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series Reading Order

Conqueror Books in Order

5 Books
2007 – 2011 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

The best way to read Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series is in order of publication. Because the series progresses chronologically through the history of the Mongol Empire—beginning with the childhood of Genghis Khan and ending with the reign of Kublai Khan—the publication order and chronological order are identical. Following this path ensures you experience the sweeping historical narrative exactly as the author intended.

The Core Conqueror Books in Order

  1. Wolf of the Plains (2007) — Also published in North America as Genghis: Birth of an Empire. This book introduces Temujin's harsh childhood, his exile, and his early efforts to unite the warring Mongol tribes.
  2. Lords of the Bow (2008) — Also published as Genghis: Lords of the Bow. The novel details the unification of the tribes and Genghis Khan's legendary military campaign against the Chin empire.
  3. Bones of the Hills (2008) — Also published as Genghis: Bones of the Hills. This installment follows the expansion of the empire westward to face the Shah of Khwarazm.
  4. Empire of Silver (2010) — Also published as Khan: Empire of Silver. The focus shifts to Genghis Khan's sons, primarily Ogedai, as they navigate succession and build the capital of Karakorum.
  5. Conqueror (2011) — The final novel chronicles the rise of Kublai Khan, his civil war with his brother, and his conquest of the Song dynasty to establish the Yuan dynasty.

Understanding Title Variations (UK vs. US)

Readers should note that the series has different titles depending on the publisher and region. In the UK and other markets, the books are commonly referred to by their original titles (such as Wolf of the Plains), whereas the North American editions published by HarperCollins often use the "Genghis" or "Khan" prefixes (such as Genghis: Birth of an Empire). Regardless of the title on the cover, the story contents remain the same.

What to Read Next

While the Conqueror series is a complete five-book epic with no direct spin-offs or co-authored sequels, fans of Iggulden's cinematic battles and historical accuracy will enjoy his other works. His Emperor series, which chronicles the life of Julius Caesar, is the most natural next step for readers looking for another epic historical saga.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Conqueror series?

You should start with the first book, Wolf of the Plains (published in some regions as Genghis: Birth of an Empire).

QIs the chronological order different from the publication order?

No, the chronological order is identical to the publication order. The books follow the generations of the Mongol Empire's leadership in sequence.

QAre there any spin-offs or companion novels to the series?

No, there are no official spin-offs, short story collections, or co-authored additions to the Conqueror series.

QWhat is the difference between Wolf of the Plains and Genghis: Birth of an Empire?

They are the same book. Wolf of the Plains is the original UK title, while Genghis: Birth of an Empire is the title used for the US and Canadian editions.

QIs the Conqueror series complete?

Yes, the series is complete with five novels, concluding with Conqueror published in 2011.

QWhich historical figures are featured in the novels?

The series features prominent historical figures including Genghis Khan (Temujin), his brothers and sons (such as Ogedai Khan), and his grandson Kublai Khan.