s nothing reminiscent to the world of Game of Thrones here. The world of my six kingdoms is called Plenar to which I have an overcomplicated meaning for. Please ignore my bad grammar. Right now, I’m writing the way to talk when I fell anxious and excited.

Also, I’ve developed the legend of a philandering Prince which will be the centerpiece of the conflict that later arises. There is now a mysterious meteor shower, a civil war, and of course a curse that only be broken with the proper use of Solomon’s Sword.

Don’t get too excited. 90% of this is still in outline form, but like I said I do have two first draft chapters and so much more to do.

Next, month I hope to be able give some more details and revisit: It’s Like the Full Moon, The Eternal Curse Series, and Unexplainable.

Feeling a little lost about what’s going on in this post? Just see the side panel and search My Topics, WIP Updates, to get all caught up. Also check my WIP tab to see what else I may be working on.

Do you have a WIP update to share?

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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