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Pilgrim's War #1
Pilgrim's War
The first instalment of a thrilling new crusader series in the style of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell. France, 1096 . Crowds gather in Sens to hear the man known as the Hermit speak. He talks of a pilgrimage to the city of Jerusalem, one filled with promise for the Christian soldiers who march with him. Sybille knows the perils of the road ahead, but she has no choice. Her husband is a reckless gambler, easily swayed by the Hermit’s words. She must follow her husband and join the great pilgrimage. For Odo , the pilgrimage is all. It provides him an opportunity to demonstrate his faith and piety. His brother Fulk seeks relief from boredom and the restraints of apprenticeship. He craves adventure and excitement. Jeanne and Guillemette have been treated badly by the men in their life but this is their chance for redemption and a brighter future. But life on the road for two women alone will be perilous . . . On the long road to Jerusalem, right and wrong, love and hate, virtue and sins will become blurred. Each must survive as best they can. Who will live to reach it – and will the sacrifices they must make to get there be worth the price they all must pay? What readers are saying about Michael Jecks ‘A cracking read in the best style of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell , this will delight existing fans and bring many more to the fold’ Manda Scott ‘ Vivid imagination and gripping prose – exactly what I expected from Michael Jecks’ Anthony Riches ‘Michael Jecks at his very best. A breath-taking adventure which sweeps the reader directly into the heat, passion and horror of the infamous siege. Michael Jecks’ detailed knowledge of medieval warfare sets this novel ablaze. Utterly enthralling ’ Karen Maitland ‘Classic Jecks – and that’s as good as it gets !’ Susanna Gregory ‘Compellingly brought to life – both bloody reality and glorious courage ’ Julian Stockwin ‘Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunit . I want more’ Robert Low ‘ Well told and often graphically chilling’ Historical Novel Society ‘Wonderfully descriptive battle sequences . . . a cracking read and a series that Historical Fiction fans will just love ’ Falcata Times
400 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2018
13 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jecks
121 books623 followersMichael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 5, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this and gobbled it up. Michael Jecks chronicles the 1096 First Crusade by focusing on the human stories of several individual pilgrims - male and female, rich and poor, and from a range of countries. The motivations that drove them on into the unknown were just as varied but the risks for all were immense. Warfare, battles, love, romance all compete for our attention as does the relentless and fascinatingly depicted slog of the pilgrimage itself. Most pilgrims would have walked on foot for thousands of miles through hostile and difficult terrain. This is the first of a new series and it is an excellent start! A full review will follow on For Winter Nights shortly.
February 23, 2021
I enjoyed this one - if you like Jecks it's well worth the read. It is NOT a mystery, but straight HF. It is basically the story of the Peasants Crusade that was part of the 1st Crusade. Two of the main characters are brothers from France, one a baker the other a blacksmith. Neither have any military experience. I think Mr. Jecks uses them to show just how ignorant these people were about military matters and the belief they must have had that God would provide the way to recapture the Holy Land. With that belief what happened to them when the finally met the armies of Islam was inevitable. As usual Mr. Jecks does excellent battle sequences
the two brothers are not the only characters Mr. Jecks follows. There are mecenaries coming from Germany. He uses there stories to tell just what the crusaders did not non Christians ie. Jews in there path - It's pretty graphic.
There are also female characters that provide a love interest (among other things:)) for the brothers. Two of them are reformed "Professional Girls" and one is the wife whose husband is heading for the Holy Land to get a fresh start.
I thought the reception the Crusaders got from the cities and countries along there path is well done. To say they weren't welcomed with open arms is an understatement!
One of the things I liked about it was that it was about the 1st Crusade. Not a whole lot of HF out there on that topic.
Solid 4 star read.
the two brothers are not the only characters Mr. Jecks follows. There are mecenaries coming from Germany. He uses there stories to tell just what the crusaders did not non Christians ie. Jews in there path - It's pretty graphic.
There are also female characters that provide a love interest (among other things:)) for the brothers. Two of them are reformed "Professional Girls" and one is the wife whose husband is heading for the Holy Land to get a fresh start.
