Conservative Book Talk

Plot: The book is written from our main characters perspective, Publius Varrus, and as so it begins with his telling us why he is writing this chronicle of events.

Publius is severely wounded near the beginning of the book, and is laid up with his general, who is also wounded, in their own private tent. As they lay there for some weeks and talk and get to know each other very well, and eventually the general is healed and departs, leaving Publius alone for many more weeks; he recovers and is left with a noticeable limp. Following this episode Publius makes his way back to his hometown where his grandfather lived, his deceased grandfather left his forge and home to Publius. There he meets an old friend named Equas, together they clean up the old forge, make a partnership and uncover all the tools Publius’s grandfather left him. Safely hid beneath the forge’s floor, along with a valuable dagger made from skystone; metal smelted from a rock that fell from the sky. Several months after settling in and selling weapons to the Roman legions, Publius is visited by his old general, Caius Britannacus.

Caius learns of the dagger and all the wonderful weapons Publius makes, and asks him to consider going to his own villa, many miles away, to live and forge swords for his small colony he is creating. He believes Rome will fall soon, and is determined to outlast all the chaos by building a self-reliant colony. Publius is far from convinced about his friend’s beliefs, but promises to consider the option. Caius is nearly murdered by the assassins of an old enemy, Claudius Seneca, but thanks to Publius and his friend, lives to see another day. Caius leaves to finish his duty in another country while Publius goes home.

After many weeks and several misadventures, Publius is on the run for his life from none other, than Claudius Seneca, who wants to kill him for breaking his nose and carving a V in his chest. All this is Claudius’s fault, but only Publius and his friend who was with him, know that. Few weeks pass before Publius arrives at Caius’s villa, wishing to live there. Note, Claudius tries to have Publius killed at least three times on his way to the villa. Caius is on duty in Africa but will be home soon, some of his colonists house him until Caius’s sister, Luceiia Britannacus. Who happens to be very beautiful, perceptive, educated and smart..

Positive: I really like the background the author gives us about that period in which Arthur was born; it helps one understand why Arthur does what he does later in life. (Make note, this is a series, so Arthur doesn’t actually come into the picture until the fourth book) The plot was well thought out, and the style of writing is very engaging. The book is very detailed and is always sure to let you see each characters personal interests and character traits. You get to know the characters very well throughout the book, and those following the first.

Negative: In the book there are many sexual comments and references. There are several undesirable comments about women. A few sexual scenes between man and woman, including some between man and his wife. (scenes that should stay between man and wife.)

Being Romans, they tend to swear and call people “whoresons,” and some modern day swear words.

By a moral standard, Publius is not very moral, as he tends to lust after women quite a bit. Though he is very good at what he does for a living, we like that part, he also has a pretty good sense of honor. And I am not saying he is no good, just that he has problems. However we (at least I did) end up liking Caius better, because he is far more moral and thinks things through more often!

Overall: I did enjoy this book, even though I had to skip over several pages some times. Due to sexual scenes.

I would recommend this book to very few, as it is more of an adult historical fiction. Though this book does teach you a lot about the Arthurian legend, and gives you information about the period before Arthur’s birth and about the fall of Rome. Personally, I think if you tore out those bad pages, this series could be offered to a wider range of readers.

Tags: fiction, Hannasus, historical, Jack WHyte, The Chronicles of Camuloud: The Skystone

Plot: The book begins by introducing us to our main characters, Roger, his cousins and aunt and uncle. Rogers father, Reuben, is captain of the uncle’s ship, the Swan. Reuben proposes to the uncle that he and other businessman take a voyage to the unknown regions, currently under Spanish control, yet still undiscovered. After much careful thought, the uncle agrees and a few weeks later Roger and Reuben set sail. They have been sailing for some months, stopping in at islands to trade for supplies, when they have a small run in with six Spanish ships. They escape with no damage to their vessel and leave the Spanish ships far behind. A few days later they run in to a storm, which lasts for several days, much to our dismay, the ship is wrecked with Roger as the only survivor.

He walks to a village and stays there for several months, the villagers think him a god, since he has white skin and not dark like theirs. While there, he befriends a slave girl, who teaches him her native tongue. A time comes when traders arrive to barter with the natives; eventually Roger agrees to go with the traders to their own land. After many days of travel they arrive at the island next to the capital of Mexico. Roger is warmly welcomed by the reigning king, his wife and his lovely daughter. Our hero has many days with his new friends, and many discussions, before the King of Mexico discovers that he is there. The king of Mexico, Montezuma, requests a meeting with Roger, which he agrees to. After the meeting, Roger returns to the other palace. We find that the ambassadors from our good king are having a hard time convincing the king of Mexico that Roger is not a threat. The greater majority of the priests want to sacrifice Roger, and Montezuma listens a lot to these priests.

