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Brethren Trilogy #3
Requiem: The Fall of the Templars
The internationally bestselling author of Brethren and Crusade tells the cataclysmic story of the last days of the Knights Templar.
Robyn Young?s historical fiction has topped international bestseller lists and won praise from the likes of Raymond Khoury, Steve Berry, and Alison Weir. The Fall of the Templars chronicles an era few people know about?what happened when the Templars returned from the Crusades and found that the monarchs of Europe did not want an army of religious warriors back on European soil.
Leaving the Christian empire in the East in ruins, Knight Templar Will Campbell returns to the West to discover that the Temple has forged an alliance with his enemy, King Edward of England, vowing to help the king wage war on Scotland. This pact against his homeland strikes at the core of Will?s faith and allegiances, while his daughter, Rose, is led into a dangerous affair in the French royal household. Will now faces a Should he protect his family, or lead his men into a new world? The fight for the Holy Land has ended. But the Temple?s last battle has just begun.
Robyn Young?s historical fiction has topped international bestseller lists and won praise from the likes of Raymond Khoury, Steve Berry, and Alison Weir. The Fall of the Templars chronicles an era few people know about?what happened when the Templars returned from the Crusades and found that the monarchs of Europe did not want an army of religious warriors back on European soil.
Leaving the Christian empire in the East in ruins, Knight Templar Will Campbell returns to the West to discover that the Temple has forged an alliance with his enemy, King Edward of England, vowing to help the king wage war on Scotland. This pact against his homeland strikes at the core of Will?s faith and allegiances, while his daughter, Rose, is led into a dangerous affair in the French royal household. Will now faces a Should he protect his family, or lead his men into a new world? The fight for the Holy Land has ended. But the Temple?s last battle has just begun.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
71 people are currently reading
1540 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Young
38 books489 followersRobyn Young is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the BRETHREN and INSURRECTION trilogies and the NEW WORLD RISING series. She also writes crime thrillers as Erin Young.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
February 10, 2022
Read this book in 2008, and its the 3rd and final volume of this amazing "Brethren" trilogy.
It starts off in the year AD 1295, and Knight Templar, Will Campbell, after having left the Holy Land in ruins and just managing to escape the slaughter, he's going home to his native Scotland.
When home in Scotland he finds his land under attack and in war with King Edward I of England, and this King has forged an alliance with the Temple in a bid to make war together against Scotland in a bid to subdue the Scots, and all this actions will strike at the core of Will's faith and allegiances towards the Temple, while at the same time his daughter Rose is being led into a dangerous situation at the French court, so the questions remains what must he do.
For the hard fact is, In Paris this warrior King has declared war on the Templars to fill his coffers with all the riches this Brethren had assembled, and at the same time annihilate all the leading figures of the Knight Templars to destroy them once and for all, so Will Campbell must make a decision, to save his Brethren of more importantly his near family.
What is to follow is an intriguing final historical battle by the Knight Templars, and the war between Scotland and England, and in these environments of devotion, courage, treachery and death, Will Campbell must make his final decision and fight his ultimate battle for Christianity and family.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb final outing to this incredible trilogy, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliant Requiem"!
It starts off in the year AD 1295, and Knight Templar, Will Campbell, after having left the Holy Land in ruins and just managing to escape the slaughter, he's going home to his native Scotland.
When home in Scotland he finds his land under attack and in war with King Edward I of England, and this King has forged an alliance with the Temple in a bid to make war together against Scotland in a bid to subdue the Scots, and all this actions will strike at the core of Will's faith and allegiances towards the Temple, while at the same time his daughter Rose is being led into a dangerous situation at the French court, so the questions remains what must he do.
For the hard fact is, In Paris this warrior King has declared war on the Templars to fill his coffers with all the riches this Brethren had assembled, and at the same time annihilate all the leading figures of the Knight Templars to destroy them once and for all, so Will Campbell must make a decision, to save his Brethren of more importantly his near family.
What is to follow is an intriguing final historical battle by the Knight Templars, and the war between Scotland and England, and in these environments of devotion, courage, treachery and death, Will Campbell must make his final decision and fight his ultimate battle for Christianity and family.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb final outing to this incredible trilogy, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliant Requiem"!
October 22, 2021
Opgegeven na 102 bladzijden. Ik weet dat dit het derde deel van een trilogie is, maar daar lag het niet aan. Het verhaal kon me totaal niet boeien. Ik hou nochtans van historische fictie, maar na 100 bladzijden vond ik het verhaal nog steeds niet spannend of informatief. Ik kon me totaal niet inleven in de personages, en had totaal geen zin om me door nog 450 bladzijden in dit boek te worstelen.
