The Bones of the Old Ones

The Chronicles of Sword and Sand #2

by Howard Andrew Jones

As a snowfall blankets 8th century Mosul, a Persian noblewoman arrives at the home of the scholar Dabir and his friend the swordsman Captain Asim. Najya has escaped from a dangerous cabal that has ensorcelled her to track down ancient magical tools of tremendous power, the bones of the old ones.

To stop the cabal and save Najya, Dabir and Asim venture into the worst winter in human memory, hunted by a shape-changing assassin. The stalwart Asim is drawn irresistibly toward the beautiful Persian even as Dabir realizes she may be far more dangerous a threat than anyone who pursues them, for her enchantment worsens with the winter. As their opposition grows, Dabir and Asim have no choice but to ally with their deadliest enemy, the treacherous Greek necromancer, Lydia. But even if they can trust one another long enough to escape their foes, it may be too late for Najya, whose soul is bound up with a vengeful spirit intent on sheathing the world in ice for a thousand years…

Genres: Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Adventure, Historical

307 pages, Hardcover

First published July 3, 2012

About the author

Howard Andrew Jones was an American speculative fiction and fantasy author and editor, known for The Chronicles of Hanuvar series, The Chronicles of Sword and Sand series and The Ring-Sworn trilogy. He had also written Pathfinder Tales, tie-in fiction novels in the world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, published by Paizo. He was the editor of Tales from the Magician's Skull and had served as a Managing Editor at Black Gate since 2004. He assembled and edited a series of eight volumes of the short fiction of Harold Lamb for publication by Bison Books.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard Andrew Jones’ debut novel The Desert of Souls was one of my favorite novels of 2011. The Bones of the Old Ones , released just this January , takes up bare months after the first novel left off. Asim and Dabir have taken up positions in the city of Mosul and as an uncanny cold grips the desert city the two long time friends find themselves called to action once more this time to aid the mysterious Najya; a woman hunted by a cabal of ancient sorcerer-assassins. The Bones of the Old Ones, even more than in Jones’ first novel, is a pure and unadulterated Swords and Sorcery novel.

Featuring mysterious magicians, a beautiful woman in danger, and two very human yet extraordinarily capable heroes The Bones of the Old One rockets forth at breakneck pace barely pausing for a breath as our two hero manage to stay a hairsbreadth ahead of the villains. Whereas the first novel saw Jones taking time to introduce our Asim and Dabir he all but disposes of that formality here spending what felt like a very brief chapter reacquainting readers with the two protagonists before thrusting them into danger.


At the same time Jones also delves into the history of both Dabir and Asim. For Asim this comes by way via the mysterious damsel-in-distress Najya whose quiet strength, and capable nature (not to mention great beauty) attract the stoic Asim. Through this attraction we learn a little about Asim’s past love life, just enough to provide readers with a reason behind his hesitance when it comes to his feelings for Najya. Asim isn’t the only character whose past we get to visit, Dabir revisits his own past he contact his former mentor Jibril. Both offer insight into the makeup of each character while at the same time keep the novel focused on the plot.

As in the previous volume the narrative is experience from Asim’s point of view. It is an interesting choice for narration offering a one-sided means of interpreting thought, emotion, and action. Everything that happens is relayed through the filter of Asim’s perspective and Jones does a remarkable job of staying true to his rather limited point of view. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have gotten at some points wanting to portray things that didn’t happen in front of Asim or finding ways to have Asim relay things that didn’t happen directly to them. In the end I think the strict adherence to Asim’s point of view is not only part of the novel’s charm but also plays a strong part in keeping the action fast and plot tight.

The Bones of the Old Ones was a pleasure to read. Jones crafts a taught action-packed story that never suffers as a result of its pace. Dabir and Asim are well-crafted vibrant character with distinct personalities and attitudes that together create an effective and well-rounded partnership. The Desert of Souls was an excellent first novel and, while I didn’t think it possible, The Bones of the Old Ones manages to take a similar approach and make it even faster and more thrilling than its predecessor. I’ll definitely be on the lookout from more adventures with Dabir and Asim and I recommend all fans of adventure laden fantasy give Howard Andrew Jones a try.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Desert of Souls, the first Dabir and Asim novel, was very good. Bones of the Old Ones is even better. Once again we're in 8th Century Mosul, but this time the land is gripped by winter (I love the idea of an Arabian Nights-style adventure where everything is covered by snow and ice). And the set-up is classic noir -- when the dame walks in, you know she's going to be trouble. Before things have ended, there will have been the clash of swords, ancient ruins, sinister agents and dark, primal magics. To say nothing of well-drawn characters and an excellently-realized setting. Highly recommended.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, let me point out this is the second Dabir and Asim novel, and while both are standalones, you might ought to start with The Desert of Souls. Which is awesome. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This second novel length Dabir and Asim adventure is also fun, but I'm not sure why it has a higher average rating or why a number of readers specifically say they think this is better than the first.

