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.

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.

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.

Genre: Historical

"Pillars of Light is a masterpiece of historical fiction. With her unique voice and unrivalled expertise, Jane Johnson has once again breathed life into a crucial but forgotten moment in history. Famous names and locations spring to life in all their glory and grit, and we get to inhabit a world that has been cut in half by prejudice and ignorance—a world which must be seen as a whole in order to heal. Pillars of Light is destined to become a classic, and Jane Johnson deserves a standing ovation for this brilliant contribution to the fight against religious intolerance." - Anne Fortier

"Jane Johnson has combined a scorchingly powerful story of warring nations with sensual tales of forbidden love. Brilliantly conveying all the complexities of human nature, regardless of race, religion or culture, Johnson's talent for unlocking the senses allows us to experience the wonders of exotic worlds, the powers of alchemy and the aching sweetness of honey." - Linda Holeman