Thought for the Day

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Sir Richard Steele

Review "Skystone" By Jack Wythe

"Skystone" is the first book in Mr. Wythe's King Arthur series. But this first book doesn't contain Arthur or any of his companions - it is focused several generations before Arthur's birth - on the last of the Romans in Britain.

The two primary characters in the book are Caius Brittanicus, a Roman General, and Publius Varrus, his Primus Pilus. (The Primus Pilus is the highest ranking non-officer in a Roman Legion - so the Primus Pilus would be the equivalent of a Command sergeant-Major in a United States Army Brigade.] The two men become close friends over the course of their military career. This book is set in the last days of the Roman Empire, as the corruption and lack of discipline and loyalty make the Empire ripe for collapse. Caius can see the end coming, and gathers his friends and family around him to found a colony in Britain. He sees the end of the Empire approaching, and the dark years that will follow it, and begins to seriously prepare for it.

The title of the book refers to Varrus' quest to find fallen meteorites. His grandfather found one once and made an amazing sword and dagger out of them so Varrus wants to do the same. [You get one guess what sword he is going to make.]

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Since I enjoy both historical fiction about the Romans and King Arthur stories, this is not surprising. So far, the series is not as good as Mary Stewart or Bernard Cornwell, but it is still early. If you are more interested in the Roman time period I would urge you to read Colleen McCollough's Roman series - it is the standard of excellence in historical fiction.

Update: What am I reading?

Since the other books on my waiting list (see below) haven't come in yet at the library, I am now reading "The Skystone" by Jack Whythe. It is the first book in Whythe's series on King Arthur. Like some other Arthurian stories it starts with the Romans and their occupation of Britain. (Mary Stewart is always the prime example).

I will post a review of each book as I read them.

Review "Son of a Witch" By Gregory Maguire

First, after reading this book and thinking about 'Wicked' more over the last few weeks, I am coming to appreciate it a lot more. Mr. Maguire can really write - he is a master at turning out insightful, funny, profound sentences in the key points of a good story.

"Son of a Witch" is the continuing story of Oz after the death of the Wicked With of the West. Her son, Liir, travels with Dorothy and gang to the Emerald City. Of course Dorothy disappears as soon as she can and Liir has to make his own way. Much like "Wicked", I did not enjoy the first third or so of the book. In the beginning of "Wicked" the Witch is a baby, and a strange one. In the beginning of "Son of a Witch", Liir is a boy, and an uneducated sap. But in both books, Maguire does an excellent job of having the characters grow, and change over time. Both the Witch and Liir learn and grow over the course of these two books, becoming much more interesting and complex characters. The books are built on the framework are built of the 'Wizard of Oz' story but are far removed from it in tone and depth.

Like "Wicked", this book contains many contains many complex adult themes - government, religion, sex, the nature of good and evil. And in both books the idea of Wickedness is the key- who is wicked and why and what do we do about it?

In hindsight these are two excellent books that are deep enough for college students to two write long papers about but well written enough to be entertaining and enjoyable. A rare combination!

Update: What am I reading?

I am currently reading "Son of a Witch" by Stephen Maguire.


Soon to be read:

"The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury
"Turning Angel" by Greg Isles
"The Gunslinger" by Stephen King

other than that, eh. Maybe re-read something good.

Thought for the day

Just the knowledge that a good book is awaiting one at the end of a long day makes that day happier.
Kathleen Norris, Hands Full of Living, 1931

Review "Icewind Dale" Trilogy by R.A. Salvatore

There three books continue the adventures of the dark elf Drizzit Do'Urden, which Salvatore started in the Dark Elf Trilogy. This trilogy follows Drizzit on a series of entertaining adventures, as he joins with several of his friends to defeat an evil wizard and his army, find the long lost dwarven kingdom of Mithril Hall and travel across a continent to rescue their friend from the clutches of an expert assassin.

Because of the group dynamic between Drizzit and his friends, and the many interesting characters they encounter along the way, these books are better than the Dark Elf Trilogy. They are comparable to the first several Dragonlance trilogies in quality and entertainment value. For people who aren't big fans of Dungeons and Dragons style fantasy I might recommend holding off.

The bottom line - these books are entertaining and fun. They are easy, quick reads. (which is one the reason I put the whole trilogy in one review - I read it pretty fast). But I don't believe they rise to level of the best in fantasy literature.