Customer Reviews

The Black Rood (The Celtic Crusades #2)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Lawhead has done it again in proving his mastery of book series. Rarely have I seen the plots of several books tied together so well as in the Pendragon Cycle, and the Celtic Crusades is shaping up to be just as well done.

Contrary to previous reviewers, I had no trouble picking the story line right up despite the lack of reference to the previous book, The Iron Lance. I don't remember there being any "backtracking" in the Pendragon Cycle either. The history of the story seems to come out in bits and pieces as Duncan follows his father, Murdo's, footsteps through the Holy Land, then branches off into his own travels. If you have read the previous book, you know the history, and memory is refreshed in a way that saves the reader the redundancy that is often hard to avoid, there is no wasting of a lot of space and time covering what is already known. If you have not read The Iron Lance, as much history as is logical is presented to you as Duncan learns of it, in a way, you discover Duncan's past with him.

I agree in that a few of the characters could have been a little more "fleshed out", and I found this a rare lapse in Lawhead's prose. Usually we come to know each character intimately, to the point that they feel like old friends, but the only character I really felt that with in this book was Duncan. I would have liked to hear more from Padraig and Sydoni, as I found them fascinating and was left without getting to know them as well as I would have liked.

The plot, however, is well-paced, dialogue easy to read, and overall very believeable. It reminded me at times of Byzantium, a very extensive work by Lawhead, and a high recommendation on my part.

Overall, I would recommend The Black Rood to new and old readers of Lawhead alike, though I would caution new readers to buy The Iron Lance first, if only for continuity.

This is the second novel from Lawhead about the crusades, lost relics, dangerous liasons, and the family Murdo. All-in-all, a very nice piece of mystery and suspense.

Our main character is named Duncan. Like his father, Murdo, he is pulled from his native Scotland into a web of intrigue and suspense that lands him in the heat of the conflict of the crusades, political tangles, and all over the middle-eastern map. In some sense, these books continue to suggest the sort of roaming and travelogue storylines of an "Indian Jones"-type story. But Lawhead grounds his characters in their faith, their families and an earthy sense of history as it could have happened.

I think the one thing I most appreciated was the fact that Lawhead really pulls us into the landscape, allowing us to feel the grit in our snadals, smell the soup boiling, and view whole cities with luxurious color and details.

My only major complaint is that a few of the characters seem a bit wooden. Duncan's friend Padraig, his "anam cara", seems to play the part of Duncan's conscience instead of his friend. The relationship never becomes anything more than a role. I would have liked to have seen or known more of this friendship. Other characters also seem to be bit-players, used mainly for what they have to offer the plotline. The real character here is Duncan, which seems to be most appropriate, as it is a diary of sorts.

This book has a few startling scenes, but nothing like we saw in the "The Iron Lance"--for better or for worse. Lawhead has toned back the violence somewhat and instead focuses on the landscape, giving us a rich travelogue of color and history. Probably most poignant is the last phrase of the book which reminds us that we are all indeed tied together and tied throughout history.

Our small town library finally added "The Black Rood" to their collection, and I was the first to check it out. This has been one of my most anticipated reads in a while; I loved "The Iron Lance."

Once again, Lawhead creates a vivid setting for his characters, replete with mouth-watering food, colorful garb, and back-breaking responsibilities. Once again, he transports us from Scotland to the lands of the Crusades. This time, it's Murdo's son, Duncan, who sets off on his own quest. This time, Duncan is the first-person narrator, telling the story of his travels to his daughter Caitriona. (My guess is that she will be the protagonist of his next book in the series, to be titled "The Mystic Rose.")

Though I read the book quickly--after the initial twenty pages, which seemed a bit muddied--I missed Murdo's cynicism and spiritual encounters from the first book. Here, Duncan has no real cross to bear; basically, he just wants a part of the adventure his father had. Even his personal tragedy early in the book has no real influence on his decision-making later. His motivations seem not as strong, and--in fact--I found it a bit difficult to swallow that he leaves behind his daughter after what they had experienced. (I can't go into detail without giving things away.) If Lawhead had described even a brief farewell scene, I might've made this jump easier.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Not as much as "The Iron Lance," but still a vivid and memorable experience. The search of the Caliph's treasure house and the ensuing escape were heart-pounding adventure at its finest. While I don't always understand the motivations of some Lawhead characters, Lawhead always manages to bring a grace and dignity and honor to his people which I appreciate.

"The Mystic Rose," when it comes out, will sit high on my list.

This was another amazing work on the part of Lawhead, a book you can't put down and yet you are sorry to finish it. Rich with historical detail, I found this book even more exciting than The Iron Lance. In all, the adventures of Duncan are believable as well as thrilling. I will agree with other readers that Duncan's relationship with Sydoni wasn't as well developed as it could have been, but that is my only complaint, if you can call it that. One little thing Lawhead can do like no one else; describe a feast! Never read a Lawhead book, this one included, unless you have food readily available. Along with studying history he must have studied the culinary arts! Can't wait for the third book!

As with all of Lawhead's previous releases, this book is fantastic! His descriptions of settings, characters, and their emotions are astounding. I anxiously await the third and final book in this series!

As I mention in the title I enjoyed the Iron Lance a little more than this. It's a subjective thing - the Iron Lance just grabbed me a little more than this one.

Howver, this is still a pretty decent book, worth reading. The lead character is Duncan Murdosson, son of Murdo Ranulfson from the Iron Lance. Duncan's uncle, Murdo's brother, has come home from the Holy Land where he stayed after the Great Pilgrimage. He has harrowing tales of life in the Holy Land, but also plants in Duncan the seed of knowledge of the existence of the the Black Rood, a piece of the cross of Christ. After enduring a great tragedy, and against the will of his father, Duncan goes on a quest for the Black Rood. This quest will take him on a long journey through many lands and adventures and much intrigue. Along the way he will find the object of his quest, as well as love and restoration to the True Path.

This book is written in an interesting style. Most of it is written in first person narrative with Duncan as the narrator, writing a story of his travels while in prison awaiting execution as the hands of Muslims. He is writing this for the sake of his daughter, whom he expects never to see again. One of the high spots of the book is the tale of his deliverance from prison.

So, for a fun read I recommend this. It's not the greatest book you will ever read, but it enjoyable nonetheless.

Although, in my opinion, not quite up to par with 'The Iron Lance,' the first of this trilogy, 'The Black Rood' still provides an entertaining continuation of the story. The biggest problem I probably had was that I just couldn't find Duncan as intruging a character as his father, Murdo. Murdo goes into the Holy Land to reclaim his family's land, while Duncan seems to have something to prove, and his character was far less appealing to me.

Lawhead's "Celtic Crusades" continue with the next generation, Duncan, son of Murdo (familiar to readers of Vol. 1 in the series, "The Iron Lance"). One again the action revolves around a sacred relic, this time the black rood, a remnant of Christ's true cross, which Duncan aspires to obtain in a crusade to the Holy Land. The narrative of Duncan's vision of Christ's death in connection with this relic is one of the central passages of the book (p334-347). In his quest, Duncan is accompanied by the Cele De priest Padraig and Prince Roupen of Armenia, and must deal with danger at the hands of the Moslems (Seljuq Turks) and the more mysterious intrigues of the Templar Knights. As in the first novel of the series, the story is framed by the memoirs of Gordon Murray, a member of a nineteenth century secret society, but Murray's connection to the plot is still enshrouded in mystery and will only become clear in the final volume of the series.

There's no question that the novel is rich in historical detail and adventure, and there are some solid Christian themes. Typical are sentences like: "the Swift Sure Hand does bend all things to the good of those who love him." Despite this, "The Black Rood" lacks the gripping suspense of Lawhead's historical epic "Byzantium", and the passion and imagination of his forays into fantasy. I look forward to when Lawhead leaves the realm of historical fiction and returns to fantasy. -GODLY GADFLY

Second in the "Celtic Crusades" trilogy - but this trilogy also follows on from "Patrick: Son of Ireland: in some ways. The book is Lawhead's usual mix of well researched history and a good dose of fiction filling in the gaps.

Duncan, son of Murdo: Lord of Caithness, sets out on pilgrimage to the Holy Land following the death of his wife in childbirth of their second child. He vows to find and bring home the Black Rood - the true cross of Christ. This book recapitulates much of the former book ("The Iron Lance"). We have the journey to the Holy Land, broadening of horizons, disillusionment, capture, escape and a little bit of treasure hunting on the side. However the first book was better than this one as it had a more human conflict that had to be resolved also in the form of the greedy bishop of Orkneyjar. This book lacked that tension.

Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion. Lawhead makes his home in Austria with his wife. Stephen Lawhead is one of my all time favourite authors and I am only sorry that he does not write more often.

This book is a continuation of the Iron Lance. I found this book The Black Rood) to be even better than the Iron Lance which is saying something because I enjoyed that tremendously. Perhaps it is because you are more familiar with the characters or the storyline, I am not sure, but I can hardly wait for the third book, The Mystic Rose.

Murdo Ranulfsson has been through the harrowing and frightening experience of being part of the Great Crusade in Jerusalem and no one is more surprised than himself that he has lived to tell the tale. He has returned to his beloved Scotland and there has founded a clan that is both powerful and god fearing. Life is also good for Duncan, Murdo's son, that is until his young wife dies in childbirth . . .