May 1565. Suleiman the Magnificent, emperor of the Ottomans, has declared a jihad against the Knights of Saint John the Baptist. The largest armada of all time approaches the Knights’ Christian stronghold on the island of Malta. The Turks know the Knights as the “The Hounds of Hell.” The Knights call themselves “The Religion.”

 

In Messina, Sicily, a French countess, Carla la Penautier, seeks a passage to Malta in a quest to find the son taken from her at his birth twelve years ago. The only man with the expertise and daring to help her is a Rabelaisian soldier of fortune, arms dealer, former janissary, and strapping Saxon adventurer by the name of Mattias Tannhauser. He agrees to accompany the lady to Malta, where, amidst the most spectacular siege in military history, they must try to find the boy - whose name they do not know and whose face they have never seen–and pluck him from the jaws of Holy War.

 

The Religion is Book One of The Tannhauser Trilogy, and from the first page of this epic account of the last great medieval conflict between East and West, it is clear we are in the hands of a master. Not since James Clavell has a novelist so powerfully and assuredly plunged readers headlong into another and time. Anne Rice transformed the vampire novel. Stephen King reinvented horror. Now, in a spectacular tale of heroism, tragedy, and passion, Tim Willocks revivifies historical fiction.

Praise

Praise for The Religion:

“This sprawling epic brims with religious passions, political intrigue and steamy romance.  A thrilling plot.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“A robust tale that entertains and informs about the 16th century clash between Islam and Christianity.  Think Kingdom of Heaven with more IQ points, history and narrative zip.”—USA Today

“Willocks has created a dazzling hero whose debut will leave readers eager for the next installment.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Stone walls crumble, war machines rumble, bodies fill the ditches, and once in a while there’s some terrific sex.  A long, bloody, vastly entertaining story.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A rollicking story.”—Entertainment Weekly

About the Author(s)

Tim Willocks

Tim Willocks is a novelist and filmmaker. He is the author of the novels Bad City Blues, Green River Rising, and Blood-Stained Kings. He lives in Ireland.

photo: Toby Cohen

Excerpt

Prologue

The Devshirme

Spring, A.D. 1540

The Fagaras Mountains—East Hungarian Marches

On the night the scarlet horsemen took him away—from all he knew and all he might have known—the moon waxed full in Scorpio, sign of his birth, and as if by the hand of God its incandescence split the alpine valley sheer into that which was dark and that which was light, and the light lit the path of devils to his door.

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