Rating: 
Summary: very solid and engaging
Review: Although I am not a frequent reader of historical fiction, I was intrigued by the premise and plot of Jerusalem. Holland's writing is straightforward and not needlessly complex but yet evokes vivid images of the time, place and people she describes. Her characterizations are good and her historical accuracy is admirable. For those who are interested in fantasy or historical fiction dealing with the middle ages, this book is a welcome addition to your library. Regarding the commentary of some other reviewers: (1) the whole point of this book, as with many other historical novels, is to place ordinary fictional characters in contact with the leading figures of that time period and show how such non-historical figures would have been affected by events -- therefore calling this book "unrealistic" for placing common soldiers in close contact with kings and queens misses the point of the writer's plot devices; (2) the anti-Muslim bent some readers may infer is more accurately viewed as the fear and loathing of the crusaders for their enemy -- it is precisely this disdain of the Christians for Muslims that underlay the rationale for the crusades, which were undertaken to drive the Muslims from what the Christians believed was the birthplace of their Savior and therefore the attitudes conveyed by the primary characters are historically accurate.
Rating:
Summary: very solid and engaging
Review: Although I am not a frequent reader of historical fiction, I was intrigued by the premise and plot of Jerusalem. Holland's writing is straightforward and not needlessly complex but yet evokes vivid images of the time, place and people she describes. Her characterizations are good and her historical accuracy is admirable. For those who are interested in fantasy or historical fiction dealing with the middle ages, this book is a welcome addition to your library. Regarding the commentary of some other reviewers: (1) the whole point of this book, as with many other historical novels, is to place ordinary fictional characters in contact with the leading figures of that time period and show how such non-historical figures would have been affected by events -- therefore calling this book "unrealistic" for placing common soldiers in close contact with kings and queens misses the point of the writer's plot devices; (2) the anti-Muslim bent some readers may infer is more accurately viewed as the fear and loathing of the crusaders for their enemy -- it is precisely this disdain of the Christians for Muslims that underlay the rationale for the crusades, which were undertaken to drive the Muslims from what the Christians believed was the birthplace of their Savior and therefore the attitudes conveyed by the primary characters are historically accurate.
Rating: 
Summary: Behind the snapping pennons and shining armor
Review: Cecelia Holland gets to the blood and bone and sweat and saddle sores and skin rashes of chivalry. In our twenty first century mindset, it's too easy to forget, or just not understand what a motivating force Christianity has been through the ages. A Knight Templar's life expectancy in Palestine was less than two years, yet they were the most effective military organisation in Medevial Europe. "Jerusalem" shows us the times and places of the Crusades through the eyes of a Templar, a man too aware of his own flaws, born to violence in violent times, trained to be good at it. It shows us men and women of power who can't put aside their own petty ambitions and pride even when their lives literally depend on it. And how a stick up the backside may be a substitute for the backbone a man may not be born with. "Jerusalem" is disturbing, uplifting, and, best of all, interesting. Ms. Holland tells a heck of a story. Like all great literature, it's about people. She does a good job answering, and getting us to ask, The Great Literary Question-- "Then what happened?" Since this has become a discussion of religion and politics, those who so loudly comdemn the Crusades might ask a couple questions: Why is Constantiople now called Istanbul? Why was the Reconquista necessary in Spain? How did Kosovo become the home of Moslem Albanians? Christianity is not the only religion to convert at sword point. The last scene in this book is documented history. (As are many of the other scenes.)
Rating: 
Summary: Romantic crusader fiction, with a twist!
Review: Holland writes historical romantic fiction, yes! However, this is a far cry from Mills & Boon romance. The author inter-twines her super-dour hero, Rannulf, with the leading historical characters of the time with a fair amount of skill. She describes the hardy, sweaty, savage daily life of a crusader with considerable skill. Her gritty battle scenes are extremely well presented. However, I found her lack of objectivity towards the historical central characters less laudable. Few of the muslims come away with any glory. Saladin in particular was portrayed as fretful, vengeful & seemed in a blue funk concerning Rannulf & his activities. Most of the Christian participants were either boorish & bullying, or cowardly & deceitful. The young leper king, Bouduain, having the sole saving graces. I found both the repressed love affair between Sybilla & Rannulf, & the......... romps between Saladin's nephew Ali & the Templar Steven, both unsatifactory & totally ridiculous. I do thank the author for treating us to a satisfactory & less than soppy, happy ending, and as far as this type of novel is concerned, overall, I liked it!
Rating:
Summary: Romantic crusader fiction, with a twist!
Review: Holland writes historical romantic fiction, yes! However, this is a far cry from Mills & Boon romance. The author inter-twines her super-dour hero, Rannulf, with the leading historical characters of the time with a fair amount of skill. She describes the hardy, sweaty, savage daily life of a crusader with considerable skill. Her gritty battle scenes are extremely well presented. However, I found her lack of objectivity towards the historical central characters less laudable. Few of the muslims come away with any glory. Saladin in particular was portrayed as fretful, vengeful & seemed in a blue funk concerning Rannulf & his activities. Most of the Christian participants were either boorish & bullying, or cowardly & deceitful. The young leper king, Bouduain, having the sole saving graces. I found both the repressed love affair between Sybilla & Rannulf, & the......... romps between Saladin's nephew Ali & the Templar Steven, both unsatifactory & totally ridiculous. I do thank the author for treating us to a satisfactory & less than soppy, happy ending, and as far as this type of novel is concerned, overall, I liked it!
Rating:
Summary: the most perfect knights of the christian faith
Review: HOLLYWOOD WHERE ARE YOU? HERE IS THE STORY THAT WILL RIVAL IF NOT TOP BRAVEHEART. RELIGION,POLITICS,WAR,WHAT A COMBINATION UNIQUELY WOVEN TO WET OUR APPETITE FOR MORE. THIS NOVEL DESCRIBES THE PASSION OF MEN FOR POWER WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF ONE OF THE MOST SECRET ORGINAZATIONS EVER TO COME INTO EXISTENCE. THE CHARACTER SAINT DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF PORTRAYING A GREAT LEADER WHO THOUGH WIELDING POWER HE TO MUST SUBMIT TO HIS OWN LEADERS. THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE HE DISPLAYS MIXED WITH HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO HIS ORDER, OFFERS AN INCREDIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF TRUE KNIGHTHOOD. CECELIA YOU HAVE OUTDONE YOURSELF. ONCE I STARTED READING THIS NOVEL I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. THE WAY YOU CONTRAST RELIGIOUS PURITY WITH LUST DESCRIBES THE BATTLE THAT RAGES IN THE HEART OF MOST MEN. THE WAY SAINT DEALS WITH HIS OWN WEAKNESS GIVES HOPE FOR THE THOSE WHO WOULD ASPIRE TO LIVE A LIFE FULL OF HONOUR, AND OEDIENCE. FORTITUDE, LOYALTY, HONOUR ARE DEFINED IN THIS NOVEL IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER. IF YOU ENJOY A GOOD FIGHT THAT WILL INSPIRE AND EDUCATE. YOU MUST READ THIS NOVEL. SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES, I HOPE
Rating:
Summary: qualified recommendation
Review: One the hand, this is a reasonably exciting novel of political intrigue, religious devotion and forbidden romance set in the Holy Land in 1187. Rannulf Fitzwilliam is a Knight Templar who has sworn off women and devoted his life to the service of Christ, specifically saving the city of Jerusalem from the predations of the Saracens under Saladin. Landless but proud, Rannulf makes enemies easily, but also earns the devotion of the men who serve under him, earning the nickname Saint, which is applied both sarcastically and in admiration. His vow of chastity is sorely tested when he falls in love with the haughty Princess Sibylla and his determination to preserve Jerusalem in Christian hands is threatened by Saladin's repeated attacks, by treachery among the Christian defenders and by weak leadership, including that of his beloved Sibylla. All of this is handled quite well. But on the other hand, the serendipitous interaction of this lowly warrior monk with the leading figures of the Crusades strains the bounds of credulity. Even more unbelievable is the gratuitous sodomite subplot, which finds one of Rannulf's men engaged in a torrid affair with Saladin's son. I'm not big on buggery anyway, but this relationship seems more than unlikely. I'll give it a qualified recommendation, chiefly because of the strong characterization of Rannulf and Ms Holland's deftness at describing battles. GRADE: C
Rating:
Summary: The Grim Side of the Crusades
Review: Rannulf Fitzwilliam is a Templar Knight who is in the Holy Land to serve the Holy Cross during the latter part of the Crusades. Rannulf used to live a wild, sinful life, and in order to repent from it, he has made vows to abstain from women, and to never harm another Christian. Struggling to contain his wild nature, he confronts relationships and situations with a hard, grim, stoicism. He is not particularly friendly or charming, and many of the other characters don't like him, either because he seems gruff and unknightly, or they are intimidated by his strength that threatens to usurp their important positions. The character of Rannulf permeates the entire book; the story seems to drag at times, bogged down in a tense grimness. Yet, because of that, the reader feels the reality of the times. The people of the Holy Land, facing attack and death by Saladin's army, must have lived such a life, solemn and dark in the face of their destruction. There are other interesting characters that contrast with Rannulf. The young Christian king of Jerusalem is rotting away with leprosy, yet he admirably endures this suffering to the end in order defend his city. His beautiful sister Sybilla is a forceful, independent woman, scheming to take her rightful place as queen when he dies, yet also desiring to serve and to save Jerusalem. She is Rannulf's greatest temptation to break his vows. Stephen, the red-haired knight has a secret and sinful affair with Ali, the nephew of Saladin. The story ends with a heart-wrenching battle scene at the Battle of Hattin, in which, as history tells us, the Christians were disastrously defeated. The ending is grim, but powerful, and the reader realizes that this is a realistic immersion into a solemn period of history. The story is carried off with a subdued elegance of style.
Rating:
Summary: The Grim Side of the Crusades
Review: Rannulf Fitzwilliam is a Templar Knight who is in the Holy Land to serve the Holy Cross during the latter part of the Crusades. Rannulf used to live a wild, sinful life, and in order to repent from it, he has made vows to abstain from women, and to never harm another Christian. Struggling to contain his wild nature, he confronts relationships and situations with a hard, grim, stoicism. He is not particularly friendly or charming, and many of the other characters don't like him, either because he seems gruff and unknightly, or they are intimidated by his strength that threatens to usurp their important positions. The character of Rannulf permeates the entire book; the story seems to drag at times, bogged down in a tense grimness. Yet, because of that, the reader feels the reality of the times. The people of the Holy Land, facing attack and death by Saladin's army, must have lived such a life, solemn and dark in the face of their destruction. There are other interesting characters that contrast with Rannulf. The young Christian king of Jerusalem is rotting away with leprosy, yet he admirably endures this suffering to the end in order defend his city. His beautiful sister Sybilla is a forceful, independent woman, scheming to take her rightful place as queen when he dies, yet also desiring to serve and to save Jerusalem. She is Rannulf's greatest temptation to break his vows. Stephen, the red-haired knight has a secret and sinful affair with Ali, the nephew of Saladin. The story ends with a heart-wrenching battle scene at the Battle of Hattin, in which, as history tells us, the Christians were disastrously defeated. The ending is grim, but powerful, and the reader realizes that this is a realistic immersion into a solemn period of history. The story is carried off with a subdued elegance of style.
Rating:
Summary: Jerusalem
Review: This is one of the only historical fiction novels about Crusaders I've read that's any good. It's spare and brutal. Battle scenes are powerful, though the edgy, spiky, fierce characters and their interrelations are the real point here. As ever, Holland captures period mentalities well. The theme of same-sex relations is historically relevant to the Templars and is presented well here, without stereotyping. Only readers addicted to happy endings should avoid this wonderful book.
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