All the Horses of Iceland

A wonderful little book, deeply researched and told plainly, as befits the worldly-naïf MC. It's marketed as a historical fantasy, but the second half of that description is somewhat misleading, I think. The story is presented within the world view of its protagonists, who believe in ghosts, magic and the supernatural, so naturally those elements appear, but they are part of life, not apart from it.
The story follows 7th century Icelander, Eyvind, in his travels into Central Asia, his experiences with the peoples he meets along the way, his bonding with an unnamed spirit mare, and his journey home with his precious cargo of Mongolian horses. Part Secret History, part Just So story, part Culture Hero mythic journey, all wonderfully show more fascinating. show less

This is a delightful novelette that tells the story of a 9th-century Icelandic merchant, Eyvind of Eyri, who travels from Helmgard (Novgorod) through the Eurasian Steppes to the court of someone very like Chinggis Khan in Mongolia. He travels with a group of Jewish Khazarian traders. As he travels, Eyvind learns that he has a special relationship with ghosts and other spirit beings. He returns to Iceland with several “foundational” assets: 21 Mongolian horses whose breeding makes them ideal for Iceland’s climate and terrain; felt and the secret of felt making; a young Mongolian, who is more foster son than indentured servant; and a multi-lingual manuscript that tells the story of one of the Mongolian ghosts he encountered.

The show more novelette is told as a frame narrative. Jór is a 12th-century monk at Skálaholt, who is looking at Eyvind’s Mongolian manuscript and constructing a story of Eyvind’s life. Through Jór, Tolmie taught me a lot about the multiculturalism of the 9th-century. Often histories are flattened and cultures and cultural contact simplified because it is easier to think of the world, especially the past world, in that way, or tend to flatten history and simplify cultures and cultural contacts because it makes a more palpable story for readers. Tolmie does none of this. Her endnote acknowledges her sources and discusses many of the decisions that she makes. Her sources include: Eyrbryggja Saga, Grettirs Saga, The Secret History of the Mongols, Ibn Fadlan’s accounts of his travels, and the “purported letters between Hasdai ibn Shaprut [a Jewish Iberian diplomat] and Joseph of Khazaria [the Jewish ruler of the Khazars].” I was intrigued by this short book, and Tolmie makes me want to read her sources that I have not already read. show less

Of Tolmie's two novellas for Tor thus far, this one is spare and sharp and directly imitative of the great Icelandic epics, complete with wry wit and deep intolerance. This one I loved in ways I definitely did not love the other, and not just because ponies, but because you can absolutely believe in its story. Well, you can if you are familiar with Icelandic epics. Those who aren't might come away from this book genuinely confused because, like many cultural myths, this one has very little context. What happens happens, and has happened, and therefore everything moves with its own measured pace (strange for those used to usually speedy novellas) and the reader is really just there to admire the exercise. I loved it, but I know others show more who did not and I can see where it lost them. If Snorri Sturlsson is your favorite dead writer, this one is for you! If not... probably not. show less

This book captured me, with its mix of history, saga, and imagination. I found myself constantly fascinated by the story, tracking down references to identify where the protagonist was, and with what culture/customs he was interacting. And it took me back to the days when my life was emerged in horses-- how it felt to ride, to train, to care for them. I haven't revisited that self in a long time. For such a slim book, it packed a lot.

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

Tor.com has a well-established reputation for their quality SFF novellas. All the Horses of Iceland is an interesting work with excellent writing, yet didn't meet my expectations. Protagonist Eyvind is an Icelandic man exploring the medieval world. In the company of merchants, he explores deep into Asia and finds extraordinary horses--and a powerful ghost.

Foremost, the book has a staunchly literary vibe. It is very slow to get going, and I always felt distanced from Eyvind. The premise of the book is set-up right away: we are reading a tale of events that have happened. Therefore, there's no real sense of urgency as the plot gradually unfolds. The description of the novella had me show more quite excited. I am HERE for historical fantasies about horses! However, the horses--and the principal horse--played a much smaller role than expected. Really, they don't feature in the novella much at all until about halfway through.

What I found the book excelled in was creating a particular mood. The author obviously put immense research into this work, and the way the diverse characters interact is fascinating. The book feels incredibly grounded in its unique setting.

In all, it's an intriguing read, even if it didn't fully connect for me. show less

Calling this book fantasy is a stretch. It's got a horse that is supposed to be the ghost or spirit of a woman her tribe called a magician. OK. How many historical stories are built like that. But it was published by TOR so it must be fantasy, right?

In any case, it's a very nice story that I highly recommend. Sarah Tolmie has done her research and woven elements from many cultures into the story of a man who travels from Iceland to the steppes of Central Asia and back again, bringing with him the technology of making felt and a small herd of horses with which to improve the genetics of all the horses of Iceland.

Novella about an Icelandic trader who travels to Mongolia in the 8th century and returns with a herd of horses led by a white mare.

A fascinating story and great fun exploring the people and places referred to.