Knight of the Cross

A Knight Hospitaller Novella

By: Steven A. McKay

Narrated by: Nick Ellsworth

Length: 2 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The Knights Hospitaller battle ancient evil in medieval Rhodes as mysterious disappearances and insane devil-worshippers threaten to turn the entire island into a bloodbath....

When three Hospitallers go missing from a local village outraged Grand Master Foulques de Villaret sends the English knight Sir Richard-at-Lee and his trusted sergeant-at-arms Jacob to discover their fate. Met with resistance from frightened locals and rumours of a blasphemous sect performing unspeakable rites beneath the village Sir Richard must overcome not only the devil-worshippers but the faceless, unstoppable demon that stalks his dreams.

Fans of the best-selling Forest Lord books Wolf's Head and The Wolf and the Raven will enjoy this spin-off novella that sees the much-loved English knight up against a foe that threatens not only his life and his sanity, but God himself!

©2014 Steven A. McKay (P)2014 Steven A. McKay

A change from his other books, but well done!

If you've read any of the other books from Steven A McKay, you might be surprised at the changes in the work... But if your anything like me you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This book departs from the others by adding an element of the supernatural to the otherwise historical setting and characters you would imagine. At first it took me by surprise and I was waiting for that element to be explained away. Nope! It's real and it's simultaneously mysterious and exciting!

In all, I would have liked that part to be more explained, but as the story is a short one, it leaves the reader coming to terms attempting to reconcile their own beliefs and imagine what THEY think the strange supernatural elements were rather than the author explaining it for them. Too, bad this is only one of a kind and ends where the Forest Lord stores begins... It would have made a great story to expand into a series of its own! I loved it!

Great story :)

I read the novel itself a few months ago but I wanted to hear how the characters would talk and act. there's not a lot of good historical fiction about the knights hospitaller so I was glad to find this.

Good campfire story

This kept suspense like a good campfire story, but I couldn’t suspend disbelief enough to enjoy it even as a novella. Felt amateurish - couldn’t finish it.

Great narration, Intense story-telling

I haven't read any other books in the series that this one is a spin-off from. I enjoyed the writing, and the characters. It's an action-packed, emotional story. It works well as an introductory or deeper understanding of some of the characters, but other than that, I didn't really see a purpose to the story. I don't know, maybe I missed something.

It did interest me enough, and I liked Mr. McKay's writing enough, that I may go on and read the other books. I haven't decided yet.

I listened to the audio version of the story, and I will say that narrator, Nick Ellsworth, did a fine job of bringing this story and the characters to life.

Crusaders & Cthulhu Mythos!

The only negative about his story is that it was too short!

Crusader knights and the Cthulhu mythos! What a great combination! I need more!

I thought it was well written beautifully narrated, and I look forward to more from this author.

Favorite new Historical fiction author!

I love how this one had a more supernatural feel like the old knight books! I just want him to live forever and keep pumping out books!!

Great novella!

This novella is a side novella to the Forest Lord series and goes deeper into the story of Sir Richard the Hospitaler knight. It can be read anytime as it doesn’t follow the main Forest Lord storyline that much.
It’s great to get a little more on this character and to find out where Sergeant Steven comes from.
I’ve become a real fan of Steven A McKay’s stories and I’m onto the fourth in the Forest Lord series.

Fantastic

Great short story. It is a wonderful little backstory, a fully self contained novella... I heartily recommend it.

Interesting fantasy novel.

I enjoyed the audio book and found the storyline refreshing and a nice surprise. Without giving the story line away, the reader might find the fantasy aspect more sci fi than fantasy.

Very good

My experience with this book was enjoyable to say the least. The characters were great to get to know. I am definitely going to read more from this author.