Source: Wikipedia

We've made it to the second-to-last week of the Ivanhoe read-along, hosted by Rachelle of The Reading Wench. If you want to read about what we're up to, check out her sign-up post!

I actually finished the novel this week, but I'm going to stick with the Sunday updates since we've only got one to go.

• Mon. 24th Nov. – Sun. 30th Nov.: Chapters 1 – 7
• Mon. 1st Dec. – Sun. 7th Dec.: Chapters 8 – 16
• Mon. 8th Dec. – Sun. 14th Dec.: Chapters 17 – 25
• Mon. 15th Dec. – Sun. 21st Dec.: Chapters 26 – 31
• Mon. 22nd Dec. – Sun. 28th Dec.: Chapters 32 – 38
• Mon. 29th Dec. – Sun. 4th Jan.: Chapters 39 – 44

Synopsis for this week's section can be found under the red. We open up with Locksley and his bandits dividing their spoils from their ambush of Torquilstone. Before he departs, Locksley gives the Black Knight a horn which he can sound in times of distress and call upon the outlaws' assistance. The friar arrives with Isaac in tow, and Isaac discovers that his daughter Rebecca has been kidnapped by the Templar Bois-Guilbert. Isaac travels to the Preceptory of Templestowe to offer ransom for his daughter. The Grand Master of Templestowe is infamous for his hatred of Jews, and Isaac fears for Rebecca's life. In an attempt to cover for Bois-Guilbert's sinful passion for Rebecca, Albert Malvoisin (the Preceptor of Templestowe) suggests to the Grand Master that she may have cast a spell over Bois-Guilbert, citing her practice of medicine as proof of her sorcery. Rebecca is immediately placed on trial and is nearly sentenced to death, but, at the last moment, she requests a trial by combat (at Bois-Guilbert's suggestion). She is ordered to procure a champion to fight for her life in three days' time. Isaac learns of his daughter's fate and seeks out Wilfred of Ivanhoe to fight in her honor.

I read the bulk of this week's chapters on my plane ride to Florida and was more absorbed in the story than ever before during the read-along. The pace picked up significantly, particularly during the trial, and I even found myself stifling a giggle at times (there's particularly amusing scene between Isaac and the Prior of Anjou). Rebecca continues to be one of my favorite characters, though she runs the risk of being a bit one-dimensional.

I didn't want to stop reading after Chapter 38 ended, again on a cliffhanger. Rachelle claims that she didn't plan the read-along to have so many nail-biters, but I'm not sure I believe her. ;)

Tune in next week for my last update and wrap-up!