Crusade

Brethren Trilogy #2

by Robyn Young

The second volume in the internationally bestselling Brethren trilogy, Crusade is gripping historical fiction that “grows more relevant by the day” (Raymond Khoury, bestselling author of The Last Templar)An international bestseller, Crusade is a fast-paced medieval adventure portraying the rising tide of political pressures that led East and West to war in the 13th century.After years of bloodshed, peace finally reigns in the Middle East, in part due to the efforts of Will Campbell and a mysterious group known as the Brethren. However, a cabal of ruthless Western merchants aims to reignite war in the Holy Land, while Prince Edward—once a trusted member of the Brethren—has made a promise to the he will take the Cross to Jerusalem and lead a new crusade. To survive the escalating conflict and protect his family, Will must harness all his knowledge and courage.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Adventure, Fantasy, War

514 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Robyn Young is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the BRETHREN and INSURRECTION trilogies and the NEW WORLD RISING series. She also writes crime thrillers as Erin Young.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2007, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Brethren" trilogy.

The year is AD 1274, and with Will Campbell, now as a Knight Templar and as a man of peace in Acre but within that Crusade stronghold an epic conflict is brewing.

As a man of peace and thus member of the Brethren, he made it possible for the truce to exist between the Christians and the Muslims, but that truce is now seriously under threat from dark forces on both sides.

War is looming and for Will Campbell the difficult choice between his brotherhood of the Templars and his secret role within the Brethren, or choose for Elwen, the love of his life but forbidden to marry.

What is to follow is a intriguing and captivating historical Crusade adventure, in which Will Campbell must make decisions that will shape and make his future in this warlike atmosphere in and around Acre, in Palestine.

Highly recommended, for this is a wonderful addition to this superb trilogy, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Marvellous Crusade"!

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author definitely hooked me on this series. Some of my interest was based in the time period- my lack of knowledge of it made this sort of a historical discovery for me. I appreciate a writer that does their homework, cites sources and stays mostly faithful to the history of the era while still developing a solid plot and characters.
The story follows the main characters Will, Garin, and Elwen into adulthood. The challenges Will faces while balancing his romantic relationship with Elwen and his knighthood in the Knights Templar makes for a good subplot that revolves around the main conflict- the crusades and the various factions that either want to end the conflict or continue it for various, often self centered, reasons.
The author's description of the philosophy of the Knights Templar may not be strictly historical, but it makes for good reading and establishes the verisimilitude effectively. Had she not established this effectively and plausibly, I would've found the wandering and straying of a Templar like Will a bit too difficult to believe.
I liked the juxtaposition of the three religions- Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The author did a good job of showing each perspective in a realistic and respectful manner while not pulling any punches in an attempt to maintain political correctness. The brutality and violence is authentic and at times predominant. Even more interesting are the philosophical contradictions and struggles that exist within the characters.
Overall this book seemed to pick up the pace compared to the first one. A tremendous amount of loose ends are tied up in this book and character death is commonplace. I can't help but finish the trilogy now.
4.5 stars

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I said I'd give the first novel in this series 4.5 stars if I could. I'd give this one 2.5. Please note, however, that it seems I'm in the minority on this; most of the professional reviews I've read and most of the amateur reviews on Amazon take the opposite position. It seems that most reader think this was the superior novel.

I couldn't disagree more. Young still alternates between the Mamluks and the Templars, and this dual sided story telling is still brilliant. She is still exceptionally knowledgeable and finds easy ways to portray information to her reader. The strengths, then, remain.

But Crusade has far more flaws. To begin, one of the primary antagonists, whose name I will not reveal for it would ruin parts of the first novel, is horribly developed. He acts with nothing but blind vengeance at multiple points, vengeance that never dulls no matter how many years pass. In so having a horrifically villainous character, Young only serves to herofy Will even more, a fact that I find troubling. Extremes are rare in the real world, and I strongly believe they should be rare in fiction as well.

Another flaw in Crusade is pacing. Parts move too fast and parts move too slowly. Some parts are skipped over entirely and relayed only in exposition.

Finally, the end really troubles me. While technically still related to the last Crusade the rest of the novel focuses on, I thought the novel's concluding section felt like an entirely different book. I also thought the supposed emotional pay off that finished the novel was thoroughly unsatisfying.

I will still read the third installment, but I hope it emulates Brethren instead of this one.

[Paula Lofting · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of Robyn Young's Templar series. This book follows the fortunes of Sir Will Campbell, templar knight and commander of the Anima Templar secret brotherhood, his lover Elwen and Will's enemy Garin across two decades as the explosive last years of Western Christianity's hold on the Holy Lands. We also meet Baybars, the Mamuluk leader and his leading Amir Kalawun as they strive to win back the lands lost to the Christians, succeeding until the only major stronghold left to the 'Frank' invaders is Acre, the first city taken by the crusaders two centuries before.

This second book is a vast improvement on the first which I also enjoyed but rated at 3 stars which means I 'liked' it according to Goodreads star ratings. Some of the faults I had found in the first book have been ironed out in this sequel as I was glad to see but there were a few niggles with Ms Young's story telling style that still bothered me. However, on the whole, I loved this book. the characters this time, unlike in the first book, are fully fleshed out and make you believe that they are real. I felt for Will as he strove to stay true to his duty to the Anima, struggled with his love for Elwen and his duty to the oath of celibacy he took when he became a templar; I felt Elwen's confusion as the man she loved put duty before her and her inner turmoil as she copes with the terrible secret that she bears. Kalawun's character is one of a decent man who wants only peace and has to live with the suspicion that the flawed, selfish, spoiled Barak,son of his beloved Sultan, had poisoned his precious beautiful daughter, Aisha, snuffing out her vivacious life as if she were no more than annoying fly to Barak. Even the minor characters have emotional depths to them which show how Ms Young is developing as a writer that understands how to paint people's lives and character's intelligently.

This book strives to put the reader at the heart of the Middle Eastern backdrop, sounds, sights and smells waft out at you from the pages. Historical facts are interwoven with the fictional plot of the Anima Templi which is a plausible premise and fits in nicely with the factual background and events. The author does explain in the author's note what she had done to change the facts to fit in with the book, however as I am not an authoritarian on this particular era and subject, I cannot comment on any of the other events and descriptions, however there was never a moment when I read something and thought that something seemed suspect.

What I didn't like about this book was the way the book started, not with the main hero but other characters, some of them quite minor before we meet Will Campbell. I believe that the story would have been more easier to grasp had it started with the main character. However,having said that, the beginning chapters are exciting and interesting and grabbed me, leaving me wanting to read more and looking forward to my bed time reading. The book is written in three parts and the build ups to the ends of these parts were very exciting but ending, not on a cliffhanger, but with the tension dissipating to nothing. But not so in the final part, the action had me hanging on by my finger tips, a nail biting, gasp provoking conclusion to what proved to be a great story redeems the rest of the let downs.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy an exciting, battle filled romp set in medieval times.

[Mardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the second in the Brethren trilogy, was fantastic. Such a brilliant and bloody snippet of history. I recommend this read. Robyn Young masters this period, mixed with fact and fiction. 4.5/5

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with Brethren, I liked this but didn't love it.
However, I am hooked, and have already started Requiem: The Fall of the Templars.

[Deborah Pickstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started fairly strongly but began to deteriorate about 100 pages in. Will I read the last one? Sad to say, I find RY a very patchy writer. Her plots are improbable and her characterisation is stereotypical at best. Very black and white, with 'goodies' and 'baddies' clearly labelled. The de rigeur 'indomitable modern woman' defies all the conventions of the time, the Templar breaks his vows for years and isn't found out, Edward I is a b******d (with which I quite agree but you can almost hear him rub his hands together and cackle villainously, stage left).

And I so wanted her to do this one well! Never mind - in her second series the writing was stronger though she still has problems with improbable plottedness.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I'm doing all three of these back to back, and this one was a much better read than Brethren. Again I learned a lot of history with extra research, but overall I loved the setting, mostly being the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

As with Brethren, the story continues to be somewhat unbelievable, but the characters really come to life and because I was somewhat ignorant of this period of history it kept me page turning to see how things were going to end.

All in all though a fine read.

