Customer Reviews

Templar Magician (Templars 2)

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This book is set in Jerusalem and in England during the year 1152-53. The Templar Order is still a force to be reckoned with in both places. King Stephen is fighting to maintain his crown in England amidst never ending civil war. This is the second book in Doherty's Templar series, and it is just as graphic as the first one, but very true to the era. At the centre of all this mayhem is a Templar knight by the name of Edmunde De Payens who is a relative of the great and infamous Hugh De Payens. Edmund finds himself in a great amount of danger while he is sent on missions by his order. And the driving force of all this evil is from a ruthless warlock who De Payenes is sent to find. As he searches in the Holy Land and in England he uncovers more evil than he can really take in. This Templar series of Doherty's is a winner. I love the era, and it's wonderful to read about this very secretive order.

I loved this work. I reread the Templar before reading this and really enjoyed rereading it as there is so much I missed in the first reading. The Templar Magician is a different story that covers more of a theory of Templar involvement in the black arts at the same time using actual historical events. I wished he would have made it 200 pages longer. I really enjoyed it. Especially the end where the protagonist is last seen rearing up his destrier shouting "Deus Vult." Then back to the old woman and the monk who tell the story. Truly magical and fun.

In 1152 in Tripoli, French Templar knight Edmund de Payens and his English comrade Philip Mayele observe the assassination of Count Raymond of Tripoli by killers who escape as the deceased's constable rages at the crowd, murdering the innocent. Angry Templar Grand Master Bertrand de Tremelai orders the arrest of the witness for failing to protect the count and for not capturing his killers.

Edmund hears rumors that the Naziris Islamic cult murdered the Count. However, even as he waits judgment, the Templar Knight feels deep in his gut that nothing adds up in this so called simple solution especially since the constables failed to pursue the assassins. As de Payens seeks the truth, his mentor William Trussell fears the loosening of entrance standards since the Templars' founding five decades ago will doom its future. De Payens' investigation takes him back to the Templars in England where he finds the truth does not free him.

The second Templar historical mystery (see The Templar) is a great medieval whodunit based on the real assassination of Count Raymond. Edmund is a fabulous protagonist who quickly believes that the Naziris are being framed, but also fears who he feels are behind setting up the Islamic sect. Filled with political machinations, readers will appreciate this excellent twelfth century mystery.

Harriet Klausner