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Camulod Chronicles #3
The Eagles' Brood: Book Three of The Camulod Chronicles
The Eagles' Brood by Jack Whyte continues the saga of the Colony known as Camulod, and the tale of the descendants of those brave Romans who forged a new way of life for the Celt and Roman peoples when the Roman legions departed Britain.Most know the new leader of the Colony as Merlyn; all call him Commander. Cauis Merlyn Britannicus is responsible for their safety, and all look to him for guidance, leadership, justice, and salvation. It is a harsh life but a good community, and Merlyn is dedicated to spreading the influence of Roman culture beyond the Colony's borders.Uther Pendragon, the man who will father the legendary Arthur, is the cousin Merlyn has known and loved since they were birthed, four hours apart on the same day, the year the legions left Britain. He is the tireless warrior--the red dragon to Merlyn's great silver bear--and between the two of them, the Colony knows few enemies.As different as they can be, they are two faces of the same coin. In a world torn apart by warfare and upheaval, each is the other's certainty and guarantee of the survival of the Colony . . . until a vicious crime, one that strikes at the roots of Merlyn's life, drives a wedge between them. A wedge that threatens the fate of a nation . . . .At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
147 people are currently reading
2075 people want to read
About the author
Jack Whyte
62 books772 followersJack 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
March 17, 2021
Warning! This is a Petulant Pandemic Review (PPR). I fully admit to being cranky, picky, and squirrelly after months of aloneness. It's not the book's fault, it's very much my state of mind.
I really enjoyed the first two books back in the before times. I read them soon after meeting Jack Whyte at a readers and writers conference here in our city. With Jack's deep Scots voice still fresh in my memory, I could “hear" him in my head as I read. Jack has recently passed away and that news dragged me back to his Arthurian series, which I got distracted from by other shiny books.
Now, I adore the King Arthur story. I've been reading books based on it since I was a teen. But I have favourites and they are not the “Arthur as Roman" scenario. I am also a big fan of the magical and mysterious. So these are the biggest things bugging me with this series: Whyte's stated objective in writing this was to strip away all the hocus pocus and write a realistic version. It has taken three very thick books to finally have our potential Arthur appear and I have lived through an awful lot of descriptions of Roman warfare! Yes, it was a very warlike time, but surely there was more to life than just fighting.
Whyte gives his Roman-Briton men a very modern attitude towards women's rights, but he really doesn't give us substantive roles for female characters. Instead, we get Caius Merlinus Brittanicus, who is a Gary Stu character. He is tiresomely perfect, always coming up with successful plans and always winning the day. To Whyte's credit, he uses the Uther character to call Cay on this priggish judginess on a couple of occasions. Still, Cay is hard to put up with. And it is my belief that eliminating the magic, Whyte also got rid of the major roles of women in the story. No longer political powers, they are reduced to being mothers of the major actors.
I was also dismayed to find a lot of Christian religious debate in this volume, as Britain's relationship with Rome and the Pope is negotiated. Thankfully it never gets to The Name of the Rose levels (that book made me want to gouge out my eyes, so many heretics!) but I'm a confirmed pagan religion fan. Please don't strong arm my Arthur into Christianity! Once again, less room for women and for magic. At least, late in the game, Merlyn is given mysterious dreams that intrigue me.
So, a good book if Roman Britain is your jam. And I will undoubtedly read the next book to see what Whyte does with Arthur himself, but this isn't going to be one of my favourite Arthur series. Rest easy, Mary Stewart, your role as Queen of my Arthurian heart is unthreatened.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
I really enjoyed the first two books back in the before times. I read them soon after meeting Jack Whyte at a readers and writers conference here in our city. With Jack's deep Scots voice still fresh in my memory, I could “hear" him in my head as I read. Jack has recently passed away and that news dragged me back to his Arthurian series, which I got distracted from by other shiny books.
Now, I adore the King Arthur story. I've been reading books based on it since I was a teen. But I have favourites and they are not the “Arthur as Roman" scenario. I am also a big fan of the magical and mysterious. So these are the biggest things bugging me with this series: Whyte's stated objective in writing this was to strip away all the hocus pocus and write a realistic version. It has taken three very thick books to finally have our potential Arthur appear and I have lived through an awful lot of descriptions of Roman warfare! Yes, it was a very warlike time, but surely there was more to life than just fighting.
Whyte gives his Roman-Briton men a very modern attitude towards women's rights, but he really doesn't give us substantive roles for female characters. Instead, we get Caius Merlinus Brittanicus, who is a Gary Stu character. He is tiresomely perfect, always coming up with successful plans and always winning the day. To Whyte's credit, he uses the Uther character to call Cay on this priggish judginess on a couple of occasions. Still, Cay is hard to put up with. And it is my belief that eliminating the magic, Whyte also got rid of the major roles of women in the story. No longer political powers, they are reduced to being mothers of the major actors.
I was also dismayed to find a lot of Christian religious debate in this volume, as Britain's relationship with Rome and the Pope is negotiated. Thankfully it never gets to The Name of the Rose levels (that book made me want to gouge out my eyes, so many heretics!) but I'm a confirmed pagan religion fan. Please don't strong arm my Arthur into Christianity! Once again, less room for women and for magic. At least, late in the game, Merlyn is given mysterious dreams that intrigue me.
So, a good book if Roman Britain is your jam. And I will undoubtedly read the next book to see what Whyte does with Arthur himself, but this isn't going to be one of my favourite Arthur series. Rest easy, Mary Stewart, your role as Queen of my Arthurian heart is unthreatened.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
October 12, 2024
The Golden Dragon and the Silver Bear
This book in the Camulod series is narrated entirely by Merlyn, and his story starts when he and his cousin Uther were just small lads and spoiled princes of both Camulod and the Pendragon forest kingdom. Merlyn’s father was Picus Britannicus, a Legate of Rome, new leader of the military in Camulod and the son of Caius Britannicus the founder of Camulod. Merlyn’s mother was the sister of King Ullic Pendragon of the Druidic Celts, and was killed shortly after his birth. Uther was the son of Uric Pendragon, son of Ullic and therefore heir to the Pendragon kingdom. The two were raised together and were great friends, even though Merlyn came to suspect Uther of a terrible deed.
The story follows the two cousins into adulthood and as leaders of Camulod, the world was theirs for the taking when the world wasn’t trying to invade what the Camulodians had already built. There is lots of action and the stuff that would build legends in this story, and once again the fiction is wrapped with Britain’s true history. This is a great story, but as with many great tales might be just a tad too long. No flaw is great enough to deprive this Arthurian tale of its five star rating.
This book in the Camulod series is narrated entirely by Merlyn, and his story starts when he and his cousin Uther were just small lads and spoiled princes of both Camulod and the Pendragon forest kingdom. Merlyn’s father was Picus Britannicus, a Legate of Rome, new leader of the military in Camulod and the son of Caius Britannicus the founder of Camulod. Merlyn’s mother was the sister of King Ullic Pendragon of the Druidic Celts, and was killed shortly after his birth. Uther was the son of Uric Pendragon, son of Ullic and therefore heir to the Pendragon kingdom. The two were raised together and were great friends, even though Merlyn came to suspect Uther of a terrible deed.
The story follows the two cousins into adulthood and as leaders of Camulod, the world was theirs for the taking when the world wasn’t trying to invade what the Camulodians had already built. There is lots of action and the stuff that would build legends in this story, and once again the fiction is wrapped with Britain’s true history. This is a great story, but as with many great tales might be just a tad too long. No flaw is great enough to deprive this Arthurian tale of its five star rating.
August 14, 2020
I was first introduced to the tales of King Arthur, whose realm is made magical by the intriguing wizard Merlin at six or seven. And in my teens I was very much impressed by the 1981 John Boorman movie Excalibur starring Helen Mirren, Nigel Terry and Nicol Williamson, starring a rather sinister and hard to like Merlin. Later I saw the more sympathetic Merlin in the highly engaging 1998 TV series Merlin starring Sam Neil. Have read Queen of Camelot by Nancy McKenzie which I loved and its sequels. The mediocre Pendragon cycle by Stephen Lawhead, the intriguing if drawn out Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, the Bernard Cornwell Arthur trilogy and the somewhat disappointing Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country by Rosalind Miles. Mary Stewart's Arthurian Saga is an absolute epic as good as Tolkien, together with Nancy McKenzie's works they are my very favourite historical fantasy series.
I had not read any of the previous books in the Camulod Chronicles but Eagle's Brood is a great stand alone novel.
This retelling is rich on history, dispels with actual magic in the sense of sorcery but does include some premonitions and telepathic knowledge through dreams, something intelligent people know to exist.
Merlyn as Caius Merlynus Britannicus grows up with his cousin Uther Pendragon in the self contained colony of Camulod in Britain, a former Roman town, soon after the Romans have left Britain. Britain is threatened by SAxons, Angles, Jutes and Danes from the continent in the East, Picts from Caledonia the North and Irish and Scots from Hibernia to the West . Uther and Merlyn are of Roman patrilineage and Celtic matrilineage. Merlyn is the narrator of the story speaking in first person. As the story begins Merlyn;s father is the general and procurator of the colony which is still heavily Romanized and run and lived according to Roman ways.
Merlyn grows up with Uther who is the same age They are adventurous and in their teens meet Lot, Prince of Cornwall who becomes their eternal and mortal enemy.
They are trained from little to become soldiers and are commanders by their twenties. Arthur meets and falls in love with a beautiful mute girl who they call Cassandra, later revealed to be an Scots Irish princess. A hideous and evil crime puts strain between Merlyn and Uther and several mysteries and twists and turns and adventures provide the meat of the book.A Scots Prince, at first a captive becomes Merlyn's loyal follower and lieutenant
It takes us up to a great war between Uther and Lot who has become KIng of Cornwall and Arthur's procurement of the baby Arthur.
My quibbles with the book are also a few. It is good, even gripping but didn't entrance me like Nancy Mckenzie' s Queen of Camelot books or Mary Stewart's Arthurian Partly because I prefer more of a Celtic feel to my Arthurian literature than a Roman one (and this one is Roman to the core)
Whyte also in part rambles on a little but most of the book is exciting
I had not read any of the previous books in the Camulod Chronicles but Eagle's Brood is a great stand alone novel.
This retelling is rich on history, dispels with actual magic in the sense of sorcery but does include some premonitions and telepathic knowledge through dreams, something intelligent people know to exist.
Merlyn as Caius Merlynus Britannicus grows up with his cousin Uther Pendragon in the self contained colony of Camulod in Britain, a former Roman town, soon after the Romans have left Britain. Britain is threatened by SAxons, Angles, Jutes and Danes from the continent in the East, Picts from Caledonia the North and Irish and Scots from Hibernia to the West . Uther and Merlyn are of Roman patrilineage and Celtic matrilineage. Merlyn is the narrator of the story speaking in first person. As the story begins Merlyn;s father is the general and procurator of the colony which is still heavily Romanized and run and lived according to Roman ways.
Merlyn grows up with Uther who is the same age They are adventurous and in their teens meet Lot, Prince of Cornwall who becomes their eternal and mortal enemy.
They are trained from little to become soldiers and are commanders by their twenties. Arthur meets and falls in love with a beautiful mute girl who they call Cassandra, later revealed to be an Scots Irish princess. A hideous and evil crime puts strain between Merlyn and Uther and several mysteries and twists and turns and adventures provide the meat of the book.A Scots Prince, at first a captive becomes Merlyn's loyal follower and lieutenant
It takes us up to a great war between Uther and Lot who has become KIng of Cornwall and Arthur's procurement of the baby Arthur.
My quibbles with the book are also a few. It is good, even gripping but didn't entrance me like Nancy Mckenzie' s Queen of Camelot books or Mary Stewart's Arthurian Partly because I prefer more of a Celtic feel to my Arthurian literature than a Roman one (and this one is Roman to the core)
Whyte also in part rambles on a little but most of the book is exciting
May 3, 2016
Not a review but ...
As with the previous books, this was a great story, but the glossing-over of some (in my mind) important events was a bit strange and ultimately made me remove a star from my rating.
For those who have read this book:
*Edit after just finishing Uther: I decided to bump this one from 4 stars to 5 because my complaints were answered in spectacular fashion in the later volume ... so better late than never.
As with the previous books, this was a great story, but the glossing-over of some (in my mind) important events was a bit strange and ultimately made me remove a star from my rating.
For those who have read this book:
*Edit after just finishing Uther: I decided to bump this one from 4 stars to 5 because my complaints were answered in spectacular fashion in the later volume ... so better late than never.
December 9, 2015
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.
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.
