My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Crusade (Brethren Trilogy #2)
by
Robyn Young
The second volume in the internationally bestselling Brethren trilogy, Crusade is gripping historical fiction that grows more relevant by the day (Raymond Khoury, bestselling author of The Last Templar)
An international bestseller, Crusade is a fast-paced medieval adventure portraying the rising tide of political pressures that led East and West to war in the 13th centur...more
An international bestseller, Crusade is a fast-paced medieval adventure portraying the rising tide of political pressures that led East and West to war in the 13th centur...more
Paperback, 512 pages
Published
July 29th 2008
by Plume
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
641)
The second volume in the internationally bestselling Brethren trilogy, Crusade is gripping historical fiction that “grows more relevant by the day” (Raymond Khoury, bestselling author of The Last Templar)
An international bestseller, Crusade is a fast-paced medieval adventure portraying the rising tide of political pressures that led East and West to war in the 13th century.
After years of bloodshed, peace finally reigns in the Middle East, in part due to the efforts of Wil...more
An international bestseller, Crusade is a fast-paced medieval adventure portraying the rising tide of political pressures that led East and West to war in the 13th century.
After years of bloodshed, peace finally reigns in the Middle East, in part due to the efforts of Wil...more
I started with book three not realizing this was a trilogy, so having finished Crusade by Robyn Young, I've finished the cycle.
Crusade was not as compelling to me as Brethren (Book 1) or Fall of the Templars (Book 3), but it did provide a lot of understanding for book 3.
While Book 1 is about Will Campbell becoming a Templar, Book 2 is Will Campbell as a Templar. Moreover, it explains his quick rise as a Templar.
The book is set in the Middle East with the Chri...more
Crusade was not as compelling to me as Brethren (Book 1) or Fall of the Templars (Book 3), but it did provide a lot of understanding for book 3.
While Book 1 is about Will Campbell becoming a Templar, Book 2 is Will Campbell as a Templar. Moreover, it explains his quick rise as a Templar.
The book is set in the Middle East with the Chri...more
Against my better judgement I read this fairly soon after reading the first book in the trilogy. It claims to be relatively accurate historically (and the author declares her hand in a number of areas where it isn't) although I can make no call on that as it is an era that I don't know a lot about... though this series has prompted me to find out more. However, whilst it may be historically accurate, a lot of the ideas that drive the story are 21st century and more informed by current events in ...more
I said I'd give the first novel in this series 4.5 stars if I could. I'd give this one 2.5. Please note, however, that it seems I'm in the minority on this; most of the professional reviews I've read and most of the amateur reviews on Amazon take the opposite position. It seems that most reader think this was the superior novel.
I couldn't disagree more. Young still alternates between the Mamluks and the Templars, and this dual sided story telling is still brilliant. She is still exc...more
I couldn't disagree more. Young still alternates between the Mamluks and the Templars, and this dual sided story telling is still brilliant. She is still exc...more
Within this second book of her triology, Robyn Young has produced an excellent sequel to the first book Brethern. Will Campbell is now a Templar Knight trained in the art of fighting and war but when joining the secret brotherhood known as the Brethern he also becomes a man of peace. The Brethern have created an uneasy peace between the previously waring factions in the Holy Land. All is well until an assassination attempt is made on the new Grand Master of the Temple which pushes each faction f...more
Book 2 in this trilogy took me a long time to read, nearly two months. I was reading this during one of the busiest times in my life, but if I had totally been enthralled with the book, I would have found every chance possible to read it. It's not a bad book - a lot happens and it's well-written, but it felt like a lead up to the final book. This felt like a resting stop along the way to the finale. Again, that's not to say nothing significant happens because this book certainly moves the action...more
A superb second instalment to a compelling story. I do love this era of history and for some reason I have always loved the idea of the Knight's Templar. In all my reading about them, Robyn tries to bring them into reality, showing their flaws and insecurities as well as their devotion and pious behaviour.
The book delves deeply into the personality of each character, really bringing them to life on the page. It makes reading it a real pleasure, although you don't want it to end.
The book delves deeply into the personality of each character, really bringing them to life on the page. It makes reading it a real pleasure, although you don't want it to end.
This book had its moments of brilliance that took it from the 3 star to 4 star rating. I felt it was well researched and a complete 'part' of the overall story. I like the character of William and his relationships with Elwen, Kalawun, and Everard take some interesting turns. Some characters make unexpected returns that provide new directions and storylines. There were some parts that were rather slow and I had to trudge may way through, but overall a great story. I look forward to the fin...more
Will Campbell is a Templar Knight trying to keep a balance between his life as a templar and the love of his life. He's also a man sworn to promote peace in a war-torn world.
To be brutally honest I found myself occasionally wondering why I was bothering and why the characters were bothering. Several of them blurred together in my mind and I really couldn't care less occasionally if they lived or died. I have no real urge to read book 3.
To be brutally honest I found myself occasionally wondering why I was bothering and why the characters were bothering. Several of them blurred together in my mind and I really couldn't care less occasionally if they lived or died. I have no real urge to read book 3.
