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Adept #3
The Templar Treasure
Adam Sinclair, the Adept, must locate the stolen Seal of Solomon-an artifact under the care of the Knights Templar-before dangerous forces unleash the demons the seal has kept bound for centuries.
310 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1993
36 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Kurtz
92 books742 followersKatherine Kurtz is an American fantasy novel writer. She is best known for her Deryni series. She currently lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 27, 2022
3.25 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story... 2.5 - 3.5 Stars
If significant, why?
Main Character Ratings...
H = 2/10
h = 5/10
Narrator Rating(s)
M = 7/10
F = 7/10
If below 5/10,why?
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No
Angst Level? Heavy to Please Stop
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
3 Stars for me!
Internal Monolog? Please stop,.. No really!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... No
Heat Rating... 1/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
The back story... The blurb covers it
The Romance... I think there might have been some but it is completely drowned out by the H's woe with me attitude.
The drama explosion... The H finally gets out why he blames himself for a woman's death.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Contrived
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Slight
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Differently
Final Notes... This story covers a lot of ground between Ireland and the Middle East and is told from different religious perspectives (based on the character's point of view). What I liked was the author let the characters get to know each other which slowly started to alter their perception of their enemies. What made the story difficult for me to care about it was the H and his overly dramatic attitude about every situation. Do I kill her... I must, but I shouldn't. I should die for my failure to protect my charge... but I must finish x quest. I am mad that they put me on this boat with you... Ugh.
I wish the author started changing and redeeming our H at the 50% mark instead of the 98% mark.
HEA or HFN? HFN
My rating range of this story... 2.5 - 3.5 Stars
If significant, why?
Main Character Ratings...
H = 2/10
h = 5/10
Narrator Rating(s)
M = 7/10
F = 7/10
If below 5/10,why?
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No
Angst Level? Heavy to Please Stop
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
3 Stars for me!
Internal Monolog? Please stop,.. No really!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... No
Heat Rating... 1/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
The back story... The blurb covers it
The Romance... I think there might have been some but it is completely drowned out by the H's woe with me attitude.
The drama explosion... The H finally gets out why he blames himself for a woman's death.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Contrived
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Slight
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Differently
Final Notes... This story covers a lot of ground between Ireland and the Middle East and is told from different religious perspectives (based on the character's point of view). What I liked was the author let the characters get to know each other which slowly started to alter their perception of their enemies. What made the story difficult for me to care about it was the H and his overly dramatic attitude about every situation. Do I kill her... I must, but I shouldn't. I should die for my failure to protect my charge... but I must finish x quest. I am mad that they put me on this boat with you... Ugh.
I wish the author started changing and redeeming our H at the 50% mark instead of the 98% mark.
HEA or HFN? HFN
November 3, 2022
"A SECRET BROTHERHOOD. AN ANCIENT EVIL . . . .
"Mystic and historian, Sir Adam Sinclair is Master of the Hunt, leader of a secret brotherhood at war with the dark and unholy Powers that menace our world.
"Now an urgent summons sets the Adept on a life-or-death search for the Seal of Solomon, an ancient bronze artifact that can bind -- or unleash -- the demons of old. Guarded for centuries by the legendary Knights Templar, the Seal has been stolen by ruthless and dangerous forces. If humanity is to survive, Sinclair must complete the quest for . . .
"THE TEMPLAR TREASURE"
~~back cover
I was disappointed in this book. I've read The Chronicles of the Deryni and The Legends of Camber of Culdi and enjoyed them very much. But this book was so repetitious: Sr Adam and his policeman friend and his fellow Huntsman race around Scotland and England to various sites that provide a further clue to the Seal, the Sceptre and the Crown -- all of which are needed to keep Gog and Magog from escaping their millennia-old prison. At each of these sites, Sr Adam &/or the policeman go into a trance to be hypnotically age regressed back through past lives to get the answers. There's always a good deal of very turgid prose about warding, and the Templar history, etc. It became so monotonous that I skimmed and skipped at the end of the book. I consider that a dmaning statement.
"Mystic and historian, Sir Adam Sinclair is Master of the Hunt, leader of a secret brotherhood at war with the dark and unholy Powers that menace our world.
"Now an urgent summons sets the Adept on a life-or-death search for the Seal of Solomon, an ancient bronze artifact that can bind -- or unleash -- the demons of old. Guarded for centuries by the legendary Knights Templar, the Seal has been stolen by ruthless and dangerous forces. If humanity is to survive, Sinclair must complete the quest for . . .
"THE TEMPLAR TREASURE"
~~back cover
I was disappointed in this book. I've read The Chronicles of the Deryni and The Legends of Camber of Culdi and enjoyed them very much. But this book was so repetitious: Sr Adam and his policeman friend and his fellow Huntsman race around Scotland and England to various sites that provide a further clue to the Seal, the Sceptre and the Crown -- all of which are needed to keep Gog and Magog from escaping their millennia-old prison. At each of these sites, Sr Adam &/or the policeman go into a trance to be hypnotically age regressed back through past lives to get the answers. There's always a good deal of very turgid prose about warding, and the Templar history, etc. It became so monotonous that I skimmed and skipped at the end of the book. I consider that a dmaning statement.
November 30, 2022
The listing isn't quite correct. This series is by Katherine Kurtz AND Deborah Harris.
I wish they would write more (and I'm not the only one to wish this -- based on comments at the WorldCon).
Rightly or wrongly, there is an air of mystery about the Masons and the Templar Knights. Certainly they have been maligned by many because of the private nature of the groups. Some want to assume the worst -- or invent the worst.
These books approach the Templars from a "caretaker" point of view -- bringing in the spiritual, what would be called "magic", and a deep respect and honor to protect. This particular volume involves a sacred trust given to the Templars which was hidden, and protected, because of its danger. There are always those who think a treasure means worldly wealth -- arousing greed and envy. But a treasure can be spiritual or of basic evil to be hidden. A good read.
I wish they would write more (and I'm not the only one to wish this -- based on comments at the WorldCon).
Rightly or wrongly, there is an air of mystery about the Masons and the Templar Knights. Certainly they have been maligned by many because of the private nature of the groups. Some want to assume the worst -- or invent the worst.
These books approach the Templars from a "caretaker" point of view -- bringing in the spiritual, what would be called "magic", and a deep respect and honor to protect. This particular volume involves a sacred trust given to the Templars which was hidden, and protected, because of its danger. There are always those who think a treasure means worldly wealth -- arousing greed and envy. But a treasure can be spiritual or of basic evil to be hidden. A good read.
May 22, 2020
Another very good book in this Adept series. This book seemed to focus more on action and less on discussion of the spiritual realities behind what was happening, which made it a quicker read but perhaps slightly less satisfying on one level, since one thing I particularly like about this series is the recognition of the spiritual aspects of life and their role in the development of the characters. Like the other books, it gets into history - in this case focused on the Templars - which I also appreciate.
June 15, 2018
Am re-reading this series. Again she does throw in almost every fantastic element you can think of but on the whole I thought this one had the most interesting story line of the bunch so far. A bit overboard with the Templars white aura but it's her story.
December 25, 2018
Not a bad conclusion
This is a standalone book in the series. Besides a brief history, which the author gives you, nothing else is needed to enjoy the book.
This is a standalone book in the series. Besides a brief history, which the author gives you, nothing else is needed to enjoy the book.
Read
April 18, 2023Excellent and creative slants on ye old days. Enjoyable. With magic thrown in to tie it together nicely.
Read
March 13, 2017Another good book from these authors. The Scooby gang are after an evil doer who is after King Soloman's treasure. But he's mistaken and what he's after is very evil.
December 9, 2019
The re-read continues.
There's some really interesting stuff on the esoteric side in volume three, going further into the ideas of past-life regression, reincarnation, and even a little flirtation with gender identity through the soul. There's some deep stuff in there that's fun to play around with.
Additionally, this book takes further note of the Templars and has a little fun with their Scottish connections and definitely makes a case for them as a goodly group persecuted by corrupt and evil men. Not a lot of shades of grey there, but it works in the context of the story. The intersection with Scottish history and various rebellions is also entertaining and a not-unreasonable weaving with historical figures.
Adam Sinclair is distinctly the lead in this book and why I still maintain he's not the best suited to the role, he is a little less perfect and impossibly wonderful this time...but not by much. At least here he needs some new allies and isn't the complete know-it-all. Peregrine and Noel are more clearly supporting players and get no page time without their leader, which is a disappointment.
the plot itself is a pretty solid one and a definite divergence from the earlier books, which is a good thing, expanding the scope of the Hunting Party and introducing some interesting esoteric traditions and artifacts. Solomon's relics are intriguing and the introduction of Jewish mysticism (even if only in a small way) as well as other esoteric traditions in England are welcome additions.
Fun books, not overly deep. Much more self-contained than recent series are, I would argue. It wouldn't be terribly difficult for someone to pick up book three and roll with it, unlike the disaster starting in the middle would be with many series.
There's some really interesting stuff on the esoteric side in volume three, going further into the ideas of past-life regression, reincarnation, and even a little flirtation with gender identity through the soul. There's some deep stuff in there that's fun to play around with.
Additionally, this book takes further note of the Templars and has a little fun with their Scottish connections and definitely makes a case for them as a goodly group persecuted by corrupt and evil men. Not a lot of shades of grey there, but it works in the context of the story. The intersection with Scottish history and various rebellions is also entertaining and a not-unreasonable weaving with historical figures.
Adam Sinclair is distinctly the lead in this book and why I still maintain he's not the best suited to the role, he is a little less perfect and impossibly wonderful this time...but not by much. At least here he needs some new allies and isn't the complete know-it-all. Peregrine and Noel are more clearly supporting players and get no page time without their leader, which is a disappointment.
the plot itself is a pretty solid one and a definite divergence from the earlier books, which is a good thing, expanding the scope of the Hunting Party and introducing some interesting esoteric traditions and artifacts. Solomon's relics are intriguing and the introduction of Jewish mysticism (even if only in a small way) as well as other esoteric traditions in England are welcome additions.
Fun books, not overly deep. Much more self-contained than recent series are, I would argue. It wouldn't be terribly difficult for someone to pick up book three and roll with it, unlike the disaster starting in the middle would be with many series.
March 13, 2013
The Templar Treasure was a bit of a break from the first two books in the Adept series. The enemy from the first two books is gone, along with the just introduced romance for Sir Adam.
Instead, a solitary figure, along with a hired hand, have stolen an antique from an old friend of Adam's, fatally injuring the man in the process. The victim calls for Adam, who arrives just in time to find out that the antique is perported to be the mystical Seal of Solomon, and key to a lost templar 'treasure'.
From there, it becomes a hunt to find the quickly identified perpetrator before he can unlock the 'treasure'. There's a lot of Templar history, but the overall plot is pretty simple. The story is also quite a bit shorter than the previous books, and the story a lot lighter.
It also brings in an elderly Sir John Graham, one of the main heroes of Ms Kurtz's Lammas Night, a novel of the pagan defense of England during World War II. It was interesting having the two different groups working together, since Sir Adam and his people are very Christianity oriented (and Templar descended), while Sir John and his people are more pagan based. Different traditions with the same goal of protecting people.
I do now have the urge to reread Lammas Night after I finish my reread of the Adept series.
Instead, a solitary figure, along with a hired hand, have stolen an antique from an old friend of Adam's, fatally injuring the man in the process. The victim calls for Adam, who arrives just in time to find out that the antique is perported to be the mystical Seal of Solomon, and key to a lost templar 'treasure'.
From there, it becomes a hunt to find the quickly identified perpetrator before he can unlock the 'treasure'. There's a lot of Templar history, but the overall plot is pretty simple. The story is also quite a bit shorter than the previous books, and the story a lot lighter.
It also brings in an elderly Sir John Graham, one of the main heroes of Ms Kurtz's Lammas Night, a novel of the pagan defense of England during World War II. It was interesting having the two different groups working together, since Sir Adam and his people are very Christianity oriented (and Templar descended), while Sir John and his people are more pagan based. Different traditions with the same goal of protecting people.
I do now have the urge to reread Lammas Night after I finish my reread of the Adept series.
February 12, 2008
Third installment in the Adept series by Kurtz & Harris, this one is decidely much better than the previous two. Maybe it's because I have a great interest in the Knights Templar, in occult fiction and I'm a sucker for stories of arcane knowledge, but I really enjoyed this book.
Our Huntsment friends Adam, Noel, and Peregrine (why can't they at least call him Perry?) are back in their game once more. As the story opens, a very dear friend of Adam's, Nathan Fiennes, has been seriously wounded in the course of a robbery at his home. But this is no ordinary home robbery; the thieves are looking for what is purported to be Solomon's Seal, given into the care of the Templar Knights in the past. Even before his wife can call an ambulance, Fiennes begs her to call Adam Sinclair. Once Adam is brought in, he will stop at nothing once he realizes the power of the Seal.
There is a LOT of history regarding the Knights Templar in Scotland; very well done. However, I would be sure to read the first two before this one in the series so you have some clue as to Adam Sinclair's history.
read 04/08/2006
Our Huntsment friends Adam, Noel, and Peregrine (why can't they at least call him Perry?) are back in their game once more. As the story opens, a very dear friend of Adam's, Nathan Fiennes, has been seriously wounded in the course of a robbery at his home. But this is no ordinary home robbery; the thieves are looking for what is purported to be Solomon's Seal, given into the care of the Templar Knights in the past. Even before his wife can call an ambulance, Fiennes begs her to call Adam Sinclair. Once Adam is brought in, he will stop at nothing once he realizes the power of the Seal.
There is a LOT of history regarding the Knights Templar in Scotland; very well done. However, I would be sure to read the first two before this one in the series so you have some clue as to Adam Sinclair's history.
read 04/08/2006
February 2, 2009
Wow, long time, lots read, but no update.
Anyway, the third book in Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris's The Adept series is possibly the best one yet. Well-paced for the sort of adventure story is aspires to be (the first two felt sluggish and uneven in places), it's a well-told tale of Adam, McLeod, and Peregrine's search to uncover the truth behind a stolen seal purported to be Solomon's Seal.
The authoresses return to the topic of reincarnation and gender, which they barely touched on in the first book. Here, we finally get to see more of Adam Sinclair's past lives: his Templar Knight persona is given a name--Jauffre de St. Clair--and a new persona is introduced, Jean Seton. Even the Egyptian priest puts in an appearance at the end. The work our three heroes do at Fyvie Castle regarding the "devil" in the Charter Room and Grizel Seton--Jean's sister who was murdered defending Solomon's Crown--is the most entertaining part of the book. I hope the "devil" is revisited later in the series as is Lindsay Oriani, the antiquities dealer whose masculine past lives heavily influence her current one.
Anyway, the third book in Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris's The Adept series is possibly the best one yet. Well-paced for the sort of adventure story is aspires to be (the first two felt sluggish and uneven in places), it's a well-told tale of Adam, McLeod, and Peregrine's search to uncover the truth behind a stolen seal purported to be Solomon's Seal.
The authoresses return to the topic of reincarnation and gender, which they barely touched on in the first book. Here, we finally get to see more of Adam Sinclair's past lives: his Templar Knight persona is given a name--Jauffre de St. Clair--and a new persona is introduced, Jean Seton. Even the Egyptian priest puts in an appearance at the end. The work our three heroes do at Fyvie Castle regarding the "devil" in the Charter Room and Grizel Seton--Jean's sister who was murdered defending Solomon's Crown--is the most entertaining part of the book. I hope the "devil" is revisited later in the series as is Lindsay Oriani, the antiquities dealer whose masculine past lives heavily influence her current one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2015
This is the third book of this series, and I like it better than the preceding books. That is because I found the lead character, Sir Adam Sinclair, to be just a little too perfect in the first two books.
Not here.
This book steps away from the establishing a confrontation with the rival Lodge of the Lynx and sets Sir Adam and his companions directly into a murder mystery that soon spirals out into a much more important quest. From the start, they and particularly Sir Adam are continually off-balance and one step behind the murderer up until the final confrontation, which is a much more serious encounter than just confronting a murderer. However, by being less than as perfect as he was, his eventual victory is much more satisfying.
Not here.
This book steps away from the establishing a confrontation with the rival Lodge of the Lynx and sets Sir Adam and his companions directly into a murder mystery that soon spirals out into a much more important quest. From the start, they and particularly Sir Adam are continually off-balance and one step behind the murderer up until the final confrontation, which is a much more serious encounter than just confronting a murderer. However, by being less than as perfect as he was, his eventual victory is much more satisfying.
October 15, 2021
I took a star off my rating because—although we’ve always known Adam got much of his power from the Light—this time the supernatural agents of the Light took a direct role. Deus ex machina in a (very close to) literal sense.
February 14, 2011
One of an enjoyable series which I revist periodically. This is probably my favourite of them.
January 30, 2012
Next book in the Adept series reread. This is the one that ties directly with Kurtz's earlier Lammas Night.
December 10, 2012
HORRIBLE!
May 27, 2015
This one is kind of separate from the thread in the other 4 books in the series, but interesting in its own right. Makes me want to spend a lot more time in the UK and especially Scotland.
December 9, 2013
This is the third volume of the series and retains the excitement of the first novel. A fun read I had a hard time putting down.
December 9, 2015
This story was interesting. There was less focus on the "evil" and more on previous lives, which was interesting.
January 28, 2016
"The Templar Treasure" - written by Katherine Kurtz and published in 1993 by Berkley Publishing Group. A satisfying, exciting read in the Adept series. Read on Cape Cod.
June 29, 2023
Even after reading more than half a dozen times the story still wraps me in fascination with all the bits of lore so wonderfully presented!
December 29, 2022
Not as good as books 1 & 2, but still good.
May 31, 2017
Inizio del ciclo delle avventure del detective Pendergast, molto esoterico, affascinante per chi ama il mistero
June 7, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews