Silk Road

By: Colin Falconer

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The Holy Land, 1260.

Josseran Sarrazini is chosen to escort the Pope's emissary on an embassy to the all-conquering Mongol horde in an effort to save all Christendom from destruction. But although he serves as a Templar warrior, Josseran is not all that he appears to be - and he despises the Pope's man on sight.

Now they have to spend nine months in each other's company on the most dangerous and most inhospitable journey on the earth - across the legendary deserts of Persia, through the horrific black hurricanes of the Taklimakan, along the entire spider's web of the Silk Road to Khubilai Khan's legendary capital at Xanadu. When he sets out, Josseran cannot know then that he will never see Christendom again.

Meanwhile, somewhere near the Roof of the World, a Tatar princess possessing a gift for prophecy, defies her father's attempts to marry her off to the sons of other tribal chiefs. She does not belong in her world any more than Josseran belongs in his.

Now fate will bring their paths on a collision course somewhere on the Silk Road and change the course of her life, and Josseran's, forever.

From the Storehouse of Winds to the Palace of Myriad Tranquillities, from the Pamirs and Hindu Kush to the legendary Xanadu and the dazzling court of Khubilai Khan, this is romance and adventure on a breathtaking scale.

Contains mature themes.

©2017 Colin Falconer (P)2018 Tantor

Fantastic book

I couldn’t stop listening. Compelling and beautifully written! Well researched. One of the best books I’ve ever read!!

Don’t listen with headphones

The narrator almost whispers while reading but is several decibels higher when doing a character’s voice. Sometime it’s very difficult to listen to.

Silk Road is a rocky ride

I had a very hard time getting into this story. Once in, I found it a chore to read some parts. That being said, I mostly liked the book. A crusader and a priest travel from the holy land to the court of Kublai Khan in Cathay. there are lots of gory parts, as this was a very brutal time in history. At one point I doubted a method of execution, looked it up, and found it was actually used. I did not attach myself to either of the two lead characters, though I liked one and disliked the other. Further reading did not change this view, so I am assuming that was the author's intent. I liked the book more as a lesson in the barbarity of human kind than anything else. I believe the story is very well planned, and it did keep me reading past the parts I found distasteful due to violence. (Like I said, it was a violent time period.)

Many people recommended this series, so I will read the next book in the series before deciding if I want to spend additional money and time on the later books.

Who is Truly the Barbarian?

You get to the end of this novel and you don't want it to end and start searching for a follow-on to this lovely & tragic story. The richness comes in the background and cultural descriptions interweaved with historical events & figures. West meets East... who is truly the barbarian?

A modern day Epic tale

perfect narration
epic character and world building
never forgotten love and romance
savagery and dismay that leaves you chilled
more than a book, this tale speaks to your soul

Unusually good

Brilliant, intriguing and intense historical story of pain, heartache and adventure.
Also with fantastic narration too.
Wish there were more like this.

Great story but hard to listen to

This is a great historical fiction story, but I was constantly distracted by the low volume of the narrator. She spoke so softly that I would have to turn up the volume and then her volume would rise during the characters speaking and it would be too loud.

Interesting

Enjoyed listening,short chapters but an interesting story.
Storyline gives you an insight to Mongolian culture/history.

Really good book I enjoyed it wished it was a set

this is a Really good book it sweeps you away as all good novels shoud and lets you for a time to ride with the Mongol hordes

A good story with a strong ending

I am not he biggest fan of this voice actress. It’s nothing egregious more a personal preference. The writing is good but the subject matter is well researched. I would say that is the strong point off this tale. A lot of good solid historical references that seem to fit the actual histories I have read.
Of course there is some license but it was well thought out. Will definitely check out his other titles