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Akmaral
Before the Silk Road had a name, nomads roamed the Asian steppes and women fought side by side as equals with men. Like all women of the Sauromatae, Akmaral is bound for battle from birth, training as a girl in horsemanship, archery, spear, and blade. Her prowess ignites the jealousy of Erzhan, a gifted warrior who hates her as much as he desires her. When Scythian renegades attack, the two must unite to defeat them. Among their captives is Timor, the rebels’ enigmatic leader who refuses to be broken, even as he is enslaved. He fascinates Akmaral. But as attraction grows to passion, she is blinded to the dangerous alliance forming between the men who bristle against the clan’ s matriarchal rule. Faced with brutal betrayal, Akmaral must find the strength to defend her people and fulfill her destiny. Drawn from legends of Amazon women warriors from ancient Greece and recent archaeological discoveries in Central Asia, AKMARAL is a sweeping tale about a powerful woman who must make peace with making war.
“Fraught with conflict both internal and external. Thoroughly imagined and vividly described… Fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes will relish how Lindbergh weaves fact and fiction to craft a gripping saga, a love story, and a convincing portrait of a time and people lost to history.”
—Christina Baker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles
“Meticulously researched, deeply imagined Akmaral brings the joy and hardship of a nomad woman warrior to vibrant, often aching life.”
—Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author of Daughter of Black Lake and The Painted Girls
“Akmaral delves deep into female power and confronts complex issues about womanhood, motherhood, and the sacrifices women make to protect those they love: issues as powerful today as they were in ancient times. If you love Madeline Miller’s Circe, you must read Akmaral. Lindbergh delivers a breath-taking story filled with vivid characters, haunted landscapes, powerful battle scenes, and a love story you will not soon forget.”
—Laurie Lico Albanese, award-winning author of Hester
“Fraught with conflict both internal and external. Thoroughly imagined and vividly described… Fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes will relish how Lindbergh weaves fact and fiction to craft a gripping saga, a love story, and a convincing portrait of a time and people lost to history.”
—Christina Baker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles
“Meticulously researched, deeply imagined Akmaral brings the joy and hardship of a nomad woman warrior to vibrant, often aching life.”
—Cathy Marie Buchanan, New York Times bestselling author of Daughter of Black Lake and The Painted Girls
“Akmaral delves deep into female power and confronts complex issues about womanhood, motherhood, and the sacrifices women make to protect those they love: issues as powerful today as they were in ancient times. If you love Madeline Miller’s Circe, you must read Akmaral. Lindbergh delivers a breath-taking story filled with vivid characters, haunted landscapes, powerful battle scenes, and a love story you will not soon forget.”
—Laurie Lico Albanese, award-winning author of Hester
336 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2024
13 people are currently reading
4406 people want to read
About the author
Judith Lindbergh
3 books97 followersJudith Lindbergh’s new novel, Akmaral, about a nomad woman warrior on the ancient Central Asian steppes, released on May 7, 2024 from Regal House Publishing. Her debut novel, The Thrall’s Tale, about three women in the first Viking Age settlement in Greenland, was an IndieBound Pick, a Borders Original Voices Selection, and praised by Pulitzer Prize winners Geraldine Brooks and Robert Olen Butler. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including in Newsweek, Zibby Magazine, Next Avenue, Writer’s Digest, Edible Jersey, Literary Mama, Archaeology Magazine, Other Voices, and UP HERE: The North at the Center of the World published by University of Washington Press. She has spoken at and published with the Smithsonian Institution and provided expert commentary on two documentary series for The History Channel. Judith received a 2024 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. She is the Founder/Director of The Writers Circle, a New Jersey-based creative writing center where she teaches aspiring and accomplished writers from ages 8-80.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 28, 2024
The writing in this book is beautiful. The prose is gorgeous, and there was one part where I dropped a tear onto my Kindle.
I love stories that entwine history with gorgeous writing, and this delivers in abundance
I was entirely wrapped in this story throughout. However, the slight criticism is that the ending felt abrupt, and the last 15 percent felt too much of a flurry of events
I would love to read more from this author
I love stories that entwine history with gorgeous writing, and this delivers in abundance
I was entirely wrapped in this story throughout. However, the slight criticism is that the ending felt abrupt, and the last 15 percent felt too much of a flurry of events
I would love to read more from this author
January 28, 2024
The writing in this book is beautiful. The prose is gorgeous, and there was one part where I dropped a tear onto my Kindle.
I love stories that entwine history with gorgeous writing, and this delivers in abundance
I was entirely wrapped in this story throughout. However, the slight criticism is that the ending felt abrupt, and the last 15 percent felt too much of a flurry of events
I would love to read more from this author
I love stories that entwine history with gorgeous writing, and this delivers in abundance
I was entirely wrapped in this story throughout. However, the slight criticism is that the ending felt abrupt, and the last 15 percent felt too much of a flurry of events
I would love to read more from this author
May 9, 2024
Imagine a time, far distant from living memory, when nomadic clans roamed the vast grasslands of central Asia. They derive strength from the animals they rely upon for nourishment and transport, from their devout religious beliefs, and from the tight unity of their clans, in which their training as warriors in defense of their people is deeply engrained from birth. Then imagine that many of these warriors are women, fighting with their clan alongside the men.
