418 books
—
1,451 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Skystone (Camulod Chronicles, #1)” as Want to Read:
The Skystone
(Camulod Chronicles #1)
by
How do you find a new way to approach a story as familiar as any in the English language? If you're Jack Whyte, you begin your retelling of the Arthurian saga by taking one giant step backward to the latter days of the Roman Empire in Britain, sometime between the first breaching of Hadrian's Wall and the legendary days of King Arthur. Publius Varrus is the last legionnair
...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 494 pages
Published
August 1st 2004
by Tor Books
(first published 1992)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Skystone,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Dennis Steussy
Yes, this is the same as the Camulod Chronciles.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Skystone (Camulod Chronicles, #1)

The Roman Empire is on the verge of total collapse. For the thousands of Romans and other peoples spread out across the known world, the cornerstone of civilisation is crumbling. And in the colony of Britannia, two ageing soldiers plan for the future in the event of the withdrawal of the legions and what they perceive as the end of the world.
The Skystone is the first book in a series that’s much more historical fiction than fantasy, even though I found it on the fantasy shelves of a Washington b ...more
The Skystone is the first book in a series that’s much more historical fiction than fantasy, even though I found it on the fantasy shelves of a Washington b ...more

Update 4/2020: Still one of my favorites. It’s like being immersed in Roman Britain, there’s so much depth to the historical detail, but it never bogs the story down. It’s incredibly exciting and full of characters about whom you come to care deeply. I love it so much.
This is one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read, and trust me, I've read a lot. I first heard about Jack Whyte's series through another favorite author of mine, Diana Gabaldon. She spoke so highly of his works that ...more
This is one of the best historical fiction novels I've ever read, and trust me, I've read a lot. I first heard about Jack Whyte's series through another favorite author of mine, Diana Gabaldon. She spoke so highly of his works that ...more

The best description I can conjure of my experience with Jack Whyte's The Skystone is "languid." I don't want to describe his inaugural Camulod novel as "boring" or "slow" because neither is quite accurate and both carry far too many negative connotations, but Whyte does love to take his time.
And damn!...does he ever take his time. It took nine novels and thirteen years to complete his retelling of the Arthurian legend. This series is not for the impatient. Nor is the first book.
Whyte plods an ...more
And damn!...does he ever take his time. It took nine novels and thirteen years to complete his retelling of the Arthurian legend. This series is not for the impatient. Nor is the first book.
Whyte plods an ...more

*review for the entire Camulod Chronicles
If you asked me what my favorite series was as a 6th grader my answer would have been the original Shannara trilogy. The answer to the same question asked in 2005 would have undoubtedly been A Song of Ice and Fire. *notice how I was a fan BEFORE the TV show. ;) After reading over 900 books, hundreds of thousands of pages, and countless series spanning multiple genres, I can now say with certainty that Jack Whyte’s Camulod Chronicles stands above all other ...more
If you asked me what my favorite series was as a 6th grader my answer would have been the original Shannara trilogy. The answer to the same question asked in 2005 would have undoubtedly been A Song of Ice and Fire. *notice how I was a fan BEFORE the TV show. ;) After reading over 900 books, hundreds of thousands of pages, and countless series spanning multiple genres, I can now say with certainty that Jack Whyte’s Camulod Chronicles stands above all other ...more

May 18, 2020
Algernon (Darth Anyan)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2020
The Legend of Arthur and of his Knights of the Round Table were among the first stories I read for pleasure and not as a school assignment. I re-read them so many times in those early days, that now I feel I am still entirely too familiar with the myths, and I don’t need a refresher course. But Jack Whyte has an added incentive in trying to bridge the gap between the last days of the Roman Empire and start of the Viking raiding parties. He starts the familiar story a few generations earlier.
Rece ...more

