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Knights Templar #5
The Crescent and the Cross
An epic battle of the Reconquista; a personal struggle to survive; a fight for glory.
War is brewing, and the Pope has summoned a crusade. The nations of Christendom are rallying to fight the Almohad caliphate, but they are a formidable foe.
Meanwhile, behind Moorish lines, a fortress held by Castile is under siege. As the siege falls, a knight is lost. Arnau leaves on a dangerous, near-suicidal quest to save him, a new squire in tow.
In the heat of the sierras though, things are not as they seem. War is coming to Iberia and all will be tested. Arnau’s sword arm will need practice, as will his mind.
War is brewing, and the Pope has summoned a crusade. The nations of Christendom are rallying to fight the Almohad caliphate, but they are a formidable foe.
Meanwhile, behind Moorish lines, a fortress held by Castile is under siege. As the siege falls, a knight is lost. Arnau leaves on a dangerous, near-suicidal quest to save him, a new squire in tow.
In the heat of the sierras though, things are not as they seem. War is coming to Iberia and all will be tested. Arnau’s sword arm will need practice, as will his mind.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2020
173 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
93 books497 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 14, 2020
BLURB
An epic battle of the Reconquista; a personal struggle to survive; a fight for glory.
War is brewing, and the Pope has summoned a crusade. The nations of Christendom are rallying to fight the Almohad caliphate, but they are a formidable foe.
Meanwhile, behind Moorish lines, a fortress held by Castile is under siege. As the siege falls, a knight is lost. Arnau leaves on a dangerous, near-suicidal quest to save him, a new squire in tow.
In the heat of the sierras though, things are not as they seem. War is coming to Iberia and all will be tested. Arnau’s sword arm will need practice, as will his mind.
REVIEW
You would think that after the number of books that I have read by SJA Turney, that I would have an idea of what to expect; that it would be unusual for me to be surprised by what transpires on his written pages. That does hold true for The Crescent and the Cross, for the most part - the trademark Turney touches of placing the reader in the footsteps of his characters traversing terra incognito painstakingly described - action that delivers sights, sounds and the smells of the brutality of battle - inducing audible gasps at surprise twists in the plot...and so on. However, I cannot shirk my duty as a humble, yet perceptive, scribbler of reviews. I am filing a complaint with the TEToFC (The Ethical Treatment of Fictional Characters) for the sheer scope of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual agony imposed upon Brother Arnau de Valbona throughout the narrative which in turn drags the poor reader into the trauma causing accelerated heart rates, shrieking, and lack of sleep. Yes, my fellow readers, Mr. Turney has done it again. Oh, by the way, he leaves us hanging at the end...a not so subtle ploy to pull us into the next volume in the series. Hah...it won't work on me, I would buy it anyway.😊 Five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An epic battle of the Reconquista; a personal struggle to survive; a fight for glory.
War is brewing, and the Pope has summoned a crusade. The nations of Christendom are rallying to fight the Almohad caliphate, but they are a formidable foe.
Meanwhile, behind Moorish lines, a fortress held by Castile is under siege. As the siege falls, a knight is lost. Arnau leaves on a dangerous, near-suicidal quest to save him, a new squire in tow.
In the heat of the sierras though, things are not as they seem. War is coming to Iberia and all will be tested. Arnau’s sword arm will need practice, as will his mind.
REVIEW
You would think that after the number of books that I have read by SJA Turney, that I would have an idea of what to expect; that it would be unusual for me to be surprised by what transpires on his written pages. That does hold true for The Crescent and the Cross, for the most part - the trademark Turney touches of placing the reader in the footsteps of his characters traversing terra incognito painstakingly described - action that delivers sights, sounds and the smells of the brutality of battle - inducing audible gasps at surprise twists in the plot...and so on. However, I cannot shirk my duty as a humble, yet perceptive, scribbler of reviews. I am filing a complaint with the TEToFC (The Ethical Treatment of Fictional Characters) for the sheer scope of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual agony imposed upon Brother Arnau de Valbona throughout the narrative which in turn drags the poor reader into the trauma causing accelerated heart rates, shrieking, and lack of sleep. Yes, my fellow readers, Mr. Turney has done it again. Oh, by the way, he leaves us hanging at the end...a not so subtle ploy to pull us into the next volume in the series. Hah...it won't work on me, I would buy it anyway.😊 Five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 9, 2020
My favorite of the series
Thinking on why I enjoyed this addition to the series, I believe part of it is that I enjoyed Arnau more. With him maturing and no longer prone to the vanities or impulsive judgments of youth, I was more comfortable allowing the story to flow and noted that I did not flinch every time a fork found its way into the story.