[Danny Schreurs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish this book. Unfortunately, i found it really too boring.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kontynuacja "Bractwa" wręcz wysadziła mnie z siodła, albo jeszcze lepiej - z kapci. Po zakończeniu części pierwszej domyślałam się z czym przyjdzie mi zmierzyć w drugiej ale nie przypuszczałam, że skutkiem tego będzie siedzenie CAŁY dzień z nosem w tej książce bez możliwości odklejenia się od jej kartek z przerwami na kawę, śniadanie i obiad bo o kolacji nawet zapomniałam...

Na końcu trochę straszno, nawet zdarzyło mi się piąstki z emocji zacisnąć i chyba muszę dość dobrze ochłonąć zanim polecę w trzecią część....

[Mavis Hewitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very easy book to put down! The story switches people and locations, these switches usually take place when the action is hotting up in one place, leaving you at a 'cliff hanger'. After a few of these it became rather annoying, and very easy to stop reading and close the book.

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said in my review of the first book of this series that I was anticipating reading the rest of the series as I thoroughly enjoyed Brethren. Well I have read the second and am glad to say it is as good as the first, The drama and intrigue between the Mamluks and the Christians is the main story line but there are many others as well. That is what I liked most about this book; that the author could weave together so many plots and subplots into a very readable and enjoyable tale. I know that some readers of historical fiction look for historical accuracy over the fact of mere story telling…I am not one of those. For me it is enough to know that the Middle-East has always been in turmoil and probably always will be. If an author can take that turmoil and write an entertaining story involving the strife between Muslim, Jew and Christian then I am content. Given that premise, Robyn Young has done a marvelous job and I will be continuing my reading of her work. I give it 5 stars.

About the author:

Robyn Young was born in Oxford and grew up in the Midlands and a fishing village in Devon, during which time she won awards for poetry and edited a regular page in a regional newspaper. After hitchhiking to Brighton at 19, she worked as a festival organiser, a music promoter and a financial advisor. She wrote two novels before gaining a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Sussex.

Her first published novel, BRETHREN, went straight into the Sunday Times top ten, where it remained for five weeks, becoming the bestselling hardback debut of the year. It entered the New York Times top twenty on publication in the US and was named book of the year by German newspaper Bild. Her second novel, CRUSADE, reached number 2 and REQUIEM completed the trilogy. In 2007, Robyn was named one of Waterstone’s twenty-five ‘authors of the future’, judged by a panel of one hundred industry insiders who were asked to nominate the authors they believed would contribute the greatest body of work over the next quarter century.

The inspiration for Robyn’s new bestselling trilogy, which began in 2010 with INSURRECTION and continued in 2012 with RENEGADE, was inspired by a research trip to Scotland and is based on the life of Robert Bruce. The third novel, KINGDOM, will be published in 2014 in the month of the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

Alongside writing novels, Robyn has collaborated on a WWII screenplay. Her novels have been published in 22 countries in 19 languages and together have sold almost 2 million copies.

[David Campton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Against my better judgement I read this fairly soon after reading the first book in the trilogy. It claims to be relatively accurate historically (and the author declares her hand in a number of areas where it isn't) although I can make no call on that as it is an era that I don't know a lot about... though this series has prompted me to find out more. However, whilst it may be historically accurate, a lot of the ideas that drive the story are 21st century and more informed by current events in the middle east than by those of the 13th century. Also this story covers a sufficient time frame and key events to make for 2-3 dense and fast paced novels rather than this slack and relatively slow one. I will, probably return for the third installment, to see how it all ends, but not with a huge amount of enthusiasm, sadly.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with its predecessor, Brethren, Robyn Young’s Crusade (2nd of the trilogy) is full of betrayal and heartbreak. To some degree, the continuity of characters which I normally value in a series of novels is starting to defy credibility. The average life-span during this period, particularly among those who took up “the cross” and joined the so-called “Crusades,” would likely have been shorter than the span of the first two volumes. I don’t believe Brethren’s protagonist (Will Campbell) and antagonist (Garin de Lyons) would have been likely to have survived as long as they seem to have under these dangerous circumstances. After all, one would assume that they are at least 14 or 15 as experienced squires in AD 1260 at the beginning of Brethren and would be 45 or 46 by the end of Crusade in AD 1291 (average life-expectancy being 31 years during that century, though those who passed the threshold into young manhood sometimes made it to their 50s). Yet, despite de Lyons life of drunkenness, drug use, dissipation, and whoring, he’s still an active fighter in his mid-to-late 40s. And what Campbell lacks in dissipation, he makes up for in close shaves with death (particular cliffhangers regarding potential execution).

