I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was on the 2021 shortlist. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2021/02/2021-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

This was a doorstopper, as all Penman books are, but so brilliantly and fluidly written that you don't notice it (or mind). I love anything that is Medieval Crusade fiction, and Penman's story was so educational and entertaining that I learned as I enjoyed. It has everything you want and need in a good story, and this is definitely one to sink your teeth into. Enjoy!! Bon Appetite!

Sharon Kay Penman is well-known for her meticulously researched sagas about the medieval rulers of Wales, England and France. Her latest novel and the first of a series, The Land Beyond the Sea, shifts away from Europe and focuses on the history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the larger surrounding region known as Outremer (see Beyond the Book). Set between the Second and Third Crusades (1147-1150 and 1189-1192 CE, respectively), the book chronicles the reign of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem from just before his ascension to the throne in 1174 to just after his death in 1185.

The author's account of this time period is fascinating on a number of levels. First and foremost is her portrayal of Baldwin himself, who was just 13 when he became ruler over a large number of fractious nobles, including members of his own family. Overshadowing his youth was the suspicion that he might have leprosy—something which did, indeed, end up being the case. He led soldiers into battle and was well-respected as both a ruler and a fighter, but as he was forbidden to wed he could not produce an heir, which led to much maneuvering and infighting as those around him sought to control the realm. As his condition worsened and the armies of the Muslim leader, Saladin, sought to retake the lands of Outremer, the political landscape became increasingly complex.

The surrounding history, too, is interesting; I, for one, didn't have any knowledge of this part of the world during this time period. As with her other novels, Penman painstakingly reproduces the era, imparting knowledge to her readers and transporting them to a different time and place. She also nimbly transitions the action from court to battlefield, with both types of encounter being equally entertaining.

Penman's expertise in the historical fiction genre is evident as she deftly sorts out the participants, giving them clear motivations and individual personalities. The cast is huge, but the author excels at her craft to such an extent that I never once had to refer to the list of characters she gives at the start of the book; each figure is truly unique and difficult to confuse with another. The downside of Penman's characters is that, although most are finely drawn, they tend to be a bit simplistic; for example, Baldwin and Balian (another prominent character) are consistently portrayed as heroic figures—the "nice guys"—while Baldwin's mother Agnes and her allies are always shown as mean-spirited. A more nuanced depiction of these individuals would likely have been more realistic, but may have made the plot more difficult to follow. Their consistent reactions aid the reader in keeping track of who's who, particularly when it might be many pages before a person reappears in the narrative. And these characters felt real enough that I mourned for those who died and cheered on those who thrived; it's quite a testament to an author's skill when you feel like you know someone who's been dead nearly a thousand years!

My only real (and minor) gripe is that at times the book slips into language that feels too modern. One woman refers to Agnes as "the greatest bitch in all Christendom" and there are references to her "cuddling" with her husband later in the novel; another character is said to have gotten a "raw deal." I looked up these (and other) phrases and their origins appear to be much later than their supposed context. I'm no linguistic scholar, and most of the people in this setting would have been speaking an Old French dialect, but I was still taken aback each time I encountered a phrase that felt incongruous with the time period.

That quibble aside, The Land Beyond the Sea is a big, sprawling work of historical fiction sure to please Penman's existing devotees, and this latest opus will likely attract new readers to her oeuvre. In spite of the book's length and complexity, it is an easy, captivating read—not quite a page-turner, but close. Historical fiction aficionados looking for a book to engage their time and attention need look no further.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.I was looking forward to reading further into the time period of the Crusades. I had previously read 'The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors' which gave a wonderful overview of the land and characters in this book. Could not get into it. I have read previous reviewers and it seems like I was reading a completely different book. The author did not give me a comfortable understanding of the prime charachters and following the events she presented was impossible.

Sharon Kay Penman writes very long, but fascinating historical novels. "Land Beyond the Sea" did not disappoint. Yes, it is very long. But the pace, though fast, is detailed and exiting. Ms. Penman does her homework & once you're involved in the story & the characters you don't realize whether you're reading fact or fiction - something I find interesting.
I was pleased to receive this book from Netgalley for review and I'm glad to recommended it without reservation.

Another wonderfully dense narrative from Penman, this one completely set in the Kingdom of Outremer, the kingdom of the Holy Land originally won in the First Crusade and ruled since by a High Council and an "elected" highborn King. But things change in an instant in this land - there is constant war with the Saracens, and accidents and disease, and few men make it to old age, few boys make it to adulthood, and few heirs live to inherit. Politics is a ferocious game, winner take all, or perhaps lose the whole kingdom to Saladin; rather more at stake than the usual power play. In The Land Beyond the Sea there are wonderful characters to draw you deep into the story. The young leper king Baldwin, already called on at a too young age to hold the kingdom together but then has the horrible weight of leprosy added to his burden. His intensely ambitious mother redeemed by her equally intense love for her son. The sensible and courageous Balian d'Ibelin, whose adventures carry most of the story along and give the reader that someone to always have to root for. William, the cleric-historian and teacher-friend to Baldwin, and another source of common sense in the hotbed of rumor, ambition and old fashioned spite. And dozens of others, equally vivid and real, fully realized and vital to the complex political tapestry of Outremer, including Saladin and many of his family and staff. Really great stuff and fascinating from beginning to end. Though long, it never dragged, even through the author notes at the end - (essentially all characters were real people). Highly highly recommended.

Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite authors. I am so appreciative of her ability to craft an intriguing and interesting story while staying true to the historical details. This takes a tremendous amount of research and creativity to piece together what we know occurred centuries ago and then fill in the blanks with plausible details and insights.

The majority of the book takes place during the reign of Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, the so-called Leper King. Saladin, the legendary Muslim ruler, was set upon taking Jerusalem by storm. Baldwin not only had to fight his disease but also against the deadly Saracen army. Penman takes care to interject chapters told from the Muslim point of view as well as those of the Christians, which allow the reader to more fully appreciate the fierce sense of religious righteousness that both sides felt.

This telling of the time between the first and second crusades brings Outremer to life because it features the lives of those who lived in the Holy Land, not just the crusading Europeans who came and left again in a continuous wave of zealousness.

Recommended for those who appreciate immersive, detailed accounts of historical settings and characters.

This story is a long, detailed description of life in Jerusalem after the second crusade. The rich detail is what makes Sharon Kay Penman's books fantastic!
The characters, both fictional and culled from history are very interesting. I learned about a period of time I knew little about.
Readers of historical fiction will not be able to put this book down. This is a curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea kind of book.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Sharon Kay Penman strikes again! I can't get over this author's attention to detail combined with breathless storytelling. They just don't make historical fiction like this anymore. Every character, from the leper King Baldwin to Lord Balian and Archbishop William, just fly off the page. Penman takes the time to capture both the Muslim leader Saladin and his amirs' perspectives as well as the Franks, which brings the Crusader era into a fresh retelling for 21st century readers. Recommended for readers who need a long winter read with an immersive historical setting and fascinating characters.

Certainly, a part of history that I knew absolutely nothing about. As usual Sharon Kay Penman writes a detailed and dense portrayal but this time strays away from the usual European locales. The Land beyond the Sea captures the story of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the years after the Second Crusade. The tragic Leper King Baldwin and the noted historian William of Tyre come to life as do a few other knights and barons. This is an excellent read for those who love accurate historical fiction... but a long read and one that may be more in-depth than desired.