The Saxon Shore

Rating:
Summary: Very ordinary
Review: I'm astounded by those who rate this book five stars. Whyte has created an interesting approach to the Arthurian legend in placing it within a remnant of Roman Britain but the writing is at best ordinary and, at least this particular book, needs significant editing. (At over 700 pages this one just drags on and on.)

I keep reading the series because I enjoy variations on the legend and Whyte may have created something more historically "accurate" than any of the other authors but I don't recommend The Saxon Shore to anyone other than Arthur junkies. Certainly reviews here that claim this is five star literature are overblown.

Rating:
Summary: Very ordinary
Review: I'm astounded by those who rate this book five stars. Whyte has created an interesting approach to the Arthurian legend in placing it within a remnant of Roman Britain but the writing is at best ordinary and, at least this particular book, needs significant editing. (At over 700 pages this one just drags on and on.)

I keep reading the series because I enjoy variations on the legend and Whyte may have created something more historically "accurate" than any of the other authors but I don't recommend The Saxon Shore to anyone other than Arthur junkies. Certainly reviews here that claim this is five star literature are overblown.

Rating:
Summary: Even worse than Whyte's previous efforts
Review: If you liked Whyte's previous sophomoric efforts, you'll love this. In addition to being the same dumb, hackneyed story lines and stock characters we are used to from the previous books, this one has the additional feeling of being pure filler: in no real way does the story get advanced. Arthur begins as a baby, and ends as a small boy. There are adventures, but nothing important happens. As usual, in Whyte's books, the bad guys are left alive so they can sneak up and do new evil, and as usual the bad guys are pure plot devices and in no way characters. With all the (totally ahistorical) democratic rhetoric, Merlin's brother shows up out of nowhere and they immediately hand him half the power in Camelot. Anyone who would read this, I guess, has already read the previous lame offerings in this series and doesn't object to laughably boring plots which rely heavily on coincidence, caricatures who never grow or change, and historical detail that sounds like it comes from a museum brochure rather than any real scholarship. So go for it. But please, if you want something exciting that will also make you think, look at the really good Arthurian efforts out there--Gillian Brandshaw, A.A. Attanasio, or Barbara Taylor Bradford to name just a very few...

Rating:
Summary: Even worse than Whyte's previous efforts
Review: If you liked Whyte's previous sophomoric efforts, you'll love this. In addition to being the same dumb, hackneyed story lines and stock characters we are used to from the previous books, this one has the additional feeling of being pure filler: in no real way does the story get advanced. Arthur begins as a baby, and ends as a small boy. There are adventures, but nothing important happens. As usual, in Whyte's books, the bad guys are left alive so they can sneak up and do new evil, and as usual the bad guys are pure plot devices and in no way characters. With all the (totally ahistorical) democratic rhetoric, Merlin's brother shows up out of nowhere and they immediately hand him half the power in Camelot. Anyone who would read this, I guess, has already read the previous lame offerings in this series and doesn't object to laughably boring plots which rely heavily on coincidence, caricatures who never grow or change, and historical detail that sounds like it comes from a museum brochure rather than any real scholarship. So go for it. But please, if you want something exciting that will also make you think, look at the really good Arthurian efforts out there--Gillian Brandshaw, A.A. Attanasio, or Barbara Taylor Bradford to name just a very few...

Rating:
Summary: Whyte light shines through holes in old story.
Review: If you're looking for a history lesson, you shouldn't be reading Aurtharian tales in the first place. If it's epic, high-adventure, in a realistic setting you crave then you'll be satiated. Jack Whyte's re-telling of the dusty legend brings life and color to an other-wise "dark age." He beautifully, and sometimes starkly, synthesizes the historical and mythical tales. The result is a marathon, page-turning session which leaves one on the edge of his seat.

Rating:
Summary: Lets all believe in not only the heros, but thier virtues
Review: In response to [e-mail] from Santa Barbara, CA, USA , November 29, 1998 The Great Train Wreck continues...

As a reader for the purpose of relaxation and enjoyment Jack Whyte has given me a world I can escape to. Jack provides a feeling of plausibility that makes me feel that I am not merely letting imagination fly, but rather exercising my imagination, to explore the possibility that legends could be based on a foundation of some factual events.

Any criticism as you have vented here, is no more than weak verbal attack as would be made in a school yard spat. True constructive criticism requires a strong backing of counter evidence to show why and how the failings have occurred. To simply state that one is wrong or inadequate, without providing substantiated reasoning, places the accuser in the position of fighting with emotion rather than fact.

Jack has opened our minds to the fact that entertainment can also be a learning experience. One can challenge our selves to believe without straying to fantasy or far out science fiction. We can question the dismissal of old legends as pure fantasy. If in fact we can once again believe in that fact that the heros of legend might have been real people, maybe their virtues could also have been real. These virtues are something that all of us need an ability to revive once again.

Rating:
Summary: Supposedly not yet published, we have already read it!
Review: Jack Whyte is a master historian and imaginative creator of Arthurian legend as it could have actually been. Despite its lack of conventional sorcery and wizardary, it is the most magical telling of the tales because of its richness of time, place and people. What we don't understand is why we have to keep ordering the books (available in paperback) from the publisher in Canada?

Rating:
Summary: The Once and Future King Lives Again
Review: Jack Whyte's chronicles get better as they continue. The Roman history is a fascinating read and is easy to follow for anyone not familiar with the Roman conquests and traditions. The continuing adventures of Caius,Lucanus,Connor, Shelagh, and their charges , their friends and their enemies, continues. Jack Whyte weaves a tale of mystery, history, and reality in a DICKENEST fashion. His characters are unforgettable and it will be a sad day for me when I complete the Chronicles. What a set of films these stories would make. I can see all of my heroes and their adventures in my mind, the character descriptions are so vivid. I mourned the death of Caius and of Varrus and of Picus as I would mourn the death of any close friend. The memories created by the Camulod Chronicles will be with me to the end of my days!

Rating:
Summary: A lot to chew on - still want more
Review: Just finished it last night and as usual, I can't wait to find out what happens next. The characters have soul and depth. The various side plots are fascinating, as is the historical content. I particularly like Mr. Whyte's descriptions of the environment his characters are in. A real 'you are here' feeling.

Excellent. Ready for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!! Now we want more.
Review: This book completely holds up the tone and detail of the first three books. I find that I am more involved with the arthurian tale than ever before. With it's basis in what really may have happened it is more beleivable and accesable than many other tales. Also it is very exciting and for as many books as it may take it is incredibly fast paced.