But such concerns really didn’t hit me until I was reflecting upon the events of this book as I finished reading it. It’s horrifying to think of those who would manipulate the pope and European royalty toward a new “Crusade” for the purpose of furthering their own businesses (particularly slave-trading and ship-building in this volume). But that’s what happens in this volume, despite the efforts of the secret society within the Templars which is so dedicated to keeping the peace that it covertly interacts with powerful Muslim (Mamluk) leaders to thwart the purpose of those intent on evoking a new “Crusade.”

Early in Crusade, it seemed like the violence was handled perfunctorily rather than with the ghastly detail of the first book. As a result, it seemed like events were very slow in coming together. But Young makes up for it in the second half of Crusade, offering a particularly grotesque view of a riot during the “Peasant’s Crusade,” as untrained, would-be “Crusaders” languish in the port of Acre awaiting their pay, the glory of action, and the reward of land and wealth promised them by the pope’s disingenuous recruiter. Here’s one of the most powerful lines in the book: “Men woke as if from a dream to find blood on their hands and staggered from houses, sickened by their own actions, leaving little scarlet chambers of anguish all over the city.” (p. 413)

The entire novel feels like the protagonists on both sides of the peace going through one “lose-lose” situation after another, each betrayed by someone who should be a loyal ally on too many occasions to be hopeful. Yet, Crusade is a tribute to hope and the human spirit, despite the realistic depiction of human evil and frailty.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant book that guides the reader together with the protagonist into adulthood. I really enjoyed the way the author decided to tell the story; chapters shifting different perspectives which fully immersed me into understanding the plot from all sides. It was interesting to consider so many sides equally in the conflict. I found it easy to sympathise with many characters and become fond of them, as Young convincingly went into immense detail when describing the thought process and experiences of many of the main characters which the story primarily revolves around.

After reading "Brethren", I became more fond of characters as I had begun to think about their previous experiences with, almost, a sense of nostalgia. I now feel more compelled to read the last book of the trilogy, especially after the ending which was tragic and unexpected. It was interesting to see Garin deteriorate and be consumed by his envy, and enjoyed reading his perspective on events.

This book was very well written and immersive, providing the reader with a balance of fiction surrounding warfare and romance. I agree that there is often large time jumps where the story seems to propel itself forward quickly with little explanation to what happened in the period between, however think that this had little negative impact on the novel.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel left me with mixed feelings after a great 1st book...,

Crusade is book 2 in a trilogy (The Brethren Trilogy) about the Crusades, the Knights Templar, and a secret society within the Templars that existed to create peace in the Holy Land. I read Book 1, Brethren, in about a week and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book (which made my wait about a year) and was somewhat frustrated with the change in tone from book 1 to book 2. Basically, book 1 was thoroughly entrenched in the Templars and their purposes in Outremer (literally "overseas"), while the fictional characters that were central to the story were on the periphery, color added to the already rich facts and history that were very accurately provided.

