Seven writers are listed on the cover of The Mongoliad: Book One, but for many readers it will feel most like a Neal Stephenson novel--specifically, the sub-genre of sprawling historical epic that made his Baroque Cycle trilogy so much fun. This story, however, is set in an alternate 13th century, where the sons of Genghis Khan have begun to push the Mongol armies into Europe. As a small band of warrior monks from the Ordo Militum Vindicis Intactae ("Knights of the Virgin Defender") makes their way across two continents to assassinate Ögedei, the current Khan of Khans, at his stronghold in China, a young Mongol soldier must negotiate his own position in Ögedei's court--charged with protecting his emperor, but with no idea whom he can trust.
The Mongoliad has been digitally serialized in weekly installments (with multimedia enhancements and fan participation) since September 2010. This means that individual chapters crackle with a fast-paced energy, particularly the vigorous action scenes. One gladiatorial battle, between a Christian monk and a Japanese prisoner-of-war, is a showcase for the authors' research into archaic martial arts techniques. Unfortunately, it also means that this initial print installment ends not just in media res, but on an abrupt cliffhanger that feels rather low-key considering the stakes that have been established. The story of the Mongoliad is consistently engrossing right up to these scenes, which makes the non-ending all the more frustrating. Of course, if you can't hold out until Book Two is published, there's always the Mongoliad website.... --Ron Hogan, founder of Beatrice.com