I can think of a couple of reasons why this one didn't engage me as much as the first. For one, and this might seem silly, but the whole frost demon, world covered in snow thing actually killed my enjoyment of the setting a bit. Secondly, partially because of the plot, and perhaps partially because it's book two, there just wasn't as much novelty here as in The Desert of Souls. I think the other issue for me might be one of characterization. I'd have liked more of it. Dabir at times feels more like an accessory than a companion. Of course, some of that is inherent in the structure. Asim plays something of a Watson to Dabir's Holmes here and it's expected and perfectly acceptable that we don't know what Dabir knows or is thinking a lot of the time. But I would have liked more interaction between them and perhaps more curiosity and speculation about Dabir's inner state and plans from Asim. Asim's attention seems to always be on Najya, Lydia or the Sebitti. I also think the first had more intrigue and that intrigue was closer to home, which might be a factor.

It seems I'm doing nothing but grumbling here, but I did enjoy the book quite a bit. Asim's voice is great, and the writing is excellent, both in pacing and prose style. The idea of the bone weapons was cool. I'm looking forward to both the next full length Dabir and Asim novel and to getting around to the collection of short stories which I've had for a while but neglected to read, The Waters of Eternity.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The components are familiar, but the craft of their assembly is undeniable. From the interaction between Asim and Dabir to Asim's running narration (mixing wit and wisdom and pragmatism) to a plot that locks together tight as a drum to fight sequences dripping verisimilitude, there is no doubting the high quality that runs through the story.

Yet, somehow its construction didn't really sit with me in a way I can't explain. Asim details a fight with a powerful warrior and while every aspect is undoubtedly technically correct, its very level of detail spoke more of being a research project than of being a rousing adventure story. I enjoyed it, but couldn't overlook the calculation.

[James T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world shall not end in fire but ice!!!! This has to be one of my favorite adventure books of all time. I assume most people reading this have read the first, so I surmise my overall thoughts of the series. I adore the fusion of adventure, historical fiction, mystery and sword and sorcery that this series embodies. The prose is fairly lean and digestible and it works well with with the first person narrative. It really feels like you’re sitting next to Asim as he recounts you his tale. Asim is a wonderful protagonist. He’s unapologetically earnest, and though a bit dense, genuinely good and well intent. He’s such an antidote to the endless trend of anti-heros or grimdark protagonists who have no redeeming qualities. He’s good for goodness sake! He reminds me a bit of C.S. Lewis’ Repacheek, albeit it more human and less archetype. One can’t help but love the man. The world is excellently respectful of the time period and the characters feel like people that would have existed then, not modern people inserted into historical settings looking down their nose at the past.

The story itself is so great. For starters the opening just gets its hooks into you. It’s got this “Sherlock Holmes in Arabian Nights” mystery vibes that does not let go. Though there’s more swashbuckle than Sherlock Holmes ever had.

The combination of historical and religious myths is brilliant. The story twists and turns in directions you’d never expect. In many ways it’s like Zelazny’s Amber…one moment you think it’s about X but really it was about Y. One moment X seems the chief villian but really its Y and X is your ally. Etc.

I particularly love Erragal’s lair. That whole sequence feels like a dreamlike sequence in an 80s Sword and Sorcery movie. It just made me smile ear to ear. It’s the essence of escapism and high adventure.

The entire second half of this book is basically impossible to put down. It’s a roller coaster ride for sure. You just can’t stop and have no idea where it’s going to go.