Plot: 2 (strong opening leads nowhere)
Characters: 4 (generic and interchangeable)
Accuracy: 0 (gets almost every fact wrong)
I thought this book started out well. The gloomy, nostalgic tone and visceral writing style did a good job establishing a welcoming world. The battle scenes were particularly vivid and confusing in a fog of war kind of way. But after a while the overbearing narration starts to seem rather, well, overbearing. Where hearing every event described as if it was the Most Significa ...more
Characters: 4 (generic and interchangeable)
Accuracy: 0 (gets almost every fact wrong)
I thought this book started out well. The gloomy, nostalgic tone and visceral writing style did a good job establishing a welcoming world. The battle scenes were particularly vivid and confusing in a fog of war kind of way. But after a while the overbearing narration starts to seem rather, well, overbearing. Where hearing every event described as if it was the Most Significa ...more

I can only rate this one a mediocre 3 star read. The storytelling was very descriptive and meandering, and while I could settle down for the easy, slow pace, I wanted more. There were some pretty good action scenes where I felt like we were getting rolling and then it would slow down again to a descriptive, slow pace. I don't generally mind a slower pace and felt like I could settle in and continue on with some extra patience on my part. Then we would hit a sex scene and man did it feel self-ind
...more

This is one of my favorite series however I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. Most highly I recommend it to those who like an in depth and meandering plot. A story that pulls you in and isn't in a rush to let you go.
THE SKYSTONE, like the rest of this series, takes it's time and this style isn't for everyone. For instance, this series is a historical take on the legend of King Arthur and this book takes place three generations before Arthur is born. Three. And if you enjoy being completely su ...more
THE SKYSTONE, like the rest of this series, takes it's time and this style isn't for everyone. For instance, this series is a historical take on the legend of King Arthur and this book takes place three generations before Arthur is born. Three. And if you enjoy being completely su ...more

I have had a fascination with the King Arthur legend ever since high school when I wrote my senior paper on it. One reviewer complained that this story has been told a million times, why would we read yet another version. I would argue that the the reason this story has been told over and over again is that we love the whole idea, that for one bright shining moment there was a real prince and princess who defeated the Saxon horde and granted peace and prosperity to their kingdom. The reason that
...more

Aug 21, 2012
Terri
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
britain-fiction
I always try and say something semi constructive in a review, but there really isn't anything I can say that hasn't already been said by fellow Goodreads member, Tasha (who read Skystone at the same time as me).
So, I am going to take the cop out option and direct you there as I echo her sentiments... http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...... and if you do not want to read her review, then here you go.
The sex and the timing of the sex was a big joke, the flow was uninspiring, the writing for me ...more
So, I am going to take the cop out option and direct you there as I echo her sentiments... http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...... and if you do not want to read her review, then here you go.
The sex and the timing of the sex was a big joke, the flow was uninspiring, the writing for me ...more

WOW!
This "historical" novel set in Britain towards the end of the Roman Empire is utterly FANTASTIC! It is full of action, tough Roman soldiers, druidic and Christian priests, despicable villains, and a rousing plot.
Publius Varras is close friends with Caius Brittanicus (his former commanding officer). Varras is a former legionaire with a old war wound that left him with a limp. In addition, Varras was once a Smith. His grandfather created a special sword and a special dagger from the metal sme ...more
This "historical" novel set in Britain towards the end of the Roman Empire is utterly FANTASTIC! It is full of action, tough Roman soldiers, druidic and Christian priests, despicable villains, and a rousing plot.
Publius Varras is close friends with Caius Brittanicus (his former commanding officer). Varras is a former legionaire with a old war wound that left him with a limp. In addition, Varras was once a Smith. His grandfather created a special sword and a special dagger from the metal sme ...more

I really did not care for the beginning section of the book. It was boring. Once it got past the initial stage, I really enjoyed it. The story is told as the memories of Publius Varrus, a former Roman soldier of noble blood who is also a blacksmith. Much of it concerns his relationship with Caius Brittanicus, an even higher noble who is his military commander for years and becomes a very close friend. The title comes from a rock which fell to earth thirty years prior from which Varrus' grandfath
...more

I think I gave this three stars back when I first started on goodreads, and I remembered it fondly enough to go ahead and download it from audible, thinking it would be a nice way to pass the time on my long commute. White's story is compelling, and he does many cool things with his Arthurian retelling. I forgot how homophobic it is, however.
For some reason I could cope with homophobia better a decade or more ago, but not today. All the homophobia did, and it is an underlying current throughout ...more
For some reason I could cope with homophobia better a decade or more ago, but not today. All the homophobia did, and it is an underlying current throughout ...more

This book is the first novel in the “Camulod” series, a nine book set that encompasses the Arthurian mythos from a historical perspective rather than a “fantasy” perspective. I had been reluctant to begin, even though I had heard plenty of good things about the entire series. This was mostly due to the fact that I have read numerous Arthurian accounts, many of them relatively recently, and was unsure of starting yet another one.
So glad I did give it a try though! Right from the beginning it remi ...more
So glad I did give it a try though! Right from the beginning it remi ...more

For the first half to two-thirds of this book, I was treading water and anticipating writing withering comments and put downs about it when I came to this review, but, even though it is a remarkably sedate pace, it gradually grows on you a little. Kind of like moss. Or the gradual build up of dust.
I suppose for the opening book in a series, the pace is bound to be slow and aim to set the scene, but the thing that most strikes you about this book is just how sedate and pedestrian the story goes a ...more
I suppose for the opening book in a series, the pace is bound to be slow and aim to set the scene, but the thing that most strikes you about this book is just how sedate and pedestrian the story goes a ...more

I dithered around with this and almost didn't read it - and it was a wonderful story, fast moving and exciting. Several more volumes to go.....that makes me a very happy bunny!
In fact, I liked it so much that I was surprised to see comments in reviews about this being a slow-moving story (I have come back to add this). Isn't it fascinating how very differently people experience the same writer? Is that down to what a person's expectations are - especially in view of this being a retelling of a l ...more
In fact, I liked it so much that I was surprised to see comments in reviews about this being a slow-moving story (I have come back to add this). Isn't it fascinating how very differently people experience the same writer? Is that down to what a person's expectations are - especially in view of this being a retelling of a l ...more

Book 1 of a King Arthur retelling for those who like their legends with hearty dollops of sex & violence. Fascinating conjecture on the possible historical roots of Arthurian romances. Fun, quick read. Dreadful literature. Rosemary Sutcliff's YA historical novels are much superior.
"Early on in our association, Britannicus and I [the two protagonists - 'I' being the Roman soldier and iron worker, Publius Varrus:] had discovered that we had both been born in Colchester, the oldest Roman settlement ...more
"Early on in our association, Britannicus and I [the two protagonists - 'I' being the Roman soldier and iron worker, Publius Varrus:] had discovered that we had both been born in Colchester, the oldest Roman settlement ...more

The Skystone deposits the reader in pre-Arthurian Great Britain smack dab during the time of the waning Roman occupation. The account of Roman warfare, rule and order is impressive. In addition, I felt like an observer during the descriptions of iron-smelting and smith-ing. I liked this book for the historical angle and the story was good. Its probably getting a bigger knock than it should with my giving it 3 stars because it is following a couple of books that were exceptional. However, my best
...more

I can't remember reading a more entertaining and interesting work of historical fiction than The Camulod Chronicles. The depiction of life in post-Roman Britain is fascinating and frequently horrifying. The chaos that resulted from the withdraw of the Roman legions from Britain as the Roman Empire collapsed was horrific. The romanized Britons left behind were beset by invasions on their coasts of the barbaric tribes of Angles, Jutes, Danes and others. The interior of the land became lawless and
...more

An amazing take on the Arthurian legends! Starting about 3 generations BEFORE Arthur the writer sets the stage for the downfall of the Roman Empire and the withdrawl from England of all support from Rome.
The author does a wonderful job of stitching together various aspects of the Arthur legend's iconic pieces: Excalibur, The Lady of the Lake, Uther Pendragon, Merlyn, etc... in such a way as to make them utterly believable and almost scientific.
You will not think about the legend of King Arthur t ...more
The author does a wonderful job of stitching together various aspects of the Arthur legend's iconic pieces: Excalibur, The Lady of the Lake, Uther Pendragon, Merlyn, etc... in such a way as to make them utterly believable and almost scientific.
You will not think about the legend of King Arthur t ...more

