The Horse Lord

“The Book of Years” is a kind of a historical fiction which plot is based on the strings of time, destiny and people’s lives. Such an insightful and thoughtful novel looks at the meaning of life, love, and loss in a manner that can only be described as impressive. In the center of the novel “The Book of Years” there are characters’ introspection and meaningful plot, which will lead the readers to the journey of thinking about the concept of time and destiny. This book contains very powerful messages that will still sink deep in the heart of the readers even after they are done with it.

"In the depths of the past, the Horse Lords came to Alba and banished the master sorcerer, Kalarr cu Rurac, and in doing so sowed the seeds of discontent and revenge. Heir to Dunrath castle, Aldric was born into this world of violent and tangled darkness, and when the day comes when he can avenge himself for the slaughter of his family and claim back his stolen birthright, he must forget that he was ever a lordling boy. Nurtured by Gemmel the wizard, tested on the Blue Mountains, tried by the blade of the Widowmaker, the ancient sword, Aldric is at the beginning of a terrifying quest..." -- back cover.

In the early 1970s, trainer Tommy Hansel attempts a horse racing scam at a small, backwoods track in West Virginia, but nothing goes according to his plan when the horses refuse to cooperate and nearly everyone at the track seems to know his scheme.

The Horse Lord is the prelude to the Riders of the North series. Teo is the first Horse Lord in living memory, and a young warrior who has a tough choice to make and a vision to build. The Riders of the North are the historic protectors of Capricorn, their culture is one of meritocracy and equality; the young men and women must prove themselves in the field to gain their place in the Pride. So ride along with Teo, Abdul, Matas, Nicholas, and Aled to uncover the mystery and the majesty of the far flung Northern province.

"There was a smell of blood mingling with the smell of burning that still clung about scorched timber and blackened thatch, and a great wailing rose from the watching crowd. The old High Priest dipped a finger in the blood and made a sign with it on Phaedrus's forehead, above the Mark of the Horse Lord." So began the ceremony that was to make young Phaedrus, ex-slave and gladiator, Horse Lord of the Dalriadain. Phaedrus had come a long way since the fight in the arena that gained him his freedom. He had left behind his old Roman life and identity and had entered another, more primitive, world—that of the British tribes in the far north. In this world of superstition and ancient ritual, of fierce loyalties and intertribal rivalry, Phaedrus found companionship and love, and something more—a purpose and a meaning to his life as he came fully to understand the significance of the Mark of the Horse Lord. First published in 1965 but long out of print, The Mark of the Horse Lord has been acclaimed by many readers as the finest of Rosemary Sutcliff's many novels, imparting true insight into the nature of leadership, identity, heroism, loyalty, and sacrifice.