The final book of the Mongoliad trilogy from Neal Stephenson and company
tells the gripping personal stories of medieval freedom fighters to form
an epic, imaginative recounting of a moment in history when a world in
peril relied solely on the courage of its people.
The shadow of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II hangs over the shattered
Holy Roman Church as the cardinals remain deadlocked, unable to choose a
new pope. Only the Binders and a mad priest have a hope of uniting the
Church against the invading Mongol host. An untested band of young
warriors stands against the dissolute Khan, fighting for glory and
freedom in the Khan's sadistic circus of swords, and the brave band of
Shield-Brethren who set out to stop the Mongol threat single-handedly
race against their nemesis before he can raise the entire empire against
them. Veteran knight Feronantus, haunted by his life in exile, leads the
dwindling company of Shield-Brethren to their final battle, molding them
into a team that will outlast him. No good hero lives forever. Or fights
alone.