Uther

Arthur the Son #2

by Jack Whyte

A hot-headed young warrior must decide whether to follow the longings of his own heart or rise to the challenge of leading his people. Will he be the greatest king the Cambrians have ever known, or will he fall prey to the darkness in his own soul?
  Such are the questions answered in Uther, the story of Uther Pendragon, cousin to the sorcerer Merlyn and father to Arthur, the future King of Britain. In his boyhood, Uther divides his time between two radically different worlds. Within the solid walls of Camulod, he enjoys the luxuries of a civilized community and trains in the Roman military style to realize his heroic dream—commanding Camulod's cavalry. But still he is pulled back to his father's people and the dark land of his birth, the harsh, primitive world of the Pendragon of Cambria. At the death of his father, King Uric, a new king must be elected from among the chiefs, and Uther must reconcile himself to the fate that awaits him. For fans of Jack Whyte's popular Dream of Eagles series, Uther opens the window to the world beyond Camulod and unravels the mystery behind the legend.
 

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Arthurian, Historical, Science Fiction Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

809 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Jack Whyte is an author and writer born and raised in Scotland, but has been living in western Canada since 1967, and in Kelowna, British Columbia, since 1996.

Whyte's major work to date is the A Dream of Eagles series (as it is titled in Canada, but known as The Camulod Chronicles in the United States and elsewhere). This series of historical novels presents the tale of King Arthur set against the backdrop of Roman Britain. This retelling of the popular legend eschews the use of magic (as in T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone) to explain Arthur’s ascent to power and instead relies on the historical condition (with some artistic license) of post-Roman Britain to support the theory that Arthur was meant to counter the anarchy left by the Roman departure from Britain in 410 AD and the subsequent colonization and invasion of Britain by various peoples from Northwestern Europe, including the Saxons, Jutes, Franks, and Angles). Whyte incorporates both traditional Arthurian names, places and events (albeit in gaelic or Latin form) as well as the names of various historical figures that have been suggested as being the possible basis for the original King Arthur legend. The tacit implication is 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.

Jack Whyte served as the official bard of The Calgary Highlanders and performed several tracks of poetry and song on the 1990 recording by the Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Calgary Highlanders entitled Eighty Years of Glory: The Regimental Pipes, Drums and Bard of The Calgary Highlanders.

Reviews

[Katie Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find it difficult to believe that the Uther in The Eagles Brood is the same Uther in Uther. This is the main reason for the two star review. There are too many disparities between the way the character is portrayed in The Eagles Brood (ruthless and uncaring) and what we see in Uther (thoughtful, gallant). I didn't find the differences plausible.

Also, the book moved very slowly for me. Mysteries from The Eagles Brood were solved in this book satisfactorily, but it took quite awhile to get through this particular story.

[Jill Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was rereading Uther after more than 15 years. I’d read it before I read the Skystone series (in 2002) and now I decided to revisit this one before I donate it. I have limited shelf space (again) so I’m reading some paperbacks and getting them out of my library.

I was on page 620 or so, and remembering the details as I went along, when my 7 month old puppy decided to hurry me along to my next book. He ate the entire final 300 pages. Sure, he had a blast! judging by the mess - but if he’d started at the front of the book I could have read the rest!!

At least it wasn’t a library book!!!

[Rose Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uther is an in-depth historical fiction that provides a new (very Roman) take on the myths of Uther Pendragon and the birth of his son, Arthur.

Whyte's take on the beginning of the Arthurian legends has a very Roman feel, focusing heavily on battles, army training and military tactics of Uther Pendragon and his cousin, Merlyn. The story begins with Uther's birth, and carries through until just after the birth of his son, Arthur. Some characters are well known (Uther, Merlyn, Ygraine, Lot), but this is in name only. The bare bones of the story is there, but this is a very different take on it. We are also introduced to a range of brand new charcters, or characters potentially inspired by legend (Garreth, primarily) but given a completely new spin.

The story leaps forward at times, which can be disconcerting. While some of these leaps are neatly covered by a series of letters between the women of Camalud and Uther's home, others are sped through a little too quickly, and it can be difficult to absorb huge changes as quickly as they pass by. At times, the book flows wonderfully, while at others, storylines seem to drop off a little too abruptly. Whyte is also clearly a huge fan of the word "whoreson" and uses it as essentially the only slur any character employs throughout the book.

One of the most frustrating elements of an otherwise good book is the bizzarre way that it deals with rape. While rape was no doubt common during the period, and not shied away from in the book, Whyte clearly has no conception of how damaging it is, even purely physically. Female characters are repeatedly raped, then enjoy sex voluntarily only hours later - a physical impossibility given the amount of damage that would happen. At one point a character even states that once a woman is no longer a virgin, rape doesn't hurt that much. Even if that was a viewpoint at the time (which it may have been), the way that the raped women recover and respond suggest that Whyte needs to do some real research on what actually happens to the female body when it is violated.

Overall, it's a solid historical read, told from various character's perspectives. It's not the best I've read by far, and the style becomes frsutratingly choppy at times, but it's still a decent read.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had started this book once before and didn't finish it. Although I got much further this time, I am not finishing it again. Its not that it is a bad book, its just that it is a very SLOW book. The author's style is to repeat things over and over again in slightly different ways. I kept finding myself thinking "I got it already" and skipping paragraphs, or sometimes whole pages. It left me with the feeling that if I only read the topic sentences I might have enjoyed the story more.

I think I will listen to the audio version some day. The story was good, but not worth the time it would take to actually read the whole book.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the writing was good in certain sections, I found this book very slow, hard to get through, and easy to put down. Too many of the characters are also just not likeable enough to be redeemed when they do morally wrong. Already knowing this story from one side from the rest of the series, I don't feel this one focusing more on Uther brought anything new or unique enough to warrant this book. Definitely not my favorite in the series.

[Mara Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic. But amazing.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes

I knew even then, the first time that I saw you, that I loved you.

I suspect that much of life is like that. We seldom see what is closest to our eyes.

A man is a fool to live in hopes of a better tomorrow. I have a thousand, better ways today to spend what time remains ahead of me, and I have brighter, lighter and more pleasant places in which to spend it.

She knew exactly how he was feeling, because experience had taught her that the kind of excitement she was feeling at that moment was never, ever one-sided. On the contrary, she knew that it was born of acute and mutual anticipation, and she knew, too, that it would not be denied.

Their sudden intimacy was like the explosive combustion that engulfs and consumes a moth that has fluttered too close to a candle flame; a completely unexpected turn of events that took both of them unawares and swept them irresistibly up and out of themselves as it hurled them into each other’s arms.

[Peekablue · Rating 1 out of 5]

During a time when I was interested in Athurian literature, I picked this book up from the local used bookstore. The owner told me it was supposed to be a good series. I had pretty high hopes.
When I started reading it, I was disappointed at first, to discover that there was to be no magic but I decided to keep going. After all, magic isn't everything.
The writing is good, I suppose, but it just didn't hold my interest. It could also use better editing. I remember a part where Uther is is thinking or talking about his dead mother, when his mother was actually still alive.
The part that made me stop reading was after Uther rescues a woman from brigands who had just repeatedly beat and raped her. On their journey home, they stop to rest and clean up. When the woman's nakedness is exposed, Uther gets turned on and they eventually have sex...What woman, no matter how strong willed, is going to want or feel like having sex just hours after being raped and beaten? Ridiculous!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another in the Camulod series about The Arthurian legend (this is such a great series), but coming from a different angle than the other 8 books. The other books are all written in the first person telling the story of Arthurs ancestry, firstly through the eyes of his great Uncle Publius Varrus, and the later books through the eyes of Merlyn, Arthur's second cousin.
This book tells the story of Uther, Arthurs father , and told in the third person,( you will see if you read the series why this is) It is a stand alone book and tells you the story (already told in the first 6 books but coming at it from Uthers side of things.) It is really clever as you can see the story vividly, as you go along, but from a different perspective!
I loved this book as I have loved them all so far and I couldn't recommend this series highly enough it's brilliant!

[Brandy Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when it was published, as I was a huge fan of the series. For some reason, it just didn't click with me, so I put it down after the first couple of chapters. Recently, I decided to re-read the entire series, and gave Uther another try. I can see where I stopped before, but I kept going and found it just as gripping and fantastic as any other of these Jack Whyte books.

Much of the story had been gone over in one of the earlier books, but in this one, we see things from an entirely different point of view, and questions that have been mysteries for many books now have answers. Since the story was already part of another book, you know it's a tragic one, but it was a beautiful tragedy.

[Nathan Gordon]

This is my review for English class.

I really loved this book. i really did. It puts you in the body of Uther, father of King Arthur, and explains his life, which you don't see much of in the past books of this series. It also ties a few loose ends in ways you would never imagine. The author, Jack Whyte, is an amazing man. His whole style of writing, being so descriptive that he makes Meat on a piece of bread dipped in broth sound like a royal luncheon, leaves me awe inspired and has affected my own writing style quite extraordinarily. All-in-all, this is an amazing book, and I recommend it to everyone who can read. To those who can't, learn to, then read it.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

We leave Merlyn and Arthur to discover Uther, a character never before fleshed out like this. The historical aspects once more take precidence and Whyte's writing style never fade for a moment. Where the previous books began to get more philisophical and character-driven, this one goes back to character+story+action+history all in one book, and so it is driven along by its own nature. You can read this book without having read the previous Dream of Eagles set, as it is a companion piece, though I still recommend starting with Book One and catching the entire story.