I love this book. Honestly, it may be one of my favorite books of all time. It’s an apologetic worship of the best of old genre fiction, with its own bent. It’s a romance in the way all true adventure stories are and makes no apologies about it. It has none of the cynicism or irony of contemporary fantasy. It loves it source material and the thrill of adventure and I in turn love it. It’s a pity there weren’t more than two of these, and how I yearn for a world where this and not the style of fantasy that became trendy during 2012 was what hit. But alas, it is not. But better leave us wanting more than less, right?

I know this duo have appeared in some short fiction in various places. I hope that sees a proper anthology, I’m sure anyone in the emerging indie Sword and Sorcery would be thrilled to publish it.

As long as you don’t hate fun, and remotely like sword and sorcery, adventure fiction, historical fiction, or even mystery you ought to own this.

For those that read the first, though I do enjoy this one more there were a couple things I liked more about Desert of Souls. I think the tension between Dabir and Asim added to the spice of the story, it’s pure bromance now. And being in Jaffar’s household and not on their own also added some good tension. They’re both fantastic and I think this is the stronger of the two.

[Mary Robinette Kowal · Rating 4 out of 5]

For full disclosure, I blurbed this book and I did that because I really enjoy how swashbuckling these are. They are like Sherlock Holmes crossed with the Arabian Nights. Asim is Watson to Dabir's Holmes, but with magic. And swords! I like the the way the characters trust each other and that solving problems requires each of their strengths.

Strangely, one of the things that I also appreciate is that Asim is sexist, but thinks that he's not. It's true of a lot of people who want to be allies today. The books, however, are not at all sexist in their depictions of women. It's a fine and delicate line to walk, depicting realistic attitudes of the time without falling trap to repeating the mistakes of the past. The female characters are strong, but each has different forms of strength. I particularly liked Najya in The Bones of the Old Ones because she made Asim confront some of his own prejudices and surmount them. As I said, it's a tricky line to walk and I think Howard did that beautifully.

Plus, did I mention the epic battles? And magic!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well crafted classic sword & sorcery.

While I loved the classical feel of this S&S duo, the plot felt a bit to overwrought. At times keeping track of who was an ally, or the actual antagonist took it bit more work than I'd like. The characters do have some banter, but they are obviously very serious people: a bit more lightheartedness would have been appreciated.

Don't take me wrong! This still is a page turner, and the way Jones mixed older mythologies into his Arabic setting is great. The stakes were high, Asim and Dabir are great, well rounded characters, and I loved meeting Lydia again.

I would love to read a work of Jones were he mixes an original setting like this, with the more swashbuckling fun from his Pathfinder novels.

[Mikhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice adventure story. Not quite as clear as Desert of Souls, but fun all the same.

[Daniel Shellenbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bones of the Old Ones is the sequel to The Desert of Souls, following the continuing adventures of scholar Dabir and guardsman Asim in medieval Iraq. Thankfully, lightning strikes twice, and while Mr. Jones may not have put as much effort into the prose of the second book as the first (which was beautifully written as well as being extremely entertaining and highly imaginative), the characters, story, and world-development are all so well written that I can't really complain. As with its predecessor, The Bones of the Old Ones creates a seamless blend of historical Iraq around the end of the first millennium A.D. with the fantastic world of the Thousand and One Nights (with some other sources such as Gilgamesh thrown in for good measure) and catches the strange crossroads of cultures that Iraq represented at the time, meshed between Greek, Kurdish, Turkic, Persian, Arab, and Jewish civilizations along with the detritus of the many decayed Mesopotamian peoples and their many mythological traditions. In this book, Dabir (still licking his emotional wounds from Desert of Souls) and Asim have a mystery dropped in their lap as a Persian noblewoman in distress is brought to their home with scattered memories of kidnap, magic, and murder by strange men. As a result of this encounter, the two are pulled into a clash between a legendary group of immortals, a wrathful ice spirit, and their long-time nemesis, a Greek necromancer named Lydia as all seek to acquire a group of ancient magical bone-carved weapons. The quest, set against the backdrop of an ice-bound desert is made the more urgent by Asim's growing attachment to the Persian noblewoman, who is possessed by malevolent spirit and in grave danger from all sides. There are a lot of reasons the book works; Mr. Jones' excellent knowledge of the period and both religious and mythological traditions, the authentic feel (and camaraderie) of the characters, the gripping plot, the nefarious scheming villains, and the vibrant descriptions of the wintry setting, but what makes the book classic for me (as with Desert of Souls) is Asim's wonderful narration, which provides a nice combination of wit, gravitas, and poignant observation to guide the reader through the adventure, much like an Arabic sword-wielding (and more witty) version of Dr. Watson (indeed, there is a great deal about Dabir and Asim that is comparable to Sherlock and Watson, though they deal with a decidedly more supernatural set of villains). In short, the Bones of the Old Ones was everything I could hope for in a sequel and as long as Mr. Jones can put out books of this caliber he'll sit near the top of my must-read list.

[readerinthedesert_(SaraBeth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased by me. 4.5 stars.

A fun fast adventure that I really enjoyed! Dabir and Asim are back solving an exciting second desert mystery. As a fan of epic 500+ page fantasy who knew I could find such action, adventure and humor in a mere 300 pages? The best thing about these books is the interaction between the two main characters. They are hilarious and endearing. Besides the adventure their conversations and motivations are the main reasons I recommend these books. They are very fun and a great break from most of the fantasy filtering down these days. For such a short read the characters and world building are both exceptionally well done. The two books, so far, in the Chronicles of Sword and Sand, can be taken alone as each is a complete story but they are much more enjoyable read together to get the back story on the characters. While I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as ‘The Desert of Souls’ it was still a great read! My only disappointment was for the way the “romance” was portrayed. While I enjoyed the interaction of the characters in this regard, and felt it was believable, it was a large departure from the first book and I found it a bit unexpected. I think it took a bit of the adventure away for me. That said I’m sure Mr. Jones has many twists and turns in the forthcoming book(s) and that this plot line will meld seamlessly with the rest. I highly recommend this to someone looking for a fun quick fantasy that allows you to think and ponder the storyline and character motivations just as much as you want be that a little or a lot! What are you waiting for?

“This is a bad plan,” I said to Dabir.
“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
“I know it’s going to be bad.”

“Others have spread tales of the exploits I shared with Dabir, but I tell you that most of them get it wrong. They would have you think Dabir and I rode everywhere in ease, pausing only now and then to solve a riddle or slash our swords, then departing with baskets of jewels and the gratitude of beautiful maids. In truth we spent more time in the dark recesses of libraries, or riding through bad weather in forsaken countryside where there was neither good food nor drink, or shoveling. You would not believe how often finding secrets came down to manual labor.”

[KIMBERLEY SHERMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a sequel, it’s a good story that can be read without having read the first book. I like the characters, setting, pace, & ending of this book.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have a hankering for old style sword and sorcery, but bored of plots set in Medieval England and Europe. My suggestion, try Howard Andrew Jones.

Following up on the terrific The Desert of Souls, Jones' new Captain Asim and Dabir adventure is a surefire way to have fun reading old style fantasy once again. While paying homage to old masters, Jones breaks new ground by setting his magical tale in an Arabian Nights world replete with necromancers, immortals, malicious spirits, magical weapons and fearsome monsters. Its also a magical detective tale.

Captain Asim and Dabir, his learned colleague, have settled in Mosul after the affairs in The Desert of Souls were rapped up. One of the servants brings word that a woman Najya is seeking their help. It seems that certain immortal wizards have placed a vengeful frost spirit in her in order to help them find certain magical artifacts. Najya is the daughter of a famous general and Asim quickly falls for her.

They immediately come under attack from the wizards, who want to use Najya to find the artifacts. Dabir quickly recognizes the wizards and is concerned that the spirit in Najya will take over her body. He, Asim and Najya venture into the desert to seek Dabir's old friend Jabir.

Time and again the face off against the wizards, barely surviving. When they reach Jabir, he tries to force the spirit from her body, but fails.

Later, after another vicious attack, and the loss of their friend, Asim and Dabir are joined by Lydia, a sorceress who plotted with the wizards, but left them when it became apparent they were going to kill her. Asim and Dabir track down and find a club -- one of the artefacts in the tomb of a legendary greek hero. Asim, who is than just a big guy with a sword, figures out how to use the club, but by this time, the vengeful spirit has taken over Najya. She may still have a soft spot for Asim, but the spirit is untrusting, and cares little for Lydia and Dabir. Plus the immortal wizards are also attacking about.

Can Dabir, Lydia and Asim use the artefacts to save Najya.
They are joined by the inventor of the artefacts, who used them once to defeat the spirits, but the spirits are stronger now, the other wizards are involved and there maybe a traitor among the allies.

Can Dabir, Lydia and Asim's plan to use golems and magic to defeat the spirit and free Najya work?

Filled with a keen eye for adventure and a magical mix of sword and sorcery, Islam, fiendish wizards, interesting and fully realized characters, the Bones of the Old Ones is a terrific read.

[Yune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the mood for uncomplicated but entertaining adventure fantasy, and this fit the bill perfectly. Dabir (scholar) and Asim (warrior: together, they fight crime! --no, seriously, but in a way just as fun and not as lame as I presented) encounter a damsel in distress (which actually reminded me of the stereotypical noir setup in some ways) who was kidnapped from her home and enchanted by her abductors to help them locate some magical artifacts.

Najya is actually not as helpless as she might be in other novels, showing herself capable of both handling a sword and a chess-piece. Unfortunately, just as I was assured of her competence she gets whisked away into more trouble. Neither was her initial stay long enough for me to be convinced of the budding romance she develops with Asim. Although he's often mistaken for a brawny, dumb oaf, as Dabir says, he's wise than most people think, and he recognizes Najya's awesomeness. But as fond as I am of him -- he's the top reason I enjoy these books -- I didn't think she was quite perceptive enough to see enough to fall for him. I might not have cared so much if only this love weren't a key element in the ensuing events.

There was a nifty element in which Asim quite honestly bested Dabir; it was refreshing to see those tables turned, since Dabir is usually the brains of the outfit. Another review did mention that Dabir felt underutilized, though, and sometimes I did feel that most of what he did was explicate out loud what devious thing had happened to make sure the reader understood, rather than actually advancing the plot. But this wasn't an omnipresent feeling.

The actual danger itself, which scales up from threatening Najya to, well, the world, didn't engage me fully, perhaps because it came accompanied by a set of legendary figures with their own characteristics and internal squabbles -- yet never completely blossomed into real characters for me. They had some neat (and nefarious) abilities that made them exciting enemies, but when they confronted each other, the conflict lacked real resonance.

On the other hand, an old nemesis shows up and becomes an unexpected ally, which I thought was a cool trick. (It went a little too far at the end, I think, but there are hints the author is building up for more in the future, so we'll see.)

I'm still a fan of the series, but I find myself hankering for more of the short stories rather than another novel.

[JeanBookNerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Desert of Souls, The Bones of The Old Ones by Howard Andrew Jones, takes Dabir and Asim into a new grand-adventure in 8th century Baghdad. The Seven Sebitti wizards have cast a spell on Persian noble Najya binta Alimah, in order to locate The Bones of The Old Ones, a source of great power. When a snowstorm covers the city white, Najya takes this opportunity to escape the grasps of these treacherous magicians. She finds the home of Dabir and Asim and seeks shelter within. The scholar and swordsman agree to keep Najya safe and release her from the spell. A lethal shapeshifting assassin sent out by the wizards is out to kill them which forces them to align with their enemy, the deceitful Greek necromancer, Lydia.

This is the classic fantasy tale of the heroes struggling to hang on while on a deadly mission. However, Jones takes it to new levels and delivers an action-packed tale. The world building is absolutely stunning as readers are given rich and detailed descriptions that imagining their world comes effortless. The writing style of Jones is beautiful and gives the opportunity for readers to fully engage with the dilemma the protagonists face. The characters are crafted-well with precision care and thought. Dabir and Asim continue to grow character-wise as they go through a fast-paced action-adventure. The storyline is unique, refreshing and set in a real place. The use of actual locations provided much depth to another adventure of Dabir and Asim. The Bones of The Old Ones is a great continuation to The Desert of Souls and I am certain it will continue this tradition when the third book is released.

