In book one of the Celtic Crusades series, a Scottish boy travels to Jerusalem to try to regain his family's stolen lands, and ends up saving th... read full description
reviews
Jun 30, 2011
Annemarie
rated it: 
Dieses Buch habe ich nun schon mehrmals gelesen und immer wieder gefällt es mir.
Story:
Die Geschichte beginnt in Schottland 1096. Papst Urban II. hat die Gläubigen zum Kreuzzug aufgerufen. Drei der Kreuzfahrer sind Ranulf, ein Gutsherr auf den Orkney-Inseln und seine beiden älteren Söhne.
Murdo, der Hauptcharakter, muss alleine bei seiner Mutter bleiben und den Hof bewirtschaften.
Doch ein gieriger Bischof vertreibt ihn und seine Mutter vom Gut um sich den Besitz unte More...
Story:
Die Geschichte beginnt in Schottland 1096. Papst Urban II. hat die Gläubigen zum Kreuzzug aufgerufen. Drei der Kreuzfahrer sind Ranulf, ein Gutsherr auf den Orkney-Inseln und seine beiden älteren Söhne.
Murdo, der Hauptcharakter, muss alleine bei seiner Mutter bleiben und den Hof bewirtschaften.
Doch ein gieriger Bischof vertreibt ihn und seine Mutter vom Gut um sich den Besitz unte More...
Jun 29, 2009
Heather
rated it: 
Rating B+
Review As I've found with all of Stephen Lawhead's books (my initiation into the world of Celtic mythology and the Fantasy sub-genre), this book was just a little slow on the ramp-up of the book, but, paradoxically, by the end, I couldn't read it fast enough.
The story of Murdo's travels cover a long-forgotten Scotland (with names of places that were entirely unfamiliar to me because this was a Scotland shortly after the turn of the 11th century) all the way across the More...
Review As I've found with all of Stephen Lawhead's books (my initiation into the world of Celtic mythology and the Fantasy sub-genre), this book was just a little slow on the ramp-up of the book, but, paradoxically, by the end, I couldn't read it fast enough.
The story of Murdo's travels cover a long-forgotten Scotland (with names of places that were entirely unfamiliar to me because this was a Scotland shortly after the turn of the 11th century) all the way across the More...
Apr 02, 2011
Elaine
rated it:
I came to Lawhead via his much vaunted "Merlin" series. This, is quite a different series, and one in which he excels. More historical than fantasy, I am amazed that Lawhead doesn't have a wider following, as he recounts a riveting tale, populated by fascinating characters.The Celtic series spans some 1,500 pages-and if ps2+3 come up to parr with this first excellent intstallment, then I have much to look forward to, and will be reading the next 2 in quick succession-p2 starting shortl
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Jul 29, 2011
Everyone I talked to absolutely raved about this author but hadn't read this particular series. I started this book with high hopes, but found it extremely slow, even despite my interest in Byzantine and Scottish history. I liked the characters and the settings, but the combination of Lawhead's somewhat intricate writing style with the rather bleak overall plot line made it a struggle for me to get through. I also didn't make it far enough to uncover the elements of fantasy fiction, which is
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Aug 30, 2010
A historical fiction story set in the First Crusade. 1000's AD. I enjoyed this story like I have all SL's books so far. A young man from goes on the Crusade to retake Jerusalem. (I was very interested in the sections on the Byzantine Empire. For some reason this gets the short treatment in history classes.) I know much of what is chronicled from the Crusades is true. Every man woman and child in a city killed. In Jerusalem, of all places. And I cannot help but think the Christian/Muslim feud tha
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Feb 07, 2009
CB
rated it: 
“How long could it take to liberate the Holy Land from the slack grasp of a few Arabs?”
I wasn’t very far into Stephen R. Lawhead’s The Iron Lance before things started to feel a little familiar. The irony, of course, is that the book was written in 1998, well before our current Middle-East debacle.
Book I of the Celtic Crusades trilogy, The Iron Lance opens as the kings and princes of Western Europe answer the church’s call to go on crusade to the Holy Land. The book is More...
I wasn’t very far into Stephen R. Lawhead’s The Iron Lance before things started to feel a little familiar. The irony, of course, is that the book was written in 1998, well before our current Middle-East debacle.
Book I of the Celtic Crusades trilogy, The Iron Lance opens as the kings and princes of Western Europe answer the church’s call to go on crusade to the Holy Land. The book is More...