October 11, 2017
The series ended well and the author is good. This book felt tacked on, almost like an afterthought. Many of the characters from the first two books were dead, and the one remaining large scale antagonist is dealt with rather quickly, leaving a huge denouement. That being said, it was worth sticking around to see what happened to the main character. The author weaves historical developments into the plot, altering them where necessary. At times it feels a bit like someone is forcing a puzzle piece in that doesn't quite fit but looks right, but it works.
3.5 rounded to 3 stars
3.5 rounded to 3 stars
January 20, 2018
Concluding volume of the Brethren trilogy on the Templars. This one does just what its title promises: recounts the eventual fall and dissolution of the Templar order. Will Campbell, the Scottish Templar, deserts, and wanting to fight for his native land against Edward I of England, joins the rebels under William Wallace and reconnects with family members, whom he hasn't seen for decades. After the unsuccessful Battle of Falkirk, he returns to France and is caught up in the politics between the evil King Philippe and the Church. Heresy and disgusting, blasphemous practices are found among the Templar ranks, so Philippe, desiring their treasure for his own purposes, begins wiping them out. Although the demise of the Templars was horrific, the end was satisfying as to Will's fate.
Very well written and evocative of that period. I don't feel you have to read the two previous volumes in the trilogy; enough backstory was explained to have all make sense. The author admits to changing the order of some of the events, the better to tell a good story, despite her impeccable research. I feel the prologue unnecessary, illustrating in broad strokes an incident repeated later but with more details. Highly recommended.
Very well written and evocative of that period. I don't feel you have to read the two previous volumes in the trilogy; enough backstory was explained to have all make sense. The author admits to changing the order of some of the events, the better to tell a good story, despite her impeccable research. I feel the prologue unnecessary, illustrating in broad strokes an incident repeated later but with more details. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2020
Giving this one four stars, as I gave the first two three stars, and this one was better than they were. Still didn't catch me on fire or anything.
This trilogy is full of intrigue, politics and emotion. Solidly written. I just wanted more action and energy.
Might be a little while before I pick up another Robyn Young book.
This trilogy is full of intrigue, politics and emotion. Solidly written. I just wanted more action and energy.
Might be a little while before I pick up another Robyn Young book.
December 5, 2017
It's been YEARS since I started this series, and it feels great to finally finish it. My interest in the Templars may have waned a bit over the years, but I still find them incredibly fascinating. I remember having issues in the second book, with the main character Will, and while he still is a rather dull lead, he's much less annoying this time around.
There's no lack of intrigue in this book, for a while there it seems like every single person in the book is stabbing someone in the back. And I keep confusing this series with the Author's other series about Robert Bruce, since the two storylines intertwine. I haven't finished the last book in that series yet, so I've been spoiled pretty bad about how that one ends. Oops.
I liked the fact that I didn't have to spend a lot of time trying to remember who everyone was, it came back really quickly, thanks to all the cues I was given.
It's a good story, but the language in the book (the Swedish translation) is very dry and old-fashioned, and the action-sequences shift between being fast paced and drawn out. Some characters appears very one-sided.
Three stars feels a bit cheap, but at the same time I'm not that in love with it. Middle ground it is.
There's no lack of intrigue in this book, for a while there it seems like every single person in the book is stabbing someone in the back. And I keep confusing this series with the Author's other series about Robert Bruce, since the two storylines intertwine. I haven't finished the last book in that series yet, so I've been spoiled pretty bad about how that one ends. Oops.
I liked the fact that I didn't have to spend a lot of time trying to remember who everyone was, it came back really quickly, thanks to all the cues I was given.
It's a good story, but the language in the book (the Swedish translation) is very dry and old-fashioned, and the action-sequences shift between being fast paced and drawn out. Some characters appears very one-sided.
Three stars feels a bit cheap, but at the same time I'm not that in love with it. Middle ground it is.
July 4, 2011
I've given this two stars but that's probably half as much my fault as Young's. The reason I say that is because it was only after I'd finished the book that I realized that this book was the third of the trilogy rather than the first. D'oh! What an idiot.
This may well explain some of my criticism. The first is that this was supposed to be a book about the Templar’s which weighed in at nearly 650 pages at yet it followed some deserter of the Temple as he follows William Wallace round Scotland fighting King Edward for the first 300 odd pages. Nothing to do with the story of the Temple, which is why I bought he book. Even if I had read this in sequence, would I have found that any less frustrating?
