by Van Jones
First published 2017
Jerusalem, 1119. A small band of knights wanders through the violent aftermath of the First Crusade, searching for purpose among the ruins. They decide to form a new order to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. These first Knights Templar swear vows of celibacy and pledge their lives to defend Christianity's most sacred sites. Over two centuries, they grow into the medieval world's most powerful religious order. Protected by the pope, they battle Islamic forces on the sun-baked hills where Jesus once walked, facing their greatest enemy in the legendary Saladin. The Templars master the art of moving money across borders, creating an innovative banking empire that spans continents. They wage private wars to protect their interests and amass enormous wealth. But their success breeds enemies. When defeats force them to retreat to Cyprus, France's cash-strapped king targets their fortune. His administrators build a case against them using lies and false testimony. On Friday, October 13, 1307, hundreds of Templars face arrest, torture, and execution on charges of heresy and sexual misconduct.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, religion, military-history
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, rise-and-fall
Setting: Jerusalem, Cyprus, France
Period: 1119, 13th Century, 1307
448 pages · Hardcover · Viking
Content warnings: violence