I thought the reception the Crusaders got from the cities and countries along there path is well done. To say they weren't welcomed with open arms is an understatement!
One of the things I liked about it was that it was about the 1st Crusade. Not a whole lot of HF out there on that topic.
Solid 4 star read.
March 18, 2018
Jecks never disappoints. Not with his medieval whodunnits and not with his other historical fiction. I knew that it would be hard to follow up with a good story after the marvelous Vintener Trilogy but he has done the job and passed again with flying colours. With this first book in his new Crusades Trilogy he set a high standard for himself, something his readers will be able to enjoy to the hilt (pun intended). Like before, Michael Jecks captures the correct atmosphere from chapter one and captivated his readers. Like the Vintener Trilogy, Pilgrm's War is not for the faint hearted (who'd expect that about a crusaders book?) though this book builds up a little more gently to a gripping finale full of suspence and excellent descriptions of commoners as well as soldiers of the first crusade. The knowledge and love for the subject is dripping of its pages and you can't help to get sucked into the lives of the characters portrayed and be horrified by the events they undergo, that turn their lives around and upsode down in dramatic ways. Like every good book, this too, has a definite set back... it has an end. But... fortunately it is the first installment of a new series so we can look out for more adventures of the people we get to know it this first great volume in a new series.
August 13, 2018
In 1096, Peter the Hermit visits Sens, France, exhorting Christians to join a pilgrimage to free Jerusalem from Saracen rule. Promised the expiation of their sins, pilgrims from all walks of life join the throng, not once considering the logistics and perils of such an arduous journey. The story centres on two brothers, Fulk and Odo and Jecks weaves a clever tale of love, loyalty and betrayal amidst gruesome battles, tragic circumstances, and the stark reality of daily life in the unplanned adventure. A great read from start to finish.
March 1, 2018
The one non-mystery author (well, when he’s not writing mysteries) that I read strikes gold with this tale of war. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com
March 20, 2018
Great read, thoroughly enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next one!
June 2, 2018
An excellent adventure of a pilgrimage to free Jerusalem by one of the masters of medieval stories. The accounts of suffering and horror of war are vivid with the added interest of the conflict between two brothers.
May 18, 2018
An excellent book about 11th century's religious, simple people and mercenaries are thrown into a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to free Jerusalem from the Gentiles. The ignorance creates incredibly violent clashes between Christians and non-Christians. Racism flourish in ignorance and in the shadow of religion and becomes a brutal tool in the hands of the religious leaders. Unexpected alliances arise when people get together in strange and foreign environments and rely on the little recognizable they can find.
August 28, 2019
Jecks is still the accomplished writer of about 40 books, and he can still make us feel like we are on the scene of any of his plotlines. Whether he's portraying the peasants or the knights or the nobles or the emperor, he can still handle multiple subplots, with careful characterization and historical accuracy. That's why I look forward to his every book.
Meanwhle, my reaction to medieval warfare is still the same as always. Arrows raining down; men in melee hacking like berserkers at one another; destriers trampling the weak and wounded; and knights and soldiers slaughtering unarmed civilians, when the combatants aren't busy raping and pillaging: I don't see how anyone survived. Makes you respect your distant ancestors. I just hope and pray our times don't become as interesting as theirs.
Meanwhle, my reaction to medieval warfare is still the same as always. Arrows raining down; men in melee hacking like berserkers at one another; destriers trampling the weak and wounded; and knights and soldiers slaughtering unarmed civilians, when the combatants aren't busy raping and pillaging: I don't see how anyone survived. Makes you respect your distant ancestors. I just hope and pray our times don't become as interesting as theirs.
April 19, 2018
Pilgrim's War is set in the crusade that began in 1096. Lots of characters could be confusing but it's not. The main characters are Fulk and Odo of Sens. Different they are as are their reasons for joining the crusade. The women are Sybille, Jeanne, and Guilemette with the first having a different life than the two others. Warriors, knights, peasants walk toward the Holy Land. It is a journey frought with danger, death, and bloody battles. Women are not always treated well in this time period. But who will survive? What changes will they all face?. Michael Jecks brings you into the world of this crusade. As usual I can't wait for the second book in this trilogy.