Then comes characterisation. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and also found them to be lightly drawn with little depth. Again, had I read this in sequence would I have found that Young had already drawn these characters a rich depth that was set up in the first two tomes? I’ll guess I’ll find out later.
On a general note, that can’t be blamed on my stupidity, I didn’t warm to the writing. It seemed a bit flat and failed to really draw me into the story.
Maybe when I read the other two instalments I’ll gain a better appreciation for this volume but overall I was quite underwhelmed by this one.
*****************
***Update***
Having now finished the next first two volumes I'm afraid to say things didn't improve and I doubt I would have much changed the above review. Ho hum.
This may well explain some of my criticism. The first is that this was supposed to be a book about the Templar’s which weighed in at nearly 650 pages at yet it followed some deserter of the Temple as he follows William Wallace round Scotland fighting King Edward for the first 300 odd pages. Nothing to do with the story of the Temple, which is why I bought he book. Even if I had read this in sequence, would I have found that any less frustrating?
Then comes characterisation. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and also found them to be lightly drawn with little depth. Again, had I read this in sequence would I have found that Young had already drawn these characters a rich depth that was set up in the first two tomes? I’ll guess I’ll find out later.
On a general note, that can’t be blamed on my stupidity, I didn’t warm to the writing. It seemed a bit flat and failed to really draw me into the story.
Maybe when I read the other two instalments I’ll gain a better appreciation for this volume but overall I was quite underwhelmed by this one.
*****************
***Update***
Having now finished the next first two volumes I'm afraid to say things didn't improve and I doubt I would have much changed the above review. Ho hum.
April 25, 2015
This, the third volume in this excellent trilogy, follows the main protagonist through the period of King Edward vs William Wallace and through the events leading up to the dissolution of the Templars. King Philippe of France has a plan to fill out his coffers by seizing all of the French Templar properties and treasure; an insidious plan brought forth by his insidious adviser, the chief lawyer, Nogaret. Front and center in all of this action and intrigue is Will Campbell, the Templar Knight and main character in the series. In a lot of the historical fiction that I read, the history of the events portrayed are well known and therefore you know how it ends before you start reading. The way the author crafts the story to meet the historical end is what captures my interest. The author did her job and has crafted a wonderful tale that accomplished that goal. The integration of the fictional Campbell into the fabric of these events had me thinking that, yes, things could have happened in the manner written. The story is full of the duplicitous nature of kings and the ruthlessness they employ to achieve their ends. The characters are larger than life, from the hair shirt wearing Philippe, the Scottish rebel William Wallace, the evil incarnate Nogaret and most especially William Campbell. I hesitate to give anything away plot wise so suffice to say William Campbell goes through a multitude of trials and tribulations, some good but some not so good.
I highly recommend not only this volume but the whole Brethren series. 4 stars.
I highly recommend not only this volume but the whole Brethren series. 4 stars.
February 13, 2016
2.5 stars
Slightly better than the other two - read to tie up the trilogy as I hate loose ends. Readable but the dialogue is gauche and the plotting weak. Many characters are irritating.
Slightly better than the other two - read to tie up the trilogy as I hate loose ends. Readable but the dialogue is gauche and the plotting weak. Many characters are irritating.
October 21, 2023
Aż do ostatniego, finalnego tom nie wiedziałam, że cała trylogia to debiutancka seria autorki i jestem bardzo zaskoczona jak rewelacyjnie udał się autorce ten debiut. Zakończenie trylogii o templariuszach bardziej niż satysfakcjonujące mimo "nagięcia" przez autorkę kilku faktów historycznych ale na potrzeby skonstruowania tak pierwszorzędnej historii jest to rzecz całkowicie zrozumiała na którą można przymknąć oko, ponieważ powieść zyskuje przez to na większej atrakcyjności. Ja przymknęłam i nie żałuję, bo od lektury nie sposób było się oderwać...
Kapitalna seria, warta uwagi.
Kapitalna seria, warta uwagi.
February 4, 2023
This is my least favourite of the trilogy, but I still enjoyed it. I really enjoy the real history mixed in with the fiction, expertly done.
A great trilogy all told, one I would recommend people to read.
A great trilogy all told, one I would recommend people to read.
January 12, 2017
С неохота напускам началото на XIV в. след главозамайващо пътешествие в един от най-важните религиозни конфликти в средновековната история.
