There are many books in the A Dream of Eagles series.

The following reviews cover the first 3 books.

The Skystone
Penguin Canada, 1994
ISBN: 0-14-017048-0
Mass Market
639 pages
Historical Fiction

Centurion Publius Varrus and his General, Caius Britannicus, are on the verge of retirement from the finest fighting unit in the Roman Legion. Publius returns to the trade of his father as a smithy, and then joins Caius to build a defensible and self-sufficient colony in the heart of Britain. Hadrian’s wall has been overrun and the Roman Empire is quickly sliding into ruin. Knowing Rome will eventually be forced to withdraw her legions from their island home, both men want to be prepared for the end of the world as they know it. Between the two of them they unknowingly set the stage for an independent Britain and one of the greatest legends of all time: Arthur and his sword Excalibur.

The Skystone is the first of the Camulod Chronicles, now known as A Dream of Eagles. Canadian author, Jack Whyte creates a cast of strong characters whom we meet through the eyes of an aged Publius, who is looking back over a lifetime of unprecedented change during the 5th century A.D.

This fabulous pre-Arthurian tale presents the first plausible explanation of the origins of the Arthurian legend I’ve ever come across. The names and places and people are all laid out for us in a fascinating depiction of a tumultuous time that made way for the world we know today. From an explanation as to the origins of the Lady of the Lake and the Pendragons, to a foreshadowing of the forging of Excalibur and, amidst it all, the vivid description of the end of an age, Whyte has written an entertaining, moving and unique novel that begins what may come to be accepted as the true story of that time-shrouded figure we all know as King Arthur.


The Singing Sword
Penguin Canada, 1994
ISBN: 0-14-017049-9
Mass Market
606 pages
Historical Fiction

The second book in the series A Dream of Eagles, The Singing Sword begins with Publius Varrus and Caius Britannicus continuing the building of their dream: a completely independent Colony on the Southwest tip of Cambria (the island known as Britain). The year is approaching 400 A.D. Both men are high ranking soldiers retired from the Roman Army. Caius is actually a Roman Senator. The reason for the Colony is that Caius has foreseen the day when the Roman Protectorate will be removed from Britain to fight battles closer to home, leaving the island to be overrun by any number of invaders.

As the novel opens, the Colonists are vigilantly working on a hilltop fortress, have begun to build a Cavalry, something Rome, itself, does not have, and have established a council that Caius secretly intends to become Britain’s first senate. He has also helped to orchestrate the marriage of Publius’ eldest daughter to the son of King Ullic Pendragon of the Celts. Both men intend for the marriage to unite their two Kingdoms, their two peoples, as true Britons. Caius’ son Picus, all on his own, asks for the hand of Enid, Ullic’s sister.

One can now see where author, Jack Whyte is heading with his story. Two inter-marriages between the Colony and the Celts produce male offspring. Born on the same day, at nearly the same time, from two different mothers are Caius Merlyn Britannicus and Uther Pendragon. And to solve the problem of elitism in the Colony’s Council, Caius has developed the idea of all councilors sitting in equal positions and importance by seating them in a circle as a round council (The forerunner of the round table?). The only missing link Arthurian fans are now looking for is Excalibur. And, of course, Publius, after a hiatus of many years, finally melts down The Lady of the Lake (the skystone he found in the first novel and made into a sculpture) and begins to forge a special sword. It was designed to be a new kind of weapon men of their cavalry could use to fight effectively from horseback and on the ground. What Publius ends up with is a long broadsword with a wide cross-guard and golden pommel for balance that sits almost weightlessly in a man’s hand. And when tested for purity by an ancient test even Publius did not know about, the sword, plunged upright into a wooden bench and set to moving like a pendulum, begins to sing a clear, ear-piercing note; Excalibur (meaning to come out of a mould) is a singing sword the likes of which has never been seen before.

So, Jack Whyte’s Singing Sword continues what The Skystone began: he has told part of the story of the decline of The Roman Empire and shown us a plausible and well described beginning of the Arthurian Legend. In fact, the fortress on the hill is also named in this book. It becomes Camulod, the first true home of the new Britons.

A fascinating read that draws the reader into a world in extreme flux, one known primarily by legend, and makes it as real and substantial as the nose on your face. I reiterate what I said in my review of The Skystone: Whyte has written an entertaining, moving and unique novel that begins what may well come to be accepted as the true story of that time-shrouded figure we all know as King Arthur.


The Eagles’ Brood
Penguin Canada, 1994
ISBN: 0-14-017048-0
Mass Market
639 pages
Historical Fiction

Caius Merlyn Britannicus is tremendously tall and strong and ever ready to defend the colony known as Camulod. The yellow-haired Merlyn, as he likes to be called, is only in his early twenties, yet all call him Commander.

Uther Pendragon collects the hearts and swords of men where ever he goes. He’s a fearsome warrior in his own right and may one day be king of his people, those rugged souls who rule the hills of western Cambria.

Two sides of a coin: one dark and one light, born four hours apart on a night of treachery in the year the legions left Britain, these young men have been inseparable friends all their lives. They divide Camulod’s fighting forces between them and both are equally respected. Merlyn is a better strategist, while Uther is a fighting fiend, the kind that can lead men to nearly impossible victories. Side by side the two men are unbeatable.

And here is the story that began the legend of King Arthur. Merlyn, pledged to secrecy, is to keep safe the sword Excalibur until he finds someone worthy of calling it his own. He has often wondered if that man would be Uther–until a mute, lovely young woman is raped, sodomized and beaten so badly it’s a miracle she lives. Evidence points to Uther as the culprit, but Merlyn can’t believe him to be capable of such behaviour. And since this crime is punishable under Colony law, by death, the woman will remain a target. This problem kept in mind, Merlyn uses trickery and diversion to spirit the woman away to a secret valley that is his and his alone. This success stops the woman’s hunter in his tracks and begins the belief in many that Merlyn is a sorcerer.

Time goes by, the woman Merlyn calls Cassandra heals, they become lovers, are married and she is soon with child. Then, as Merlyn struggles through a 2 year recovery from a terrible head injury, Cassandra once again takes up residence in their hidden valley. But she has no protector this time, and someone murders her and her unborn child. When Merlyn becomes himself, he finds almost refutable evidence that Uther is the killer. He also learns that King Lot of Cornwall has managed to smash a significant portion of Camulod’s forces, has gone past the colony and deep into the country in an effort to enrich his coffers. Uther and his men are in pursuit. Merlyn goes after him with a rage that’s difficult to describe. As he travels, Merlyn is appalled by the decimated villages and farms. It appears that both sides are responsible for torturous deaths of women and children and the destruction of entire towns. Enraged beyond belief, Merlyn hastens after Uther until the man is within his grasp. But fate intervenes. Uther finds his death at the hands of another, while Merlyn finds himself floating on the sea with a newborn: Uther’s son by the sister of Merlyn’s dead wife. The boy’s name is Arthur.

This third book in the epic series by Jack Whyte isn’t as enjoyable as the first two. I think there’s one central reason for this: we know what’s going to happen before we open the book. I don’t think there’s anyway to fix that problem. So, Whyte, being a brilliant author, doesn’t even try. He sticks to his story and his characters and comes to Arthur in his own unique way. I believe there are enough surprises, as well as an important solidification of the tale, that readers will still find The Eagle’s Brood well worth their time and money.

Copyright Clayton Clifford Bye 2011