This is the world of Judith Lindbergh’s Akmaral, a saga both lyrical and fierce that evokes the spirit of its heroine, a woman of the Sauromatae in the 5th century BCE, who unspools her story as her own life draws to a close. “I do not like battle,” she says. “Only know that a show of strength is required to keep the peace.” The Sauromatae were documented by Herodotus, and may have given rise to the legends of the Amazons.
By the time of her impending death, Akmaral has united many wandering clans into a large confederacy which claimed her as its leader, although she never sought power for herself. Her narrative, rooted in conflict and betrayal, effectively establishes its theme of the struggle for balance amid opposing forces. These tensions play out at different levels: the wars between the Sauromatae and the Scythians and their allies, who conduct raids against peaceful camps; the encroachment of the patriarchy on matriarchal culture; and individuals’ internal battles on whether to conform or rebel. Yet the story also exudes amazing beauty, as shown through its poetic writing and images of the verdant steppes through the seasons.
Akmaral, orphaned as a child, grows up believing, as an exiled older priestess told her parents, that she is destined for greatness. Like all young women, she learns the techniques of fighting on horseback, attracting the enmity and desire of Erzhan, a male warrior. Her aul (clan) takes three enemy captives following a brutal raid, and Akmaral feels drawn to one of them – a silent, fair-haired prisoner called Timor. Her decision to take him as a lover spurs dramatic changes within their society.
These were ruthless times, and Lindbergh shows how the Sauromatian culture makes the continuity of life dependent on violence. This is poignantly personified through the story of Marjan, Akmaral’s friend, a young woman desperately in love who isn’t allowed to take a lover and bear a child until she kills another man. The descriptive passages and insightful characterizations make this a novel to read slowly rather than rush through. And although Akmaral tells a story of war, it’s not a typical one, since it’s layered with the insights of a influential woman with tender vulnerabilities and self-doubts – qualities that ultimately make her story and life all the more heroic.
First posted to Reading the Past.
This is the world of Judith Lindbergh’s Akmaral, a saga both lyrical and fierce that evokes the spirit of its heroine, a woman of the Sauromatae in the 5th century BCE, who unspools her story as her own life draws to a close. “I do not like battle,” she says. “Only know that a show of strength is required to keep the peace.” The Sauromatae were documented by Herodotus, and may have given rise to the legends of the Amazons.
By the time of her impending death, Akmaral has united many wandering clans into a large confederacy which claimed her as its leader, although she never sought power for herself. Her narrative, rooted in conflict and betrayal, effectively establishes its theme of the struggle for balance amid opposing forces. These tensions play out at different levels: the wars between the Sauromatae and the Scythians and their allies, who conduct raids against peaceful camps; the encroachment of the patriarchy on matriarchal culture; and individuals’ internal battles on whether to conform or rebel. Yet the story also exudes amazing beauty, as shown through its poetic writing and images of the verdant steppes through the seasons.
Akmaral, orphaned as a child, grows up believing, as an exiled older priestess told her parents, that she is destined for greatness. Like all young women, she learns the techniques of fighting on horseback, attracting the enmity and desire of Erzhan, a male warrior. Her aul (clan) takes three enemy captives following a brutal raid, and Akmaral feels drawn to one of them – a silent, fair-haired prisoner called Timor. Her decision to take him as a lover spurs dramatic changes within their society.
These were ruthless times, and Lindbergh shows how the Sauromatian culture makes the continuity of life dependent on violence. This is poignantly personified through the story of Marjan, Akmaral’s friend, a young woman desperately in love who isn’t allowed to take a lover and bear a child until she kills another man. The descriptive passages and insightful characterizations make this a novel to read slowly rather than rush through. And although Akmaral tells a story of war, it’s not a typical one, since it’s layered with the insights of a influential woman with tender vulnerabilities and self-doubts – qualities that ultimately make her story and life all the more heroic.
First posted to Reading the Past.
August 10, 2024
This is a sweeping historical fiction set centuries ago on the desolate Asian steppes when women fought alongside men as groups waged war against each other for survival and power. The main character is a woman named Akmaral - warrior, wife and leader of the Sauromatae. We live alongside Akmaral - from her birth onwards as she grows up fast, battles and loves, loses and forges forward. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical setting, storyline and characters. The extensive research that must have been undertaken to write a story set before the Silk Road had a name is quite commendable. It was so interesting to read and learn about what life was or might have been like centuries ago. The book took me back in time and I felt like I was there toiling away and battling my enemies to stay alive - what a tough life. I’m glad I live in the 21st century! This was a great read. A shout out to Melissa Joulwan of the Strong Sense of Place podcast for another great book recommendation!
November 29, 2023
"Akmaral" by Judith Lindbergh is a captivating and impactful book set in the 5th century BCE, bringing to life the ancient world of the Central Asian Steppe through the journey of Akmaral, a woman who rises from vulnerability to become the leader of her nomadic, matriarchal tribe. Lindbergh weaves a tale of love, adventure, and battles, skillfully portraying Akmaral's transformation from a vulnerable child to a powerful visionary. The prose is rich, evocative, and authentic, drawing comparisons to works by Margaret Atwood and Madeline Miller. The story explores matriarchal power, the complexities of love and hate, and the struggles for survival in a vividly recreated world.