June 23, 2012
This book is part of a series of books based on the legends of King Arthur. I've read quite a few books based on Arthurian lore, but this series is unique. It doesn't stand out for the quality of the writing, which is no more than decent. It does stand out for the imagination and verisimilitude with which it uses history. Few Arthurian books I've read written in the last few decades are unabashed fantasy in the tradition of T.H. White's The Once and Future King with a Merlin that lives backwards and changes Arthur into various animals, but most have some fantasy aspects. Even Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, which carefully does build in a solid historical context, still has a large element of magic. Those two works are my favorite Arthurian tales by the way--both Stewart and T.H. White are wonderful writers. What makes Whyte's series different, at least so far, is the complete lack of magic (aside from some prescient dreams.) The first novel was The Skystone--referring to a meteorite from which was forged Excalibur.
That's what I mean about imagination. Used not to build a magical system and a fantasy world, but a Camelot (or rather here "Camulod") that truly might have existed within the cracks of what we know of Dark Age Britain. Strictly speaking, this is not fantasy at all but well-grounded historical fiction. The narrator of the first two books is Arthur's great-grandfather, Publius Varrus, and is set in the decades before Roman legions withdrew from Britain. In this book, the narrative baton is passed on to a name right from the legends--Merlyn, his nephew. Merlyn, King Lot, Uther Pendragon are the characters that drive this story. And Uther especially has an fascinating ambiguity and complexity.
I love good historical fiction, especially those that show me a side of history I didn't know. One work of historical fiction, All Things Are Lights, is a favorite precisely because I knew nothing before reading it about the Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade. Before reading it, I had thought Europe monolithically Roman Catholic during the Middle Ages. I had no idea so much of France held with the Gnostic Cathars before they were wiped out by a Christian crusade called for by the Pope. Similarly, I enjoyed in The Eagles' Brood the picture of early Christianity, particularly the picture of the British Pelagius and his belief in free will and conflict with the followers of Augustine of Hippo. I had never heard of Pelagius nor known that his teachings were widespread in Dark Age Britain. It made me wonder if history might have taken a very different path had his ideas won out. The book's picture of history is also interesting in many other ways. This may not be historical fantasy, but it is (among other things) military fiction--the invention of the stirrup and the flail are important elements in the story.
The novel does have its flaws. I mentioned that I don't think Whyte's in the same league as T.H. White or Stewart. His sex scenes particularly struck me as none too graceful. And god, the coincidences! Two incidents in particular struck me as implausible as some of the more ludicrous plot points in Shakespearean comedy where brothers who didn't know of each other's existence just happen to bump into each other. I thought some parts frankly dragged, which is the main reason this book is rated one star less than the first book in the series. But this novel does get rated as high as it is, because I do find Whyte's picture of Dark Ages Britain, and the way he finds credible realistic ways to render the familiar Arthurian legend, fascinating.
That's what I mean about imagination. Used not to build a magical system and a fantasy world, but a Camelot (or rather here "Camulod") that truly might have existed within the cracks of what we know of Dark Age Britain. Strictly speaking, this is not fantasy at all but well-grounded historical fiction. The narrator of the first two books is Arthur's great-grandfather, Publius Varrus, and is set in the decades before Roman legions withdrew from Britain. In this book, the narrative baton is passed on to a name right from the legends--Merlyn, his nephew. Merlyn, King Lot, Uther Pendragon are the characters that drive this story. And Uther especially has an fascinating ambiguity and complexity.
I love good historical fiction, especially those that show me a side of history I didn't know. One work of historical fiction, All Things Are Lights, is a favorite precisely because I knew nothing before reading it about the Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade. Before reading it, I had thought Europe monolithically Roman Catholic during the Middle Ages. I had no idea so much of France held with the Gnostic Cathars before they were wiped out by a Christian crusade called for by the Pope. Similarly, I enjoyed in The Eagles' Brood the picture of early Christianity, particularly the picture of the British Pelagius and his belief in free will and conflict with the followers of Augustine of Hippo. I had never heard of Pelagius nor known that his teachings were widespread in Dark Age Britain. It made me wonder if history might have taken a very different path had his ideas won out. The book's picture of history is also interesting in many other ways. This may not be historical fantasy, but it is (among other things) military fiction--the invention of the stirrup and the flail are important elements in the story.
The novel does have its flaws. I mentioned that I don't think Whyte's in the same league as T.H. White or Stewart. His sex scenes particularly struck me as none too graceful. And god, the coincidences! Two incidents in particular struck me as implausible as some of the more ludicrous plot points in Shakespearean comedy where brothers who didn't know of each other's existence just happen to bump into each other. I thought some parts frankly dragged, which is the main reason this book is rated one star less than the first book in the series. But this novel does get rated as high as it is, because I do find Whyte's picture of Dark Ages Britain, and the way he finds credible realistic ways to render the familiar Arthurian legend, fascinating.
September 23, 2014
Initially a one-star review may seem harsh, hostile or something else vindictive but hopefully I'll elucidate on why I felt that the only realistic score for me personally.
The frustrating thing about Jack Whyte is that you only have to dip into one of his books to recognise that he has an undeniable talent at creating believable, realistic & tangible characters and an atmosphere that is rich in detail & immersive.... He just believes fervently in burying all that positive plus points beneath rhetorical tonnes of bland greyness and wistful meanderings, to the extent that all enjoyment and thrill is utterly sucked out of the story, leaving nothing but a dessicated husk of what could have been.
This book in particular is arguably where the author feels most at liberty to pontificate, ruminate and generally bore the brains out of the reader. Wistful thinking, eulogising, pondering and theologising - yes, ruminations on spiritual discourse! - make up the bulk of this book, to the extent where you can skip whole pages and still feel weighted down and sinking fast.
Another element that seriously undermines the authors abilities is his obsession with randomly using obscure over the top words like 'propitiate' or 'concupiscent', so that if and when you finally build some sort of momentum in the story, you feel like you've stumbled and tripped over and have to start all over again.
I'll reiterate, the author is clearly a talented writer with the depth of detail and ability to weave an immersive atmosphere. It's just such a shame that he feels the need for bury it beneath such banal frills and pompous adornments.
I truly admire anyone who will be able to make it to the nearly five hundred page end of this book as getting to page 200 alone was an epic feat of effort which felt like double the distance.
This was the book that broke the series for me.
Strongly doubt I'll bother with any of the rest.
