“… by the pen and what it inscribes” - Holy Quran (68:1)

Candle & Quill

Fiction is a tool to fill the gaps that history leaves behind. My novels are a humble attempt at painting a true picture of past events…

My Books

The Sky Worshipers

Audiobook

About The Sky Worshipers

My debut novel, The Sky Worshipers, published by History Through Fiction, was inspired by the events that took place nearly eight hundred years ago. Although little known in this part of the world, the Mongol invasions of the 13th century remain etched in the minds of a large portion of the world population once subjugated by Genghis Khan and his progeny.

My research about the Mongol era began in 2013 and took over five years to complete. I found the research overwhelming both because of the extent and complexity of the information and also due to the contradictions that existed between the different accounts.

My attempt at seeing the world through the eyes of both the Mongol rulers and the inhabitants of the civilizations they conquered allowed me to appreciate the importance of this segment of human history as Genghis Khan and his sons overcame powerful nations, including China, Persia, Russia, Hungary, and Poland.

Little is known about the fate of multitudes of women abducted by the Mongols during the bloody wars of the 13th century, some of whom were members of royalty in conquered lands. At the same time, historians have often wondered about the impressive transformation of Mongol rulers from mere warmongers to sophisticated administrators. I have attributed this transformation to the educated women brought to the Mongol court from royal palaces in foreign territories. Among them were princesses who ended up marrying Genghis, his sons and grandsons. 

Praise for The Sky Worshipers

  • “The Sky Worshipers is a feat of imagination that gives a window on people and places we didn’t know, with a depth of character we didn’t realize was possible. Names we may recognize as a dot on a Silk Road map come alive with dramatic power.”

    —David A. Taylor, author of Cork Wars & Ginseng, the Divine Root

  • “The author's in-depth research is evident throughout The Sky Worshipers. For readers who enjoy a lush blend of historical fact and fiction, this novel details the smells, sights, sounds of a pivotal era in time, uniquely told through the eyes of three captive princesses.”

    —Gina Wilkinson author of When the Apricots Bloom

  • “F.M. Deemyad immerses the reader into the 13th Century world of Genghis Khan. It's an unforgettable story of survival and strong women as we experience life through the eyes of the conquered-and the conquerors. In The Sky Worshipers, history comes vividly alive.”

    —John DeDakis, Novelist, Writing Coach, and former Senior Copy Editor for CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer"

  • “In this stunning saga, F. M. Deemyad takes us on a thrilling journey as Genghis Khan and his sons sweep across Asia and Europe, worshiping the sky while they conquer one nation after another and capture women to enslave and marry. The women's stories, rich with architectural, historical and cultural detail, hold an important message for all of us who have inherited privileges as the result of our ancestor's atrocities. A great read and a phenomenal debut!”

    —Raima Larter, Author of Fearless and Belle o' the Waters

  • “The Sky Worshipers by F.M. Deemyad draws us into Genghis Khan's conquests through the eyes of three women ripped from their homes and thrust into royal service. This lyrical novel is a vivid imagining of hearts and minds of women who left their marks on history, despite history's failure to acknowledge their contributions. It allows us to connect with timeless striving for a world of compassion, equal opportunity, and celebration of diversity. A beautiful novel.”

    —Lisa L. Leibow, J.D., Co-Founder, Board President, Chief Operating Officer, The Scheherazade Project

  • “An illuminating telling of Mongol conquest and the people who lived-and died-making decisions that shaped half the world. The broad strokes of time are revealed through the perspectives of single bristles of the brush. Cleverly imagined and carefully rendered, The Sky Worshipers is an engaging, personal look at one of history's momentous eras.”

    —Zach Powers, author of First Cosmic Velocity

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