Siege of Heaven

Wow what a ride this trilogy has been, from the attempted assassinations in Constantinople to the siege of Antioch to this last brutal and unforgiving book. Siege Of Heaven is all about the political backbiting of the nobles who command the Army Of God, their greed for wealth, glory and power and their eventual siege of the holy city of Jerusalem. We have a close look at what it would have been like for the ordinary soldier or civilian who filled with their religious fervor carry on through plague, war and starvation all to stand before the walls of Jerusalem and when there they commit the most brutal acts all in the name of god. As for are main characters, Demetrios is back to his old job as the finder of mysteries, this time searching for lost religious idols. Along the way he has to survive several assassination attempts on his life and coming to the walls of Jerusalem he must save the people he loves most from the mindless savagery of the crusading forces. As always at his side are his friends the barbarian Siguld and hid lover Anna, Siguld as always is in the think of battle always watching Demetrios back while Anna tries to save as many innocent lives as possible. Will they all survive the war to end all war? Or will they be forgotten in the dust of history? This is a good end to a very good series, it's dark and brutal, the reader can almost see the walls of Jerusalem, hear the cry of battle and smell the burning of innocents, this is a series that will make you sit up and think. Have a thousand years really changed anything? Sadly I think not!

Tom Harper again has balanced history with fiction creating a novel both interesting and captivating. More, please....

In 1098, the surviving feel their sacrifices were worth it as the Crusaders see the end in sight with the conquest of Jerusalem coming soon. However while some remain wary and weary from all the bloodshed, the leaders of the various Christian armies show their true colors of pride and vainglory as each competes with one other to be the first inside the holy city. Greek Demetrious Askiates is tired of the destruction, deaths, and atrocities like the spread of the plague in Antioch he has witnessed from both sides of the religious war. He wants to go home to Constantinople, but remains committed to serving the Byzantine emperor even when he is disappointed with being sent to Egypt to negotiate with the Fatimids to obtain their support against the Turks. The final entry in Tom Harper's excellent First Crusade trilogy (see THE MOSAIC OF SHADOWS and KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS) is an incredible eleventh century thriller as the star Demetrious is not solving a murder, but instead trying to keep from being killed. His trek from the Holy Land into Egypt brings the period of the First crusade vividly alive to his grateful audience as few if any novels in recent memory have. Harriet Klausner

Siege of Heaven is the climatic ending to one of the greatest 1st trilogies of our time. The story continues with our hero, Demetris Askiates; a Byzantium citizen, off with the crusades, and an eye of a detective. We first met Demetrios in Mr. Harper's first novel: The Mosaic of Shadows. Demetrios is thrust into conspiracy, hatred, after a failed attempt on the Emperors life. Demetrios must find the assassin before it is too late, all while a barbarian army is marching on the gates of the great city of Constantinople. The 2nd novel takes place 2 years later, in 1098, at the siege of Antioch. Once the "port to the east," this city was the trade and financial city of its time. While Jerusalem held the holy spiritual signifance of people, the same could be said for Antioch, except for physical wealth. One night, while Demetrios is out, a boy comes crashing down a hill to say his master, a great knight, has been slain. This Knight was employed by Bohemond. Page by page, we read as Demetrios gains the trust of the princes of the great Frankish army, 8 months sieging of Antioch, while the greatest army of the Muslims is marching on them. Will they finally take the city, and Demetrios from the killers? The 3rd novel takes place right where the last book, Knights of the Cross, left off, with the fall of Antioch. Reading Mr. Harpers description of the times, the hardships, losing nearly 1/2 the army to starvation, desease and fighting is gripping. Setting off from Antioch, Demetrios is attached to a great dignatary from Constantinople, whom is sent to Egypt to try to make some peace and alliance with the Caliph. Read as Demetrios meets new people from all skins and backgrounds, from the great pyramids themselves, to betrayl and hardships, all the way to the gates and the great temple of Solomon itself in Jerusalem. This novel was by the best of the series. It was gripping, detailed, informative, but not wordy and "non-fictional." During the middle of the book, it can feel as though it is being "dragged" on while we wait for the enevitable attack on Jerusalem, however, it is an extremely important part of the book with Peter Bartemelu, as he gains the trust of the pilgrims, and the power from the princes. Mr. Harper makes a fine note of this himself at the end of the book, saying that not much happened while the princes waited and debated and fought amongst themselves for 8 months between Antioch and Jeruselm, a mere 40 miles! You will not be wrong or bored in any way reading this book. The finale of an incredible series! Won't be disappointed.

Tom Harper is a pseudonym of Edwin Thomas who grew up in West Germany, Belgium and America before returning to England to study history at Oxford university. Siege of Heaven is an extremely powerful novel of holy war and the savagery that comes with it. It is also about intrigue and sacrifice and is a must read for anyone interested in the period of history that encompasses the 11th century. It is about a period of history that I enjoy reading about very much, but even if I am slightly biased I believe that the book is a really good read for anyone interested in historical murder mysteries. The year is 1098, the crusaders are secure in Antioch, but not without suffering great hardship and loss of men. They have defeated and destroyed Kerbogha's army, but the climate is taking almost as many men as the fighting and internal quarrels consume the princes, Raymond and Bohemond are constantly at one anothers throats over who should have what from the conquered city and with Adhemar dead there is no one to keep the peace . . . Demetrios Askiates yearns for his family, but the only way home is through the holy city of Jerusalem. However with the princes deadlocked Demetrios enlists the help of Peter Bartholomew, the visionary priest and finder of the holy lance. When Peter rouses the peasants who form the bulk of the crusaders, the princes are forced to listen and the crusade can at last set out. A year after the capture of Antioch the crusaders at last reach the holy city of Jerusalem and after a vicious onslaught the city at last falls. Demetrios must find his family before the crusaders violence and bloodshed overwhelm them all . . .