Eye of the Nomad

War of Fear #1

by Umberto Nardolicci

Based on actual events of Genghis Khan's death squad of special operators, known as The Mangoday, this historic saga immerses the reader in a spellbinding tale of life, love, and revenge that will leave you breathless...

Book I, Eye of the Nomad, so begins the legend of Yasotay, a gifted young prince whose search for purpose takes a dramatic turn saving an illiterate nomad from captivity. He embarks on a hero’s journey far from home to learn the true meaning of life. Murder, kidnapping, and revenge soon find Yasotay in a thrilling race against time to save someone he loves from a fate worse than death.

Author Umberto Nardolicci takes the reader to the 12th-century Eurasian Steppe in this heart-pounding tale of adventure.

Genres: Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published November 11, 2024

About the author

Born in upstate New York, Umberto Nardolicci is a computer engineer and businessman. After completing service with the US Navy in 1986, he worked as an engineering consultant at Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory in the Advanced Systems Design Group. He received his degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from the State University of New York (ESC) and, after some brief independent consulting “gigs,” co-founded Systems Made Simple (SMS) in 1991. He managed daily operations and P&L responsibilities within SMS for 20 years as Chairman of the Board, President, and principal founder. During his tenure, SMS evolved from a ‘garage startup’ to an industry-leading Federal Health IT Company with employees nationwide and over 350 million in sales. SMS achieved INC 5000 honors six years running, with INC 500 honors in two of those years until its “Entrepreneurial American Dream” sale to Lockheed Martin in the Fall of 2014.

During his five-year forced sabbatical from Health IT, he focused his full-time efforts on writing War of Fear. He put a great deal of research into this effort, which actually spans over 40 years, and began with his initial foray into martial arts and the teachings of Eastern philosophies.

Nardolicci is a disabled veteran, like his father and one of his two sons. He also has numerous relatives and friends who are veterans or currently serving in the military. He is committed to supporting veteran organizations such as the Wound Warrior, Tunnels2Towers, Nardmoor, and the DAV.

Connect with Umberto Nardolicci at WarOfFear.com or on Instagram @WarOfFear, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Reviews

[John Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several novels have been written about Genghis Khan and his world conquests, but this is the first story about Prince Yasotay of the Jin Empire and his early relationship with the great Khan. Educated and trained by the best instructors of 12th century China, young Yasotay, a child prodigy, was enlisted to create a great library for the emperor. But the boy grew tired of learning of other people’s exploits and wanted to live life on his own. After saving the teenage Khan from his captors, he is introduced to the rough nomad world.

In this first book of the War of Fear trilogy, we see their world through his eyes: the clan ties, the blood feuds, and the tribal wars. Yasotay’s martial arts training and encyclopedic knowledge of warfare tactics do not go unnoticed by the ambitious young Khan. But what separates this story from others is its amazing recreation of this nomad world with authentic details that ring true on every page.

While there is some bloodletting in tribal clashes, this first book is about an education for Yasotay and the reader that sets the stage for Khan’s later great conquests and about Yasotay’s love of a young girl that binds him to these nomads. A superbly written and researched tale of high adventure and deeply felt family and tribal ties.

[Bill Heapes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have an interest in historical fiction? War of Fear is a must-read.

The author takes you through the journey of Yasotay, a privileged young man in the late 1100 CE/AD time period who learns life lessons through his teachings and formidable interactions with the Mongolian tribes. This book provides exquisite details of life, customs, hardships, and triumphs during this time period.

Eye of the Nomad is the first novel in the War of Fear series. The character development and portrayal of the times in which the characters lived make for an exciting and wondrous read. The stage is set, the anticipation palpable; I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Dawn Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captivates me on so many levels; the culture and practices of 11th Century nomads from the Mongolian Steppe, the journey of self-discovery unfolding for multiple characters, the adorable Tata, the human condition, plant healing, and of course the unfolding of a love story between a man and woman, a woman who is promised under tribal alliances to another.

Whilst others will be eager to learn about the 'man behind the monster' Genghis Khan, this story tells the powerful journey of self-discovery of a man whose only role in life it seemed was to be a performance monkey and tool for prestige and ego of others. That man is Yasotay, and through the exceptional story telling of his journey by the talented author Umberto Nardolicci, we get to reflect on our own life and relationships.

When Yasotay chooses to take his destiny into his own hands, leaving the home of an anxious farmer and his wife, who gift him an ass named Tata, a kindred spirit and source of smiles unfold throughout the book.

With the stinking, unwashed, escaped nomadic prisoner, Temujin, who is being hunted down by the fearsome nomads, Yasotay and Tata soon discover what it is like to be on the run, welcomed into a community and given love just because of who they are. Well, almost.

