The Skystone: The Camulod Chronicles

From Publishers Weekly
The primacy of ideas over characterization?a hallmark of (John) Campbellian science fiction?distinguishes Modesitt's current novel from his popular Recluse series and the delightful Of Tangible Ghosts. Trystin Desoll is a young Eco-Tech officer who is fighting two enemies: the opposing Revenant forces, and the prejudice of his own people against his looks, which are more rev than Eco-Tech. Employing his impressive wits and skills, he creates innovative solutions to each, ultimately devising a ploy aimed at ending the war by using the Revenants' faith-based culture. All this is potentially interesting, but Modesitt leaves too much unsaid (e.g., the reason for the interstellar war). Trystin is too stolid a character as well, barely reacting as several family members, friends and lovers are lost or forgotten. Modesitt is capable of turning out provocative, entertaining SF?but this, despite some good ideas, isn't that. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
During the days of the decaying Roman Empire, the legions of Britain struggle to preserve the ancient principles of loyalty and discipline-virtues embodied in the Roman general Caius Britannicus and his friend Publius Varrus, an ex-soldier turned ironsmith. Whyte re-creates the turbulence and uncertainty that marked fifth-century Britain and provides a possible origin for one of the greatest artifacts of Arthurian myth-the legendary sword Excalibur. Strong characters and fastidious attention to detail make this a good choice for most libraries and a sure draw for fans of the Arthurian cycle.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
"From the building blocks of history and the mortar of reality, Jack Whyte has built Arthur's world, and showed us the bone beneath the flesh of legend."-Diana Gabaldon

"Jack Whyte is a master storyteller . . . . Wyte breathes life into the Arthurian myths by weaving the reality of history into them."-Tony Hillerman

"I loved the book. It was an extraordinary story, totally original and clearly there is a lot more excitement to come in the upcoming volumes."-Rosamunde Pilcher



Book Description
Everyone knows the story-how Arthur pulled the sword from the stone, how Camelot came to be, and about the power struggles that ultimately destroyed Arthur's dreams. But what of the time before Arthur and the forces that created him?

How did the legend really come to pass?

Before the time of Arthur and his Camelot, Britain was a dark and deadly place, savaged by warring factions of Picts, Celts, and invading Saxons. The Roman citizens who had lived there for generations were suddenly faced with a deadly choice: Should they leave and take up residence in a corrupt Roman world that was utterly foreign, or should they stay and face the madness that would ensue when Britain's last bastion of safety for the civilized, the Roman legions, left?

For two Romans, Publius Varrus and his friend Caius Britannicus, there can be only one answer. They will stay, to preserve what is best of Roman life, and will create a new culture out of the wreckage. In doing so, they will unknowingly plant the seeds of legend-for these two men are Arthur's great-grandfathers, and their actions will shape a nation . . . and forge a sword known as Excalibur.



From the Publisher
Praise for Jack Whyte and The Camulod Chronicles: "Jack Whyte is a master storyteller.... Whyte breathes life into the Arthurian myths by weaving the reality of history into them." --Tony Hillerman "From the building blocks of history and the mortar of reality, Jack Whyte has built Arthur's world and showed us the bone beneath the flesh of legend." --Diana Gabaldon "An extraordinary story, totally original, and clearly there is a lot more excitement to come in the upcoming volumes." --Rosamunde Pilcher


About the Author
Jack Whyte is a Scots-born, award-winning Canadian author whose poem, The Faceless One, was featured at the 1991 New York Film Festival. The Camulod Chronicles is his greatest work, a stunning retelling of one of our greatest legends: the making of King Arthur’s Britain. He lives in British Columbia, Canada.



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367 A.D. The empire is falling. The legions of Rome are in retreat. The green and pleasant lands of Britain have become a dark and deadly killing ground. It is a time that breeds treachery in some men and greatness in others. This is the rich and rousing story of Gaius Publius Varrus, one of the finest soldiers ever to fight under the eagles of Rome. He is among the first to see the truth, that Britain must fend for itself in an increasingly savage world. As the empire tears itself apart, Varrus makes a fateful decision - to turn his back on Rome and strive to preserve civilization in Britain. With the great love of his life, the beautiful, untamed noblewoman Luceiia, who is every inch his match in strength, pride, and burning passion, Varrus will rekindle the dying flame of honor and justice and found a dynasty that will change the course of history. And from a stone that fell from the sky, he will forge the sword known as Excalibur and plant the seeds of a legend.


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