"This is what we dream of: to be so swept away, so "poleaxed" by a book that the breath is sucked right out of us. Brace yourselves." May 1565. Sul...
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reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Madame Charlotte
rated it: 
Je n’avais rien lu des polars de Willocks avant de m’attaquer à ce pavé de plus de 800 pages. Ce titre me faisait envie depuis longtemps, et il a comblé mes plus folles espérances.
C’est mirifique, épique, grandiose, sanglant, cruel, dégueulasse, violent, puant, chatoyant, apocalyptique, véhément, échevelé, passionné, trépidant, viril, sensuel, sexuel, animal, tendre, sauvage, poétique, tumultueux, puissant, cinématographique, hypnotisant, envoûtant, obsédant, émouvant.
C’est énorme.
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C’est mirifique, épique, grandiose, sanglant, cruel, dégueulasse, violent, puant, chatoyant, apocalyptique, véhément, échevelé, passionné, trépidant, viril, sensuel, sexuel, animal, tendre, sauvage, poétique, tumultueux, puissant, cinématographique, hypnotisant, envoûtant, obsédant, émouvant.
C’est énorme.
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Jan 03, 2008
eric
rated it: 
I was really disappointed with this book. It's essentially a Harlequin romance with a heavy dose of graphic violence. Willocks is clearly a very bright man, but his writing is schmaltzy, to say the least. Try this on for size:
>>>>
[Tannhauser compliments Carla]
Carla felt her cheeks burn. She felt inadequate to the compliment and to acknowledge it seemed improper. A sense of sin clenched inside her. Such fears and doubts had hedged her life for as long as More...
>>>>
[Tannhauser compliments Carla]
Carla felt her cheeks burn. She felt inadequate to the compliment and to acknowledge it seemed improper. A sense of sin clenched inside her. Such fears and doubts had hedged her life for as long as More...
Dec 17, 2009
Ned
rated it: 
This one is a bit too long but to tell you the truth I could not put it down. An ex-Janissary and adventurer takes up the challenge of finding a beautiful Maltese countess's illegitimate son on Malta just as the Ottomans begin their legendary siege of the Mediterranean island and commence a titanic struggle with the ruthless Knights of St. John. The battle scenes are so sickening that they must be true to life, and the intrigues involving the inquisitions, the Ottomans, the knights of St. John a
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Dec 31, 2008
Lila
rated it:
I bought The Religion by Tim Willocks a little over a year ago. Since then it was staying on my bookshelf with hundreds of other books that I just somehow didn’t have time to read. The reasons for it were many but one of them was that I knew the premise of the book which is the time in history when there is a jihad raging against the Western world. I thought I had had enough books about how horrible the Catholic Church was and all the atrocities it committed in the name of God. Boy, was I wrong!
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May 05, 2009
Janet
rated it:
It's been a long time since I read an historical novel that was truly a "page turner" -- but once I got into this story I hated to put it down.
As is always the case for me, the heart of the appeal of the story lies with the characters, and I enjoyed spending time with all the protagonists. Equally importantly, the primary villain was compelling: both frightening and just a bit tragic. The conflicting cultures of Christian Knights of St. John ("the Hospitallers") More...
As is always the case for me, the heart of the appeal of the story lies with the characters, and I enjoyed spending time with all the protagonists. Equally importantly, the primary villain was compelling: both frightening and just a bit tragic. The conflicting cultures of Christian Knights of St. John ("the Hospitallers") More...
Mar 05, 2011
Cloudedleopard
rated it: 
Eines der langweiligsten Bücher, durch die ich mich je gequält habe. Für die knapp 760 Seiten habe ich Wochen gebraucht. Der Inhalt hat mich überhaupt nicht gefesselt, ich hatte mir von dem Klappentext mehr erwartet. Zudem ist der Beitext bezüglich der Aussage Ken Folletts Agent in Amerika wollte, dass Willocks ein Buch schreibt, das selbst die Säulen der Erde in den Schatten stellt, unglaublich übertrieben.
Gegen Ende hatte ich das Gefühl, der Autor lebt unter dem Motto: wie komme ich da n More...
Gegen Ende hatte ich das Gefühl, der Autor lebt unter dem Motto: wie komme ich da n More...
Oct 09, 2011
Kat
rated it: 
Well...this one was a bit of a tough read. That's not to say that I didn't learn from it, but it was an intense study.