(As this is a 'prequel', I've read it out of publishing order to fit in with the storyline's chronology)
The frustrating thing about Jack Whyte is that you only have to dip into one of his books to recognise that he has an undeniable talent at creating believable, realistic & tangible characters and an atmosphere that is rich in detail & immersive.... He just believes fervently in burying all that positive plus points beneath rhetorical tonnes of bland greyness and wistful meanderings, to the extent that all enjoyment and thrill is utterly sucked out of the story, leaving nothing but a dessicated husk of what could have been.
This book in particular is arguably where the author feels most at liberty to pontificate, ruminate and generally bore the brains out of the reader. Wistful thinking, eulogising, pondering and theologising - yes, ruminations on spiritual discourse! - make up the bulk of this book, to the extent where you can skip whole pages and still feel weighted down and sinking fast.
Another element that seriously undermines the authors abilities is his obsession with randomly using obscure over the top words like 'propitiate' or 'concupiscent', so that if and when you finally build some sort of momentum in the story, you feel like you've stumbled and tripped over and have to start all over again.
I'll reiterate, the author is clearly a talented writer with the depth of detail and ability to weave an immersive atmosphere. It's just such a shame that he feels the need for bury it beneath such banal frills and pompous adornments.
I truly admire anyone who will be able to make it to the nearly five hundred page end of this book as getting to page 200 alone was an epic feat of effort which felt like double the distance.
This was the book that broke the series for me.
Strongly doubt I'll bother with any of the rest.
(As this is a 'prequel', I've read it out of publishing order to fit in with the storyline's chronology)
January 2, 2023
I'm for sure not loving these books - my God these men have such egos.
Also, he's moved people around so Lot (who is supposed to be of Lothian in the North) is Lot Duck of Cornwall in the South. In spite of this, I will continue to the next book and see how we do. Arthur is finally born.
Also, he's moved people around so Lot (who is supposed to be of Lothian in the North) is Lot Duck of Cornwall in the South. In spite of this, I will continue to the next book and see how we do. Arthur is finally born.
May 23, 2020
Round up to 3.5 stars
June 6, 2020
Should be The Eagles Brood.
the Eagles Brood about ten years ago and though a different title, this is still a great book. Hate the new name and new order of series, which defies logic. But love the book. Only fourth book I've re-read and others were first two in the series and a Douglas Jackson book.
the Eagles Brood about ten years ago and though a different title, this is still a great book. Hate the new name and new order of series, which defies logic. But love the book. Only fourth book I've re-read and others were first two in the series and a Douglas Jackson book.
July 6, 2025
Jack Whyte the Pansexual Pastafarian. At least I have to assume as much. Otherwise the Camulod Chronicles exhibits a hypocrisy in its author and its characters so profound it likely qualifies as psychosis. I repeatedly attempted to keep track of the number of times the book's plot and main characters set forth women and the general population as sub-animal beasts to be used and cast aside with zero regard and then on the next page attempted to castigate some other group for doing exactly the same thing. I repeatedly lost track because it was so prolific to the series. The only way this story device holds up to scrutiny is if the author is intentionally setting up the main plot to highlight the hypocrisy.
"Send my servants back to me as soon as possible, they have work to do!" - who cares if they've just been through several days of physical and psychological hell, raped, held hostage, and then used as a bargaining chip in military negotiations. There are floors to scrub!!"
...
to be clear to all the men out there. Rape is violently destructive both physically and psychologically. The idea that a mere week or three were sufficient to see Merlin's mute sex toy heal and start boffing him with eager gusto was such profound male bullshit I lack words to sufficiently express the incredulity. That kind of trauma takes years to heal from, mentally and physically, if it's healed at all. Women who are raped thus have to go through reconstructive surgery and physical therapy just to be able to have bowel control again. What they do not do is go climb trees after a couple weeks of rest and start intimate relations again.
I'm not even going to go into the absurd level of historical inaccuracy that leads the cadre of protagonists to be the inventors, finders, or thieves of every major technological advancement in warfare for the next 1000 years - in 400CE. There's no point, and to a large extent, it's not important because "fiction" and stealing a weapon from the 1200s and plunking it down in 400 to tell a story. There's a vastly different level of impact in telling a fictional story that perpetuates the societal "them" vs "us" of imperialism, colonialism, racism, and bigotry to justify the degradation and exploitation of another human being.
Thus, Jack Whyte is either a Pansexual Pastafarian, or he's a xenophobe, misogynist, bigot, homophobe, racist on par with the orange muppet. Given the profusion of adjectives - everything in the book is the most amazing, perfect, sublime, bestest thing of its thing that has ever thinged, on every page... it's also possible that Jack Whyte was the orange muppet's speech writer. It could explain a lot.
Three books in and I feel so sorry for my childhood self. I cannot believe I inflicted these books on myself in the vein hope of actually reading a fantastical story about King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin and Camelot. It does explain why I could remember nothing of them even though I knew I had read the first five books. Clearly, I forcibly forgot them in self defense.
"Send my servants back to me as soon as possible, they have work to do!" - who cares if they've just been through several days of physical and psychological hell, raped, held hostage, and then used as a bargaining chip in military negotiations. There are floors to scrub!!"
...
to be clear to all the men out there. Rape is violently destructive both physically and psychologically. The idea that a mere week or three were sufficient to see Merlin's mute sex toy heal and start boffing him with eager gusto was such profound male bullshit I lack words to sufficiently express the incredulity. That kind of trauma takes years to heal from, mentally and physically, if it's healed at all. Women who are raped thus have to go through reconstructive surgery and physical therapy just to be able to have bowel control again. What they do not do is go climb trees after a couple weeks of rest and start intimate relations again.
I'm not even going to go into the absurd level of historical inaccuracy that leads the cadre of protagonists to be the inventors, finders, or thieves of every major technological advancement in warfare for the next 1000 years - in 400CE. There's no point, and to a large extent, it's not important because "fiction" and stealing a weapon from the 1200s and plunking it down in 400 to tell a story. There's a vastly different level of impact in telling a fictional story that perpetuates the societal "them" vs "us" of imperialism, colonialism, racism, and bigotry to justify the degradation and exploitation of another human being.
Thus, Jack Whyte is either a Pansexual Pastafarian, or he's a xenophobe, misogynist, bigot, homophobe, racist on par with the orange muppet. Given the profusion of adjectives - everything in the book is the most amazing, perfect, sublime, bestest thing of its thing that has ever thinged, on every page... it's also possible that Jack Whyte was the orange muppet's speech writer. It could explain a lot.
Three books in and I feel so sorry for my childhood self. I cannot believe I inflicted these books on myself in the vein hope of actually reading a fantastical story about King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin and Camelot. It does explain why I could remember nothing of them even though I knew I had read the first five books. Clearly, I forcibly forgot them in self defense.
May 22, 2010
The Eagle's Brood brings this pre-Arthurian tale to an important junction-- the birth of King Arthur. Along the way, Caius Merlyn suspects his cousin, Uther, of an act or outrageous barbarism upon a young woman. He brings the woman to his secret hideaway (nicknamed Avalon) and there nurses her back to health and eventually to love. In the meantime, the question burns-- DID UTHER DO THIS THING?? The question in my mind-- Was Whyte watching pornography when he dreamed up the conflict between Uther and Merlyn's eventual love interest? IN other words, it got very explicit and I felt a bit degraded trying to get through it. In other novels, the sexual conquests, etc. all played an important part in the plotting, but this time Whyte departs from what seems to be a simple conjoining to move the plot along in favor of describing a full-scale orgy... He makes his point, but not before offending the most sensible of his readers-- who, I imagine, can recognize the stretch of reality's fabric as a plot mechanism that was poorly contrived, and poorly developed, and in poor taste.
I don't want to offer any spoilers-- but much of this novel deals with the relationship between Merlyn and his love-- but along the way we meet King Lot's evil magician/assasins. Whyte provides a real-world explanation for their supposed magic (as well as how it fell into the hands of Merlyn- likely to be used in later books)... and winds the novel up without really answering the question about Uther's act of criminal rage or his actual character. Uther remains in the story, the most poorly developed character ever. Whyte never moves the reader to love or hate-- leaving him to float forever in apathy. That Merlyn loves his cousin is never in doubt.
The author manages to leave the reader hanging at an awkward place in the storyline.
I applaud Whyte's efforts to discuss economic and religious culture, the effects of technology upon the changing of the land from Roman to Briton, and the writer has a wonderful style that at times, forces me to use a dictionary to assay a clever a turn of phrase to see if it makes sense... Merlyn has become the focus of this series, and likely shall be as we see young Arthur grow up (as he is doing in the SAXON SHORE) which I am now about halfway through.
Still, this reader would be more comfortable if the author stopped trying to be pornographic and just continued to be graphic in his wonderful descriptions of the land, the people, the culture, the weapons, the technology of forging materials and candle making, and so on. Sex most certainly has a place in this story-- it just doesn't need to be so vivid to make its point.
I don't want to offer any spoilers-- but much of this novel deals with the relationship between Merlyn and his love-- but along the way we meet King Lot's evil magician/assasins. Whyte provides a real-world explanation for their supposed magic (as well as how it fell into the hands of Merlyn- likely to be used in later books)... and winds the novel up without really answering the question about Uther's act of criminal rage or his actual character. Uther remains in the story, the most poorly developed character ever. Whyte never moves the reader to love or hate-- leaving him to float forever in apathy. That Merlyn loves his cousin is never in doubt.
The author manages to leave the reader hanging at an awkward place in the storyline.
I applaud Whyte's efforts to discuss economic and religious culture, the effects of technology upon the changing of the land from Roman to Briton, and the writer has a wonderful style that at times, forces me to use a dictionary to assay a clever a turn of phrase to see if it makes sense... Merlyn has become the focus of this series, and likely shall be as we see young Arthur grow up (as he is doing in the SAXON SHORE) which I am now about halfway through.
Still, this reader would be more comfortable if the author stopped trying to be pornographic and just continued to be graphic in his wonderful descriptions of the land, the people, the culture, the weapons, the technology of forging materials and candle making, and so on. Sex most certainly has a place in this story-- it just doesn't need to be so vivid to make its point.
November 19, 2021
Another one I forgot to check in! You know a series is good when...
February 10, 2014
For me, The Eagle’s Brood was such a sad book. I had to say goodbye to some of my favourite characters from the previous two books: Picus, Publius Varrus and Equus. Although Caius Merlyn doesn’t have the flair and sense of humour of Publius Varrus, I really did grow to love him as a narrator.
The characters were great in this. We see everything through Merlyn’s eyes, with all of his judgments and flaws. He’s a good person but not a perfect character and gradually realizes his flaws. He can be more than a little judgmental and arrogant at times, but I love how the perspective is told from his older self looking back on his youth. It brings a little more balance to the equation and I loved Merlyn all the more for it. Uther was an okay character, but we didn’t really get to see much of the good side of him at all. That’s why I feel I need to reread Uther (the standalone Jack Whyte later wrote from Uther’s perspective) to fully understand him better.
The plot wasn’t the most fast-moving at the beginning, but the last few hundred pages went fast. The familiar Arthurian mythology we all know and love is now present almost all of the way through the novel and combined with the other events like the war with Lot, this made for a fast read. If you’re just picking this book up without reading the first two in A Dream of Eagles you won’t appreciate it as much, but each of Jack Whyte’s books can stand on their own.
I can’t and won’t really comment on the historical accuracy of The Eagles’ Brood. Although the main events of the novel are correct: the Romans withdrew from Britain, the Saxons started raiding the shores, tribes squabbled for control while the remaining Romans in the province tried to restore some order. I have a feeling that most of Jack Whyte’s novel is historically accurate because of what I know of ancient Rome as well as how he really sucks you into that period of time. You really do feel like you’re there and that’s something I’ve always admired in him as a writer.
Despite some rather graphic, disturbing scenes I really did enjoy The Eagles’ Brood. I’d highly recommend A Dream of Eagles series to anyone who enjoys the Arthurian legends, with or without magical elements.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
The characters were great in this. We see everything through Merlyn’s eyes, with all of his judgments and flaws. He’s a good person but not a perfect character and gradually realizes his flaws. He can be more than a little judgmental and arrogant at times, but I love how the perspective is told from his older self looking back on his youth. It brings a little more balance to the equation and I loved Merlyn all the more for it. Uther was an okay character, but we didn’t really get to see much of the good side of him at all. That’s why I feel I need to reread Uther (the standalone Jack Whyte later wrote from Uther’s perspective) to fully understand him better.
The plot wasn’t the most fast-moving at the beginning, but the last few hundred pages went fast. The familiar Arthurian mythology we all know and love is now present almost all of the way through the novel and combined with the other events like the war with Lot, this made for a fast read. If you’re just picking this book up without reading the first two in A Dream of Eagles you won’t appreciate it as much, but each of Jack Whyte’s books can stand on their own.
I can’t and won’t really comment on the historical accuracy of The Eagles’ Brood. Although the main events of the novel are correct: the Romans withdrew from Britain, the Saxons started raiding the shores, tribes squabbled for control while the remaining Romans in the province tried to restore some order. I have a feeling that most of Jack Whyte’s novel is historically accurate because of what I know of ancient Rome as well as how he really sucks you into that period of time. You really do feel like you’re there and that’s something I’ve always admired in him as a writer.
Despite some rather graphic, disturbing scenes I really did enjoy The Eagles’ Brood. I’d highly recommend A Dream of Eagles series to anyone who enjoys the Arthurian legends, with or without magical elements.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
May 12, 2019
Realistic reimagining of the Arthurian legend, about Merlyn and Uther before Arthur's birth. Lots of military battles, and Whyte is a compelling storyteller. I also like how he portrayed the source of Merlyn's reputation as a sorcerer, and how he fit all these various legendary elements like Excalibur and Camelot into a historically believable world.
I'm a tad let down by the portrayal of women, in particular Cassandra whom Merlyn loved. She was deaf and mute and loved staring at him adoringly while he talked. He protected her and I like that Whyte made it clear that their romance was her choice, but the whole thing just left a bad taste in my mouth, especially when later on, Merlyn learns about her true identity. I'm reminded that 'Cassandra' was the name he just gave her because she physically couldn't tell them what her name actually was, and I also realize that for all his professions of love, Merlyn knew nothing at all about who this woman is (no big dramatic secret, just basic info like her family and country of origin) and that his big love for her was due to her physical affection and sweet, adoring gazes. Blech.
There's also a subplot that involves rape -- a woman has sex with a man who is drugged and unconscious. The story delves into the effect on the woman's reputation if it comes out, and touches on the issue of the man's consent (he mostly thought he was dreaming of sex with an imaginary woman), but ultimately treats the bit about consent as 'no harm, no foul' since the man barely realized it was happening and basically just thought he was having good dreams. And I get that this book was written years ago, and that it was set centuries ago, when ideas around rape and consent were treated differently, but it still felt ick.
I'm a tad let down by the portrayal of women, in particular Cassandra whom Merlyn loved. She was deaf and mute and loved staring at him adoringly while he talked. He protected her and I like that Whyte made it clear that their romance was her choice, but the whole thing just left a bad taste in my mouth, especially when later on, Merlyn learns about her true identity. I'm reminded that 'Cassandra' was the name he just gave her because she physically couldn't tell them what her name actually was, and I also realize that for all his professions of love, Merlyn knew nothing at all about who this woman is (no big dramatic secret, just basic info like her family and country of origin) and that his big love for her was due to her physical affection and sweet, adoring gazes. Blech.
There's also a subplot that involves rape -- a woman has sex with a man who is drugged and unconscious. The story delves into the effect on the woman's reputation if it comes out, and touches on the issue of the man's consent (he mostly thought he was dreaming of sex with an imaginary woman), but ultimately treats the bit about consent as 'no harm, no foul' since the man barely realized it was happening and basically just thought he was having good dreams. And I get that this book was written years ago, and that it was set centuries ago, when ideas around rape and consent were treated differently, but it still felt ick.
February 6, 2017
This was a tremendous disappointment after the first two books about the parents of Merlin. I'm no prude, but the sex and violence are unnecessarily gratuitous here.
This book supposedly looks at the lives of Arthur's parents but Igraine (King Arthur's mother) only appears in a couple of pages. I would think that a hero's mother would get more black type than that, but that's just me. And Uther Pendragon is a psychopath and not a particularly interesting one at that.
I'm not reading any more of this series. And if you do and happen to LOVE this book (especially the sex and violence parts) then I'm going to take you off of my Christmas card list.
This book supposedly looks at the lives of Arthur's parents but Igraine (King Arthur's mother) only appears in a couple of pages. I would think that a hero's mother would get more black type than that, but that's just me. And Uther Pendragon is a psychopath and not a particularly interesting one at that.
I'm not reading any more of this series. And if you do and happen to LOVE this book (especially the sex and violence parts) then I'm going to take you off of my Christmas card list.
July 22, 2012
Fans of the King Arthur Mythos will love this series by Jack Whyte. "The Eagle's Brood" is the third book in the Camulod series, started in "The Skystone". Whyte has thoroughly re-imagined the Arthurian legends through intense research by describing the Roman occupation of the British Isles, the intermingling of Christian and Druidic cultures, and the Saxon invasions. In this third installment, we are introduced to a young Merlyn Britanicus, whose cousin Uther Pendragon wages war against a neighboring kingdom and meets and falls in love with Lady Igraine. Their forbidden love results in the birth of the young child-king, Arthur. The rest, as they say, is history. There are many King Arthur fiction series out there, and I have not come anywhere near reading most of them, but this is a great, well-written series.
July 27, 2011
(I'd love to edit it, but it's not here to edit.) The three books that take us from the Roman legions to the birth of Arthur are enthralling. Every time I thought there was an historical point to note, Whyte noted it, everything I ever learned about the Eagles in Britain was there and a lot I never learned. This is what historical fiction should be. Now that I've got as far as Arthur's birth I'll have to go through the pile of books here and find the rest. Everyone thinks they have the best take on Arthur but very few make it logical. Whyte's is so believable you'd almost think he was there and knew it all to be true.
November 12, 2011
As wonderful as the previous books in the series were, this has far surpassed in quality and content anything that Whyte conceived previously. His mythos grows ever richer with each passing story, and this in particular was truly spectacular. The Eagles' Brood is one of the few stories that I have so longed to hear since childhood, yet never suspected I would, and certainly not so grandly. Though his work may not currently receive the credit it so duly deserves, I hope that history will boldly mark Whyte's work amongst the most revered tales in the accepted canon of Aurthurian lore where it belongs. How could it receive anything less than 5 stars?
April 26, 2021
Wow. This one took me a long time to finish for some reason or another, but I sincerely loved every second of it.
April 11, 2011
I just finished it this weekend, I had goosebumps when I read the ending. This series is a MUST read all the way so far, for anyone who's interested in Arthurian stuff!
I love how Jack Whyte "humanized" and "rationalized" the iconic symbols of the legend: Avalon, the Round Table, Excalibur and such, even Merlyn. But at the same time, he managed to keep them all magical all the same. Again, a must read! The whole series is a must read!
