The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3

By: Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear, Mark Teppo, Nicole Galland, Erik Bear, Joseph Brassey, Cooper Moo

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

An untested group of Shield-Brethren initiates stand before the sprawling Mongol army in a bloody circus of sadistic violence, while a hardened company of their finest roam the desolate wasteland of the Mongol empire, wrapping their dead in blood-soaked soil and struggling to find the strength to fight even as they mourn. The warrior-monks, both in the East and the West, sharpen their swords for a final battle. The Khan of Khans must be slain if Christendom is to survive.

A sweeping historical interpretation of the battle for Europe against the invading Mongols and their ruthless Khan, The Mongoliad: Book Three brings the epic adventures of the Shield-Brethren to a brutal and thrilling conclusion.

©2012 Foreworld LLC (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Weak story

The performances were excellent. There were lots of interesting characters, good dialogue, and graphic descriptions. A bit to much of the latter. Christians against Mongols was the main theme and it was interesting but, we already know how that turned out. The other stuff, Popes and cardinals, witches and urchins, and warrior nuns, seemed pointless and unrelated. History wise, I come away wondering what to believe. That may be a good thing.

Not Enough Storytelling

I was really disappointed at The Mongoliad series and book 3 was a total let down. Book 1 was awesome, but the two later books was a total waste of time. It seems like Neal Stephenson and company lost focus after writing book 1. I thought that book 3 would never end because all you ever read is the battle and killings. 90% of the story is pure action, where you just get bored with the constant stabbing between the tribes. There is very little plot behind the battles. The election of the new pope was interesting, but the story gets lost in the constant wars. The series just gets tiring to read because its very one sided with way too much action and not enough storytelling. I would read the first book and skip the rest.

Looooong trilogy. And kinda flat ending.

Would you try another book from the authors and/or Luke Daniels?

I gather there are some more books following this one, but don't intend to continue.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

This is a loooong trilogy, and that's coming from someone who quite enjoyed Stephenson's Quicksilver trilogy. The Mongoliad makes the Quicksilver trilogy look simple and concisely written. There are interesting characters and stories being told, but even so it gets really slow going and felt like an epic achievement to make it through to the end. And the end itself is highly disappointing too, just fizzles out. So although some of the characters were interesting and I liked the way both sides were sympathetic instead of having cookie-cutter baddies and goodies, I really don't think the effort to get through the trilogy was worth it.

This Book Rocks

Would you listen to The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3 again? Why?

Yes: the book is starts at great tempo and finishes with a bang I think the only down point is that the next book will need to bow this one away.


P.S. if you like Luke Daniels this is for you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gansukh: the way he learns to live in both worlds

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He makes you feel like you are the character and just makes you feel welcome

Any additional comments?

This is not a waist of time

Great long work.

Would you listen to The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3 again? Why?

Yes, and probably will after enough time passes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3?

Not any one.

Have you listened to any of Luke Daniels’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Don't know if he narrated the other Mongoloid Foreworld books, but if so, he's quite good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not one in particular.

Any additional comments?

Good series. This is the third book of the series I've listened to.

Not the most satisfying sequel

If you've already read book 1 and 2 of the series then nothing anyone says will change your mind about finishing the series off. So I won't say anymore.

Great adventure

A well told tale anchored in some historical trends with extensive elaboration by the authors that carry one on through a remarkable time.

Living History, well researched

characters and detailed fight scenes that included background strategy were most interesting to me. an era that is not well known, and I learned much about Europe's reaction to the eastern threat.

This Review Needs a Title...

I could not get into book 1, DNF (did not finish), so book three, which was ordered at the same time also gets flushed. Note to self, don't order all the books in a series, if you don't know that you might enjoy it.

A truly great story!!!

I love this series! I wish there was more! This is one I'll listen to repeatedly.

Another great story from Stephenson

Would you consider the audio edition of The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3 to be better than the print version?

I haven't got the print version

What other book might you compare The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3 to, and why?

Quicksilver. Another historical fantasy book with great characters

Have you listened to any of Luke Daniels’s other performances? How does this one compare?

A great performance. All the Mongolian books are riveting

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I have been following the Mongoliad series. This book is something I really won't to listen to because of that

Any additional comments?

A great listen. I am looking forward to the next one.

Thank goodness it's over

Would you consider the audio edition of The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3 to be better than the print version?

I've not read the book version but I've read most other Neal Stephenson books in paper format so I can appreciate how long his works are.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Mongoliad: The Foreworld Saga, Book 3?

The scene's in Rome made me thing of The Borgias. Fight scenes are ever-so-slightly long winded - you can tell the authors spend far too long recreating the fights!

What does Luke Daniels bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Excellent voice with brilliant characterisation - though I did get confused about who he was supposed to be at times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nope, I've not enough time to listen to it all in one go, but it was brilliant as part of my commute to work and back.

Any additional comments?

Worth listening to if you're a fan of Neal Stephenson or have an interest in history. Kept me entertained for ever-so-many hours! Which I guess is all you can ask of an audio book!

Fantastic Story - BRILLIANT Narration

The first time ‘PERFORMED BY’ really lives up to the description !!
Luke Daniels PERFECT narration really brought this excellent Book to Multicoloured life !
Can not recommend enough.👍

I just couldn't stop listening :-)

What an amazing story, I got so addicted to listening to it. I just couldn't wait to know what would happen next. I can't wait for the next book.