The Mystic Rose: The Celtic Crusades: No. 3 (Celtic Crusades S.) - Softcover

Lawhead, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310217849 ISBN 13: 9780310217848

Publisher: Zondervan, 2002

Synopsis

of the Crusades, and the secret society whose hidden ceremonies continue to shape our world.While undergoing a mysterious religious initiation, Scottish lawyer Gordon Murray discovers the greatest revelation of all. . . .A thousand years after its disappearance, the Mystic Rose--the fabled Holy Grail of the Last Supper--has been found, and the Knights Templar will stop at nothing to possess it. Led by the ruthless and corrupt Renaud de Bracineaux, the warrior monks embark on a dangerous and deceitful quest to find the Holy Cup.Only one person stands in their way. Raised on the Crusader tales of her father and grandfather, Cait--an indomitable young woman from the windswept hills of northern Scotland--has determined to claim the prize for her own. Thus begins a race which quickly escalates into a battle of wits, will, and might between two cunning and implacable foes for possession of the most valuable object in all Christendom: the Mystic Rose.Vividly interweaving the history of our own tumultuous time with events from long ago, and brilliantly blending sheer, visceral storytelling with a sweeping vision of human destiny, Stephen Lawhead spins the conclusion to his magnificent saga, the Celtic Crusades.

About this title

Review:

Skilfully weaving bloody conflict and intrigue and faith, The Mystic Rose concludes Stephen Lawhead's epic historical trilogy, The Celtic Crusades, in fine style. While the tightly constructed 435 pages can be read as a self-contained adventure, anyone doing so will miss many resonances with previous volumes, The Iron Lance and The Black Rood. With a framing narrative set in the early 20th century, Lawhead recounts a grand scale quest through medieval Spain and Anatolia around strong Celtic heroine Cait and the feared Knights Templar for the Holy Grail. This author has used the grail legend before, notably in the conclusion to the Pendragon Cycle, Grail, though here the approach is largely historical and while Lawhead's Christianity informs his writing he never preaches. He is a storyteller first, who by employing direct, folk-like narrative prose compels by making the reader care deeply about the fate of his characters. There are no soft options, and as in Lawhead's best work, Byzantium, strong interplay between Christian and Islamic values, all of the leading players fully rounded with vices and virtues. Less artful than Mary Gentle's in many ways comparable Ash, above all The Mystic Rose is an unpretentious romantic adventure which delivers a thrilling emotional punch. --Gary S. Dalkin

Review:

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

‘An enjoyable, sweeping and often touching tale of bravery and pious devotion’
SFX

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

About this edition

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0310217849
• ISBN 13: 9780310217848
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 422