ON THE EVE OF THE LAST CRUSADE...
One young knight, bound by faith, driven by valour, begins a quest to protect a secret that could change t... read full description
One young knight, bound by faith, driven by valour, begins a quest to protect a secret that could change t... read full description
reviews
Mar 14, 2009
Deirdre
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This is the story of Will Campbell a reluctant Knight Templar, his friendship and love and his growth from a boy to a man. Will is a Templar because his father decided he should be, he lives with the guilt of having accidentally killed his sister and that his father didn't speak to him for years.
It's also the story of Baybars and his fight to rise his life from Malmuk slave to ruler. Ruthless he pursues the expulsion of Christians from the lands he regards as his with ruthlessness.
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It's also the story of Baybars and his fight to rise his life from Malmuk slave to ruler. Ruthless he pursues the expulsion of Christians from the lands he regards as his with ruthlessness.
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May 05, 2011
Elspeth
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This book has been lying on my bedside table now for about a year, and the bookmark hasn't moved from page 121 in all that time.
I struggled to get into it. Her research, from what I could tell, is thorough and detailed, and she sets a scene well, but hand on heart I could not make myself care about any of the characters, so they all seemed to blend together. Something was off with the pacing too. Perhaps I didn't give it a fair chance, as at the time I was only able to read in short More...
I struggled to get into it. Her research, from what I could tell, is thorough and detailed, and she sets a scene well, but hand on heart I could not make myself care about any of the characters, so they all seemed to blend together. Something was off with the pacing too. Perhaps I didn't give it a fair chance, as at the time I was only able to read in short More...
Apr 09, 2011
Jeffrey
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On the eve of a military victory that would shape east-west relations for centuries to come, Mamluk rule in Palestine remained inchoate and unsure. Without the bearing forged by dynastic tradition, its legions of former slaves—many of Turkic origin, bought in the bazaars of central Asia, converted to Islam in the citadels of Cairo and Damascus, and trained as the mercenaries of the former Ayyubid Caliphate—could have little idea that their decisive defeat of the Mongol adventurers from the east
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May 30, 2009
ON THE EVE OF THE LAST CRUSADE...
One young knight, bound by faith, driven by valour, begins a quest to protect a secret that could change the course of history irrevocably.
A richly detailed, epic historical adventure set in Paris, London, Egypt, and Palestine on the eve of the last Crusade, Brethren tells the story of a young knight’s search for a mysterious (and potentially deadly) book belonging to a secret organization within the Knights Templar.
When young Will More...
One young knight, bound by faith, driven by valour, begins a quest to protect a secret that could change the course of history irrevocably.
A richly detailed, epic historical adventure set in Paris, London, Egypt, and Palestine on the eve of the last Crusade, Brethren tells the story of a young knight’s search for a mysterious (and potentially deadly) book belonging to a secret organization within the Knights Templar.
When young Will More...
Nov 25, 2009
Josh
rated it: 
The Brethren Trilogy is historical fiction, covering the Knights Templar and the last crusade. All three books have been published, but I am waiting to read the third one; I don't want to purchase the hardcover edition, especially since the paperback form will be released in January.
This, the first, was far superior to the second, though neither were precisely bad. The series is centered on a young sergeant hoping to someday be a templar. His name is Will Campbell and he is from a l More...
This, the first, was far superior to the second, though neither were precisely bad. The series is centered on a young sergeant hoping to someday be a templar. His name is Will Campbell and he is from a l More...
Aug 15, 2011
Ingrid
rated it:
This book is in its own way a good book. I was thrilled to read in the authors "Note", that she tried to be as authentic and true as possible to the story about the Templars who went to Outremer to try to convert all the Muslims living there.
Another good thing is that you follow the Emir Baybars rise to becoming a Sultan and how he does it.
He's a ruthless man who wants all Christians out of his part of the world and somehow you wont blame him for being so vindictive.
Our More...
Another good thing is that you follow the Emir Baybars rise to becoming a Sultan and how he does it.
He's a ruthless man who wants all Christians out of his part of the world and somehow you wont blame him for being so vindictive.
Our More...
Aug 26, 2011
David
rated it:
A well-written, historically accurate drama set against the background of the final days of the Frankish Kingdoms of Outremer. Robyn Young avoids most of the more outlandish conspiracy theories regarding the Templars, tho she does introduce a shadowy organisation called the Anima Templi to the mix, which has a goal in mind that seems to owe more to 21st century sensibilities than 13th century ones... I would love to think that relations between the faiths were so harmonious within Acre as is pai
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Oct 30, 2011
Elaine
rated it:
The first of what is proving to be a well planned and researched trilogy documenting the time of the third Crusade. The characters are spilt into various groups. Will, one of the protagonists, begins the novel as a sergeant (a trainee Knight Crusader), and we learn much of the organisation by following Will's training. He is motivated by following in his father's footsteps, and this lends a depth and pathos to his ambitions. We also have insights into the role of the Hospitallers, another sectio
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Mar 19, 2010
Sue
rated it:
This is a good story in need of a good editor. Sorry to be blunt but that is what I kept thinking while reading this book. Full of adventure, interesting characters, separate yet intertwining tales, historical detail, this is novel that made you want to keep reading. Despite all this promise, I struggled for weeks reading this as there were many times I felt it was getting bogged down-bogged down by the very attributes listed above. Also, I longed for more insight from the author via her charact
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Nov 18, 2009
Rossrn
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The Brethren by Robyn Young is book one of a trilogy featuring Will Campbell, a Knights Templar.
