The Villains of the Piece: The Crusader Knights Cycle

The Crusader Knights Cycle is a series of historical novels by English author Michael Jecks. The series is set in the 12th century and follows the adventures of Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, a knight who fights in the Crusades. The series has been praised for its historical accuracy and its well-developed characters. However, some critics have argued that the series is too violent and that it glorifies war.

The Villains of the Piece (The Crusader Knights Cycle Book 3)

by Graham Shelby

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1164 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	300 pages

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The Crusader Knights Cycle is a sprawling and ambitious series that spans over 20 novels. The series begins with the novel The Last Templar, which introduces Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, a young knight who is sent to the Holy Land to fight in the Crusades. Over the course of the series, Baldwin fights in many battles, including the Siege of Jerusalem and the Battle of Hattin. He also witnesses the rise of Saladin, the Muslim leader who eventually defeats the Crusaders and reclaims Jerusalem.

The Crusader Knights Cycle is a complex and nuanced series that explores the many different aspects of the Crusades. Jecks does not shy away from the violence and brutality of the Crusades, but he also shows the courage and idealism of the knights who fought in them. The series also provides a fascinating glimpse into the medieval world, with its complex social and political structures.

One of the most striking things about the Crusader Knights Cycle is the way that Jecks portrays the villains of the piece. The Crusaders are often depicted as being ruthless and brutal, while the Muslims are often shown to be more civilized and humane. This is a refreshing change from the way that the Crusades are often portrayed in popular culture, where the Crusaders are seen as the heroes and the Muslims are seen as the villains.

Jecks' portrayal of the villains of the piece is not simply a matter of historical revisionism. He is simply trying to show the Crusades from a different perspective. By showing the Crusaders as being just as capable of cruelty and violence as the Muslims, Jecks is challenging the traditional view of the Crusades as a holy war between good and evil.

The Crusader Knights Cycle is a challenging and thought-provoking series that offers a fresh perspective on the Crusades. Jecks' well-developed characters and his nuanced portrayal of the villains of the piece make the series a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction.

The Villains of the Piece

The Crusader Knights Cycle features a number of memorable villains, including:

• Sir Hugh de Lacy: A ruthless and ambitious knight who is Baldwin's rival. He is willing to do anything to achieve his goals, even if it means betraying his own men.
• Saladin: The Muslim leader who eventually defeats the Crusaders and reclaims Jerusalem. He is a complex and fascinating character who is both ruthless and merciful.
• The Old Man of the Mountain: The leader of the Assassins, a group of assassins who terrorize the Crusaders. He is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who is said to be able to control his followers' minds.

These are just a few of the many villains who appear in the Crusader Knights Cycle. Jecks' portrayal of these characters is nuanced and complex, and he does not shy away from showing their dark side. However, he also shows that even the most evil of characters have a human side.

The Crusader Knights Cycle is a gripping and thought-provoking series that offers a fresh perspective on the Crusades. Jecks' well-developed characters and his nuanced portrayal of the villains of the piece make the series a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction.

The Villains of the Piece (The Crusader Knights Cycle Book 3)

by Graham Shelby

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1164 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	300 pages

FREE