The Singing Sword : The Dream of Eagles, Volume 2

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.

Rating:
Summary: More of the King Arthur History With More To Come
Review: When promised a history of King Arthur, some readers may expect the story in one book. If that's the case, don't bother with this series. If you're interested in King Arthur and, more importantly, the legends that surround him, pick up The Singing Sword and the previous installment The Skystone and start reading. You'll get the history you've been looking for and one heck of a story to go with it.

Rating:
Summary: Whyte strikes again
Review: While not the "Grabber" that The Skysone was, Whyte has managed a solid second book in what must now be considered an ongoing series leading up to, and including, the Arthurian period. Traditionally, second books in a series seem to fall short of the first, but Whyte's The Singing Sword does not miss by much. He is historically accurate, bringing in actual events like the Pelagian heresy, the final withdrawal of the legions from Britain in the early Fifth century, and the tangled succession crisis of a divided empire. Whyte's long suit is character development and his ability to create flawed human beings with which the reader can identify. Also, the book moves along with plenty of action to propel the story forward. Critics may argue that Whyte places the genesis of the Arthurian period too early, but there is no solid historical basis to the contrary. Whether neo-Roman, Celt, tribal Briton, or some combination of all, we can only speculate about whom Arthur's ancestors may have been. Whyte's explanation is plausible. The Singing Sword is an excellent "bridge" to The Eagle's Brood. Thanks to Jack Whyte for a first rate "read". [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Whyte strikes again
Review: While not the "Grabber" that The Skysone was, Whyte has managed a solid second book in what must now be considered an ongoing series leading up to, and including, the Arthurian period. Traditionally, second books in a series seem to fall short of the first, but Whyte's The Singing Sword does not miss by much. He is historically accurate, bringing in actual events like the Pelagian heresy, the final withdrawal of the legions from Britain in the early Fifth century, and the tangled succession crisis of a divided empire. Whyte's long suit is character development and his ability to create flawed human beings with which the reader can identify. Also, the book moves along with plenty of action to propel the story forward. Critics may argue that Whyte places the genesis of the Arthurian period too early, but there is no solid historical basis to the contrary. Whether neo-Roman, Celt, tribal Briton, or some combination of all, we can only speculate about whom Arthur's ancestors may have been. Whyte's explanation is plausible. The Singing Sword is an excellent "bridge" to The Eagle's Brood. Thanks to Jack Whyte for a first rate "read". [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Even worse than the first...
Review: Whyte is back again writing his sad attempts at historical fiction without understanding history, legends, or even basic logistics. How can The Colony hide? There must be well over 3000 people, apparently better armed than anyone else in the district, and yet they are so sneaky no on realizes that they are there. On top of this the writing comes from the "one damn thing after another school"; there is no organic plot flow, but only happenstance strung together hamfistedly, with occaisional perverse sex scenes to spice matters up. The man must still be writing more because, even after two books, he has yet to introduce Arthur. I fear the page when the king appears...