Crusader's Path

by Mary Ann Bernal

From the sweeping hills of Argences to the port city of Cologne overlooking the River Rhine, Etienne and Avielle find themselves drawn by the need for redemption against the backdrop of the First Crusade.

Heeding the call of His Holiness, Urban II, to free the Holy Land from the infidel, Etienne follows Duke Robert of Normandy across the treacherous miles, braving sweltering heat and snow-covered mountain passes while en route to the Byzantine Empire.

Moved by Peter of Amiens’ charismatic rhetoric in the streets of the Holy Roman Empire, Avielle joins the humble army of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Mentz, the peasant Crusaders do the unthinkable, destroying the Jewish Community. Consumed with guilt, Avielle is determined to die fighting for Christ, assuring her place in Heaven.

Etienne and Avielle cross paths in Constantinople, where they commiserate over past misdeeds. A spark becomes a flame, but when Avielle contracts leprosy, Etienne makes a promise to God, offering to take the priest cowl in exchange for ridding Avielle of her affliction.

Will Etienne be true to his word if Avielle is cleansed of the contagion, or will he risk eternal damnation to be with the woman he loves?

Paperback

Published April 12, 2020

Reviews

[Craig Hipkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a medieval novel set at the time of the First Crusade look no further than this book. I have always been fascinated with this time period, a generation after the Norman Conquest. The novel revolves around a knight, Etienne who is loyal to Duke Robert of Normandy, (also known as Robert Curthose) and a young woman, Avielle, who works in a Benedictine leper colony. Eventually their two paths converge, and the chapters roll along smoothly. Themes of chivalry, bravery, and most of all self-sacrifice abound in this book which makes for great reading.
This book is well written and also includes a glossary of medieval terms at the end, for readers not familiar with this time period. Overall, it is one of the best novels I have read on this time period in history. Five stars!

[Mandy Schimelpfenig]

The author clearly knew their history, but the character development was lacking. This felt like a narration. I think this could have been stronger with less description of surrounding events and more immersion through the eyes of the people. I could barely tell one person from another because the writing was so detached. I hope the writer grew with subsequent books because they obviously are passionate about history.