Sacrifice In K. M. Grant's Blood Red Horse

The author, K.M. Grant, wrote a historical fiction novel titled, Blood Red Horse, which took place in Hartslove and the Holy Land during the years 1185 - 1193. The main characters Gavin, William, Ellie, and Hosanna work together to solve the problem of surviving the crusades and keeping Hartslove while focusing on the overall theme of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.
The main characters in the story are teenage brothers, can be described as brave and heroic. Gavin proves to be Brave when he loses his arm protecting his brother. This incident means that Gavin will have to live his life knowing he is incomplete. The character William is loyal. this is shown throughout the story, but especially when he sacrifices himself by giving Hosanna to

the king. Here the author is showing that William will make the ultimate sacrifice so his king can live.
Gavin and Williams main problem in the book is surviving through the crusades and keeping Hartslove.

In the beginning of the story, William travels to the stables and chooses a new horse his name was Hosanna. Hosanna was a “blood red” stallion whose mother, is Williams old horse Sacramenta. Ellie, who has feelings for William, is betrothed to Gavin. The king decides to take part in the crusades and Gavin and William go along as knights. Not to far into their journey to Jerusalem ”the Holy Land” William and Gavin are met by a group of Sacrens. The Sacrens take the Christians horses and spare the Christians lives. Throughout the middle, The crusades continue, and Constable de Scabious is trying to get Ellie to marry him. William and Gavin conquer Jaffa as a new “headquarters”. In the end, the Sacrens attack Jaffa and fail. The Sacrens set up camp outside of Jaffa. The Sacren Sultan requested a real battle in the field outside the city and gave the Christians ten horses to make the battle fair. The king accepted the offer and in the ten horses one was Hosanna. The battle happened the next day and there was no definite winner because when the king was riding Hosanna, The horse was shot by an arrow. As one can see, the problem is finally solved when the Christians an Muslims come together to save

Hosanna.
The overall theme throughout this novel is bravery. One example from the story to support this theme is when William and Gavin follow the king into the crusades. Another event from the story to sustain this theme is when the christian army have a battle in the field.
In conclusion, my favorite part of the book was when Hosanna was returned to William. In contrast, my least favorite part of the book was when Gavin was injured. The story made me feel confused because it followed more then one storyline. In all, I thought the novel was acceptable because it kept you interested. I would recommend this book to a peer because it was a great story and kept you interested.