Влюбих се в героите, разкошно изградени. Влизаш в главите на крале, папи, рицари и силни жени.
Никога не съм предполагала, че ще ми бъде мъчно за султан.
Пътувах до Утремер.
Преживях падането на Акра.
Бях свидетел на смъртта на трима папи.
Начинът, по който ходът на историята е представен през призмите на индивидуални хора, представящи определени институции и звена, участващи в конфликта, е покъртителен.
Изводът е един: след толкова безумни сблъсъци между могъщи армии, само отделният човек има значение.
И нито една вяра не е правилна.
Влюбих се в героите, разкошно изградени. Влизаш в главите на крале, папи, рицари и силни жени.
Никога не съм предполагала, че ще ми бъде мъчно за султан.
Пътувах до Утремер.
Преживях падането на Акра.
Бях свидетел на смъртта на трима папи.
Начинът, по който ходът на историята е представен през призмите на индивидуални хора, представящи определени институции и звена, участващи в конфликта, е покъртителен.
Изводът е един: след толкова безумни сблъсъци между могъщи армии, само отделният човек има значение.
И нито една вяра не е правилна.
December 10, 2012
The stunning conclusion to a sweeping historical adventure and a superb sequel to Crusade!
The tale of the Templar Knights began in Brethren and continued with Crusade, now brilliantly concluded in this epic final installment that exceeded all my expectations! Out of the three books this by far has the most beautiful cover and the emerald really stands out on the bookshelf as something totally distinctive, as well as being just the most engrossing and delightful read. If you are a reader who loves great battles and heroic acts or works by authors such as Bernard Cornwell or Michael Jecks, then you will love Robyn Young whose work is similar in design but totally original in content.
After endless years of conflict in the barren deserts and whilst also working towards peace for the Brethren in secret, Will Campbell returns to find that his Scottish homeland is under attack by the mighty enemy Kind Edward 1. Since being betrayed by those whom he knew and served since childhood, and having to endure watching his daughter entangle herself in a dangerous affair, Will must forge his own path to peace – even if it does ultimately lead to another battlefield. Meanwhile a new threat is rising in France, where a warrior King will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted ambitions…The fight for the Holy Land may be over, but the Temple’s last battle has only just begun…
This dramatic, epic conclusion is a fitting end to an exciting tale of revenge, bloodlust and ambition that takes you back in time with such accuracy and realism. I am so impressed by Robyn Yong’s spectacular series that is full of drama and nail-biting suspense that has you entranced for hours. I loved how it was full of such remarkable accuracy and gut-wrenching violence that would give even Michael Jecks stiff competition! The satisfyingly complex plot is something that you can really stick your teeth into with distinctive, memorable characters that push the narrative along and pull you into the saga. Fast-moving narrative that leaves you breathless, fans of Bernard Cornwell will find this trilogy just as delightful and if you LOVE the Templars, the crusades and the Middle Ages then this is a book for you!! Exciting, page-turning this tale keeps you guessing throughout just like the Da Vince Code and yet with a touch of the Arthurian mystical feel it really is a treat and a book to enjoy.
A fantastic, captivating read that I would highly recommend and which I cannot enthuse about enough – just brilliant! I love this trilogy so much hence it is very hard to put into words my thoughts…
4 ½ stars!
The tale of the Templar Knights began in Brethren and continued with Crusade, now brilliantly concluded in this epic final installment that exceeded all my expectations! Out of the three books this by far has the most beautiful cover and the emerald really stands out on the bookshelf as something totally distinctive, as well as being just the most engrossing and delightful read. If you are a reader who loves great battles and heroic acts or works by authors such as Bernard Cornwell or Michael Jecks, then you will love Robyn Young whose work is similar in design but totally original in content.
After endless years of conflict in the barren deserts and whilst also working towards peace for the Brethren in secret, Will Campbell returns to find that his Scottish homeland is under attack by the mighty enemy Kind Edward 1. Since being betrayed by those whom he knew and served since childhood, and having to endure watching his daughter entangle herself in a dangerous affair, Will must forge his own path to peace – even if it does ultimately lead to another battlefield. Meanwhile a new threat is rising in France, where a warrior King will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted ambitions…The fight for the Holy Land may be over, but the Temple’s last battle has only just begun…
This dramatic, epic conclusion is a fitting end to an exciting tale of revenge, bloodlust and ambition that takes you back in time with such accuracy and realism. I am so impressed by Robyn Yong’s spectacular series that is full of drama and nail-biting suspense that has you entranced for hours. I loved how it was full of such remarkable accuracy and gut-wrenching violence that would give even Michael Jecks stiff competition! The satisfyingly complex plot is something that you can really stick your teeth into with distinctive, memorable characters that push the narrative along and pull you into the saga. Fast-moving narrative that leaves you breathless, fans of Bernard Cornwell will find this trilogy just as delightful and if you LOVE the Templars, the crusades and the Middle Ages then this is a book for you!! Exciting, page-turning this tale keeps you guessing throughout just like the Da Vince Code and yet with a touch of the Arthurian mystical feel it really is a treat and a book to enjoy.