Book 2 begins with a plot by businessman to force a new Crusade through treachery and deception, a plot that would force the "Christian" European kings to take up the cross and return to Outremer (current day middle-east), because the Crusades produced business, and vast amounts of money, for many traders.
Will Campbell, the main character from Brethren, returns in his place as a knight in the Templars and a member of the Anima Templi, a group that, from within the Templars, works in secret with high ranking members of the Mamluks, the rulers of Egypt and most of Outremer, to end the 200 year war now known as the Crusades.
Sultan Baybars, historically speaking one of the greatest rulers of all time in terms of accomplishment, was the ruler of most of Outremer, with the exception of a few chunks of land possessed by the infidels; Christians, Venetians, Genoese, and other non-Muslim people. Jerusalem was (and still is, modern news programs remind us of this nightly) the center of the worlds 3 major religions, Christianity (mainly Catholicism during the Crusades), Muslim, and Judaism. All 3 religions believe that they should own the land that is center to their religion. Enter the Crusades.
A plot surfaces that could threaten the Christians, the Muslims, everyone in Outremer. Also surfacing are plots to dethrone the men in charge of the Muslims, the city of Jerusalem and the Templars. Also entering the landscape is the powerful horde known as the Mongols (yes, like Genghis Khan), who were looking to take over the world themselves. The Mamluks, as the main power in Outremer were faced with a war on 2 fronts, invading Mongols that were covering Asia like a plague, and the infidel, the Christians, who the Muslims believed defiled their religion and their land simply by being in Outremer.
All of these issues tie together to create a story that is excessively rich in character development (perhaps too rich as much time is spent developing characters that I don't believe directly effected the main plot or the final outcome of the novel; but they are wonderful characters), rich in history (with accuracy that is brutally honest, aside from the fictional characters), accurate in description of the true historical figures of the time, including their motivations and goals, and somewhat thick with suspense.
I believe that suspense is where this book is most disappointing; it was not nearly as suspenseful as the first. There is no real climax and the book does not end with a 'cliff-hanger' as the first did. Rather, it just points to where history already tells us we would be headed if we were with Will Campbell. That, of course, is a problem only if you are a student of medieval history, the Crusades, or the Knights Templar, which I am, all 3 (so please accept that I am admittedly opinionated on this subject and not pointing out that the book is flawed by this fact).

Brethren, was wonderful. One of my favorite reads recently. This book, however, began slow; it took me about 1/3 of the book (maybe 175 pages) to truly gain interest in the story, mainly due to character development that I, personally, don't think was necessary (don't get me wrong, I realize that I did not write this book; just my humble opinion). Robyn Young obviously has a tremendous gift and love for character development and I believe that this love led to the creation of many characters that could have been left out; but she couldn't let go of the many diverse characters.
I will state that I am glad that I completed this book as it did not end the way I thought it would, but it is heading in a direction that leaves me wondering whether the fiction will soon override the fact. I realize that this is historical FICTION, but it seems that the fictional characters may be moving toward a not-so-strange end (as in truth is stranger than fiction) . I certainly hope that I am wrong.

Robyn Young is a very talented author with a huge gift for creating believable characters but I believe that someone who is not extremely interested in the topic (Crusades, Templars, Medieval history) might become irritated with the time spent building the characters. However, if you are at all interested in the subject, this is a wonderful read that happens to be penned by an author that has a true gift for creating wonderful characters that filled the background already laid out by history.

All in all, the book was good, perhaps overly complicated by the many characters, but considering the topic, the intent and the ending, it is still very true to history in its depiction of war and politics of the time, day-to-day life, battles and leaders that were players in the time depicted, and the monumental end of the Crusades.
So, to sum up, Brethren (book 1) was a 5 star effort, thorough in character, history, suspense and mystery.
Crusade is a 4 star effort, somewhat bogged down by a few characters that were probably not necessary (but were well developed nonetheless), historically accurate (with minor changes allowed for creative license), sparsely suspenseful but somewhat predictable and non-mysterious; but overall the book was very good.
I eagerly await book 3, Requiem (now titled The Fall of the Templars in the US), due out in 2008, and the fate of Will Campbell and the Anima Templi.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the middle of the 13th century, nearly half a millennium after it began, the great Eastern enlightenment was drawing to a close. A centuries-long tradition of scholarship that had defined Central Asia was on the wane. The once-tolerant Islamic faith that had been so crucial to the development of modern medicine, political philosophy, and ethnographic practice gave way to a newly-dogmatic Islam that would be deeply skeptical, if not outright hostile, to rational inquiry. The greatest casualties of this closing of the Muslim mind would be the learned Persianate and Turkic scientists, philosophers, and poets—the men who for centuries, writing in Arabic, had carried forth the torch of classical knowledge.

At the same time, Europeans, especially those from the southern and western parts of the continent, were rubbing their collective eyes and awakening from a centuries-long slumber; the logic chains of antiquity having been buried by years of cloistered, doctrinaire thought. Its cities, where the nascent renaissance would first spring to life, were small but suddenly growing in size and complexity. By 1250, a dozen cities on the Italian peninsula numbered at least 20,000 inhabitants. East-west trade, since the first crusades two centuries earlier, had blossomed making Venice, Genoa, and Pisa into powerful political entities able to extend their influence far into the Mediterranean.

