Although this is a sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, it doesn't matter which order you read them in.  They are both set in Kingsbridge, but they take place 200 years apart. 

The story begins in 1327 with four kids who witness two men who are murdered in the forest.  As the years progress each of the children's lives unfold and intertwine.  Written with the same ferocity as The Pillars of the Earth you get a real sense of time and place.  One of the main historical events that is a centerpiece in the story is the plague.  The novel concludes by tying together the beginning murders to the lives of each of the main characters.

If you enjoy historical fiction I highly recommend Ken Follett's novels about Kingsbridge, a medieval town where life is harsh and can be cut very short in an instant. 

Now on to Follett's new book, Fall of Giants, the first in a new trilogy!  

~Julie