|
"Nathan Sadasivan has a rare, raw talent and
Crown of the World is a rip-roaring success. A saga of Christendom told
with a breadth of historical knowledge and a depth of empathy and
understanding, this novel transports us to a time of turbulence and faith.
A work of such accomplishment from a writer of such youth is simply
astonishing. I hope and pray that this is the first of many more to
follow."
—Professor Joseph Pearce
Ave Maria University, author of The Quest for Shakespeare
"Masterful swordplay, powerfully intense
battles, deceit and treachery, and the emergence of the saintly Baldwin
IV, young Mr. Sadasvian has weaved a vivid and enthralling tale of a
forgotten Catholic kingdom...and has this reader awaiting Book Two of the
Trilogy with great anticipation."
—Scott Jones
Our Lady of Victory Traditional Catholic Homeschooling
|
|
none yet available |
|
|
Amazing *****
If I
can't trust Joseph Pearce on the literary merits of a book I can't trust
anybody. After receiving and reading "Crown of the World--Book 1: Knight
of the Temple " I am very glad that I did not reject this book to review.
The novel takes place in the time between the 2nd and 3rd Crusades in the
Holy Lands and the lands around it. The story revolves around Godfrey de
Monteferrat a young Templar Knight. Godfrey is as idealistic as they come
wanting to become a great hero. He has grown up hearing the stories of the
heroes in the Crusades along with the stories of the saints. He puts his
idealism into practice, but the character is not drawn as a stereotype.
This is a deeply layered person with his own struggles. Though he is also
no dark hero or anti-hero which we get way too many of today in our
fiction and our movies.
In a novel involving the Knight Templars you would expect battle scenes
and this book does not disappoint in the descriptions along with the
strategy involved. Yet the book goes way beyond being just a military
novel. There is a serious spiritual dimension to it that is not just
knock-you-over-the-head piety. The author also gives you a good
understanding of the times without lengthy character exposition explaining
everything to you.
It is rather cliché to say you had a hard time putting a book down, but I
guess I will cliché away and say just that. I read the near 300 page book
over the weekend and certainly felt that bittersweet feeling you get when
you reach the end -- which was certainly climatic. The last part of the
book involves Godfrey's involvement protecting a very young Baldwin who
later becomes Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. Since this book is the first book
of a trilogy I really look forward for the next book - which can't come
soon enough in my opinion.
One of the most surprising aspects of this book is that it was written by
a nineteen year old who started working on it at 15 while being
homeschooled. The novel has every mark as being written by a seasoned
author and none of the marks as being written by a beginner. To put it
simply this is one of the most enjoyable books I have read.
Jeff Miller "The Curt Jester"
(from splendouroftruth.com)
|
|
|
|
A tale of Christendom masterfully written- Extraordinary
*****
The
Knight of the Temple is the debut novel of The Crown of the World trilogy
written by young author Nathan Sadasivan.
The book cover shows Christ's crown of thorns above a battle scene where
the main character, Godfrey de Montferrat, a bold and brave Temple Knight,
is engaged on a battle. The author takes the reader into a tale of
Christendom with emphasis on Godfrey's dilemmas about faith, loyalty,
love, war, and his purposes in life.
The book begins with Godfrey de Montferrat and his companion, Jacques de
Maille, riding their horses through the desert of Egypt searching for a
Frankish camp. Due to the intense heat of the sun, both horsemen are
extremely tired, thirsty, and have had hardly any sleep. They find an
oasis where they refresh themselves and their horses can drink water to
replenish their energy. Not far from them, Yusef, an arab leader
well-known for his battle and commanding skills, and his warriors
discovered the hoofprints of the Temple Knight's horses. Yusef, allows
Malik to go and investigate the matter and report back to him. Malik, a
young warrior thirsty for Frankish's blood and with battle fever, reports
his findings to Yusef and suggests a surprise attack on the knights. But
things don't go as smooth as Malik expects. The knights fight back but get
separated during the battle. This separation leaves Godfrey defending his
life fiercely against Malik's violent attacks.
The outcome of his encounter with Malik marks the beginning of Godfrey's
personal quest to find the answer to his many questions. The encounter
with Yusef and his warriors at the desert is just the beginning of the
many clashes between the Saracen (Muslims) and the Frankish Knights. The
author will take the reader to a world of betrayal, espionage, love,
prayer, and political power struggles, where the most ambitious and wicked
one of them all will stop at nothing to reach his goal.
I admire the author's attention to details. With the skills of a masterful
painter, he portrays the battle scenes and enfold the reader into a
mystical tale of a world already forgotten, and a time where not
everything is was what is seems to be.
At the end of the book Godfrey finds himself in front of the Tabernacle
demanding to know:Why??? The answer to his question will open up the road
of healing for his broken spirit and will leave the reader contemplating
on its meaning, too.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy books about Christendom
and are willing to follow Godfrey de Montferrat and his companions through
this trilogy.
Tannia Ortiz-Lopès
Author of The Window to My Soul
CatholicFiction.net
TimeWithTannia.tripod.com |
|
|
|