A Quest for God and Spices - Dean Cycon

A Quest for God and Spices

By: Dean Cycon

Paperback | 21 January 2025

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"A grand historical joyride through the medieval world." -David R. Gillham, New York Times bestselling author of City of Women


A Quest for God and Spices begins an epic journey across the ancient world. In the year AD 1200, a new pope agitates for a renewed crusade to reconquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem. European monarchs largely ignore his call, too involved with squabbles among themselves. The pope chooses two men-Brother Mauro, an older monk, and Nicolo, a young, striving merchant-to traverse the treacherous political, religious, and mercantile terrain of medieval Europe and the Byzantine Empire to seek out the powerful Presbyter John, a mysterious king in the Far East who has promised to put his wealth and vast armies to the service of the pope's crusade.

Nicolo's task is to guide Mauro, but a corrupt cardinal has secretly charged the young man with finding the source of the precious spices that ensure the Venetian and Arab trade monopoly. Nicolo's youthful exuberance, carelessness, and desire to be important jeopardizes their mission, while Mauro's knowledge of scripture and pagan works has not prepared him for the schemes of doges and emirs, clergymen and kings.

Industry Reviews

"Risk the perilous trade routes from the west of Europe deep into Byzantium. Follow secret maps, while navigating dangerous intrigues and dodging assassins-all on a quest for material and spiritual riches."-David R. Gillham, New York Times bestselling author of City of Women



"A philosophical novel that touches on early medieval politics and theology and the clash of cultures during a turbulent time in Europe."-Marina Pacheco, bestselling author of the Medieval Mysteries of Galen series



"A Quest for God and Spices establishes Dean Cycon at the head of this country's finest writers of historical fiction. With a meticulous eye that captures the feel of time long past and the places that live now only in memory, Cycon's work elevates the genre to a height rarely reached."-Greg Fields, author of The Bright Freight of Memory



"Dean Cycon has served up a feast for his readers. They will relish the rich historical details, finely wrought characters, and driving plot on this epic journey from Genoa to Constantinople and beyond."-Christopher Ives, professor of religious studies, Stonehill College

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