April 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this historical fiction book telling the partly true story of the ancient women warriors in the Russian area. Seeing Akmaral grow from a child to a woman and experience various stages of life as well as the choices she had to make was insightful. Upon reading the authors note and realizing that this story was a nod to the Siberian Ice Maiden found in the Ukok Plateua near Russia and China in 1993 made all that I had read infinitely more enjoyable and breathtaking.
QUOTE: “what people are one’s own but those who feed and clothe and teach you?”
QUOTE: “what people are one’s own but those who feed and clothe and teach you?”
April 23, 2024
This book is a masterpiece to say the least. Lindbergh really nailed bringing this book to life with descriptive character and world building. This book is one of the first historical fictions that I truly fell in love with. At first I had my doubts but I am beyond happy that I took the dive. I love that we see Akmaral life from child to adult and everything in between. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for providing an ARC ebook.
Thank you NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for providing an ARC ebook.
May 15, 2024
This a beautiful, immersive historical novel. If you really want to feel like you've entered another time and place, Judith Lindbergh brings her setting alive with precision and detail. Plus, I love learning about overlooked historical figures and I'd never heard of Akmaral, a badass woman who deserves way more attention than she gets, before I read this book.
April 18, 2025
Solid 4 stars. I could have given it a 5 if it had been a little more polished. There were some minor grammatical typos that made me have to reread a few parts, and occasionally the narrator moved too quickly, assuming I had more cultural context than I did. For example, she might have been describing a place or a weapon or a practice and the entirety of the description was a single sentence before moving on to how it was used in the plot, despite the fact that I’m still trying to wrap my head around the new information.
That said, the plot was riiiiiight up my alley. I wouldn’t say historical fiction is my genre, but rather like a folkloric or mythical retelling. A book that allows me to travel to different times, places, and especially cultures that are so outside of my worldview, but with central mystical elements. I love a bit of magic in my books, and add a realistic, flawed, genuine female protagonist? I am ALL OVER that shit.
All this to say, Akmaral checked a LOT of boxes for me. I loved reading about the beauty and trials of a truly nomadic lifestyle, and even though it was historically based, it didn’t feel old fashioned or out of place. It was raw in its depictions of loss and full in its depictions of life’s joys. It’s long but it didn’t feel it (cruised through it), and I really liked Akmaral’s character. Plot was 5/5 stars, simply can’t give it the full because I think there could have been some improvements in fluidity of the writing.
That said, the plot was riiiiiight up my alley. I wouldn’t say historical fiction is my genre, but rather like a folkloric or mythical retelling. A book that allows me to travel to different times, places, and especially cultures that are so outside of my worldview, but with central mystical elements. I love a bit of magic in my books, and add a realistic, flawed, genuine female protagonist? I am ALL OVER that shit.
All this to say, Akmaral checked a LOT of boxes for me. I loved reading about the beauty and trials of a truly nomadic lifestyle, and even though it was historically based, it didn’t feel old fashioned or out of place. It was raw in its depictions of loss and full in its depictions of life’s joys. It’s long but it didn’t feel it (cruised through it), and I really liked Akmaral’s character. Plot was 5/5 stars, simply can’t give it the full because I think there could have been some improvements in fluidity of the writing.
April 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
From the description I thought I would really enjoy this book but it wasn't my cup of tea. I’ve never read a book set in this culture/time period/setting so I was looking forward to it. These factors were indeed engrossing and I really felt like I was there in the story. Also, Akmaral is a strong and intricate character and I was interested to read from her point of view. However, throughout my reading experience I found myself skimming or not wanting to pick this up.
From the description I thought I would really enjoy this book but it wasn't my cup of tea. I’ve never read a book set in this culture/time period/setting so I was looking forward to it. These factors were indeed engrossing and I really felt like I was there in the story. Also, Akmaral is a strong and intricate character and I was interested to read from her point of view. However, throughout my reading experience I found myself skimming or not wanting to pick this up.
November 15, 2023
An amazing story of a warrior woman trying to protect her tribe in times so long ago, it might have been real. The author clearly states in the afterward that this is a work of fiction and that she has borrowed many elements from the Mongolian lifestyle, but I wish she had borrowed less. While I understand there are trends and human nomads tend to live similar lifestyles across the globe, the Mongolian elements like the kumiss and the mention of the tall Mongolian headdress for a female leader left me disjointed coming from the Iranian plateau.
August 31, 2024
Historical fiction can sometimes take you out of your comfort zone but at the same time exposes you to worlds and times that make you come away with a wealth of knowledge and is so immersive to the setting, the time, etc.
Akmaral by Judith Lindbergh does this very well. This novel tells the story of an ancient nomadic tribe on the steppes of 5th century BC where the current countries of China, Mongolia and Kazakstan meet today.
Thank you to Judith Lindbergh and publisher (Regal House Publishing) for the advanced ebook copy.
Akmaral by Judith Lindbergh does this very well. This novel tells the story of an ancient nomadic tribe on the steppes of 5th century BC where the current countries of China, Mongolia and Kazakstan meet today.
Thank you to Judith Lindbergh and publisher (Regal House Publishing) for the advanced ebook copy.
January 22, 2024
In this sweeping epic, Lindbergh brings to life ancient nomadic peoples of Central Asia. This book begs to be a film, for its detailed visuals of both the landscape and the artifacts of tribal life. Akmaral is a woman warrior who persists through love and loss, a life of violence and warfare, and a commitment to the children who will be the future. Kudos to Lindbergh for her amazing imagination.
March 7, 2024
A fascinating look at a period in time and a culture that I have never encountered in fiction before. The setting and characters were very believable.
September 29, 2024
This book does an amazing job stabbing you in your heart and twisting it. When you think it's over, you still feel the phantom pain. I picked this book up randomly at the library, and I'm so thankful. I've been wanting to feel for such a while(emotional blockage) that this book opened the flood gates.
June 18, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Akmaral. It accompanied me on a short business trip and became like a companion you look forward to sneaking off with during breaks. Despite the late hour and an alarm set for an early rise, I’d stay up not wanting to stop reading. I highly recommend!
May 9, 2025
A book I wouldn't usually read, but so glad I did. An epic saga featuring women warriors from central Asia thousands of years ago. Akmaral is not afraid to do what is necessary to save her people. If you want a long ago historical fiction, check this one out!!
November 22, 2024
I was instantly drawn in by this beautifully nuanced story set in Central Asia along what would one day be called the Silk Road. Akmaral is a fierce woman warrior, one of the Sauromatae, a 5th Century nomadic people who may have given rise to the legends about the Amazons. Lindbergh's world building is so skillful and immersive. I could feel the wind, hear the pounding of horse hooves, and see the armor made from the same hooves. The author captures every detail: weapon and jewel making, hunting customs, rules of battle--especially against an enemy such as the Scythians whose techniques and weapons were far more advanced--the codes and rituals of daily life, of motherhood, and religious spirituality. Lindberg's research is extensive and evident, yet organic to the story without being laborious. It is a true gift to make that happen!
For it is Akmaral’s story that is truly compelling, from the prophesy that follows her throughout her life, alongside friendships, brutal competition, a romantic triangle, betrayal and the gravity of leadership. Akmaral is a powerful, memorable character for the ages.
Highly recommended.
For it is Akmaral’s story that is truly compelling, from the prophesy that follows her throughout her life, alongside friendships, brutal competition, a romantic triangle, betrayal and the gravity of leadership. Akmaral is a powerful, memorable character for the ages.
Highly recommended.
June 20, 2024
Beautiful imagining of what life as a descendant of the Amazons might have been like. Life, love, friendship, war. Akmaral is a gorgeous journey.
April 19, 2025
An Excellent Read
Expertly researched, Judith Lindbergh creates a skillfully written story that is believable and engaging. Whether a battle, spiritual ritual or the nomadic group's relocation in the Central Asian steppes, each part of the story serves a purpose as complex characters drive the plot forward. Akmaral's growth from child to fierce warrior in a matriarchal society is a fascinating journey. Mysticism, struggles surviving the elements and Scythian enemy, plus Akmaral's human challenges as a mother and woman are beautifully entwined in this captivating book.
Expertly researched, Judith Lindbergh creates a skillfully written story that is believable and engaging. Whether a battle, spiritual ritual or the nomadic group's relocation in the Central Asian steppes, each part of the story serves a purpose as complex characters drive the plot forward. Akmaral's growth from child to fierce warrior in a matriarchal society is a fascinating journey. Mysticism, struggles surviving the elements and Scythian enemy, plus Akmaral's human challenges as a mother and woman are beautifully entwined in this captivating book.
July 5, 2024
Judith's writing is lyrical. Good writing always draws me in even when I resist. Having said that this genre is not mine, so I had to push myself forward. The research was awesome, and the story moved. Having said that, the book was good but I was glad when I finished it.
July 2, 2024
Judith Lindbergh’s gorgeous writing sets the stage for the saga of Akmaral, a brave, complicated woman warrior who follows her heart and her ana—her community—through the joy, struggle, and grief of a nomadic life. There’s a little bit of all of us in Akmaral, who, in a world filled with danger and violence, carves her own path to find love and build a family. Akmaral is a story about another time, but her history and her desires are the universal human truths we all seek to understand.
July 4, 2024
So well researched!
February 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for permitting this book to be a Read Now to help members develop their Feedback Ratio in exchange for an honest review.
Review Summary:
This is a historical fiction following the Sauromatae, a nomadic group descended from the Amazons. We meet the main character, Akmaral, as a young girl with only vague memories of a terrible tragedy she witnessed as a child. There are also even murkier memories of an encounter with a priestess in which Akmaral is foreseen in a prophecy as the 'flying deer', a prophecy forever materialised in the deer pendant she wears around her neck. We follow Akmaral as she comes of age, and in her tribe must prove herself as a formidable warrior and protector of her people before she can find love and start a family, as her tribes tradition dictates. All the while Akmaral finds herself intrigued by spiritual sights and experiences but especially the exiled dark priestess who lingers on the outskirts of the group, much to the dismay of the light priestess and matriarchs. The story follows Akmaral and her peers try to live up to the expectations of their tribe and their Gods and find their resolve tested by love, fear and ambition when they encounter the enemy Scythians and their relatives.
Positives are that the author has clearly put their heart and soul into this story. The amount of research, which the author confesses to be frustratingly elusive, put into the novel is evident and I admire the effort to theorize any knowledge gaps by comparing with contemporary cultures and traditions descended from the region. The world-building was strong and I think it's impressive to bring to life a world we realistically know very little about. I felt immersed throughout. The writing was emotive with some strong characters.
Negatives are that the romance storylines could have been a little more developed. Certain scenes, namely those involving the more spiritual elements of the story, felt difficult to follow sometimes. While there were definitely some strong characters in the story some could have benefited from some more distinction in their personalities and dialogue. The storyline is a slow burn but the climax felt rushed, with a somewhat predictable plot twist.
3 stars. A testamant to the author's dedication to their research and bringing a forgotten, mysterious world to life. The prose was consistently excellent and a comfortable read, with natural dialogue. The friendships and rivalries are convincing, however I felt the romance element had flashes of greatness but fell a little short for me. The last quarter of the book, which arguably could have been the most interesting, felt more rushed with a somewhat abrupt ending.
FULL REVIEW BELOW - SPOILERS HIDDEN FOR DESKTOP USERS ONLY. APP USERS BE AWARE.
World-building:
Trying to develop a world for a constantly travelling nomadic tribe, with no single settlement, was always going to be a challenge. But the author manages it. I felt truly immersed in the character's traditions, beliefs and rituals. I adored the references to artefacts that have been found in real life and their incorporation into the story. You could really feel the character's desperation to appease their Gods, through rituals and rites of passage. It was fascinating to read about a more matriarchal structure of a society during a time where patriarchy reared its ugly head, with both men and women having to prove themselves in battle as soon as they come of age. We learn about the resources they had, their migration to the most fertile steppes for their herds and their resilience through harsh terrains and climates. Times of celebration and fun such as the games the tribes had for courting were sweet. The different roles amongst the tribe too and the kinship with other Sauromatae tribes they encountered during their migrations. I wish the spiritual aspects of the story, namely those while characters are under the influence of the 'black seeds', had been a little clearer as I found myself not really understanding the symbolism of certain things and the significance of it. Even after reading I still don't really understand the 'flying deer' prophecy.
Characterisation:
For me, the strongest character was actually the antagonist come deuteragonist Erzhan. His dialogue, his values and beliefs, his ambition and his loyalty are all clear cut and indisputable. His development from the start to the end of the book is the most interesting of all the characters. His relationship with Akmaral and the evolution of it was really interesting too. I feel Akmaral needed a little more of Erzhan's detailing, which was a shame as she was the main character. This is especially true towards the end of the book, when her role in the tribe is at its peak significance. I didn't really feel her growth was expressed an awful lot through her, rather I was just being told what she was doing and achieving. It would have been nice to have seen it more in her dialogue and interactions with others. Akmaral and Timor's relationship was my biggest frustration. At the beginning I was so excited, their scenes while Akmaral oversees Timor and his friends had some genuine tension, excitement and angst. But beyond that point it fell into the 'being told rather than being shown' trap again. There would be mentions of Akmaral and Timor's laughter, brightness and Timor's gentleness... but there wouldn't be any scenes to show any of this such as conversations where we see this humour and this closeness. So I found it quite difficult to invest myself in them because I felt I wasn't seeing an awful lot of their positive connection, just the negative. Therefore when the issues between them reached their peak I found it difficult to rekindle that feeling of anxiousness because, well, I didn't like him much anymore. Erzhan and Timor's relationship was a surprising source of this, though. I found Akmaral's connection with Marjan more palpable and heartfelt, and Marjan's angst with her lover.
Story:
The majority of the story is following the tribe's migration, so there is some repetition of the travelling and settling and traversing the steppes. However there are plenty of scenes with action, battles and politics. Amongst that we have friendships, romance and family storylines. This book has plenty of betrayal, tragedy and heartbreak.
Prose:
Beautiful, but as mentioned some scenes felt a little unclear and hard to immerse myself or make sense of what was going on, mostly the more spiritual experiences. This was probably intentional to some extent as it is while characters are under the influence of psychoactive substances so everything will be pretty hazy. but I found myself scan reading the scenes. In the same vein I found the scene of Akmaral and the boar confusing because the character placement/positioning was a little off. I found myself asking how Akmaral 'ended up here or there when they were supposedly caught there'.
Review Summary:
This is a historical fiction following the Sauromatae, a nomadic group descended from the Amazons. We meet the main character, Akmaral, as a young girl with only vague memories of a terrible tragedy she witnessed as a child. There are also even murkier memories of an encounter with a priestess in which Akmaral is foreseen in a prophecy as the 'flying deer', a prophecy forever materialised in the deer pendant she wears around her neck. We follow Akmaral as she comes of age, and in her tribe must prove herself as a formidable warrior and protector of her people before she can find love and start a family, as her tribes tradition dictates. All the while Akmaral finds herself intrigued by spiritual sights and experiences but especially the exiled dark priestess who lingers on the outskirts of the group, much to the dismay of the light priestess and matriarchs. The story follows Akmaral and her peers try to live up to the expectations of their tribe and their Gods and find their resolve tested by love, fear and ambition when they encounter the enemy Scythians and their relatives.
Positives are that the author has clearly put their heart and soul into this story. The amount of research, which the author confesses to be frustratingly elusive, put into the novel is evident and I admire the effort to theorize any knowledge gaps by comparing with contemporary cultures and traditions descended from the region. The world-building was strong and I think it's impressive to bring to life a world we realistically know very little about. I felt immersed throughout. The writing was emotive with some strong characters.
Negatives are that the romance storylines could have been a little more developed. Certain scenes, namely those involving the more spiritual elements of the story, felt difficult to follow sometimes. While there were definitely some strong characters in the story some could have benefited from some more distinction in their personalities and dialogue. The storyline is a slow burn but the climax felt rushed, with a somewhat predictable plot twist.
3 stars. A testamant to the author's dedication to their research and bringing a forgotten, mysterious world to life. The prose was consistently excellent and a comfortable read, with natural dialogue. The friendships and rivalries are convincing, however I felt the romance element had flashes of greatness but fell a little short for me. The last quarter of the book, which arguably could have been the most interesting, felt more rushed with a somewhat abrupt ending.
FULL REVIEW BELOW - SPOILERS HIDDEN FOR DESKTOP USERS ONLY. APP USERS BE AWARE.
World-building:
Trying to develop a world for a constantly travelling nomadic tribe, with no single settlement, was always going to be a challenge. But the author manages it. I felt truly immersed in the character's traditions, beliefs and rituals. I adored the references to artefacts that have been found in real life and their incorporation into the story. You could really feel the character's desperation to appease their Gods, through rituals and rites of passage. It was fascinating to read about a more matriarchal structure of a society during a time where patriarchy reared its ugly head, with both men and women having to prove themselves in battle as soon as they come of age. We learn about the resources they had, their migration to the most fertile steppes for their herds and their resilience through harsh terrains and climates. Times of celebration and fun such as the games the tribes had for courting were sweet. The different roles amongst the tribe too and the kinship with other Sauromatae tribes they encountered during their migrations. I wish the spiritual aspects of the story, namely those while characters are under the influence of the 'black seeds', had been a little clearer as I found myself not really understanding the symbolism of certain things and the significance of it. Even after reading I still don't really understand the 'flying deer' prophecy.
Characterisation:
For me, the strongest character was actually the antagonist come deuteragonist Erzhan. His dialogue, his values and beliefs, his ambition and his loyalty are all clear cut and indisputable. His development from the start to the end of the book is the most interesting of all the characters. His relationship with Akmaral and the evolution of it was really interesting too. I feel Akmaral needed a little more of Erzhan's detailing, which was a shame as she was the main character. This is especially true towards the end of the book, when her role in the tribe is at its peak significance. I didn't really feel her growth was expressed an awful lot through her, rather I was just being told what she was doing and achieving. It would have been nice to have seen it more in her dialogue and interactions with others. Akmaral and Timor's relationship was my biggest frustration. At the beginning I was so excited, their scenes while Akmaral oversees Timor and his friends had some genuine tension, excitement and angst. But beyond that point it fell into the 'being told rather than being shown' trap again. There would be mentions of Akmaral and Timor's laughter, brightness and Timor's gentleness... but there wouldn't be any scenes to show any of this such as conversations where we see this humour and this closeness. So I found it quite difficult to invest myself in them because I felt I wasn't seeing an awful lot of their positive connection, just the negative. Therefore when the issues between them reached their peak I found it difficult to rekindle that feeling of anxiousness because, well, I didn't like him much anymore. Erzhan and Timor's relationship was a surprising source of this, though. I found Akmaral's connection with Marjan more palpable and heartfelt, and Marjan's angst with her lover.
Story:
The majority of the story is following the tribe's migration, so there is some repetition of the travelling and settling and traversing the steppes. However there are plenty of scenes with action, battles and politics. Amongst that we have friendships, romance and family storylines. This book has plenty of betrayal, tragedy and heartbreak.
Prose:
Beautiful, but as mentioned some scenes felt a little unclear and hard to immerse myself or make sense of what was going on, mostly the more spiritual experiences. This was probably intentional to some extent as it is while characters are under the influence of psychoactive substances so everything will be pretty hazy. but I found myself scan reading the scenes. In the same vein I found the scene of Akmaral and the boar confusing because the character placement/positioning was a little off. I found myself asking how Akmaral 'ended up here or there when they were supposedly caught there'.
May 19, 2024
“The evidence lies in Kurgan mounds, the countless burials that dot the Central Asian steppes…women warriors lie at rest beside their daggers, swords…their thighs bowed from lives spent on horseback, their bones betraying battle injuries.” Author Judith Lindbergh creates life lived by a Sauromatae female warrior, a member of a matriarchal, nomadic tribe.
“The Kara Kam foretold that I would be important…she sang strange chants…sprinkled small black seeds over her smoldering fire…steamed…koumiss, the intoxicating drink…bring[ing] us closer to our ancestors.”
The Sauromatae tribe moved with the seasons, seeking grasslands for their herds, always mindful of possible enemy raids. From an early age, Akmaral was taught that “a warrior does not cry out…no matter what.” She was embraced by a new aul upon the death of her parents. She watched girls practicing weaponry and learning to hunt. Ten year old Akmaral rode with the hunters, her arrow nocked. She learned that “Death comes riding when a warrior falters.” Akmaral was stunned by the jealousy displayed by male warrior Erzhan, furious that her weaponry expertise was second to none.
Akmaral observed others becoming ana-women. Only upon birthing a child, would a female’s role change to child protector and be exempt from battle. A warrior could not take a lover unless she proved her fighting worth. After a first kill, she could mate. Erzhan, her nemesis and occasional confidant, desired her.
As battles and raids continued, she begged for the life of a captured outsider, a choice that would have repercussions. The well entrenched matriarchal society would be tested. For a time, patriarchy would override the pre-existing mores. Would the prophecy of Akmaral’s importance create community and the return to matriarchy?
