Pillars of Light

In the Syrian city of Akka, Nathanael, a young Jewish doctor, and a Muslim girl called Zohra are about to fall in love. But Saladin’s army has just taken Jerusalem, and soon their own city will be engulfed by war. A novel about the triumph of the human spirit against all the odds.

'Epic and tender, as thrilling as it is moving, Pillars of Light deftly spins a story of the crusader world that is rich, deep, complex and quite unlike anything I've read before. I couldn't put it down.' Dan Jones

'A masterpiece of historical fiction.' Anne Fortier

Pillars of Light is a powerful and moving novel about the triumph of the human spirit against all the odds. It will delight fans of Philippa Gregory, Ken Follett and Diana Gabaldon.

In the Syrian city of Akka, Nathanael, a young Jewish doctor, and a Muslim girl called Zohra are about to fall in love. But Saladin's army has just taken Jerusalem, and soon their own city will be engulfed by war.

Meanwhile in England, John Savage, a foundling boy, runs away from his cruel life in a priory with the Moor, a mysterious man driven by a dream of perfection. They join a band of conmen travelling through the English countryside faking religious miracles for cash, until they are recruited in Richard the Lionheart's army and sent to regain the Latin Kingdom from the infidel. Akka awaits. It will be the site of the greatest – and cruellest – siege of its time. But even in the midst of war, lovers find ways to make transactions of beauty.

Praise for Jane Johnson:

'Written with empathy and a flair for the dramatic' Daily Mail
'An engaging adventure story brimming with atmosphere and romance' Sunday Mirror
'Beautifully written' The Times
'A sweeping story... Powerful' Best