The Skystone

Camulod Chronicles, Book 1

By: Jack Whyte

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Length: 21 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Everyone knows the story-how Arthur pulled the sword from the stone, how Camelot came to be, and about the power struggles that ultimately destroyed Arthur's dreams. But what of the time before Arthur and the forces that created him?

How did the legend really come to pass?

Before the time of Arthur and his Camelot, Britain was a dark and deadly place, savaged by warring factions of Picts, Celts, and invading Saxons. The Roman citizens who had lived there for generations were suddenly faced with a deadly choice: Should they leave and take up residence in a corrupt Roman world that was utterly foreign, or should they stay and face the madness that would ensue when Britain's last bastion of safety for the civilized, the Roman legions, left?

For two Romans, Publius Varrus and his friend Caius Britannicus, there can be only one answer. They will stay, to preserve what is best of Roman life, and will create a new culture out of the wreckage. In doing so, they will unknowingly plant the seeds of legend-for these two men are Arthur's great-grandfathers, and their actions will shape a nation . . . and forge a sword known as Excalibur.

©1996 Jack Whyte (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

THE Best roman era historical fiction

Would you consider the audio edition of The Skystone to be better than the print version?

No

Who was your favorite character and why?

Caius Brittanicus strength, integrity and the ability to see a plan through to the end, even in the face adversity. All qualities the world could use more of.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pariseau’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

At the end of the book one of the main characters dies, and you feel the loss of a friend, a loss that maybe did'nt have to happen except for choices made in the heat of the moment.

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite author, he is a mason with a strong moral character. He is not preachy in the least rather leading by example through his characters, most of whom you will become quite fond of. Even thevillians have many layers as you peel the onoin that is this series.

The Dragon Story

I remember when this series first came out. I briefly read a bit and put it down. I then told my father of the series. Knowing he grew up during the time of the great depression. Loving the stories of King Arthur and Prince Vallant and the infamous stories the Templars. He soon snubbed all of Jack Whyte's books in pure delight. I am now going back to the books after my father's death and enjoying the first story with immense gratitude. I can only tell you, it will be hard to not to stop wanting more. Enjoy

Good story but a little wordy

I enjoyed the book very much but do find Whyte gets a little bogged down in detail sometimes. I didn't love the narrator's voice although he was very good at distinguishing characters.

Intriguing!

Interesting version of Camelot, Merlin and King Arthur. Has Celts, Druids and Britons and interesting details.

Solid

Great read. Was detailed and pulls you in from start to finish. I will definitely be reading the singing sword.

TERRIBLE NARRATION!

Anyone old enough to remember nails on a chalkboard will feel the same way. He made Publius’ friend Equis sound like Chumley on Tennessee Tuxedo (look it up if you’re not familiar.) And he pronounced Publius “poob-lee-us.” Which is probably close but at the same time he pronounced all the other names with a bland, lazy American accent so it just sounded ridiculous! And for the coup de grace he pronounced Boudicca as “Bo-dick-ah.” Yes, Bo-dick-ah!!! This in a book about Celtic-Roman Britain In which one would assume the narrator and audience would know the conventional (and linguistically accurate pronunciation!) Additionally, the characters all sound like one of three types. One, the pompous arrogant dickwad. Two, the 1950s eager, naive American ignorant fool. And three, the idiot who sounds like Chumley from Tennessee Tuxedo! I’ve decided to get the remainder of the books in paperback because I really liked the story, but if there’s something worse than nails on the chalkboard that narrator was it!

Great historic novel - little to do with Arthur

This book is billed as a prequel to the legends of King Arthur, and there are references at the end of the book that refer to parts of the legend of the Lady of the Lake and the sword in the stone, but this is an extremely minor aspect of the story. It is more the story of the Roman Legion in Britain and how the collapse of the Golden Age of Rome affected the rest of the Empire. The author and narrator do a great job of creating believable people with complex lives and relationships in their own times - no fairy tale view of the past.

The Detail Makes It Real

I quickly got into the story and found myself sitting in my car or driving around the block one more time to hear what happened next. It was like reading a book you couldn't put down. The detail in the first person narration painted a graphic detailed story that I found fascinating from the first chapter

Drags in places, narration wasn't great

Would you try another book from Jack Whyte and/or Kevin Pariseau?

I really enjoy the historical fiction approach to the Arthurian legend, as opposed to magical realism. Whyte's writing is solid. I got the feeling at many points in the book that he was stretching things out MUCH longer than necessary. Maybe he was trying to make the book a certain length. It showed.Pariseau's character voices were very good but the odd, smug, flat, formal tone of his narration (aka Publius) really made it difficult for me to embrace Publius as a character. Also, I have yet to hear a male narrator do a female character voice in a way that is not obnoxious.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Obviously written with male readers in mind. Which is fine. But trim the fat!!!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kevin Pariseau?

Someone younger sounding.

Do you think The Skystone needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. It's obviously a story that is meant to be continued with future books (and it is).

Best Ever

Any additional comments?

This series is the best I have read, my favorite books since I read them 15 years ago