At the intersection, both geographical and temporal, of these two world-historic cultural spheres lay a revolutionary idea manifest as a city; namely, the city of Acre and its population of 40,000 or more, many of whom had come from elsewhere. Along with a few lesser siblings scattered up and down the Levantine coast, Acre embodied the idea of multiculturalism, albeit in proto-colonial fashion. It’s residents would have been made up of various Italians, French, Germans, Englishmen, Greeks, Jews, Syriacs, Arabs, Persians, Turks, Circassians, Sundanese, and others. Fittingly, then, Acre in all its filth and splendor serves as the centerpiece of Robyn Young’s novel Crusade, the second in a series of three books chronicling the fictional life of the William Campbell as he secretly works towards the idea of a multicultural coexistence in the Holy Land.

While over-plotted genre historical fiction through and through, Crusade is not without its redemptive qualities. Among the most interesting of those qualities is its focus on geopolitics and diplomacy. Charles Hill, in his book Grand Strategies, argues that literary insight is an essential dimension in the pursuit of understanding statecraft, as it manages “to convey the inchoate aspects of affairs between and within states to attentive readers.” As many of the most important plot scenes in Young’s Crusade are set within Mamluk war councils or meetings of Acre’s high council, it’s much easier to deduce principals of statecraft in Crusade than it might be in novels with more literary qualities. It’s also interesting to read about the entreatments of the period. I was particularly entertained by Young’s depiction of the Mongol embassy that visited King Edward I in the southwest of France in the late 13th century.

While the focus on internal and external politics is often captivating, the same cannot be said for Young’s characters throughout the novel. Will Campbell, as much as the reader might want him to be, is never the inspiring and sympathetic figure that he should be. His moral sensibilities also feel distinctively modern, this in a time when the European mind had yet to fully articulate the concept of the individual in a convincing way. His close nemesis, Garin de Lyons, while a completely unsympathetic character himself, seems to aptly describe Will as the kind of guy that succeeds no matter his flaws, a quality that justly inspires enmity, partially borne out of jealousy, partially out of resentment, in those, like Garin, who never recover from their own ill-thought-out decisions.

On the other hand, Young’s portrayal of Khadir, the Mamluk sultan’s soothsayer and arch antagonist, is really well done. She manages this not only through physical description of his hunched back and white eyes and the ragged doll he carries with him, but also through the verbiage of movement. Khadir pads, shuffles, scrounges, and scurries, all evocative of a predatory, scavenging animal of the night. Consequently, he emerges as one of the most memorable of Young’s characters. Characters such as Kalawun, Baybars, and Guillaume de Beaujeu, on the other hand, leave the reader wishing for more, while King Hugh and the nefarious merchants are almost comical in their overwrought stereotypical depictions. The homoerotic tension between Will and Simon Tanner is never fully flushed out and Elwen, Will’s longtime paramour and leading lady of the novel, is an unfortunate necessity in a book like this.

On the whole, though, Crusade is an entertaining book in which Young has done an admirable job, at least on the surface, of intertwining a fictional narrative into a series of ‘real’ historical events. The best novels of the genre, in my opinion, should inspire the historical imagination of their readers and, hopefully, spur them into further inquiry. Crusade may not be the best historical fiction, but it does illuminate a period of Western history that most people know very little about. And to the extent that one can also read it for insight into an early manifestation of the multiculturalism that, eight hundred years later, is such a pronounced, if not always realized, ideal in the West, it is useful. The fact that it also addresses questions about colonialism, cultural exchange, and human behavior make it even more worth reading. © Jeffrey L. Otto, May 16, 2015

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book in the Brethren trilogy! Will Campbell has risen in the ranks of the Templar Knights, as well as has become part of the secret order of the Anima Templi, a group within the Knights Templar to keep out corruption within the order. Will has one task after another to keep peace between the Christian Knights and the Muslim Mamluks. He works secretly with an officer in the Mamluk army to try to avoid war and the loss of both Christian, Muslim, and Jewish life. Betrayal on both sides causes this goal to almost seem impossible. Will finds the identity of his betrayer when Acre is being overrun with the Mamluk army with its new sultan. The betrayal is even worse when he finds out what happened to his wife and daughter. Will survives the war, but at a great price and has decided to bring revenge upon the person who set the betrayal in motion.

