The Skystone: The Dream of Eagles Vol. 1

For those who love Arthurian legend and all things Roman... Jack Whyte melds the 2 into a perfectly plausible explanation of the Legend of King Arthur. I would read this series (and the parallel book "Uther" again and again. Well done Mr. Whytet!!

The diary of a Roman soldier in 5th century Britain. From the same author of The Templar Trilogy. Written in a style that makes this diary a great read. We see military strategies, plots, the beginning of the decay of the Roman Empire, and of course some sex thrown in too. A good read.

The Skystone (A Dream of Eagles: Book 1)
by Jack Whyte
Penguin Canada, 1993
620 pages
ISBN: 0-14-017050-2
Mass Market Paperback
Historical Fiction


Centurion Publius Varrus and his General, Caius Britannicus, are on the verge of retirement from the finest fighting unit in the Roman Legion. Publius returns to the trade of his father as a smithy, and then joins Caius to build a defendable and self-sufficient colony in the heart of Britain. Hadrian's wall has been overrun and the Roman Empire is quickly sliding into ruin. Knowing Rome will eventually be forced to withdraw her legions from their island home, both men want to be prepared for the end of the world as they know it. Between the two of them they unknowingly set the stage for an independent Britain and one of the greatest legends of all time: Arthur and his sword Excalibur.

The Skystone is the first of the Camulod Chronicles, now known as A Dream of Eagles. Canadian author, Jack Whyte creates a cast of strong characters whom we meet through the eyes of an aged Publius, who is looking back over a lifetime of unprecedented change during the 5th century A.D.

This fabulous pre-Arthurian tale presents the first plausible explanation of the origins of the Arthurian legend I've ever come across. The names and places and people are all laid out for us in a fascinating depiction of a tumultuous time that made way for the world we know today. From an explanation as to the origins of the Lady of the Lake and the Pendragons, to a foreshadowing of the forging of Excalibur and, amidst it all, the vivid description of the end of an age, Whyte has written an entertaining, moving and unique novel that begins what may come to be accepted as the true story of that time-shrouded figure we all know as King Arthur.

The entire series of A Dream of Eagles is sitting on my shelf, and I can't wait to read each and every book.

Copyright © Clayton Clifford Bye 2009

This book (and series) will make you believe this series of events actually happened. Well written, well researched. An excellent blend of just enough fact to make this fictitous novel an epic and stunning read and the pefect start to a truely epic series.

The word that best describes my experience with Jack Whyte's The Skystone is "languid." I don't want to describe his inaugural Camulod novel as "boring" or "slow" because neither is quite accurate and both carry far too many negative connotations, but Whyte does love to take his time.

And damn!...does he ever take his time. It took nine novels and thirteen years to complete his retelling of the Arthurian legend. This series is NOT for the impatient. Nor is the first book.

Whyte plods and winds his way through the telling of the story of Publius Varrus and Caius Brittanicus. A pair of Roman soldiers stationed in Britain in the dying days of the Roman Empire. They are the men who give birth to the Arthur legend, both literally and figuratively, and it is Varrus who creates the Lady of the Lake -- a statue cast out of the eponymous Skystone -- and eventually, Excalibur.

Jack Whyte is nowhere near the finest writer of his generation, nor even a contender for the finest writer of fantasy-historical fiction, but there is something compelling about his Camulod books, perhaps because they feel possible, and part of that possibility is the languid pace. Nothing happens fast. This is a book of generations. It is a story of time and patience and potential, not a Hollywood action film of the bang-pow here-and-now. A plan like Caius Brittanicus' would take time, and it would take the loyalty of a man like Publius Varrus and the skill of them both to pull it off, but it couldn't happen overnight, and Whyte never lets it.

What The Skystone does well is to make a beginning, to set the stage, to get us ready for everything that is to come so very slowly. Whyte sets himself the task of a beginning, and here, he succeeds very well. By the end of the series the languid pace may be a little too slow; it may actually be a little bit boring, but in The Skystone it is simply languid, and that is the perfect pace to set for a tale the author intends to drag out over a decade of writing.

Don't be afraid to read the books now. They are all there, all ready to be read. But when you are finished, make sure you imagine what it was like to be a faithful reader way back in 1996. Languid they may be, but languid must have been excruciating.

So realistic it actually boggles the mind with details but once read, I confess to reading all the rest in the series. Characters are so real and the plot is so clever it just takes you to another place. Plus it's Canadian!!

I picked up this book for god only knows why and started to read it...i found the beginning ok but then it started to get dull and boring and i lost interest in the story. Then it picked up and i found the struggle to read it was worth it so i continued the series. unless you have an interest in history i don't suggest starting this series at all i got to the third book and stopped

The most powerful prosa writing I ever read about history and sciense fiction at the same time, about
Rome. After you start the book is so dificult to stop.

I'm not usually a fantasy reader, let alone historical fiction, but I thought I would take a chance on this book because it combined Roman History with the legend of King Aurthur. As it stands, I am VERY glad I took that chance, because this was one of the greatest books I have ever read. The story that Whyte sets down leaves you thinking "Wow, this could have been possible!" His characters are so completely described and filled out that you start to think of them as actual historical figures! I have to say, Jack Whyte can really tell a story. So if you enjoy Roman History, and you are intrigued by the legend of King Arthur, read this book, I guarantee you won't regret it.

I first read this book 6 years ago and just recently found a copy of it last month! I loved the book then, and I love it even more now! This book has it all - intriguing characters, action, romance, revenge and more. You will never want to put it down! Curl up in an armchair next to your fireplace and engross yourself in Whyte's detailed Roman world and how Roman Britain was the precursor to the king we know as Arthur. A must-read!

This is volume one of the Camulod Chronicles. A retired centurion, now an ironsmith, finds the secret of the mysterious ore-bearing stones that fell "from the sky". This forges a link to a legend born two centuries later with the arrival of King Arthur. This is a great series, and alone this book is amazing. Anyone who is interested in myths should read this book or any book by Jack Whyte

What can I say? If you like history, war and a story and people you can actually care about then this is a series for you! It`s based around a lot history with real places and historical people and the characters that are fictional come alive so much that you dare to dream they really did live. Pick it up, you will not be able to put it down!!!

Starting with the roman occupation of Britan and its decline, this series uses both historical fact and fiction to depict the Arthur saga in a believable setting. Creating a historical background to the founding of camelot and the eventual birth of Arthur.

A wonderful start to a new take on the Arthurian legend. Seamless and addictive.

This is a very well writen book. It explores the Making of a legend; A legend called Camolot. This series is almost addictive.

This book was definitely among the best I've ever read. Jack Whyte did so much with the legend of Camelot in this series. The characters are very believable, and are very realistic. All in all, a superb novel, and the perfect start to what promises to be a great series, full of adventure, love and war.

A truly great read. Couldn't put it down. History comes alive, as a history buff I am impressed with the tremendous amount of research which had to have gone into this book. Terrific story line, can't wait to read more of his stuff!!!

This book is pretty good, if you are not totally enthralled stick with it because the rest of the series just keeps getting better. I've read the first three and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

The Arthurian legends have been written and rewritten from numerous perspectives. But this one, from an historical perspective is fresh and enjoyable. The first of a series of six, Skystone explores the roots of the Arthurian legends in the crumbling Roman empire. Whyte brings Britain a new life and vitality that seems denied in other versions of the legend. Arthur, and Britain, live again.

What more could you ask for in an Arthurian tale! This book as the first in the series of six is excellent. The story is compelling and makes you think that the missing history between the Romans departing England and William the Conquerer just could have happened that way. I really enjoyed Whytes slant on Excalibre's conception. A must read for ancient historical lovers. Lots of food for thought about "how it might have been".