Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades

Great Book!!!!

Crusader King by Susan Peek caught my eye the first time I saw its cover. In the first place, as a cradle Catholic I've heard a lot about the Crusades but never remember studying them in detail even at Georgetown University. So Susan had me hooked before I even opened the book. At the beginning of the book, I quickly discovered that much of the book was factual, based on actual people who lived when the author said they did and did what she claims. So now, I could barely put the book down--I'm just a historical fiction junkie when the author goes to the trouble to bring the main characters to life--3-dimensionly and believably. Ms. Peek did just that and for the next 10 days I had to sneak in a chapter or two while still taking care of all my other duties and responsibilities as a husband, father, and grandfather. The main thing I liked about Crusader King is that her two heroes are credible and highly likable. I couldn't help but root for them harder with each new page. Moreover, her villains left me seething with anger because from the beginning they posed huge problems for the main characters, and they became more and more hateful as the book progressed. The book is a great read, and I highly recommend it for youth and adult readers. Not only is it entertaining, but it explains a lot about a part of history about which many of us have little or no understanding.

This book was love at first reading! It is an absolute favorite in all of the schools where I have taught! To quote some of my students: "This book is AWESOME! Everyone said it was good, but I didn't think it would be THIS good!" "I actually read for three hours straight and my head didn't even hurt." - (a "book-hater") "Do you have any other books like Crusader King?" "I don't know what to read next. After that, nothing else seems good." "I read Crusader King three times this school year, and I'm already ready to read it again!" "When is a copy of Crusader King going to be available? It's all everybody is talking about!" (ETC!) I could go on and on, but I will just end by saying that Baldwin and Theo are unforgettable, and this book will be one that you will want to go back to and read to your children and grandchildren some day!

4.5 stars for a compelling story about an inspiring young king during a turbulent time and place in history. Made king at age 13, surrounded by enemies without as well as within his kingdom, and dealing with the unimaginable effects of leprosy, this young man's steadfast faith in God and his inspirational courage have left an indelible mark on my heart. King Baldwin's best friend, Theodore, and the Templar Sir Geoffrey were also well done, so well done, in fact, that two final scenes brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't unreservedly give this book 5 stars, though, because a few instances of slang and modern words pulled me out of the 12th century with a bit of a jar. Young readers will find this book fascinating, fast-paced, and unforgettable.

I thoroughly enjoyed Crusader King and I’m sure I will read it again, which always says a lot about a book. Peek draws her characters very well, making them memorable and distinct whilst still credibly historical. It’s the main character who really steals the show, though: Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. I knew almost nothing about him before reading the book, but he’s such a lovely character, and so holy – in such an appealing way – that I spent much of the book wondering why he was never canonised. Having finished the book, I remained fixated on this question for some time, coming to two possible explanations: Explanation 1) Since Peek is writing for young people, she may justifiably have down-played any negative aspects of Baldwin’s character and emphasised all the positive ones. As a friend of mine once put it - historical fiction remains fiction, if you want pure history, go read a textbook. Explanation 2) Baldwin really was that holy and good, but since the people with power and money (the nobles) spent his life waiting for him to die so they could seize his throne, they probably weren’t going to feel like spending money trying to get him canonised; whilst the people who loved him (the common people) had no power or money. And both nobles and common people were all too soon after his death conquered by the Saracens, after which they had no freedom to pursue anyone’s canonisation and probably did well to remain Christians themselves. I certainly hope the reason Baldwin IV isn’t a canonised saint is the second reason, not the first. But either way, the book is a fantastic read. Though I did keep wishing a certain fictional friend had actually existed in real life, and had actually done the thing Baldwin asks him to do. How different the history of the Middle East might have been! If you want to make sense of that spoiler-free comment, you’ll have to read the book! My one major niggle was that as an adult reader, I would have liked more detail at times. The book passes very quickly over great swathes of events in Baldwin's life, especially in the later part, and I would have been perfectly happy with a much longer and more detailed book. However, Peek is writing for young people, not for adults, so whilst I hope she might one day write a full, detailed, adult version, this cannot really stand as an actual criticism since she does what she sets out to do well. Off to look for more books about Baldwin IV, though I doubt I will find anything more satisfying than this one! Edit: To add information received from the author (below): Susan Peek says: “To answer your question, Baldwin’s cause for canonization was indeed introduced, and he is considered Blessed in France, but not universally. The French version of his name is Beaudoin, and many boys are named after him. I am not exactly sure why his cause was halted. He truly was very holy; even non-Christians acknowledge his great sanctity.” Lovely to know! [I received a free copy of the book whilst acting as a reviewer for the Catholic Writer’s Guild. ‘Crusader King’ subsequently received the Seal of Approval.]

My teenager and I enjoy reading these action-packed books together. They are a great way to learn more about the saint without it feeling too "educational".

My kids love Susan Peek's books. My teenage daughter asked for this one and "The King's Prey" for Christmas. She's already finished them by New Year's day, and my son is now reading them. They both love the stories, and especially how Susan Peek brings the saints to life. My daughter has said several times that she likes these more than some other "saint books" because the saints seem more like normal people who she can relate to, rather than some idyllic and unrealistic "fairy tale".

A great story well told! I really enjoyed this book, and I was happy to pass it along to my teenage daughter who has been enjoying it as well. I don't know much about the accuracy of the historical details, but I found it refreshing, bringing the Crusaders to life in such a way that they came across as more than blood thirsty mercenaries. History is replete with amazing real life stories, some heroic and some villainous and many a mix as this book shows.

Mrs Peek has a very sold, enjoyable writting style. I can recommend this book to any reader who likes a few hours of pleasant entertainment. However. As someone with an unhealthy obsession with the Eight Latin Kings of Jerusalem, I spent a small fortune on scientific books on them and enjoy finding out as much as possible. It bothers me tremendously that Mrs Peek makes it seem in her foreword and afterword as if her book was well recherched and close to historical facts. She states that she has written several biographies and "has a special love for medieval history", which all makes it seem as if her story was close to what really happened, when it is absolutely NOT. I was very astonished of what I read in Mrs Peek's novel, because it most often doesn't fit of what I've learned in my personal studies about that period. My conclusion: I can recommend reading this book, but please bear in mind that it has little to do with the actual historical events back then.