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Shards of Empire #2
Cross and Crescent
Presents a continuation of the story of Empire, Byzantium, once the center of the known world, which becomes the center of attention for the many nations who come to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem after Turkish armies capture it.
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First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Susan Shwartz
91 books19 followersWrites with Shariann Lewitt as Gordon Kendall.
She received her B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College in 1972 and a PhD in English from Harvard University.
She received her B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College in 1972 and a PhD in English from Harvard University.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 3, 2024
“One who wishes to rule must first rule himself. Or herself.”
Excellent historical fiction with a full measure of supernatural stirred in. Varied cast represents real and imagined players in epochal change in Roman, Christian, and Anatolian history. Crossed goals and motives abound.
“I’ve been denied everything that was mine, that should have been mine, because I am female!” “It’s not because you’re a woman. You had a choice. Do you remember when you made it? I do. That was when you made yourself the sort of woman who would kill a good old man whose only crime was to love you.”
Syncretic spiritual beliefs may strike orthodox believers as blasphemous but was probably typical of such an area and time. Even true believers have crossed purposes. Climax is inevitable but a surprise.
“No one’s safe. I did not come on pilgrimage to be safe. I came for Jerusalem!”
Excellent historical fiction with a full measure of supernatural stirred in. Varied cast represents real and imagined players in epochal change in Roman, Christian, and Anatolian history. Crossed goals and motives abound.
“I’ve been denied everything that was mine, that should have been mine, because I am female!” “It’s not because you’re a woman. You had a choice. Do you remember when you made it? I do. That was when you made yourself the sort of woman who would kill a good old man whose only crime was to love you.”
Syncretic spiritual beliefs may strike orthodox believers as blasphemous but was probably typical of such an area and time. Even true believers have crossed purposes. Climax is inevitable but a surprise.
“No one’s safe. I did not come on pilgrimage to be safe. I came for Jerusalem!”
May 17, 2015
Susan Shwartz's "Cross and Crescent" is not one of the easier books I have read. This book is definitely not streamlined for the common reader. If you're not familiar with Early Christian/Byzantine history or don't have Mr. Google on your side while reading this novel, chances are you're not going to enjoy this book as the author intended you to. For one thing, time jumps are common between succeeding chapters of the book and most of the time author doesn't fill you in on the events that happened between the time gap. Also, if you're not particularly familiar with the geography of the Eastern Roman Empire circa 1100 A.D., you're going to have a hard time keeping up with such events since no such map is provided by the author, which really made it hard for me to truly appreciate the story.
One thing this book has going for it, though, is the rich characterization and portrayal of historical figures like Anna Komnena and Bohemond I which brings life to the context of the novel. To do such would have meant an inordinate amount of research by the author, bordering on obsessiveness, which I commend and congratulate her for. The rich culture and religious customs illustrated in this book is no less than thought provoking. Some of my favorite characters are the ones that indulge themselves on this book's particular strength, illustrating how humanity is when it sees someone adhering to a set of beliefs different from theirs and, for some, a struggle to keep their beliefs intact despite having other people believe otherwise.
For a very under-the-radar book, Cross and Crescent ends very beautifully. It really shows that Shwartz is a powerful writer and the depth of her imagination. Overall, I found this book rough around the edges but enjoyable nonetheless.
One thing this book has going for it, though, is the rich characterization and portrayal of historical figures like Anna Komnena and Bohemond I which brings life to the context of the novel. To do such would have meant an inordinate amount of research by the author, bordering on obsessiveness, which I commend and congratulate her for. The rich culture and religious customs illustrated in this book is no less than thought provoking. Some of my favorite characters are the ones that indulge themselves on this book's particular strength, illustrating how humanity is when it sees someone adhering to a set of beliefs different from theirs and, for some, a struggle to keep their beliefs intact despite having other people believe otherwise.
For a very under-the-radar book, Cross and Crescent ends very beautifully. It really shows that Shwartz is a powerful writer and the depth of her imagination. Overall, I found this book rough around the edges but enjoyable nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews