Rating: 
Summary: better than his other work
Review: I had tried to read his other books with arthurian themes and had thought them wide of the mark, but this book hits the nail on the head. An unusual hero who thrives in all the most facinating places of a facinating time. A terrific depiction of viking hubris and humor.
Rating: 
Summary: Read this book. Period.
Review: This is a splendid book by a splendid author. Aidan, an enthusiastic monk with whom we can all identify at some point, has a dream which foretells his death in Byzantium. Yet he undertakes a perilous journey there, with a few unplanned stops along the way, and learns quite a lot about himself, his fellow man, and his faith. "Losing faith in a childish understanding of God is not the same thing as losing faith in God;" in the same way, Aidan realizes that his former beliefs weren't wrong, they just didn't go far enough. This is a fabulous book on both an adventurous and a spiritual level, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the time period or in the issues discussed therein.
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Summary: An incredible "historical" adventure filled with pizazz!!!
Review: Stephen Lawhead has don it again! This epic begins with Aidan, a young nobleman monk, dreaming of his destiny. Instantly, you are captivated by the desires of this young monk and his quest to identify his true role in life. As doubt and confusion cloud his way, Aidan begins the most vibrant days of his life on a sacred journey to Byzantium. You cannot put this story down even if you want to! One of the best historical fiction books written in a long time. Aidan's adventures become your own while both you and he search life for direction and truth. Well done.
Rating: 
Summary: A real disappointment...
Review: I love this kind of stuff & grabbed the book eagerly as soon as I saw it in the stores. Shouldn't have bothered. The concept is intriguing and some of the writing seemed very fresh but the tale is told badly via a plot which is unwieldy, full of unlikely coincidences, & strained credulity to the utmost as our hero, on a journey to deliver a precious church manuscript to the Emperor of Byzantium, gets kidnapped by vikings, becomes their slave & friend, travels w/them via Russia's rivers (the Varangian Way) to Byzantium afterall, etc. Confronted by the immensity of that ancient city, the vikings decide to sign on w/the Emperor rather than undertake a sacking of the town (wise move) , only to be sucked into a "byzantine" plot to precipitate a crisis between the Byzantines & the Arab Caliphate. Our hero & his viking friends get betrayed & enslaved in an Arab silver mine, but the little monk is serendipitously rescued & becomes the favorite & confidante of a noble emir. Losing his faith, our hero @ last finds it again after the disillusionment of his ordeal & the temptations of the flesh which follow. The vikings seem just too good hearted, the Byzantines & their city too unrealized, and the Arabs too noble & too evil by turns. The monks themselves never come to life either. I don't see how this book merited the good reviews shown elsewhere on this page. It is a real laggard among historical novels, so far as I can tell. --- Stuart W. Mirsk
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Summary: History presented as fantasy
Review: Although the author seems uninterested in our knowing it, this book is the story of Saint Aidan, a ninth century Irish monk who spread Christianity to Scandanavia. The author never says when the story takes place until about two-thirds of the way through the book when he indicates that the Emperor of Byzantium, Basil, died in 879AD. I liked the book immensely. Once you get past the first 100 pages or so, it's a real page turner with the description of the Vikings especially compelling. They are the most memorable characters in the book with their irrespressable enthusiasm, overt love of wealth, and overall ability to take life as it comes and really enjoy themselves
Rating:
Summary: A splendid, well-written, insightful historical novel
Review: Stephen Lawhead has written a beautiful book. He has woven an appropriately Byzantine plot around the story of a pilgrimage gone awry. The essential elements of the plot are negligible compared to the wonderful and remarkably realistic characters, settings, and struggles of the characters. The central character, Aidan, struggles mightily with some of the questions of faith and God that sometimes beset all of us. And while the end seems a bit abrupt, it is all telegraphed throughout, so that it is also inevitable. I wish I had a dozen more like this to read every year
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Summary: Best Historical Fiction Novel of the Year!
Review: Extremely well written. This was one of the best books I've read all year (as a bookstore manager I read about a book a week)! I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well crafted historical fiction
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Summary: A great story of how faith is tested and lived every day.
Review: Lawhead is one of my favorite authors & BYZANTIUM is one of his best. He tells the story of Aidan, a scribe from an Irish monastery, who is chosen to go present a manuscript to the Emperor of all Christendom. As Aidan's journey meets unexpected twists and tragedies, his faith is tested. His struggles,both physical and spiritual, make for an exciting read that is both realistic and encouraging
Rating:
Summary: Indiana Jones with a Message
Review: A rare combination these days: a well written, epic adventure, historical fiction all with spiritual insight. Although the dialogue seems a bit thin at times, Lawhead's depictions of various Middle Age cultures are marvelous. Though one may suspect the conclusion of Aidan's spiritual journey, nevertheless the ending and the epiloge hit one with the force of a sledgehammer. One can only hope this turns into the next Hollywood blockbuster
Rating:
Summary: The best Christian fiction I have ever read.
Review: I have read all or part of most of Lawhead's books. I usuallyreach a certain point and get disappointed with his craft. But with"Byzantium" he has written something far above all his other efforts. It is a thing of beauty. Truly Lawhead's writing has reached the level of brilliance that it hints at in his other books. I've read many of the books that are supposed to be good Christian fiction. Let's face it, it's mostly junk. I can say that because I'm a Christian author. And a reader of Christian fiction. I read Peretti's "The Oath" and liked it (I'd give it a 7), but it's nothing close to this epic story. "Byzantium" beguiles from start to finish. I never once correctly predicted how the story would flow. Completely enjoyable. Without doubt, "Byzantium" is the best Christian fiction out there. I aspire to write like Lawhead did in this book.
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