[Keith Winchester · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up after reading yet another 4-page lecture about Uther’s behaviour or poor decisions. The story is fine but the author insists on these lengthy passages where the same things are explained or described in many different ways; over and over again. It quickly became tiresome and I found myself skipping sentences, then entire paragraphs and eventually I would skip over a page or two. I finally gave up and put it back on the shelf.

[Mrs. Ho Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best book I have read in a long time. I suggest reading a Dream of Eagles series and the Golden Eagle series before reading Uther. I think it makes more of an impact that way and you end up feeling for Uther. The other series does not depict him in a good light, but reading Uther afterwards you start to understand his character and intentions.

[Brian Durfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

#24.5 UTHER by Jack Whyte: Durfee's top 50 novels countdown. Volume 4 in Whyte's 9 volume CAMULOD CHRONICLES. The best book in a series about King Arthur that started strong and kept getting better. An epic series that provides a gritty historic plausibility to the Arthurian legend. Not for the faint of heart

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Whyte's books in this series are great historical fiction. they have so much detailed action and description of the way of life in fifth century Britain. This one in particular was so interesting because it told some of the same events from The Saxon Shore from a different point of view, filling in many of the unknowns.

[Ted Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Jack says, this is not actually part of the Dream of Eagles series but a stand alone novel that just happens to cover some of the same ground. It does so remarkably well and events that get retold come out fresh and vital. If at all possible, Uther is actually better than A Dream of Eagles.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put off reading this book for over a year because I didn't care for Uther Pendragon. I thought he was selfish and war-hungry. I feel so much better about him now that I've seen his perspective. I only wish I would have known him this intimately sooner in the series.

[matt hajny · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book for the differing point-of-view: uther's in this vs. merlin's in eagle's brood. also gives more background to the story than was fleshed out in eagle's brood.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best of all of Jack Whyte's books. I became obsessive about reading this one.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

He tells a vivid and wonderful tale. Really good from beginning to end.

[Rusty Dalferes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this out of order of publication, because this book takes place in the same timeframe in the narrative as The Eagle's Brood, the third book in the series. As with the rest of the series, I found the story to be excellent and truly enjoyable, although I'm going to have to take one star away from what should be a five-star review because of the HORRIBLE state of editing of the final product.

The book, as its name implies, follows the life and times of Uther Pendragon, just as the previous books have followed Merlyn and his ancestors. Beginning with Uther's childhood in Cambria, his father's Celtic domain some distance from Camelot encompassing what becomes Wales, the novel finds young Uther learning the Celtic arts of war from his tutor, Gareth Whistler, and befriending an outcast deformed young girl known only as Nemo ("no one"). Uther ultimately begins spending half of the year in Camulod, learning the Roman-inspired arts of warfare and leadership. As he grows, his leadership potential is clear, inspiring loyalty (and maybe love/obsession) in Nemo, who becomes one of the decurions in Uther's Dragon Guard and one of the people to whom Uther often confides, mostly because she rarely speaks in response. Uther lives through the deaths of his Cambrian grandfather, Ullic, and his father, Uric, and his other grandfather, the Varrus who helped found Camulod. Uther is shown as being slightly jealous of his cousin, Merlyn's, relationship with the woman Cassandra/Deirdre, leaving Camulod the very night that Cassandra is murdered. He later prosecutes his war in Cornwall, ultimately capturing and falling in love with Ygraine, the unwilling wife of his Cornish nemesis, Lot. This union will ultimately result in the birth of Arthur, whose matters are the subject of other books in the series.

As in other novels in Whyte's Camulod series, this book is so full of action, intrigue, and detailed historical description of weapons, architecture, and life in Dark Ages Britain that it beckons the reader to finish just one more chapter. While The Eagle's Brood followed the actions and thoughts of Merlyn, this book shows the same the same set of events from Uther's eyes, which was a totally compelling reiteration of the story that fills in many of the holes in Merlyn's memory or perception. The story spans decades, but never seems to move slowly, so it really is hard to put down, and the 900+ page length flies by in a few days for a dedicated reader. Again, though this falls squarely into the Matter of Britain genre, this reads more like a historical fiction as opposed to a fantasy story, so the reader should be satisfied by real-world historical action, rather than a narrative full of magic and enchantments.

