Crusader
The second thrilling instalment in the Lionheart series
by Ben Kane
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date 29 Apr 2021 | Archive Date 29 Apr 2021
Orion Publishing Group | Orion
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Description
'Yet another of history's most brutal and dramatic chapters given the five-star Ben Kane treatment.' Paul Finch
KING. POLITICIAN. WARRIOR. CONQUEROR.
1189. Richard the Lionheart's long-awaited goal comes true as he is crowned King of England. Setting his own kingdom in order, he prepares to embark on a gruelling crusade to reclaim Jerusalem.
With him on every step of the journey is Ferdia, his loyal Irish follower. Together they travel from southern France to Italy, to the kingdom of Sicily and beyond.
Finally poised to sail to the Holy Land, Richard finds a bitter two-year-long siege awaiting him. And with it, the iconic Saracen leader responsible for the loss of Jerusalem, Saladin.
No one can agree who should fill the empty throne of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Saladin's huge army shadows Richard's every move. Conditions are brutal, the temperatures boiling, and on the dusty field of Arsuf, the Lionheart and his soldiers face their ultimate test...
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781409197799 |
PRICE | £14.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 432 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Ben Kane can do no wrong when it comes to historical fiction. “Crusader” is the hugely anticipated sequel to the amazing “Lionheart” - the first book in the series based on King Richard The Lionheart.
The story started with “Lionheart”, the beginning of the rise of Richard Plantagenet, one of the most legendary warriors to have ever lived, intertwined with the narrator’s fictional life story. Ferdia is an Irish prisoner who strives to become one of Richard’s most trusted knights. The second book in the series, “Crusader” continues on with Richard and his army heading on Crusade, with all the thrilling adventure and battles along the way.
Richard Lionheart is one of my favourite historical figures, and Ben Kane brought him to life through these books wonderfully. Ferdia is an ideal sidekick to Richard - he’s loyal and shows his fearlessness when called upon to save Richard’s life. Fitzaldelm is Ferdia’s nemesis - but he is also one of Richard’s knights and the tension between the two of them simmers constantly and can be traced back to the first book, when Fitzaldelm’s brute of a brother met his end at the hands of Ferdia. Fitzaldelm is unaware of how exactly his brother died and Ferdia will do anything to make sure his secret stays buried and his position as Richard’s knight safe.
A hugely engaging and gripping read, this book must not be missed. I must also mention the absolutely gorgeous covers that both books in this series have. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history and equally, those who like their books well written and fast paced. My sincere thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
A very colorful and very entertaining novel about Braveheart's travels and military adventures to the Holy Land and the ever shifting Anglo-French political shenanigans. An action-packed fictional account of the late 12th century Crusade with a cast of unforgettable characters, historically accurate and filled with menacing twists and unexpected surprises. This second installment in Ben Kane's Plantagenets Saga is a wonderful addition to the literary genre and one can only hope that a third episode will come our way very soon. To be enjoyed without moderation👍
Many thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Publishing for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date.
I do so wish this book had been available when I studied this topic in the 1960’s!!
History lessons taught us about the Plantagenets, Richard the Lionheart, Coeur de Lion, and his brother, Bad King John, or John Lackland. Our Geography lessons dealt with desert warfare, and travelling to the Holy Land, but for children brought up in rural Lincolnshire, where the land is flat, flat , and what the heck was a desert, it didn’t make sense. When you had one weeks holiday a year, if lucky enough, at Skegness on the East Coast, where the only animals there were donkeys, well, all sand was the same to us!! The Religious Studies teacher, who was an ex missionary, tried to teach us about why nations quarrelled about God, but it wasn’t until my own children were being taught this same subject, and I had experienced foreign travel, that I realised how limited my knowledge and education had been.
Both Lionheart and Crusader have helped to fill in the gaps in my knowledge of this exciting period of history. It may be raw, and visceral, but it brings to life exploits on the battlefield, the sheer logistics of travelling with horsemen in heavy armour in such heat, the marching, those magnificent weapons of war, the trebuchets, and the faith and determination to see such a Holy quest to its conclusion.
The descriptions of battle preparations, the routes taken, there is a lot of research within these pages, and it really shows. Throughout this novel, I felt I was there, I could almost feel the intense heat, the sickness and the iron tang of blood that you know through accidents, injuries and death. The unwashed bodies that contrasted with the sweet fruit of Pomegranates, the brutal reality of battles and the friendship and courage of the fighters.
I throughly recommend this book, for those with a thirst for knowledge of this era in history. Heroes are almost forgotten these days, the cause for these crusades may now be unfashionable, but that is not to say that these people should be forgotten. Richard the Lionheart deserves much better, and Ben Kane is the writer who is helping to redress the balance.
I have had the greatest pleasure in reviewing both these books, I have been so lucky!! I am eagerly looking forward to the next one in this series, the political intrigues that will show King John in his true colours, that we did learn about, especially losing his treasure in the Wash!!
I was intrigued by the spelling of Alienor, when we are so used to Eleanor, but I’m sure that is as a result of much historical knowledge.
I rate this as a five star read. Thank you to Netgalley and Orion fiction, for my ARC. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and others.
With a childhood watching Richard The Lionheart on tv and studying Giraldus Cambrensis as a student I wasn't quite ready for the brutal reality of the Crusades brilliantly portrayed by Ben.
Ferdia is a strong character involved in a dangerous liaison trying to steer Richard through petty political squabbles and an almost suicidal recklessness in battle.
Ben sews the seeds of future issues with John , Leopold of Austria and Richard's ultimate death really well.
I recommend this well researched novel , five stars no question !!!