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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Overall, this book was enjoyable, though the beginning of it was a bit slow with a lot of backstory, and several slightly confusing flashbacks. Though, I guess the backstory was needed to set the scene, and once that was set, it flowed in a much more linear fashion, which I found better for the story even though the pace was definitely on the slower end.
I did like the character of Publius Varrus and found him sympathetic, likable, and generally somebody I could identify with. additionally, it does a good job setting the stage for the Aurthurian legend to begin, though it definitely takes its time doing that. I’m not sure how many of the books I’d want to read if they all seem to go this slow, but I did like this kind of Arthur/Camelot origin story.
There were two main negatives of this book that detracted a bit from the overall pace and flow of the story.
The first one is probably a product of its time, both the setting of the book in Roman Britain, and also the decade in which it was written (early-00s). This was Publius’s relationship with his main love interest. The whole “love at first sight,” “her beauty made me love her,” “I will give up a decade of friendship for the love that I’ve only known a short time” trite garbage. This is not romantic. This is obsession and a little creepy and definitely written by a guy. But it was a small part in the book overall so I guess it’s forgiven.
The next drawback was Publius’s actions at the end of the book. It didn’t seem like he grew much from the middle conflict that kicked off the second half of the book. And while I was disappointed in that lack of growth, I realize later it could be meant as a tragic arc where the character doesn’t learn anything until the very end. However, it did seem to leave a cliffhanger in his reaction at the end where, rather than being satisfied, he realize that he effed up. I suppose there’s a second book that maybe will deal with this more, so I guess I have to reserve my judgment until I read that one.
I did like the character of Publius Varrus and found him sympathetic, likable, and generally somebody I could identify with. additionally, it does a good job setting the stage for the Aurthurian legend to begin, though it definitely takes its time doing that. I’m not sure how many of the books I’d want to read if they all seem to go this slow, but I did like this kind of Arthur/Camelot origin story.
There were two main negatives of this book that detracted a bit from the overall pace and flow of the story.
The first one is probably a product of its time, both the setting of the book in Roman Britain, and also the decade in which it was written (early-00s). This was Publius’s relationship with his main love interest. The whole “love at first sight,” “her beauty made me love her,” “I will give up a decade of friendship for the love that I’ve only known a short time” trite garbage. This is not romantic. This is obsession and a little creepy and definitely written by a guy. But it was a small part in the book overall so I guess it’s forgiven.
The next drawback was Publius’s actions at the end of the book. It didn’t seem like he grew much from the middle conflict that kicked off the second half of the book. And while I was disappointed in that lack of growth, I realize later it could be meant as a tragic arc where the character doesn’t learn anything until the very end. However, it did seem to leave a cliffhanger in his reaction at the end where, rather than being satisfied, he realize that he effed up. I suppose there’s a second book that maybe will deal with this more, so I guess I have to reserve my judgment until I read that one.
When I stumbled upon Jack Whyte's nine-volume Arthurian chronicle in a secondhand book shop, I was surprised it existed at all. No doubt there are as yet retellings unfamiliar to me, but for an undertaking of this scope to escape my notice could mean only one thing: it was probably crap. Bearing this in mind, but with a curiosity-fueled yearning to escape my own mortal coil for the hills of Old Britannia, I restrained myself to leave with only the first volume, and tried to look forward to what might lay in store.
Regrettably, caution proved the better part of my optimism, and I scarcely made it halfway through the book before dropping it. Mr. Whyte has an evident appreciation for Roman history, but it is not enough to save this book from plodding plotting, dull men, cardboard women, and some frankly bizarre writing quirks. What possesses a man to nest past-tense narratives three deep within his first ten pages? Why cripple your protagonist from the outset if it poses no lasting physical or psychological challenges? And what is with the delusional sexual conquests and suspiciously closeted homophobia?
If you desire a more "historical" Arthur, I suggest you look to Mary Stewart's Crystal Cave series. I have also heard great things about The Warlord Chronicles. Camulod, alas, I can only recommend remain on the shelf.
This is an excellent historical fiction. Learned a lot about the Romans in Britain. Really enjoyed the story. On to the next in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This was a reread, but I hadn't read it in ages, so it was a worthwhile one.
I always loved these books - Whyte's Colony makes me happy, and since I was reading this concurrently with listening to Mists of Avalon (a completely different take on the Arthurian legend) it's fun to see how the same source material is treated so very differently.
Whyte's Colony is very misogynistic, though. There are only a handful of female characters, and they are explicitly either Mothers or Whores. He's also quite explicitly homophobic.
Despite these flaws, though, the story is fabulous.
I always loved these books - Whyte's Colony makes me happy, and since I was reading this concurrently with listening to Mists of Avalon (a completely different take on the Arthurian legend) it's fun to see how the same source material is treated so very differently.
Whyte's Colony is very misogynistic, though. There are only a handful of female characters, and they are explicitly either Mothers or Whores. He's also quite explicitly homophobic.
Despite these flaws, though, the story is fabulous.
At least so far the series is historical fiction not fantasy. I was surprised when I started a series about Arthurian legend and it was about the latter days of the Roman occupation. The closer to the end, the more you could see where it was going. I met the author (who is very well-known) in Washington State at a signing for Diana Gabaldon and I know she admires his work.
Did not finish this book. I found it to be misogynistic and homophobic.
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first book in the Camludd Chronicles is decent, not great, featuring unnecessary forays into the main character's sexual struggles while attempting to set the stage for the rise of Arthur in a post Rome Britain.