Two boys – two faiths – one unholy war

Laird doesn't put a foot wrong. This is a simple story of two young boys from different cultures who are thrown together by events and who discover, to their surprise, they are more alike than they had ever thought possible.

It's not as though it hasn't been done before. It's just that Laird does it with such enthusiasm and impressiveness. She keeps it simple; she creates her characters and lets them tell their stories. She has obviously done her homework.

The book is thoroughly well-researched as all the historic features are explained in precise detail. What I think Crusade does best is that it shows there is good on both sides.

If you had children who refer battles as 'goodies' vs 'baddies' then this would be a good book for them depending on their age – because of course we all probably thought that at a young age.  

This book is a real page-turner and I give it 9/10.