Unfortunately, this entry in the series was HORRIBLY edited, as there was a ton of missing punctuation; missing, doubled, or misspelled words abounded; pronoun errors were conspicuous; and the dearth of the comma common to British-style writing was taken to a new extreme. The errors in revision were so egregious that I had to take a star away from an otherwise 5-star review.

But anyone who enjoys Arthurian legend should love this book, and, indeed, the entire series. I give this a huge recommendation for fans of historical fiction or the Matter of Britain.

[Meru · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is challenging to review. On the one hand, I read it, and didnt put it down. On the other hand, I cant really say that this book “worked” for me. The parallel narrative with the previous book made me slightly curious about filling in the gaps, but also made the book drag a bit at times (and the points where the author “fast forwards” while reminding you of Merlyn’s perspective were very jarring). The main issue I had is that the character development and progression of Uther is just not great. Honestly, Merlyn’s wasnt either, and I found myself missing Publius Varrus and the general tone and theme of the first two books. There’s a lot of chaos in this one - armies appearing out of nowhere to put Uther into bigger and bigger messes that, while atmospheric, never really made a lot of sense. If Lot is so unlikable and nuts, how is he convincing thousands of mercenaries to show up and fight whomever they see on the road? Maybe the world was really like this, but from a reader’s perspective, it just felt like senseless chaos, and Uther’s abnormally developed sense of honor was completely at odds with the situations he found himself in. Concepts didnt develop in this book the way they promised to in the first 2-3. We didnt learn more about the concept of Camulod, or even Cambria, and overall the philosophical style of the first two books was totally absent.

Maybe all of this was intentional (to some extent, it surely was), but the books are definitely trending in a direction I’m less curious about, and thats disappointing. I’ll keep reading, but I look forward to the next less than I did before.

As a note, I read this after The Eagles’ Brood because that’s how my books were numbered. Realizing now that maybe that was not the correct reading order, but while reading it felt reasonable/natural.

[Courtney McCrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

My actual rating is 3.8 on this book. This book isn't one I'd normally pick up but I got it from the Library when they did blind date with a book for February. It's a long read and the beginning is a little slow to start, but the end picks up dramatically. I loved the character of Uther and hearing his story from beginning to end. He was an admirable man and the feats he accomplished were extraordinary. I like that their was a bit of a love story within it, but also really appreciated the love of friendship with this book. Some of my favorite relationships in this book were friendships from Uther and Garreth to Nemo's never ending loyalty to Uther. Merlyn and Uther's friendship was also well written and felt real. I like how the author concluded the nature of their friendship in the epilogue because my heart was heavy throughout part of the book over their falling out. All in all, if you like historical fiction and a large book with a slower pace beginning but fast paced ending I would recommend this read. Like I said it's not one I would have picked for myself, but also it's not one I wanted to quit or give up on once I got started.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the better books in the series. Finally, we learn what Uther was up to when he marched after Camulod's enemies, and we find out if he is evil or good as he pursues his enemies. This was one of the best mysteries in the earlier books---Merlyn we know to be mostly good, but we begin to doubt Uther when Merlyn's wife is savagely attacked and then killed. We suspect Uther---did he do it? Merlyn even doubts his own trusted cousin Uther---finally this book tells us what happened on Uther's journey. A great tale with lots of action.

[Brentman99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Camulod series is quite incredible. The characters are great, the setting vivid and the action a great read.

I think I read a previous edition, but had this one kicking around and time to kill, so I read it again and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I plan to re-read the Camulod series from start to finish come the day when I'm retired and have the spare time.

If you like Roman and early Middle Age history, this is a wonderful read and the series was one of the best I have ever read. Highly recommended.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way that the characters throughout the series portrayed the historical reality. I learned so much about the Romans and the early history of Great Britain. What a treat to walk the same path but in the mind of a different character of the time. I will never think of a meteor in the same way. What a talented author to create a possible world that would explain the how and why of that time.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable read. I did read this book prior to book #6, Metamorphosis, but I don't see a problem due to the time line covered in this book already covered earlier. This book being from Uther's perspective, and all other books from Publius Varrus and Merlyn's perspectives. Very interesting how this volume gives us insight into Uther's motivations, and ultimate downfall. Highly recommended.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series written by a local man from my area. How I was turned onto this series is a story onto itself. The books in the a Dream of Eagles series are the authors take on the King Arthur Legends and he places the story in the context of actual historic events. I have read it twice and if I ever have the time I will read them all again.

[John Haslam · Rating 5 out of 5]

So...Arthurian novels are a dime a dozen. I loved this whole series for its historical setting for the plausible ways in which Merlin and Arthur come to be without diminishing the other classic renderings.