Basileus

Rating:
Summary: Basileus good read
Review: There are a lot of good books, but every once in a while I come
across one that really stands out. "Basileus" is one such book.
A fast moving plot deftly weaving through strands of historical background, finely honed characters brought to life before us, and spellbinding action leave us gasping and applauding. Who would ever forget the Emperor Theodosios, the Empress Mother Ekoterina, the Princess Maria, the Princess Yadsimeh, and a host of other characters who walk into our hearts? Come along on a journey that reaches the stars and be filled with wonder and longing.

Rating:
Summary: Basileus good read
Review: There are a lot of good books, but every once in a while I come
across one that really stands out. "Basileus" is one such book.
A fast moving plot deftly weaving through strands of historical background, finely honed characters brought to life before us, and spellbinding action leave us gasping and applauding. Who would ever forget the Emperor Theodosios, the Empress Mother Ekoterina, the Princess Maria, the Princess Yadsimeh, and a host of other characters who walk into our hearts? Come along on a journey that reaches the stars and be filled with wonder and longing.

Rating:
Summary: Fair effort for a first book
Review: This is a fair book by first time author Philip Marlin but it's not all that it could've been. The premise is interesting and Marlin lays up the setting well. Having said that the writing is slow and sometimes plodding, specially the first 2/3 of the book. The characters are too one dimentional and go through the book acting as people from the 20th century would act instead of the 11th. Frankly, this book reminds me of the last book of eric flint's Belisarius series but without the action. In that book the characters also mosey on down as if everything was predestined. Lets hope that Marlin next book will have a little more depth. I mean who has ever heard of a byzantine court with out at least one little plot behind the emperor's back?