The Black Rood: 2
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Review
‘I can confidently assure you that fantasy writing doesn’t get much better than this’
The Express
‘Powerful and deeply moving. The Iron Lance is an engrossing read’
Starburst
‘This is a rip-roaring adventure story; the pace rarely flags. There’s scheming, murder and betrayal aplenty’
Interzone
‘A vivid historical setting and a lengthy and satisfying plot’
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Product Description
Second volume of the magnificent historical saga set at the time of the Holy Crusades
Duncan knows little of the Great Crusade until his uncle, Torf-Einar, reappears with news that the holy Cross of the Crucifixion – the Black Rood – has been discovered and is in the possession of the Knights Templar.
Against his father, Murdo’s, wishes, he sets off on a dangerous quest to return it to Scotland, accompanied only by his friend, the monk Padraig. The quest leads them to Armenia, Syria and Egypt, and soon the two become drawn into the dark intrigues of the Templars, who have begun to assert their power throughout the new kingdoms of the Holy Land.
This magnificent and exciting historical fantasy recounts the bloodiest of all times – the early years of the last millennium – when treachery and brutal battle were commonplace, and men often survived by faith alone.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a longtime admirer of Stephen Lawhead's fantasy novels I found this epic medieval tale of faith, treachery and swordplay a compelling read from start to finish.
The story follows the fortunes of Duncan Caithness, Scottish noblemen and pilgrim, who embarks on an ill-fated quest to recover the titular artefact - part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Duncan is robbed by bandits, separated from his friends, captured by hostile knights, and eventually sentenced to death in the Holy Lands.
Lawhead narrates the story from two fronts - that of Duncan himself, and one of his nineteenth century descendants, a Scottish lawyer who chances upon the manuscript that Duncan created during his journey. This dual narrative works very well in terms of structure, although the strand concerning Duncan and his perilous pilgrimage is naturally far more engaging.
The second in a trilogy, I read this one before the others, and it is just as good as a stand-alone novel. Perfect for anyone who likes their fantasy history peppered with a dose of realism, this story is stylish and passionate, and definitely left me wanting more.
The story follows the fortunes of Duncan Caithness, Scottish noblemen and pilgrim, who embarks on an ill-fated quest to recover the titular artefact - part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Duncan is robbed by bandits, separated from his friends, captured by hostile knights, and eventually sentenced to death in the Holy Lands.
Lawhead narrates the story from two fronts - that of Duncan himself, and one of his nineteenth century descendants, a Scottish lawyer who chances upon the manuscript that Duncan created during his journey. This dual narrative works very well in terms of structure, although the strand concerning Duncan and his perilous pilgrimage is naturally far more engaging.
The second in a trilogy, I read this one before the others, and it is just as good as a stand-alone novel. Perfect for anyone who likes their fantasy history peppered with a dose of realism, this story is stylish and passionate, and definitely left me wanting more.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Lawhead has written some good books, and the first book in this series; the Iron Lance, was a promising start. The story mixes ancient and a more recent (early twenthieth century) storyline together, but the core of the book is the story of Duncan, the son of the redoubtable Crusader Murdo from the first volume of the Celtic Crusades.
Sadly, the Black Rood (the Holy Cross) does not live up to the standards of the first book. Murdo's story meanders across France and the holy land at a pedestrian pace, while the author describes a journey that does little to advance the story. We are told repeatedly about how much Murdo fears being executed the next day (the story purports to be his diary in Egyptian captivity), but as another reviewer noted, this quickly becomes irritating with several hundred pages yet to go. One would think that an author in fear of his life would hurry forward to the important events of his tale, but instead Duncan dwells on small unimportant details of his journey across France. This makes the story feel sadly pedestrian, and because we always know that Duncan is going to get through unscathed (he is telling the story, after all), suspense and tension are practically absent from the story.
The suspense of the reader might instead have been raised on behalf of Duncan's companions, but unfortunately here the book fails miserably. The companions are flat and 2-dimensional. Padraig is Duncan's conscience personified, his relationship with Sydonie mostly happens "outside the book" and Yordannis and Roupert remain cyphers. In general, characters turn up to help Duncan (usually with money or food) when needed, and disappear again just as easily when their purpose in the plot is served. The ending is a major deus ex machina; the big confrontation that might finally have tested our hero's character and personality (and show-cased the conflicts of interests between him and his friends) is simply resolved to allow our hero to earn his "trophy".
The modern storyline is not resolved yet; for that we must await the final book in the series. On the whole, this is not a book I would recommend to anyone who is not a serious Lawhead fan.
Sadly, the Black Rood (the Holy Cross) does not live up to the standards of the first book. Murdo's story meanders across France and the holy land at a pedestrian pace, while the author describes a journey that does little to advance the story. We are told repeatedly about how much Murdo fears being executed the next day (the story purports to be his diary in Egyptian captivity), but as another reviewer noted, this quickly becomes irritating with several hundred pages yet to go. One would think that an author in fear of his life would hurry forward to the important events of his tale, but instead Duncan dwells on small unimportant details of his journey across France. This makes the story feel sadly pedestrian, and because we always know that Duncan is going to get through unscathed (he is telling the story, after all), suspense and tension are practically absent from the story.
The suspense of the reader might instead have been raised on behalf of Duncan's companions, but unfortunately here the book fails miserably. The companions are flat and 2-dimensional. Padraig is Duncan's conscience personified, his relationship with Sydonie mostly happens "outside the book" and Yordannis and Roupert remain cyphers. In general, characters turn up to help Duncan (usually with money or food) when needed, and disappear again just as easily when their purpose in the plot is served. The ending is a major deus ex machina; the big confrontation that might finally have tested our hero's character and personality (and show-cased the conflicts of interests between him and his friends) is simply resolved to allow our hero to earn his "trophy".
The modern storyline is not resolved yet; for that we must await the final book in the series. On the whole, this is not a book I would recommend to anyone who is not a serious Lawhead fan.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In the second part of his Celtic Crusades trilogy, Lawhead once again skilfully weaves historical fact with spiritual purpose, with realistic and distinct characters.
If you enjoyed 'The Iron Lance', you will love this - if not, it still stands as a great story in its own right.
I can't wait to read volume 3!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting Mixture of History and Fiction
Second in the "Celtic Crusades" trilogy - but this trilogy also follows on from "Patrick: Son of Ireland: in some ways. Read more
Published on 23 Jun 2009 by Sir Furboy
Second in the Celtic Crusade Series
Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2007 by J. Chippindale
Second in the Celtic Crusade Series
Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2007 by J. Chippindale
Second Book in the Celtic Crusade Series
Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2007 by J. Chippindale
A nice light read
The beginning of the story unfolds as you would predict but you still want to read more to find out what happens. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2007 by Khana McCall
A great sequel
A great plot continued from the 1st book but still stands up well on its own. A great use of the 1st person narrating the story adds a very personal dimention to it. A worthy read!
Published on 22 Mar 2006 by Andrew Rossiter
An awful book
Having read and quite enjoyed _The Iron Lance_, I had high hopes for this sequel. Unfortunately, _The Black Rood_ has few redeeming features, if any. Read more
Published on 23 May 2002
Excellent followup
The book is well written and follows on well from its forerunner. The atmosphere is so goo dI could not put the book down. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2001
When is the next one due out!
This book hasn't even been released in the states yet but I enjoyed Iron Lance so much, I just couldn't wait so I ordered from the UK. Read more
Published on 13 April 2000 by Tracy M. Cooper
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