I also.enjoy Turney's earnest efforts to research the period and location to breath more believability into the tale. Well told and satisfying.
Thinking on why I enjoyed this addition to the series, I believe part of it is that I enjoyed Arnau more. With him maturing and no longer prone to the vanities or impulsive judgments of youth, I was more comfortable allowing the story to flow and noted that I did not flinch every time a fork found its way into the story.
I also.enjoy Turney's earnest efforts to research the period and location to breath more believability into the tale. Well told and satisfying.
July 25, 2020
Set during the Iberian Reconquista, the storyline moves along nicely as we travel to Cordoba to rescue a fallen brother and make it back in time for a decisive battle against the Almohads at Las Navas de Tolosa (July 1212).
This is definitely one for those with an penchant for Crusader fiction. This is book five in a series of six, so definitely start at the beginning for character development and historical background, though the author does provide a nice historical note at the end.
This is definitely one for those with an penchant for Crusader fiction. This is book five in a series of six, so definitely start at the beginning for character development and historical background, though the author does provide a nice historical note at the end.
June 9, 2024
Another good read
The story is great, the battle is epic and basically written how it happens, which makes it even better. The only downside I'd the constant plasms. I know I've said it before in other reviews of this series but they just get annoying in an otherwise very good read.
The story is great, the battle is epic and basically written how it happens, which makes it even better. The only downside I'd the constant plasms. I know I've said it before in other reviews of this series but they just get annoying in an otherwise very good read.
July 21, 2020
An excellent historical fiction, well researched and gripping as the other books by this author.
Great plot, fast paced and action packed, and a great cast of characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great plot, fast paced and action packed, and a great cast of characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 24, 2020
Fabulous Five!
This series of books has just gotten better with each addition. I didn’t think that would be possible, considering the highly original story of the first volume. (Titborga? Really?) However he does it, I hope he keeps doing it.
This series of books has just gotten better with each addition. I didn’t think that would be possible, considering the highly original story of the first volume. (Titborga? Really?) However he does it, I hope he keeps doing it.
September 5, 2020
Excellent
Really enjoyable story and fascinating historical note at the end regarding the Iberian struggle. A great new adventure for Arnu De Vallbona, an exciting story well narrated. Looking forward to the final book.
Really enjoyable story and fascinating historical note at the end regarding the Iberian struggle. A great new adventure for Arnu De Vallbona, an exciting story well narrated. Looking forward to the final book.
September 24, 2020
Another well written tale of reconquest of Spain
Arnau continues his Templar calling, making friends and enemies along the way. Daring missions behind enemy lines and finally a battle.Great read.
Arnau continues his Templar calling, making friends and enemies along the way. Daring missions behind enemy lines and finally a battle.Great read.
July 22, 2022
Another cracker from Mr Turney. Arnau is less doubtful of himself and it feels I have watched him grow slightly impetuous boy to a mature and more confident man.
I have loved this entire series and I'm onto number 6 tonight.
I have loved this entire series and I'm onto number 6 tonight.
April 14, 2025
Holy War
What a great book, I read this book in two days. When you learn to love a character and to find that the character has been exceptionly developed by the author it makes the reading so much more fun.
What a great book, I read this book in two days. When you learn to love a character and to find that the character has been exceptionly developed by the author it makes the reading so much more fun.
August 2, 2020
I like this series. It's historical facts are generally in-line. The writing is good. I am not sure why I didn't give it a 5 star except I rarely ever give that rating. Start with book 1.
January 11, 2023
Fun and original. Sometimes historical fiction can be the most original stuff you find today. The material is striking and the storytelling engrossing!
June 16, 2024
The turning point of the Reconquista of the Iberian peninsula.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews