“Crispin: The Cross of Lead by AviGeneral Reaction: Few eras are more remote and mysterious to the modern mind than the Dark Ages. Yet when anyone gains entrance to this world which magnifies the contrast between the sacred and the profane, they instantly become captivated by its otherworldly magic. Crispin, The Cross of Lead, leads the reader to enter this cosmos, where every aspect of life, from birth to death, is ruled by the feudal system which, the faithful are told, is God’s plan on earth. In a world where the accidents of one’s birth dictate social standing, only the winds of chance and the indefatigable human spirit can free human beings from the inexorable social order. Crispin is above all, a gripping and satisfying tale, told in eloquent language, which transports the reader to the medieval world. The mystery begins on the first page, with a boy who doesn’t even have a name and is scorned as a despicable peasant, suddenly alone in the world with the death of his equally destitute and scorned mother, soon facing a bounty on his head for a crime he didn’t commit. “Asta’s son” must unravel the mystery of his birth and work to throw off the shackles of authority to become a free person. This is a perfect historical fiction story (my favorite genre!) It is both imaginative and authentic, providing a faithful representation of the language, culture, and experiences of the Middle Ages, yet universal in its message of human dignity and the struggle out of human bondage. ”
“This book was OK wasn't my absolute favorite, but It was interesting”
“Didn't like it. Just didn't. I couldn't read it fast enough, and I'm not ever planning on reading it again. Avi just doesn't strike my fancy at all, even with the Artemis Fowl books.”
