The Black Rood - Steve Lawhead

Yes, can hardly believe it, but have finally managed to track down the second book - I know I could buy them, but I’m being cheap! ;)

As I said, this is the second book in the trilogy by Stephen Lawhead (the first being The Iron Lance), and it is just as well written and compelling as the first book. Too many times you start a trilogy or a series only to be disappointed with the standard of the subsequent books, this is definitely not the case with this author!

The Black Rood (this is another name for the cross that Christ was crucified on) continues the story of Murdo’s family, but Murdo is now the father and the main character Duncan (whose exploits we follow). The story starts out back in Scotland telling of everyday life and introducing Murdo’s two sons Eirik and Duncan. It tells of life on their estate and the tragic death of Duncan’s wife during childbirth (sorry, had to tell you this because it’s the reason he decides to go to the Holy Land in the first place – plus not really ruining the story as there’s a long way to go yet!). Then his uncle Torf-Einar returns home from the Holy Land and Duncan becomes determined to find out why his father never talks about his adventures in the Holy Land, and gets extremely angry if the topic is ever mentioned. What his uncle tells him, piques his curiosity to such an extent, that Duncan decides to leave Scotland and make his own journey to the Holy Land.

This is where the story really begins, as Duncan and his anam cara (soul friend) the Cele De monk Padraig find themselves in plots and intrigue with the Templar knights and stuck between the Christians, the Armenians and the Muslims. You follow them on their journey to the Holy Land and whilst on route they meet up with a young Armenian prince called Roupen, get robbed, get their own back on the robbers and then, well that would really spoil the story for you.

Once again, Stephen Lawhead has managed to create a believable, action packed adventure (sounds like some Hollywood blockbuster, but it isn’t, I promise), that not only keeps any reader interested, but teaches some history along the way. Now all I have to do is get my hands on the third book!