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Summary: Mythical and Masterful
Review: I picked this one up at the library and, sitting in the car, read the prologue...I was entranced. Lawhead's mythic history draws you in. Not only did his detailed landscape and time-period come to life in my mind, but the characters, in their reserved manner, became breathing people that you care and cheer for. But this story isn't heavy on the cheers; it describes many heartaches and inhumanities. It peels back the horror of what the Crusaders did in the name of Christ and clearly shows the misdeeds of the Church. Yet, through the likeable monks of the Cele De, the main character comes to see another side of spirituality, eventually warming to the monks and their beliefs. The story, primarily, follows young Murdo as he follows after his father and brothers toward the Holy Land. He needs their help to take back the land that's been stolen from them. Along the way, he witnesses the Crusaders' violent ways, he experiences mystical visions, and he finds himself brushing shoulders with the Holy Lance, the spear used to pierce Jesus's side at the scene of the Crucifixion. Now, the spear is a holy relic sought by many. The transformations of Murdo from nonbeliever to believer, from boy to man, are credible. You'll find yourself holding your breath as he searches for the Holy Lance and attempts to escape those who wish to steal it for their own devices. This story deals with large issues--the corruption of the church, the brutality of man, the secrecy of centuries-old societies in the British Isles--and it still manages to touch on smaller, more personal issues such as love, loyalty, and family. Some may find the details overwhelming or laborious; I found myself closing the final page wishing for more.
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Summary: Review of "The Iron Lance" by Chris Weigelmann
Review: This book was my first read of Stephen Lawhead's work and I found that I couldn't put it down. I am looking forward to the continuation of Lawhead's saga: "The Black Rood". I have read many books on this subject and have found Stephen Lawhead to be a master of providing historical facts relating to the era of the crusades. "A WELL WORTH READ"!! Another book that I recommend by another masterful storyteller relating to this subject is "The Walking Drum" by Louis L'Amour.
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Summary: Typical Lawhead - Brilliant!
Review: I'm not entirely convinced that the person who submitted the negative reviews below actually read the book, so I am submitting my personal impressions of the book instead. Lawhead is second to none in the genre of historical fiction, but don't take my word for it, books like Byzantium and the Pendragon cycle are now the industry's established benchmark for their respective themes. And that is not without good reason. The first thing that you notice as you read this (or any other Lawhead) book, is the attention to detail that instead of making the story tedious, transport you there instantly. The pace and style of this book is somewhere between Ben Hur and Indiana Jones, with a dash of Ivanhoe, and the Ancient-meets-Medieval melange of genres is pulled off masterfully by this skilled author. This is a fine novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I have ordered Black Rood, which seems to be getting good reviews as well, but I do not need a review to tell me how good these books are. They are treasures, and I will read this again (something I rarely do) while I wait for The Black Rood!
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Summary: Gripping
Review: I can't understand why the author bothered with the character of the Scots lawyer,time travelling back to the time of the Crusades. The story stands on its own feet without the need for a framework. The greed and larceny of the bishops and senior churchmen doesn't do much to enhance ones view of the early Christian church and the terrible horror of war and destruction and wholesale slaughter by both christians and non-christians alike is shocking in its savagery. In spite of all this,it's a fascinating window into the lifestyles and minds of all classes of people of that era. I'm looking forward to volume two.
Rating:
Summary: Well read person gives book four stars
Review: Wow! This was an excellent book by Lawhead. I consider it to be bettered only by Byzantium. I noticed some people were unhappy with the weak plot. I thought it had a good plot with good characters, thought none were strong. It really transported me back to the time period of the Crusades. I do not read books like this for intellectual advancement, but for a combination of entertainment and relaxation. This book is more than sufficient to satisfy these needs of mine.
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Summary: Classic Lawhead
Review: Lawhead keeps improving. While the plot is perhaps weaker than Byzantium, this book is intriguing, exciting, and richly woven with detail.
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Summary: Not bad, but not Lawhead's best
Review: The only other Lawhead book I had read prior to this one was "Byzantium". Needless to say, "The Iron Lance" is inferior to "Byzantium". This isn't to say that the book is not without its strengths. The protaganist is a fairly well developed character for whom it is easy for the reader to empathize. Lawhead is at his best in the action scenes. He paints vividly with his writing as he describes the horrors of the Crusades. I will recommend this book, but if you haven't read anything by Stephen Lawhead then you should read "Byzantium". Its is best work yet.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant but empty
Review: As in all of Stephen Lawhead's novels, the strength here lies in the setting. Though I'm not expert enough to say whether he accurately depicted the Crusades, the scenes in the book evoke realistic images. The story has its merits, though there's not much to distinguish it from other 'quest' stories. Perhaps my memory is faulty but I recall 'Byzantium' to have had a much stronger plot. At times during the novel (particularly scenes with Emperor Alexius) I had to resist the urge to skip ahead. Looking back now I'm sorry I didn't. The scenes didn't convey any vital information and only served to disrupt the flow of the story. At the conclusion of the book it felt like I was reading a Horatio Alger novel. Our Hero gets the riches, gets huge tracts of land, and gets the girl, all by being honest and brave. Definitely not Lawhead's best work. Try the Empyrion books or the Albion trilogy for excellent fantasy.
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Summary: Volume 1, let's keep it that way
Review: Lawhead has been writing worse and worse as the years go on. I don't know if he has gotten comfortable in his popularity, or what. His previous book was so boring that I returned it after the 3rd chapter. He fails to make things real to the reader. You're not really there, you don't understand the characters or feel their pain. It's very devoid of feeling or intrigue. There was way too much dialogue and not enough action. The action you do get shows woman's children getting butchered and drowned. Then it shows you in detail how they kill the woman. Sure, this all happened, but it doesn't really add to the story or to the character's development. I had to wade through the bland dialogue, weak action, and OK plot development. I don't want to know how he is going to make a series out of this. It was blah, why more? I wouldn't recommend this book.
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Summary: Incredible research, strong characters, a wonderful story!
Review: This is a must read! Lawhead has always done an incredible job writing trilogies (the original Pendragon trilogy, the Dragon King trilogy, and the Song of Albion trilogy were all excellent), but The Celtic Crusades just might surpass them all. The reason is the stregth of the historical truth that is behind this novel, and the books to follow. Lawhead has always done a wonderful job at historical research and his study of the Crusades is evident. Words aren't minced - he show's it exactly how it happened (or almost, historically it was bloodier). The Iron Lance is a sequal to Byzantium (a few hundred years later)and the book is just as good. If you enjoyed Byzantium (or any of Lawheads previous books - as I do - note my cool email address), you'll love The Iron Lance. I'm already watching the out-of-print web sources for The Black Rood advance copy. I can tell that this is a trilogy that will get stronger with every book. Read this book, you won't regret it - I guarantee! Also, ignore the bad review a few down from me, he obviously is missing a lot!
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