What do you think?
Rate this book
Adalbert
The setting is 12th century France and Normandy. Adalbert is an intelligent but restless young man who is determined to make his own way in the world and cast himself from the shadow of his famous father, Astrolabe. After finding a murdered priest on a dark lonely road one night, Adalbert is forced to confront mysterious elements of his past brought forth by a mysterious knight who takes him under his wing. This novel rolls along to the beat of the medieval drum with unforgettable villains, a damsel in distress and an epic sea voyage, reminiscent of a Sir Walter Scott or Howard Pyle novel. Goodreads 5 Star Review"A chest full of treasures and a stone as black as night.""A mountain that spews smoke and brimstone.""With a sweep of his quill, Hipkins has penned a book that is rich and deliciously narrated, vastly entertaining and immensely readable."
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2020
11 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Craig R. Hipkins
6 books22 followersCraig R. Hipkins was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He currently lives in North Carolina.
Craig published his first book, “Fireballs: A History of Meteors and other Atmospheric Phenomena” in 2009. Adalbert is his first novel. It is the sequel to the novel Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018)
He is an avid long distance runner. He also enjoys astronomy and reading history in his spare time.
Craig published his first book, “Fireballs: A History of Meteors and other Atmospheric Phenomena” in 2009. Adalbert is his first novel. It is the sequel to the novel Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018)
He is an avid long distance runner. He also enjoys astronomy and reading history in his spare time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 20, 2020
Highly recommended. A stirring, very fast-paced medieval historical adventure tale that will delight fans of Bernard Cornwell, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ken Follett, or simply lovers of excellent historical fiction. Craig Hipkins is a master storyteller who sweeps you up in a saga that includes a quest for hidden treasure that leads you to a mythical Green Ship. I am not sure I’ve ever turned pages quite so quickly in my own quest to find out what happens next. At times, I felt as though I was seated next to a roaring fire with a goblet of mead in my hand, mesmerized by Hipkin’s words as he artfully spun his tale. The excitement and the spills keep coming right until the last page.
Adalbert, son of the legendary Astrolabe, is a worthy hero and is surrounded by an entire cast of strong characters who keep you amused and enthralled in equal measure. For example, Halfdan the Dane makes a perfect brother-in-arms; Robert de Langton is a constant presence: a mysterious older knight; Count Hugo and Clement, a fascinating father and son. The villains of the piece, Childeric and Marcoul the Bastard never relinquish their power and make us fear they’ll finally get the upper hand. Trust me, this is no ordinary historical adventure novel.
Love is very much a theme but in keeping with the rest of the book, runs a path that is often anything but smooth. The females: Anceline, Asperia, Dagena and Matilda are strong, principled women that capture the reader’s interest. It was a true delight to be immersed in Adalbert’s world of chivalry and at the end, I felt as if I’d been on the adventure myself. This is one of those rare novels that will remain in your mind long after you’ve finished the last thrilling page.
Adalbert, son of the legendary Astrolabe, is a worthy hero and is surrounded by an entire cast of strong characters who keep you amused and enthralled in equal measure. For example, Halfdan the Dane makes a perfect brother-in-arms; Robert de Langton is a constant presence: a mysterious older knight; Count Hugo and Clement, a fascinating father and son. The villains of the piece, Childeric and Marcoul the Bastard never relinquish their power and make us fear they’ll finally get the upper hand. Trust me, this is no ordinary historical adventure novel.
Love is very much a theme but in keeping with the rest of the book, runs a path that is often anything but smooth. The females: Anceline, Asperia, Dagena and Matilda are strong, principled women that capture the reader’s interest. It was a true delight to be immersed in Adalbert’s world of chivalry and at the end, I felt as if I’d been on the adventure myself. This is one of those rare novels that will remain in your mind long after you’ve finished the last thrilling page.
July 13, 2023
Adalbert is a historical novel that smoothly transports the reader to the captivating stage of 12th-century France and Normandy. Author Hipkins interlaces a fascinating tale that plunges readers into a realm of mystery, adventure, and personal growth.
Adalbert, a young and intelligent protagonist yearns to forge his own path and escape the shadow cast by his famous father, Astrolabe. His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a murdered priest on a desolate road, setting in motion a chain of events that forces him to confront the mysterious elements of his own past. Enter the mysterious knight, who becomes Adalbert's guide and mentor, propelling him into a journey filled with peril, self-discovery, and unexpected revelations.
Hipkins has fashioned a tale that is as enthralling as it is riveting. Whether you are a fan of medieval tales, adventure, or simply appreciate a well-told story, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and those who seek a reading experience that will leave them mesmerized.
