Thomas is finally in the Holy Land and reunited with Sir William, but is forced to travel on his own from the coast through Nazareth, and finally to Jerusalem. The road is a dangerous one—especially to a lone traveler. Bandits masquerade as slaves, traitors appear to be allies, and once again, Thomas doesn’t know whom to trust. He must rely on his own resources to discern friend from foe, and to finally discover the final key to the Druids' master plan before returning home to expose them.
Back in England, a final storm is brewing against Thomas,
for the Druids are much more powerful than the
Orphan King can even imagine. . . - goodreads
Author: Sigmund Brouwer
Length: 233 pages ebook
Published: January 21.2014
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
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My Thoughts?
My review of book 3 in Sigmund Brouwer's "Merlin's Immortals" series
included my thoughts of"I love the story. I love the characters. I want to know how it ends."
I now know. And I'm well pleased!
Action and intrigue grabbed my interest from the opening page
and kept me reading from the Holy Land to England.
Thomas is understandably confused when he sees the ones he has come to trust
in the company of his would be assassins , setting him on the edge of disaster.
The pace is intense - emotionally and intellectually - as we follow
confusion and complications.
Alliances and broken trust, exotic locations and deprivations,
all well formed and descriptive.
A good sense of being present in the settings and action.
Dialogue was good. As was the element of surprise!
Brouwer leads the reader on a few merry chases
where we believe a situation to be as described,
only to discover all is not as it appears...
Experiencing all the tension and dismay of our heroes.
A few details seemed unusual leaving me wondering such as where
Thomas's pup, Beast, disappeared between book 3 and 4.
Conclusion wrapped up the series with finesse
and I was left with a sense of satisfaction in having discovered
the mysteries as well as the outcome.
Time well spent!
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Sigmund Brouwer is a Canadian author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America.
Married to American songwriter recording artist Cindy Morgan. The couple and their two young daughters divide their time between Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. He loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his RockandRoll Literacy Show.
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*Appreciation to Random House and Waterbrook Press for providing an ecopy for reading and review.
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Taking advantage of today being the FAMILY DAY holiday here
and posting late !
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Another good week of reading [and listening] I'm pleased about.
Scottish author, MC Beaton's DEATH OF A DENTIST
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2 of Merlin's Immortals series by Canadian author,
Sigmund Brouwer
MARTYR'S FIRE BLADES OF VALOR
3rd in Diane Moody's Teacup Novella series
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and not a few false starts on books I couldn't get into at the moment !
How's your week's reading shaping up?
Up next for me...
Dilly Court's THE BEST OF DAUGHTERS
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LET THEM EAT CAKE , Sandra Byrd's 1st in
the French Twist series
Looks like another FuN read I'd like to add to the week
{what's not to love about a French bakery?}
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Thinking Monday's Reading is off to a great start!
Find more books to add to your book stash at
Sheila's linkup BOOK JOURNEY
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On this week -
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SAVE THE DATE for MARCH
Women's History Month Celebrated at
LOST IN BOOKS
{
sign ups open now}
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Joining the
Wake UP Wednesday Party
MARTYR'S FIRE [Merlin's Immortals #3]
Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals -
where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge.
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Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?
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1313 AD. Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Castle Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the inhabitants through conjured wonders and seeming miracles. With the help of his longtime priest friend, Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Immortals, Katherine and Hawkwood, are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for. -
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Author: Sigmund Brouwer
Length: 224 pages
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Published: Oct. 15.13
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My thoughts?
Author Sigmund Brouwer is Canadian - my first attraction to reading this novel
as I'm always on the lookout for a new to me Canadian writer.
It's turned into a true reading find and a series I'm keen to pursue. . .
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Steady pace of the story's opening soon becomes urgent
as we follow the trail of this recently conquering Lord of Magnus Castle
to his now fugitive conquered state.
Thomas' doubt of those who would assist him is returned as both sides try to determine where alliances lie.
As readers, we have the advantage of seeing the background story,
yet without opportunity to intervene [ nor to prevent inevitable dangers!]
Having not read the preceding two books of the series I was at a disadvantage in not knowing
main players in the drama, but was quick to catch up with the author's inclusion of references
and descriptions of events. Action was constant, keeping me involved rather than frustrated.
Deception and intrigue weave a dark pattern enhancing colourful characters and action.
Brouwer paints a bustling medieval York that included me midst each scene -
having walked through those very gates, the cobbled alleys, the broad stone walls.
High sea adventures as Thomas continues his flight from the evil intentioned druids.
Battles and skirmishes play out for better and for worse... Who does he trust?
I love the story. I love the characters. I want to know how it ends.
The cameo scenes of Robin Hood and his band add a pleasing touch of familiarity
and seemed to situate the story for me. An ahah moment - this is where we are!
Romantic attachments are a pleasing thread running throughout,
without overpowering the essential aura of mystery and suspense.
Leaving this reader anticipating more...
More action, more resolution, more romance.
Book #4 next...
Released January 21st 2014 by Waterbrook Press
Merlin’s Immortals is a series that takes readers to the heart of the sorcery battles that have been hidden from mankind all through the centuries,
since the first rays of sunlight at Stonehenge.
Perfect series for fans of Lisa Bergren's medieval River of Time series.
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Sigmund Brouwer is author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America.
Married to songwriter recording artist Cindy Morgan. The couple and their two young daughters divide their time between Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. He loves going to schools to get kids excited about reading, reaching roughly 80,000 students a year through his RockandRoll Literacy Show.
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Visit Brouwer's website HERE
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Appreciation to Random House and Waterbrook Press for providing an ecopy for reading and review
via Blogging for Books.
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