The Eagle (Camulod Chronicles #9) by Jack Whyte

Sigh…and so this wonderful series, very likely my favorite series of all time, comes to its conclusion. 

The 9th and final novel in “The Camulod Chronicles” is centered around and told from the point of view of Clothar, the Gaul from the previous book in the series, and who we know today as Lancelot.  While books 8 and 9 form a duology within the larger series, this one really zeroes in on Clothar’s loyalty and love for Arthur and Camulod (Camelot) with much of the book detailing events of Arthur’s reign as King.  Arthur’s primary goal of uniting the myriad kingdoms, tribes, and factions of Britain into a benevolent and peaceful whole is the background for the novel although we are also treated to Clothar’s activities in Gaul as he acts as Arthur’s representative in building up alliances there as well. It was fascinating to watch how the concepts of knighthood and the games of competition (later to become jousts) developed.

Truth be told, I had long been fretting over this approaching final volume.  The previous books all number among my favorites (with the slight deviation that was book 8) and I was dreading the end.  Not only would it bring to a conclusion, one of my all time (if not THE all-time) favorite series, it would also have to deal with the epic, sad conclusion that we all know from the legend of King Arthur.  Indeed, Mordred is introduced in this volume and the Arthur-Lancelot-Guinevere triangle is dealt with but I will not spoil just how this all plays out.  Suffice it to say that the ending is quite emotional but in an amazingly satisfying way.  The author of this series, Jack Whyte, proves yet again how to take an established mythology, extract the best parts of what makes it a story, make it incredibly realistic (this really might have happened!) and leave a little on the table to grow into its very own mythology.

After closing the final page on this long series of long novels, I simply leaned back in my chair, sighed… and smiled.  I will cherish these books always and never hesitate to recommend them to one and all.

The Lance Thrower (The Camulod Chronicles #8) by Jack Whyte

The final two novels in the Camulod Chronicles (this one and book #9, The Eagle) form a duology within the larger series and are told from the point of view of the young Frank, Clothar. We know him as Lancelot but in keeping with the realistic and historically appropriate method in which this entire series is written, the name Clothar is much more appropriate.

This novel is mostly a coming-of-age novel for Clothar, written in his first person perspective, telling the tale from the viewpoint of his later years as a way to make sure his children understand their own familial history. About a third of it takes place when he is just 10 years old and a student under the tutelage of Germanus (a great character we’ve encountered before) while the rest is from when he is 16-18 years old. It is not until the end that Clothar finally meets up with Merlyn and Arthur, himself.

This overall series has become one of my all-time favorites (of all genres) and so it is with some reluctance that I divulge that this is my least favorite of the series. There is nothing particularly “wrong” with it but to my mind much of it seemed somewhat unnecessary to the overall series. In essence it is very much a stand-alone novel within the larger set, and can be read as such…but the most satisfying parts are where it does intersect with the rest of the series and familiar beloved characters. Alas, these parts are few and I confess I was hoping for more of that, and sooner. However, it does a great job of setting up the important character of Clothar and letting us see how he developed his approach to life, and provide some insightful teasers, all of which will ultimately pay off in the concluding volume, I’m sure.

So now I look forward to The Eagle, albeit with mixed emotions. That’s always the way it is with a truly great series, knowing there is only one left to experience, but I will force myself, somehow, to undertake the task. After all the build-up I’ll finally get to experience the heart of Arthur’s story, in the amazing way that only Jack Whyte can tell it.

Uther (The Camulod Chronicles #7) by Jack Whyte

It was with great reverence and a bit of trepidation that I returned to my reading of the Camulod Chronicles.  The first six novels of this amazing series form a complete series by themselves and I was a little worried that even though I had greatly enjoyed those novels, this next one might be more of a “filler” novel. After all, it tells the story of Uther Pendragon, a life that was already mostly covered during the events of book three, The Eagles' Brood, where he is shown growing up with his cousin Merlyn. The shear length of the book also added to my concern, weighing in at over 900 paperback pages. So… at the risk of suffering through a lengthy filler novel, I plunged in anyway, tossing my fears aside for the simple reason that I trust this author, Jack Whyte, to provide me with yet another amazing novel, much as he had with the first six books.

And he did just that. Most of the first half of the book was, indeed, a repeat of the events of The Eagles' Brood but while that book was told from the first person perspective of Merlyn Britannicus as he looked back on long-ago events, this book was from Uther’s third person perspective as those events unfolded. It’s quite a different viewpoint because the two characters are so different from another. 

