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Hospitaller Saga #3
Hospitaller
“…if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
-Romans 13:4
1291 A.D. The Hospitaller Order is decimated. Acre is lost. The only home Foulques has ever known has been razed to the ground by the Mamluks. Only by the grace of God does he and a handful of knights manage to escape to the island of Cyprus. Once there, Foulques learns that Najya has been taken captive by none other than Badru Hashim, the Northman. Foulques immediately attempts to organize a rescue force but his uncle has seized control of the Order of Saint John and considers the risks too high. He is left with only two options: remain loyal to his uncle and the Order or forsake his oaths and strike out after Najya on his own.
For Brother Foulques de Villaret, there is but one path he can live with. Unfortunately, waiting at its end is Badru Hashim.
-Romans 13:4
1291 A.D. The Hospitaller Order is decimated. Acre is lost. The only home Foulques has ever known has been razed to the ground by the Mamluks. Only by the grace of God does he and a handful of knights manage to escape to the island of Cyprus. Once there, Foulques learns that Najya has been taken captive by none other than Badru Hashim, the Northman. Foulques immediately attempts to organize a rescue force but his uncle has seized control of the Order of Saint John and considers the risks too high. He is left with only two options: remain loyal to his uncle and the Order or forsake his oaths and strike out after Najya on his own.
For Brother Foulques de Villaret, there is but one path he can live with. Unfortunately, waiting at its end is Badru Hashim.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2020
93 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 26, 2022
Not Top Notch
A fairly juvenile look at the Christian military orders. Emotional, at times overly wrought with the pages and pages of torturous turns of personal doubts and guilt no matter the book’s character.
These became easy to scan for anything of worth, occasionally looking at them again and again just to understand the author. Swift handled some aspects of action well, but others he dwelt heavily on minute detail that we’re a bit pedantic.
The novel did highlight the bad idea of early Christianity that prohibited clergy from marriage. With the main character exhibiting an arrested relationship development, you could see it was not for the betterment of the church.
Especially at the end when protagonists F and N led the reader to believe they’d get together like they should, but they didn’t. Very discouraging.
Overall, not a bad story, if it was to show the glaring faults of believing and adhering to inhuman standards that went against human nature.
A fairly juvenile look at the Christian military orders. Emotional, at times overly wrought with the pages and pages of torturous turns of personal doubts and guilt no matter the book’s character.
These became easy to scan for anything of worth, occasionally looking at them again and again just to understand the author. Swift handled some aspects of action well, but others he dwelt heavily on minute detail that we’re a bit pedantic.
The novel did highlight the bad idea of early Christianity that prohibited clergy from marriage. With the main character exhibiting an arrested relationship development, you could see it was not for the betterment of the church.
Especially at the end when protagonists F and N led the reader to believe they’d get together like they should, but they didn’t. Very discouraging.
Overall, not a bad story, if it was to show the glaring faults of believing and adhering to inhuman standards that went against human nature.
August 23, 2022
This was a bit of a let down if I'm honest. The first book was a good world builder and the second was am epic battle with amazing fight scenes, but this one didn't really go anywhere, which is a shame. 80% of the book revolves around Foulkes being in a desert convoy and chatting to the chief, it seemed like the whole thing was just filler. I also thought the end fight with Badru was a bit rushed just to finish it all off. It's a good trilogy if you're interested in the hospitallers, however this was definitely lackluster compared to the first two.
June 2, 2020
Another good effort by a great author
This is an interesting book and worth a read. I thought the climax with a certain half breed came on a but abruptly, but the book and entire series is highly recommended. In a book about Acre, the author also touches on an area of the world that few other authors have covered, Mali and the Turegs. Some things in the story don't end up as you might wish, but when does that happen except in a Disney movie.
This is an interesting book and worth a read. I thought the climax with a certain half breed came on a but abruptly, but the book and entire series is highly recommended. In a book about Acre, the author also touches on an area of the world that few other authors have covered, Mali and the Turegs. Some things in the story don't end up as you might wish, but when does that happen except in a Disney movie.
June 8, 2022
A great read
An excellent book. Hard to put down. Action and romance balanced and moved the story along well. The one criticism I have is that there is no real closure for the main characters who seemed to be strongly in love and no basis for marriage at the end of the book. Would have liked some explanation of why they married. This aside it was a great read and I will look for more from this author
An excellent book. Hard to put down. Action and romance balanced and moved the story along well. The one criticism I have is that there is no real closure for the main characters who seemed to be strongly in love and no basis for marriage at the end of the book. Would have liked some explanation of why they married. This aside it was a great read and I will look for more from this author
May 13, 2021
Wonderful
This story was absolutely wonderful. The people were real to me. Each had a affect on the terrible days that they live in. The part I love the best that some of them would not turn their back on God. I really like this author. I would recommend this trilogy to any who love history with very good story weaved into the times.
This story was absolutely wonderful. The people were real to me. Each had a affect on the terrible days that they live in. The part I love the best that some of them would not turn their back on God. I really like this author. I would recommend this trilogy to any who love history with very good story weaved into the times.
September 14, 2021
Hospitaller Saga
Ultimate Hero. No man can achieve the moral dignity of the protagonist and with a complementary antagonist as complex + evil as the main character is honorable. Story takes you where you least expect: Could have had a little more character depth; so really a 4.5 stars. I already bought another set of this authors other books.
Ultimate Hero. No man can achieve the moral dignity of the protagonist and with a complementary antagonist as complex + evil as the main character is honorable. Story takes you where you least expect: Could have had a little more character depth; so really a 4.5 stars. I already bought another set of this authors other books.
April 14, 2023
Great story, fabulous characters
If you are a fan of historical fiction based on facts, this series is great.
It goes with scarrow or cornwell, kane and riches.
Brilliant book from a dark time.
I only hope he continues the books a few hundred years to the great siege of Malta, possibly the knights hospitallers greatest moment.
If you are a fan of historical fiction based on facts, this series is great.
It goes with scarrow or cornwell, kane and riches.
Brilliant book from a dark time.
I only hope he continues the books a few hundred years to the great siege of Malta, possibly the knights hospitallers greatest moment.
June 6, 2020
Another good one
I knew once I started this book that I would be unable to stop until the end. Turns out I was right. I really love this series. Its very easy to read and I think the plot is good. If you haven't read this series, you should.
I knew once I started this book that I would be unable to stop until the end. Turns out I was right. I really love this series. Its very easy to read and I think the plot is good. If you haven't read this series, you should.
June 19, 2020
Good ending to a trilogy...
The author wrapped up his Hospitaller saga in this book. He did a good job of tying up the story line. As always, the author tells a historical fiction interspersed with interesting facts on the era. A good read.
The author wrapped up his Hospitaller saga in this book. He did a good job of tying up the story line. As always, the author tells a historical fiction interspersed with interesting facts on the era. A good read.
September 6, 2020
A fine trilogy
The book's characters are finely drawn, as is the time of the Hospitallers near the end of their time. The fight scenes are both exciting and easy to understand. The author is gifted, which is gift in turn to hid readers.
The book's characters are finely drawn, as is the time of the Hospitallers near the end of their time. The fight scenes are both exciting and easy to understand. The author is gifted, which is gift in turn to hid readers.
October 18, 2020
Good finale to a decent serues
The 3 book's are well researched and written at a decent pace with a good accurate historical events. Only problem is the glut of Templar and Crusader books in circulation but this series is probably one of the better ones
The 3 book's are well researched and written at a decent pace with a good accurate historical events. Only problem is the glut of Templar and Crusader books in circulation but this series is probably one of the better ones
May 16, 2021
Good trilogy
Good story, keeps the reader in, action packed trilogy that throws light on the life after the Christian possessions in the middle east are gone and European rulers turn away from the crusades.
Good story, keeps the reader in, action packed trilogy that throws light on the life after the Christian possessions in the middle east are gone and European rulers turn away from the crusades.
December 25, 2022
the end of the holy land
Good read. . The series must be read in order to fully enjoy the journey. Myth, fiction and fact mold together into an exciting page turner which enjoyers of this genre must read.
Good read. . The series must be read in order to fully enjoy the journey. Myth, fiction and fact mold together into an exciting page turner which enjoyers of this genre must read.
November 30, 2023
great read
Wonderful book it puts you right in the middle of all the action. By the end you feel you know everyone personally as all of the characters are fully fleshed out. Way to go J K Swift you are truly a wordsmith of the highest calibre.
Wonderful book it puts you right in the middle of all the action. By the end you feel you know everyone personally as all of the characters are fully fleshed out. Way to go J K Swift you are truly a wordsmith of the highest calibre.
March 14, 2026
Freebie listen on Audible. Having listened to previous books in series this like the others are easy listen and have repeated characters. It is more 3.5🌟 but 4 seemed too big. Happy to listen to others that are free.
August 5, 2020
Very Good Series
Big fan of historical fiction enjoyed this series very very much!!! Good writer, will check back in a few years to see what his next series is about.
Big fan of historical fiction enjoyed this series very very much!!! Good writer, will check back in a few years to see what his next series is about.
October 4, 2020
Outstanding
Easy and fun to read. Quick paced and addictive. I read it in less than two days at night. Granted late nights. LOL
Easy and fun to read. Quick paced and addictive. I read it in less than two days at night. Granted late nights. LOL
April 25, 2022
Exciting! Neat and tidy wrap up with adventure, camels and horses, and battles.
March 24, 2025
Adventure in the Desert
J.K. Smith shifts the focus of the story to new themes and settings in this installment. The effects of slavery in the region are explored, alongside the theme of redemption. Although the author struggled to maintain consistent action throughout the narrative, the strong character development and the appeal of exotic locations are sure to captivate even the most casual reader.
J.K. Smith shifts the focus of the story to new themes and settings in this installment. The effects of slavery in the region are explored, alongside the theme of redemption. Although the author struggled to maintain consistent action throughout the narrative, the strong character development and the appeal of exotic locations are sure to captivate even the most casual reader.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews