Siege of Heaven (2007)

by Tom Harper

Series: Demetrios Askiates (3)

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▾LibraryThing recommendations

The Mosaic of Shadows by Tom Harper (2003)
Same series: Knights of the Cross (Demetrios Askiates)
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Same series: The Forgotten Legion, The Road to Rome (Forgotten Legion Chronicles)

The Peoples Queen by Vanora Bennett (2010)
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Same series: One for Sorrow (John the Eunuch Mysteries)
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Pacy, entertaining historical thriller featuring Demetrios Askiates, a soldier diplomat in the service of the Eastern Emperor during the first Crusade. The Eastern Emperors continued to rule the eastern Roman Empire for nearly a millennium after the fall of Rome. It was the Eastern Emperor who, fearing eastern christianity would be overwhelmed by Muslim armies, fatefully asked Western christians for help, leading to the first Crusade. This is the first this in series I've read, and Demetrios, as a representative of the Eastern Emperor amongst the crusading army is caught up in a whirlwind of adventures, several of which stem from the politics and infighting in the Crusading armies. The real purpose of the Crusade also gets a look in occasionally though, as Demetrios also ends up on a diplomatic mission to the Turks and the novel culminates with the siege of Jerusalem. (

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YossarianXeno | Mar 31, 2012 |

I picked up “Siege of Heaven” by Tom Harper due to the fact that his other two books in this Byzantine series combined the majesty and effluence of an ancient Byzantium with that of sleuthing and aspects of noir. This protocol gave Mr. Harper’s stories an edge and depth of history not present in other authors’ stories. Unfortunately, “Siege of Heaven” lacked the sleuthing and mystery I’ve come to expect of Mr. Harper and I feel the novel suffered. “Siege of Heaven” felt more like a series of stories on the first crusade as opposed to a mystery with the Crusade as a significant backdrop. (

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BruderBane | Sep 11, 2010 |

Although not a patch on Mosaic of Shadows this, the third in the trilogy, is an interesting and occassionally exciting tale set during the First Crusade. Maps and city plans make it easy to envisage the Near East [the Holy Land] in the 11th century and Harper blends fact and fiction in a readable way. (

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adpaton | May 25, 2010 |

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Series (with order)

Demetrios Askiates (3)

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Siege of Heaven

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2007

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Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0312338724, Hardcover)

A powerful novel of intrigue, sacrifice, savagery and holy war---the apocalyptic ending of the First Crusade trilogy.

August, 1098. After countless battles and sieges, the surviving soldiers of the First Crusade are at last within reach of their ultimate goal: Jerusalem. But rivalries fester, and while the Crusaders delay, new enemies are massing against them in the Holy Land.

Demetrios Askiates has had enough of the Crusade’s violence and hypocrisy---he longs to return home. But when a routine diplomatic mission leads to a deadly ambush, he realizes he has been snared in the vast power struggles that underlie the Crusade. The only way out now leads through the Holy City.

From the plague-bound city of Antioch to the heart of Muslim Egypt, across mountains, seas and deserts, Demetrios must accompany the army of warlords and fanatics to the very gates of Jerusalem. Where, as the lethal endgame plays out, the Crusade climaxes in an apocalypse of pillage, bloodshed and slaughter.

Siege of Heaven is a breathtaking finale to the critically acclaimed series. Following The Mosaic of Shadows and The Knights of the Cross, Tom Harper skillfully blends war, redemption, and triumph into a stunning conclusion.

Praise for Knights of the Cross

“Harper’s excellent second historical whodunit shows that his fine debut was no fluke. Like Steven Saylor, the master of the ancient Roman historical, Harper effortlessly draws the reader into an unfamiliar time, bringing alive the characters and their motivations.”

---Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Gripping for its portrayal of the Crusader leaders . . . this is a great example from a trustworthy historian.”

---Independent

Praise for the Mosaic of Shadows

"Fans of well-written, meticulously researched historicals should embrace this promising new talent.”

--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Considering what Arnold Schwarzenegger did with the title ‘The Terminator,’ the hero of Tom Harper’s debut historical mystery could go all the way to the top of American politics . . . Harper . . . knows how to fit known facts into flights of fancy to fine dramatic effect.”

---Chicago Tribune

“. . . an exciting historical mystery . . . Reminding readers of Saylor’s Gordianus and Roberts’ Decius, Demetrios is an interesting protagonist who escorts readers on a terrific tour during his dangerous investigation.”

---Midwest Book Review

(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:36:49 -0500)

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▾Library descriptions

With their ultimate goal, Jerusalem, finally within reach for the soldiers of the First Crusade, Demetrios Askiates, the Emperor's spy, realizes he has become ensnared in the power struggles that underlie the crusade after a diplomatic mission leads to a deadly ambush.… (more)

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