Rating: 
Summary: Heart-thumping !
Review: I was awake nights reading after I hit two thirds of the way through the book! The adventures get really exciting once they hit Constantinople and through the end. High adventure, blood-stirring action, men fighting bitter battles, a lot of well-written action sequences with good plot development. However, for the protagonists problem with his Lord to wrap up in one page at the end "problem solved" was a bit ridiculous. But I truly enjoyed the book as a whole and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction and adventure!
Rating: 
Summary: What Great Historical Novels are made of
Review: A fascinating yarn from Lawhead; indeed, the most interesting book I've ever read from him. The main character, Aidan, is well-drawn and very easy for the sincere reader to identify with. Lawhead really knows his stuff on Celtic culture, and Byzantium shows it.Starts slow; but once you get to Vikings, it becomes a roller coaster ride. The tale takes many interesting turns, and there are a few scenes that are absolutely spellbinding. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Good reading
Review: I read this book twice. Not too many books have I read more than once! The first time I read it as purely a fictional adventure. The second time I read it with an eye to the deeper subject of faith. As purely fiction, it is a fast-paced novel. It is historically feasible, but I don't know how accurate it is. When you read it and touch on the issues of faith does this book start to shine. I am in some doubt about some of the authors theology, but he has a firm grasp on the Christian faith. He presents the major character going thru what many people struggle with prior to their rebirth in Christ (I speak as a born-again Christian). How can a God who calls Himself love allow such seemingly needless suffering? Read the book and find out :)
Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: All the previous reviewers have told the story,so I won't repeat it .Just be aware that,if you love historical tales with adventure,romance,murder,treachery and superb descriptions of another time,land,race, architecture and the everyday habits of people,this wonderful book is for you! I gobbled it up faster than a drunk with a bottle of vodka!
Rating:
Summary: At Last, Lawhead comes into his own...
Review: Allright, I have read three of Mr Lawhead's "Pendragon Cycle" and the first of his "Dragon King" books. Aside from MERLIN (a pretty good read), I was not altogether impressed. However, after picking this book up on a whim, I found that I couldn't put it down. The story is rivetting, and characterizations were for the most part fleshed out, neither all good or all evil as was the case in his other books. I see now that those works were merely practice for this awe-inspiring story of faith lost, then found again. I unashamedly give this book a five star review. Mr Lawhead, you have finally come into your own as an author to be reckoned with!
Rating:
Summary: A real maturation
Review: If you were discouraged by any of Lawhead's book before Byzantium, you shall be pleasantly surprised by the scope and strengths that are present in this book that were previously lacking. The story is cleverly wrought together to bring the reader a real sense of journey and adventure through the landscape when Byzantium was flourishing. The characters are also well written and easily likeable, especially the 'Sea Wolves'. It is overall a joyful read, without resorting to the usual themes of sex such as authors like Terry Goodkind.
Rating:
Summary: EPIC!
Review: War and Peace, Ben-Hur, Spartacus, BYZANTIUM. These four belong together. They are all epics, cast of thousands, war-time, character-developing gems of books. I cannot think of a book that has been SO critically acclaimed, and yet not been the blockbuster seller it was promised to be. That doesn't matter, if you read this book, you will have found the publishing industries best kept seceret!
Rating:
Summary: A lengthy, but enjoyable read.
Review: If there is any problem with this book it is its size. I had a hard time getting through it. I am not counting of because this is as much my fault (if not more) than the book's. When finished and after about two years to think about it. IT seems to me to be a grand historic epic in the tradition of War and Peace. It improved my reading skills immensly.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best novels I've ever read
Review: This was the first Stephen Lawhead book I'd ever read. How could I not have known about him earlier? "Byzantium" has everything you could want in a story. Suspense, drama, love, heartbreak, despair, elation, and action. The main character is so well developed that it feels like you're experiencing his emotions right along with him. If you enjoy fantasy or any sort of medieval historical fiction, then you MUST read this book. I cannot imagine that you would be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Lawhead Work!
Review: At nearly 900 pages, this is a monumental work. Having read earlier Lawhead works (Arthur series, Endless Knot series), and been very impressed, I was still dubious of this work initially. After all, I found Pendragon (book 4 of the Arthur series) to be rather, well, average. Fear Not! From beginning to end, Byzantium is Lawhead's single most consummate book. Aidan, the protagonist, is enthralling. If the book has a weakness, it is the rush with which it ends. Considering the excellence of the proceeding 800 (or so) pages, this is a trite complaint.
| 