It took a while to get into this book as the first few chapters are heavy-going and lack any sort of hook. Unfortunately, my initial thoughts were that it was nowhere near as good as "Brethren", the first in the trilogy.
I persevered and the plot did become more involving and fast-paced, however several interesting story threads seemed to fizzle out or at least were not developed as they could have been.
So although there were several bright spots to this book, my...more
I persevered and the plot did become more involving and fast-paced, however several interesting story threads seemed to fizzle out or at least were not developed as they could have been.
So although there were several bright spots to this book, my...more
Will Campbell has shown evolution from this novel because he not only thinks for himself now but for his wife and daughter and for others as well. What interested me while I was reading this was that Acre was so divided and the people in the novel, mainly the antagonists, only wanted profit at the expense of the city's survival. It was appalling to know how segregated the Christians were against themselves and against the Saracens. Garin is one of those bad asses that make the good versus evil i...more
view 1 comment
Having read Brethren,the first of the trilogy which I enjoyed,I was looking forward to the continued saga of Will Campbell and the templers. I was not disappointed with Crusade. I find that Ms Young ties factual accounts with fictional characters and events superb. I enjoy the reading about the middle ages and the crusades and this writer keeps me turning the pages wanting to see the next peril.
another good book. Maybe not as good as the first, but go for it anyway. Despite the risk, I took this book with me as a read on a trip to Israel. Didn't wave it about on the plane or anything.
this story just keeps getting better and better..did not expect such a dramatic twist to the templar knights and especially Will.also quite a dramatic ending..can't wait for the third book
The second book of the Brethren Trilogy. I have to admit, its not as good as the first part but it still holds the same amount of well researched history as its predecessor.
The first few chapters were a bit slow, but once you get into the action you have a good amount of battles both between enemies and friends. The story expands with a lot of betrayals from all sides. A good in between story. I hope the final installment is at least as good as this one and at best as good as B...more
The first few chapters were a bit slow, but once you get into the action you have a good amount of battles both between enemies and friends. The story expands with a lot of betrayals from all sides. A good in between story. I hope the final installment is at least as good as this one and at best as good as B...more
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.
My criticism of Crusade would me much the same of the 1st book in the series in that it concentrates more on the fictional story of fictional characters rather than using these characters as a vehicle for the telling of genuine historical events.
So you end up with the story of the fictional Anima Temple which is told against the background of the end of West occupation of the Holy Land rather than the tales of the Knight Templer as experience by the characters. And I’m not fond of the...more
So you end up with the story of the fictional Anima Temple which is told against the background of the end of West occupation of the Holy Land rather than the tales of the Knight Templer as experience by the characters. And I’m not fond of the...more
Liked this one more than the first. Great history and great story to follow.
A good sequel.
This book is about a man named Will Campbell who is a templar knight. He is part of a secret organization based at the heart of the temple. This organization attempts to make treaties with the temples enemies before a war is started. It is a fast paced book with allot of twists and action. I enjoyed this book and i would recommend it to good teenage readers who enjoy action packed books.
This book fits into my bingo board as: a book that teaches about another time in history
This book fits into my bingo board as: a book that teaches about another time in history
Second book in the series, Brethren by Robyn Young being the first. Excellent read for those who like a little fiction with their history.
A perfect blend of history and fiction.
i like historical stories. i like to come away thinking i've learnt something. in this case i did. i won't spoil it by saying what it is, though. the battle discriptions are vivid and the feeling of empathy for the characters you get is hit hard in this book. overall i enjoyed it but it is a bit lengthy!
highley recommend the whole triolgy lots of page turning moments
The second book in the Trilogy from Robyn Young. This book doesn't grab you quite as quickly in the beginning as Brethren did, but hang in there through the first chapter or two. You'll be glad you did!
I can't wait to read the third installment!
I can't wait to read the third installment!
Als tweede deel van het drieluik is deze waanzinnig veel spannender dat het eerste deel. Een meeslepend verhaal met mooie uitdiepingen van de karakters maar ook een blik op politieke spelletjes en verschillende belangen.
Excellent followup to her first book. Will Campbel keeps the intrique alive and same cast of characters adds to the mystery of it all. Can't wait for book number three when the Scots kick some English arse.
I have been reading a lot of books that take place in this time frame in this part of the world and they are quite interesting. I enjoyed this book and look forward to finishing up the trilogy.
I liked the first book, Brethren, better, but I still enjoyed the book. Both deal with the Knights Templar. I do like how she tries to portray all the sides involved.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Robyn Young lives in Hove, and is the author of BRETHREN, the first novel in a trilogy set in the world of the Crusades. The author of numerous poems and short stories published in magazines and anthologies, Robyn has a Masters in Creative Writing with distinction from the University of Sussex. She teaches creative writing part-time in Brighton.
More about Robyn Young...
Share This Book
2 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“There is a time for faith, Bishop, and a time for action. It would be a foolish man who stood on a battlefield and faced an army with a Bible in his hands. We are here to do the bidding of our Lord Almighty, but it is through deeds, as well as piety, that we serve Him.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