I love how Jack Whyte "humanized" and "rationalized" the iconic symbols of the legend: Avalon, the Round Table, Excalibur and such, even Merlyn. But at the same time, he managed to keep them all magical all the same. Again, a must read! The whole series is a must read!
August 22, 2018
Remember Merlin, the legendary soldier/theologian?
Me neither.
In its attempt to deliver what was supposed to be a fresh and original retelling of the Arthurian legend, this book felt way short. It’s 600 pages long, but most of what’s relevant happens in the first 100 pages and then in the last 50 or so. The rest had little to no consequence to the narrative or the plot.
Me neither.
In its attempt to deliver what was supposed to be a fresh and original retelling of the Arthurian legend, this book felt way short. It’s 600 pages long, but most of what’s relevant happens in the first 100 pages and then in the last 50 or so. The rest had little to no consequence to the narrative or the plot.
June 24, 2016
Strangely lacking in any kind of suspense, and the one through line that at least has you wondering (will he kill him?) is a cheat at the end. These books also keep offending me, when they aren't lecturing me. Gah, why do I feel compelled to finish the series? I'm not enjoying them at all.
July 22, 2014
This is the third book in a row I've read in this series and they are amazing! His research is fantastic as is his writing. I'm going to read everything by this author.
January 8, 2017
Excellent series - hard to put down, and this book is no exception!
November 30, 2018
Man is Whyte a weird dude.
He also has little concept for a tightly written plot. This installment has the same issues previous ones did; meandered endlessly.
He also has little concept for a tightly written plot. This installment has the same issues previous ones did; meandered endlessly.
January 18, 2021
This series continues to be the most enjoyable set of King Arthur tales I've read (and I've read a lot of them). Another gargantuan recommendation to fans of historical fiction and Arthurian legends.
The third book in the Camulod series switches narrative perspective, as the first two were written in the voice of Gaius Publius Varrus, but this one is narrated by Caius Merlyn Brittanicus, the grand-nephew of Varrus, grandson of Caius Britannicus, and son of Picus Britannicus and Enid, sister to King Ullic of the Pendragon Celts of Cambria. Merlyn was born on the same day as his cousin, Uther Pendragon, grandson of Varrus through his daughter Veronica and her marriage to Uric, son of King Ullic. The story follows both boys as they grow up, inseparable friends, spending nearly equal time in both Camulod (the Colony founded by Varrus and Brittanicus) and Pendragon lands in Cambria, although Merlyn inherits the leadership of Camulod (and Varrus's hidden masterpiece, the sword Excalibur), while Uther inherits the leadership of Pendragon. Merlyn's father, Picus, the Commander of Camulod's military force of cavalry and infantry, is shown as an intelligent man with an edge of harsh discipline in military matters, but exhibiting the the freedom of thought necessary in a fair leader (particularly in the newly-arisen Church schism between the followers of Augustine of Hippo, who argued for the necessity of priestly intercession and against the inclusion of women in matters of importance due to Eve's original sin, and those of Pelagius, who influenced much of Camulod's society with his talk of gender equality and the inherent nature of all people to appeal through their own senses of right and wrong directly to God without priests). As Merlyn and Uther grow into young adulthood, they are both hailed as skilled military leaders, and Merlyn in particular shows a head for diplomacy during his military forays, leading him to meet in battle, capture as hostage, and eventually befriend Donuil, a "Scot" from Hibernia, which Donuil calls "Eire." Merlyn also finds a viciously abused, mute girl he names Cassandra (but who really has a much longer story closely linked with Merlyn's other friends), and out of fear for her safety hides her away in a special glade by a waterfall that he calls Avalon, and their relationship blossoms in secret. On a trip to witness a Church debate of Augustinian principles vs. Pelagian principles, Merlyn meets and befriends warrior-bishop Germanus, King Vortigern of Northumbria, and Vortigern's military commander Ambrose, who bears a striking resemblance to Merlyn himself, beginning a deeper connection. Merlyn and Uther also meet, and quickly identify as a nasty enemy, King Lot of Cornwall, who eventually spurs the armies of Camulod into war.
This book really has it all: action, erudition, love, ideals and their evil opposites, even religious philosophy. It's superbly written, with Whyte's skillful literary style, with equal parts fast-paced activity, luxurious description of scenery, and deep study of historical life in post-Roman Britain. It trickles out bits of familiar Arthurian tales while thrilling the reader with unfamiliar stories of battles, travels, treaties, joy, sadness, and intrigue. The story begs to be read as much at one time as possible, and I must admit I spent a few frigid winter nights sitting on my back deck engrossed by the read.
Apart from my standard disagreement with British sparse use of commas, the only editorial remark I have for this book is a single instance of the use of "if worst comes to worst." Otherwise, the novel was an error-free joy to read.
I really do recommend this book, and this series, as highly as possible. The mere idea of Arthur isn't even mentioned until the final few pages of this book, but even after 3 full novels, it's the best groundwork for an Arthurian series I've ever read, and as the Matter of Britain is a particular interest of mine, I've read many versions of these tales. This is so far the best I've seen outside of the "original" sources. Huge recommendations to fans of historical fiction in general, and Arthurian legends in particular.
The third book in the Camulod series switches narrative perspective, as the first two were written in the voice of Gaius Publius Varrus, but this one is narrated by Caius Merlyn Brittanicus, the grand-nephew of Varrus, grandson of Caius Britannicus, and son of Picus Britannicus and Enid, sister to King Ullic of the Pendragon Celts of Cambria. Merlyn was born on the same day as his cousin, Uther Pendragon, grandson of Varrus through his daughter Veronica and her marriage to Uric, son of King Ullic. The story follows both boys as they grow up, inseparable friends, spending nearly equal time in both Camulod (the Colony founded by Varrus and Brittanicus) and Pendragon lands in Cambria, although Merlyn inherits the leadership of Camulod (and Varrus's hidden masterpiece, the sword Excalibur), while Uther inherits the leadership of Pendragon. Merlyn's father, Picus, the Commander of Camulod's military force of cavalry and infantry, is shown as an intelligent man with an edge of harsh discipline in military matters, but exhibiting the the freedom of thought necessary in a fair leader (particularly in the newly-arisen Church schism between the followers of Augustine of Hippo, who argued for the necessity of priestly intercession and against the inclusion of women in matters of importance due to Eve's original sin, and those of Pelagius, who influenced much of Camulod's society with his talk of gender equality and the inherent nature of all people to appeal through their own senses of right and wrong directly to God without priests). As Merlyn and Uther grow into young adulthood, they are both hailed as skilled military leaders, and Merlyn in particular shows a head for diplomacy during his military forays, leading him to meet in battle, capture as hostage, and eventually befriend Donuil, a "Scot" from Hibernia, which Donuil calls "Eire." Merlyn also finds a viciously abused, mute girl he names Cassandra (but who really has a much longer story closely linked with Merlyn's other friends), and out of fear for her safety hides her away in a special glade by a waterfall that he calls Avalon, and their relationship blossoms in secret. On a trip to witness a Church debate of Augustinian principles vs. Pelagian principles, Merlyn meets and befriends warrior-bishop Germanus, King Vortigern of Northumbria, and Vortigern's military commander Ambrose, who bears a striking resemblance to Merlyn himself, beginning a deeper connection. Merlyn and Uther also meet, and quickly identify as a nasty enemy, King Lot of Cornwall, who eventually spurs the armies of Camulod into war.
