Brethren: Robyn Young

The last few years have seen a deluge of books involving the Knights Templar, both good and not-so-good. The majority of the attempts are laughable but some are downright offensive in their lack of research. Fortunately for Robyn Young, this entry into the melee proves to be a fine first installment of a trilogy that could easily take a top spot as the best (and only worthy read) of the bunch.

The story takes places in the 1260's during the time of the last Crusade to retake the Holy Land. It moves among multiple characters but it focuses on two men in particular, Will Campbell and Baybar Bundukdari. Will is the son of a Scottish knight and he's been delivered for training at New Temple in London after a catastrophic event at home that has left his family shattered. Baybar is a Mamluk warrior who was raised as a slave and holds no love for the Franks who have invaded the lands of his people.

The action shifts seamlessly from chapter to chapter. The author takes us through battlefield intrigue as Baybar plots to become Sultan and on to a midnight attack at Honfleur where mercenaries try to re-take the crown jewels of England. Underneath it all is a secret, heretical organization called the Brethren that Will is tied to unknowingly. He will also have to learn how to deal with his growing feelings for the niece of his late mentor, feelings that a sworn Templar Knight shouldn't have.

The author has crafted something that is getting harder and harder to find these days: a truly good novel. The characters are believable and real, the writing is beautiful but not overdone, the historical accuracy appears to be spot-on, and the plotting and pacing is perfect (Do you see what I did there with the alliteration? That's called creative writing.). If the subsequent novels are as good as this one then I think I will have a new favorite author on my shelf.

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Publisher: Plume (July 31, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0452288339
ISBN-13: 978-0452288331
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