Iron Lance: Volume One of the Celtic Crusades

I am one of those people who is finding Lawhead a little later in his career. This is the second book of his I have read - I missed the books surrounding Arthur and others he wrote earlier in his career. I read his novel about Patrick last year and it was pretty good, but it didn't make me a committed fan of his. After reading this one I am much more of a fan. The story centers around the Crusade of the late 1000's and 1100's. The central character is Murdo Ranulfson, who wants to join the crusade but is too young. His father and brothers go on the crusade but he is unable to and it grates on his terribly. While his father and brothers are gone, his family is the victim of the treachery of some unscrupulous churchmen, and they lose their estate. This sets Murdo on a course of action where he journeys to the Holy Land to try to find his father, in order to bring him back to claim his lands. On this journey to and from the Holy Land, Murdo grows from a precocious boy into a man of strength and character. As he makes his way across the sea and to his father he has many adventures which shape his character. He is befriended by Celtic monks who help guide and care for him and who show him the way of the True Path. There are many reasons I liked this story - this is a "Christian" book by a "Christian author" with many Christian themes. But, the characters are not your stereotypical characters that are found in so much Christian fiction. There is a wonderful conversion scene involving Murdo but it is done in a very believable way. We see Murdo's struggles along the way, and he doesn't become a saint nor does this conversion scene wipe away all of his troubles. Instead, a very real and human person struggles along in his faith in a very harsh and brutal time of history. Speaking of harsh and brutal, there are some scenes of pretty explicit violence. I usually don't get emotionally affected, but in one scene in Jerusalem the brutality took my breath away. This is a vivid picture of man's inhumanity to man, and it is all the more stark in view of the fact that much of this is committed in the name of Christ. Lawhead doesn't really theorize on the morality of the crusades - he simply tells the story. To my mind, the story shows the futility of the crusades and the sinfulness of the whole project. But the real story in this is the transformation of Murdo.

I picked this one up at the library and, sitting in the car, read the prologue...I was entranced. Lawhead's mythic history draws you in. Not only did his detailed landscape and time-period come to life in my mind, but the characters, in their reserved manner, became breathing people that you care and cheer for. But this story isn't heavy on the cheers; it describes many heartaches and inhumanities. It peels back the horror of what the Crusaders did in the name of Christ and clearly shows the misdeeds of the Church. Yet, through the likeable monks of the Cele De, the main character comes to see another side of spirituality, eventually warming to the monks and their beliefs.The story, primarily, follows young Murdo as he follows after his father and brothers toward the Holy Land. He needs their help to take back the land that's been stolen from them. Along the way, he witnesses the Crusaders' violent ways, he experiences mystical visions, and he finds himself brushing shoulders with the Holy Lance, the spear used to pierce Jesus's side at the scene of the Crucifixion. Now, the spear is a holy relic sought by many. The transformations of Murdo from nonbeliever to believer, from boy to man, are credible. You'll find yourself holding your breath as he searches for the Holy Lance and attempts to escape those who wish to steal it for their own devices.This story deals with large issues--the corruption of the church, the brutality of man, the secrecy of centuries-old societies in the British Isles--and it still manages to touch on smaller, more personal issues such as love, loyalty, and family.Some may find the details overwhelming or laborious; I found myself closing the final page wishing for more.

I'm not entirely convinced that the person who submitted the negative reviews below actually read the book, so I am submitting my personal impressions of the book instead.Lawhead is second to none in the genre of historical fiction, but don't take my word for it, books like Byzantium and the Pendragon cycle are now the industry's established benchmark for their respective themes. And that is not without good reason. The first thing that you notice as you read this (or any other Lawhead) book, is the attention to detail that instead of making the story tedious, transport you there instantly. The pace and style of this book is somewhere between Ben Hur and Indiana Jones, with a dash of Ivanhoe, and the Ancient-meets-Medieval melange of genres is pulled off masterfully by this skilled author. This is a fine novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I have ordered Black Rood, which seems to be getting good reviews as well, but I do not need a review to tell me how good these books are. They are treasures, and I will read this again (something I rarely do) while I wait for The Black Rood!

Lawhead keeps improving. While the plot is perhaps weaker than Byzantium, this book is intriguing, exciting, and richly woven with detail.

This is a must read! Lawhead has always done an incredible job writing trilogies (the original Pendragon trilogy, the Dragon King trilogy, and the Song of Albion trilogy were all excellent), but The Celtic Crusades just might surpass them all. The reason is the stregth of the historical truth that is behind this novel, and the books to follow. Lawhead has always done a wonderful job at historical research and his study of the Crusades is evident. Words aren't minced - he show's it exactly how it happened (or almost, historically it was bloodier). The Iron Lance is a sequal to Byzantium (a few hundred years later)and the book is just as good. If you enjoyed Byzantium (or any of Lawheads previous books - as I do - note my cool email address), you'll love The Iron Lance. I'm already watching the out-of-print web sources for The Black Rood advance copy. I can tell that this is a trilogy that will get stronger with every book. Read this book, you won't regret it - I guarantee! Also, ignore the bad review a few down from me, he obviously is missing a lot!