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jjmann3's review against another edition
3.0
I'm an avid fan of historical fiction that closely aligns with reported events and accounts in ways that uniquely bring the past the life. That said, Robyn Young became my "favorite author" with the first two installations of the Robert de Bruce "Insurrection Trilogy" and this title further strengthened her this title my mantle.
Brethren was author Young's first mass release. The book is separated in three parts, and particularly I noted that in the last it is very important to note the dates as these pages span almost 5 years.
Young stands unique because her prose has a way to bring alive all five senses -- particularly smell -- at once. It is one of the few books I've encountered where you are sad at every turn of the page because that means you are closer to being done.
I can't wait to read Crusade and of course the hopefully upcoming Book Three of Robert Bruce, "Kingdom."
Brethren was author Young's first mass release. The book is separated in three parts, and particularly I noted that in the last it is very important to note the dates as these pages span almost 5 years.
Young stands unique because her prose has a way to bring alive all five senses -- particularly smell -- at once. It is one of the few books I've encountered where you are sad at every turn of the page because that means you are closer to being done.
I can't wait to read Crusade and of course the hopefully upcoming Book Three of Robert Bruce, "Kingdom."
jjmann3's review against another edition
3.0
Robyn Young is and remains my favorite author. I love her stories so much that I have spaced out reading her five tales over two years in the hope that, when I am done her sixth, the third of her Scottish trilogy will be done. It should not be a surprise that have (and will continue to have) high expectations from her writings.
That said, Crusade was the first of her books I have read that did not quite meet my high expectations. The unrealistically life-long relationships between William Campbell, Garin de Lyons, and (in my opinion) the annoying unfortunate lover of both, Elwen, are a bit overly contrived by mid-point in the novel. Young also included a few more romantic chapters in this work than in her other tales. To quote from one of my favorite fellow book reviewers, although for a different book and author, Crusade took a risk at times of becoming: "...a 'lady book'. [Including] feminine details like, how she wears her hair, how glorious she looks that day, what gorgeous silks she has in her coffers, where she keeps her jewelry..." Those who know me know I have scant patience for such stuff in real life, not to mention in my fiction! ;-)
I was so glad with the relatively noble ending of this book after the Fall of Acre. Limited damage then: minus one star. But, like King Edward would do to Garin for a job poorly done, I shall punish my rating of the next book, Fall of the Templars, if I have to plow through Garin or Elwen foolishness.
Like Brethren, the first in the trilogy, I especially liked the parts Young included in Crusade to capture the (not unreasonable) view of the Saracens and the complications they visited on Outremer and those they endured at the hands of the Christians. The writing itself remains first rate and the dialog, save for most of Elwen's and de Lyons's, believable and heartfelt.
I've always harbored a sincere interest in the era of the crusades, a time when the believers of the three religions of Abraham found themselves mass killing each other for faith, finances, and honor of controlling what, geographically speaking, was and largely remains a desolate wasteland. My family coat-of arms has a shield faced with three silver crescent moons on red that was reportedly derived from an ancestor (or two) who took to arms in Outermer. A pity that the crusades have had the resilience and power to steer geopolitics for over a millennium.
That said, Crusade was the first of her books I have read that did not quite meet my high expectations. The unrealistically life-long relationships between William Campbell, Garin de Lyons, and (in my opinion) the annoying unfortunate lover of both, Elwen, are a bit overly contrived by mid-point in the novel. Young also included a few more romantic chapters in this work than in her other tales. To quote from one of my favorite fellow book reviewers, although for a different book and author, Crusade took a risk at times of becoming: "...a 'lady book'. [Including] feminine details like, how she wears her hair, how glorious she looks that day, what gorgeous silks she has in her coffers, where she keeps her jewelry..." Those who know me know I have scant patience for such stuff in real life, not to mention in my fiction! ;-)
I was so glad with the relatively noble ending of this book after the Fall of Acre. Limited damage then: minus one star. But, like King Edward would do to Garin for a job poorly done, I shall punish my rating of the next book, Fall of the Templars, if I have to plow through Garin or Elwen foolishness.
Like Brethren, the first in the trilogy, I especially liked the parts Young included in Crusade to capture the (not unreasonable) view of the Saracens and the complications they visited on Outremer and those they endured at the hands of the Christians. The writing itself remains first rate and the dialog, save for most of Elwen's and de Lyons's, believable and heartfelt.
I've always harbored a sincere interest in the era of the crusades, a time when the believers of the three religions of Abraham found themselves mass killing each other for faith, finances, and honor of controlling what, geographically speaking, was and largely remains a desolate wasteland. My family coat-of arms has a shield faced with three silver crescent moons on red that was reportedly derived from an ancestor (or two) who took to arms in Outermer. A pity that the crusades have had the resilience and power to steer geopolitics for over a millennium.
kylearnzen's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable to me, though I'm sure a large part of the appeal is that a big chunk of the book was set in London. Interesting to see both sides of the war, without too much of a bias for either side.
kylearnzen's review against another edition
4.0
Started off a wee bit slow, but it quickly picked up. I love how the author can handle multiple storylines without getting too cluttered, and without showing bias toward one side or the other. Sometimes authors will throw in so many unnecessary characters, perhaps to make their story appear deeper or more engaging, but the way Young focuses on only the major players in the book makes it easy to follow the plots and keep all the names straight.
lordnikon's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as good as the first volume, and spends a LITTLE too much time on Longshank's villainy. Still good, just not as great as the 1st volume.
salve58's review against another edition
2.0
Poorly written. I have no interest in reading the second book.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little uncertain if i would like this book. I do like the Crusades, but i have never really read anything serious from this era in Historical Fiction.
There were some areas that i was not fully fond of, and sometimes the skipping in time caught me out (mainly due to being an audiobook, rather than reading - i missed the dates occasionally).
I will continue with this series for sure - once i have cut my to be read pile a little.
There were some areas that i was not fully fond of, and sometimes the skipping in time caught me out (mainly due to being an audiobook, rather than reading - i missed the dates occasionally).
I will continue with this series for sure - once i have cut my to be read pile a little.
matthewbird's review against another edition
5.0
This one took me a while to get through but it was well worth it! I'd been looking for a book set in medival times and this came up on alot of lists. The book really highlights the brutality of the crusades. The characters have real depth and I found myself invested them! I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
lulumillie02's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5