A fantastic, captivating read that I would highly recommend and which I cannot enthuse about enough – just brilliant! I love this trilogy so much hence it is very hard to put into words my thoughts…
4 ½ stars!
July 27, 2011
A great closure to the Brethren trilogy. Guillaume de Nogaret is portrayed as utterly irritating character whose mind is twisted enraged by his parents death for preaching heresy being Cathars, fueled by revenge over it which I feel motivates his actions in this story. However, I'm quite surprised how easy it seems for Rose to return to her father, Will. After years of hating him since he left her in Acre at the end of 'Crusades', it was rather quick she had the need for him after her affair with King Phillipe IV. Next we know is she's safely in the hands of Simon Tanner. Simon, always the helpful friend of Will, is always ready to help and risk himself in the name of friendship. Robert de Paris seems to be a regular guy with his fair share of suspicions in trusting Will again, after Will deserted the Temple and was thought to be dead, only to reappear again in Paris as a guest of Phillipe. It's a warm ending towards the end, seeing Will reunited with his sisters and new members of the family. Something which Will missed since he was sent to the temple as a Sergeant in 'Brethren'. A good read overall.
October 27, 2017
The Fall of the Templars
Robyn Young
2009
While enjoying this book, it was difficult to know who was who at the beginning. Encourage readers to start – or soon start – with the Character List as soon as feasible.
That being said it was everything that a historical novel should be – history, both grand and tidbits, adventure, characters, great and small and interesting.
The great people of the age were human.
The great concepts were fraught with inequity and error.
The great campaigns were based on greed and self interest.
In other words man was no nobler then, than now. The power of the bureaucrats (Church) and government (Kings and their lords) were still too great and the common man had to fend with the state as opposed to being served by the state.
Notes:
19: And it is not just us; many others have been blamed: the Hospitallers, the Teutonics” – he laughed disparagingly – “even the Franciscans for not praying hard enough.”
…immediate concerns in the abdication of Pope Celestine and, of course, the war.
26: Then what are your plans for the Anima Templi?
103: …each covered with vinegar-soaked hides making it virtually impossible for the archers…to set them alight.
110: …Edward had the Stone of Destiny removed from Scone Abbey and conveyed to Westminster.
136: …murmured the Paternosters he had been taught to say whenever he was in the field and unable to hear the seven offices.
165: “I have brought you to the ring! Now let us see if you can dance” ~ William Wallace
177: “The time of knights has passed. Now is the time of Kings. Of Empires” ~ King Edward
EN: did the long bow change the balance from the few well trained and horsed to the many, trained but now the commoner could learn to draw a bow and unseat a knight?
211: During the reforms of Pope Gregory VII, priests and bishops had their nuptials forcibly annulled; their wives condemned as concubines and their children declared bastards. Marriage has been denied the clergy ever since.
217: The Church aside, the Temple is the largest, most affluent organization in Christendom.
…they are moneylenders, given special dispensation from the pope to collect interest, as the Jews do, on those debts.
270: Benedict XI, as he named himself, is weak and ailing.
309: Clement V
347: Those of the Cathars, who didn’t perish during the Church’s Crusade against them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism
364: …(Templars) follow the Rule of a saint and are known as the warriors of Christ.
396: This is to be done at dawn tomorrow, Friday the thirteenth day of October, the year of our Lord 1307.
(2017 – 1307 = 710 years and we had a Friday the 13th)
Scribed on behalf of our gracious king Sir Guillaume de Nogaret.
401: …form the Grail story of Chretien de Troyes….
Robyn Young
2009
While enjoying this book, it was difficult to know who was who at the beginning. Encourage readers to start – or soon start – with the Character List as soon as feasible.
That being said it was everything that a historical novel should be – history, both grand and tidbits, adventure, characters, great and small and interesting.
The great people of the age were human.
The great concepts were fraught with inequity and error.