Not realizing this was a trilogy, I'd previously read book three and enjoyed it, but now reading book one, I have a much better understanding of the motivations and history.
This book opens with Will being a frustrated young man who desires to become a knight, like his father. He is haunted by a childhood incident and desire to please his father. Through his own rebellious act More...
Not realizing this was a trilogy, I'd previously read book three and enjoyed it, but now reading book one, I have a much better understanding of the motivations and history.
This book opens with Will being a frustrated young man who desires to become a knight, like his father. He is haunted by a childhood incident and desire to please his father. Through his own rebellious act More...
Jul 28, 2011
Mirah
rated it:
I think Robyn Young really started out this series on a high note with this book. The character of Will is so complete; he's flawed but always seeking salvation, he has a capacity for love and honor, he's dedicated to what he believes, and his quest for redemption takes us all along with him on his search. Other characters aren't quite so clear to us...motives are questioned and alliances uncertain...but that makes the story interesting. I liked that the novel is told from both perspectives of
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Nov 23, 2011
Sammie
rated it: 
I wish I could give this book 1.5 stars. Some aspects of it I liked, but there were enough that I didn't like that I can't quite bring myself to select 'it was ok'.
My main criticism of this book is that it has all the subtlety of a punch in the face. Major plot points were crammed into single pages to move the story along. It reads as a lurching, stuttering story that goes nowhere for a long time and then suddenly leaps foward. Twists didn't feel natural and major events fell flat f More...
My main criticism of this book is that it has all the subtlety of a punch in the face. Major plot points were crammed into single pages to move the story along. It reads as a lurching, stuttering story that goes nowhere for a long time and then suddenly leaps foward. Twists didn't feel natural and major events fell flat f More...
Apr 03, 2008
Dawn
rated it:
The first book in a planed trilogy follows William Campbell of the Templar Knights as he searches for a missing book. The most interesting aspect of the book is the fact that the author uses two distinct voices to tell the story; eastern and western.
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Mar 06, 2010
Charles712
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Readers Response For March
I thought this was a very interesting book on a topic that i find very interesting; the Knights Templar. I felt like the author really knew what he was talking about and still was able to create his own version of the story of the Knights Templar, though at times I felt like it dragged on.
This book taught me to do what i want to do, and not what someone else wants me to do. In the book, Everard makes Will leave e More...
I thought this was a very interesting book on a topic that i find very interesting; the Knights Templar. I felt like the author really knew what he was talking about and still was able to create his own version of the story of the Knights Templar, though at times I felt like it dragged on.
This book taught me to do what i want to do, and not what someone else wants me to do. In the book, Everard makes Will leave e More...
Jun 06, 2009
Maya
rated it: 
It didn't take me long to read the first part of the Brethren Trilogy called Brethren. You can always tell when I like a book very much because I tend to start reading and not stop until its finished or I fall asleep.
Besides the story which is all about the coming of age of two very powerful people, and the side story which is about the mystery of a missing book, and the Knights Templars; the book has a lot to recommend it.
The historical detail that the author put into t More...
Besides the story which is all about the coming of age of two very powerful people, and the side story which is about the mystery of a missing book, and the Knights Templars; the book has a lot to recommend it.
The historical detail that the author put into t More...
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Jun 06, 2011
Jak
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I’ve read a few historical fiction novels over the years the skill in writing them comes in delivering historical facts, painting a picture of what life was like at that time and how events were shaped while maintaining a narrative with interesting characters and an overall plot. Unfortunately, Young seems to have concentrated more on the plot and characters rather than the course of historical events.
This leads to the overall feeling that this is a story set in medieval times rathe More...
This leads to the overall feeling that this is a story set in medieval times rathe More...
Jul 23, 2011
Ruth
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 04, 2011
Fiona
rated it:
Okay, so I didn't quite read all of it, but I read most of it so as far as I'm concerned IT'S READ. Sod it. What a load of absolute tripe. It isn't even good tripe, it's badly written tripe.
The characters were badly written cardboard cut outs. Will sounded like some kid directly out of High School, minus modern day slang. Elwen looked like she had just walked out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting what with her long flowing hair that flowed loose down her back, golden tresses that quite of More...
The characters were badly written cardboard cut outs. Will sounded like some kid directly out of High School, minus modern day slang. Elwen looked like she had just walked out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting what with her long flowing hair that flowed loose down her back, golden tresses that quite of More...
