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The Singing Sword

Book 2 in the series:Camulod Chronicles

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The Singing Sword is the second book in the Camulod Chronicles series by Jack Whyte, which delves into the historical fiction retelling of the Arthurian legend. The story follows Publius Varrus, a Roman legionnaire and the man who will forge Excalibur. Set in the twilight of the Roman Empire, the book offers a realistic portrayal of King Arthur's ancestors, focusing on the struggles of the infant colony founded by Varrus and his friend Caius Britannicus in southwest Britain. Through the eyes of Varrus, readers witness the emergence of Arthurian motifs and characters, such as the birth of Merlyn and Uther, against the backdrop of Saxon raids and the crumbling Roman empire.

Characters:

Characters in the story are intricately developed, particularly the protagonist Publius Varrus, which fosters a connection with readers as they navigate their evolving world.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is journal-like with diverse perspectives, characterized by detailed descriptions that enhance the historical context, though it may lack in fluidity compared to other styles.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative presents a realistic depiction of the Arthurian legend, centering on the character of Publius Varrus and the political dynamics of a collapsing Roman Empire.

Setting:

The setting is firmly rooted in late Roman Britain, exploring the political and social shifts as the empire crumbles and local leadership begins to emerge.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with criticisms regarding its slow progression compared to the first installment, impacting the overall tension and engagement.
I stood with my shoulders pressed against the wall, my sodden tunic clammy cold against my back. I raised my hand in a useless attempt to clear streaming rain-water from my eyes, and my waterlogged ca...

Notes:

The Singing Sword is the second book in the Camulod Chronicles series.
The series is a realistic retelling of the King Arthur legend, contrasting with many fantasy versions.
The narrative follows Publius Varrus, a Roman legionnaire and blacksmith, who is connected to the legendary sword Excalibur.
Excalibur is described as being made from metal smelted from a meteorite, providing a unique origin story.
The story is set in the twilight of the Roman Empire and focuses on the early formation of Britain after Roman withdrawal.
The book introduces early elements of chivalry and warfare, including heavy cavalry tactics.
Characters evolve as historical figures emerge, such as Uther and Merlyn, who are Arthur's ancestors.
Readers appreciate the journal-like format, which allows for diverse perspectives in storytelling.
Jack Whyte's writing style is likened to classic authors like Mary Stewart and T.H. White, though some find it a bit stiff.
Themes of survival and cultural blending between Roman and Celtic societies are central to the plot.

From The Publisher:

We know the legends: Arthur brought justice to a land that had known only cruelty and force; his father, Uther, carved a kingdom out of the chaos of the fallen Roman Empire; the sword Excalibur, drawn from stone by England's greatest king.

But legends do not tell the whole tale. Legends do not tell of the despairing Roman soldiers, abandoned by their empire, faced with the choice of fleeing back to Rome, or struggling to create a last stronghold against the barbarian onslaughts from the north and east. Legends do not tell of Arthur's great-grandfather, Publius Varrus, the warrior who marked the boundaries of a reborn empire with his own shed blood; they do not tell of Publius's wife, Luceiia, British-born and Roman-raised, whose fierce beauty burned pale next to her passion for law and honor.

With The Camulod Chronicles, Jack Whyte tells us what legend has forgotten: the history of blood and violence, passion and steel, out of which was forged a great sword, and a great nation. The Singing Sword continues the gripping epic begun in The Skystone: As the great night of the Dark Ages falls over Roman Britain, a lone man and woman fight to build a last stronghold of law and learning-a crude hill-fort, which one day, long after their deaths, will become a great city . . . known as Camelot.

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About the Author:

Jack Whyte is a Scots-born, award-winning Canadian author whose poem, The Faceless One, was featured at the 1991 New York Film Festival. The Camulod Chronicles is his greatest work, a stunning retelling of one of our greatest legends: the making of King Arthur's Britain. He lives in British Columbia, Canada.

 
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