The great campaigns were based on greed and self interest.
In other words man was no nobler then, than now. The power of the bureaucrats (Church) and government (Kings and their lords) were still too great and the common man had to fend with the state as opposed to being served by the state.
Notes:
19: And it is not just us; many others have been blamed: the Hospitallers, the Teutonics” – he laughed disparagingly – “even the Franciscans for not praying hard enough.”
…immediate concerns in the abdication of Pope Celestine and, of course, the war.
26: Then what are your plans for the Anima Templi?
103: …each covered with vinegar-soaked hides making it virtually impossible for the archers…to set them alight.
110: …Edward had the Stone of Destiny removed from Scone Abbey and conveyed to Westminster.
136: …murmured the Paternosters he had been taught to say whenever he was in the field and unable to hear the seven offices.
165: “I have brought you to the ring! Now let us see if you can dance” ~ William Wallace
177: “The time of knights has passed. Now is the time of Kings. Of Empires” ~ King Edward
EN: did the long bow change the balance from the few well trained and horsed to the many, trained but now the commoner could learn to draw a bow and unseat a knight?
211: During the reforms of Pope Gregory VII, priests and bishops had their nuptials forcibly annulled; their wives condemned as concubines and their children declared bastards. Marriage has been denied the clergy ever since.
217: The Church aside, the Temple is the largest, most affluent organization in Christendom.
…they are moneylenders, given special dispensation from the pope to collect interest, as the Jews do, on those debts.
270: Benedict XI, as he named himself, is weak and ailing.
309: Clement V
347: Those of the Cathars, who didn’t perish during the Church’s Crusade against them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharism
364: …(Templars) follow the Rule of a saint and are known as the warriors of Christ.
396: This is to be done at dawn tomorrow, Friday the thirteenth day of October, the year of our Lord 1307.
(2017 – 1307 = 710 years and we had a Friday the 13th)
Scribed on behalf of our gracious king Sir Guillaume de Nogaret.
401: …form the Grail story of Chretien de Troyes….
April 12, 2019
Ever wonder about those persistent rumors that the remnants of the Templars and their treasury fled to Scotland after Philippe the Fair arrested Jacques de Molay and all of the Templars he could round up, prior to the torture and execution of all that he could? The Fall of the Templars is historical fiction set in the wild, chaotic, internecine wars of Europe between Edward I “Longshanks” (Hammer of the Scots) of England and Philippe. This is the third book in a significant trilogy which vividly captures some of the mystery surrounding the order, the flavor of the fall of Acre, and the intrigue within those royal courts. The Fall of the Templars adds to this formula by interweaving the campaigns of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in Scotland with papal assassinations and inhumane inquisition on the continent.
If that was all there was to this book, it would merely be a recap of history, but that isn’t all there is. Robyn Young takes advantage of the fictional aspects to get inside the heads of royal and papal personages, to provide complex and flawed fictional characters such as the overarching protagonist, Will Campbell, his illegitimate daughter Rose, and the ever-faithful ally of lower rank, Simon. Will makes a decision which he believes is honorable, an act of conscience, but those he cares about perceive it as desertion of duty and abandonment of them. It’s interesting to see what happens (both from a tragic and comedic standpoint in terms of genre tropes).
My favorite line in the book may be obvious, but I don’t remember hearing it or reading it before. A major character is feeling guilt over her/his actions and an ally who has manipulated him/her into approving of the deeds for which she or he feels guilty offers a rationale where that character shouldn’t feel guilty. The character responds, “Does the bow take no part in releasing the arrow?” (p. 360) I’m going to remember that one.
Even though this third novel deals with The Fall of the Templars, those who enjoyed the previous two novels should enjoy this one. The Fall of the Templars features some marvelous battle scenes, some horrific descriptions of torture, and some powerful character interaction, all of which either matches or exceeds the same in previous volumes.
If that was all there was to this book, it would merely be a recap of history, but that isn’t all there is. Robyn Young takes advantage of the fictional aspects to get inside the heads of royal and papal personages, to provide complex and flawed fictional characters such as the overarching protagonist, Will Campbell, his illegitimate daughter Rose, and the ever-faithful ally of lower rank, Simon. Will makes a decision which he believes is honorable, an act of conscience, but those he cares about perceive it as desertion of duty and abandonment of them. It’s interesting to see what happens (both from a tragic and comedic standpoint in terms of genre tropes).