The second half of the book covered Uther’s life after leaving Camulod (Camelot) as he becomes King of Cambria and leads his alliance in an aggressive defense against Lot of Cornwall.  These events were not covered in previous books in the series other than a passive mention of Uther being off doing his thing in the West. So I was happy to fill in these holes. We do know the end result of Uther’s campaigns, of course, and so the second half of the book does read a little like a tragedy. But to read of Uther’s actions, his thoughts and growth as a character, his relationship with Ygraine, their child Arthur, the difficulty with dealing with various allies as Uther tries to counter the devious Lot… all of that was truly awesome.

Historical novels that center on warfare can often get bogged down in endless battles but the battles that take place in the final 200 pages of this book were absolutely intriguing. To watch Uther’s brilliance at overcoming difficult odds, designing a new brand of warfare when desperately needed, and demonstrate ideal leadership qualities was extremely fulfilling. The battles themselves are like a combination of a strategic chess match and well-choreographed action sequences filled with all the bloody horror one would expect from up close and personal sword play, flails impacting helmets, pounding horse hooves, etc. I never once felt bogged down or wished for the plot to speed up even though this is a very long novel. But don’t get the impression this is strictly a war novel. That’s really only a small part of Uther’s life and of this novel.

Once again, a Jack Whyte novel gets my highest recommendation. But definitely start at the beginning of the series (The Skystone) in order to be privy to the numerous interactions and history leading up to the rise of Arthur himself. Only two more books to go in the larger series and I am already dreading the moment when I will have turned the last page.

The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis (Camulod Chronicles #6) by Jack Whyte

This is the sixth and final novel in the main “Camulod Chronicles” series which tells the story of Arthur, Merlyn, and the rest from a historically realistic and scientifically plausible way. (There are three other books still to come in the series but they are companion pieces to this main set).

This book sees the culmination of all of the fascinating history that has led up to the final crowning of Arthur, making him the king of kings in England.  But it begins when Arthur is still only around 14 years old with Merlyn continuing with his education.  While Arthur is technically the reason for this entire series, it is once again, not really about him.  Once again, Merlyn relates the events from a first person perspective and follow along with his extraordinary life.  There are some slowish parts in the first half of the book, mostly surrounding discussions of the influx of Christianity, but they are necessary to the way the final chapters unfold.  Merlyn undergoes his own metamorphosis in this book, becoming the more traditional version of the sorcerer we think of today.  Of course, just like the rest of this series, it isn’t actual magic but rather his intelligent use of natural chemicals and techniques that allows him to be seen as performing acts of great sorcery and thus his reputation as a sorcerer is born.

A very satisfying conclusion to one of my all-time favorite “historical-fantasy” series.  I look forward to turning now to the companion novels, which I understand describe many of the same events but from different perspectives.

The Fort at River's Bend (Camulod Chronicles #5) by Jack Whyte

The fifth novel in The Camulod Chronicles finally gets to the education of Arthur by his mentor and surrogate father, Merlyn.  It covers the period of time where young Arthur is aged 8 through 15, very formative years indeed.  It’s also, perhaps, the most idyllic novel in the entire series.  The end of the last book, "The Saxon Shore", saw an assassination attempt on young Arthur’s life so Merlyn and a small group of trusted friends and protectors make their way secretly to an old abandoned fort not far from Hadrian’s Wall.  There, Merlyn and company undertake the duties of educating Arthur and forming the man who will become the great king of all Britain.  It’s almost a utopian novel in fact as there is only enough danger to the group to keep their skills up and provide key lessons for Arthur and his young companions and virtually no threats from outside political forces. This peaceful time also allows Merlyn to make some welcome changes in his own outlook on life and to recover from the loss of his wife. The end of the novel makes it clear that those circumstances will soon be changing as the group must return to Camulod (Camelot) to face new threats from old enemies.

This novel, as with all the others so far in the series, is a non-magical version of the Arthurian tale. It’s basically pure historical fiction with all of the tropes of magical Merlin, Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, etc. all told via realistic explanations. The only caveat to this are some dreams that Merlyn has occasionally that seem to foretell what will come.  

The book is told from Merlyn’s first person point of view, from a time long after the events depicted.  This allows him to provide foreshadowing here and there but nothing that would surprise anybody who knows the basics of Arthurian lore. It’s also great fun to read how Merlyn excuses his own behavior when he has been foolish or stubborn.  

These novels are awesome and I really am savoring each and every one.  I seem to go through actual withdrawal when I complete one so I’m glad there are still several more to go.

The Saxon Shore (The Camulod Chronicles #4) by Jack Whyte

I continue to marvel at this series, enjoying every minute of reading it even though the individual books seem to be getting longer and longer.  Topping over 700 pages, this volume is not a quick read but I’m fine with that because while the richness of the story spurns me on to read faster, the atmosphere and Jack Whyte’s style of writing compel me to read slower just so I can spend more time with it.  Yeah…it’s one of those.

The final chapters of the previous book in the series, "The Eagles' Brood" end with Merlyn’s rescuing the newborn baby, Arthur Pendragon and I had assumed this novel would be mostly about Arthur’s education while growing up.  Instead, almost the entire book is devoted to but one year in the lives of these characters, with Arthur only putting in a cameo appearance now and then.  Only in the last 50 pages or so does time advance swiftly and allow us to see Arthur at the age of 7 and 8 years old, already exhibiting signs of the leader he will become. The bulk of the book revolves around Merlyn’s laying the political groundwork and gaining alliances for the coming of Arthur’s leadership in the future. Of course there is much that occurs to Merlyn and his companions along the way, both good and bad.

I think with this volume I have discovered one aspect of the overall series that makes it truly special for me.  Of course I enjoyed all of the standard aspects of high quality writing that makes a book an excellent read: strong fleshed out characters, well-paced plotting, etc. etc.  But these novels also allow the reader to see the world building actually happening on the page. I always love a novel with a well thought-out and developed world and usually remark on that in my reviews. But Jack Whyte has taken it one step further by allowing us readers to view the world being built by the characters themselves.  Whether it is the discovery of new techniques for breeding horses, advancements in weaponry (including Merlyn’s accidental discovery of what will become the jousting pole), or even societal advancements like new ways of governing the people, or evolving religious competition, it all unfolds for us and we get to be a part of it. I liken it to one of my favorite types of computer games: builder games like Civilization.

It is tempting to classify this series as straight historical fiction rather than fantasy even though it is the story of Arthur, Merlin, Camelot, etc. There is no fantasy here at all (other than the phenomenon of predictive dreams that Merlyn is blessed/cursed with). Merlyn’s reputation as a sorcerer is growing but it is simply because of tricks or misunderstandings about what people actually see. The author has done a marvelous job of removing the fantasy from this fantastical tale and making it almost entirely pure historical fiction of 5th century Britain.

On to book number 5, "The Fort at River's Bend".

The Eagles' Brood (Camulod Chronicles) by Jack Whyte

Once again I am marveling at this series known as “The Camulod Chronicles,“, the vast epic story of the Legends of King Arthur, but told as historical novels rather than fantasy.  This is a series to savor over time rather than rush through from one book to the next, tempted as I am to do so simply because of the fantastic storytelling and pure reading enjoyment.

This third volume starts a new “chapter” in the series as we have moved on to a new generation in the larger story.  The first two books are told from the viewpoint of Publius Varrus, but now we turn to events from his nephew’s perspective, Caius Merlyn Britannicus.  That’s right…the Merlin of legend is now the narrator of the story but this is not the long white bearded old wizard we often think of, at least not yet.  He is a warrior and leader of men, much like his cousin and best friend, Uther Pendragon.

This novel is a transitional book in the series as it takes us through the lives of the young Merlyn and Uther and ends with the discovery of a young 7-8 week old infant by the name of Arthur.  But more than that, the largely idyllic story heretofore of the building of the Colony of Camulod (Camelot) and the advancement of ideas and invention has morphed into the inevitable war torn strife of our heroes defending against the invading Saxons and others.  Much more about wars and battles in this one, and consequently more brutal than the first two, culminating in the final battles between Uther and Lot of Cornwall.  It’s also transitional in other ways as Merlyn’s encounters with influential people he meets during his travels alter his perspectives on religion, culture, and the motivations of countries.  He comes to realize, for example, that the invading Saxons, whom he has always thought of as inherently evil, are really no different than his own ancestors, the Romans, who also invaded the British Isles. No doubt these sorts of realizations will greatly affect his influence on Arthur.

I love the way the author presents a wonderful sweeping saga of a story, building in all of the familiar aspects of the legend but keeping it all at such a rich personal level.  A hint of magic does sneak into this one in the form of a few Merlyn’s dreams but they are more prescience than sorcery.  I really want to know how these same events unfolded from Uther’s perspective but alas I will have to wait, for Uther doesn’t get his own book until #7 in the series.  Meanwhile I greatly look forward to the next installment, The Saxon Shore, wherein I hope to discover just what sort of adventures Merlyn will be having with his new ward, baby Arthur.

