4 out of 4 stars
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Templar Secrets is an exciting historical fiction about the Knights Templar and the Freemasonry written by Andreas Economou.
The book is told in the third person perspective and alternately between four different timelines for four storylines. It features George Makrides, a 28-year-old Mathematics professor at a local university in Cyprus, who is just initiated as an Entered Apprentice Freemason; Hiram, the Phoenician builder of King Solomon’s Temple; Father Pierre de Bologna and William de Grafton, founders and former Grand Masters of the Secret Society that would later be known as the Freemasonry; and Sir Hugh de Payns and Father Nicodemus, founders of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Jesus Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, also known as the Knights Templar or simply Templars.
This is a very interesting, highly entertaining, and really exciting book about the origin of the Knights Templar and the possible beginning of Freemasonry. By using historical events such as the Peasants’ Revolt and historical figures like Sir Francis Bacon, the author is able to make the book very convincing. Also, I find dividing the book into four storylines a great strategy as every chapter leaves a very important question, How does it fit into the entire plot? It makes the book a real page turner and keeps the readers wanting for more.
The author does a great job with the descriptions of settings for all given periods as well as with the dialogues by various characters. I find the dialogues fitting and the exchanges between characters engaging. The fictional characters have distinctive qualifications that make them just as interesting and as remarkable as the historical figures. Of all the fictional characters, I find George Makrides the most relatable. He is smart and kind. I find him reasonably tenacious with admirable determination, hunger for truth, and a natural tendency to do what is right.
On one hand, the most important part of the book is, naturally, the revelation of the location of the holy relic that the Templars, and eventually the Freemasons, have been protecting all this time. On the other hand, the part I like most is how George proves the extent of his devotion to his friend Alex.
Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely. It is well presented with historical facts carefully interwoven with fictional events and with a constant level of intrigue and suspense that keep the readers glued to every page.
However, other readers may find the alternating timelines difficult to follow and the number of names from different storylines quite confusing. Moreover, though it may not specifically require ample knowledge of the Bible, familiarity with Bible stories especially the story of King Solomon may help readers appreciate the book more. Finally, there are noticeable errors within the entire book which are, thankfully, very few.
I, therefore, rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is well-written, interesting, intriguing, and exciting. I recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction and those who are particularly interested with the stories about the Knights Templar and Freemasonry.
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Templar Secrets
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when I get a little money I buy books; and if I have any left l buy food and clothes
