Pagan's Crusade (Pagan Chronicles, #1) by Catherine Jinks

Pagan's Crusade (Pagan Chronicles, #1) Reviews

• 
  K.

  Trigger warnings: war, violence, Islamophobia.
  
  I was EXTREME TRASH for this series when I was in year 7 and 8. It was my everything. I read it over and over and over again. And I'd always half thought that I should reread it, but it was out of print so I couldn't. But lo, one of my libraries had the first one as an ebook!
  
  And honestly? This stands up pretty well and is still a hell of a lot of fun. Pagan is such an indescribably sarcastic character that I can see why I loved it so much as a kid. He's a walking sass explosion who's trapped with this too-pure-for-this-world knight who just wants to do GOOD but also he has to kill people and he never bathes and he's illiterate and Pagan's all "?????" about it all the freaking time.
  
  And honestly, if this came out today, I guarantee people would ship it.
  
  Anywho. Jinks really brings Crusades-era Jerusalem to life in a very modern way. The pilgrims are essentially tourists, comparing notes about which sites are worth seeing. The tension in Jerusalem and the fear of Saladin and his army is constant. Pagan is 100% over everything all the time and frankly? Can relate.
• 
  K.

  Was highly recommended for 9yob & that general age group. Very disappointing. (It's not about a pagan, that's merely the main character's name:) Anyway, Pagan is an extremely saucy, disrespectful, sarcastic young man with a dirty mouth. Counted 10 swear words in the first 8 pages. That's as far as I got, and the kid won't be reading them! The profanity isn't even the most disturbing aspect, it's really the way he reacts to his elders. So disrespectful. I guess that's the thing these days (we've been on vacation for the last week and have watched more TV than we have been exposed to for probably 3 years!! Cartoon characters are very saucy these days--to each other and to adults.) Anyway, there's all together too much of that type of attitude and I don't need my small ones emulating it!
• 
  Lady Knight

  What a fantastic book! Catherine Jinks really knows how to bring Medieval Jerusalem and the Crusades to life! Pagan is a wonderful character that is neither utterly devout nor a heretic and always has something to say. His biting wit and sarcasm are hilarious and views on anything and everything are logical and yet terribly funny. Bravo!
  
  Pagan is something of a street urchin who is in desperate need of money. He finds himself at the Knights Templar recruiting office, and before he knows it is a squire-in-training to Lord Roland. He must learn to fight, clean, escort pilgrims to holy areas and shrines and most importantly to hold his tongue and resist the urge to crack jokes (no one says you can't think them though...). With Sultan Saladin and the "Infidels" ready to take back Jerusalem, Pagan must quickly learn whether it is better to run and hide or stay and fight.
• 
  Achoo

  It's basically the Siege on Jerusalem from the perspective of a lowly 16 year old squire, written in the style of Monty Python. Being that it's historical fiction, the book holds up extremely well even almost 30 years after its initial release, and 10 years after I first read it. Still one of my favorite books.
• 
  Amber Scaife

  A young squire learns the value of friendship and loyalty while serving a Knight Templar in 12th-Century Jerusalem.
  Meh. The character of Pagan is promising, but the plot was difficult to find and the constant use of the present tense for the narrative was a little irritating.
• 
  Erin Murray

  Still fantastic. Funny, moving, full of history and well-drawn characters.
• 
  Diane

  Pagan’s Crusade by Catherine Jinks. New York: Collins. 2004. 272 pages.
  
  I learned about Pagan’s Crusade on a medieval history list, where a poster recommended it for young adults. Pagan, a 16-year-old product of war rape who arises from the grimy underbelly of 1187 Jerusalem, finds himself desperate to join the Knights Templar for both the money and protection from the lowlifes to whom he’s indebted. Life as a Templar squire won’t be easy, he’s told. “Lord Roland’s last squire was disemboweled by the Infidel and his guts were tied across the road to the fortress,” to which Pagan mentally responds, “Hip hip hooray.”
  
  It’s Pagan’s irreverent commentary and metaphors that may hook the young adult reader. In Pagan’s world, those who aren’t rotting from disease and poverty are rotting from corruption and cynicism, with one remarkable exception—the man to whom he’s hired himself as squire.
  
  Like many teenagers, Pagan nicknames individuals based on their appearance, so for example the sergeant who interviews him becomes “Rockhead” (“face like a fort, eyes like arrowheads”). When Pagan learns that his Knight Templar, Lord Roland Roucy de Bram, is a paragon of looks, strength, and virtue, he dubs him “Saint George” (“like something off a stained glass window”). If Pagan can’t stand Rockhead, he’s not too sure about Saint George, either, as they set about protecting pilgrims and then defending Jerusalem itself.
  
  Pagan sounds like the teenager he is, but his voice is that of an alienated loner who’s come of age in the age of video and games rather than the twelfth century. Young adults may relate to his running, clipped commentary on everyone and everything, but I found it to be tiresome, especially as it is not leavened by a sound, suspenseful plot or even historical context. The anticlimactic, predictable denouement didn’t leave this older adult reader wanting more of this series about the “misadventures of a squire in peril,” a young man surrounded by war, violence, starvation, disease, and death who whines, “Lentils again. Terrific.”
• 
  Ryan B.

  There are two main characters in this book. There names are Pagan Kidrouk and Lord Roland. Pagan Kidrouk was a thief, beggar, and a gambler before he joined the Order of the Temple. He is 16 years old and has no family or home. Lord Roland is a Templar in the Order of the Temple. As a Templar he is one of the leaders of the Order. Roland is a very wise and trustworthy person. In this book Pagan and Lord Roland work together to try and defeat the Infidels.
  
  Pagan leaves his villain life behind and joins the Order of the Temple. Pagan has to protect a group of pilgrims traveling the Jordan River. He has to keep them all together and make sure they don’t get killed. This is Pagan’s first job for the Order and it is pretty difficult. Saladin and his army attack Jerusalem. Pagan’s next job is to help fight Saladin and his army. They fight for three days until the Order negotiates peace among themselves and Saladin.
  
  Lord Roland gave all his money to free people that live in Jerusalem from Saladin’s control, but he didn’t save any money for his own freedom. Pagan feels bad for Roland because of his gracious choice. Pagan then tries to get the money for Lord Roland’s freedom but can’t. So he goes to Saladin in request of Lord Roland’s freedom. Saladin thinks for awhile and then agrees to Pagan’s request.
  
  This book was very thrilling, exciting, and adventurous. I would recommend this book to anyone that is willing to read a very exciting book.
  
• 
  Nathan

  This book is about an Arab who accompanies a Crusader Knight to his hoem village. The Knight, Lord Roland Roucy De Bram's, family provided a lot of problems for the duo. They were confronted by a woman who was distraught because an Abbey-cleric assaulted one of their men. The woman cause Roland and Pagan, the protagonist, to go to the Abbey and confront the Abbot. The Abbot sent them away after refusing to accept the fact that one of his men might have done this. He sent Roland, the woman, and Pagan away. The Abbey and Bram had a continuous feud after this. The Abbey refused access to people of Bram to a mill, causing problems. Roland's family burned the Mill and raided the Abbey. They slaughtered the clerics, and something else happened to the Abbot. The lord of the land the Abbey was on sent a raiding party to Bram, which caused the death of the woman, who at this point was a love interest for Roland. Roland and Pagan ran from Bram after Roland's family proved too cruel.
  I didn't much like this book, mostly because it soiled a time period I was fond of. It basically laid waste to the Crusades in my mind. The writing was also sort of bad. It was written in a format that made no sense. In any case, it was a must-read, mostly because it is based in the time of the Crusades. The writing is easy to get used to, albeit a bit odd at all times. The book was fine, not the best.
• 
  Jocke

  This is a review/recommendation of books 1-4 of the Pagan Chronicles.
  
  Hands down my favorite YA series. I discovered it back when I was in high school and have re-read it a couple times since; every time it still holds up in my opinion. The premise and cast are still fairly unique among the genre - our narrator is a teenaged Christian Arab boy named Pagan who becomes a squire for a righteous Frankish knight during the Crusades. Pagan is witty, intelligent and literate, all in stark contrast to most of those around him. He survives abuse, questions authority (intelligently!), and perhaps most interesting of all, maintains his faith despite all of the bullying, racism and stupidity it throws his way. The bond he develops with Lord Roland throughout the years is wonderful, showing how two incredibly different people can become intensely devoted to each other, even through endless arguments and disagreements. And on top of it all, the author's knowledge of the time period in which these stories take place is extremely evident on every page. This is very well-researched historical fiction, and even manages to handle the pervasive topic of religion by neither condemning it or proselytizing. Can't recommend this series enough.
• 
  Gloria

  I enjoyed this book, but I think, because I was reading it with the belief that my ten-year old was going to read it after me, I was a bit put off by it---not quite what I think he should be reading (yet, that is; let's wait until tween-dom at least)...
  
  That said, it is a fun read, and I turned to the second book immediately. Jinks has fashioned a wonderful way to view medieval times, and has created a world, albeit (I think) one still-waiting to be fleshed out characters such as Roland. I think the twists and slow realizations regarding the "gifts" that Pagan actually has make it a particular good read.
  