Feb 22, 2012
procrastin8or
rated it:
I ought to have liked this more than I actually did. It was well written and as the author says, it is designed to tell the story of the final Crusade from the point of view of both Christian and Muslim. I read a lot of historical fiction and it was much better written than some examples I can think of. The descriptions are good and the battles well handled. Overall it has the makings of a good quality historical novel.
However there are some severe flaws that I cannot forgive. The char More...
However there are some severe flaws that I cannot forgive. The char More...
Jun 26, 2011
Stuart
rated it:
Will Sinclair is a Templar, he is a work of fiction but in this - the first of three books by Robyn Young - you would think he was a true life figure.
She writes so superbly, her descriptions of places, events, characters is extremely detailed and completely believable. In fact you may even be surprised to learn that this level of writing, this truly magnificent story is Robyn's debut novel.
If you like Medieval history, or stories about the Templars then this book really shou More...
She writes so superbly, her descriptions of places, events, characters is extremely detailed and completely believable. In fact you may even be surprised to learn that this level of writing, this truly magnificent story is Robyn's debut novel.
If you like Medieval history, or stories about the Templars then this book really shou More...
Nov 22, 2011
Angela
rated it:
The novel Brethren: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar is a book of epic proportions, using the much disputed Holy Land as the backdrop for much of the story. On a basic level, it tells the story of two men, William Campbell and Baybars, both of whom are driven in many ways, by the desire for revenge. Campbell is a young Scot who wishes to follow in his father’s footsteps, by becoming a Knight Templar. His path to attain this goal is never easy, being fraught with danger, frustration and i
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Apr 17, 2010
Josh
rated it:
Epic. Sprawling. Exciting. Romantic. Sad. These five words could be used to describe this book about a secret organization within the Templar knights. As long as I can remember I have been fascinated by the Templar knights. I don't know how it started or even why, but I actively seek out novels that use this group of men as characters. When I came across this trilogy by Robyn Young, I knew that I was going to be diving into the series with gusto. This first book did not disappoint. It follows a
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Jul 17, 2009
Bettie
rated it:
A full three stars here for a solid read on a subject that has always appealed. Could have squeezed it to a four but for some info dumping that was over and above the palatable; good first novel and I have the second one Crusade on the bedside shelves.
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Part I featured Edward, son of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence. It also features The Book of the Grail which, at this stage of my reading, is an account of Anima Templi Rituals. I have a feeling that this author may tur More...
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Part I featured Edward, son of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence. It also features The Book of the Grail which, at this stage of my reading, is an account of Anima Templi Rituals. I have a feeling that this author may tur More...
Feb 25, 2008
Richard
rated it:
This is a good book by a very young author. She is only 32 and this book is part of a trilogy http://www.robynyoung.com/news.html. The second book will be out summer of 2007.
Brethren came out some time last year. I bought the book some time in April 2007, hehe..finished it in one day. That is how captivating this book is. Most of the characters in there are based on Fact and these characters did existed.
Robyn really did her research on the histories of the crusades More...
Brethren came out some time last year. I bought the book some time in April 2007, hehe..finished it in one day. That is how captivating this book is. Most of the characters in there are based on Fact and these characters did existed.
Robyn really did her research on the histories of the crusades More...
Jul 10, 2009
Steve
rated it:
Be forewarned that what follows is a sexist review. Young's writing of the epic adventure has the main male characters self-reflect and chastigate themselves over their treatment of commarades and lady loves too much for my liking and entertainment. Good adventure, fighting, complex bad guys you can hate, and sex all in the mix.
I see self-loathing and introspection on the part of primary character in the books of some of my favorite male writers, but it is different from how many fem More...
I see self-loathing and introspection on the part of primary character in the books of some of my favorite male writers, but it is different from how many fem More...
Feb 07, 2012
Joan
rated it:
I picked up this book at a community book exchange. It was interesting enough reading and, of course, lots of rather impossible crossings of various lives. I did realize immediately that this is part of a trilogy and suspect that I will not seek out the other parts, but this was an OK read in itself.
Nov 24, 2008
Tony
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I liked this book quite a bit. i have read some novels of the Templars, but often it is modern day stuff and the intrigue is some long lost secret. Reading about how they interacted with different sects of christendom and went on crusades was quite interesting. I fully intend to read the other two books in the trilogy. The characters are well developed and fully fleshed out and I look forward to reading more of their adventures.
Nov 23, 2009
Al
rated it:
An excellent historical novel about the Knights Templar in England, France and the Holy Land during the waning years of Crusader influence in the Holy Land. The author provides a good perspective from the Western as well as the Eastern point of view.
Dec 12, 2008
Ellen
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I liked how the many story lines intertwined. As it is about the crusades, lots of people die and it gets a bit gruesome in parts. I thought how it was interesting how when someone died, it was told from their point of view. I read ahead to the next book but decided I didn't want to read it when someone I really liked died.
May 20, 2011
Raphaël
rated it:
Captivating story, although certain turns in the narrative are predictable. Other than that, it took me a bit of time to adapt to the sometimes big time jumps.
In all a very nice start into a promising trilogy.
In all a very nice start into a promising trilogy.
