The Templar Legion

Templar #5

by Paul Christopher

Retired Army Ranger Lt. Col. John Holliday is swept into an adventure as deadly as it is secretive when an archaeologist friend makes a bizarre find in Ethiopia. But when he follows a trail of clues through the chaotic and lawless horn of Africa, he finds himself hunted as he comes closer to a priceless treasure that can only be found by those who can solve a riddle from the past.

Genres: Thriller, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Action, Adventure, Ebooks

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Paul Christopher is a pseudonym used by the author Christopher Hyde.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Claire Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was thoroughly readable. Unlike some books in a similar vein that I have cast aside after a chapter or two. The twists, turns and surprises, keep you in the thrall of a tightly written plot that doesn't loose it's way. The several different sub plots work together well as they propel the story along and the sum of these is a believable and well written adventure story.

I intend to read more of Paul Christopher's books and hope he can sustain this level of reader satisfaction.

[Speesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It won't win me many converts I'm thinking, and I'll no doubt be shunned at The Discerning Blogger's Christmas Dinner and Dance...but who cares? This was a really rather fine read. Perhaps the best of the series so far. Speaking as a connoisseur of Paul Christopher's Templar series that is.

as with most of the others, this is enjoyable, readable hokum. This one is more enjoyable, the readability is at the top and the hokum is kept to a believable minimum. He's not had many facts to spread around in the previous few books, but makes up for it here. Not all Templar-related either. I'm not going to pass judgement on some of the connections, theories made or put forward here, which actually form the basis for the book. But let's face it, they're the stuff you really, down inside, hope, wish, were true. Did happen. Like all those Erich Von Däniken books you read in your youth (if you're as old as me), made real. And made sense. Which this story does. There is, admittedly, not a lot to do with the Templars, or legions of any sort. Neither does there seem to be anything about the ‘priceless treasure’ and the 'riddle solving’ (see above) which do seem to have been left that out after the back cover blurb was written. Other than that, not a lot to complain about, a good solid very readable and enjoyable thriller. Can't complain about that.

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[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually. I liked this book a lot. Thrilling and hilarious.

[Whitney Dwyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting and gripping!

[Rusty Dalferes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK entry in the series that suffered from some of the same plot and edit shortcomings as the previous book, though not quite to the same extent. I'll give it a lukewarm recommendation for fans of international thrillers.

The fifth of Christopher's Templar books begins with Israeli archaeologist, Rafi Wanounou, discovering the tomb of a French Templar knight in Ethiopia. Of course, he immediately contacts "Doc" Holliday, his friend and cousin of his fiancée, Peggy, who just happens to be a former Army Ranger and retired professor of military history at West Point. The investigation leads Doc, Peggy, and Rafi on a search for King Solomon's Mines, a lost Roman legion, an errant Viking Varangian guard, and a lost Templar historian. The journey takes them from Ethiopia to parts of the Central African Republic ruled by a bloodthirsty warlord surrounded by equally dangerous rivals. Complicating matters is a large international mining concern that found tantalum and neodymium deposits in the area, which is trying to arrange a coup of the local government. Along the way, the protagonists run into a child soldiers, a secretive tribe of people protecting a trove of historical artifacts and natural resources, and a mysterious organization of professional killers.

This book wasn't quite as cringe-inducing in plot shortcomings as the fourth book in the series, but it still had some of that book's bad trends. No matter how smart and experienced the main characters are, they always seem to enter into these dangerous international treks without any sort of thought as to safety or real logistical planning, and consistently fall into situations which would scream "trap" to anyone with half of the credentials the group claims. That said, there was a decent amount of interesting history of the region dating from Biblical times through Byzantine and Templar eras to modern times, and there was some real tension and awe created in certain parts. Overall, the plot was better than the fourth book, but not quite as good as the first two in the series.

The edit was extremely disappointing, with constant comma errors and persistent spelling, syntax, and other punctuation failings. These issues make it hard for the narrative to flow, as readers like me will keep having to re-read sentences and paragraphs to make sure the author's meaning is clear.

