Pagan's Vows

Pagan Chronicles #3

by Catherine Jinks, Peter de Sève (Illustrator)

"Jinks again displays an amazing knack for blending utterly convincing period detail, earthy wisecracking, and profound respect for courtly and spiritual ideals."—BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Having renounced the sword, Pagan and Lord Roland arrive at the Abbey of St. Martin to devote their lives to God. But no sooner are they outfitted in their novices' habits than Pagan suspects that something mysterious is going someone is stealing alms, and Pagan is determined to find out who. The truth may come at a price, however — one that could force Pagan to reconsider his pious role and his dedication to Roland. Now available in paperback, the third adventure of the four-book Pagan Chronicles is a medieval thriller that leads the reader through a web of mystery and intrigue in the most unlikely of places.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Medieval, Fantasy, Teen

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Catherine Jinks is the Australian author of more than thirty books for all ages. She has garnered many awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award(three times), the Victorian Premier’s Award, the Aurealis Award for Science Fiction, the Australian Ibby Award, and the Davitt Award for Crime Fiction. Her work has been published in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, the United States, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Thailand.

Catherine was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1963. She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer. Her high-school years were spent in Sydney, NSW; in 2006, her alma mater, Ku-ring-gai High School, named its library after her.

From 1982 to 1986, Catherine studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with an honours degree in medieval history. She then worked on Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine for approximately seven years. In 1992 she married Peter Dockrill, a Canadian journalist; in 1993 she and her husband left Australia for a brief spell in Nova Scotia, where she began to write full time. They returned to Australia in 1994, and Catherine gave birth to her daughter Hannah in 1997. Since 1998, she and her family have been living in Leura, NSW.

She has two brothers, and two pet rats. Like most people in Leura, she has become a slave to her garden, but not to the extent that she’ll buy rooting powder.

Catherine has been writing books since she was eight years old. She doesn’t expect to stop writing them any time soon.

Author photo: Catherine Jinks in front of 'Conceptual Networks', by artist Paul du Moulin.
Photo by Paul du Moulin

Reviews

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up until this installment this series has been a fun enjoyable read for me but not a lot more than that. Now I might count it among my favorite series. This book was so good. The best of the series thus far. It keeps Pagan's hilarious narration but the stakes in this book are more serious (or at least feel more serious) than the previous books. The characterization is phenomenal, the plot kept me guessing, and I was very invested in the outcome. I can't wait to read the next book and I'd highly recommend this series.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best book of the Pagan series, this book is a sort of medieval crime thriller - told with the usual humour and warmth of all the Pagan books. There's so much in this short little book, from the introduction of multiple didtinct and wonderfully human characters to the intricate plot of monastery intrigue... I absolutely love it, and still re-read it from time to time, years after first coming across this series.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished it in one night. Has all the poignancy and humor of the others with just a touch more maturity.

[Mitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviews of this book led me to believe I'd enjoy it. It didn't work out like that.

I've read a lot of books and can think of no other that contains such a density of personal insults. The main character seems to do little else in the beginning of the book. It's supposed to be clever and humorous, but it eventually ends up simply making him seem like a nasty person. It doesn't end there; the insults continue to fill the pages until they actually become boring.

Truthfully, the insults taper off a lot near the end of the book as the main character learns to accept the people and situations he is surrounded by- so the insults were a crude measurement of his personal development.

But moving along...

It also seemed as if the characters...all novices or monks living inside a monastery and therefore supposedly devoted to God...had little more than a veneer of religion painted lightly over them.

Also there was so much Latin that I began skimming right over every italicized phrase I encountered, knowing that if I slowed down my reading to pronounce it silently, it wouldn't add anything since understanding wouldn't accompany my efforts. I think it's safe to say most readers would have a similar experience.

I also have to wonder if a monastery would accept an applicant with the name of Pagan without changing it when he was accepted in. Seriously- Pagan? This may have been literary license intended to show he didn't belong there, but still it seems a pretty overt violation of monastic practice.

