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The Crusader #1
The Crusader
The Crusader is a series of Short Novellas (10,000-15,000 words) about Aaron, a once-idealistic knight on a Crusade. The story is a Dark Fantasy series set in the dark and fantastical Land of Korannah. In the series, Aaron must face a series of events that call into question his belief in Honor and his God and the abhorrent nature of war.
The Crusader is the first novella in the series.
Aaron, on a Crusade to rid the Holy Land from unbelievers and their sorcerers, must face the truth of the Crusade and decide between losing himself and losing his soul.
Quotes from The
“Honor is a thing not defined by your actions, but by your survival. If you survive and— praise to The God—emerge victorious, you may set the standards of Honor yourself”
“My best choice was not girding up in steel and wading honorably into the fray. My best chance of survival was skulking in the dark, killing without mercy an unprepared enemy. My best chance was with the Dark Men.”
“Aggressive action won battles did it not? But move to strike what? Where there should have been an enemy, there was complete blackness. I saw nothing. I heard nothing.”
“Perhaps I could gain favor, or treasure, in my travels here. Another load of shite. Most died in this hole of piss. Those that didn’t die returned back wealthy in stories of courage and Honor and battle, but little else.”
“I spat into his face—a time tested tradition of defiance. There was nothing left of which to be afraid. I was already dead.”
The Crusader is the first novella in the series.
Aaron, on a Crusade to rid the Holy Land from unbelievers and their sorcerers, must face the truth of the Crusade and decide between losing himself and losing his soul.
Quotes from The
“Honor is a thing not defined by your actions, but by your survival. If you survive and— praise to The God—emerge victorious, you may set the standards of Honor yourself”
“My best choice was not girding up in steel and wading honorably into the fray. My best chance of survival was skulking in the dark, killing without mercy an unprepared enemy. My best chance was with the Dark Men.”
“Aggressive action won battles did it not? But move to strike what? Where there should have been an enemy, there was complete blackness. I saw nothing. I heard nothing.”
“Perhaps I could gain favor, or treasure, in my travels here. Another load of shite. Most died in this hole of piss. Those that didn’t die returned back wealthy in stories of courage and Honor and battle, but little else.”
“I spat into his face—a time tested tradition of defiance. There was nothing left of which to be afraid. I was already dead.”
- GenresFantasy
ebook
First published May 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 18, 2014
An exciting adventure!
The Crusader takes the reader into the dark underbelly of the Crusades. The protagonist Aaron rides with the “Dark Men” carrying out special covert missions meant to hamper the enemy. These missions are far removed from the battlefield charge, and instead are carried out in darkness to kill all the heathens they encounter. The time Aaron has spent serving among the Dark Men seriously alters his previously held ideas of honor and glory on the battlefield. Yet, by undertaking these missions, Aaron and his companions have been given the promise of absolution for their many sins, and a place in the kingdom of God.
Rayfe the Darkstalker is a vicious killer, who also happens to be the man Aaron must follow on a dangerous mission against an equally deadly adversary. This mission will put both his martial training and his loyalty to the test.
Wilder delivers believable characters, exciting battle scenes and a solid story all around. This was a fast read that held my interest from beginning to end and left me eager for the next book.
- Travis Ludvigson, author of the Nephilim Chronicles (Yare’ Darkness Bound and Iron Song)
The Crusader takes the reader into the dark underbelly of the Crusades. The protagonist Aaron rides with the “Dark Men” carrying out special covert missions meant to hamper the enemy. These missions are far removed from the battlefield charge, and instead are carried out in darkness to kill all the heathens they encounter. The time Aaron has spent serving among the Dark Men seriously alters his previously held ideas of honor and glory on the battlefield. Yet, by undertaking these missions, Aaron and his companions have been given the promise of absolution for their many sins, and a place in the kingdom of God.
Rayfe the Darkstalker is a vicious killer, who also happens to be the man Aaron must follow on a dangerous mission against an equally deadly adversary. This mission will put both his martial training and his loyalty to the test.
Wilder delivers believable characters, exciting battle scenes and a solid story all around. This was a fast read that held my interest from beginning to end and left me eager for the next book.
- Travis Ludvigson, author of the Nephilim Chronicles (Yare’ Darkness Bound and Iron Song)
August 28, 2015
The Crusader by JP Wilder - 5 out of 5 stars
I actually downloaded the entirety of this book believing it to be the sample. I read the ‘sample’, enjoyed it, and was going to buy the book before I realised I already had read it all.
The story is 11,000 words, and I was very impressed. It read like a fantasy of the crusades. I particularly liked the heathen sorcery and Dark Men (assassins) aspects of this short story. I found it to be a twist that the Dark Men fought for the Crusaders and not the Saracens.
The story has a lot of fighting and a bit of betrayal. The action was fun to read, and I liked how it ended.
This book was free when I downloaded it from Smashwords. My only annoyance is that I felt I would have to download another book to read the continuation of this story.
Overall, if you like fantasy or the crusades then give this an immediate read!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
I actually downloaded the entirety of this book believing it to be the sample. I read the ‘sample’, enjoyed it, and was going to buy the book before I realised I already had read it all.
The story is 11,000 words, and I was very impressed. It read like a fantasy of the crusades. I particularly liked the heathen sorcery and Dark Men (assassins) aspects of this short story. I found it to be a twist that the Dark Men fought for the Crusaders and not the Saracens.
The story has a lot of fighting and a bit of betrayal. The action was fun to read, and I liked how it ended.
This book was free when I downloaded it from Smashwords. My only annoyance is that I felt I would have to download another book to read the continuation of this story.
Overall, if you like fantasy or the crusades then give this an immediate read!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
September 11, 2024
A good story. A warrior finds that war in the name of God isn't what he believed. Recommended reading.
May 20, 2014
I enjoyed The Crusader quite a lot, only downside was the length, but good thing Mr. wilder has the sequel coming shortly.
The action is well paced and gripping, and I especially enjoyed understanding Aaron's (The Crusader) drive and motivation at his bloody vocation. This really puts you in the thick of the intrigue and drama.
This promises to be the beginning of a great series.
The action is well paced and gripping, and I especially enjoyed understanding Aaron's (The Crusader) drive and motivation at his bloody vocation. This really puts you in the thick of the intrigue and drama.
This promises to be the beginning of a great series.
October 20, 2015
Although well-written, this main character and story did not hold my interest. Fans of military fiction should love it, though.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews