Siege of Heaven: : a Powerful, Fast-Paced and Exciting Adventure Steeped in the Atmosphere of the First Crusade

SUMMARY: Starred Review. British author Harper brings to life the political and religious passions of the 11th-century in his excellent conclusion to his First Crusade trilogy (after The Mosaic of Shadows and Knights of the Cross). While series hero Demetrios Askiates, a Greek in service to the Byzantine emperor, doesn't have a mystery to solve as he did in the previous two books, Harper's gifts as a writer are more than equal to the task of sustaining interest and suspense without that plot device. As various warlords compete to be the first to reach Jerusalem, Askiates attempts to free himself of his obligations to the emperor and return home to Constantinople. A diplomatic mission to gain the ruling Fatimids as allies against the Turks sends Askiates to Egypt instead, where he must endure a harrowing trek through the desert to survive. This first-rate historical makes accessible the prosaic details of everyday life in a distant era. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. " Tom Harper writes with strident clarity in this epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under siege.Well-researched, and cinematic in its imagery, this is a fast-paced and exciting debut." -- "Ink "" Tom Harper' s specialty is a hitherto unvisited era in historical crime fiction -- It' s a world which Harper brings exuberantly to life, cleanly reveling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance." -- "Yorkshire Evening Post " " Harper effortlessly draws the reader into the court intrigues and conspiracies of eleventh-century Byzantium in his outstanding debut" -- " Publishers' Weekly " " Scholarly but speedy narrative, steeped in medieval horrors ranging from flogging to famine, all anchored in what feels like a passion for history and spelling out the way things were." -- "Literary Reviews" “Tom Harper writes with strident clarity in this epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under siege.Well-researched, and cinematic in its imagery, this is a fast-paced and exciting debut.” — Ink “Tom Harper’s specialty is a hitherto unvisited era in historical crime fiction — It’s a world which Harper brings exuberantly to life, cleanly reveling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance.” — Yorkshire Evening Post “Harper effortlessly draws the reader into the court intrigues and conspiracies of eleventh-century Byzantium in his outstanding debut” — Publishers’ Weekly “Scholarly but speedy narrative, steeped in medieval horrors ranging from flogging to famine, all anchored in what feels like a passion for history and spelling out the way things were.” — Literary Reviews Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Lindsey Davis, Steven Pressfield, this breathtaking and captivating novel brings the Crusades to life in all their triumphant and tragic glory. 'Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm under siege.' - Ink 'Superb read. Thoroughly enjoyed it' -- ***** Reader review 'Highly enjoyable read' -- ***** Reader review 'Brilliant.' -- ***** Reader review 'Holds your interest from [the first] to the last page' -- ***** Reader review ******************************************************************** AN ASSASSIN IS ON THE LOOSE...AND AN EMPIRE STANDS IN PERIL Byzantium, 1096: When a mysterious assassin fires his arrow at the Emperor , he has more than a man in his sights; as the keystone of a crumbling empire, if he falls, then the mightiest power in Christendom will be torn apart. Aware of the stakes, the Emperor hires Demetrios Askiates , the unveiler of mysteries, to catch the would-be-killer.But Demetrios is entering an unknown and mysterious world and must edge his way through a glittering maze of treachery and deceit before time runs out. Nor are all enemies within the city walls. With the Turks rampant across Asia, the Emperor has sent to the west for mercenaries to reinforce his position.When a great army, tens of thousands strong, appears before the gates, he gets more than he bargained for. The first crusaders have arrived, intent on making their fortunes in war, and they have no allegiance to an empire they eye with jealousy and suspicion.As the armies of east and west confront each other, and the assassin creeps ever closer to his prey, Demetrios must untangle the golden web of intrigue which surrounds the Emperor before the city - and the empire - are drowned in blood. If you love Conn Iggulden, Lindsey Davis and Steven Pressfield, you will love this breathtaking historical adventure, brimming with murder, betrayal, bloodshed and romance, from the pen of prizewinning author Tom Harper. 'Harper's portrayal of Byzantium and the intrigues that threaten its destruction is vivid and convincing.' — Sunday Times 'Harper effortlessly draws the reader into an unfamiliar time bringing alive the characters and their motivations' — Publisher's Weekly 'A must read' — ***** Reader review 'Superb read. Thoroughly enjoyed it' — ***** Reader review 'A real joy to read. Keeps you wanting to read more, griping and exciting right to the end'— ***** Reader review ******************************************************************* BETRAYAL AND BLOODSHED. WHO WILL CONQUER? August, 1098 : after countless battles and sieges, the surviving soldiers of the first crusade are at last within reach of their ultimate goal - Jerusalem . But rivalries fester and new enemies are massing against them in the Holy Land. Demetrios Askiates , the Emperor's spy, has had enough of the crusade's violence and hypocrisy and longs to return home. But when a routine diplomatic mission leads to a deadly ambush, he realises he has been snared in the vast power struggles which underlie the crusade. The only way out now leads through the Holy City . From the plague-bound city of Antioch to the heart of Muslim Egypt , Demetrios must accompany the army of warlords and fanatics to the very gates of Jerusalem. But what awaits him there is an apocalypse of pillage, bloodshed and slaughter...Who will be the victor? Siege of Heaven ends the Crusade trilogy. Have you read The Mosaic of Shadows and Knights of the Cross ? August 1098: Kerbogha?s army has been destroyed, and the crusaders are at last secure in Antioch. But internal quarrels consume them: the princes, Raymond and Bohemond are almost at war over possession of the conquered city, and with Adhemar dead there is no one to enforce unity. Meanwhile, Demetrios Askiates longs to return home to his family. But now, the only way home leads through the holy city of Jerusalem. But first things first, the Franks must be prized out of Antioch. With the princes deadlocked, Demetrios reluctantly enlists the help of the visionary preacher Peter Bartholomew, finder of the holy lance. When Peter rouses the peasants, who form the bulk of the crusaders, the bickering princes are forced to listen, and the crusade at last sets out. But Peter is a dangerous ally, and his newfound power begins to derange him. Finally, a year after the capture of Antioch, the crusaders reach Jerusalem. And when at last, after a three-day onslaught, the city falls, Demetrios must find his family while the crusaders? journey reaches its terrible apotheosis in a nightmare of violence, bloodshed and slaughter August, 1098. After Countless Battles And Sieges, The Surviving Soldiers Of The First Crusade Are At Last Within Reach Of Their Ultimate Goal: Jerusalem. But Rivalries Fester And New Enemies Are Massing Against Them In The Holy Land. Demetrios Askiates, The Emperor's Spy, Has Had Enough Of The Crusade's Violence And Hypocrisy. He Longs To Return Home. But When A Routine Diplomatic Mission Leads To A Deadly Ambush, He Realises He Has Been Snared In The Vast Power Struggles Which Underlie The Crusade. The Only Way Out Now Leads Through The Holy City. From The Plague-bound City Of Antioch To The Heart Of Muslim Egypt, Demetrios Must Accompany The Army Of Warlords And Fanatics To The Very Gates Of Jerusalem Where The Crusade Climaxes In An Apocalypse Of Pillage, Bloodshed And Slaughter. August, 1098. After countless battles and sieges, the surviving soldiers of the first crusade are at last within reach of their ultimate goal: Jerusalem. But rivalries fester and new enemies are massing against them in the Holy Land. Demetrios Askiates, the Emperor's spy, has had enough of the crusade's violence and hypocrisy. He longs to return home. But when a routine diplomatic mission leads to a deadly ambush, he realizes he has been snared in the vast power struggles which underlie the crusade. The only way out now leads through the Holy City. From the plague-bound city of Antioch to the heart of Muslim Egypt, Demetrios must accompany the army of warlords and fanatics to the very gates of Jerusalem where the crusade climaxes in an apocalypse of pillage, bloodshed and slaughter Murder and intrigue prevails in medieval Byzantium in the year 1096. When a mysterious assassin looses his arrow at the emperor, he has more than a man in his sights; the keystone of a crumbling empire, he is the solitary figure holding its enemies in check. If he falls, then the mightiest power in Christendom will be torn apart. August, 1098. After countless battles and sieges, the surviving soldiers of the First Crusade are at last within reach of their ultimate goal: Jerusalem. But rivalries fester, and while the crusaders delay, new enemies are massing against them in the Holy Land During the height of the First Crusade in 1098, a Norman knight is found murdered and Demetrios Askiates is charged with finding the killer