Adalbert, a young and intelligent protagonist yearns to forge his own path and escape the shadow cast by his famous father, Astrolabe. His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a murdered priest on a desolate road, setting in motion a chain of events that forces him to confront the mysterious elements of his own past. Enter the mysterious knight, who becomes Adalbert's guide and mentor, propelling him into a journey filled with peril, self-discovery, and unexpected revelations.
Hipkins has fashioned a tale that is as enthralling as it is riveting. Whether you are a fan of medieval tales, adventure, or simply appreciate a well-told story, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and those who seek a reading experience that will leave them mesmerized.
February 10, 2020
Excellent Adventure Novel! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, which is a sequel Astrolabe written by Craig Hipkins’ twin brother, Jay. My favorite character was Robert de Langton, who is somewhat of a mysterious man. He was a scoundrel in the first book Astrolabe but in Adalbert, he managed to change his viewpoint of life. There is a lot of action in this book. I particularly enjoyed the sea voyage and the drama that unfolds at the end of the book. Overall, it is a long book, but a fast read with every chapter keeping you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it!
August 14, 2023
Adalbert, the imagined son of Astrolabe and grandson of Heloise and Abelard, is a rash young man, eager to make his own way in the world. The recognition that a scroll that belonged to his father is, in fact, a treasure map, set him on course for what is not only a treasure quest but a page-turning adventure encompassing formidable villains, battles on both land and sea, the counsel of a knight with a mysterious past, family secrets, romance and Adalbert’s growth into the responsibilities of full adulthood.
Set in the mid-twelfth century in France and in the waters of the north Atlantic, Adalbert by Craig R Hipkins has a large cast of mostly fictional characters, convincing in their human flaws and foibles. The preoccupations, controversies and cruelties of the age are well depicted alongside the aspirations towards honour and the desires of the human heart. The novel is written in formal prose which adds to the flavour of the period.
This fast-paced immersive novel is the sequel to Astrolabe, a fictional account of the youth of the elusive son of Heloise and Abelard, written by Craig Hipkins' twin brother Jay. Although it is a sequel, Adalbert reads well as a standalone novel.
Set in the mid-twelfth century in France and in the waters of the north Atlantic, Adalbert by Craig R Hipkins has a large cast of mostly fictional characters, convincing in their human flaws and foibles. The preoccupations, controversies and cruelties of the age are well depicted alongside the aspirations towards honour and the desires of the human heart. The novel is written in formal prose which adds to the flavour of the period.
This fast-paced immersive novel is the sequel to Astrolabe, a fictional account of the youth of the elusive son of Heloise and Abelard, written by Craig Hipkins' twin brother Jay. Although it is a sequel, Adalbert reads well as a standalone novel.
January 1, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Adalbert by Craig Hipkins. This medieval tale, set in France, involves the escapades of an unlikely band of different characters searching for treasure and righting wrongs. The story paced, full of drama and intrigue. The author does a great job developing the characters and puts the reader into the scene.
I highly recommend reading this novel.
I highly recommend reading this novel.
May 11, 2025
Great Fantasy
I found myself with a little more than I wanted to read for the
night but I had to keep going to find out what was happening next. A great read whether for young or old with all it's twists and surprises.
What are you waiting for, hit the button and start reading...you won't be disappointed.
I found myself with a little more than I wanted to read for the
night but I had to keep going to find out what was happening next. A great read whether for young or old with all it's twists and surprises.
What are you waiting for, hit the button and start reading...you won't be disappointed.
February 11, 2020
“I seek adventure and where it takes me only the good Lord knows.”
A chest full of treasures and a stone as black as night.
A mountain that spews smoke and brimstone.
It is the stuff of legends. Only this is no legend. The treasure is real and Adalbert, son of Astrolabe, is determined to find it. But Adalbert is not the only one lured by the promise of riches.
Adalbert is in possession of the scroll that contains information as to where the exact location of the treasure is, and because of this, Adalbert and his associates become a target.
From the exuberant excitement of the beginning of an adventure to a frightening yet exhilarating sea voyage to a distant northern land, Adalbert by Craig R Hipkins is an example of fantastic escapism fiction.
With a sweep of his quill, Hipkins has penned a book that is rich and deliciously narrated, vastly entertaining and immensely readable. With a cast of colourful and unforgettable characters and a plot that is bold and successful, Adalbert is the kind of book that is next to impossible to put down.
The hero of this story is the youthful and impulsive, Adalbert. Initially, I found it hard to like this brash and rather impetuous young man who is living in his late father’s shadow. He does not want to hear the wise counsel of his grandmother, nor that of his priest, Adonorus. He is disrespectful, and is of course, young enough to know everything! Adalbert longs for adventure, regardless as to the worry that might cause his family. However, as this story progresses, Adalbert is forced to take on responsibility — one could say his eyes are opened to the ways of the world and the dangers and discrimination that until now he had not really come face to face with. Adalbert is forced to mature, and by doing so, he becomes steadier, more constant, and is indeed, a far more likeable protagonist. Adalbert still wants the adventure of finding some lost treasure, but there is more to his personality than a young man dreaming of glory and riches. I thought Hipkins depicted Adalbert’s character with a great deal of skill and diligence.
The paradox of Robert de Langton’s persona was not lost on me. Hipkins has made Robert somewhat of an anti-hero in this book — on the one hand he is this devote Knight’s Templer, but on the other, he also wears the habit of a Benedictine monk. He is pious, yet has a weakness for coffee, and is a pretty handy man to have by your side in battle. Robert is a very troubled soul. There are events in his past that he will not speak of, and throughout this novel, there is an air of mystery about him, which made him highly appealable. Robert does indeed hide a secret, which could lead to devastating consequences for young Adalbert. I thought Robert’s depiction was particularly well-drawn, and I enjoyed reading about him very much.
Hipkins had depicted the antagonist of this tale with a remarkable attention to detail and a novelist eye for human depravity and corruption. Marcoul de Bastard, is a rather interesting villain, he does not merely seek the treasure for the riches it could bring him, but because he wants to witness his adversaries defeat. The chase is what Marcoul enjoys. I thought this approach towards the antagonist worked remarkably well, and Marcoul was a character that really drove this story forward.
One other character I would like to mention is Clement, the twelve-year-old son of Count Hugo de la Haye. Unlike his father, who is a loud and confident knight, Clement is slightly more reserved. He is quick of wit and has a sharp intelligence, and it was fascinating to watch this young lad’s confidence grow throughout this book, and by the end of it, he is daring to believe in himself and takes charge of his destiny.
Hipkins has paid much attention to the historical detail in this book as well as the historical controversy. I thought his depiction of the persecution of the Cathari, who were so cruelly labelled as heretics, was particularly well-drawn.
If you are looking for your next great historical adventure read, then check out Adalbert by Craig R Hipkins.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
August 14, 2023
Adalbert, the imagined son of Astrolabe and grandson of Heloise and Abelard, is a rash young man, eager to make his own way in the world. The recognition that a scroll that belonged to his father is, in fact, a treasure map, set him on course for what is not only a treasure quest but a page-turning adventure encompassing formidable villains, battles on both land and sea, the counsel of a knight with a mysterious past, family secrets, romance and Adalbert’s growth into the responsibilities of full adulthood.
Set in the mid-twelfth century in France and in the waters of the north Atlantic, Adalbert by Craig R Hipkins has a large cast of mostly fictional characters, convincing in their human flaws and foibles. The preoccupations, controversies and cruelties of the age are well depicted alongside the aspirations towards honour and the desires of the human heart. The novel is written in formal prose which adds to the flavour of the period.
This fast-paced immersive novel is the sequel to Astrolabe, a fictional account of the youth of the elusive son of Heloise and Abelard, written by Craig Hipkins' twin brother Jay. Although it is a sequel, Adalbert reads well as a standalone novel.
Set in the mid-twelfth century in France and in the waters of the north Atlantic, Adalbert by Craig R Hipkins has a large cast of mostly fictional characters, convincing in their human flaws and foibles. The preoccupations, controversies and cruelties of the age are well depicted alongside the aspirations towards honour and the desires of the human heart. The novel is written in formal prose which adds to the flavour of the period.
This fast-paced immersive novel is the sequel to Astrolabe, a fictional account of the youth of the elusive son of Heloise and Abelard, written by Craig Hipkins' twin brother Jay. Although it is a sequel, Adalbert reads well as a standalone novel.
February 10, 2020
Excellent Adventure Novel! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, which is a sequel Astrolabe written by Craig Hipkins’ twin brother, Jay. My favorite character was Robert de Langton, who is somewhat of a mysterious man. He was a scoundrel in the first book Astrolabe but in Adalbert, he managed to change his viewpoint of life. There is a lot of action in this book. I particularly enjoyed the sea voyage and the drama that unfolds at the end of the book. Overall, it is a long book, but a fast read with every chapter keeping you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews