The Religion: A Novel

by Tim Willocks Narrated by Simon Vance

Overview

May 1565. Suleiman the Magnificent, emperor of the Ottomans, has declared a jihad against the Knights of Saint John the Baptist. The largest armada of all time approaches the Knights' Christian stronghold on the island of Malta. The Turks know the Knights as the "The Hounds of Hell." The Knights call themselves "The Religion."

In Messina, Sicily, a French countess, Carla la Penautier, seeks a passage to Malta in a quest to find the son taken from her at his birth twelve years ago. The only man with the expertise and daring to help her is a Rabelaisian soldier of fortune, arms dealer, former janissary, and strapping Saxon adventurer by the name of Mattias Tannhauser. He agrees to accompany the lady to Malta, where, amidst the most spectacular siege in military history, they must try to find the boy- whose name they do not know and whose face they have never seen-and pluck him from the jaws of Holy War.

The Religion is Book One of The Tannhauser Triology, and from the first page of this epic account of the last great medieval conflict between East and West, it is clear we are in the hands of a master. Not since James Clavell has a novelist so powerfully and assuredly plunged readers headlong into another place and time. Anne Rice transformed the vampire novel. Stephen King reinvented horror. Now, in a spectacular tale of heroism, tragedy, and passion, Tim Willocks revivifies historical fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Vance brings gusto to the audio edition of Willocks's swashbuckling tale of romance, adventure and religious conflict on the island of Malta during the 16th century. The novel ushers in an ambitious new historical fiction trilogy detailing the medieval exploits of Capt. Mattias Tannhauser, a soldier of fortune possessing carnal appetite and droll irreverence akin to such appealing bad-boy icons as James Bond or Capt. Jack Sparrow. The Religioncenters on the warrior Tannhauser's unlikely journey to help French countess Carla La Penautier locate the illegitimate son from whom she was forcibly separated 12 years earlier. Mattias, Carla and their companions must also confront both the invading Ottoman Empire and a rogue Roman Inquisitor who happens to be the father of Carla's child. Willocks's evocative prose comes brimming to life with Vance's skillful delivery. Vance adds complexity and depth to Tannhauser, a hero whose devil-may-care persona masks the scars of his war-torn childhood. Vance's portrayals of Tannhauser's two love interests—the devout, well-bred Carla La Penautier and her earthy, mystical servant, Amparo—also provide a riveting aura of sexual tension. Simultaneous release with the FSG hardcover (Reviews, Jan. 8). (May)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Library Journal

With the massed forces of -Suleiman the Magnificent planning to attack the Knights of St. John the Baptist at Malta, French countess Carla La Penautier has not picked a good time to visit the island in search of her lost child. -Positioned as a blockbuster. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169311600
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	05/15/2007
Edition description:	Unabridged

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