[Kieran Freemantle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the previous book, Brethren , and Crusade offered more historical fiction fun. As a story, Crusade was stronger because it was more focused: most of the events took place in the Middle East and over the course of a year. It was a swashbuckling adventure that felt like a Bernard Cornwell novel. However, the characterisation of the villains were one-dimensional since they were zealots and war profiteers. As a history nerd I appreciate Young's attempt to be as historically accurate as possible, but the novel shows how difficult it is to tell a fictional story with real villains since the scope was so wide.

Full Review

[Kost As · Rating 4 out of 5]

Άξια συνέχεια του πρώτου βιβλίου, Brethren!

Αν θέλει κάποιος να βυθιστεί στο Μεσαίωνα και να πάρει μια έντονη γεύση της καθημερινότητας ενός ιππότη του 13ου αιώνα μ.Χ., δεν έχει παρά να διαβάσει ένα βιβλίο της Robyn Young! Απίστευτες περιγραφές, ρεαλιστικότατοι χαρακτήρες και μια ιστορία, η οποία σε κρατάει σε εγρήγορση.

Νομίζω ότι συγκαταλέγεται στα θετικά γνωρίσματα του βιβλίου η εναλλαγή μεταξύ των ηρώων είτε στις χριστιανικές είτε στις μουσουλμανικές πόλεις αν και για άλλη μια φορά το βιβλίο καλύπτει μια μεγάλη χρονική περίοδο με αποτέλεσμα να περνούν ακόμα και χρόνια από το ένα κεφάλαιο στο άλλο.

Δε βάζω πέντε αστεράκια κυρίως για το λόγο που ανέφερα προηγουμένως! 4 αστεράκια γεμάτα, όμως!

[Nevine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing made it a challenge to keep reading. The overuse of -ly words became rather grating. Complex and detailed descriptions poorly placed between short lines of conversation meant constantly having to turn back to remind myself of what was said immediately before the next line. I don't recall noticing either of these issues with the first book.

The story itself was interesting, though a little predictable (historic events aside). Just a shame about the choice of words and placement of descriptions.

[Shire of Dardanup Libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I had not read the first book in the series I soon picked up the storyline as characters and worlds are well defined in the opening chapters. I particularly liked the historical period and felt the book well researched. Robyn Young created believable fictional characters to complete the historical story of the Templars. I was taken enough with the story to feel compelled to read the next book.

[Detlef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately started reading the book after finishing Brethren. Suffice to say that pacing and story is as if good, if not even better, than the first. What I loved the most was the intricate plots and weaving together of the perspectives of both the Christians and Mamluks during this tumultuous time in the Middle East. A must read for anyone interested in this time-period.
Looking forward to Requiem next!

[Therese · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I found that the middle of this book was rather thick and sometimes a bit drawn out and even boring, it was all relevant in the end, and I must say that I read for 5 hours in a row to get to the ending - it is way past midnight for me now, so even with the not-super-amazing middle part, the end and beginning really made up for it.

[Brian Murgatroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up from book1.

I enjoyed the storyline and the historic references.The reading of it flowed,plenty of action and different characters,exciting battles which felt real-time,all in all a super read that gripped and captured my interest.I am now on with book three of the trilogy which is and has the same hold as the first two books.😎😎

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Partly set in the Temple at Acre in 1276. A lot of unpleasant people and deeds. Templars protecting one another, violence, threats. People have been travelling from France, Italy, Egypt. Ends in a battle, of course. I would have liked to see more women, we mainly see a cloth merchantwoman, but focus on men.
I read a paperback.

[Jeroen Van de Crommenacker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this series is starting to get a bit stale with the second volume. Predictable plot and fairly slow pace, although some good scenes at the end and still an interesting historical background.

[Boris · Rating 4 out of 5]

доста завладяваща историческа история

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always a good read but sooo descriptive that it takes me a long time to get through, as my imagination has to hold back too often.

[RJC · Rating 2 out of 5]

2nd of 3. Hard going. Got bogged down with Muslim court politics, and brushing over of plot to make it all fit historically. 1st book was better.