Concluding volume of the Brethren trilogy on the Templars. This one does just what its title promises: recounts the eventual fall and dissolution of the Templar order. Will Campbell, the Scottish Templar, deserts, and wanting to fight for his native land against Edward I of England, joins the rebels under William Wallace and reconnects with family members, whom he hasn't seen for decades. After the unsuccessful Battle of Falkirk, he returns to France and is caught up in the politics between the evil King Philippe and the Church. Heresy and disgusting, blasphemous practices are found among the Templar ranks, so Philippe, desiring their treasure for his own purposes, begins wiping them out. Although the demise of the Templars was horrific, the end was satisfying as to Will's fate.

Very well written and evocative of that period. I don't feel you have to read the two previous volumes in the trilogy; enough backstory was explained to have all make sense. The author admits to changing the order of some of the events, the better to tell a good story, despite her impeccable research. I feel the prologue unnecessary, illustrating in broad strokes an incident repeated later but more detailed. Highly recommended. ( )

Interesting version of the Fall of the Templars. ( )

Présentation de l'éditeur : 1295. En Terre sainte l'empire chrétien n'est plus qu'un vaste champ de ruines. De retour à Paris, Will Campbell, Chevalier du Temple, a juré de défendre les principes de L'Ame du Temple, mystérieuse société secrète agissant au coeur même de l'Ordre et qui oeuvre pour une paix qui semble s'éloigner... Car le Temple a forgé une alliance avec le pire ennemi de Will, Edouard 1er, qui attend son heure pour envahir l'Ecosse. Un pacte contre sa terre natale atteignant Will au plus profond de son âme. Dès lors, doit-il rompre ses voeux et trouver son propre chemin, quitte à se battre? Alors que toutes ses pensées sont tournées vers ce dilemme, Will ne s'aperçoit pas qu'une menace plus terrible encore pèse sur lui. Un roi belliqueux occupe le trône de France : son désir de suprématie ne connaît aucune limite. La bataille pour la Terre sainte est finie. La dernière bataille du Temple vient juste de commencer...
Biographie de l'auteur : Robyn Young est née en 1975 à Oxford. Irlandaise et Galloise du côté de sa mère, Anglaise et Ecossaise du côté de son père. elle a toujours été fascinée par l'héritage celtique dont elle se sent si proche. Après un voyage en Egypte en 2001, elle se lance dans la rédaction de L'Ame du Temple dont les trois premiers tomes - Le Livre du Cercle, La Pierre Noire et Requiem - sont parus au Fleuve Noir. Elle vit aujourd'hui à Brighton. ( )

This is the 3rd book in the Brethren trilogy about the Knights Templar. I didn't like this book as much as the first 2 books. I thought it dragged in parts and could have told the conclusion in a lot less pages. ( )

The first thing that I noticed was the difference in ambiance in this third book being in Europe, whereas books 1 and 2 had at least some sections that were in the Middle East.
I couldn't help but think that Will and Simon and Rose and any other significant good guy character can usually count on some amazing good luck to get out of any of the really bad scrapes. Just like in western movies, the bad guys are terrible shots with a gun (or a sword), and the massive number of guards in any prison where a good guy is held captive still can't stop the good guy from slipping out the door. I guess I'm ok with that but I wonder how many times that happens in real life.
I wonder what Robyn Young's next project will be. I am definitely enough of a fan after the three books of this trilogy to think I would buy her next book for sure. Maybe she is just taking a rest right now and sitting on the beach somewhere.
The book was sure noticeable for having some really despicable people occupying the higher ranks--that is the kings Edward of England, and Phillipe of France. They get all the power and ceremonies, but they can barely scrounge enough money out of their subjects through taxation in order to be able to fight all of the nasty wars that they find necessary in order to enlarge or just protect their kingdom. Get you hands off my country or I'll come and kick your butt!
One theme is that Phillipe and the Templars alike feel that the good old days contained heroes who were better quality than the mediocre heroes of today. But probably if you went back in time to Phillipe's grandfather, or to the original Templars, they too had image problems that were just as bad as the ones of the present (now--the early 14th century) moment.