The Iron Lance (Celtic Crusades) - Hardcover

Lawhead, Steve

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061050326 ISBN 13: 9780061050329

Publisher: Harper Prism, 1998

Synopsis

The author of Byzantium embarks on a multi-generational, fantasy-adventure series that begins as a Scotsman journeys to the Holy Land, overrun by the Crusades, and comes face to face with the weapon that pierced Christ's side.

About this title

Review:

Stephen Lawhead is best known for his "Pendragon Cycle" of Arthurian fantasies. His previous novel Byzantium moved him into historical rather than mythological fiction; The Iron Lance confirms this change. It is the story of the First Crusade, told by a youth from the Orkneys, a large group of islands off the north coast of Scotland.

At 14 Murdo Ranulfson is too young to go on a Crusade. But when he and his mother are thrown off their own land by soldiers of Prince Sigurd of Norway, who has claimed the Orkneys, Murdo travels to the Holy Land to fetch back his father and brothers, to reclaim their land. He witnesses at first hand the horrors of the Crusade, particularly what Lawhead calls "the rape of Jerusalem".

In common with Lawhead's earlier works, there is a strong Christian element to the story, but here the emphasis is on the Spirituality of the Célé Dé, Celtic monks, in contrast with the venality of the Catholic Church of the time. The main story is framed in the late-19th century narrative of a secret religious order descended from the monks, and from Murdo.

This is a powerful story, well told. Lawhead, better than most American writers, brilliantly captures what feels like the true essence of mediæval Britain and Europe. --David V. Barrett

Review:

Praise for Byzantium:

‘Fantasy writing doesn’t get much better than this’
The Express

‘This is a rip-roaring adventure story; the pace rarely flags. There’s scheming, murder and betrayal aplenty’
Interzone

‘Amusing and interesting’
Locus

‘A vivid historical setting and a credible and satisfying plot’
Publishing News

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Prism
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0061050326
• ISBN 13: 9780061050329
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 498