June 22, 2018
I have just finished this book. At the moment I am rereading all of Michael Jecks' book. I have read his novels since his his first. I am reading "Pilgrim's War" for the first time. The author has gradually improved over the years, his story-telling is first class as is his history. I hate historical novelists who do not remain true to the feel of the time they write about. Michael always has a great sense of period and his characters are always fascinating. Can't recommend this book too highly.
November 16, 2025
Pilgrim's War is a multiple-character story of the First Crusade, told through the eyes of those seeking something on their journey to the Holy Land. Some are swept away with the promise of better things to come, some by the promise of redemption, others are simply leaves in the wind, taken on the way by events outside their control. Not many of them, admittedly, are actually 'in it' to serve their God. As a result of this, few of the characters are actually very 'nice'. Indeed, quite a few of them are quite awful as the journey begins - but of course, if they're to suffer any sort of epiphany, they need to be bad eggs from the beginning. The narrative doesn't shy away from depicting the hatred between Christians and any other faith encountered on the journey to the Holy Land, and the hypocrisy of these seemingly 'holy' knights as they venture towards their destination.
Two main journeys are undertaken: one heading towards Rome, featuring a collection of knights, and another towards Byzantium, which follows Sybill, Odo, Jeanne, and Guillemette. That way lies peril. But so too is the route through Rome, where politics are once more at play. The cast is vast and from all reaches of society. It will not end well for them all.
The Crusades are far from an easy topic to cover, and the author is at pains to reveal the motivations behind the actions of those the story follows. It's not always an easy read, or a particularly fast-flowing one with so many characters, but it shouldn't be an easy read. I do appreciate the determination to show the event for what it was - a war perpetrated in the name of religion, but really, at the heart of it, something else altogether.
Two main journeys are undertaken: one heading towards Rome, featuring a collection of knights, and another towards Byzantium, which follows Sybill, Odo, Jeanne, and Guillemette. That way lies peril. But so too is the route through Rome, where politics are once more at play. The cast is vast and from all reaches of society. It will not end well for them all.
The Crusades are far from an easy topic to cover, and the author is at pains to reveal the motivations behind the actions of those the story follows. It's not always an easy read, or a particularly fast-flowing one with so many characters, but it shouldn't be an easy read. I do appreciate the determination to show the event for what it was - a war perpetrated in the name of religion, but really, at the heart of it, something else altogether.
November 14, 2025
The aim of the First Crusade in 1096 was to free Jerusalem from the rule of the Saracen and the call of Peter the Hermit in the French town of Sens in March 1096 mustered enough interest to get the exodus of townsfolk underway. With fine attention to historical detail we travel every step of this momentous journey with the crusaders who come from all walks of life. Rich, poor, men, women and children all set out on a journey which seems, at first, highly impossible when considering the scale of the task ahead which was fraught with considerable danger from the very start.
I’ve enjoyed this first book as from the very beginning I felt like I was transported back to a medieval world which certainly had its share of troubles and which relied heavily on the power of orators such as Peter the Hermit to rally people to causes which were the start of a change of power in the medieval world. The story gets off to a good start, bringing to life characters and their individual reasons for joining the crusade. The story doesn’t shy away from violence but it’s all within the realistic context of the story, after all, this was a very different time when violence and conflict were commonplace.
Pilgrim’s War makes history come alive in a thrilling medieval adventure which grips the imagination from the very start.
December 2, 2025
In Northern France a Hermit speaks the the people and they listen. He preaches of a crusade to recapture the Holy City from the Saracen infidel and thousands follow him across Europe. Some are soldiers but many are simple people because this is 1096 and the crusade is not a military campaign but a religious one. Amongst the masses are Odo and Fulk, brothers eager for adventure, and the prostitutes of Sens. A knight is eager to win fortune and others follow their masters but as they approach edge of the Christian world they have to prepare themselves for deprivation and death.
Jecks is a good writer of populist historical novels with a somewhat war-focused bent. This does contain the hallmark violent and descriptive combat scenes but there is also a little more of the storytelling. It is supposedly the start of a new series and the multi-character narrative has set the stage for sequels.