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent sword and sorcery novel. It is the sequel to Jones' *The Desert of Eternity,* but it is a contained narrative and does not require knowledge of the first novel. The two protagonists, Assim and Dabir, complement eachother wonderfully: Assim is a duty-bound warrior who acts instinctively and with sincerity; Dabir is a pensive scholar who is haunted not only by his sorcerous knowledge but also by a lingering sorrow. This novel focuses on Assim and Dabir's fight against the immortal Sebitti (a cabal of sorcerers) and the evil ice spirit, Usarshra. They are aided by many allies and not least the Greek sorceress, Lydia, whose character arc is enthralling at the story's end. There is also a romance subplot featuring the beautiful and mysterious Najya. There is so much to enjoy about this: the artful way Mosul and the culture of the Abbasid caliphate is portrayed, the precise and unadorned prose style, the vivid characters, and the terrifying villains (the blood-drinking Lamashtu will linger withfor a while). There is a collection of short stories that feature Assim and Dabir, *Waters of Eternity,* available that features these characters, and I am eager to read that to learn more about Assim and Dabir's exploits.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book!
It all started with the dust jacket, wow that's a-nice-a-picture I thought, but then there's always that nagging "oops, never judge a book by it's cover." quote nagging the back of your mind.
I had read The Desert of Souls just a few days prior to this, so I already knew the main characters and was already invested in their story. I had liked the first book, but thought the second one much better. Wether it was due to my confidence in or the author's own self-confidence is hard to tell.
I didn't want to get too invested in these characters in the first book, but by midway through the second book, I'm eagerly awaiting the 3rd book (there will be a 3rd book soon, right Howard?).
I loved the concept of an Arabian Nights sort of tale set in full winter, I had originally thought that a book taking place in the deserts of Baghdad would by needs be HOT, so imagine my surprise when it takes place in the familiar surroundings of a cold-cold Winter. Good move there on the part of Howard Andrew Jones.

[Ahimsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not fair for sword(/scimitar)-and-sorcery to be this well-written. Jones confidently unveils his story, adding complication after complication to the plot, but always through the characters. The (exceedingly well-researched) setting alone is worth the price of admission, but the cast of characters was also a delight. It was great to run across Herakles and Enkidu (though it begged the question of Gilgamesh's whereabouts.)

No book is perfect. Dabir seemed less omniscient, which was disappointing but probably quite clever. Far worse, in my opinion, was Najya's presence. She didn't feel very developed, and Assim's attraction to her felt forced and plot-movingly convenient. The final act of their relationship, in particular, was a disappointing tacked on bit of fluff that didn't seem to fit the tone of the rest of the book at all.

Quibbles aside, this is a fantastic treasure to be savored.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Even better than the first one, an old-fashioned sword-swinging, spell-casting, evil-fighting pulp adventure with an Arabian flair. Highly recommended.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/4 stars

[AltLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"His risk is mine, and if we fall, I shall fall first."

Okay, so I finished the first book a bit ago and loved it. Wedged in the book of short stories set between these two books after that and liked it well enough. Now I've read the second book (and considering it came out in 2012 with nothing else forthcoming, I suspect the last), and I'm really glad to have fit this whole series in this year! Desert fantasy has become my jam.

Dabir and Asim are still in 8th Century Mosul, but this time in the middle of a horrific winter. This time a band of ancient enemies is after a set of magical bone weapons, intent on opening a portal and unleashing damaging magic on the land. Our heroes have to stay just ahead of the enemies to get the weapons first, while also figuring out which of these ancient enemies are....actually enemies.

So, I'm gonna be clear here and say, while I enjoyed this book enough to rate it 5 stars, I think I enjoyed the first book in this series a bit more. I can't really put my finger on why, part of me wants to say that Dabir and Asim felt more like Sherlock and Watson in the first one than they did in this one. There's still plenty of adventure in both, but the first book felt less brakeneck-paced and a bit more thoughtful. It also takes something away from the feeling of desert fantasy when you're actually in snow and ice. Still, there's lots to like in this book as well, and I greatly enjoyed my adventure with these two. There's plenty of the same back-and-forth humor between them, plenty of adventure, ruins to delve, magical beasts to fight, and a satisfying conclusion left open-ended enough to house a future story (if I thought one was forthcoming).

Highly recommend both books by this author.

[Douglas Hancock · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not as enthralling as the first book of the series I still enjoyed this volume.

As a snowfall blankets 8th century Mosul, a Persian noblewoman arrives at the home of the scholar Dabir and his friend the swordsman Captain Asim. Najya has escaped from a dangerous cabal that has ensorcelled her to track down ancient magical tools of tremendous power, the bones of the old ones. To stop the cabal and save Najya, Dabir and Asim venture into the worst winter in human memory, hunted by a shape-changing assassin. The stalwart Asim is drawn irresistibly toward the beautiful Persian even as Dabir realizes she may be far more dangerous a threat than anyone who pursues them, for her enchantment worsens with the winter.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard Andrew Jones follows up the first entry in this series with a solid tale that again demonstrates his narrative skills and his close study of Harold Lamb's writing style.

