Reviews

Brethren by Robyn Young

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lordnikon's review against another edition

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5.0

Brilliant start to finish. Compelling reading.

lordnikon's review against another edition

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3.0

Not quite as good as the first volume, and spends a LITTLE too much time on Longshank's villainy. Still good, just not as great as the 1st volume.

salve58's review against another edition

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2.0

Poorly written. I have no interest in reading the second book.

I was a little uncertain if i would like this book. I do like the Crusades, but i have never really read anything serious from this era in Historical Fiction.
There were some areas that i was not fully fond of, and sometimes the skipping in time caught me out (mainly due to being an audiobook, rather than reading - i missed the dates occasionally).
I will continue with this series for sure - once i have cut my to be read pile a little.

matthewbird's review against another edition

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5.0

This one took me a while to get through but it was well worth it! I'd been looking for a book set in medival times and this came up on alot of lists. The book really highlights the brutality of the crusades. The characters have real depth and I found myself invested them! I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

lulumillie02's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

ciannait76's review against another edition

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5.0

It didn't take me long to read the first part of the Brethren Trilogy called Brethren. You can always tell when I like a book very much because I tend to start reading and not stop until its finished or I fall asleep.

Besides the story which is all about the coming of age of two very powerful people, and the side story which is about the mystery of a missing book, and the Knights Templars; the book has a lot to recommend it.

The historical detail that the author put into the book was amazing. She stuck to the historical time line very well, and not just from the western point of view. I found her knowledge of eastern history very refreshing. You do not get the idea that she is prejudiced against the Arabs nor the Christians she is just telling you the history as close to how it was as possible, except for the times when she needed to further her story along and those were very few.

The characters are very well written and very believable, and the battle scenes are amazing. The reader has the feeling that he/she is watching a movie rather then actually reading a book. The ending gives you the feeling that you need to get to the second installment which is a sign of a good book that has a sequel.