The Book of Tormod #1: A Templar's Apprentice [Hardcover]

I loved this adventure thoroughly as well as my daughter
(11) who picked it up as soon as I put it down and my son(10)
who read it over her shoulder.

Kat Black has skillfully re-imagined the most
romanticized age of history...

The days of medieval knights and kings.

Weaving Magical items and clairvoyant
knights into an historically accurate tapestry
of the already mysterious exploits of
the Knights Templar.

This immersive tale draws you in to the life a young
boy coming of age in medieval Scotland. How his true
heart leads him to the highest adventure of the day.
Written in Tormod's native brogue and with immaculate
descriptive detail which lends a cinematic flair to
this read.

I expectantly await news of the sequel.

A must have for fantasy and history fans alike.

I really enjoyed this book. Its written in the first-person, by Tormod himself. The book touches briefly on his humble beginnings as a sometimes-overlooked farm boy at home to becoming an esteemed Templar. A nice blend of history with a bit of god-granted supernatural abilities throughout. Enough detail to keep the reader informed, without over-doing it to the point you feel overwhelmed with unnecessary scenery & such. I'd recommend this book for anyone from age 12 & up.

***POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT***

The only thing that prevents a 5-star rating from me, is that I felt the story should've given more detail about Tormod's family at home. How did they feel about his leaving without their knowledge? Did they worry about him or did they shrug it off? Do they ever find out he's become something greater than a farm boy? Maybe its being saved for a sequel, but I would've liked at least a hint of their feelings.

In Scotland in 1307, things were different. The Knights Templar roamed the country, protecting travelers on their journeys - until King Philippe le Bel of France reigned and his armies invaded. But this and much else was little known to Tormod MacLeod and his family in their small hammock. What matters more than anything is getting the tinderbox to the Beltane bonfire on time, a duty 13 year-old Tormod had traded with his older brother but ended up responsible for anyway, as his brother shirked the duty. But as Tormod knows, his father will hold him responsible for getting the job done, and he is running as fast as he can back to their croft to find the tinderbox when fate intercedes.

Tormod has always been different - knowing things before they happen, and sensing what to do and when to do things before knowing when to do them. Everyone, including his own brother, treats him oddly, and he is simply biding his time until he can prove to everyone that he is worthy - of what, he's not quite sure, but not the treatment he's been given up to now. While searching for the tinderbox, he is approached by the Knight, who needs a messenger. Fate, unbeknownst to Tormod, is stepping in. Tormod runs the message for the Knight to the Abbot instead of delivering the tinderbox, figuring he'd get a thrashing the next day. But once arriving at the Abbey, he sees men that he senses should not see the message. His sixth sense is accurate, and the men leave without getting the information they need. As Tormod is about to return home, he is struck with a Vision (much to his dismay), but once again, Fate is leading its course for him. The Abbot is able to use the information in a way that Tormod can help the Knight who sent the message - possibly saving his life.

The story is an interesting one in the life of a young man in this time period, with some history sewn into the story and much coming of age. More of the history of the period would be helpful - of the Templars or why the French soldiers were there and why they had to be avoided, etc. There is much focus on the religious with out specifics - so there can be confusion, such as mention of the Arabs, but not why they might not be trusted. But that it is ok to have magic and visions and astronomy - for fiction it's great, but it's sending some mixed messages, in my opinion, without offering pathways to further information, which even fiction needs for foundations. So I think it will be interesting to see where Black takes Tormod on his next journey as a Templar's Apprentice.