<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Ever hear of a SPATHA???
Review: As a story, this book is pretty entertaining. The events in and of themselves are exciting and hold the reader's attention. But there is little flow within the plot- events are isolated and unconnected in a patchwork fashion, and there is no buildup of the story to any forseeable conclusion. Still, I would give the book four stars if not for the most glaring error- one of the fundamental tenets of the book is that mounted cavalry have no weapons with which to fight effectively, and the author makes it some cathartic epiphany when they 'invent' the longsword, assuming that the Romans were so stupid that in over a thousand years' experience in warfare they never thought to make longer blades for cavalry officers. When in fact the cavalry longsword, or spatha, had been in use almost as long as the short gladius (not gladium!!!) May seem a minor point, but as a sword buff, it really annoyed me. An entertaining read, but the historically educated beware!
Rating: 
Summary: This Series Sings
Review: Jack Whyte continues his tale of Publius Varrus and Caius Brittanicus and their formation of the "colony" of Camaloud. In this, the second novel in the series, the Legions have departed and Arthur's Great Grandparents are struggling for their survival. Whyte's strong suit is his faithfulness to historical detail. From the departure of the Legions to the Pelagian Heresy, from life in a divided and crumbling Empire to the invasion of post Roman Britain by the Saxons and other "barbarians." Once again, as in the first installment, Whyte's description and detail of adult sexual situations makes it a novel not for the young or those who easily blush. However, this isn't a condemnation of Whyte or his novel. It is simply more "adult" oriented than the average fantasy novel. Another strong suite for Whyte is his character development. Each character grows and expands as the story evolves. Furthermore, Whyte doesn't make his characters caricatures so common to most fantasy novels. For example, Publius is certainly a flawed hero and we are shown his more "human" side. You like Action? There is plenty of action moving the story along. Before you know it, the novel is done and you are dying to read the next installment. This series does an amazing job bringing the world King Arthur would be born into to life. It may not be what really happened, but it is certainly possible. Just be warned, this novel will leave you hungry for the next intallment.
Rating:
Summary: Strong second novel
Review: Unlike so many other second novels in a series this one starts out strong and continues for the entire book. Although the main charater is still Publius Varrus, the retired Roman legionaire turned blacksmith, the story is fresh and different as we are treated to his continuing life story. The Roman presence in Britain is weaker now and raiding parties from the north and south are threatening the Camulod Colony. Varrus and the other leaders have to strengthen the colony defenses. They accomplish this by starting their own cavalry unit. With accurate historical research Jack Whyte shows the reader how Excalibur was crafted as a need to have a weapon to use on horseback.
The first person narative is still one of the best parts of the book as it gives an intimate feel to the main character. However there are a few disappointments with "The Singing Sword". The first is the ressurection of the villian from the first story. The second and less obvious point is this: the first book told a story about a group a men and women in Britain, and the Arthurian elements seemed to fall in place around them easily. In this book the story seems to be bent and twisted in order to meet up with the Arthurian concepts.
Still, considering the great characters and quick paced story telling these points can be over looked. It still deserves a four star rating.
<< 1 >>
| 
