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righteousridel's review against another edition
3.0
A Biography of a Roman... with a dash of Arthurian Legends
I wish The Skystone wasn't advertised as related to Arthurian Legends, as a story about the transition from Roman to local rule in Britain set in the late 4th century is equally enticing. The back of the book is accurate for once and I regret not paying more attention. When viewed as a piece of historical fiction about one competent, intelligent and well-connected individual set in the dying days of the Roman Empire, this novel tells quite an enjoyable story.
Unfortunately, the novel feels dated -- it's written in a meandering fashion that is more biography than story. There's little in the way of an overarching plot. The only consistency is that the next chapter will see Publius Varrus being a bit older. I prefer novels that give me something to think about at all times, or to build tension dreading what the antagonists are planning. This is not what Jack Whyte intended to write so this is a me-problem.
Also: Roman doomsday preppers. It's hard not to be creeped out.
If you're a Roman Empire fan, and someone who enjoys the minuate about how things were made, objects traded and economies functioned, then this is definitely the novel for you. Even if you aren't, the novel is an easy read, with a cast of (overly) likeable characters and little in the way of adversaries (or even people being hostile). If that's what you're looking for in a novel, this is great for you.
Recommended with the above reservations.
I wish The Skystone wasn't advertised as related to Arthurian Legends, as a story about the transition from Roman to local rule in Britain set in the late 4th century is equally enticing. The back of the book is accurate for once and I regret not paying more attention. When viewed as a piece of historical fiction about one competent, intelligent and well-connected individual set in the dying days of the Roman Empire, this novel tells quite an enjoyable story.
Unfortunately, the novel feels dated -- it's written in a meandering fashion that is more biography than story. There's little in the way of an overarching plot. The only consistency is that the next chapter will see Publius Varrus being a bit older. I prefer novels that give me something to think about at all times, or to build tension dreading what the antagonists are planning. This is not what Jack Whyte intended to write so this is a me-problem.
Also: Roman doomsday preppers. It's hard not to be creeped out.
If you're a Roman Empire fan, and someone who enjoys the minuate about how things were made, objects traded and economies functioned, then this is definitely the novel for you. Even if you aren't, the novel is an easy read, with a cast of (overly) likeable characters and little in the way of adversaries (or even people being hostile). If that's what you're looking for in a novel, this is great for you.
Recommended with the above reservations.
captainsillypants's review against another edition
4.0
This was definitely an interesting take on the story before the Arthurian legends. It's amusing to piece together what Whyte is creating as the back story to Camelot, the Pendragon clan and Excaliber, add in the various little historical accuracies and it makes for a good read.
raggedyme's review against another edition
5.0
Epic. I loved this book so much that I'm sad it's finished. Luckily, there are 8 more!
velocitygirl14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
odonatakytes's review against another edition
4.0
I was not expecting this book to be so easy to read. It felt like I was on an adventure. Great characters. You can really feel the camaraderie between them and the care that they have for each other. In some parts the tension was almost palpable, which makes the book exciting and not an entirely chill read.
thomas_hense's review against another edition
5.0
I just finished The Skystone by Jack Whyte. It is described on Amazon as historical fantasy, but there is no aspect of fantasy. This is historical fiction at its best!
The story is told by Publius Varras and his history during the Roman withdrawal from Britain.
Jack Whyte's prose is absolutely beautiful and characters are vivid and multidimensional. He has also gone to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy. An absolute joy to read.
The story is told by Publius Varras and his history during the Roman withdrawal from Britain.
Jack Whyte's prose is absolutely beautiful and characters are vivid and multidimensional. He has also gone to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy. An absolute joy to read.
zena_ryder's review against another edition
3.0
Somehow, I liked this book despite its flaws. The book is straightforwardly written and is all about the plot. The characters are not particularly vivid, it’s very rarely emotionally evocative, and the writing is mediocre. For example, there is plenty of clumsy dialogue that is used to convey background information to the reader who may not have the necessary historical knowledge regarding Britain and the Roman empire in the late fourth century. But, given my own relative ignorance of the history, I did appreciate the background information while at the same time recognizing the clumsiness with which it was conveyed. If you are knowledgeable about the history, I expect this book would annoy you with its pedantic and poorly disguised history lessons.
I do have the second book in the series and I would like to continue to follow this fictional saga of the origins of the Round Table and the coronation of King Arthur — when I next feel like reading something exceptionally undemanding and purely based on plot.
I do have the second book in the series and I would like to continue to follow this fictional saga of the origins of the Round Table and the coronation of King Arthur — when I next feel like reading something exceptionally undemanding and purely based on plot.
receptnababovku's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25