  Update: Well, of course he read it. And his review is quite straightforward: "Very funny and comical. Overall a great book." And I can't really disagree on that, so probably should move up the star-rating, but won't for honesty's sake.
  
  He also thought it "was the most realistic historical fiction" that he has read. (I'm guessing that the protagonist seemed more plausible than ones in other books....)
  
  
• 
  Jess

  Maybe I'm being overly critical of this book, but it was disappointing. The set-up was promising, the characters were interesting and unexpected, and I always enjoy a healthy dose of sarcasm...but the incomplete sentences and impressionistic style always kept me at a distance and, frankly, got on my nerves. This is the first in a series, and I was looking forward to seeing where it went - but I speed-read the last half of the book just to finish it. On the other hand, it's a funny, unconventional take on the Crusades, and Jinks isn't afraid to be critical of anyone or anything. There's plenty of adventure and smart-aleck dialogue (a lot of it internal) and I think it would appeal to middle school boys, in particular, but the style just did not do it for me.
• 
  Riv

  Pagan is awesomeness. I read Babylonne before the original quartet, and it's one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES!!! Since I read the companion first, I went back to the first book, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was hesitant to read this, because I thought Pagan was OLDER, after having read about his daughter, but he's only sixteen in this book.
  The Voice: OMG, the VOICE!!! LOVE!!! Pagan/Catherine Jinks is hysterical. Every line was just incredible awesome. To quote/paraphrase: "'Don't worry, I have some cleaning and polishing to do. You can go.' Yeah, cleaning the dirt under my nails, and polishing my dirty jokes."
  Okay, so it was funnier in context, but <3PAGAN<3 (New book boy crush, possibly? Sorry, Puck!)
• 
  Read, Relax, Review

  I loved this little book. It was funny, sarcastic and very informative.
  
  The book was talking about a boy called Pagan, who, unlike many people of the time, was able to read and write. He was placed under the supervision of a Lord who was a Templar.
  
  This book brought to life, simply and easily, the life of The Knights Templar. I have a great fondness for The Knights Templar and this book allowed me to get an even better understanding of what The Knights Templar encountered and experienced.
  
  It is well worth the read.
• 
  Lauri

  I love the way Catherine Jinks writes! The character of Pagan was snarky, realistic, earthy -- very tongue and cheek. This is a YA story about a young orphan during the times of the Crusades. He was raised a Christian in a very strict Catholic orphanage and has very little love for the church and its many rules. He finds himself a squire for a Templar Knight in the middle of heated fighting, but still retains his survivor instinct as well as his sassy sense of humor. Wanna read the next one soon!
• 
  Tessa

  Delightfully irreverent. Pagan's sarcasm was very enjoyable, while also reminding me a little bit of Gen from Queen's Thief. I wish Roland's age would be have been mentioned earlier though--I spent half the book picturing him in his forties.
• 
  Nathan

  One of the few YA novels I actually own, "Pagan's Crusade" blends Monty Python with the History Channel and comes up with a fun, brisk read full of wit.
• 
  Quill

  This isn't quite a debut novel, but it sure does feel like one - it was written early in Catherine Jinks' writing career and that shows. My main complaints are:
  
  1. The story jumps all over the place with no warning or clear indication of scene changes. It goes from something like Pagan training in the yard, to him being unconscious and dreaming without even a page break, and these abrupt changes happen throughout the whole book and result in a very confusing story that leaves you back peddling to work out what happened every few pages.
  
  2. It tries way too hard to be funny and witty, leaving plot and character development behind to do so. The result is an unfunny AND boring story.
  
  3. Scenes are consistently skipped over or cut too short - there are so many instances where characters could've been expanded, backstories fleshed out, and emotional stakes heightened! Instead the characters only have the barest wisps of personality and history, which made me really not care who lived or died. A big example is the relationship between Pagan and his mentor Lord Roland. We are told Pagan cares about Roland and wants him to survive the events of the plot, but we aren't really shown through the novel what Roland has actually done to engender this trust and belief. The same is true for why Roland cares for Pagan - why? who knows!
  
  4. “Christ in a cream cheese sauce,” was said by Pagan Kidrouk approximately 18 times, maybe more (I lost count) and it drove me NUTS.
  
• 
  Kiri

  I love this book. I first read it in middle school and I continuously read it every few years. I didn't like the other two in the series that much (I can't even remember their titles, but I did read them) but the first book is gold.
  
  Pagan is a bastard "street rat" in Jerusalem who signs up for the Templar Knights to escape his misfortune on the street, which involves owing unsavory folks money. He gets assigned as a squire to a very holy knight, Lord Roland.
  
  While working for Lord Roland, the reader gets an inside look at Jerusalem as it prepares for an attack by Saladin, who does eventually over take the city. The reader also gets to listen to Pagan's sarcasm and quip and disdain for the world around him...but eventually he forms a fond bond with Lord Roland, despite his initial reluctance.
  
  It's a great way to read a historical fiction book and I recommend it to any younger teenager who is interested in books like Catherine, Called Birdy or The Midwife's Apprentice. Catherine Jinks does a great job in keeping the reader engaged through Pagan's colorful personality and vocabulary.
• 
  Amanda

  I read this series when I was in about 8th grade, and I forgot everything about it, but every once in a while I'll remember a detail or a turn of phrase and remember how much I liked it. I decided to read the first book again, and it's even better now that I'm an adult and I know more about the historical background. (Minor history peeve: the narrative mentions corn, sunflowers, and hot peppers, none of which existed in 12th-century Jerusalem.)
  
  Pagan's Crusade would for sure be torn to shreds by YA Book Twitter if it had been published today, which by itself is probably a good reason to check it out. It relies on the reader to know right from wrong. It's a book with a moral core, but it doesn't MORALIZE, and its perspective on the Crusades is limited by Pagan's very limited POV. Pagan is primarily out to save his own skin, but his "odd couple" placement with Roland enriches them both.
  
  Good book! And an interesting male POV in YA, which isn't super common. I'll be giving the rest of the series another look now.
• 
  Fatima Sarder

  "The Lord give me strength and endurance. I'll never understand why God took the lives of men like Bonetus and Maynard and Pons, but left Sigebert here to annoys us. Unless He doesn't particularly want Sigebert up there with Him. That I can understand."
  - Pagan
  
  The main character, Pagan Kidrouk, is a sixteen year old squire to Lord Roland de Bram (whom he promptly dubs as Saint George since the Knight Templar is goodness personified). It's the sacking of Jerusalem from the perspective of a bitingly sarcastic, street-smart orphan who is desperate for money and done with this world.
  
  Everything goes through the Pagan filter, the descriptions are skewed to his standards, one can feel the tension of war, but when it comes to actual fighting, it's lacking. The scenes feel disjointed and run into each other, which makes sense given the narrator.
  
  The sarcasm is side-splitting funny and if anyone wants to know what goes on in a teenager's head, Pagan would be a good example. Thoughts flying everywhere, nicknames for people you hate (Rockhead?) judging people on the spot...
  
  
• 
  Molly

  Subtext written out for the reader to "hear" is a convention not often seen and even when it is, it is rarely as funny or sardonic as Jinks writes it. Pagan is the protagonist of the first of four books. Born and raised in ancient Palestine (specifically, Bethlehem) as a Arab Christian, Pagan has lived on the streets of Jerusalem for the past six of his 16 years. We meet him as he volunteers to serve the knights Templars, whose charge it is to protect Jerusalem from the infidels (Moslems). He is assigned to squire Roland a third son of a petty French nobility. Pagan's escapades and daily life are the subject of this funny retelling of the quest to keep Jerusalem for the Christians. His relationship with Roland quickly becomes the centerpiece of his life and the story as well. Quick paced, Jinks creates an engaging and endearing character whose take on life is anything but conventional.
• 
  Amanda Evans

  The book was a good, quick, fun read.
  
  I enjoyed it.
  
  There was a very heavy and necessary religious influence, almost enough to make me put the bible on my to-read list.
  
  The only thing I didn't like were the fight scenes. I would be perfectly happy to not read fight scenes like that again.
  
  I loved the main characters. I thought the back and forth between Pagan and Roland (I may have shipped them) was amazing. Overall I really like the Cheek and Sass of Pagan and I look forward to reading more of these stories.
• 
  Ginny

  This was cute and kinda fun but I almost gave up a few times. It was all very medieval, dirty and gross, perfect for a junior high boy who thinks that gross and vulgar are hysterical. I stuck it out though and came to appreciate the relationship between Pagan and Roland.
  Its a quick read. I'm actually tempted to read the next one just to see where they end up.
  I have the hardcover and the cover art is really good!
• 
  Trici

  Read it because I thought it may be interesting for a lesson or read in religion class. But, no. The 4th chapter starts kind of blasphemic, and the attitude of the main character is everything but not desirable.
  
  Although thoughts can change, I, today, don't see myself using these books in my future lessons.
• 
  Esme

  I read this series as a teenager in the mid-2000s and loved it. I thought it was funny, and even had its heart-breaking moments.
• 
  Eden Sharaby-Swartz

  very funny narrorator. It was just very confusing at points other wise I would recommend it.