The late eleventh century, and the army of pilgrims continues on their crusade to claim Jerusalem for Christianity. But the army is full of internal strife, as exemplified by brothers Fulk and Odo. Once close, the trials and tribulations have driven a gulf between them. Fulk is struggling to hold on to his soul amid the war surrounding him, while Odo has become a ruthless zealot, abusing his wife and taking the role of the voice of God himself.

As the crusade heads to Jerusalem, besieging Nicaea and marching through hostile lands, starvation and disease help lend to an increasingly fractious band of soldiers and followers. But will Jerusalem be salvation for the crusaders, or their doom?

Just a quick review here, as it’s a slight swerve from the norm on the blog. It’s a swerve I’ve done before and always for the same author. Whether it is the Vintaine series (set in the Hundred Years War) or Pilgrim’s War, the preceding book to this one, Michael Jecks does an amazing job in re-creating the world of the past, while forcussing on snapshots of life amid the background of world-changing events. And he does occasionally slip a bit of a mystery into the goings-on too, although never as the major thread – for those, check out Mike’s Templar series.

While there are a number of characters and their stories to follow here, the central conflict between Fulk and Odo is the centrepiece here, and it is mesmerising. As the world burns around them, the confusion as to what Fulk should do to help save Odo’s wife, Sybille, from his anger, coupled by Sybille’s refusal to leave her husband, is a story that had me hooked.

For fans of historical adventure, I strongly recommend taking a look at Mike’s books – I would read Pilgrim’s War before this one, though, to get the whole story. Well worth your time.