The attention to historical detail nearly makes the reader forget he's reading fantasy and instead reading historical fiction. This is commendable as a sign of excellent world-building.

Apparently the publisher hasn't requested a follow-up to this novel with these characters. That's too bad, because Jones delineates them very well, and makes the reader really like these characters. Hopefully he'll continue to drop short stories about them in anthologies and magazines so we can continue to enjoy their company.

[Michael Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the first book featuring Dabir and Asim – The Desert of Souls – this second adventure is equally full of action and drama, with plentiful magic and fantastical opponents to overcome. Jones’s writing is powerfully energetic, and the tale he tells never wanes; all of the expected genre tropes are featured, including numerous scenes of deadly conflict, and the key characters all possess unique traits and abilities that add great antagonism to the plot. Readers who love classic sword and sorcery will enjoy their time with this novel.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed his story, though not as much as The Desert of Souls. Fun Middle Eastern flavored, low-magic fantasy. Asim and Dabir are a good duo, and I think the world building is great. I will read the final volume--short stories--about these characters.

[Jamesoki · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girlfriend picked this one out for me while we were looking through books and it is really good!!

[Nis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first. Too much magic.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ — 4.99/5

In Loving Memory of Howard Andrew Jones

Author. Scholar. Mentor. Friend. Never to be Forgotten.

Some writers give you fine books. Some give you entire worlds. But only the rarest give you themselves — their spirit, their kindness, their generosity — long before they ask you to buy a story. Howard Andrew Jones was such a soul.

He wasn’t just an author I read. He was a man I met — even if only through digital space — and he gave without hesitation. Always ready with advice on writing, cheering on fellow readers, or lifting up those walking the long and lonely road of creativity, Howard was that rare blend of humility, grace, and tireless moral compass. In a literary world where ego and bitterness can run rampant, he stood apart: a man of principle — a mind and heart shaped by a life of wonder, history, and the belief that good storytelling can still lift the soul.

His death leaves the world smaller. But his legacy? Immeasurable.


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(“The Desert of Souls” | “The Bones of the Old Ones” | “The Waters of Eternity”) — ★★★★★ Forever Treasured

It’s hard to separate Howard’s gentle, shining spirit from the fiction he gave us — because the man and the art were made of the same rare stuff.

I confess: had I read these novels years ago, I might have missed much of their quiet, sacred depth. One reason I fell so hard for this series now is simple — I’ve loved Middle Eastern myth, history, and culture for years. The tales of jinn, ghuls, lost cities, and cursed scrolls are familiar comforts to me. Without this love, much of the whispered power in these pages might have slipped past unnoticed.

But Howard knew — knew — how rich this world could be, and wrote it with reverence. Like his literary ancestor Harold Lamb, he honored the past, giving it new breath without modern cynicism or insult. Lamb’s spirit of distant cities and grand adventure looms large here — but so does something else: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Because at the burning, beating heart of these stories stand two men:

Asim — our sword, our voice, our Dr. Watson of the East. Noble, strong, wonderfully human. His warmth, self-doubt, and humor make him unforgettable. His strength is not in genius, but in heart — and it is the heart that makes these stories live.

Dabir — the mind, the Holmes of the desert sands. Not cold, not cruel, but sharp as Damascus steel and brimming with curiosity. He is both scholar and sorcerer, scientist and skeptic, blessed with Doyle’s mystery but none of Holmes’s lonely arrogance.


Their friendship is the sugar and spice of this series — crafted so carefully by Howard’s loving hand that every scene feels like tea poured slow at sunset. They quarrel, banter, doubt, believe — and always stand together against the dark.

If you’ve ever longed for Sherlock Holmes in Baghdad, this is your dream.

"The world is full of mysteries we may never understand, my friend. But that does not mean we should cease trying."
— The Desert of Souls



What a line. Pure Doyle, pure Lamb, pure Jones.

The mysteries they face are grand: evil cults, forgotten gods, cursed ruins, riddles in dead tongues. The Bones of the Old Ones raises the stakes — blending cosmic horror worthy of Lovecraft (but never so hopeless), where ancient things stir in the desert and man must find courage or die. And in The Waters of Eternity, even the “in-between” novella brims with grace, giving quieter insights into the cost of power and the weight of loyalty. Jones never wasted a page.

But the real treasure? His pacing — slow when it must savor, racing when the swords flash. It reminds me of the long summer nights of childhood — devouring books until the dawn, eyelids heavy but heart racing, whispering "just one more chapter." Few modern writers give that gift anymore.

And like Doyle before him, Jones knew the value of mystery itself. He honored the Sherlockian tradition — the puzzles of:

The Musgrave Ritual

The Speckled Band

The Sign of Four

The Devil's Foot


...all woven, somehow, into these desert sands and bazaars, shaded tombs and burning palaces. Yet this was no mere copy — this was resurrection. Fresh life in old myths.


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A Final Blessing

I am — and always will be — on the HAJ train. Blessed to have shared breath with this man while his soul wore its earthly meat suit. And I’ll return to these books, again and again, because they carry more than story. They carry him.

Gone from this world... but his spirit, his goodness, his joy for tales well told — that stays. Always.

Thank you, Howard. For friendship. For wonder. For teaching us that swords, minds, and hearts all sharpen together.

Rest well. Never forgotten.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the highly enjoyable sequel to the excellent Desert of Souls (my review here). I really enjoyed it and if Goodreads allowed half-stars the rating would 4.5.

Asim and Dabir are pulled into adventure when a young woman (Najya) begs them for help escaping kidnappers. The kidnappers have some very strange powers and the young woman seems to have been put under a spell. Investigating how the spell and how to shake the kidnappers propel our heroes into realms resplendent with sorcery, old gods, giant battles, and much more. And there's a flying carpet. That made me very happy.

If someone crossed The Arabian Nights with Robert E. Howard, you'd have Bones of the Old. Asim is a captain of the guard. Dabir is a knowledgable scholar. The classic mixture of brawn and brains are well paired again as the two friends encounter old enemies and solve puzzles from mythical times while traveling through the ancient Arabian desert, albeit one covered with snow.

It is a well-told adventure that I read in 24-hours. It was more of a straight-forward rescue tale than Desert of Souls and, for that reason, I docked it a half star. But that half star is a small one.

I wish these were available as audio books because they are right down SFFaudio's alley and I'd love to have a read along about them. (hint, hint)

However, for those of us who don't mind actual reading, my advice is to get both books and waste no time in jumping feet-first into adventure.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard Andrew Jones' The Bones of the Old Ones in the Sword and Sands Chronicle is a worthy successor to the first book in that series, The Desert of Souls.

We get more of the swashbuckling, historical fantasy. Asim and Dabir begin their journey when Tajya, a Persian noblewoman, arrives. She is in distress, and she needs the help of Asim and Dabir, who take on the task. An ancient and powerful magic threatens them at every turn.

The setup is wonderful, and Jones loses no time in jeopardizing our heroes. We read, in Sherlock Holmes fashion, as Dabir and Asim unravel the mysteries of the forces at work.

In describing this book to several people as I was reading it, I used it's an Indiana Jones meets Sherlock Holmes with some magic set in the Abbasid Caliphate. This sequel is completely standalone, though the characters and settings grow from the first novel. We see Asim more accepting of some of the crazy things he's seeing as well as trusting Dabir more. We see Dabir as less "all-knowing"--yes, he still is quite wise, but here he seems to have to struggle more to get the answers. The background of the Caliphate is less touched on than in the first, but its presence still colors the narrative, especially when the Greeks arrive.

This is a definite must-read.

[M.A. Guglielmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Desert of Souls continues the adventure

The Bones of the Old Ones continues the story of Dabir and Asim, a scholar/warrior team who fight monsters in medieval Baghdad. As with the first book, this is rousing sword and sorcery, and Jones weaves in fantastic historical detail. Fight scenes are his strength, and it's a fun read. The writing is sometimes clunky, and the female characters never quite ring true. Lydia, the bad girl sorceress of the tale, sounds too much at times like a modern woman with a chip on her shoulder, rather than a dramatic adversary. Asim's love interest spends too much time channeling her inner ice demon to become a real flesh and blood character. The book was nonetheless one I didn't want to put down, with good pacing and well, great sword fights. Long on monsters and battles and with nothing but a chaste kiss or two, the novel would be fine for teenage readers as well.