An interesting read
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This book was a little interesting. From the aspect of time and energy this person has taken to research the period of time he's in I'd say it's almost 5/5, it is well researched and thought out.
Unfortunately for me, the book was let down by its story line. Not the settings, or the development, but simply the character development. They seemed to lack depth, and were a little staid, really a 3/3. Maybe to me it was the contrast of excellent historical fact and knowledge married to poor characters, it didn't completely captivate unfortunately.
It is a shame had the makings of a classic master piece.
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Patchy Characterisation
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A passable read, but less than compelling. The books biggest fault (aside from a penchant for Christian baiting and pro-Islam) is the lead characters. Young's villains and many supporting players are interestingly drawn (esp. Garin), but her hero and heroine are so sacharine and wholesome, I fell the urge to vomit just to purge myself.
The tale has its moments, but like the first in the series, is deeply flawed.
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Fantastic!
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I have to say, this is much better than the first book. While the focus was more on the Christian side in Brethren, Crusade was much more balanced on both sides. Readers (myself included) are taken into the political chaos that was the Temple and the inner circle of the Mamluk bigwigs. I am myself quite familiar historically with the fall of Acre and it was pleasant to see Robyn weaving fact and fiction beautifully such that the story plot flows without any problems. Bring on Requiem!
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A strong novel bu rather long............
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For what it's worth, I thought that Brethren, the first in this yet-to-be-completed trilogy, was very good - the characters had depth, the storyline had credibility, it was a page-turner (never a bad thing if one has had to endure the hideous gloom of Thomas Hardy in one's youth) and the lovely Miss Young writes excellent and well-constructed English. It was a fine effort from one so young and also showed evidence of a great deal of careful historical research to root the novel in a bed of basic fact.
Unusually for me, I actually sought out Crusade with real eagerness and settled down on a particularly wet and horrible weekend (which also featured much Gordon Brown on the tele - that's how bad a weekend it was) to enjoy it. Enjoy it I did, but with some reservations and it seems unkind to criticise adversely because Miss Young has achieved a great deal. Here, again for what it's worth, are some of my reservations:
1. The novel is about 150 pages too long. There is no doubt that the author wanted to cram in as much as possible and build the book up to a cracking ending - but there are long passages where not a lot happens, and more by circumstance than by style, they plod.
2. The characters have become a little formulaic. The Sultan's evil advisor never talks, he hisses. Will's girlfriend is such an unspeakable drip that one is surprised she hasn't dissolved by the 4th chapter. The wronged friend who betrays his old mate and yet comes good at the end is tiresome. Yet I have to say that once again Robyn's depiction of life in Acre during the Crusades is good - hot, miserable, disease-ridden and run through with finance and the intrigues that always follow war and conflict. As J B Priestly said, "Sex, money and food cross all borders."
3. Robyn Young's writing is efficient but no so vibrant as in the first book.
All that said, I shall seek out the final chapter and no doubt read it with pleasure. Whenever I have tried to write a novel I have run out of ideas by page three so I have no right to judge Miss Young. I do hope, though, that she is economical with the story and with the various plots. She is a fascinating writer and I have no doubt at all that her books over the years will become more and more interesting. To her great credit, nowhere does she affect to be writing history and one is aware that this is a real novel.
A sensible and well-thought out novel, but not so available as Brethren. Nonetheless, far, far better than a holiday potboiler.
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Excellent sequel
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This book even though historical off, It does well to paint the vivid dark history of the crusades. I like how the author shows how very hard peace is to maintain amidst the beast of human nature that craves greed , wealth and violence, not to mention politically corrupt. It can be reflected in modern times, the same struggle, with the peace keepers losing. A repeating theme. This is better than brethren.
my critism was the black stone idea. good imaginative fiction yes, i would wonder what muslim hard-liners would take of it, I assume dismiss the notion as ridiculous.
Also the romance love triangle, Garin, Elwyn and Will. the book could have easily done without that, there was enough here without the "menage a trois".
I really liked this book, keep it up Robyn! More plot less love triangles.
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