OUTREMER.

OUTREMER by D.N. CARTER.*

An epic love story must overcome religious divide and a plot to eradicate two blood lines, as the Crusades and the search for the ancient mysteries of the Holy Grail gather momentum.

Raised by his father in La Rochelle, France, Paul Plantavalu is known for his artistic nature, inquisitive mind and Christian faith. He also has an unshakable love for his Muslim childhood friend, Alisha al Komaty. Courageous and outspoken, she returns Paul’s love. But their path is paved with obstacles; religion, war, political chaos and a mysterious enemy determined to destroy their family lines.

Sometime between 1110 AD and 1120 AD in the aftermath of the first crusade, a small band of nine knights — the founding knights Templar — recover ancient precious artefacts left by a former, advanced civilisation, beneath the City of Jerusalem. Ruthlessly guarded, the secrets revealed by this discovery are highly prized by powerful and dangerous forces far and wide; the repercussions of their capture are inextricably linked to Paul and Alisha. As Paul starts to experience dark and vivid dreams and the fragile balance of peace starts to crumble, it will fall to an enigmatic man known as Kratos and his female warrior protégée Abi Shadana, to safeguard Paul and Alisha.

Paul and Alisha’s love story weaves between the threads of our reality and other realms — from the Druids to the Sufi mystics, the Magi of the East, the secret political arm of the Knights Templar and the Isma’ilis, the Assassins. Knights and pilgrims alike will witness some of the darkest battles ever fought. The discovery of a unique sword’s lethal power and whispered connections to King Arthur and the Holy Grail lead Paul and Alisha to question if their lives ever be the same again.

The first of a four-part series, Outremer is an historical epic, which sweeps across England, Scotland and France, to Syria, Jerusalem and Egypt. Discover the truth — and crack the ancient code — behind the great mysteries of the High Middle Ages for yourself.

- Back Cover Blurb

Outremer was the European name given to the lands of the Middle East and the Holy Land, the Levant!

- First Sentence; Prologue

A human skull was placed was placed in the centre of the altar with two human thighbones set in front but crossed over each other. 

- Memorable Moment; Page 35

SOURCE ... Another book published by Clink Street Publishing received with thanks from Faye at Authoright.

READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.

MY THOUGHTS ... Well! The list and images of the main characters - Hmm! Personally speaking I prefer to conjure up how these look for myself but hey ho - and bibliography included this is one mighty tome of some 644 pages ...

Some 644 pages of minute (and I mean minute) print, some of it italics. 

Some 644 pages that despite it sweeping 11th century Europe through to Syria, Jerusalem and Egypt, that despite its love story that wove between realms from the Druids to the Sufi mystics to the Magi of the East, that despite its not one but two courageous and outspoken female protagonists; one of them a warrior, that despite its mysterious enemies and artefacts turned out to be not entirely to my liking.

One of what turned into four volumes amounting to what I seem to remember reading was 1,240,000 words, Outremer (a mere 300,000 words if my memory serves right) is chock full of symbology and ancient codes and religious references and political intrigue and religious divide, the list goes on ...

"Ah", so I hear you saying, "A Dan Brown type read set in the Middle Ages". 

Emm, no,. Though I have heard it compared to the likes of The Da Vinci Code etc as well as Game of Thrones (yes, Outremer has dragons) and Romeo and Juliet.

The story of Paul (a Christian) and Alisha (a Muslim) narrated by a sword-wielding stranger. Outremer is a

real labour of love and it shows, the author's passion shining through. Rich in detail and description (its obviously very well researched), historically accurate when it needs to be and yet full of myths and legends ... oh and the feminine divine. It wasn't the content, content which incidentally I have no doubts whatsoever would be great adapted into a mini series, that I struggled with but the execution.

Put off by the print size certainly (my younger self would have scoffed at this but as I've got older it has become a major consideration). The story a bit long winded; the attention to detail too much at times, the 'teaching' us about symbology, numerology and all of those other things as interesting as it might have been eventually succeeding in slowly the pace. What disappointed me most though was I so wanted to put myself in that inn; sitting before a roaring log fire, tankard of ale in my hand avidly listening to this stranger's tale of a young Muslim girl and her Christian love and yet, and yet I just couldn't connect with the 'narrator'.

* Interestingly enough whilst searching for some information about the author I came across this  2017 article in which we are informed 'Self-published historical fiction author D N Carter is offering a £10,000 prize to the reader who can crack the codes hidden in his new book series.' TT