Author Lindbergh’s extensive research was evident in her depiction of a strong-minded, determined female Sauromatae warrior. The glossary allowed the reader to truly understand customs and traditions, including offerings to Targitai, the war god. The Scythians, their arch enemy, was always in their purview.
Life on the Central Asian steppes in the 5th century BCE was wrought with hardship, hunger and death. “We are warriors. We are already meant to die.” The Scythians would continue to come and challenge their existence. Akmaral’s vulnerability created mistakes, some of a great magnitude, however leadership could occur only after lessons learned and strategic adjustments made.
Highly recommended.
Thank you Regal House Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“The Kara Kam foretold that I would be important…she sang strange chants…sprinkled small black seeds over her smoldering fire…steamed…koumiss, the intoxicating drink…bring[ing] us closer to our ancestors.”
The Sauromatae tribe moved with the seasons, seeking grasslands for their herds, always mindful of possible enemy raids. From an early age, Akmaral was taught that “a warrior does not cry out…no matter what.” She was embraced by a new aul upon the death of her parents. She watched girls practicing weaponry and learning to hunt. Ten year old Akmaral rode with the hunters, her arrow nocked. She learned that “Death comes riding when a warrior falters.” Akmaral was stunned by the jealousy displayed by male warrior Erzhan, furious that her weaponry expertise was second to none.
Akmaral observed others becoming ana-women. Only upon birthing a child, would a female’s role change to child protector and be exempt from battle. A warrior could not take a lover unless she proved her fighting worth. After a first kill, she could mate. Erzhan, her nemesis and occasional confidant, desired her.
As battles and raids continued, she begged for the life of a captured outsider, a choice that would have repercussions. The well entrenched matriarchal society would be tested. For a time, patriarchy would override the pre-existing mores. Would the prophecy of Akmaral’s importance create community and the return to matriarchy?
Author Lindbergh’s extensive research was evident in her depiction of a strong-minded, determined female Sauromatae warrior. The glossary allowed the reader to truly understand customs and traditions, including offerings to Targitai, the war god. The Scythians, their arch enemy, was always in their purview.
Life on the Central Asian steppes in the 5th century BCE was wrought with hardship, hunger and death. “We are warriors. We are already meant to die.” The Scythians would continue to come and challenge their existence. Akmaral’s vulnerability created mistakes, some of a great magnitude, however leadership could occur only after lessons learned and strategic adjustments made.
Highly recommended.
Thank you Regal House Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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June 26, 2024Akmaral was a slow burn. Not necessarily in a bad way, you just needed patience at times. Akmaral is a woman, warrior, mother, and leader struggling to find balance between peace and war (both figuratively and literally) to protect her people, and herself. While her ability to achieve so much is inspiring, her story was also unfortunate and sad. While some may find it difficult to connect with some of the characters, I almost felt it was at times intentional. Contextually, that just wasn't how things were. Even Akmaral acknowledges that; you are not meant to show your children a lot of affection, couples often joined out of duty/obligation/tradition rather than love, and open emotion/friendship was frowned upon at times. We aren't always meant to grow attached to the characters, just as Akmaral was never meant to. People live, they serve, and they die. I found Akmaral and Erzhan to be the characters with the most depth, though I wished we had gotten a bit deeper into Timor's character. I've got to commend Judith Lindbergh for all of the time/effort/energy I imagine went into the research behind this book. It is easy for us to tell stories of that which we are familiar or well versed, but to touch on something largely unknown to the majority and do it well is impressive. As with most historical fiction type novels I read, I always wind up very curious as to how much truth/accuracy there is to the stories being told. To be left with that lingering curiosity, I feel, is part of the author's success in writing the novel; to get someone to pay attention to and give credit to that which otherwise would have went unknown. In works like this, cultures get to live on. Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars, a very solid read but lacked some character development and did seem to skim over things at some times.
My rating system is as follows for reference:
1 star: would have DNF’d
2 stars: not for me but some redeeming qualities
3 stars: an average book that I would recommend to the right person
4 stars: a good book that I would recommend to most people, overall very enjoyable
5 stars: top tier, recommend to everyone, might even re-read at some point
**Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy of this book for free and this review reflects my honest opinion.
My rating system is as follows for reference:
1 star: would have DNF’d
2 stars: not for me but some redeeming qualities
3 stars: an average book that I would recommend to the right person
4 stars: a good book that I would recommend to most people, overall very enjoyable
5 stars: top tier, recommend to everyone, might even re-read at some point
**Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy of this book for free and this review reflects my honest opinion.
May 8, 2024
"For most of us, it does not last long-this life. A warrior's death always comes early. Yet mine has lasted long enough, longer than I would have thought"- Akmaral
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Possible triggers (this is not a complete list): murd3r, murd3r of an infant (on page), animal sacrifice, hunting animals, violence, enslavement, and mention/threats of murd3ring a child.
Spice/steamy scale: 0-5, I give it a 2.
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Akmaral has an essence similar to nature. It's a wild, brutal, beautiful and magical thing.
Akmaral took me by surprise. I like it and I still feel it linger in my mind. I was captivated by the world Lindbergh created. The writing felt like poetry. Akmaral was a fascinating and somewhat emotional read.
