Rating: 
Summary: A good chronicle no. 2
Review: I really loved the Skystone and that is what lead me to decide to read the next. The singing sword I was glad to see was still narrated by Publius Varrus. Some of the events in the book were not needed (Cylla Titens). But for the most part the plot was good enough to keep me reading late at night. When the colony was going to be inspected by Claudius Seneca (who Varrus thought was dead). It kept me reading on to find out exactly what happened. Jack Whyte shaped all of his characters very nicely. I found myself involved with most all of them. I thought the book had a very fast and sad ending that I think could have been stretched some more. The book got its title from something that happened in the last 50 pages or so. Over all I thought I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next of the Camulod Chronicles
Rating: 
Summary: A Solid Sequel to The Skystone
Review: I was impressed by the historical authenticity that Whyte infused into the Arthurian legend. After reading the books, I was inspired to do some further research into the period. What I discovered was that Whyte's story is an extremely plausible extrapolation of what we know of the period. I recommend this book highly.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing book
Review: I'm afraid that I will have to go against the other reviewers of this novel and say that I wasn't greatly impressed. I found it pretty slow moving with weak and unconvincing characters. It was a definite struggle to finish this novel - it would have to rate as just about the least interesting "Arthur" story that I have ever read. I was also irritated by the historical inaccuracies. Some examples: the battle of Adrianople took place in 378AD and not 376AD, the macedonian phalanx was an infantry formation, not a cavalry one, the Roman short sword was a gladius, not a gladium. Having said all this, I will probably read at least one more of this series but this is no longer a high priority after this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The tale continues
Review: I'm so glad Jack Whyte has picked Publius Varrus as our narrator again. I grew quite fond of Varrus in the Skystone. Varrus'journal picks up where we left off in the first book. Rome is pulling out of Briton just as Caius predicted. The colony is growing along with Caius and Varrus'private,illegal army and fort. Caius' son, Picus, is advancing in rank in the Roman army.The Seneca family is still looking for Varrus to punish him for his crimes against them. The Celts and the Romans are coming together for the birth of the first true Britons. Excalibur is born. If you enjoyed all the battles,weapons,politics and religion in the first of the Camulod Chronicles, you won't be disappointed here. The story remains "real" while blending the myth of the Authurian legend within these pages.
Rating:
Summary: Far less of a book than "The Skystone"
Review: It is sad when a great premise, such as the Camulod Chronicles, falls far short of its potential. The first book in this series, The Skysone, is a good historical novel. The series exploits an imaginative premise - the fall of the Roman Empire in England and the roots of the Arthurian legends. The Skystone develops some great characters, and adds a good foundation of historical background. Unfortunately, The Singing Sword, singularly fails to exploit the potential of the plot line developed in The Skystone. Instead of describing and developing the Celts and the merging of the Roman and Celtic cultures, it dwells primarily on a one-dimensional struggle of good and evil (interlaced with pointless sexual digressions). The resurrected bad guy is a pale imitation of Hannibal Lecter. Publius (the hero) is alternatively wise and bumbling, and willingly participates in completely senseless actions. The carefully developed supporting characters are also wasted. Too bad. The potential for a great historical/fantasy fiction blend is enormous for this series. I hope the next book is better, but I will definitely wait for some serious reviews before I buy it
Rating:
Summary: Whyte shifts gears for the second installment of his series.
Review: Jack Whyte changes the focus of the Camulod Chronicles in The Singing Sword. Readers of The Skystone witnessed the results of years of research into the livestyles and military tactics of the Roman occupants of fifth century Britain. For those expecting more of the same, Whyte's second novel may disapoint. This feeling shouldn't last, however, as the reader realizes just what The Singing Sword is: an exposition and analysis of the trials and tribulations of the occupants of the colony of a dying empire. The characters of Publius Varrus and Caius Brittanicus will strike many as being ancient equivilants of America's own forefathers. This observation only comes to mind in the second novel, because the withdrawal of Rome's forces is so much closer to occuring. The happy-go-lucky soldiering of Book I is gone. It is replaced by familial responsibilty, political jostling for the sake of the new colony, and the introduction of the next generation of characters. Readers are able to witness firsthand the many temptations of Varrus which result in failures and victories both unabashedly. The Singing Sword does not provide the startling discoveries that Varrus and Brittanicus found in The Skystone, but the view into their psyches is a worthwhile device for bringing us the tranisition into the anarchy which should follow
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: 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: Even better than The Skystone!
Review: Jack Whyte continues to reveal the depths of the characters fans of The Skystone have come to love. The Singing Sword is far more disturbing, but ultimately more insightful than its predecessor. A rich tale, and an excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: A storyteller above all
Review: Never have I read a book as compelling as the Singing Sword, although The Skystone stands second in line. Whyte keeps you glued to the story with his believable characters and stunning realism.The best Arthurian book so far.
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