Benedict is a 14-year-old orphan who witnesses the destruction of Tripoli in the late 13th century. He is the central character of the new novel by James Jackson and details the boy’s efforts to flee the darkness that has come over his city and his journey from boy to man.
The novel is called Perdition and is the second novel that has been created by James Jackson that is set in the Holy Land. This novel details how the Saracen forces move to fight Christian invaders of their land.
You might be forgiven for initially thinking that the book would be filled with many battle scenes and have a focus on adventure but it is actually a thoughtful recreation of the cultures and motives that were behind the Crusades, which were a dominant part of the Middle Ages.
The characters all have great depth and they help the reader to understand the complexities involved between the two sides that are at war with each other, especially when there is so much history behind each side of the conflict.
It was two centuries after the Crusaders captured Jerusalem that the Saracens chose to seek revenge for their actions. Those tasked with defending the city from the Saracens are well aware of the amount of bloodshed that has already happened in order to secure the city. This leads them to understand the importance of protecting the land and increases the lengths they will go to, and the sacrifices they will make in order to protect it in the future.
Benedict is just one of many characters in the book. It also features William of Beaujeu who is in charge of the Templar forces and is located in the Lion Fortress above the town of Acre. With him in the fortress is Roger de Flor, who is a reckless Italian adventurer but who is incredibly brave.
There are also the typical characters you would find around a castle from this era including a jester and the man who keeps the camels. It is not just friends who’ve gathered in this location though, and there are many enemies within the walls that William has to be aware of.
Benedict is also in the castle and he must learn who he can trust and who he cannot if he is to survive the chaos that is about to be unleashed in the area and on the castle itself. The defenders wait in the castle where that they might well die for their actions but with little choice after being abandoned by European authorities.
This new novel brings history to life in an incredible way. The action scenes as well described and the intelligent conspiracy brings a great deal of colour to an already very colourful period in history. For those wanting an exciting and gripping read than this the right book for you.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.