Overall, I'm not sorry I read the book, and it did have some interesting action and intriguing descriptions of locales, but it was not an especially impressive example of the international thriller genre. The best I can do is give it a tepid recommendation for fans of such books.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Templar Legion" is the 5th in Christopher’s ‘Templar’ series based on the character of Army Ranger Lt. Col. John Holliday. His characters and situations are vivid, as are his geographic settings and descriptions. While I have only read one of Christopher Hyde’s ~ penned under Paul Christopher ~ books prior to this one, "The Sword of the Templars,” I was sadly somewhat disappointed with this one, the latest in the ‘Templar’ series. First of all, the Templar theme has mostly disappeared; I admit I am a Templar junkie, so this disappointed me. Additionally, although the book was a fast read, there were some parts that dragged a bit and were a little confusing.

"The Templar Legion" starts off with Vikings explorers, Roman Legions, and hints of Templars. Peggy, Doc's cousin, and her husband Rafi lead Doc into the heart of Africa in search of a Templar tomb. Soon they are searching for King Solomon's Mines. All seems good until the story completely shifts into becoming embroiled in the dangers of an attempted coup of a central African country.

"The Templar Legion" is not a 'bad' book, but surely not one of his best. The main idea is a good one: lost Templar treasures, a lost Viking raiding party and a secret burial chamber deep into the jungle on a small island. These are all interspersed to make this an interesting book with some fascinating twists and turns that you don't see coming until the very final chapter. The book did have a fast pace and a somewhat cleverly developed storyline, but I just expected something else ~ more Templar. I like the author's writing style and his characterization is good; Eddie the Cuban ex-patriot boatman is a delightful addition to the story line. If you like a good adventure, then give Paul Christopher a chance.

[Al Ashcott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've bought this book when I was 22. Back then I was captivated by the Knights Templar, so I had to get everything that had the Templar Cross on it. Including this book ... I guess I was young and stupid, because back then I thought the story was great. I decided to read it again and my conclusion now is that it's your typical Jewish-American propaganda. I was gritting my teeth to get through it. Funny thing is, reading it the second time, I only could remember the scene where Saint-Sylvestre was strangling some gay businessman in his bedroom. So, it tells you something about the 'unforgettable' plot.
It surprised me to find out that this author had more books, which made me happy to realise that I didn't know about it 13 years ago, or else I would've tried to get them, simply because of the Templar Cross.

Al

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, it may have helped if I had read Templar #1-#4. I was confused for about the first half of this book. The character acquisition clearly was done before and there was a lot of characters. A LOT! and (I don't think this is a spoiler but continue at your own risk) many were killed off without contributing to the story all that much.

The premise? An archaeologist uncovers a tomb which gives him clues to riches unknown. Others also become aware of this and the fight is on.

A little Indiana Jones, a little DaVinci Code with a couple of gruesome killings mixed in. Not my bag but entertaining enough that I read it to the end.

[KelticKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series by Paul Christopher.

It's every bit of an Indian Jones type adventure with a dash of secret service spy thrown in. There's no romance to speak of except the romance of discovering things long lost.

My inner geek ends up googling to her hearts content - the places and even people that are woven into the story.

This one takes us to Africa and all turmoil & rebellion that comes with it. There are twists and turns in the story and legends become real and the twists and turns of intrigue are woven so tight that the last twist was a bit shadow until the end.

[Jeffrey Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a library book sale and did not know that it was part of series. I spent a lot of the book trying to figure out who was whom.

What started out as an interesting quest to determine the connection between a Templar Knight and the Vikings turned into a coup in an obscure African country. It just didn't seem to resolve itself in a satisfactory way for me. Although the coup was a success I guess.

I am not inclined to read other books in this series.

[See · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Christopher has another first class hit on his shelf.

Vikings and Roman Legions are all interspersed to make this an interesting book with some fascinating twists and turns that you don't see coming until the very final chapter. This book makes for a good and quick read.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

just what they found at the beginning of the book, gives it 5 stars

[Kevin Brookes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book of the series but worth the read. Templers plot seemed to be missing.

[Michelle Bygd · Rating 3 out of 5]

good mystery. there are several stories at the beginning that come together at the end

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the chemistry between the three main characters. I feel this one was more fast paced than the previous book I read.

