Heretic

The Heretic's Secret Trilogy #1

by John Wilson

In the style of Bernard Cornwell, The Heretic’s Secret Trilogy is a rollicking historical adventure set during the bloody 13th century wars against the Cathar Heretics of Languedoc. When the armoured knights of Pope Innocent III swept south in 1209, most thought they would be gone by summer’s end but, led by the fanatical Arnaud Aumery and the ambitious Simon de Montfort, they stayed for three fiery decades. In that time they slaughtered thousands of Cathars, burned countless towns and castles, destroyed a thriving country that rivaled France in power and culture, and created the foundations for the shape of western Europe we recognize today.

John and Peter enjoy arguing about their differing views of the world. Peter sees the Church and an unquestioning acceptance of God's word as the way to salvation. John sees developing an understanding of the wonder of the world around him as a way of becoming closer to God. As the chaos of war erupts around them, the friendly differences of childhood demand that they take sides.

Troubled by mysterious visions, Peter seeks refuge in the Church and becomes an assistant to the militant Aumery. Repelled by the horror he sees around him, John finds himself drawing closer to the persecuted Cathar heretics.

As the brutal holy war expands and the flames of the Inquisition spread, Peter and John find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous search for a secret that may have the power to change the world.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

John Wilson, an ex-geologist and frustrated historian, is the award-winning author of fifty novels and non-fiction books for adults and teens. His passion for history informs everything he writes, from the recreated journal of an officer on Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition to young soldiers experiencing the horrors of the First and Second World Wars and a memoir of his own history. John researches and writes in Lantzville on Vancouver Island. There are many more details in his memoir, Lands of Lost Content, https://www.amazon.com/Lands-Lost-Con...

Reviews

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this novel wrestles with ideas. I am almost afraid to read the next in the series because I can't imagine how they can keep being this good.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crusade was certainly interesting, and the writing is good. John is easily liked, but the introduction to him and Peter feels like the Reader is dropped right in the middle of things, making Peter seem nothing but hard and completely unfeeling. I had a hard time feeling any connection to him; if the Author wanted the Reader to understand John's disappointment at Peter's new solemnness, he ought to have began the story a little earlier in their lives, so the Reader could see some of the change in Peter's character. As it is, it seems that Peter has always been like that.

The story also seems to be pretty one-sided. It portrays the Catholics as being nothing but horrible, while the Cathars are completely peaceful. After reading The Perfect Fire Trilogy, which presents a very balanced view of both religions (showing the good and bad of both), this did nothing but irritate me, and I had a hard time enjoying the story because of it. I hope that the Author doesn't do this in the second installment.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction - setting around 1200 ad. Historical context well done but the reader needs to be a fan of historical fiction to stick with novel to the end. The historical content is heavy. With that said, it was a good story that includes 3 youth affected by the crusades and represents the different views of the time.