Reviews

Crossed: A Tale of the Fourth Crusade by Nicole Galland

mrsbrharris's review against another edition

1.0

I don't know if it's legal to give a book a rating if you didn't finish it. I just couldn't get into this one so I'm giving it back to the library.

epersonae's review against another edition

4.0

I seriously stayed up until midnight finishing this book. Unfortunately, I'm way too tired this morning to write much about it, except that it's got a lively narrative voice, although the narrator has an ahistorical feel (to me anyway), there's lots of twists & turns, and I almost cried near the end.

antithesis90's review against another edition

5.0

It's taken me a while to work my way through this book although I've enjoyed it immensely; Galland creates realistic, funny, and often flawed characters, and I enjoyed their journey. The subject matter is immense, so the book is dense in parts, which is partly why it's taken me so long to work through it ~ I enjoyed it far more as bite-sized chunks rather than a quick zip through to finish it. As it covers a part of history I'm rather unfamiliar with, I also wanted to take time to do some accompanying research, examine the historical characters more in depth, etc., which helped me really enjoy and dig in to the book. Recommended for any lovers of history.

(Note: while Crossed is a stand alone novel, reading Galland's The Fool's Tale first adds a bit of character background.)

doriastories's review against another edition

3.0

This book is rather fun and interesting, without being wholly satisfactory somehow. Historical fiction buffs will no doubt enjoy it, despite the markedly 21st century tone and dialogue. It is good mental floss, and I think I have a better idea of daily life amongst crusaders during the fourth crusade, although my sympathy for their goals and actions drops steadily the further I read. Those who throw around the word "crusade" should give this book a perusal, for a bit of a (sort of) reality check. No real heroes here.

libraryowl's review against another edition

3.0

This is one of those cases when you need a half star. I think three and a half stars would be best. I enjoyed the middle of this book. However, the beginning and ending dragged a bit. It was a very long novel to read and there were a couple times that I almost turned to another book. However, this story of a Briton (he is never named) and his adventures in the Fourth Crusade was quite entertaining at times. The Briton is saved from suicide by a German knight named Gregor who believes himself to be fighting for a just cause. But, he along with the Briton realize that all is not just as innocent lives are lost along the way. Gregor is all about honor. He is a natural hero, whereas the Briton is the sidekick of sorts who becomes more impressive as the story moves along. The Briton begins by rescuing a supposed princess named Jamila. He proceeds to unite a couple, help many people survive, and bring hope to those who may not have had any. The story was a good read, just a bit long.

artemishi's review

adventurous emotional funny informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My second Nicole Galland novel, and I'm now a fan for life. Somehow, she manages to take an event in history that I didn't know much about (the Fourth Crusade) and that I'm already biased against (not a fan of the crusades in general, much like the MC) and make me invested in the events, cultures, and people through a small group of very real characters. It wasn't until partway through the novel that I realized the MC (the Briton) is Gwirion from The Fool's Tale- a character I loved from a book I loved, whose flaws make for an excellent personal journey in Crossed. Honestly, all of the characters in Crossed were compelling, and each on their own complex journey. Even the ones I really hated, I wanted to read more about. I can't recommend this author highly enough.