NOTEWORTHY!- I need to mention a few things before you head to the review. Firstly I encourage you *puppy dog eyes* to head over at Audrey's blog over at "Holes in my Brain" She is a finalist in Sandra Brannan's contest. The one with the most votes will win up to a $1000, awesome right? Audrey is getting ready for University and that is hardly going to be cheap, so the money if she wins will be going towards a great cause. It's pretty simple really all you have to do is email info@jkscommunications.com and mention the following;
I'm voting for Audrey (holes in my brain book blog) in Sandra Brannan's contest!
-your blog link if you have one-
-(optional) whether you attended Book Blogger Con + proof-
She is a lovely blogger and friend and I am sure many will agree when I say that she more than deserves this. So good luck hun where rooting for you! Head over to her post HERE for more details
BTW voting ends this Friday so hurry people! :)
You also might be aware that I like to mention blogs that have caught my eye. Today I have "THE INTERROBANGS" and "THE BOOK LANTERN" Although they review books like the rest of us what sets these two blogs apart are their discussion posts. Be it bad boys, discrimination, feminism, abusive boyfriends, crappy book covers. Well it's all there in the open and they are completely honest. They are worth checking out seriously! Eden
Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Genre: Young Adult Source: Publisher
Rating;
The setting is France, the year 1212. Twelve year old Georgette lives with her father and brother Gregor. Father and Son are almost complete opposites. Her older brother is full on emotional, but not in any way that helps anyone. He's rebellious and tends to take his anger out on her. Kicking and punching her whenever he wants to for no apparent reason, and when she is not there he's getting into fights with others to let of some steam. Regardless of it all it's clear that they still adore each other.
In contrast Robert now at the age of fourteen has never known what it is to have a family, to have someone to call your own. Having scarred his face for life he has been a wanderer who from a very young age has counted on any scraps of a shred of kindness that anyone can spare. He has learnt not to fill his belly through things like stealing. Not because he has been brought up with morals, but because he recognises from right and wrong, and for him that is enough.
It's the day Abbot Benedict a hard-peculiar man takes notice of this young boy who shows potential of great intelligence and takes him under his wing-almost as an protege does his life change. Although at first eternally grateful for this man providing him with food and shelter he soon comes to realise it's hardly easy living with such a man. A man who has never showed him affection, cared for his health or concerns. Isolated from the world he expects Robert to heed his every word without complaint, may it be out of awe or gratitude he always has. That might be changing very, very soon though.
A boy arrives, a religious boy speaking of God and how he is his messenger. He wants children to aid him in his quest to lead a crusade - to smash the cursed infidels in Jerusalem consisting of Jews and Muslims. Remember this is a time that most if not everyone is either highly religious or made to be.
Father Davis is the one who has invoked the passion that Georgette has towards her faith by being almost more of a father to her than hers ever was. She turns to him in time of need and when need of a friend he is also the man that she turns to. What they share is lovely, sweet and genuine. It's a bit disheartening though that this girl from such a young age has had to find the love she has craved from her father from another man.
Georgette and Gregory after seeing this messenger along with countless many other children decide to leave home, and venture on this journey. Many are outcasts, lonely, poor, some just looking for adventure and wanting to be a bit reckless and rebellious like Georgette and Gregory. What they could not have foreseen is what the future has in store for them.
Like others I questioned what kind of parents would be ridiculous enough to just allow their children to up and leave, to just say "Fine, then go." It was a different time then, not much was known and even more hidden. So I tried to not be to judgmental and attempted to understand at least.
With the protagonists being merely young children how dreary could a book get right? Well these children face hardships that would break any adult. They suffer, cry, and have to deal and come to terms with the choices they have made the hard way. Sometimes it got on the verge of disturbing. Seeing these mere children suffer was just horrible and unfair.The fact that the book is based on true events regardless of being blended in with fiction makes it all the more eerie and horrifying. I didn't know what to expect from Crusade at first but finished it being pleasantly surprised which of course is always a good thing!
Other recommended reviews of the book by;
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