Crusade

by Robyn Young

Book of the Month: February 2008)

It is 1274 and in the fortified city of Acre, the last major stronghold of the Crusaders in Palestine, an epic conflict is beginning.

Will Campbell is a Templar Knight, trained for war, but as a member of the mysterious group known as the Brethren, he is also a man of peace. After years of bloodshed, the Brethren have helped to create a truce between the Christians and Muslims. But Will now fears they have been betrayed. King Edward of England has promised the Pope that he will lead a new Crusade, while in Acre itself, a ruthless cabal of Western merchants, profiteering from slaves and armaments, is plotting to reignite hostilities in the Holy Land.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, Sultan Baybars is caught in a power struggle. His son and heir has become involved in the dangerous designs of the insidious soothsayer, Khadir. While Baybars wants to take on the mighty Mongol empire, Khadir and others want to destroy the Christians once and for all.

As war looms, Will is torn between his oath as a Templar, his secret role in the Brethren and his duty to Elwen, the woman he loves but is forbidden to marry. He is caught at the centre of a web of deception and destruction, as he and all those around him rush headlong towards one of the most dramatic moments in history.

Recent user reviews & comments

Just completed Crusader and found it to be a captivating book that I had a hard time putting down. The reference material at the end defining people and terms was an extremely helpful reference and appreciated. As a present day member of the Order of the Temple, knowledgeable about the Knight Templar, I found it very historically correct and true, with a trace of fiction as was alluded to in order to make the story flow of the early Templars and the sacrifices they made for us today. I also liked the fact that it was nicely shown throughout the story, the humanistic character of the Templars bending a few of the strict moral codes and rules they were governed by, never reaching the Christ like perfection we would all should strive to do. SK Dean Sever I anxiously await the final "Requeim".

Dean Sever,Leesburg FL USA.

I borrowed Brethren and Crusade from a work colleague and I was impressed. I think it is well written and some of the main characters are well written, inparticular Baybars, Kalawun and Will Campbell. Overall, a lot better than I expected. Can't wait for Requiem!

Steven King,Birmingham.

I am currently reading this book and have got almost 200 pages in, but I have to say it has been quite a struggle. It is slow and hard to get captivated in the majority of scenes but then out of the blue a really good chapter or sequence occurs, shortly afterwards returning to the slower pace and tedious scenes. I was just wondering, does it get livelier towards the end (without any spoilers please)?

Zuk,Northampton.

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Crusade by Robyn Young