Akmaral

Written by Judith Lindbergh

Narrated by Sharmila Devar

Before the Silk Road had a name, nomads roamed the Asian steppes and women fought side by side as equals with men. Like all women of the Sauromatae, Akmaral is bound for battle from birth, training as a girl in horsemanship, archery, spear, and blade. Her prowess ignites the jealousy of Erzhan, a gifted warrior who hates her as much as he desires her. When Scythian renegades attack, the two must unite to defeat them. Among their captives is Timor, the rebels’ enigmatic leader who refuses to be broken, even as he is enslaved. He fascinates Akmaral. But as attraction grows to passion, she is blinded to the dangerous alliance forming between the men who bristle against the clan’s matriarchal rule. Faced with brutal betrayal, Akmaral must find the strength to defend her people and fulfill her destiny. Drawn from legends of Amazon women warriors from ancient Greece and recent archaeological discoveries in Central Asia, Akmaral is a sweeping tale about a powerful woman who must make peace with making war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Jan 7, 2025
• ISBN: 9781094470030

Judith Lindbergh

Judith Lindbergh’s debut novel, The Thrall’s Tale, published by Viking, was an IndieBound Pick, a Borders Original Voices Selection, and praised by Pulitzer Prize winners Geraldine Brooks and Robert Olen Butler. Judith is the Founder/Director of The Writers Circle, a creative writing center based in New Jersey. https://judithlindbergh.com/

Reviews for Akmaral

[Malin WvW · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic historical novel with lyrical prose and a strong emotional core. An area of history not often seen in fiction, at least not in Western publishing. Highly recommend if you like mythological retellings by authors like Jennifer Saint.

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't stay with the story. The narrator wasn't the best.

[bluepoppies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a fantastic, beautiful piece of art this novel is! It’s such an immersive experience that I feel like I just woke up from a past life I lived. It’s written so exquisitely that all my senses felt engaged, from the smell and sounds of the rolling grasslands in different weather and seasons, the lighting, the rush of the wind on my face, the warmth and taste of many meals, the textures of the lands and the woolen felt and armor on my skin and tools and weapons in my calloused hands. Even the piercing of skin receiving body art and the aroma of herbs boiled for tea and burned for ceremonies.
Then there’s the symbolism in the worship and offerings to the various gods, the love story, the beginning of a life with a bright future, belonging, loving friendships and mortal enemies, frustrations of growing up too fast and not fast enough, falling in love, motherhood, enduring traumas, tragedies, excruciating physical and emotional pain, healing, and joy. Much joy. A I life well lived as told by a gifted storyteller. What else can I say? I mostly ready fantasy and sci-fi, so this book was a risk, but I was captivated by it within 10 minutes. Read it or listen to it. I highly recommend it! (And jsyk, I’m a spoonie and listen to about 20 books a month and don’t write reviews, so imo this one is special enough to make an exception!)

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Akmaral by Judith Lindbergh is the historical fiction story of an Asian girl, decendant of a small tribe of Amazons. Her tribe believed that women had the right to become warriors and after her parents died in a raid, she trained to be a fearsome fighter. Their constant fear was the Scythians who had superior weapons and ways.

On a raid, her tribe was successful and brought back as slaves three prisoners, one of whom, Timor, Akmaral fell in love with, She had a child by him and he seemed to settle into her way of life. He caught and raised an eagle who assisted him in hunting. He trained and become a leading warrior in the tribe, but he continued to yearn for his home. One day he was given the opportunity to leave and he took it. His pet bird, now grown to full size, captured heir son and carried him off as well. Alone again, she found she had to rebuild her life. The story is told in her own words as she lies on the ground mortally wounded.

The author tried to deliver authentic history and did a lot of research even though very little is known of these warrior tribes that rode the grasslands of central Asia. The story is rich and engaging as we read of this nomadic tribe that today have been identified as the Saurmatae. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel about an ancient woman warrior who lived on the Asian Steppes and will look for more from this author.