Aug 05, 2009
Annette
rated it:
I've been on a Lawhead kick lately; the "Celtic Crusades" series is another of his I've long put off reading for one reason or another. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I it. While told in third person, Lawhead avoids for the most part the "telling rather than showing" of his characters' emotions and motivations that is the bane of so many writers (and even himself in other books.) The history is fascinating, the plot compelling, and the pacing excellent - especially
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Jul 03, 2010
Widsith
rated it:
This massive historical-fantasy novel about the First Crusade begins a family-saga trilogy recounting the story of a mysterious mystical order founded upon the discovery of the spear that pierced Christ's side as he hung on the cross. The narrative is framed as a series of visions by a Victorian Scots lawyer, who begins by seeing his ancestors leaving the Orkneys on the Crusade, except for the youngest brother, Murdo, who remains behind to watch the family holdings. When fraudulent clerics take
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Jan 02, 2012
Adrianna
rated it:
I just happened to pick up this book and though it starts out a little slow it does get engrossing. The characters are engaging and left me feeling that I could be sitting with them as they went on crusade. The book follows the main character Murdo who happens to seek out the crusade to find his father and brothers due to a family injustice.
I do love a good historical novel.
I do love a good historical novel.
Aug 21, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Lawhead is so great when he is writing historical fiction within the boundaries of Briton and Wales, but when he left the borders for this series it just didn't come alive for me in the way his other books do. The story is good, the concept interesting, just not as exceptional as his other books (Pendragon & Hood series especially).
Apr 14, 2007
Jared
rated it:
The Iron Lance, in case you aren't familiar with Catholic relics, is supposed to be the spear that was used to pierce the side of Jesus while He was on the cross. It's also called the Spear of Destiny and legend has it that the possessor of the spear is virtually invincible (of course, there are variations of its powers). During the Crusades there was an effort put forth by the Roman Church to collect the various relics associated with Christ's death. If you're interested at all in Church histor
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Jun 02, 2009
Brad
rated it:
This is a very well written book. It's definitely a page turner despite its slower pace. The siege of Jerusalem is depicted very realistically. That scene is definitely one of the most disturbing things I've ever read. This book mixes history with a bit of mysticism. I definitely recommend this book!
Aug 10, 2011
Jacob
rated it:
This book has all the strengths and weaknesses of a typical Lawhead book. It is creative, original, and somewhat captures the charm of Celtic Britain. The theology is sketchy at best and the narrative occasionally suffers. This book is probably the best in the Celtic Crusades trilogy.
Dec 04, 2008
Keith
rated it:
We are oft to blame in this, — 'Tis too much prov'd, — that with devotion's visage, And pious action, we do sugar o'er The devil himself.
Feb 25, 2011
Ice
rated it:
Another enjoyable (but not to taxing) read from mr Lawhead. Good enough to save for re-reading
Dec 03, 2010
Foghorn
rated it:
Awesome historical fiction... the Templars, the Crusades... just really awesome!
Oct 01, 2009
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it:
I enjoyed this book. I guess I like a lot of Lawhead's work.
Mar 28, 2007
Tara
rated it:
Favorite Quotes
We could but stand aside and watch as the manifold catastrophes of man and nature wreaked havoc great and dire upon the world. In this, I began to learn something of the heroic patience of the saints. To stand aside and watch while the worst mistakes were made again and again--and always, always to the cost of those who could least afford it--was almost more than I could take. Often was the time I sought retreat, sickened in my soul over the inhumanity rampant around m More...
We could but stand aside and watch as the manifold catastrophes of man and nature wreaked havoc great and dire upon the world. In this, I began to learn something of the heroic patience of the saints. To stand aside and watch while the worst mistakes were made again and again--and always, always to the cost of those who could least afford it--was almost more than I could take. Often was the time I sought retreat, sickened in my soul over the inhumanity rampant around m More...
Oct 24, 2009
Templars, mystery and history combine in this book I found at a library book sale. I've never heard of the author, but I want to read more of his works. He's done a trilogy on Arthur.
Oct 26, 2009
Peter
rated it:
This was not Lawhead's best, but it was still interesting. I knew very little about the crusades before picking this up, so much of my interest was simply in the historical setting. Most of Lawhead's common elements are here: hero separated from his home, long journey, interaction with the religion of the day, portrayal of orthodox Christians as weenies and crooks, heretics are kind and compassionate.
Nov 08, 2008
Terri
rated it: 
While not as engrossing as some historical novels I've read, this novel was intriguing because of it's connection to the Crusades (how they were not so good) and the lineage (Scottish) of the main character to me. I would have liked more of a love story and less of a tied-up, happily-ever-after ending, it was a solid read with an engaging plot.
Sep 14, 2008
David
rated it:
This book tells the story and horror of the crusades from the eyes of a young Celtic lad. Murdro has his own agenda and fulfills it in a way her had had not foreseen.
Lawhead has a way with the times. I admit I sometimes skips over his narrative to hit the high points. I know I did near the end of the book to see what happened.
Lawhead has a way with the times. I admit I sometimes skips over his narrative to hit the high points. I know I did near the end of the book to see what happened.
Mar 22, 2008
minervasowl
rated it: 
Generally speaking, I take issue with the Crusades, but I thought that since I liked Lawhead so much (especially the Pendragon cycle) I would give this book a try.
No matter how good the author, I still can't get past the idea of sacking a city which was sacred not only to the supposed infidels but also to the invaders.
No matter how good the author, I still can't get past the idea of sacking a city which was sacred not only to the supposed infidels but also to the invaders.