[Sarah Menzies long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had not read the first 4 books in the series where perhaps the characters had been more established. The book was good buy dragged a bit midway. A bit Indiana Jones like in it's outline.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

King Solomon's mines are the goal in this one, where Holliday and niece Peggy & her husband search in Africa, where a coup is also taking place.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Hard to follow the story and just an overall boring book. More like a dollar store find.

[Gail Marchant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can Holliday find more secrets of the Templar order
Ethiopia Africa
Enjoyable read but not his best

[Zerubbabel Bar-Umoren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

Will be starting book 6 enjoying these books tremendously, can't wait to finish all of them in the series...wonderful time

[Chris Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series. On to the next one.

[Aja Allsop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read,although i feel the end was a bit of a rush.

[Paul Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not his best but still fun

Apart from poor research, like Mark Antony taking a legion from Hadrians Wall, its not a bad read and moves along at a good pace.

[Snakeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another enjoyable 'Doc' Holliday adventure

[Tim Shepard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of all the books in this series so far I found this to be a stretch for the author. It was as if he was trying to introduce new characters, remove old ones, and lead into the next book. While it is well written it felt rushed and missing as vital plot to hold it together.

[Beryl Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Templar adventure s

Enjoyed it and found if very exciting especially towards the end. I did not understand all the military jargon but it did not take anything away from the plot

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read all the books that Christopher Hyde has penned under the PAUL CHRISTOPHER banner, I was quite unimpressed with this, the latest in the Templar series. The Templat theme has been swept to the wayside, leaving us only with crumbs of its presence. We are left with another, perhaps more dramatic storyline, with small tidbits of Templar talk and ideeas, but nothing like the earlier stories.

Christopher introduces the theme of Templars with his intro and some early chapters. I find it funny that one of the characters, upon arrival in Africa, actually echoes the thought I had throughout the book, "I am here for the Templars, not this Africa stuff". Alas, Africa and ther portrait of ongoing corruption topo front stage, leaving those of us who like the Templars to suck at the few bones we are offered for some marrow.

The book did have a fast pace and a somewhat honest storyline, but I just expected something else. I wanted the thrill of uncovering new and forgotten truths (a la Dan Brown, I suppose) or some hidden excitement that pits past and present (a la Raymond Khoury). No worries, I do have those authors on my shelf, so I will not be without.

Nice to have some Canadian locales in pop fiction, helping to make the world see that we are not some head in the sand' peaceful folk who don't have anything going on in our syrup-loving households.

Not a 'bad' book, but surely not one of his best. Let's hope this series does not go the way of Finn Ryan; slow disintegration!

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

To my mind, this is the book where the series really hits its stride. The characters of Peggy and Rafi lead Doc into the heart of Africa in search of a Templar tomb. Along the way, a new character is introduced in the form of Eddie the Cuban ex-patriot boatman.

While searching for the tomb, Doc and his party are distracted (as is the story) by the background plot of African dictators, Western carpet- baggers, and vicious atrocities. Along the way, they encounter lost Vikings in a plot that reminded me very much of the Tarzan books I loved as a kid.

When its all said and done, this is the book where everything clicked for me. I finally had a grasp of the character of Doc, he finally had a worthy compatriot in the form of Eddie (every literary hero needs a sidekick), and the idea of tracking down Templar mysteries was firmly latched onto.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Paul Christopher creates a fun read. This is not exactly your typical chase novel because there is so much going on in the background with the bad guys. In fact it reads more of a confluence of multiple factions into a "How Will It Work Out?" ending. I enjoyed the history mystery and how it all came together. It's nice to believe that at least in fiction there are still lost worlds to discover.

I enjoyed this book and the continuing adventeres of "Doc" Holliday. The Templars were more a sidenote to this story, but it sets up the next one rather interestingly and references things that took place earlier in the series. This book is not to be missed if you are a fan of this series.

[Heather Britsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was really disappointing compared to the others in the series. While it has the same main characters, it really has nothing to do with the Templars. They're pretty much just a side note. It seems the author wanted to write about the conflicts in Africa and how bad certain things are, but wanted to get the people already reading the series to read it. I read this series because of the historical facts and the Templars; the clues and the puzzles. This was strictly war and gore. And it's getting to a point where he adds extra information just so the reader knows how smart he is and how much research he's done. It was just too much. I finished it very quickly, and that was the best part.