This may be a fictional novel, but the information within this book of the 11th century Mongolian nomads surrounding Temujin, aka the great Genghis Khan, is second to none, making it a great way to introduce history to all, and provide curiosity about events which shaped the way we live today around the world.

Layered with many storylines which reflect the theory that 'as humans the more we evolve, the more we stay the same' this is an excellent piece of literature that has left me eagerly anticipating the return of Yasotay, Tera, and the lovable Tata.

Buy it, gift it, read it and love it!
Then read it again, and again!
You won't be disappointed.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

◆ Book Review: Eye of the Nomad (War of Fear, #1) by Umberto Nardolicci
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book!
◇ Synopsis
Based on the real-life Mangoday, Genghis Khan's elite death squad, Eye of the Nomad kicks off the legend of Yasotay, a young prince whose quest for meaning leads him to rescue an illiterate nomad. His journey through murder, kidnapping, and revenge becomes a race against time to save a loved one from a fate worse than death. Author Umberto Nardolicci delivers a gripping adventure set in the 12th-century Eurasian Steppe.
◇ Thoughts
The advanced reader copy of this novel was beautifully presented in hardcover with stunning packaging—truly a treat! This first book in the War of Fear trilogy introduces Yasotay, a young prince whose journey of education and love unfolds against a backdrop of tribal conflicts and cultural ties. The story is a meticulously researched and vividly written exploration of life in the 12th-century Eurasian Steppe, providing an engaging glimpse into the world that shaped Genghis Khan's later conquests.
Yasotay’s martial prowess and knowledge of warfare impress the ambitious young Khan, but it's the authentic depiction of nomadic life and the depth of family and tribal connections that make this tale stand out. This immersive read not only brings the era to life but also supports a worthy cause, with all proceeds going to veterans. It’s a compelling, easy to read and well-crafted novel that offers both adventure and historical insight, and it's definitely worth buying, gifting, and enjoying time and time again. I Highly recommend!!

[Chris Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I've read that covers this time period and the detail is amazing. You can obviously tell there has been an incredible amount of historical research put into this novel. Yasotay is a compelling character that comes alive off the pages. Other reviews give a good synapsis of the plot line, but there is a lot more than that. This book shows the beginning of military special forces. Why do we have Navy SEALs or Green Berets today? It traces back to this time and this period.

There is not a lot of good fiction that is like this. Lots of summer romance books and then hard core Tom Clancy type books. This would be a great read and gift for someone that may not be interested in reading fiction. Plus all of the proceeds of this book go to support Veterans! This alone is a reason to buy and read this book.

A great read for a great time period that has a great cause! A triple win!!!!! Read it!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book regarding Yasotay, the friend of Temujin (alias Genghis Khan). Yasotay has a special relationship the prisoner yoked to a casque around the man's neck. Later when he finds the same man hidden in the outbuilding of a farm, he releases the man and helps him escape. This uncouth rather cruel man is attempting to escape back to home in the Mongolian steppes and invites Yasotay to accompany him. Yasotay has a secretive ancestry, raised and educated in one of many Chinese local kingdoms, he aches to be free to learn more about the world, loving books and languages, he flees and travels into the unknown world beyond his limited childhood. As the story unfolds, the severe lifestyle, customs of clanship, revenge, and loyalty become a hard life to follow. How he reacts will influence the history surrounding the legend of Genghis Khan. Insightful, easy to read, and full of details the entice the reader through the pages.

[Bryan Vanboxel · Rating 5 out of 5]

War of Fear, Eye of the Nomad is an exceptional piece of storytelling that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go until the conclusion. The novel blends suspense, action, and rich world-building to create a memorable reading experience. The characters are deep and multi-dimensional, each with their own unique struggles, motivations, and growth that keep you invested in their journey.

The setting is very well crafted, pulling you into a world that feels both familial, interesting, and very historically accurate. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of high tension and action, which transition nicely into periods of introspective calm and emotional depth.
Eye of the Nomad is a must-read if you're a fan of epic tales with heart, heroes who feel real, and a plot that keeps you engaged. This book has all the elements of a modern classic and will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on any reader. Highly recommended!

