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arwenak's review against another edition
3.0
The book well described the hope and despair in the city before its fall. Although I knew how the story will go, I felt truly sad about it, when I've reached the end. The only thing I found irritating was this silly romance plot, but it happens in more and more books lately, so I guess I will have to learn to ignore that.
arwenak's review against another edition
3.0
The book well described the hope and despair in the city before its fall. Although I knew how the story will go, I felt truly sad about it, when I've reached the end. The only thing I found irritating was this silly romance plot, but it happens in more and more books lately, so I guess I will have to learn to ignore that.
brynhammond's review against another edition
3.0
I had a free copy for review. I haven’t read any of the Knights Templar mysteries, but this prequel to them – not a mystery – easily stood alone as historical fiction on the siege of Acre. An open-endedness, possibly a dissatisfaction with the end, might be the only time you notice it’s attached to a series.
I found this a straightforward action story – action from page one, and onwards – with likeable characters. I was glad to have the quiet nobility of the Leper Knight (not a leper himself but in service with the Order of St Lazarus) Sir Jacques; I enjoyed the free blade Edgar of London, the crustily loyal old servant Pietro, the soldier Hob. Buscarel went from a bad lot’s sidekick to a comrade of our hero in Acre’s need, and the Sultan’s engineer is driven by Christian abuse from a life of peace to a war-maker.
It was let down by what I saw as hasty writing, and for me the story skimmed along too quickly. I wasn’t a great fit for this book, style-wise. I’d say it’s one for straight action fans. There were enough proofing oversights to comment on, though those don’t bother me as much as they do others.
I’m sorry I can’t be more enthusiastic. I had an obligation to review, but the book turned out to be a plain case of Not For Me -- and I’ve never been sure reviews are fair that way, since if left to my own devices I needn’t have persisted.
I found this a straightforward action story – action from page one, and onwards – with likeable characters. I was glad to have the quiet nobility of the Leper Knight (not a leper himself but in service with the Order of St Lazarus) Sir Jacques; I enjoyed the free blade Edgar of London, the crustily loyal old servant Pietro, the soldier Hob. Buscarel went from a bad lot’s sidekick to a comrade of our hero in Acre’s need, and the Sultan’s engineer is driven by Christian abuse from a life of peace to a war-maker.
It was let down by what I saw as hasty writing, and for me the story skimmed along too quickly. I wasn’t a great fit for this book, style-wise. I’d say it’s one for straight action fans. There were enough proofing oversights to comment on, though those don’t bother me as much as they do others.
I’m sorry I can’t be more enthusiastic. I had an obligation to review, but the book turned out to be a plain case of Not For Me -- and I’ve never been sure reviews are fair that way, since if left to my own devices I needn’t have persisted.
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