My favorite line in the book may be obvious, but I don’t remember hearing it or reading it before. A major character is feeling guilt over her/his actions and an ally who has manipulated him/her into approving of the deeds for which she or he feels guilty offers a rationale where that character shouldn’t feel guilty. The character responds, “Does the bow take no part in releasing the arrow?” (p. 360) I’m going to remember that one.
Even though this third novel deals with The Fall of the Templars, those who enjoyed the previous two novels should enjoy this one. The Fall of the Templars features some marvelous battle scenes, some horrific descriptions of torture, and some powerful character interaction, all of which either matches or exceeds the same in previous volumes.
February 7, 2020
Να και το τελευταίο βιβλίο της σειράς Requiem! Ανάμικτα συναισθήματα, πάντως!
Θα το επαναλάβω άλλη μια φορά: Δεν είμαι φαν των μυθιστορημάτων, των οποίων η πλοκή στην αρχή του βιβλίου ξεκινά όταν ο ήρωας είναι 5 χρόνων και στο τέλος 55! Δε μου αρέσουν, ρε φίλε! Τι θα προλάβεις να πεις για τη ζωή του, μου λες; Εννοείται ότι θα το πας τρέχοντας και θα πηδάς χρονιές από κεφάλαιο σε κεφάλαιο. Αυτό έχει κάνει και η Robyn Young για άλλη μια φορά και να ξέρεις, Robyn, έχεις χάσει το ένα αστεράκι από εμένα με το καλημέρα. Το άλλο πού το έχασες; Θα σου πω! Το έχασες στο ότι είπαμε, είμαστε στο Μεσαίωνα, είπαμε, η ζωή είναι πολύ δύσκολη, είπαμε, κάθε μέρα είναι ένα νέο κεφάλαιο και μπορεί απλά να καταλήξεις με ένα μαχαίρι στην πλάτη εκεί που περπατάς αμέριμνος, αλλά αυτό δε σημαίνει ότι όλη η ζωή μας είναι μια τραγωδία!!! Δε χρειάζομαι κάποιον να μου ρίξει κι άλλο το ηθικό! Μια χαρά τα καταφέρνω και μόνος μου κάθε μέρα που σηκώνομαι στις 6 πμ για να φύγω για τη δουλειά!!
Αυτά από εμένα! Έχοντας διαβάσει και τα 6 βιβλία των σειρών Requiem και Insurrection, έχω να πω ότι η Robyn Young είναι εξαιρετική στα ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα! Η κοπελιά το έχει διαβάσει πολύ το θεματάκι! Τι; Αν θα διαβάσω τα βιβλία της νέας της σειράς;; Εννοείται!!!!
Θα το επαναλάβω άλλη μια φορά: Δεν είμαι φαν των μυθιστορημάτων, των οποίων η πλοκή στην αρχή του βιβλίου ξεκινά όταν ο ήρωας είναι 5 χρόνων και στο τέλος 55! Δε μου αρέσουν, ρε φίλε! Τι θα προλάβεις να πεις για τη ζωή του, μου λες; Εννοείται ότι θα το πας τρέχοντας και θα πηδάς χρονιές από κεφάλαιο σε κεφάλαιο. Αυτό έχει κάνει και η Robyn Young για άλλη μια φορά και να ξέρεις, Robyn, έχεις χάσει το ένα αστεράκι από εμένα με το καλημέρα. Το άλλο πού το έχασες; Θα σου πω! Το έχασες στο ότι είπαμε, είμαστε στο Μεσαίωνα, είπαμε, η ζωή είναι πολύ δύσκολη, είπαμε, κάθε μέρα είναι ένα νέο κεφάλαιο και μπορεί απλά να καταλήξεις με ένα μαχαίρι στην πλάτη εκεί που περπατάς αμέριμνος, αλλά αυτό δε σημαίνει ότι όλη η ζωή μας είναι μια τραγωδία!!! Δε χρειάζομαι κάποιον να μου ρίξει κι άλλο το ηθικό! Μια χαρά τα καταφέρνω και μόνος μου κάθε μέρα που σηκώνομαι στις 6 πμ για να φύγω για τη δουλειά!!
Αυτά από εμένα! Έχοντας διαβάσει και τα 6 βιβλία των σειρών Requiem και Insurrection, έχω να πω ότι η Robyn Young είναι εξαιρετική στα ιστορικά μυθιστορήματα! Η κοπελιά το έχει διαβάσει πολύ το θεματάκι! Τι; Αν θα διαβάσω τα βιβλία της νέας της σειράς;; Εννοείται!!!!
