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In 1096 Hugh deLuc, an innkeeper in a small French village , joins the First Crusade to gain his freedom. He endures the bloody march toward Jerusalem. He is overwhelmed by the conditions he encounters, and deserts, returning to his village, taking with him a trophy from the experience. In the village he finds that his infant son has been killed, and his wife, Sophie, has been abducted by the local nobleman. To find his wife who he believes is held captive in the duke's court, he joins the court as a jester .He is determined to rescue his wife and wreak vengeance for his son's death. At the court he falls in love with a young noblewoman who returns his love. But he learns that the nobleman is searching for him, believing he has a holy relic the nobleman covets. In his search for Hugh the duke destroys Hugh's village. In an effort to gain back some of his life, Hugh persuades the villagers and those of surrounding towns to rebel against the deeds of the duke. This is a breathtaking glimpse into the times of the Crusades. The characters are unforgettable: the evil men bent on gaining their desires regardless of the cost to anyone; the good people of the villages who want to live in peace. The glimpses of the court life are filled with intrigue and pageantry. The action is fast paced and suspenseful. The descriptions of the journey of the Crusades to Jerusalem are graphic and rich in detail with its butchery and brutality. It is a great period novel which will hold the reader's interest throughout..
Reviewed by Barbara Buhrer, March 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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