[Doug Lammers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very well-written and extremely descriptive, making you feel like you’re actually in the scene. I could picture myself standing in the middle of the lush green steppe of Mongolia. The description of the ancient temples made you feel like you were placed center stage in the story. I think telling this story through the eyes of Yasotay (a Chinese prince) made learning about Genghis Khan’s world that much easier and more interesting. You see what being a nomad is like, along with the main character, which made it and him very engaging. This is a quick read, or at least I had difficulty setting it down. This first book looks like a setup for a bigger story. I don’t know much about Genghis other than he killed a lot of people and captured a lot of land so the second and third books could be EPIC!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

War of Fear: Eye of the Nomad is a riveting look at one of the ancient world’s first special operators. The novel is filled with epic adventures that bring history to life. It applies the lessons of Tzu’s Art of War into a narrative that makes the legends, culture and motivations of Genghis Khan’s most elite Mongols part of an accessible and visceral experience. Veterans will appreciate and identify with the rites of passage featured in the hero’s journey. And all who read will be entertained while learning about a pivotal time in history that is made to feel both exotic and familiar. It is the kind of book you don’t want to put down until its culmination leaves you enriched but hungry for the second installment.

Barry Jesinoski

CEO, DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

Marine veteran

[joey smoak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always have been fascinated by Genghis Khan and all of the history surrounding ancient Mongolia. Nardolicci's book took me on an amazing journey where I felt like I was actually there. The visualization of the stories while reading the book were totally captivating. Prince Yasotay and his and all of the Mongols adventures literally jump off the pages from the very beginning. The story is so very descriptive and detailed, it was just a masterful job of writing. I anxiously await the next chapter in this amazing and detailed story. Veterans, as well as anybody that reads the book will be captivated by the detail, relatable and obviously well researched story and journey that Nardolicci takes us on!!

[Tom Dellecave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a typical book that I would read but I really enjoyed
It and the various nuances. A couple of things I found fascinating were:
1. Yasotay and the empire did reference the Bible and Christianity, not the Nomads
2. The Nomads were afraid of water because of evil spirits in it but they must have drank it
3. I look to the present to see if there is anyone with the intelligence , drive and personality as Genghis Ghan and find in World War 2 Hitler plowed over countries in Europe without regard .
4. In business today to be one must have the tenacity, be smart and not fear failure , doesn’t Elon Musk fit that profile

Can’t wait for November for the published book
Thanx for allowing ne to read advanced copy

Tom Dellecave Sr

[Eric George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye of the Nomad is an engaging historical fiction novel that follows Yasotay and Temujin (Genghis Khan) from their humble beginnings on the path to building a vast empire. The book does a great job blending history with storytelling, making it both informative and entertaining.

I enjoyed seeing the early struggles and growth of the main characters, and the historical details made the setting feel real without slowing down the story. This book covers only the beginning of their journey, and I’m looking forward to the next installment to see how their story unfolds.

If you like historical fiction that brings real events to life in a compelling way, Eye of the Nomad is worth a read.

[Lynne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the distant past in date and place, Eye of the Nomad: War of Fear is part medieval knight's quest, part adventure tale, part tender love story. The narrative follows Yasotay, a highly intelligent, sensitive young nobleman, from claustrophobic, controlling court life to a steep learning curve of self-discovery and survival among nomadic tribes on the challenging, often violent Eurasian Steppe.

In this volume ---the first of three in the series---the book signals Yasotay 's transition to his key role in the service of the bloody conqueror, Genghis Khan

Well-researched, it wears it's learning lightly. A readable and compelling historical novel.
Highly recommended.

[Danielle Patane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I did not know very much of Ghengis, his life or of those around him. War of Fear strays from the stereotypical main character hero/villain plot line and shifts focus to those around him. Not just what happened but the reasoning behind what happened. I have always been a big fan of the little historical details in a historical fiction novel. This book is FULL of them. The research the author did in preparation of the book is evident and appreciated. Those that read historical fiction almost exclusively, like myself, will become enamored with the book. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most compelling part of this book for me was the character development of Yasotay, the young prodigal prince that sets out in his journey to experience life on his own terms, rather than be a puppet to those that would use him for his knowledge and training. Along the way, he rescues a nomad prisoner and is befriended by none other than Temujin (Genghis Kahn). While immersed in living with the nomads, he falls in love and eventually has to use his knowledge, skills and strategies to rescue her after a kidnapping, and subsequently becomes Temujin’s war strategist and most feared warrior. I highly recommend this book.

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is a historical fiction about the early relationship of Genghis Khan and his friend Yasotay. It is realistically specific to the time period. I found the beginning of the book to be very descriptively specific, ie: what the temples were like during that time, the landscape, et. The story of Yasotay and his search for his purpose in life was interesting and kept my attention throughout. I specifically loved the second half of the story: intrigue, love, community, brotherhood- the story has it all. As noted in the author’s acknowledgments, this was. a first book for Umberto. Knowing this, I can honestly say job well done!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid historical fiction fan, I was really excited to read this book as it was the first time I have read a book set in this region during this time period. It was brilliant!
I really enjoyed the setting as the description was very evocative. The plot was incredibly well paced and the character development of Temujin and Yasotay was really interesting and felt natural. I thought the Mongolian and Chinese terms were explained very well and fitted into the narrative naturally. The epilogue was really compelling and I can't wait to read the next book!