The Singing Sword (The Camulod Chronicles) by Jack Whyte

The second book in the “Camulod Chronicles” picks up shortly after the events of the first book, The Skystone.  It continues the tale of Caius Britannicus and Publius Varrus (both great grandfathers of the future King Arthur of Briton) as they continue to build the colony of Camulod during the turn of the 5th century AD, when Rome was pulling out of Briton and leaving the Brits, the Celts, and other assorted peoples to deal with various invading groups such as the Saxons and the Northmen.

I love the way this series is a truly accurate historical novel series, at this point at least, that also just happens to be related to the Arthurian legends.  As the colony of Camulod gets established, we get to see major historical events and influences unfold.  For example, due to the need for mobility in responding to threats, the art of warfare using horses is advanced.  Rome was never known for its cavalry but now there is a need for well-trained warriors on horses.  A breeding program is introduced to increase the size of the horses, the stirrup is introduced, and the swords are lengthened to allow use from horseback.  All of these developments are actual historical occurrences.  We also get to witness the first rough efforts to convert a Senate-like council meeting where elitism prevails to a newer style of local government in the form of a round circle of chairs where all have an equal voice.  I think we all know where this will lead to in an Arthurian sense.

But more importantly, this is a well-told tale.  Just as in the first novel, this is a first person account by Publius Varrus, a former legionnaire, partly crippled through a battle injury, and now a master blacksmith.  One might correctly guess from the title that he is the eventual crafter of Excalibur.  His first person point of view lends a great perspective on bringing these great events down to the individual level and allowing the everyday life of families, lovers, builders, etc. to be as personal and emotional for the reader as it is for him.  Great and satisfying personal achievements are matched by great loss and even tragedy.  It is rare when a fictional novel brings a tear to my eye but this one managed to do it.

All of these great historical shifts in thinking and technique take many years.  The first two novels cover most of Caius and Publius’s long lives but it is inevitable that we move on.  I’m excited for the third book in the series The Eagles' Brood where I understand that Publius’s grandson takes over the first person account.  His name is Caius Merlyn Britannicus, first cousin of Uther Pendragon. 

The Skystone (The Camulod Chronicles) by Jack Whyte

This book is the first novel in the “Camulod” series, a nine book set that encompasses the Arthurian mythos from a historical perspective rather than a “fantasy” perspective.  I had been reluctant to begin, even though I had heard plenty of good things about the entire series.  This was mostly due to the fact that I have read numerous Arthurian accounts, many of them relatively recently, and was unsure of starting yet another one.

So glad I did give it a try though!  Right from the beginning it reminded me of perhaps my favorite Arthurian series, Bernard Cornwell’s "Warlord Chronicles".  That is to say, this book started out with gritty warfare told from the perspective of the Roman warriors on the front lines, down in the dirt and mud, fighting for their legates, their legionnaires, and for the glory of Rome.  The story begins in the final days of the Roman Empire in Briton (~375 AD – 425 AD) and involves several flashback sequences that help establish the two major characters for the novel, Publius Varrus and Caius Brittanicus, both solid Roman soldiers.  A career-ending injury to Publius leads to major changes and we quickly pull back from the day-to-day soldiering and begin to see the larger picture of what everyday life was like for citizens in Roman Briton during that era.  By the end of the book we get to experience even larger issues as we live through what amounts to the abandonment of Briton by the Roman Empire, just after the overrunning of Hadrian’s Wall and the final shake-up of emperors.

  The story is told from Publius’ first person POV as he transforms his life from soldier to blacksmith.  There is not a clue that we are in the Arthurian world throughout the first half of the book…it’s pure historical fiction.  And excellent historical fiction it is.  Well-rounded characters I came to care about and worthy goals I hoped they could achieve.  Publius’ quest for Skystones (meteor rocks) is the central driving force but it is not until the second half of the book that we get some clues that this is taking place several generations before Arthur and the gang’s appearance.  It is fascinating to read how terms such as dragon's nests, the Lady of the Lake and the Pendragon clan are introduced via perfectly natural non-fantasy methods.  No magic what-so-ever in this book.

I suspect this entire series will be a fascinating read.  I expect we will see Whyte continue to incorporate traditional Arthurian names, places and events as well as the names of various historical figures that have been suggested as being the possible basis for the original King Arthur legend. This implies, of course, that Whyte's version of history is the true story that has become distorted over time to become the legend and stories of magic that we know today.  It should be a great ride.