THE TIGER QUEENS – Stephanie Thornton
The Women of Genghis Khan
New American Library
ISBN: 978-0-451-41780-0
November 2014
Historical Fiction

The Mongol Empire Before and During the Reign of Genghis Khan

Borte is very much a loner in her clan. The last, and very much unexpected child of her mother, a seer, and her father, head of the clan, she has inherited her mother's sight, but at age ten when she is betrothed, her intended never returns for her. For seven years she waits for Temujin to claim her, but she gives up and intends to live her own life. She fears little, knows much, and emotionally Borte plans to spend the rest of her life alone. Borte's mother has predicted a dark future for her, so Borte doesn't expect much happiness. When a royal visitor, Jamuka, visits her village, she falls for him, and he for her, but when she discovers that he is Temujin's blood brother, Borte is dismayed. And then Temujin comes back for her, makes her his wife, and the future looks very different.

Borte becomes queen to Temujin when he is named the khan and becomes Genghis Khan. While he adores her, his conquering ways are anything but gentle. They have several sons and one daughter, Alaqai who is determined not to be the token wife of just anyone. She is brave, strong, and is as dangerous with a bow and arrow as any of her father's warriors. But her heart will be challenged as the Mongol world of Genghis Khan tears across the lands, conquering people, burning and looting, and growing ever more powerful.

Fatima is the only one who survives in her family when the Khan attacks and destroys her Persian town. She is taken as a slave to a woman in Genghis Khan's family, where she teaches others to write. Another of the family, Sorkhokhtani, will birth sons whose names will go down in history.

THE TIGER QUEENS tells the many stories about the women around Genghis Khan. They fight, they struggle, and they scheme to help their men and their children. Every bit as cold-blooded as the men, these women are determined to protect those they love. It isn't an easy life, and death is very much around every corner.

Each woman's story is told in the first person, and readers will be drawn into the dangerous, heartrending, and bloody world of Genghis Khan. The author doesn't pull any punches as this was not a kind and generous world, so be prepared for reality. Each woman is unique, but all are brave in their individual ways, and they don't all have happily ever after stories. Beautifully written, this is a tale few people will have heard. I highly recommend THE TIGER QUEENS.

Jani Brooks