Crusade (Brethren Trilogy)

This is the second book in the series that started with Brethren, and the third book now announced as "Fall of the Templars" will be forthcoming next month...and I can't wait! The way in which this historical novel portrays everyday life during the times of the last Crusade, from both points of view: Christian and Mamluk, is enlightened. Will Campbell's double life (or should we say triple!) makes for a most entertaining s well as historically helpful resource, as this obscure period is unveiled, through his eyes. I particularly enjoyed viewing the Templars through the eyes of a knight who has not detached himself from the every-day problems that a man in his day and age would have had. Will accepts his humanity and tries to reconcile it with his crusading life as well as he might. Although historically speaking, there were many artistic licenses in the timeline of the major events that are depicted in this novel, the main ideas do seem to follow logically, and the problems and solutions presented by these fictional characters are entirely plausible, rendering thus a nicely narrated, easy to follow literary work. This is a very enjoyable read, for those history buffs like myself out there! You will enjoy this book and the well built characters that the author creates, and at the end... you will want to know what becomes of Will Campbell and his on-going mission . Onto the next book, pparently re-named: Fall of the Templars. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

Set in the 13th Century England and the Holy Land, Crusade is one of the finest works of historical fiction I have ever read. Young's writing enthralls you and keeps you mesmerized throughout the entire book. An excellent read about an era of history that is not widely taught in U.S. schools. VERY well done!

The second in Robyn's books relative to historical Knight Templars and the world they lived in was excellence in writing. As a modern day Templar, found the presentation of how the Templars lived, the human way they dealt with the rigid rules of the order, human weaknesses skirting the rules at times, fascinating and very true to the order as taught and understood by Knights of the Temple today. I am looking forward to the final book this fall. The author does take a few liberties with historical fact, mostly exact time periods, and beautifully molds it to a very smooth flowing story of historical fiction. Would highly recommend this author.

Robyn Young was born in Oxford in September 1975, the only child of a civil engineer father and an artist and folk singer mother. She now lives in Brighton and writes full time. Her first novel Brethren was a big success. 1274 and the war in the Holy Land has not gone well for the crusaders. The fortified city of Acre is the last major stronghold of the Crusader and an epic conflict is just about to start. Will Campbell is a Templar Knight trained in the art of war, but as a member of the mysterious group known as the Brethren he is also a man of peace. After years of useless bloodshed the Brethren have helped to create a truce between the Christians and the Muslims, if a somewhat tentative one. Will now has fears that they have been betrayed by their most trusted patron, Edward of England. The English king has made a promise to the pope that he will lead a new Crusade. On top of that a group of powerful merchants who will make a huge profit if the conflict were to continue have devised a plan that will ensure the war continues. They will then profit from selling arms to both sides and also ensuring that the slave trade continues . . . This book is a follow up to the entertaining Brethren, first book in the trilogy. I found both books exhilarating and exciting, but I do admit that they are about a subject I enjoy immensely.