The History Lady

ISBN: 9781836033677 Boldwood Books, 10th February 2025

Stripped of his birthright, Estienne Wace seeks to prove his worth in the deserts of Outremer.

Egypt, 1219 AD.

Abandoning the safety of England for the perilous shores of the Levant, Estienne is thrust into the turmoil of the Fifth Crusade. Burning with righteous purpose, he is determined to reclaim the Holy Land in the name of Christ. War rages along the banks of the Nile as a crusading army besieges the Saracen city of Damietta — certain that the price they pay in blood will return the glory and treasures they crave. But as the Black Lion roars and the siege grinds on, Estienne’s unwavering faith is tested more and more by the grim reality of this brutal conflict.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Having thoroughly enjoyed Rebellion, I came to Crusade with high expectations — and Richard Cullen delivers in many of the ways that matter most. The historically accurate battle sequences are impressive, and he captures the brutal reality of crusading warfare in Egypt with gritty, visceral immediacy. The Fifth Crusade is also a genuinely underused setting in historical fiction, and Cullen deserves credit for bringing it to life with such evident care and research.

That said, I found this second instalment less gripping than its predecessor. What made Rebellion compelling was its narrative drive — questions about Estienne’s identity and his place in the world gave real weight to his struggles, and that sense of personal stakes kept the pages turning. Crusade, by contrast, follows a more familiar path: an idealistic young warrior faces the harsh realities of holy war, his faith tested by the brutal conflict around him. It is a well-worn arc in the genre, and while Cullen executes it competently, it lacks the distinctive spark that made the first book stand out.

The story hits predictable beats, and certain character reflections carry a slightly modern sensibility that doesn’t quite fit the thirteenth-century setting — a minor but noticeable anachronism for readers attuned to period authenticity. The ending, while setting up future adventures in the series, felt somewhat anticlimactic given the buildup that preceded it.

None of this is to say that Crusade is a poor novel. Cullen’s writing remains strong throughout, his depiction of the siege of Damietta is immersive and assured, and Estienne continues to be a likeable and engaging protagonist. Fans of Bernard Cornwell’s battle-heavy style will find much to enjoy here, and the historical research underpinning the story is evident on every page.

Crusade is a solid second entry in the Chronicles of the Black Lion — worth reading if you enjoyed Rebellion, and a commendable piece of work in its own right. It simply doesn’t surpass its predecessor.

Recommended for: fans of the first book and readers who enjoy gritty crusader fiction.

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.