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The Last King of Legends #1
The Kingmakers
In 1174 King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem is thrust into power at age thirteen. Only a few individuals know his greatest secret--he is a leper. Despite all their training and abilities, they cannot teach him to live long, so they teach him how to reign great and craft a king myths are made of--a king history almost forgot. They are The Kingmakers to The Last King of Legends.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 1, 2016
As the first book in a historical fiction series based on the life of King Baldwin IV, The Kingmakers looks at Baldwin's early life as his leprosy is diagnosed. It tackles the intrigue of the court in Jerusalem, the situation at the time, and the viewpoints of the people. With a small handful of aides assigned to him by his father, Baldwin must learn everything he might need, not only if he is to become King one day but also how to manage the additional challenges of his leprosy in the face of how it is viewed by the people.
Serafia Cross does a masterful job of getting us to understand Baldwin's mindset, to convey his very real struggles, and the further adjustments he must make when he becomes King at the age of 13 (requiring a Regent until he is 15). We also get a great deal of characterization of those who are closest to Baldwin and how they each come to support him and why. This is quite easily the book's strongest aspect, the amount of characterization. In addition, there is a beautifully achieved balance in the layout so that we are never reading for too long about the intrigues of court or Baldwin's training without the scene changing. This helps keep the book moving at a captivating pace until the very last page.
Serafia Cross does a masterful job of getting us to understand Baldwin's mindset, to convey his very real struggles, and the further adjustments he must make when he becomes King at the age of 13 (requiring a Regent until he is 15). We also get a great deal of characterization of those who are closest to Baldwin and how they each come to support him and why. This is quite easily the book's strongest aspect, the amount of characterization. In addition, there is a beautifully achieved balance in the layout so that we are never reading for too long about the intrigues of court or Baldwin's training without the scene changing. This helps keep the book moving at a captivating pace until the very last page.
September 20, 2014
I had never heard of Baldwin IV of the Kingdom of Jerusalem before. This book introduces us to him as a pre-teen prince that practicing with his sword when it becomes evident that he not feeling a minor injury. His father brings in two Arab brothers; one a healer the other an arms master. The healer does everything he can to delay the creeping effects of leprosy while his brother teaches Baldwin to ride, fight, and lead like a king despite his increasing lack of feeling in his limbs. Totally enjoyed this book about Baldwin IV, the teenage leper king of Jerusalem. There were some mis-spellings and errors in sentence structure but nothing that detracted from the overall story. There are three more books planned in this series and I'm looking forward to her next one.
September 6, 2024
Un día me encontraba vagando por Tiktok cuando de repente surgió en mi FYP un edit de un tal "King Baldwin IV". Desconocía al personaje y el material de donde había salido, pero inmediatamente me vi atraída por su misticismo y su increíble presentación enmascarada. Al darle like al video, el algoritmo hizo lo suyo y comenzó a envolverme en un sin fin de edits de él... así fue como, después de una compulsiva búsqueda sobre su persona, me encontré entre el poco material literario, esta joya.
"The Kingmakers" es la primera parte de una saga de 4 libros que nos relatan la vida del Rey Baldwin IV de Jerusalén, un personaje más conocido por la enfermedad que lo aquejaba que por sus hazañas durante su reinado. Algo muy injusto si me lo preguntan, pues gracias a la información sobre él se puede saber que aunque su tiempo como Rey fue corto, logró mantener unido y a salvo al Reino de Jerusalén.
Serafia Cross hace un excelente trabajo en este primero libro, introduciéndonos en la vida de Baldwin desde su niñez, algo que personalmente ansiaba leer pues de lo que se tiene sobre su vida, más que una biografía son recuentos de solo sucesos considerados importantes a nivel histórico.
Su caracterización de Baldwin me ha parecido muy buena y acorde, incluso, a lo que yo misma me había imaginado, por lo que fue un verdadero placer de leer. Personajes como su maestro de armas Khair y su hermano, el médico Sulayman, me tomaron por sorpresa al no esperar que tuvieran tanto peso en la historia, pero me he quedado encantada con ambos, así como con Deverick y el joven William Longsword (este último me resultó encantador).
Me ha gustado bastante cómo desarrolla momentos importantes en la vida de Baldwin, tales como el diagnóstico de su enfermedad, la muerte de su padre y su coronación, la tensión que envuelve todo este proceso, su primer experiencia en batalla, el regreso de su madre y hermana y como va enfrentándose a las intrigas de la corte y problemas de su nación (que no hacen más que aumentar), a la vez que lucha contra su enfermedad.
Sin duda una increíble primera parte, que se va como agua gracias a los capítulos cortos. Es fácil de leer y seguir, el texto no se siente muy cargado, pues se detalla lo necesario para que la historia avance a buen ritmo. Lo recomiendo totalmente para aquellos interesados en la historia en general o de las cruzadas, e igual, para los fanáticos de este tan interesante —y trágico— Rey de Jerusalén.
"The Kingmakers" es la primera parte de una saga de 4 libros que nos relatan la vida del Rey Baldwin IV de Jerusalén, un personaje más conocido por la enfermedad que lo aquejaba que por sus hazañas durante su reinado. Algo muy injusto si me lo preguntan, pues gracias a la información sobre él se puede saber que aunque su tiempo como Rey fue corto, logró mantener unido y a salvo al Reino de Jerusalén.
Serafia Cross hace un excelente trabajo en este primero libro, introduciéndonos en la vida de Baldwin desde su niñez, algo que personalmente ansiaba leer pues de lo que se tiene sobre su vida, más que una biografía son recuentos de solo sucesos considerados importantes a nivel histórico.
Su caracterización de Baldwin me ha parecido muy buena y acorde, incluso, a lo que yo misma me había imaginado, por lo que fue un verdadero placer de leer. Personajes como su maestro de armas Khair y su hermano, el médico Sulayman, me tomaron por sorpresa al no esperar que tuvieran tanto peso en la historia, pero me he quedado encantada con ambos, así como con Deverick y el joven William Longsword (este último me resultó encantador).
Me ha gustado bastante cómo desarrolla momentos importantes en la vida de Baldwin, tales como el diagnóstico de su enfermedad, la muerte de su padre y su coronación, la tensión que envuelve todo este proceso, su primer experiencia en batalla, el regreso de su madre y hermana y como va enfrentándose a las intrigas de la corte y problemas de su nación (que no hacen más que aumentar), a la vez que lucha contra su enfermedad.
Sin duda una increíble primera parte, que se va como agua gracias a los capítulos cortos. Es fácil de leer y seguir, el texto no se siente muy cargado, pues se detalla lo necesario para que la historia avance a buen ritmo. Lo recomiendo totalmente para aquellos interesados en la historia en general o de las cruzadas, e igual, para los fanáticos de este tan interesante —y trágico— Rey de Jerusalén.
February 15, 2012
Cultural differences and a kingdom fraying around the edges set the stage for a young prince who has just received the diagnosis of his life: leprosy. Prince Baldwin IV faces his new affliction with calm resolve, learning his duties as heir to the throne as a gentle healer tends his spreading disease. His training as leader of the army of Jerusalem is not neglected when the enemy of the kingdom, Saladin, sends his weapons master, Khair, to begin training the nine-year-old. The Christian Arab’s brother, Sulayman, is the assigned physician to the young prince.
Other royal advisors and leaders rise in the midst of turmoil to make a king from the strong but afflicted boy.
I can’t get over the amazing circumstances of the historical events during these days of the Crusades when Christians ruled the Holy Land. A leper king? Christian Arab brothers sent to aid the enemy’s heir to the throne? A man fighting alongside a man he once fought on the battlefield?
In spite of his rash temper and killing without thought, my favorite character in this story is Khair. He’s a warrior, yet possesses wisdom and understanding of political, social, even emotional issues. In all the ways that matter, to me, the real kingmaker is Khair.
But at the same time, I know who the true Kingmaker was in this story and for all time.
If you enjoy historical fiction, and don’t mind some realistic battle scenes, visit www.SerafiaCross.com for info on getting your copy of The Last King of Legends: The Kingmakers.
I look forward to the next book in this series by Serafia Cross.
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
August 30, 2012
Wonderful, gripping tale of the life of King Baldwin IV, the leper king during the time of the crusades. You will learn much about history and what life was truly like for both a leper and a king hundreds of years ago.
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I have already read this book three times in the alst year, and her 2nd novel is due to come out soon.
Please read!
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I have already read this book three times in the alst year, and her 2nd novel is due to come out soon.
Please read!
Want to read
August 16, 2014Can someone please tell me where can I read online or download this book?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews