Crusade

The Heretic's Secret Trilogy #1

by John Wilson

"Kill them all. God will know his own." These were the orders given to crusading Catholic knights before they stormed the walls of the heretic Cathar city of Beziers in 1209. The historic death toll was 10,000, and here author John Wilson imagines that among the carnage two childhood friends are forever affected. Peter assists the mysterious priest who leads the crusade; John, with the help of a heretic woman, barely escapes with his life. As the brutal war expands, Peter and John are caught up on opposite sides of the search for a secret that might change the world. When their paths cross later, both are fully committed to seeking the secret in their own ways -- John in the exotic world of Muslim Spain and Peter at the center of Catholic power in Rome. Wilson richly evokes the tempestuous world of the Crusades, and two young men's place in it, in this heady mix of action, adventure, and intrigue.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

348 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

John Wilson, an ex-geologist and frustrated historian, is the award-winning author of fifty novels and non-fiction books for adults and teens. His passion for history informs everything he writes, from the recreated journal of an officer on Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition to young soldiers experiencing the horrors of the First and Second World Wars and a memoir of his own history. John researches and writes in Lantzville on Vancouver Island. There are many more details in his memoir, Lands of Lost Content, https://www.amazon.com/Lands-Lost-Con...

Reviews

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this novel wrestles with ideas. I am almost afraid to read the next in the series because I can't imagine how they can keep being this good.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crusade was certainly interesting, and the writing is good. John is easily liked, but the introduction to him and Peter feels like the Reader is dropped right in the middle of things, making Peter seem nothing but hard and completely unfeeling. I had a hard time feeling any connection to him; if the Author wanted the Reader to understand John's disappointment at Peter's new solemnness, he ought to have began the story a little earlier in their lives, so the Reader could see some of the change in Peter's character. As it is, it seems that Peter has always been like that.

The story also seems to be pretty one-sided. It portrays the Catholics as being nothing but horrible, while the Cathars are completely peaceful. After reading The Perfect Fire Trilogy, which presents a very balanced view of both religions (showing the good and bad of both), this did nothing but irritate me, and I had a hard time enjoying the story because of it. I hope that the Author doesn't do this in the second installment.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction - setting around 1200 ad. Historical context well done but the reader needs to be a fan of historical fiction to stick with novel to the end. The historical content is heavy. With that said, it was a good story that includes 3 youth affected by the crusades and represents the different views of the time.

[Roshni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book with religion and history coming together in a fascinating plot