The Skystone

Well-written, couldn't put it down. Starts in last days of Roman empire in Britain. Main characters are Romans born in Britain who have served together in Roman Army for years and developed deep respect and friendship for each other. These 2 are the great-grandfathers of Arthur. Action, a touch of romance.

Reads like an adventure novel, but what an enjoyable way to learn so much historical fact.

I recommend this book for the rich and colorful depiction of Britain during the 5th century, as well as for providing an intelligent version of Arthurian beginnings. Full Review: Having read just about every version of the Arthurian legend, I picked up Jack Whyte's book: The Skystone, hoping to find something more definitive and less magical. What I discovered, was an extremely well written and historically fascinating look at 5th century life in Roman occupied Britain. Whyte did his homework, and it shows in so many ways. Not only does he evince a formidable knowledge and understanding of Rome's military men, but also of the impact the Empire had on the entire known world. His explanation for the sword Excalibur's beginnings makes sense, and includes magic-if only for the way it appeared to primitive eyes. Whyte, like another author, Colleen McCullough, takes no shortcuts, nor opts for facile answers to the legend of Arthur, and the birth of Camelot. Instead, he patiently builds, step by step, a plausible yet highly entertaining historical setting. General Caius Brittanicus is a brilliant and highly decorated Roman man, who was born in Britain. A man of deep insight and wisdom, he forsees the collapse of the Roman Empire. When not on campaign for Rome, he lives with his wife, children and widowed sister Luceia. Publius Varro is General Brittanicus' Primus Pilus, or senior aide. Their fortunes are inextricably entwined, and how the two of them grow deep in love and respect for one another, is the main thrust of the first book. Varro, has a blade fashioned from what his grandfather described as a skystone. This sword has a sheen, and luster ordinary iron doesn't possess, and is much stronger than even bronze. Yet Publius has no idea where to find more of this strange metal. When he finally does find it, the answer fulfills many empty spaces left by less gifted writers. The battle scenes are interesting, even to those of us who might ordinarily find them boring, mainly due to Whyte's deft handling of Roman military tactics. The enmities that develop through the events in this book, prove to have far reaching and unforeseen consequences. The Skystone comes with a glossary, a pronunciation guide and maps of Britain, which prove helpful throughout the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its interesting and deep characters, all drawn with a loving hand, that understands human nature in all its dimensions so well. I recommend starting with The Skystone and reading the entire series. You'll be delighted and totally enmeshed in Jack Whyte's version of Arthurian times.

The novels in this series are not the escapist fantasies that many associate with the Arthurian legends. They are, in fact, historical fiction at its best. Whyte has gone to great lengths to not only ensure historical accuracy, but to weave the stories into historic events. The first six novels in the series (that is all I have read, though it appears that there are two or three more) give a wonderfully plausible explaination for the genesis of the Arthurian legend. But the beauty of the books is in Whyte's prose. A Scottish poet, he uses the language beautifully and creates characters so vivid and multidimensional that we forget the 1600 between their time and ours. These books will not insult your intelligence, and they prove that one does not need to suspend the laws of physics or distort the facts of history to find magic in the Arthurian legend.

I picked up and started reading Whyte's 4th book in this series, "The Saxon Shore", before realizing it was a series. Naturally, I've now had to start at the beginning with "Skystone", and admit I did so with some trepidation, fearing that this book may not be as good. My fears were needless. "Skystone" does not dissapoint. I won't get into character development, depth, blah-blah-blah in my review, because I don't care about that. I love to read and I want to be entertained. I enjoy historical fiction because it is interesting to see other people's prospectives and theories on the occurances of historical events. When I read fiction, I know right off the bat there will be a certain amount of artistic license taken by the author. Go to it! Entertain me!Some of the reviews of this book on this forum really beat up Jack Whyte for not being precisely historically accurate. Excuse me, but doesn't fiction mean something invented by the imagination? Where in the rule book does it say an author's historical details must be 100% correct to write a book classified as "historical fiction?" The book wasn't intended to be a textbook. If I wanted accurate historical detail of the Romans and the Britons in the 4th and 5th century, I would read non-fiction. I prefer an interesting and entertaining story with some basis in history. If I am troubled by inaccurate details, I will write my own story, and let Jack Whyte write his. Thank you, Jack Whyte, for exploring in such depth and sharing your ideas and theories on the most fantastic of legends, Camelot!

This book is incredible! I'm not usually a fan of violence or explicit sex, but who could resist such a great story teller and incredible characters.With Publious' convictions for killing, Luceeia's fight for women's rights and Cauis' almost insane, yet victorious ideas I could not resist this book. Day in and day out I felt compelled to read another page, another chapter. The battle sequences soars your imagination to another time and place. His take on the Lady of the Lake and where the metal for Excalibur came from are nice touches. Every once in a while Whyte takes a momment to remind you of how advanced we really are. For example, Publious is excited that they have found wine skins that don't leak or instead of using soap they sit in steam baths and use heavy perfumes. In all The Skystone is a real page turner. Everyone I passed the book along to loved it. The great thing is the story gets even better with The Singing Sword.