Young adult readers would more likely find this book more enjoyable than I did, but I wouldn't recommend it to them. There are better novels out there.

[Lana Del Slay · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'll freely admit that Pagan In Exile wasn't as glorious on this reread as I had wished, Pagan's Vows made up for that and more, partly because things that were set up in Book Two get paid off here, and partly because the characterization feels more like it did in Book One (which, remember, I have yet to review but have read repeatedly).

Roland and Pagan have left Bram for the Abbey of St Martin, and it should surprise no one that trouble has followed them here. Unfortunately, all the traits Pagan's picked up in order to survive serve him poorly in a monastery. He's mouthy, and the monks don't appreciate it, especially Clement, who immediately puts him in a one-novice honors program in Latin and rhetoric.

The changes in Roland and Pagan, and between Roland and Pagan, make up the heart of the series for me. Roland's guilt over loving Esclaramonde in Book Two, and his subsequent grief, put a rift between himself and Pagan for a good chunk of the book. Roland's motivation now is not to lose anyone else he loves, which at this point is Pagan. However you read their relationship (platonic or would've-been-gay-in-the-21st-century) it's clear they're the dearest people to each other on the face of the earth. This monastery is their last chance at a peaceful life, and not only is Roland all torn up over losing Esclaramonde, he's terrified that Pagan's misadventures will get Pagan kicked out, forcing Roland to go after him because a life without Pagan is no life at all.

Neither of them understand that what Pagan is getting from Clement is actually a top-notch education. One of the big reveals at the end of the novel, and the setup for Books Four and Five, is that no matter what Pagan tries to do, he'll never be a monk. He will, however, make a fantastic canon lawyer, given his sharp intellect and, shall we say, penchant for spirited discourse. Clement turns out to be rather proud of Pagan, his best student in many years. It's a sweet little turnabout.

Pagan's motivation, past "fit in here for Roland's sake", is to bring Aeldred the almoner and Montazin the cellarer to justice. Montazin is blackmailing Aeldred, who was booted out of his last monastery for molesting the boys in his charge. Pagan takes a dim view of molestation, not merely because it's wrong but because the same thing happened where Pagan grew up -- never to him, but to a boy called Lambert. Sadly, Lambert isn't the only instance of which Pagan is aware. He considers this commonplace. Pagan will stop at nothing to see Aeldred removed from St Martin. Nobody's been hurt yet. He intends to keep it that way.

Watching Pagan's problem-solving is as brilliant as watching his temper is painful. Oh, Pagan. Because there's always going to be a part of him that believes that violence solves everything. It's to be expected of a boy who had to fend for himself on the streets of Jerusalem, whose very birth was the result of a rape. We're never allowed to forget that the monastery is an exception to a brutal rule. Roland, newly converted to pacifism, cannot exist outside these walls. Pagan, with no such scruples, has fierce explosions of fury that wouldn't look strange anywhere but here.

It's the "anywhere but here" that ultimately saves his bacon. Once Pagan gets proof of Aeldred's misdeeds at his former home, Montazin attempts to kill him for it -- and fails, but has already killed Pagan's ally and unlikely friend Raymond, rather a Malfoyesque figure to Pagan's Potter. Montazin's failure is only down to Roland's overriding instinct to protect Pagan:

I'd rather forget Montazin. He may have deserved it, but [. . .] Once he was a man, and now he's -- what? Half a man? Sitting there blank-eyed, drooling, making vague gestures and uttering meaningless words. [. . .] I don't want to see him again. I don't want to see what Roland did to him with that candlestick.

Montazin may have made Pagan deaf in one ear, but Roland inflicted a traumatic brain injury on Montazin and Montazin will never be the same. Somehow Roland is okay with this outcome, not only because Pagan's safe, but because he is slowly learning about God's mercy, not exactly a point of emphasis in that old-time religion.

Reading Pagan and Roland's parting is always painful. -- Yes, Roland stays on to be a monk; he can't survive anywhere else. He can't go on to study at Carcassonne with Pagan, because Roland couldn't even read before he entered the monastery. He won't take up arms for anyone. So Roland's got to be a monk or he's going to starve. Still, it's a tearful goodbye for all of us: Roland, Pagan, and me. "What man doth live without affections?" asks Abbot Anselm. The only reason Roland can accept this parting at all is because Pagan will prosper by it. He'll go to university, which monks cannot.

The last we see of Roland and Pagan, Pagan is sobbing in Roland's arms because this man has been the first to see anything worthwhile in him, the very first ever to care whether he lived or died, and again: however you read their relationship, it is abundantly clear that here is love. In a reversal of roles, it is Roland who acts the squire to Pagan, Roland who recognises that Pagan will rise to such great heights and that he must be content to have known him when. Roland helps Pagan dress, puts him in the saddle -- remember Pagan is still injured from his fight with Montazin -- and bids him farewell:

"Pray for me. Think of me." He grabs my good hand and presses it to his lips. He folds my fingers around the reins. He steps back. "I'll see you again," he says, and slaps the white crupper in front of him.

And for that reason, I can't imagine wanting to read the other books.

I can't imagine Pagan without Roland, through some other narrator's eyes, and I'm not sure I'd enjoy the journey as much as I have with these two. Book Three feels very much like a proper ending, so much so that I'd divide the Pagan Chronicles into a trilogy and a couple of stand-alone sequels. I may read them, so I can find out what happened next, but I probably won't be reviewing them in this kind of detail. I probably won't even be thinking about them in detail. I'll rate them, but I may not be bothered to have an opinion because I'm so spoiled by the story of Pagan and Roland that the story of Pagan without Roland just doesn't interest me. They're David and Jonathan set in 12th-century France. What wouldn't I love about that?

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roland has left his family home and renounced the worldly ways. He has entered into the monastery as a novice seeking to join the order. Pagan consequently find himself tagging along. Again. Life as a novice is easy for Roland; not for Pagan. Pagan has spent too much time among the worldly. Although Pagan is sincere in his efforts, he is consistently and constantly out of step. Pagan discovers some less that priestly behaviors among the monks which threaten not only Roland's serenity also Pagan's life. Throughout it all, Pagan is constantly tested by one old monk on the subtleties of the law. His vocation is constantly being called into question. Finally, Roland recognizes that the circumstances are less than holy and once again rescues Pagan. The Bishop intervenes leading nicely into the forth book of this quartet, Pagan's Scribe, to be published in March 2005.

[Ktmholm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third volume follows the fortunes of Pagan Kidrouk, teenage squire of Lord Roland. Distressed by events in the previous book, Roland has decided to withdraw from the Knights Templar and become a monk, and loyal Pagan has followed. However, Pagan’s hardly the best candidate for the monastery, and when he discovers a possible scandal and corruption within the holy walls, he stops at nothing to uncover it.
Though the story didn’t grab me, it still was an interesting read, easily paving the way toward a surprising ending.

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series as a teenager in the mid-2000s and loved it. I thought it was funny, and even had its heart-breaking moments.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a Knight of the Temple and his squire as they try to leave the horrors of their time in Jerusalem and follow God's path in a Benedictine monestary. Actually this is the squire's, Pagan's, tale.

They enter the monastary as novices and Pagan finds intrigue at every turn. I can really relate to Pagan, in his mind he talks back and insults those in charge, but verbally he says what he is supposed to say, most of the time.

When I was half-way through the book, I noticed on the cover that it was book #3. This is a stand alone tale, and has got me intrigued in the first two. I can assume that they are about Pagan's early life, and then about him and Roland in Jerusalem. Although the tale ends with him saying goodbye to Roland, you can anticipate what book #4 will be about. I enjoyed this book so much, that I will now be on the hunt for the rest of Pagan's tales.

While this is a young adult tale, due to some language, I would recommend that this would be for kids over 13.

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not as good as the previous installments, "Pagan's Vows" is still full of the wit, sarcasm and brilliance that made the series not only enjoyable, but memorable.

Pagan and Roland have entered a monastery in an attempt for Roland to do penance for his sins in killing many and loving a heretic (Pagan thinks Roland is the embodiment of holiness and has no need for repentance of anything) and for Pagan to find something even resembling a home. But life at the monastery is not all Pagan hoped it would be. Roland begins to waste away and withdraws into himself while Pagan must first deal with the heckling and bullying he's come to expect, but then after uncovering a vile plot involving several monks, must decide how to procede and who to tell.

Great novel, and as always Pagan is the star attraction and his remarks about a holy place that isn't so holy are highly amusing.

[Fatima Sarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How can this be happening? How did I get all these friends?"
- Pagan

Bittersweet.

Pagan is now in a monastery with his (not) Lord Roland and they are both novices aiming to become monks. But a monastery is a hell were a lot goes on between it's (sacred) walls and trouble comes knocking on Pagan's door.

A significant character dies, I felt really bad for Raymond. Also, I'm happy Pagan finally found friends he could trust.

The ending was really rounded off well, softening the acerbic wit and sarcasm of this book. Pagan and Roland (he of the aristocratic nose) finally parts. One to become a monk and Pagan to go to university. As usual, this book gets zilch points for description and the sarcasm is somewhat overused.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pagan and (no longer Lord) Roland find themselves joining a monastery in France. Roland is looking for redemption from having fallen in love with a heretic (Esclaramonde from Pagan in Exile). Roland seems truly dedicated to the life. Pagan however, is having a hard time. He always seems to be getting into trouble. But when he discovers that there may be corruption in the monastery and innocent people may be harmed, he stops at nothing to solve the mystery.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The series has become nondescript. The books run together: the action is the same, the characters are different but numbingly similar, even the dialogue is running out of originality (how many times will Pagan call someone a bog-brain before the end?) I didn't really follow the plot with much interest, because it's not terribly different from the others; I didn't really care what happened. If you're dying for more Pagan Kidrouk, go for it, but don't expect much innovation.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pagan and Lord Roland are tired of fighting, so they join a monastary to seek peace. Roland is willing to submit and obey, but Pagan continues to attract trouble. Someone is stealing alms, and Pagan is determined to figure out who. Is Pagan destined to kneel in prayer, or is there a different future for him?

[Shannon]

Yes!! Back to the sarcastic, literally laugh-out-loud humor that was so vibrant in the first book of the series! This plot had a sinister twist in it, and I finished it in practically a day to figure out what would happen. Makes one wonder how the fourth book will go. Pagan seems to be all grown up now, and grown up is never any fun, is it?

[Lisa Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still love Pagan, still love Roland despite wanting to smack some sense into him on occasion. But OUCH, what these characters go through.. Although book two had more of a sense of hopelessness, this one was still much darker than book one. I'm a bit afraid to read book four because I suspect it's going to rip my heart out.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a mystery set in a medieval monastery. I liked it but felt that the author copped out by having all the big denouement happen while the narrator/main character was unconscious. It's a little too tidy, having him wake up and get told how everything turned out.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at monastic culture through Pagan's often irreverent yet sincere perceptions. I am a bit skeptical about the target-age reader dcealing with the untranslated Latin but then I probably would have relished the challenge when I was that age.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've stopped reading this series because it was just too sad. Why didn't Roland believe Pagan when he told him what he'd discovered? I think I'll read the next one after some time, but I find it difficult to read books when absolutely everything goes wrong, time after time!

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F JIN pagan bk. 3

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. But I'm still going to read #4.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the ending, but some of the subject matter makes me uncomfortable. I want everything nice, not always that in a corrupt monastery.

[Brandon Meikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. All about Pagan becoming a Monk

[Rebecca Radnor]

kindle

[Bron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first four Pagan novels when I was younger and loved them, particularly the narrative style. I'd love to read them again some day.

[Karen Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

great characters; great window into medieval monastic life...great plot that is engaging, funny and poignant - sure to make history come alive for a young reader! loved it.

[Medievalwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking love the Pagan series. I just need to read the last one.

[Merima Smajic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly my favourite book in this series.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great historical fiction