Jecks is a good writer of populist historical novels with a somewhat war-focused bent. This does contain the hallmark violent and descriptive combat scenes but there is also a little more of the storytelling. It is supposedly the start of a new series and the multi-character narrative has set the stage for sequels.
November 14, 2025
I loved this novel: it is a realistic, sometimes harsh and brutal story set during the time of the First Crusade, featuring historical figures such as Peter the Hermit.
It is a period that should be infused with mysticism and faith, even if in reality it was more a mix of different elements, faith included.
The characters are flawed, and there are strong emotions such as love and betrayal. The plot is full of action and fast-paced, never letting you relax as you turn the next page.
I admire the attention to detail and the realistic historical background. Michael Jecks writes excellent historical mysteries, and this work of historical fiction is equally excellent, exciting, and entertaining.
Well done, highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy; all opinions are my own.
It is a period that should be infused with mysticism and faith, even if in reality it was more a mix of different elements, faith included.
The characters are flawed, and there are strong emotions such as love and betrayal. The plot is full of action and fast-paced, never letting you relax as you turn the next page.
I admire the attention to detail and the realistic historical background. Michael Jecks writes excellent historical mysteries, and this work of historical fiction is equally excellent, exciting, and entertaining.
Well done, highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy; all opinions are my own.
November 15, 2025
1096: Sens, France. Villagers gather in the square to hear Peter the Hermit preach about a great crusade to set Jerusalem free from the Saracens. All who go on the crusade will have all their sins forgiven and, if they die, will go straight to heaven. A powerful incentive for many, some looking for redemption, others for adventure, others for riches and some looking for an escape from a miserable life.
This is a fascinating tale of interesting characters and the perils and hardships they faced on the pilgrimage, the battles they fought and the comrades they lost. Easy to read and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next to Fulk, Odo and the others.
Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.
This is a fascinating tale of interesting characters and the perils and hardships they faced on the pilgrimage, the battles they fought and the comrades they lost. Easy to read and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next to Fulk, Odo and the others.
Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.
October 28, 2025
As with all of Michael Jecks' books,, the storyline is interesting and full of situations that will challenge you to ask yourself what you would do! Another challenge may be to keep up with the many different characters as they Pilgrimage. There might also be some triggers for people, so just be aware of the era the book was written in, though not much has changed. It's a great start to a new series and I look forward to book two.
This is my honest review after reading an ARC from Netgalley and Goodwood Books.
This is my honest review after reading an ARC from Netgalley and Goodwood Books.
October 22, 2025
This book was so engaging and well-written that I was very sad when it ended. I shall be first in the queue for the sequel.
This is the first of a new series – The Holy Wars – which follows the progress of the First Crusade led by Peter the Hermit. The book features a number of characters, from knights to working men and women, who choose to join the pilgrimage for a variety of reasons. Their stories are engaging and emotional and the action is fast- moving and often bloody. So good!
This is the first of a new series – The Holy Wars – which follows the progress of the First Crusade led by Peter the Hermit. The book features a number of characters, from knights to working men and women, who choose to join the pilgrimage for a variety of reasons. Their stories are engaging and emotional and the action is fast- moving and often bloody. So good!
November 5, 2025
Crowds are gathering in Sens, France 1096 to hear the Hermit’s words. He encourages them to join him on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Thousands will join on the promise of previous sins will be forgiven and they will have a better future.
This journey is full of promise, hope of redemption, danger, lack of food and hopefully a better future. Many will not survive and many will be changed forever because of their experiences. Enjoyed this very well written and well paced historical novel, enjoy.
This journey is full of promise, hope of redemption, danger, lack of food and hopefully a better future. Many will not survive and many will be changed forever because of their experiences. Enjoyed this very well written and well paced historical novel, enjoy.
November 12, 2025
This entire book is about violence. The people going on the crusade have had very sad, tragic lives and are promised salvation by going on the crusade. Their lives continue to be tragic and violent. It was rough reading. Thank you to Boldwood for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
June 7, 2022
Enjoyable … although perhaps too violent for some … story set in the First Crusade.
December 24, 2025
great book. best book i've read since a longtime.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews