Customer Reviews

Metamorphosis: The Sorcerer, Book 2 (The Camulod Chronicles, Book 6)

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Although this is ostensibly a review of "The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis", it in actuality covers all six books of the series to date ("The Skystone", "The Singing Sword", "The Eagles' Brood", "The Saxon Shore", "The Fort at River's Bend", and "The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis"), primarily focusing on the last two. This series, The Camulod Chronicles, outlines the story of King Arthur as it might have been in a historical perspective, beginning with the end of the Roman occupation of Britain. If there were such a person as Arthur, he would have lived during this time. Most likely, he was a composite character, based on some of the more influential warlords and petty kings of the day. As an aside, I am reminded of a vacation in southern England that my family took in 1995. My sons, who were 11 and 13 at the time, could not understand my excitement in viewing the ruins of Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, asking "How can this be the birthplace of someone who never was?" But, that's a different story. . .

The first two books of the series, which outlined the founding of Camulod (or Camelot) and Avalon and the forging of the sword Excalibur, were told from the viewpoint of an old Roman soldier. The last two books, which detail the birth of Arthur and his early boyhood years, are told from the viewpoint of Merlin, or, "Merlyn" in the Chronicles. The last two books, which detail Arthur's adolescence and subsequent coronation as High King of Britain, are also told from Merlyn's point of view. As an avid reader of Arthurian legend and all its various retellings, let me tell you that the character of Merlin is probably one of the most varied of them all, probably due to the fact that he was actually a minor character in Mallory. Hence, the details are free to be filled in by the current chronicler. Merlin ranges from an evil wizard living backward in time to a benevolent sorcerer to merely a human being who is just a little smarter than most. The most esoteric version of Merlin can be found in Stephen Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle in which Merlin is the son of Charis, the last princess of Atlantis, and Taliesen, the greatest of the Celtic Bards. Except for the exotic birth, Jack Whyte's Merlyn has much in common with Lawhead's Merlin in that both were mortal men, though a little larger than life in that they were fierce warriors, outstanding field generals, and outstanding scholars. Also, neither possessed the true gift of magic, though they were believed to by the masses of humanity. In the sixth book, we are also given a glimpse into Merlyn's future as he begins to withdraw from the public eye, just as Arthur begins his ascendancy into it.

The Camulod Chronicles begin earlier than Mallory's "Le Morte D'Arthur", in a time that historically did occur, hence the tales carry an air of realism. The descriptions of the Roman influence on Britain in the late Fourth and early Fifth centuries are fascinating. The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, but the pages just keep on turning. The story is easy to follow as well as fun. There are those critics who complain that some of the dates given are inaccurate, as well as some of the situations. As Don Henley sang, "Get over it." This is historical fiction at it's finest, with the emphasis on fiction. Granted, there are differences between this series and others of its kind, but the abundant variety of viewpoints and details are what make Arthurian literature the great store that it is. For the most part, the common characters that the Camulod Chronicles share with other retellings are true to form, though the treatment of Vortigern is more sympathetic than any other I can recall.

As I type this, I am awaiting the arrival of the seventh book of the series, "Uther". I will keep reading these books as long as Mr. Whyte keeps writing them. So far, I consider this to be among the best Arthurian series' I have ever read. I would recommend them to anyone who has an interest in the Arthurian legend, anyone who has an interest in historical fiction, or both. As a bonus, anyone who likes these books would most likely like Stephen Lawhaead's Pendragon Cycle and Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy. The order you read them in is not important, though somewhere in the mix you should read Mallory to see where it all began. I love Arthurian fiction and fact, and, after reading these books, I'm sure a lot of the rest of you will, too.

Jack Whyte's "The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis", sixth book, and 2nd in the series is excellent. Once again we follow Caius Meryln Brittanicus, in his quests, and watch an older Arthur becoming a leader, and in time the high king of all of Britain and wielder of Excaliber. In this novel we are brought back to Camulod, and now Meryln serves as a leader of colony alongside his brother Ambrose. Not to give away story, but tragedy will strike, and through this Meryln makes the change from leader of men, to Sorcerer- friend of few, feared by many, a powerful transformation. Evil always dwells, and this 2nd book in series has alot more action then previous. Once again the characters are descriped in great detail, and we get to know them through Merylns narrative. I in particular like the Pendragon descriptions, characters like Huw and Lyewelln are nice to follow. The only downside I can see at moment, is that there has not been a real follow up to this as yet, as the next book follows Arthurs father, hopefully in time Whyte will deliver more books for this series. Highly Recommend the "The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis", an entertaining and enjoyable read.

I have to say that this book is really amazing. Jack was able to create a clear picture about how such little evidence we have about authurian ledgends into 6 breathtaking novels. I am 14 years old and I thank Jack Whyte because he has activated my love for reading. That is something not many authors can do.

