Sean Knight Books

I had never heard the real King Arthur tale. I enjoyed it tremendously! Sean Bean's narration of this tale is exquisite. His voice is perfect for books on tape. Such depth. You felt you were really there. I would recommend this to anyone!

This CD was bought for our then seven year old son and we listened to it on a long car trip. What a fantastic way to pass the time. Sean Bean is phenomenal as the narrator and characters of the story. Thrown into this great story is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, another exciting story within the story of King Arthur. This story on CD appeals to all ages from our seven year old to our sixteen year old and to adults. It is one of a few stories that you really can listen to again and again and still be enthralled. I would highly recommend keeping it in the car for the long trips. In fact, I just convinced myself to listen to it again on our upcoming trip!

The whole family is hooked on this. The classical music that accompanies it is compelling. You think you are there.

Sean Bean does an awesome job on this production. His range of voices and dialects are amazing. Very eerie in the parts that are supposed to be.

It's hard to take such a well known tale and still make it fun to listen to, but Sean Bean's voice and cadences kept me listening to the end.

Devlin Waugh is like few other comic-book heroes. A bodybuilding, flower-arranging priest with an eye for beautiful boys and a handy way with extremely big guns, Devlin survived a steroid abuse scandal in the Olympics to become the future Vatican City-state's chief exorcist and paranormal warrior.

As Aquatraz underwater prison - home to some of the world's most vicious killers - is overrun by a vampire infestation, a loose gang of nurses, wardens and pest controllers must come together to fight this evil menace. But around the corner lies someone even more scary. Clenching a cigarette holder between perfect teeth, he purrs "You can rest easy, gentlemen. Fingers OFF the triggers. My name is Devlin Waugh. I'm here to steal the show..."

This series, originally run in The Judge Dredd Megazine, had a positive reaction like no other before or since. In the annual poll of readers' opinions, Waugh became the first and last character ever to knock Judge Dredd off the top spot as Favourite Character.

If you've ever wondered what would happen if Oscar Wilde and the cast of Brideshead Revisited were to be merged with Deathrace 2000, The Evil Dead and the Terminator, now's your chance to find out...

This is an excellent, sober and balanced primer on what has been the subject of hysterical writing in the last few years, especially since the release of The Da Vinci Code.

Sean Martin has written a very well structured book. It's divided into four main sections: the origins, activities, and fall of the Templars, as well as an additional section on the current mythology surrounding The Order.

It lays out the whole history of The Order, from Hughes de Payen's offer to the King of Jerusalem, to Bernard of Clairvaux's lobbying to the Council of Clermont, the first crusade and then on to the eventual downfall of the Templars with Jacques de Molay's execution in 1314. I won't enumerate all the details because if you're reading this review, you are probably a Templar buff, in which case you know all this. For those looking for an introduction to this subject, this is THE book to get.

Sean Martin has an elegant, simple writing style, making the book a very easy read (which is bad news, because you finish it too quickly).

Too many history books are written in too scholarly a tone, resulting in a very tedious read-you only need to check some of the weightier volumes on the Crusades. The writing style of this book makes you feel part of the events unfolding page by page. Occasional dry humor that comes out in the writing adds to the enjoyment (bottom part of p83 had me in stitches, if that is not too irreverent a reaction for what is a serious subject).

A bonus is that the storyline of the Templars in this book is weaved faultlessly with that of the Crusades, so that it also de facto becomes a primer on the latter. Not too many books on the Templars do this well-Gordon Napier's "The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar" is one of a few that comes to mind.

Some maps, a chronology of Templar history, the list of Grand Masters (for you conspiracy theorists, this list ends with Jacques de Molay and not someone living today) and the list of formal charges against The Order rounds out what is a great little book.

Being a Pocket Essentials book, it is smaller than most works on this subject, but in my opinion, it is one of the best and if you are interested in the Templars or the Crusades, this is one book you should definitely have in your library.

in veritate victorias

I received the book as promised the NEXT day-which was perfect. It's exactly what I needed & when I needed it!

The premise of this book is indeed much less credible than many other Templar novels, with the Devil in human form and a nun on a secret mission, like 007, with a license to have sex.
This paperback was also one of the absolutely worst examples of proofreading and editing that I have ever read. Misspellings, omitted words, duplicate words throughout.
I guess I finished the book to see if it could get any worse.

This book is a great ride. IT is clear and concise. It keeps you wanting more. The DaVinci Code has NOTHING on this book. I cant wait for the rest of them.

"The First Seal" hooked me from the first page. As we all know, I'm a historical fiction fanatic, and this novel did not disappoint. From what I've read in other reviews that of this book, the historical facts contained in the story are being called into question; accurate or not, the story itself is engaging and compelling and I personally couldn't put it down.

The story is a combination of narratives; one stemming from the present time, and one from the 1500's. The two weave back and forth in a way that is easy to follow and an effective way of advancing the plot line. In the present day story we learn of a mysterious archealogical find, a stone tablet discovered in New Mexico, where it by all rights, should NOT be. Murder and mayhem ensue, as all parties involved in the story have different reasons for wanting to get their hands on the tablet.

Mixed in we also have the story set in the 1500's, of how the tablet came to be in New Mexico. The author weaved these two stories together in a very satisfying way... In the present day we are uncovering the tablet, while simultaneously in the past, we are fighting to bury it. From here we come to the ultimate showdown ending, which leaves me hopeful for a sequel...

If you're looking for a great story to get lost in, I think I've found it for you...you won't regret it.

I don't understand how the people that have reviewed this book so far are giving it such high marks. There are several issues that I don't understand with this novel. First, it portrays the Templar of the past as intelligent, driven men with a purpose. Yet, it portrays the templars of the present as blatant idiots. Then, you have a nun that is given a "dispensation" by the Vatican (for which her contact happens to be the devil) to steal, kill, and have sex with anyone in order to find the item in question. You may say whatever you want about the Catholic Church, but that premise is preposterous. Further, the book starts with a western/devil short story that is meant to present a preamble of what is to come, yet fails at such. You have demons raping women, men that have lived many 500 years, etc. Ludicrous does not start to describe this novel. I wonder if the "good" reviews are but trolls to jack up the "stars" on the review.

There are enough well written characters to fill three different novels. The authors research of prior time and locales is evident in the story line and characters. Here's hoping the sequel is soon to be available.A must read for all.

An account of the Teplar's History and service and later deemed threat to the Church.

After reading "The Da Vinci Code" I wanted to know more about the real history behind the book. The Knights Templar turned out to be one of the most difficult subjects to find solid information on. This was practically the only book I could find that had any kind of respectable citations, although they are light even in this book. As I came to learn this was because there was very little hard history about the Templars, most of the stories are anecdotal at best and at worst mostly fiction. Sean Martin covers their history fairly and clearly delineates what is backed by hard evidence and what is purely anecdotal. The book is definitely brief but it covers the subject well and without the sensationalism most of the books on the subject use.

Tiny, short, ill-researched. I recommend this to those with more money than sense or whom are OBSESSED with getting anything and everything about the Templars regardless of how shaky the ground on which it stands. Avoid this one.

An interesting read for anyone caught up in The DaVinci code and wants to take it one step further. An interesting history for those looking for an interesting read or those who fully believe in some of the more complex ways of looking at these things.

This book is great but too short. It sticks to the point and facts but leaves you wanting more.

Much of Elizabeth Chadwick's research is carried out as a member of Regia Anglorum, this is an early medieval re-enactment society.

This book is an attempt by the author to relate the love between the famous Sir Lancelot of the Lake and King Arthur's Queen Guinevere. As a lover of all things relating to the fabled King Arthur and his kingdom of Camelot I read and enjoyed the book. But I cannot help but feel that it was written with the possibility of it being made into a film at the back of the author's mind.

Hollywood has never been very good at portraying English history and the film they made of this book is no exception. Although many people will have found the film entertaining, it bears no relationship to what Arthur and his knights may have looked like, or their surroundings.

Arthur, or someone very much like him may have existed but certainly not as a "suited and booted" knight in shining armour. Something that was not invented until about five hundred years after Arthur may or may not have existed.

Although I have not read this book in years I still consider it the best book I have ever read. You must read this book.

A great book I never put it down. You have to read this book.

The legend of King Arthur finds new meaning in this powerful romantic novel. When Guinevere, Lady of Leonesse, finds herself desperate for protection for both herself and her people from an ex-Knight of the Round Table, she turns to King Arthur to save them all.

Guinevere's decision - to marry the king, leads her into danger and intrigue as she begins the wildest journey of her life.

When Lancelot saves an unknown lady in the forest, both their hearts become engaged. Lancelot becomes a friend and trusted confidant to the King, and Guinevere becomes Arthur's wife. While fighting to keep their love at bay, war threatens to tear them apart forever.

Chadwick's love of re-enactment becomes apparent in this wonderful story of forbidden love. She describes everything in such striking detail; the reader can almost smell the stench of burning straw or feel the adrenaline and fear accompanying battle. This book is a must read, though not quite as powerful as many of Chadwick's other novels.

If you've seen the movie, you don't need to read the book, and if you've read the book you probably don't need to see the movie -- they are virtually identical. It's like the proverbial horse before the cart, I don't know which came first, the book or the movie. From the promo on Amazon, I suspect the movie, and they decided a book would be a nice way to "enhance" the profits. Either way, this is not a typical Chadwick book, there is no sense of time travel to another century for the weekend whilst reading her book. Only for die hard Chadwick fans(and I am one), or die hard fans of this movie. Otherwise, skip this.

The Last Templar. If asked, as I was 99-44/100 through the book, whether I "loved" it, I would have said: "Yes indeed". However, the ending was so bad and pointless, that it made the entire book reading experience a bit of downer. Why even start a book with that kind of downer ending is the question.

A mediocre attempt to ride on the coattails of the successful blockbuster, The DaVinci Code. Like the DaVinci Code, it has an anti-Catholic, anti Christian theme with poor scholarship that is presented as fact. IT is a modern day 'thriller' with ties to the past and a fanciful history. Could have been fun if it was less melodramatic, with better writing and less of an agenda.

why only four stars? it was good, but not fantastic...
(people either love it or hate it, depending on their tastes & interests)

"The Last Templar" by Ray Khoury has been compared to "The DaVinci Code" if that tells you something.

in the course of the story, he goes into great detail about how the Bible was made, why it's not the "word of god"
and the fact that the Christian religion is a complete hoax, yet continues to exist because it does more good than harm.
*(remember, this is fiction)
it contains a good summary of modern Bible scholarship if nothing else, and is worth reading for that alone.

if "like most true believers, you've never stopped to think of the difference between faith and fiction, the Jesus Christ of faith and the factual Jesus of history..." ... "Veritas vos Liberabit" - 'the truth shall make you free'

Written in a style obviously derived from the likes of Clive Cussler, James Patterson, and Dan Brown, this novel opens with a bang and then downshifts into a plodding detective story that struggles to keep the reader's attention for the next 100 pages or so before picking up the pace in a big way with non-stop action and plot twists until the author seems to write himself into a corner, from which he opts to escape by employing an ambiguous ending. Still, the author manages to insert some interesting theological and existential questions into an otherwise mindless thriller. Not bad for a first novel. I'll be interested to see what he comes up with in the future.

This certainly isn't the worst novel I've read recently (I read another supposed historical thriller before this one that takes that title) but it's not very good.

The plot is interesting. It had the potential to be a decent genre novel, but from the start I was troubled by the just plain basic lack of writing skill of the author. The characters are all pretty shallow and cliché and the dialog is pretty mediocre.

I kind of had to force myself to finish the novel, but I'll admit by the very end, I was actually drawn in enough to enjoy it.

From this novel, I would surmise that plot is Khoury's strength, but he needs to work on the many other aspects of the craft of writing. If he can do this, I think he could become an enjoyable writer.