Here's an excerpt from the review at The Uncustomary Book Review:
"The putrid smell emanating from within the bowels of the train’s bathroom stall just a few feet away from me is a fitting accompaniment to the vile imagery I’m exposing myself to on this Tuesday-morning commute. What mind-space did the author have to be in to write such grotesque scenes? I More...
Here's an excerpt from the review at The Uncustomary Book Review:
"The putrid smell emanating from within the bowels of the train’s bathroom stall just a few feet away from me is a fitting accompaniment to the vile imagery I’m exposing myself to on this Tuesday-morning commute. What mind-space did the author have to be in to write such grotesque scenes? I More...
Sep 27, 2011
Angus
rated it:
I've been asking myself for a while, how much of a book do I need to have read to know it will be one I enjoy. In this one, I was quickly engaged (although it felt familiar, unfortunately) and this remained the case for the remainder of the book. Although the pace steadied, the characters and the plot remained intriguing, and I like to think I was gaining a picture of a period and place I've not knwon about before.
I liked the inter-play between the various religious positions - there was no More...
I liked the inter-play between the various religious positions - there was no More...
Jul 11, 2009
Alan
rated it:
Maltese Iliad
In The Religion: A Novel Tim Willocks delivers a swashbuckling historical romance about the great seige of Malta. It's too much to expect that Willocks' novel could excel in all three categories; but it does give consistent satisfaction.
The best aspect of the book is its unblinking and objective treatment of the Great Seige, which Willocks aptly describes it as the Maltese Iliad. In places, the story is too tedious for a novel but properly creates the sense o More...
In The Religion: A Novel Tim Willocks delivers a swashbuckling historical romance about the great seige of Malta. It's too much to expect that Willocks' novel could excel in all three categories; but it does give consistent satisfaction.
The best aspect of the book is its unblinking and objective treatment of the Great Seige, which Willocks aptly describes it as the Maltese Iliad. In places, the story is too tedious for a novel but properly creates the sense o More...
Jul 27, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
I've read this before, but I wanted to read it again, especially after rereading The Historian for the simple reason that this involves a major siege between the a military arm of the Catholic Church, called the Religion, and the Turkish army (which is the connection to The Historian). It's a a great example of complexity of plot and detailed military strategy mixed with a look at both Islam and Catholicism (and other religious or mystic philosophies) from an outsider's perspective. Tannhauser i
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Dec 02, 2008
I cannot describe how I felt about this book. As anyone who knows me can tell you, I don't usually put a book down. I will stick it out to whatever end it brings, horrifying or otherwise, as I am an avid believer in redemption, whether of the author or character(s), and I understand that characters do not always reflect the nature of the author. After all, writing (in my case, anyway) can often be a form of escape, or assuming an identity opposite of reality. In the case of The Religion, howev
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Jan 30, 2012
Allthatwander
rated it:
I was given this book by my father, who had it from his father, while I was (interestingly enough) in rehab. I wasn't that thrilled at the premise, but by the time I had finished the prologue I was very invested. I loved the book. Not all of it, but enough of it to validate my giving it the five stars I think it earned. I noticed the complete lack of gloss on anything, the realism of humanity in all of its faults and failings, but also the way that it didn't try to hide that people are beautiful
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Feb 05, 2009
The first in a projected trilogy, The Religion stirred excitement in some critics and distaste in others. Tim Willocks writes with visual detail (he's a screenwriter), but he also appeals to the other senses, creating what the Chicago Sun-Times described as "a thick stew of smells, colors, and sounds." Some reviewers, however, criticized florid writing, shallow characters, and a clich_d plot. Others found Willocks's prose cinematic, his characters complicated, and the plot thrilling.
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Sep 18, 2011
John
rated it:
I'm not sure this hero can carry a trilogy -- he's a little too much for that. He's regularly has two or more women willing to share him because he's so irresistible, a savvy businessman, a formidable military strategist, an undefeatable warrior, and a canny analyst of politics who dismisses religous fanaticism in the terms of a 21st-century skeptic. He manages to build a hot tub in the middle of the war zone, and also --- get this --- keep it private!
If you look beyond the shortcomi More...
If you look beyond the shortcomi More...
Dec 21, 2009
Leslie
rated it:
I haven't read a book like this in a long time and I enjoyed it. I found this book at the Dollar Tree, I hope that doesn't mean part two and part three of the trilogy won't be written. I want to read them.
In the year 1565 Muslims tried to conquer the island of Malta--I'm assuming this was a real event. Over 600 pages long and full of battle, gore, sex, intrigue, gore, knights, gore, the Inquisition, gore, love, death, nobility, faith, gore. The gore is clinically described and gross. More...
In the year 1565 Muslims tried to conquer the island of Malta--I'm assuming this was a real event. Over 600 pages long and full of battle, gore, sex, intrigue, gore, knights, gore, the Inquisition, gore, love, death, nobility, faith, gore. The gore is clinically described and gross. More...
Feb 21, 2009
Marisa
rated it:
Terrible book. I have to admit that I didn't even finish it. I kept reading and reading hoping that it would actually get better, but alas...I had no sympathy for any of the main characters. They were brutal, selfish and not remotely interesting. I'm usually not affected by battles and blood, but this book really left me with a sick feeling-not sure why. It disgusted me that the main character glows about the wisdom of one religion while EVERY member of the other religion is portrayed as a perv
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Aug 03, 2011
Paul
rated it:
My word this book is brutal! It's one of the those books that calls on historical events and describes them through the device of personal stories. In this case it's through the main character of Matthias Tannhauser. I absolutely love anti-heroes and he totally personifies the term. Really, you shouldn't like him for what he does, but you can't help yourself!
Tim Willocks' writing is so good you can almost feel the Malta sun burning your skin (I read this during a cold winter) and smell the More...
Tim Willocks' writing is so good you can almost feel the Malta sun burning your skin (I read this during a cold winter) and smell the More...
Aug 01, 2011
Kelley
rated it:
I thought this book was very well done.
Willocks took little known events and wove them into an adventure tale that kept me engrossed throughout the entire volume.
Tannhauser is a character that is admired by his friends and crew and is dreamed of by the women without getting too sappy.
It is a story of friendship even during hardship and possible betrayal. Tannhauser was raised by what had been his enemy and he came to love and understand them as well as h More...
Willocks took little known events and wove them into an adventure tale that kept me engrossed throughout the entire volume.
Tannhauser is a character that is admired by his friends and crew and is dreamed of by the women without getting too sappy.
It is a story of friendship even during hardship and possible betrayal. Tannhauser was raised by what had been his enemy and he came to love and understand them as well as h More...
Oct 31, 2010
Phillip
rated it:
Tim Willocks writing in "The Religion" wasn't anything more than average. What kept the book afloat was more or less just the topic, which was the the crusades, the battle of Malta specifically.
What I learned was actually about character, the problem in "The Religion" was that the main character was so stinking unoriginal. I mean, he was a mercenary, who was an amazing fighter, had sex with every main girl in the story, and (despite not being a knight nor religiou More...
What I learned was actually about character, the problem in "The Religion" was that the main character was so stinking unoriginal. I mean, he was a mercenary, who was an amazing fighter, had sex with every main girl in the story, and (despite not being a knight nor religiou More...
Nov 19, 2010
David
rated it:
This is the first book I've read in years that I felt was NOT written at a 6th grade level. Willocks' writing is like reading poetry. Even though in this particular book the "poetry" is about knights hacking each other to death on mounds of dead bodies. I felt like I was reading a book written at an adult level. No, not smutty, just smart and intelligent.
I'm not putting much here regarding the subject or plot other than the Knights I've mentioned. But if you like st More...
I'm not putting much here regarding the subject or plot other than the Knights I've mentioned. But if you like st More...
