The High Crusade

by Poul Anderson

First published 2021

Sir Roger de Tourneville leads his medieval English army aboard what they believe is a French ship, only to discover they have captured an alien spacecraft. When the vessel's automated systems launch them into space, Roger and his crusaders find themselves stranded on a distant planet ruled by the same alien empire that sent the ship to conquer Earth. Armed with swords, crossbows, and unshakeable faith, the medieval warriors must adapt their military tactics to alien technology and extraterrestrial warfare. Roger realizes that his small band of crusaders represents humanity's only hope against a vast galactic civilization. The story explores whether courage, cunning, and medieval ingenuity can triumph over advanced alien science, as Roger transforms his holy war into an interstellar campaign for human survival.

Genres: science-fiction, adventure, action, alternate-history

Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: fish-out-of-water, underdog

Setting: Earth, France, England

Period: Medieval, Interstellar

200 pages · Hardcover · Hassell Street Press

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