July 3, 2025
The history of the Templars is my absolute fave period of history to read and/or learn about. That said, I know less about how they came to an end, apart from generally knowing they were wiped out by King Phillip for a variety of reasons
This was fiction but still, extremely enjoyable. I love Ken Follets mediaeval works and this felt written in a very similar way. I've struggled with my focus on reading for a while now for a variety of reasons and this engaged me enough to get me back into it so thankful for that!
As usual, with these sorts of things, the usual detestable characters which you just love to hate, a "hero" or "heroine" and subsequent drama but not any less a good book despite being formulaic. I mean the formula works right!
Well written, descriptive without being overly too much so, enough to give you a good sense of place and time and put you in the scenes described, the characters equally well done and drawn out.
Great book and will be checking out others by this author who is completely new to me!
Recommended for anyone after a decent historical drama.
This was fiction but still, extremely enjoyable. I love Ken Follets mediaeval works and this felt written in a very similar way. I've struggled with my focus on reading for a while now for a variety of reasons and this engaged me enough to get me back into it so thankful for that!
As usual, with these sorts of things, the usual detestable characters which you just love to hate, a "hero" or "heroine" and subsequent drama but not any less a good book despite being formulaic. I mean the formula works right!
Well written, descriptive without being overly too much so, enough to give you a good sense of place and time and put you in the scenes described, the characters equally well done and drawn out.
Great book and will be checking out others by this author who is completely new to me!
Recommended for anyone after a decent historical drama.
August 31, 2017
Glad to get to end of this series as it was getting tedious. maybe I have read too many stories around this period. I realise that the author had to tie up all the major events of the day but Will seemed to pop in to visit Popes and Kings all the time. Quite brutal at times especially the torture scenes.
February 20, 2018
What an excellent and suspenseful thriller this action packed adventure turned out to be. It's narrative is concised and very clear with a good pace to keep all the myriad of characters easily in the narrative. It has the lot, believable characters that evolve and true within its vivid medieval world. Unable to put down.
July 16, 2020
The only one I’ve read from the trilogy and could still manage to make sense of it. Read a little bit like a fan fiction sometimes especially when introducing William Wallace but regardless I still enjoyed the book, more than I thought I would being historical fiction, and got invested in the story.
November 10, 2020
This was not a trilogy I wanted to end - Robyn Young has woven this historical fiction through every fibre of my being. An epic tale spanning the late 13th-early 14th century, portraying demise, death, cruelty, courage, revenge, deceit, greed for the love of God and Kingdom. Some parts gruesome and some parts courageous ... Will Campbell, you are my hero.
July 30, 2025
La fin de la série ! Les aventures de Will sont maintenant finie, il arrive à la fin de sa vie.
Je regrette un peu la fin. J’ai l’impression que sur les deniers chapitres tout s’est accéléré pour avoir une « bonne fin » sans que cela soit réellement convaincant.
Néanmoins j’ai apprécié la série et je me suis attaché à la vie de William.
Je regrette un peu la fin. J’ai l’impression que sur les deniers chapitres tout s’est accéléré pour avoir une « bonne fin » sans que cela soit réellement convaincant.
Néanmoins j’ai apprécié la série et je me suis attaché à la vie de William.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
Its 600+ pages took a bit of reading and I had to ensure I followed the twists and turns of plots, alliances and allegiances. Having said that it was a really good read giving me a real insight and the Knights Templar that I knew virtually nothing about. Other reviews have given a better objective view but I really enjoyed it and felt I learned a lot.
April 20, 2020
Fantastisch boek over de ondergang van de Tempeliers verweven met een stukje boeiende geschiedenis die zowel Engeland,Schotland,Frankrijk,Italië en Cyprus aangaat. Boeiend geschreven en spannend tot op de laatste bladzijde.
March 11, 2019
Great writing! Also, many unsuspected plottwists which made for an interesting read.
June 25, 2019
My questions have been answered from this trilogy.
May 28, 2020
Requiem
Brilliant read all three books in the set! Thoroughly enjoyed all of them. If you enjoy history you'll love this.
Brilliant read all three books in the set! Thoroughly enjoyed all of them. If you enjoy history you'll love this.
July 21, 2021
Third Book in the Series
It is a very good read however it is essential that the first. 2 books are read first to fully enjoy.
It is a very good read however it is essential that the first. 2 books are read first to fully enjoy.
April 17, 2022
The story got off to a slow start, with several detours. However, the last 200 pages were a worthy end to this trilogy.
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