Grail of the Grimoire - J S Sterling

Magic and adventure collide in the latest retelling of history's most legendary quest.

In the 12th century, sixteen-year-old Cassandra is likely to be burned at the stake if anyone finds out what she can do. So the only magic she allows herself is used to hustle dice games from unsavory characters too cowardly to fight in the Third Crusade.

When she is kidnapped and brought to the Vatican's secret library, the Grimoire, Cassandra finds that her place in the world is as the next leader of the Pope's coven of sorceresses--to be held captive among the books forever. Her only way out is to retrieve the Holy Grail from Jerusalem before it can be used by Richard the Lionheart or Saladin to create a magical army that could conquer the world. Along with her brainy young tutor and a mysterious Muslim fighter, Cassandra will find much more in the Holy Land than just a cup. Perhaps too much...