The captivating novel Akmaral by Judith Lindbergh is a superb blend of history and imagination.
The heroine, Akmaral, is a warrior and leader of her people, the Sauromatae, nomads who roamed the Central Asian steppes thousands of years ago. In her aul (her clan), women and men are equally ferocious and skilled at warfare. They fight side by side. They have a rich, complex culture and religious life, but the challenges of a harsh landscape, famine, and clashes with other auls mean raids and skirmishes are a constant. Their most revered god is the god of war.
A larger threat looms than the frequent bloody raids. The fierce Scythians are approaching. This is a huge tribe of warriors whose migrations push aside, enslave, or destroy all peoples in their paths. As the two cultures collide, Akmaral’s people capture an intriguing man named Timor, a Scythian slave. Timor is a proud warrior whose skill eventually impresses even the Sauromatae war chief Erzhan. But Timor’s loyalties are divided and grow more so after he and Akmaral become lovers.
This immersive, beautifully written novel succeeds in transporting readers to a time and place that is utterly foreign, and yet so exquisitely detailed that you will feel you are there. Highly recommended.
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