Wow. This is the longest book I've read in a while, probably this year. It comes in at over 500 pages, but those pages are action packed. With political intrigue, clashing Kings and lords, battles, and the interwoven stories of various characters and historical figures coming together into an epic tale of war, family loyalty and resistance to tyranny spanning the 13th century Mediterranean.

I think it would have helped to have read the author's previous series on the famous Crusader Balian of Ibelin in the 12th century first, as this novel focuses on his sons and grandsons, especially the eldest, also called Balian. However, the novel can be read as a standalone.
Its basically about the ruling family of Cyprus in the early part of the 14th century. The island was formally run by John of Ibelin, son of the great Balian, who comes into conflict the the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaffen.

The Emperor Frederick is known to history as 'the wonder of the world' because his court was a centre of learning, and Frederick himself was supposedly an embodiment of religious tolerance and enlightened thought. He had Muslims and Jews in high courts, and despite going on Crusade, made a peace treaty.

Yeah, one point that bears mentioning here is that readers of this novel will forget everything they have learned about Frederick. Here is is violent, scheming, treacherous, debauched and a petty power-hungry tyrant. Even his interest in science and 'religious tolerance' becomes too skewed and perverted that he is willing to do unspeakable things.
I'm not sure whether this is totally accurate, but it seems to have a solid grounding in the sources from the time, and Mrs Schrader does not seem to be an author to play really fast and loose with history.

The young Balian was an interesting character, who grows a lot in the course of the story. I mean he has plenty of good qualities from the outset, but those are overshadowed by shallow and silly actions and poor choices. Though since he's only 17 at the start, that's probably to be expected. In the 5 years covered by the story be becomes a man with the makings of a heroic and compassionate leader willing to fight for his family and his lands.
Eschiva de Montlebard, the female protagonist, is also a fascinating and enigmatic character. She seems to be a frightened and vulnerable young orphan, but turns into a woman of remarkable courage and intelligence who excels in the unusual occupation for a woman of this time as an artist and illuminator.
She and Balian also seem to be made for each other, developing a genuine love, yet destined to not be together.
There are probably some lessons to be had here about love being deeper than just physical attraction with characters who learn to respect one another enough not to betray their beliefs and values. In a couple of places things do become awkward, but they stop short of going too far, which I think was well done.

Even though I've never been to most of the places that feature in the story, I got a real 'feel' for the time and place. The world which the characters inhabited and the events they got caught up in. I also feel that their actions, values and ideas were consistent with the time period. Some Historical novels have characters acting in very modern ways, or espousing modern ideals. Not so here.
The only thing that did come over as a little bit too modern was some of the language, including some modern Americanisms which I haven't noticed in the other novel I've read by this author.

I would recommend Rebels Against Tyranny for all lovers of well researched and immersive Historical Fiction. This isn't a period or setting that's been covered much. Its really only the realm of specialists and and who already have an interest. This alone makes it more more interesting and appealing to the general reader.

I requested this title on Netgalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When the Holy Roman Emperor makes an enemy out of one of the noble families, lives will clash in an unforgettable way. The Ibelin family must tread carefully or they might lose everything that they have worked for. But when all seems lost, there is another twist just waiting to happen...

This book was fabulous! I do not want to give it away, but I could not put it down! I read this book in one sitting! Put this on your list now!

I enjoyed it for the fact that it was dealing with the Crusades (a favourite topic of mine) and the Ibelins (a favourite Crusader family of mine).

Based upon the writings of Philip de Novere, Helena crafts a well written and researched novel dealing with the civil wars in Cyprus during the early 13th century. This was a time when a powerful noble family took on the might of an Emperor who attempted to impose his authority over the Crusader States.

Helen brings to life the details of the time, providing ample background for those not familiar with the period. She fleshes out the known facts into a highly readable fictional account for the reading masses.

A well researched book about the civil war during the sixth crusades led by Emperor Fredrick II, perfect for any lover of the crusades or history buffs

Rebels Against Tyranny: Civil War in the Crusader States is a good read. I enjoyed reading it and give it four and a half stars.

Helena does an excellent job of taking an immense field of knowledge and relating it in a way that is very readable, extremely thorough, and keenly analytical. She goes well beyond merely relating the raw facts. She weaves a narrative that includes background information about what was going on behind the battlefields and between the crusades themselves. She eschews the simplistic views of villains and victors and shows the major characters as human beings with strengths and weaknesses, with virtues and vices.. I enjoyed this read and recommend to those readers that are interested in this Era of History.

I found the book a bit boring and couldn’t get through it. It just wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be given the subject. Yes, Frederick May have been a tyrant by our standards, or even the standards of his day, but he was also one of the most learned men of his day and the most tolerant. The beginning needs something to explain why the characters think he’s a tyrant and not just swing into the fighting like the 3 Musketeers. Even Dumas builds up to the fighting and most of his book is on how the four guys survive in Paris than plots and war.