Product Description

From the burning plains of Syria to the filthy backstreets of Paris and London, Brethren is the story of Will Campbell, coming of age in a time of conspiracy, passion, politics and war.

Will has been brought up from boyhood in the ways of the all-powerful Order of the Knights Templar. With a tragedy in his past that looms over his future, he faces a long, hard apprenticeship to the foul-tempered scholar Everard, before he can have any chance of becoming a Knight. As he struggles to survive in the harsh discipline of the Temple, Will must try to make sense of many things: his own past, the dangerous mystery that surrounds Everard, and his confused feelings for Elwen, the strong-willed young woman whose path seems always to cross his own.

Meanwhile, a new star is rising in the East. A ruthless fighter and brilliant tactician, the former slave Baybars has become one of the greatest generals and rulers of his time. Haunted by his early life, he is driven by an unquenchable desire to free his people from the European invaders of his homeland.

With page-turning suspense and thrilling action, Brethren brilliantly evokes that extraordinary clash of civilizations known in the West as the Crusades. Robyn Young portrays a rich cast of characters, reflecting on each side greed, ambition and religious fanaticism, as well as courage, love and faith. (20060424)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3089 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 672 pages

Review
'Wonderful... loaded with atmosphere, action, and intrigue. The Crusades come alive' -- Steve Berry, author of THE TEMPLAR LEGACY 'BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment' -- John Connolly, author of THE BLACK ANGEL and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS 'Rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters ... a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel' -- Publishers Weekly 20060424 'Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, Brethren captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed' -- Alison Weir 20060424 'Intricate, compelling, captivating and, above all, believable ... a brilliant piece of sustained imagination' -- David Boyle, author of BLONDEL'S SONG 20060424 'Robyn Young's BRETHREN is a truly excellent novel. The thirteenth century is vividly and excitingly evoked ... I can't wait for the sequel!' -- Mark Philpott, Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Oxford 20060424 'Stirring...carefully researched' -- Publishing News 20060505 'A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes!' -- Sarah Weinman (Baltimore Sun, Shots Magazine, Galleycat blog) 20060505 'If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly' -- Sharon Penman, author 20060627 'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair' -- Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross 20060627 'Richly worked and captivating...an epic story of war, intrigue and heroism' -- Good Book Guide 20060627 'Tipped to be the next Da Vinci Code' -- Elle 20060627 'El Cid meets The Da Vinci Code! Exciting, page-turning fiction' -- Simon Mayo's Book Panel, BBC Radio Five Live 20060627

Review
'Wonderful... loaded with atmosphere, action, and intrigue. The Crusades come alive' (Steve Berry, author of THE TEMPLAR LEGACY 20060627)

'BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment' (John Connolly, author of THE BLACK ANGEL and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS 20060627)

'Rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters . . . a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel' (Publishers Weekly 20060627)

'Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, Brethren captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed' (Alison Weir )

'Intricate, compelling, captivating and, above all, believable ... a brilliant piece of sustained imagination' (David Boyle, author of BLONDEL'S SONG )

'Robyn Young’s BRETHREN is a truly excellent novel. The thirteenth century is vividly and excitingly evoked ... I can’t wait for the sequel!' (Mark Philpott, Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Oxford )

'Stirring...carefully researched'

(Publishing News )

'A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes!' (Sarah Weinman (Baltimore Sun, Shots Magazine, Galleycat blog) )

'If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly' (Sharon Penman, author )

'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair'

(Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross )

'Richly worked and captivating...an epic story of war, intrigue and heroism' (Good Book Guide )

'Tipped to be the next Da Vinci Code' (Elle )

'El Cid meets The Da Vinci Code! Exciting, page-turning fiction' (Simon Mayo's Book Panel, BBC Radio Five Live )

David Boyle, author of BLONDEL'S SONG
'Intricate, compelling, captivating and, above all, believable...a brilliant piece of sustained imagination'

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Customer Reviews

Brethren is brilliant!
Read this one. Read the 2nd of the trilogy Crusade.Can't wait for the 3rd Requiem..

Extremely disappointing
Forget all the comments re "good use of English" and "excellent first book" - The plot is dire. To have knights who have trained in the manly arts for many years and then burst in to tears at the drop of a hat, suggests that the writer has been overcome by political correctness, and expects men of this era to be in touch with their feminine side. Absolute drivel, it took me a month to read - and this from someone who normally reads two books a week. Need I say more.

Too much irrelevant detail
I read for a couple of hours on the train every day. I thought from the cover this would be good easy reading adventure. I found it rather full of irrelevant detail and lacking in the action stuff that blokes want. It makes the story a bit of a slow boring read and I am sorry to admit I had to speed read bits where there was masses of bumph to get to anything interesting. I couldnt understand why. The authors name put it in place. Sorry but true..Im sure there are some women who can write boys books, but this was not one. I wont be buying another