At the end of the Crusading era the Christian kingdoms of Palestine are clinging on by their finger tips despite the fact that they have managed to arrive at some sort of compromise with many Muslim rulers based on commercial expediency. Suddenly the Tatar hordes of the sons of Genghis Khan explode into the area destroying the centuries old civilisations of the Euphrates valley as they go. The Grand Master of the Templars decides to contact them to see if a pact can be arranged against their mutual enemy the Saracens and sends a French knight, Joseran, as his emissary. The Pope decides to send a Dominican Friar, William of Augsberg, as a missionary to spread the Gospel amongst the Tatars and Joseran is made reponsible for his safety, not an easy task as William's fanaticism leads them into otherwise avoidable dangers which task Joseran's wit and courage to the limit to recue them. The Tatar leader at Aleppo sends them on to the Court of the Great Khan north of modern Beijing, an immense journey over freezing mountains and baking deserts. On the way Joseran meets and falls in love with Khutelun, daughter of a Tatar Khan, which leads to more trouble and then when they arrive near the Tatar capital a civil war breaks out. Sometimes you just know that the whole mission was a mistake!
Don't get me wrong this is a rip-roaring adventure story well researched and well written that will be enjoyed by male readers and quite a few female readers too.
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