Brethren
The narrative opens in 1260 and follows Will Campbell, a young man who has been brought up from boyhood in the Order of the Knights Templar. Struggling to make sense of his own tragic past, Will is confused by his feelings, not only for his father, who had left the family to become a Templar, but also for Elwen, a strong-willed woman whose path seems to continually cross his own. Will is drawn into the deadly world of Templar politics, where a small group at the heart of the Order seeks to impose its own heretical vision on the civilized world. Meanwhile, a new star is rising in the East. The former slave Baybars, a ruthless fighter and brilliant general driven by his hatred of the European invaders of his homeland, has declared jihad and is systematically conquering the remaining crusader strongholds in Outremer.
The novel is well written and researched. The characters are well drawn, although I did find elements of the plot a little contrived. Brethren is the first novel by Robyn Young and at a price of £10 excellent value for money. Recommended.
Mike Ashworth