This book really has it all: action, erudition, love, ideals and their evil opposites, even religious philosophy. It's superbly written, with Whyte's skillful literary style, with equal parts fast-paced activity, luxurious description of scenery, and deep study of historical life in post-Roman Britain. It trickles out bits of familiar Arthurian tales while thrilling the reader with unfamiliar stories of battles, travels, treaties, joy, sadness, and intrigue. The story begs to be read as much at one time as possible, and I must admit I spent a few frigid winter nights sitting on my back deck engrossed by the read.
Apart from my standard disagreement with British sparse use of commas, the only editorial remark I have for this book is a single instance of the use of "if worst comes to worst." Otherwise, the novel was an error-free joy to read.
I really do recommend this book, and this series, as highly as possible. The mere idea of Arthur isn't even mentioned until the final few pages of this book, but even after 3 full novels, it's the best groundwork for an Arthurian series I've ever read, and as the Matter of Britain is a particular interest of mine, I've read many versions of these tales. This is so far the best I've seen outside of the "original" sources. Huge recommendations to fans of historical fiction in general, and Arthurian legends in particular.
October 21, 2019
I never really had much interest in the King Arthur legend until I reluctantly embarked on this series at the urging of friends. I'm not one for fantasy and magic, unless of course it is Harry Potter. This series has changed my mind, largely because it isn't fantasy and magic. It presents the story of King Arthur in a very plausible way. The first two books are the set-up for the series, telling the story of how two former Roman soldiers set up a colony and a new system of government in post-Roman Britain. This third book tells the story of their grandsons, Uther Pendragon and Merlyn, who lead this colony through violent times. In my opinion this is the best of the series so far. It started a bit slow, but soon grabbed me and held my attention. The detail of the world Jack Whyte has created is incredible. This series is definitely meant for a male audience, and that is where I sometimes have trouble with his writing. The sex can be violent and graphic, and sometimes makes me uncomfortable. Somehow violent sexual encounters from a male perspective seem harder for me to read than those from a female perspective, and as a fan of Diana Gabaldon (to whom I think Jack Whyte can be compared) I am hardly a prude. I am deducting a star as I think the sex could have been toned down a bit, and because the last few chapters seemed chaotic, confused and rushed. It was as if the author had so much material to cover, but felt the book was becoming too long, so tried to fit too much in at the end. Perhaps this was due to pressure from his publisher. At any rate, here I am at the end of the third book. Arthur has finally been born, and I know the series is going to keep getting better. I will have to get my hands on the next book before I forget what happened in this one.
February 25, 2018
If ever there was a story of immigration The Eagles Brood in the Camulod Chronicles series of books I am currently reading describes it in detail. The era was 300-500 A.D. and the story takes place in what is now known as England. In those years the land belonged to the Roman Empire. As all empires go, the politicians got greedy and the tax money lined their pockets instead of paying their armies to keep law, and order in the territories. Reading about the society of that era is much like reading about our own society today. Our politicians all prosper while our status in the world, and even at home suffers. Masses of people all looking to get a piece of our heavenly land flock across the borders to flee oppression in their native lands.
One huge difference between 400 A.D. and 2018 A.D. is that immigrants aren't being led by egomaniacal leaders who do not want land alone, but power as well. A second difference is in the way immigrants fought wars. Land was won by the group that could slay the weaker one. Literally, battles ended when there were no more soldiers of the other side to kill. Bodies piled up every where, wounded were triaged into the savable and those to be put out of their misery. WOW!
The author, Jack Whyte has not let me down yet, and the story continues for another four volumes. His characters are strong and human. Some are pure evil and desperate for control. The family blood line is what drives his narrative, and at this point he is in the fourth generation.
The historical period is fascinating, and Jack Whyte is a master historian of the time. His dialog, description of living conditions, and customs makes the reader become one of the characters.
One huge difference between 400 A.D. and 2018 A.D. is that immigrants aren't being led by egomaniacal leaders who do not want land alone, but power as well. A second difference is in the way immigrants fought wars. Land was won by the group that could slay the weaker one. Literally, battles ended when there were no more soldiers of the other side to kill. Bodies piled up every where, wounded were triaged into the savable and those to be put out of their misery. WOW!
The author, Jack Whyte has not let me down yet, and the story continues for another four volumes. His characters are strong and human. Some are pure evil and desperate for control. The family blood line is what drives his narrative, and at this point he is in the fourth generation.
The historical period is fascinating, and Jack Whyte is a master historian of the time. His dialog, description of living conditions, and customs makes the reader become one of the characters.
January 20, 2020
Eagle’s Brood is Book #3 in Canadian author Jack Whyte’s wonderful Camulod Chronicles series. One could absolutely begin the series with Eagle’s Brood since the book begins approximately 18 years after the conclusion of the closely connected The Skystone (Book 1) and The Singing Sword (Book 2). I will keep this review spoiler-free and remark the style is consistent with the series’ first 2 books: an enjoyable balance of exciting action and exploratory, cognitive first-person narrative. I realized while reading Eagle’s Brood that Jack Whyte’s writing style is remarkably similar to George Eliot, Charles Dickens, or another one of the Victorian greats. While, on the one hand, Whyte’s lengthy passages often contain extra words and rich, elongated descriptions; they are also beautifully written containing beautiful insights about the human experience. I think so far this has been my favorite Whyte novel and I’m looking forward to more!
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