Eventually Spaniards land on the coast and cause great excitement. Montezuma wants them to leave, but they don’t wish to; Montezuma is scared by the Spaniards because they are thought to be gods. For several chapters, the author focuses on the Spanish and their progress through Mexico, making their way to the capital. Roger is told that Montezuma is going to arrest him and have him sacrificed. The other king helps him escape and Roger is ultimately able to join the Spanish. Through many battles the Spanish make it to the capital. Montezuma keeps the peace for some time, but in the end the priests voices win out. An attack is made on the house where the Spaniards are staying; there is a great battle with much slaughter. At this point both sides are hostile to each other. The Spaniards see the danger, and General Cortez, leads them from the city. They are attacked on every side by the Aztecs, the latter being furious at the humiliation they endured and the ruin brought to their temples.

Positive: Our hero is a Christian; he abhors the human sacrifices and openly tells his pagan friends that their gods are false. Our hero risks much to save his friends, he stays loyal and true to the Spaniards, and even when they appear to be losing. Many of the Mexican people help our hero escape, even when it risks their lives and livelihood.

Negative: There are human sacrifices near the end of the book, being Aztecs; they believe it is what their god requires of them. We find that many thousands of captives are slain every year to the pagan gods of the Aztecs. There are battles where many die and several are wounded. A woman is wounded and becomes sick, though she does get better. There is a massacre, which occurs in cold blood.

Overall: I was directed to this book by my sister. She and I both enjoy G.A. Henty books. This one was rather long, but completely worth the time invested. I enjoy historical fiction immensely and I highly recommend this book.

Tags: By Right of Conquest, fiction, G. A. Henty, Hannasus, youth

Plot: As I mentioned in my review of “The Thief,” there are four countries, Attolia, Sounis, Eddis and Mede.

Our story begins in Attolia, where we open to find Eugenides sneaking through the queen’s palace. The alarm has been set and they are hunting him down, unalarmed Eugenie’s makes his way to the palace’s outer wall, he becomes increasingly troubled, as soldiers seem to be at every corner. After a good chase through the town, Eugenides runs through the olive groves to the river. It being dark, our hero does not see the boards, nailed between two trees, blocking his path. Banging his head he falls to the ground, unable to rise, the queen’s dogs grab him and keep him down until the guards come for him. After much debate and thought, the queen of Attolia decides to hang him, but through the Mede ambassador’s persuasion, she has Eugenides hand cut off. After a few days lying in pain in his cell, Eugenides is returned to his worried queen. Enraged at the anguish brought to her beloved thief, the queen of Eddis captures the next ten large Attolian caravans that come through the pass, she sends the people home and keeps the merchandise. Attolia tells her to return the merchandise or she will deem it an act of war. War it is.

Eugenides’s hand is healed and he has started appearing in public every now and again. We find out later, that he did not know about the war, only because he didn’t want to. When he does ‘find’ out, he takes action, which the reader will find to be fairly humorous. (At least I did.) Through a series of events, Eugenides is led to leave Eddis and return with a glorious plot for bringing Attolia to her knees. He plans to take a brigade of men and capture the queen of Attolia.

Positive: In this sequel to “The Thief,” the plot is a little more obvious, but not much.

For a brief period in the book our hero sulks around for a bit, but his attitude improves and he stops sulking. Eventually he comes to find, that, even with one hand, he is still dangerous to his enemies. Humor is given at just the proper times, to relieve the stress of seeing our beloved hero go through pain, there also humor when he is not in pain as well. There is not as much humor in this book as in the first, but its still just as funny.

The Queen of Attolia, though bad to start out with, becomes good and repents. This book demonstrates forgiveness, loyalty and trust. Something all of us could use.

Negative: The main negative actions in this book are lying and several swear words, there is little stealing. There are a few references to torture, but nothing is put in detail. Our hero gets his hand cut off, that goes in to some amount of detail, but nothing unbearable. (Thankfully) Following the loss of his hand, he has constant nightmares, which he wakes up screaming to. A woman is threatened with drowning and our hero is slapped a few times. Again, there are gods in this book, (of earth, sky, thieves, mountains etc.) but in the back the authoress states that they were all invented by her imagination. That just about covers it.

Overall: Just as the first, I liked this book very much. I have read it, and its sequel several times over. They are the type that you can read over and over without becoming tedious. Our hero is pure genius, as is our authoress who gave our hero life. And even though we learned much of his character in the first book, it is still unclear what he is really up to many times throughout the plot. The authoress has a fine way of bringing you into her books, and giving you hints as well as keeping the main plot a secret.

I recommend this book to all. If you like a page turning work of fiction, you will love Megan Whalen Turners “The Queen of Attolia.”

Tags: fantasy, fiction, Hannasus, Megan Whalen Turner, Modern Fiction, Queen of Attolia, The Thief