Ark (Return of the Templars Book 1)-P J Humphreys

Book: Ark (Return of the Templars Book 1)
Author: P J Humphreys
Publisher: Self Published

Have you read stories about the Knights Templars?

Return of the Templars (Ark) is the first book in the series that is plotted around the legend of the Knights Templar. Set in 2008, the book explores the story of what happens when the murder of a woman sets things in motion which puts her brother, a priest, on a course of collision with a ruthless criminal who is on the quest of looking for the Ark of the Covenant. Starting in Washington DC, to a castle in Scotland, the story spans geographies as it tells the tale of revenge, love and faith as a society tries to maintain its secrecy and guard a charge they have been guarding for hundreds of years. The responsibility lies on the five Templars who try to thwart the plan and save the world from an apocalypse.

The plot of the book is quite interesting, and the storytelling is engaging. The author has taken the central idea of the Knights Templar and built it into a modern-day thriller that hooks the reader from the very first page. Paul has taken the basic question of faith and through the Priest, we actually see that getting tested time and again as the plot unravels. A lot of historical references have been tapped and I would have loved to read a bit more in detail about them and a bit less detail of the operations conducted because at places it did become tiresome. The back story of the Fallen Knight could have been better utilized, and I am hoping that it does come to light in the subsequent books. The first part was quite pacy, but the second half of the book did seem a bit rushed and that sort of went against the book.

The characterization and the level of detail in the characters is amazing. I loved the fact that the author dedicated a part of the book setting the past of the main characters so that their motivation in doing what they do becomes apparent and easy to comprehend. For me, the character that stood out was that of Jonathan and the manner in which his part unravels. I am quite sure that he would form a pivotal role in the books to come. The anti-hero, Saladin, also did intrigue me because he had a certain feeling of heroism in what he did, and while it was wrong from a perspective, his courage and determination was amazing.

Overall a good read that scores a 3.81/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here.