Debbie L. (DRLAKE66) reviewed The Dagger and the Cross: A Novel of the Crusades on + 10 more book reviews
This sequel to Alamut picks up the story of Prince Aiden and Morgiana the Assassin 10 years after the end of that novel. It is set in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem during the reign of Guy de Lusignan and offers a vivid and rich description of what life might have been like for the European nobility trying to cling to their Kingdom under the Muslim onslaughts led by Saladin.
This book focuses on the intrigues that destroy the wedding of Prince Aiden and Morgiana as well as introducing some of Aiden's kin - his twin brother King Gwydion and niece Elen. They are drawn into the exotic world of the Crusader Kingdom and become involved in its struggle to survive - both an inept king and the marauding Muslims.
I also got a clearer understanding of how obligations can prevent us from following what we know is the correct path and extracting ourselves from a no-win situation. The intrigues of those around King Guy as well as his own inability to rule doomed Jerusalem and the Crusader Kingdom.
Even though some of the characters eventually find happiness by the end of the story, we know that the dream of Christian rule of Jerusalem is dead and we mourn its loss as well as the loss of those who chose to remain behind.
This book focuses on the intrigues that destroy the wedding of Prince Aiden and Morgiana as well as introducing some of Aiden's kin - his twin brother King Gwydion and niece Elen. They are drawn into the exotic world of the Crusader Kingdom and become involved in its struggle to survive - both an inept king and the marauding Muslims.
I also got a clearer understanding of how obligations can prevent us from following what we know is the correct path and extracting ourselves from a no-win situation. The intrigues of those around King Guy as well as his own inability to rule doomed Jerusalem and the Crusader Kingdom.
Even though some of the characters eventually find happiness by the end of the story, we know that the dream of Christian rule of Jerusalem is dead and we mourn its loss as well as the loss of those who chose to remain behind.
