Vitaly Belevitch

The book is amazing, well balanced. With sence of humor, with commitmemt to find truth, written with great love for the subject, Reynald himself and for the history of the period of Crusades. Author is talented writer, devoted Christian, honest historian. LOVE THIS BOOK. 100%, 10/10. May God bless the author and his family. May Church venerate Reynald as Saint. I am Russian Orthodox Christisn. Saint Reynald, pray for us sinners. Amen.

The book is interesting to read. Author, rather, successfully depicted his story, with touch of romance, set in Levant, Palestine around year 1125, the time and events corresponding to battle of Azaz: crussader army of glorious king Baldwin II of Jerusalem against Seljuk Turks. The book is a light read, students of history, of Crussades will enjoy it. In terms of critique: Author used 20th century americanisms, that are out of hstorical context, without etiquete, 1) Knights acting with familiarity toward king, hitting him in his shoulder with fist. As if he was a player at football game, a running back to quatrerback. Thank God the night didn't slap king's butt, as one can see at times during football game. 2) it is unlikely that Princess Melisende would be hugging some night, allowing him to touch her, Robert of Bure etc. Though this romance was like a cherry on a cake, making story more lively. 3) When princess first flirted with Robert, she threw a peace of bread at him. This sacrelige corresponding to american version of " food fight". Nowhere in the world people throw bread at each other as piece of garbage. Bread is in church Body of Christ, also, famine was a commonplace then, people appreciated bread as blesding from God, and no one, especially princess would toss bread at other person, even as part flirtation. Otherwise yhe book was enjoyable read.