Crusade

Wow! Another great book!

Couldn' put it down, another great escape!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A superior historical fiction novel

By 1274, the years of war that has devastated much of the Middle East especially the Holy Land appears over. A shaky peace has finally come to weary people mostly because of the Herculean efforts of the Brethren. However, one of the Brethren Will Campbell fears their cause has been betrayed from within and that hostilities will break out unless the traitor Prince Edward is stopped from meeting his pledge to the Pope that the Cross will soon control Jerusalem. However, Will remains unaware that European war profiteers have found their profits gone since peace has descended on the land so to stir up business they plan a scheme to use Edward as a foolish tool to erupt the Muslin world into a Jihad against the European infidels.-------------- In Egypt, Sultan Baybars¿ heir Baraka has turned a deaf ear towards his fathe who left him with his mother until he was old enough to train as a warrior and then left him with a tutor. Now he ignores his offspring even more since his closest friend died saving his life. Instead Baraka heeds the guidance of soothsayer Khadir who tells him his dad is going to leave him a destroyed kingdom unless he acts. Baybars believes he must fight the powerful Mongol horde while Khadir insists that is not only suicide, but it is the Christians who are the real enemy. A new wave of crusades seems imminent with Will and some of his Brethren peers the only hope to prevent another region wide conflation that could easily spread across the Mediterranean.-------------- The middle book of this superior historical fiction trilogy (see BRETHREN) is a terrific entry as the late thirteenth century Middle East seems on the verge of another Crusade unless Will and his peers can pull off several miracles. The fast-paced story line effortlessly moves back and forth between the subplots and the key cast members are fully developed so that the audience obtains a taste of the medieval age especially in Jerusalem and Cairo in AD 1276.-------------- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not good for much

Sadly, the book cover was the best part of this book. The plot is old, the writing style trite with no real originality. Characters are predictable. There is no romanticism, and it definitily is not thrilling. Do not recommend it for your book club unless you wish to be kicked out of it. Give it to your worst enemy.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Very Engaging Book

Crusade, the sequel to Robyn Young's Brethren is one of the best books I have read recently. It is a rich saga full of exciting action and surprising twists. The characters affect you in a way that makes you feel you have actually taken their journery with them. The characters are deeply affecting - flawed human beings that struggle through their weaknesses and mistakes. Some descend to the point beyond redemption but the others manage to rise above themselves and make a difference, but always, there is a price to pay. Robyn's Young words are powerful, her adjectives so descriptive that the images conveyed are very vivid. This (along with Brethren) is a must read for anyone interested in the Crusades and the Templars.

A great read

If you like the basic subject matter the history of the high middle ages, you will really like this book. It is a good and easy read for the most humble of the literati. Exciting fast paced with strong characters.

This book was great just like the first one

this book was amazing but the only thing is the third book isn't out yet it said it should have been for sale in spring 2008 but its not. well evan tho this book is still amazing everyone should by it just read the first one first.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This sequel left me with mixed feelings after a great 1st book

Crusade is book 2 in a trilogy (The Brethren Trilogy) about the Crusades, the Knights Templar, and a secret society within the Templars that existed to create peace in the Holy Land. I read Book 1, Brethren, in about a week and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book (which made my wait about a year) and was somewhat frustrated with the change in tone from book 1 to book 2. Basically, book 1 was thoroughly entrenched in the Templars and their purposes in Outremer (literally 'overseas'), while the fictional characters that were central to the story were on the periphery, color added to the already rich facts and history that were very accurately provided. Book 2 begins with a plot by businessman to force a new Crusade through treachery and deception, a plot that would force the 'Christian' European kings to take up the cross and return to Outremer (current day middle-east), because the Crusades produced business, and vast amounts of money, for many traders. Will Campbell, the main character from Brethren, returns in his place as a knight in the Templars and a member of the Anima Templi, a group that, from within the Templars, works in secret with high ranking members of the Mamluks, the rulers of Egypt and most of Outremer, to end the 200 year war now known as the Crusades. Sultan Baybars, historically speaking one of the greatest rulers of all time in terms of accomplishment, was the ruler of most of Outremer, with the exception of a few chunks of land possessed by the infidels Christians, Venetians, Genoese, and other non-Muslim people. Jerusalem was (and still is, modern news programs remind us of this nightly) the center of the worlds 3 major religions, Christianity (mainly Catholicism during the Crusades), Muslim, and Judaism. All 3 religions believe that they should own the land that is center to their religion. Enter the Crusades. A plot surfaces that could threaten the Christians, the Muslims, everyone in Outremer. Also surfacing are plots to dethrone the men in charge of the Muslims, the city of Jerusalem and the Templars. Also entering the landscape is the powerful horde known as the Mongols (yes, like Genghis Khan), who were looking to take over the world themselves. The Mamluks, as the main power in Outremer were faced with a war on 2 fronts, invading Mongols that were covering Asia like a plague, and the infidel, the Christians, who the Muslims believed defiled their religion and their land simply by being in Outremer. All of these issues tie together to create a story that is excessively rich in character development (perhaps too rich as much time is spent developing characters that I don't believe directly effected the main plot or the final outcome of the novel but they are wonderful characters), rich in history (with accuracy that is brutally honest, aside from the fictional characters), accurate in description of the true historical figures of the time, including their motivations and goals, and somewhat thick with suspense. I believe that suspense is where this book is most disappointing it was not nearly as suspenseful as the first. There is no real climax and the book does not end with a 'cliff-hanger' as the first did. Rather, it just points to where history already tells us we would be headed if we were with Will Campbell. That, of course, is a problem only if you are a student of medieval history, the Crusades, or the Knights Templar, which I am, all 3 (so please accept that I am admittedly opinionated on this subject and not pointing out that the book is flawed by this fact). Brethren, was wonderful. One of my favorite reads recently. This book, however, began slow it took me about 1/3 of the book (maybe 175 pages) to truly gain interest in the story, mainly due to character development that I, personally, don't think was necessary (don't get me wrong, I realize that I did not write this book just my humble opinion). Robyn Young obviously has a tremendous gift and lo

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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