The Land Beyond the Sea

True to form, Penman again demonstrates her impeccable attention to historical detail .[she] has created a saga of epic proportions. She has given us insight into the inner workings of the minds of the great men and women of the time. There is a lot here to savor, and this book can t be rushed through. Historical Novel Society
 
"[A] riveting page-turner, and Penman's well-honed skill for weaving deeply researched details into epic tales is on full display. Fans of medieval historical fiction won't want to miss this."  Publishers Weekly

Penman is justifiably renowned for her medieval epics .Working on a large canvas, she illustrates the era s political movements and the personalities of its movers and shakers with equal dexterity .From fierce battle maneuvers to the emotional corridors of an unexpected love story, readers will feel intimately drawn into the characters dramatic lives in Penman s splendid historical novel. Historical saga fans will pounce on best-selling and always thrilling Penman s latest, which offers a particularly alluring setting. Booklist

Penman excels at depicting medieval warfare and the unintended, often disastrous consequences of the best-laid strategies. She is equally adept at depicting the rivalries and internecine strife that roil Baldwin s court .This book amply illustrates the extent to which fortune and personality dictated victory, détente, and defeat on both sides. A teeming 12th-century tapestry which Penman renders coherent, even eloquent. Kirkus Reviews

"Penman brings the teeming and scheming world of the brief, blazing Crusader kingdom to vibrant life, with a cast of characters that includes the royal houses of Europe, the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, the lords of the Church, Crusader nobility, and the surrounding Saracens. With her shining gift of storytelling, she makes this tapestry a colorful one, one that weaves all the richness of its setting and striving personalities into a stunning and meaningful whole. Elegant, detailed, and panoramic like the world it describes."   Margaret George 

"As one of Ms. Penman's oldest and most ardent fans, I believe The Land Beyond the Sea ranks as one of her three most accomplished and compelling books. Her books should never be gulped, only savored, and readers will be thrilled to both read and reread her latest."  Priscilla Royal