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Ghost on the Steppe
Djela's grandfather, Psin Khan, has returned as head of the Merkit tribe from fighting the enemies of the Mongols. A trusted member of the Kha Khan’s court, Psin is always ready and willing to entertain Djela with stories of bravery and sacrifice. Djela wants to prove that he too can live up to his family name. And when his father praises him during archery practise he is sure he is about to receive his first adult bow. But then everything goes wrong. To protect his friend Djela lies to his father. And no Mongol could tolerate a deliberate untruth... Djela is sent off to the far north station as punishment, herding the family flocks of cattle and horses for a month. There was nothing Djela hated more. But there was excitement at the North Camp he had not anticipated. Some of the men insisted that a ghost tiger was killing their calves. Whatever it was, it eventually became Djela's job to track it down. And it was in his relentless pursuit of the mysterious beast that he became a true heir to his grandfather… ‘a master story-teller’ - Houston Chronicle Cecelia Holland is widely acknowledged as one of the finest historical novelists of our time. She is the author of more than thirty novels, including ‘Hammer For Princes’ and ‘The King’s Road’. Endeavour Media is the UK’s leading independent publisher of digital books.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2015
About the author
Cecelia Holland
80 books195 followersPen name used by Elizabeth Eliot Carter.
Cecelia Holland is one of the world's most highly acclaimed and respected historical novelists, ranked by many alongside other giants in that field such as Mary Renault and Larry McMurtry. Over the span of her thirty year career, she's written almost thirty historical novels, including The Firedrake, Rakessy, Two Ravens, Ghost on the Steppe, Death of Attila, Hammer For Princes, The King's Road, Pillar of the Sky, The Lords of Vaumartin, Pacific Street, Sea Beggars, The Earl, The King in Winter, The Belt of Gold, The Serpent Dreamer, The High City, Kings of the North, and a series of fantasy novels, including The Soul Thief, The Witches Kitchen, The Serpent Dreamer, and Varanger. She also wrote the well-known science fiction novel Floating Worlds, which was nominated for a Locus Award in 1975. Her most recent book is a new fantasy novel, Dragon Heart.
Cecelia Holland is one of the world's most highly acclaimed and respected historical novelists, ranked by many alongside other giants in that field such as Mary Renault and Larry McMurtry. Over the span of her thirty year career, she's written almost thirty historical novels, including The Firedrake, Rakessy, Two Ravens, Ghost on the Steppe, Death of Attila, Hammer For Princes, The King's Road, Pillar of the Sky, The Lords of Vaumartin, Pacific Street, Sea Beggars, The Earl, The King in Winter, The Belt of Gold, The Serpent Dreamer, The High City, Kings of the North, and a series of fantasy novels, including The Soul Thief, The Witches Kitchen, The Serpent Dreamer, and Varanger. She also wrote the well-known science fiction novel Floating Worlds, which was nominated for a Locus Award in 1975. Her most recent book is a new fantasy novel, Dragon Heart.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 13, 2021
This book is a sequel of sorts to Holland’s earlier Until the Sun Falls. It follows Djela, the young son from that book, as he goes on a short adventure of his own. I had rather expected this to follow the events of Güyük’s fall from power (it’s coming quick) but instead it’s a self-contained story which you by no means need to have read the last book to understand. Djela’s done something bad, but not super bad, and he’s being punished by being sent north to tend the herds. Once there he finds that a white monster has been attacking the animals and is sent off to find it. And that’s it, that’s the entire plot.
This book is set in the Mongol Empire, but unlike the last book we’re in the heartlands rather than the frontier and everything is at peace. It provides a different complexion on things as everybody seems more chill if still harsh. The book is intended for a young adult audience and will do well for that purpose, but it will serve fine for an older reader as well. There’s nothing particularly shocking or disturbing in here, and the main quest is simple enough to be accessible. And best of all its free on Kindle Unlimited, so why not give it a go?
This book is set in the Mongol Empire, but unlike the last book we’re in the heartlands rather than the frontier and everything is at peace. It provides a different complexion on things as everybody seems more chill if still harsh. The book is intended for a young adult audience and will do well for that purpose, but it will serve fine for an older reader as well. There’s nothing particularly shocking or disturbing in here, and the main quest is simple enough to be accessible. And best of all its free on Kindle Unlimited, so why not give it a go?
June 2, 2023
Is living up to your family name worth it if it means holding your life in the balance of death?
Karakorum, the Mongol capitol; the conquests of Genghis Khan and his successors; the exploits of his father and grandfather in their service -- of such stuff is what 12 year old Djela has fantasized about his entire life. But, after telling a little lie and being caught, he is sent to a cattle camp to prove he is more than a liar in his family’s namesake. There is a mythical white Beast wreaking havoc on the lands around the camp. Everyone speaks as though it is a ghost, or a legend, that cannot he found. Djela needs to prove himself and desires to be seen as a hero, so he decides to hunt the beast and kill it, camping out in the forest by himself to do it.
I enjoyed this book! It is unlike anything I have read before so I went in a little nervous, but it met my expectations. It was interesting reading from the point of view of a protagonist that is 12 years old, because he is much younger than most of the books I’ve read in the past, but it was refreshing. And the story was intriguing enough that I wanted to continue reading to see if he could prove himself to be as great a conqueror as his grandfather. I might use this in my future classroom!
Karakorum, the Mongol capitol; the conquests of Genghis Khan and his successors; the exploits of his father and grandfather in their service -- of such stuff is what 12 year old Djela has fantasized about his entire life. But, after telling a little lie and being caught, he is sent to a cattle camp to prove he is more than a liar in his family’s namesake. There is a mythical white Beast wreaking havoc on the lands around the camp. Everyone speaks as though it is a ghost, or a legend, that cannot he found. Djela needs to prove himself and desires to be seen as a hero, so he decides to hunt the beast and kill it, camping out in the forest by himself to do it.
I enjoyed this book! It is unlike anything I have read before so I went in a little nervous, but it met my expectations. It was interesting reading from the point of view of a protagonist that is 12 years old, because he is much younger than most of the books I’ve read in the past, but it was refreshing. And the story was intriguing enough that I wanted to continue reading to see if he could prove himself to be as great a conqueror as his grandfather. I might use this in my future classroom!
June 19, 2021
A 12-year-old Mongol boy, grandson of Ghenghis Khan, is sent by his father to spend a month tending the clan's cattle and horse herds. There he learns to herd, to hunt for the camp, and to train young horses, before he sets out to track and kill a mysterious forest animal attacking the herds.
February 10, 2017
The 12 year old grandson of Genghis Khan is sent north to help at a cattle station. While there he hunts a white beast that is preying on the cattle. Interesting study of steppe life and the Mongol civilization. The characters are believable and, for such a short novelette, fairly well-formed. I wish it was longer.
July 3, 2020
The 12 year old grandson of Genghis Khan is sent north to help at a cattle station. While there he hunts a white beast that is preying on the cattle. Interesting study of steppe life and the Mongol civilization. The characters are believable and, for such a short novelette, fairly well-formed. I wish it was longer.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews