Review: The Last Templar

I have to confess that it has been many years since I last read about the Templars, or for that matter, read anything about the various conspiracy theories involving the early and medieval church. I didn't even read 'The DaVinci Code'. Frequent discussion of such themes in recent years must have influenced me, though, because I decided to try 'The Last Templar'.

Clearly intended to appeal to lovers of religious conspiracy theories and Templar mythology, the story begins with a theft that is mind- boggling in its complexity and improbability. This scene is undoubtedly dramatic and colourful, but stretches suspension of disbelief to its breaking point.

Further plot developments are even more implausible. Of course, implausible stories can be entertaining, but unfortunately that is not true in this case. The book's awkward pacing is worsened by the inclusion of lengthy discussions on faith. It is hard to say whether the Roman Catholic Church (presumably representing all Christians, but so badly described as to not represent even the Roman Catholic Church) or the atheists are harder done by. Both groups are represented by murderers; both subscribe to the idea that only an elite can handle the truth - the rest of humanity must be instructed in whatever truth the elite thinks best to give them. Naturally, the major characters assume they are among the elite; therefore they are the ones to make such decisions for the rest of us poor slobs.

The atheists seem to arrive at their beliefs as a reaction to tragedy or by a bit of superficial argument - there is only a mention in passing of the great intellectual debates on atheism throughout the centuries, particularly since the Enlightenment. The Christians are either hypocrites creating or innocents deluded by a rather gnostic-style division between the elite and the masses. The innocents, of course, are lamentably ill-informed about their own religion, being unaware of such things as the most elementary information on the origin of the Bible and the opinions of the various denominations as to the source of religious authority. Furthermore, no one in the entire book really grasps what a life in faith is, and as a result, no one can understand why all the failures and corruption of all religions are no reason for loss of faith in that which is beyond all human endeavour and understanding. Substituting the idea that all believers are on the naive or deluded side of an elite/masses split in humanity for any real understanding of the reasons people hold to their faith in spite of corruption in and betrayal by their leaders means that all the characters have extremely implausible motivations. They appear to operating in a fantasy world of their own, quite remote from the masses they claim to want to enlighten or protect.

There are many good books on somewhat similar themes to 'The Last Templar'. Unfortunately, books about the Templars seem to bog down in implausible, usually anti-Roman Catholic, conspiracy theories. This book is no exception. But if you want a light, entertaining novel about secrets about early Christianity, 'The Dead Sea Cipher' by Elizabeth Peters would be a good choice. Her 'The Sea King's Daughter' includes underwater archeology and hints of supernatural powers. I recommend both of them over this book.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Book Review: The Last Templar