[Jason Landrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction from the medieval and Dark Ages eras. I find it fascinating how harsh humanity can be. I have spent most of my time reading publications that focus on Europe in those time frames. "War of Fear Eye of the Nomad" is one of my first steps into Eastern cultures, and I found this book to be extremely engaging and well-researched. While telling a complex story, Mr. Nardolicci is able to educate the reader about the nomadic culture of the 11th century with detailed descriptions of practices, items, and rituals. I can't wait until the next one.

[Peter J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye of the Nomad is a riveting story that will keep you hooked from its beginning through to the last page. The story not only offers intrigue, heroism and passion, it also presents an incredible history lesson into one of the most mystifying and exciting periods of human existence. The author, Umberto Nardolicci, spares no detail as he weaves each element of the protagonist's journey into this fascinating tale. The first in a trilogy, I can't wait to read the subsequent books as soon as they are released.

[Katrisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engrossing historical fiction about a period/culture I know little about so it was extra interesting for me. Yasotay is a great character. I love his thirst for knowledge and his loyalty (and his awesome donkey Tata). But the problem with getting an advance copy of a series book is that now I have to wait even longer for the next book in the series! I hope the next one comes out soon as I am would love to see the story unfold from here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Living Beach Publishing for an advance copy of this book for review.

[Cory Landrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun for a Historical Fiction fan! Eye of the Nomad takes you on an adventure with the nomads of the Mongolian steppe. Book 1 is all about the beginnings of the Mongolian Empire (the largest empire in the history of the world) and the rise of the first Special Forces group. It had a well written story with some shocking twists! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written and fascinating tale of the young Ghengis Khan, Yasotay, a prince of the Jin Empire. I loved reading about Yasotay’s freedom-loving and adventurous spirit as he frees himself from being royal. Arriving in Mongolia, he encounters a new world of ferocity and beauty that transforms his life. Author Nardolicci masterfully presents the characters and culture of 12th-century Mongolia along with all the action and drama of the time.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book transported me to China in the twelfth century with rich descriptions of family, friendship, love, war, geography and topography. Nardolicci captures this historic period with exciting characters as an accomplished writer and I look forward to reading the followusing books in the trilogy. This serial would make an excellent miniseries (hello, HBO) and/or video game. You head it here first, folks.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye of the Nomad was a great read! As someone who reads more fantasy novels I was skeptical of reading a historical fiction! However, this book kept me intrigued throughout making me curious as to what would happen next! Who would die? Who would live? What would they do? Would the love story prevail? Not only did I feel this book was a page turner the history piece was amazing! I honestly can’t wait to see where the author takes the story now!

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about this time period and how the Monguls lived. I loved how Yasotay took his early book learning and brought it to the Nomads. I enjoyed the descriptions of the areas and how these people lived and fought. I know that I would have been afraid of Temujin and how he thought war should be fought. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[Rainbow Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eye of the Nomad is an exciting story of war, friendship and love. You’ll fall in love with the main character, Yasotay. He is true to himself, heroic, and loves hard! Then the overall story is of Genghis Khan and the fact that the story is based on true history is so intriguing. I loved it and would highly recommend it.

[Tom Grattenthaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very exciting & quick read!!.....this, talented new author took me on breathtaking adventure, while at the same time, detailing the life and customs of 12th century Eurasia nomads, through the eyes of Yasotay, the true story architect and contributor to one of the greatest empires in human history. Cannot wait for the next two books in this trilogy!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining journey nearly a thousand years back in time, immersing you in two contrasting cultures. The author vividly reveals the challenges people faced during that era—enduring the ravages of war, navigating complex societal norms, and embodying an indomitable spirit of survival. The story leaves you both enlightened and grateful for the comforts of the present day.

[Korey Besse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story and enlightening read from start to finish. Once I picked this book up I couldn’t put it down as it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I’m very excited for what’s to come within this series, I’d recommend this book to anybody who enjoys adventure, philosophy, action, and the human experience.

[Erik Frei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not see that ending coming! What a cool adventure as you are dropped into 12th century China to get a super creative take on the early days of one of the fastest growing and most terrifying empires in history. The story moved quickly and the detailed descriptions and character development made it a very full read. Reminds me of The Last Kingdom, but better. Would definitely recommend it.