Nov 29, 2011
This book was truly one of the most captivating novels I've ever read! Willocks develops his characters with great detail, and in that detail you begin to live through them as the story unravels. The battles have you feeling exhausted, the treachery has you wrathful, and the suspense is breathtaking. This is not an easy read, and it requires some patience as you get a feel for how Willocks writes and the vocabulary with which he is working. This is not a light read, rather a rich, chewy jour
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Oct 21, 2009
Galina
rated it:
“The Religion” (takes its title from the name the Knights of St. John have chosen for themselves, the 1500's, and marauding Turks descend upon a Saxon village in the Carpathian Mountains. How much better can it get! Willocks's novel makes a point - religious wars have rarely been exclusively about religion. Tannhauser - the hero - trades drugs for favors, takes vengeance on his enemies and deals with heroes and villains on both sides of the conflict, it becomes clear that the fight isn’t over ch
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Mar 29, 2010
Karla (Mossy Love Grotto)
rated it:
I hated this book. I love violence and don't mind sex in my fiction, but this book was absolutely wretched, despite having those two ingredients. The main fault, I think, was the hero. He was too perfect and was therefore absolutely obnoxious. He knows how everything should be defended, he is looked to grudgingly for his experience in the Muslim world, he turns the loins of women to water and the hearts to men to envy. And unfortunately there are precious few scenes where he doesn't suck out the
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Feb 09, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
I didn't know it was a trilogy when I picked it up. I won't be reading anymore. It was over 600 pages of gory blood and guts. So much so that all the little gory details lost the line of the story! And I usually like authors like Michener who really adds details. However this author was over the top! The is supposedly a historical fiction taking place in 1565 about the war between Suleiman the Magnificent, emperor of the Ottomans and the Knights of St. John the Baptist for the Christian ho
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Aug 18, 2008
Rossrn
rated it:
Finally finished Tim Willocks, The Religion. This 600 page tome could probably have been reduced by a hundred or so without loss of story or understanding.
Willocks creates memorable and unique characters who are even moreso when coupled with one another. Tannhauser is a man of the world and without country as he has lived in and served the Ottoman Empire as well as the Religion, and himself as a businessman.
To improve his lot in life, he agrees to help a woman find her son More...
Willocks creates memorable and unique characters who are even moreso when coupled with one another. Tannhauser is a man of the world and without country as he has lived in and served the Ottoman Empire as well as the Religion, and himself as a businessman.
To improve his lot in life, he agrees to help a woman find her son More...
May 21, 2008
murph
rated it:
Mack Bolan goes to Malta.
Historical fiction has a tough challenge: weave a narrative into history that has already been written. You can't flirt with changing history, because your audience will know what must happen.
Tim Willocks takes a slice of history that is outside of the modern zeitgeist - the siege of Malta in 1565. This allows him to be a guide to the dramatic ebb and flow of the battle. Good historical novels educate as well as entertain.
Willocks in u More...
Historical fiction has a tough challenge: weave a narrative into history that has already been written. You can't flirt with changing history, because your audience will know what must happen.
Tim Willocks takes a slice of history that is outside of the modern zeitgeist - the siege of Malta in 1565. This allows him to be a guide to the dramatic ebb and flow of the battle. Good historical novels educate as well as entertain.
Willocks in u More...
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Apr 29, 2008
K
rated it:
Have just started disc 1 of this 21 disc audiobook. I could see this not working out. The longest audiobook I've previously listened to was 10 discs, and that took forever! This one's started out promisingly enough, though, with the most violent opening scenes I have ever read/heard. It's like the climaxes of five Gibson movies compressed into five minutes.
Okay, done:
The parallels to Mel Gibson movies carry out the whole way through. Ridiculous amounts of violence, l More...
Okay, done:
The parallels to Mel Gibson movies carry out the whole way through. Ridiculous amounts of violence, l More...
Dec 28, 2007
Abby
rated it:
I brought this book to Rangeley, Maine for the Christmas holiday. It was the perfect read for long winter afternoons in front of the fire with a drink. It traveled with me to the ski lodge and got picked up while I rested my aching feet and legs (skiing's hard when you haven't done it in 10 years!). It sang me to sleep every night and despite its gory and intense battle scenes, didn't give me nightmares.
Set in 1565, The Religion follows Mattias Tannhauser, a Saxon who as a young bo More...
Set in 1565, The Religion follows Mattias Tannhauser, a Saxon who as a young bo More...
Jul 07, 2009
Eric
rated it:
Incredible story about the Siege of Malta. I got more insight into life during the 1400's and the struggle between the Ottomas and Europeans. I'm curious to visit Malta now. I had always wondered about the Knights Templar. They used to have a mystique about them in my eyes. Now I get them in the everyday sense of an organization of Christian Aristocrats with a thirst for war. Whenever I get the everyday sense of an event in history I always feel more in touch with it.
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Jul 30, 2011
Kati
rated it:
amazing book! definately going onto my (short) list of all-time favourites. i think it's great that he was so descriptive of the battle scenes because let's face it - battle really is like that and there is no point in trying to glorify it and make it anything other than what it is. this book does that very well and i commend the author for it. there are some amazingly well written scenes and a very good story over all.
