Review: Crusade by Richard Cullen

Today, I'm delighted to share my review of Crusade, the thrilling new novel by Richard Cullen. Prepare for a bumpy, fast-paced ride through sun-drenched Egypt!

Crusade is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. My thanks to Rachel, and to Boldwood Books, for a copy.

 

 

 Crusade

Chronicles of the Black Lion, Book #2

Richard Cullen

 

Having enjoyed Rebellion, the first in this exciting new series featuring a young squire, Estienne Wace, I was looking forward to reading more about this character's adventures. And what thrilling adventures they are as he's going on crusade!

Estienne arrives in Egypt, part of a huge gathering of European crusaders. Made up of groups of warrior knights from different places and hordes of mercenaries keen on loot, they are all fired up by a sole purpose – to free the Holy Land from the heathens, starting with the city of Damietta.

Like his fellow warriors, Estienne believes his cause is just – it's God's will, after all – and certain in his belief that they will soon be rewarded with great fortune. But as leaders bicker, the Saracens begin to chip away at the crusaders’ advances, as Damietta refuses to fall.

When, in the heat of battle, Estienne kills a Saracen, the man who has his back – a fearsome black warrior from Sudan – swears revenge. Kashta, the man in question, has sworn to revenge the death of his brother-in-arms, his friend. 

When Damietta is deserted, the crusaders regroup, keen to hit the enemy swiftly. They follow the route south, but are waylaid, with many casualties. A disaster for the leaders. When volunteers are needed for an attack from the sea, Estienne volunteers, but a great storm wrecks the ship he travels on. Finding himself stranded in a strange land, the sole survivor, thirst and hunger are not his only enemies. With his strength diminished, he is taken prisoner, to be sold on the slave markets in far-away Damascus. But the Silk Road is treacherous, and soon other dangers lurk – one of which is in the shape of Kashta, the man who swore revenge.

Will Estienne survive his perilous journey? Or will Kashta succeed in his sworn task? Read the book to find out!

 

 

Crusade is a thrilling ride through the Fifth Crusade. As he witnesses the cruelty of his own men, and the kindness of strangers, Estienne slowly becomes disillusioned with his calling. Can so much bloodshed of innocents truly be God's will? 

The parallels of Estienne and Kashta are cleverly revealed as the plot continues to weave a tough path ahead for both men of such different backgrounds: they are both warriors sworn to rid themselves of the other side, the heathens and the infidels, infused with a sense of righteousness. But as they meet again, their lives intertwine, and realisation hits that not everything is black or white (pun intended). 

Estienne in particular questions his calling, in his long quest for survival. And whilst we may consider these doubts the author's more modern views, they still feel realistic as we view the world through Estienne's eyes. He witnesses not heavenly glory, but loss, wanton destruction, and ruthless ambition. It is conceivable that many a man who went on Crusade became plagued by doubts, in light of all the carnage and loss of life, so often unnecessary.

Crusade is a fast-paced, action-packed novel that has you reading into the early hours. It's taut, tense, and at times brutal. But as Estienne realises he is not just a mere killing machine, but a man with a conscience, we begin to see a shift in his demeanour at the same time as the tide moves in against the western crusaders, quite literally. His loyalty to his friends is admirable; his actions at times foolishly dangerous, but it marks him as a man with a strong sense of loyalty and honour, not a mere mercenary keen on pillage. It makes him highly likeable.

I can highly recommend Crusade to readers who love historical fiction with an edge of constant danger, in a vibrant yet lethal setting, and with a thoroughly gripping plot that has you turning the pages fast. And in Estienne, we have a hero who has developed well from the first book, Rebellion. If anything, Crusade is even better. 

I'm looking forward to Estienne's next adventure...

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Blurb:

Continuing the epic historical adventure series from Richard Cullen, featuring The Black Lion…

Stripped of his birthright, Estienne Wace seeks to prove his worth in the deserts of Outremer!

Egypt 1219AD.

Abandoning the safety of England for the perilous shores of the Levant, Estienne Wace is thrust into the turmoil of the Fifth Crusade. Burning with righteous purpose, he is determined to reclaim the Holy Land in the name of Christ.

War rages along the banks of the Nile as a crusading army besieges the Saracen city of Damietta, certain that the price they pay in blood will return the glory and treasures they crave. But as the Black Lion roars, and the siege grinds on, Estienne’s unwavering faith is tested more and more by the grim reality of this brutal conflict.

As the siege turns on a knife edge, Estienne finds himself thrust upon a journey across the merciless desert. Stripped of everything, and forced into a dangerous alliance, he will grapple with the true meaning of faith, honour, and the price of salvation, in a land where nothing is as he once believed.

Perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell, Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden.

 

Buy Link: https://mybook.to/CrusadeRichardCullen

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About the Author:

Richard Cullen

Richard Cullen is a writer of historical adventure and epic fantasy. Previously published by Head of Zeus and Orbit Books, his new historical adventure series for Boldwood, Chronicles of the Black Lion, set in thirteenth-century England, has launched in October 2024.

 

 

Connect with Richard:

Facebook: @Wordhog-100064278872214

Twitter: @rich4ord

Instagram: thewordhog

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