I was engrossed in Akmaral's life, watching her become a warrior, then a mother, and then a warrior again but with the heart of a mother. She was an interesting character, strong of spirit and body. All the characters in this book are interesting though. They are complex, each with their own beliefs, agendas and values.
While it was a great read, there were some things I wish were different or disliked. I hated reading about the death of that infant. I did want more personal scenes and interactions with the characters. And I'm not exactly satisfied with what happened regarding Akmaral's son.
I recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction, books with a strong female main character and don't mind some brutality.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
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Possible triggers (this is not a complete list): murd3r, murd3r of an infant (on page), animal sacrifice, hunting animals, violence, enslavement, and mention/threats of murd3ring a child.
Spice/steamy scale: 0-5, I give it a 2.
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Akmaral has an essence similar to nature. It's a wild, brutal, beautiful and magical thing.
Akmaral took me by surprise. I like it and I still feel it linger in my mind. I was captivated by the world Lindbergh created. The writing felt like poetry. Akmaral was a fascinating and somewhat emotional read.
I was engrossed in Akmaral's life, watching her become a warrior, then a mother, and then a warrior again but with the heart of a mother. She was an interesting character, strong of spirit and body. All the characters in this book are interesting though. They are complex, each with their own beliefs, agendas and values.
While it was a great read, there were some things I wish were different or disliked. I hated reading about the death of that infant. I did want more personal scenes and interactions with the characters. And I'm not exactly satisfied with what happened regarding Akmaral's son.
I recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction, books with a strong female main character and don't mind some brutality.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
July 31, 2024
The very best literature, like other art forms, creates a unique world with palpable descriptive detail, memorable characters, and universal themes that transcend time and place. Judith Lindbergh’s AKMARAL fits the bill and rises to staring heights. As a reader, I was immediately transcended to the nomadic life of a female warrior who lived in Central Asia in the fifth century BCE. Expertly employing detailed and hard-to-find research, Lindbergh invents a believable and sensual world, with pulsating language (complete with glossary). She conveys everyday implements, battle regalia, foodstuffs, animal life, shelters, and climactic geographical environments. Her world is instantly immersive and sensual. From the intricate animal tattoos to the body armor to the customs of the gods and shamanistic leaders of the clan, I was instantly enveloped in a culture teeming with life, ever on the move, subject to the whims of the gods and the forces of nature. This was a total cinematic adventure, rollicking with action and romance. Underlying this sensual display is a love story between man and woman, man and man, and woman and child; and, of course, human and animal. This is also a modern story examining the definitions of femininity, gender roles, and the different interpretations of war and peace. Akmaral is the best archer, a fearless warrior, a conciliator of tribes, a Queen, a lover of peace, and a narrator extraordinaire.
November 26, 2023
Akmaral is one of the most spellbinding, distinctive, and impactful books I’ve ever read. Judith Lindbergh brings to life the ancient world of the Central Asian Steppe in 5th century BCE through a woman named Akmaral who becomes the leader of her nomadic, matriarchal tribe, the Sauromatae. Readers follow the arc of Akmaral’s life from vulnerability to power, from orphaned child to trainee, from murderous warrior to disarmed lover, from cutthroat slayer to a remorseful and insightful visionary. History, legend, and the mystical dream world converge in a book that is both a love story, an adventure story, and a sweeping universe of battles and conquests. This tour de force of a book never failed to captivate me. The atmosphere Lindbergh evokes is rich in detail, evocative, raw, brutal, and very authentic in feel. I appreciated the author’s stunning prose and strong imagery. Her sentences are beautifully crafted. Akmaral is a worthy comparison to Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, which also presents the difficulties and heartbreaks of a strong female protagonist in an ancient culture. Readers who have enjoyed Madeline Miller’s Circe will also relish this novel.
December 31, 2023
This novel tells the story of the eponymous Akmaral, a "woman who makes peace with making war". Akmaral is orphaned as a little girl, but grows up to be mother to her ever-growing tribe. Her path across the Central Asian steppes is marked by love and loss and painful lessons, until she becomes a powerful leader. However, in her history of personal loss and betrayal, she makes fatal mistakes.
In her historical notes, Lindbergh explains how she wove the story from what scant archaeological and written sources there are, and she makes this distant time and people and their culture come alive. It's amazing to see how matriarchy worked out but was eventually toppled by male ambition and the need for revenge.
I deduct one star because at times I felt the language a tad overdone in trying to evoke the long distant past; this I felt mostly in dialogue, which at times feels unnecessarily stilted. Sometimes, the pacing felt a bit off, but I suppose that was an attempt at recreating the pace of travel and rest versus raids.
The novel is not for the squeamish in its depcitions of ancient warfare.
Thank you to netgalley.com for providing this ARC.
In her historical notes, Lindbergh explains how she wove the story from what scant archaeological and written sources there are, and she makes this distant time and people and their culture come alive. It's amazing to see how matriarchy worked out but was eventually toppled by male ambition and the need for revenge.
I deduct one star because at times I felt the language a tad overdone in trying to evoke the long distant past; this I felt mostly in dialogue, which at times feels unnecessarily stilted. Sometimes, the pacing felt a bit off, but I suppose that was an attempt at recreating the pace of travel and rest versus raids.
The novel is not for the squeamish in its depcitions of ancient warfare.
Thank you to netgalley.com for providing this ARC.
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