Sep 09, 2012
Jennifer
added it
Before I tell you anything else, allow me to say that there are 9 books in this series and I read ALL 9 of them in just under one month! This series brilliantly takes on the Arthur Legend via the end of Roman Empire's presence in Britain. The story begins with the Roman soldiers and settlers who were essentially abandoned by the Empire and builds from there. Again, this is another series that tends to appeal to more men than women. Jack Whyte, like Bernard Cornwell, is another one of those ficti
...more

Although this review is placed with The Skystone, It's really a review of all the Camulod Chronicles books, which I've positively devoured.
Whyte's portrayal of the possible history and politics of Britain after the withdrawal of the Romans is some of the best historical fiction I've read. Whyte manages to add fantastic character and plot development to something that all the history teachers I've ever had made boring and dry. If there were more great historical fiction writers like Whyte teachin ...more
Whyte's portrayal of the possible history and politics of Britain after the withdrawal of the Romans is some of the best historical fiction I've read. Whyte manages to add fantastic character and plot development to something that all the history teachers I've ever had made boring and dry. If there were more great historical fiction writers like Whyte teachin ...more

This is the driest thing I've read in ages. Ages. A complete and utter chore to trudge through. It has a very vague semblance of plot that is soooo drawn out and slow; nearly absent to the point where you're questioning if any of this is leading anywhere.
Whyte has a habit of unnecessary-info dumping quite often. As a result, a great deal of scenes are skipable since they don't add anything to the meager plot. They're tangents that tend to lead nowhere. The writing itself is super dull, except f ...more
Whyte has a habit of unnecessary-info dumping quite often. As a result, a great deal of scenes are skipable since they don't add anything to the meager plot. They're tangents that tend to lead nowhere. The writing itself is super dull, except f ...more

My likes of
were varied. Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and action segments but found several of the everyday events and locations over-descriptive and tedious. Still an above average tale and a worthy addition to anyone's Historical Fiction library. Also loved the ending!
...more


I've always been a fan of historical fiction. Authors like Wilbur Smith entertain while providing a historical narrative. Jack Whyte is really good at this craft. I read his William Wallace, Robert the Bruce series which was excellent. This book tells the story of the end of the Roman rule in Britain.
It is told quickly, yet descriptively. A great read and for people that enjoy historic fiction, fantastic! ...more
It is told quickly, yet descriptively. A great read and for people that enjoy historic fiction, fantastic! ...more

It was actually a pretty good story, but with some awful writing. It began with so many flashbacks that it took almost a hundred pages to figure out what time the book was actually set in. Then the misogyny, racism, and homophobia set in. Seriously, a "limp-wristed homosexual" to refer to a child-murdering pedophile? Blech!
...more

If you're not paying attention, this book reads as just another possible chapter in the history of Roman Britain. If you read closely though, you can see hints of the Arthurian legend in the shadows, waiting and growing, biding its time, until it is called forth to center stage. A wonderful read.
...more

Interesting twists on the Arthur legend are being set up in this first book of the series. I liked the Roman characters and look forward to reading the next book.
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Goodreads Librari...: things pt 2 | 2 | 20 | Jul 04, 2014 09:00AM | |
Ancient & Medieva...: OCTOBER 2012 (Group Read 1): The Skystone by Jack Whyte | 221 | 145 | Apr 04, 2013 03:09AM | |
You'll love this ...: November 2011 - The Skystone | 56 | 42 | Nov 17, 2011 06:57AM |
Jack 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 ...more
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 ...more
Other books in the series
Camulod Chronicles
(9 books)
News & Interviews
If you listen to NPR regularly, you’ve likely heard the voice of Shankar Vedantam, the longtime science correspondent and host of the radio...
6 likes · 0 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Magic, after all, is no more than the product of knowledge others don’t share.”
—
3 likes
“Square wheels are hard to sell”
—
2 likes
More quotes…