Praise for Jack Whyte

Jack Whyte yet again maintains his level of excellence in this series! And yet again, I was kept up until the wee hours of the morning unable to put down the book. I have rarely seen characters this well written; Jack Whyte gives them such depth and complexity that they seem so authentic. You get this incredible sensation that these people did exist - period - and history unfolded exactly this way - period.

One of the great things about this book and series, is that Jack Whyte explains the magic and sorcery that has surrounded this legend with down-to-earth explanations. The amazing thing is that in doing this, he creates an even better legend. The idea that man, without the aid of magic but by his intellect and will alone, is able to have a vision and bring it to life in a way that has endured as long as this legend has, is very inspiring.

I have related to every one of these characters; I have laughed, cried, been enraged, and been constantly surprised by them.

I tip my hat to Jack Whyte - he has quite a gift.

First off, I love the way Mr. Whyte writes. It's been a while since I last found a series of modern works worth reading, and the Camulod series really satisfies the true reader. The words fly through the brain effortlessly and the thousands of pages are turned with amazing speed. A good read, and that is no lie. But! After all that, I am gravely disappointed that Arthur was not given more attention. This book, and this series, just ended - WHAM! Halfway through "Sorcerer," I panicked. Arthur was still only 15. That was when I finally excepted that Jack had no intention of telling the actual Arthur story. He instead has told the events leading up to the Arthur legend - the story of the making of Camelot. He has left the actual Arthur story largely untold. I guess this is what he intended, and I will not blame him, yet I am left languishing for the actual tales of Arthur in his manhood. Maybe... just maybe... there will be another book after "Uther" ??? I can always hope... In any event, I am a Jack Whyte fan and promote his work shamelessly.

This is (I think) the sixth volume in the series. Now after something like 3000 pages we have just gotten to the Sword in the Stone episode, Arthur now being about 18 years old. I shouldn't say this, but the author is not a young man -- he dedicates one of the books to his grandchildren. Here's long life to you, Jack!

The series is compulsively readable, however. As a member of some King Arthur clubs on the Internet, I have been taken to task for liking these books. They say they are historically inaccurate, in, for example, the same sense that the movie Gladiator was criticized for showing the Romans using fire-shooting catapults on a campaign in the northern German forests. Also, there is no evidence that the British at this time used cavalry to great advantage because they had discovered stirrups. Well, la-di-da. Who cares? It READS convincingly as pseudo-history, and that's all that matters in this sort of story. The latest one is particularly good, after two or three dull ones.

The author had a new slant on the Uther/Ygraine tradition that was really good, and there are other felicities. There's also a lot of boring dreck. On the whole, though, a good series.

"A gigantic ball of flame roared from the pit with a concussive, deafening sound that sucked all the air in the room, it seemed, into its heart, then belched it out again in a terrifying rain of sparks and embers and great, whirling clouds of choking smoke."

The Sorcerer Metamorphosis is an ingenius fiction of the Arthurian legend by Jack Whyte and it is the fifth book in the Camulod Chronicles series. It is about how Merlyn and Arthur return to their stronghold of Camulod but instead of peace and prosperity, they find themselves in the middle of a desperate war with their longtime neighbor and ally, the now distrought, Cambria! While Merlyn loses everything he ever cared about and morphs into a powerful sorcerer, Arthur fights in the war to learn how to become a man, a soldier, and a leader.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the previous books in the series and anyone who likes books on the Arthurian legend or just books about medieval warfare.

I have read and enjoyed this series more than any I have read in recent years...and this installment bettered all previous. People say "I couldn't put it down." Believe them! My brother and I share a love for these books and were on the phone long distance every few hours saying things like "Did you get to the part where..." and "Oh NO! What? Can you believe...?" Do yourself a big fat favor...read the series, and then luxuriate in the pure joy that is this most recent installment.

I have read with great enjoyment the other books in this series and I was really looking forward to reading "The Sorcerer" but boy...it is sadly lacking what Whyte put into the other books in this series. I had a hard time forcing myself to read this one because it is so slow moving and just plain boring. It seems as if Whyte lost his train of thought here or was himself bored with the telling of the Camulod tale. Either way, his editor needs a kick in the rear for letting this one be published as is.

For those who are reading the series and haven't yet gotten to this one I do suggest you read it just to keep following the story to the end but I finally resorted to skiming paragraphs/pages just to get through the really boring parts.

Very disappointing this book is.

Whyte continues a familiar story with quite a different approach.

Merlyn Brittanicus continues his tireless journey to make a High King out of young Arthur but finds his carefully thought-out plans disrupted by his long time nemisis Peter Ironhair. Consumed by his deep hatred for Ironhair, Merlyn set out to destroy his enemy once and for all at all costs. If you have read the first books of the series, you will remember Publius Varrus' similar determination when he dealt with Seneca.

This final chapter manages to provide a seemingly logical ending to the Camulod Chronicles series. However, you get the feeling that Whyte tried too hard to link too many of the past events from his earlier five books to this final book so that he gloss over certain events. That just leaves readers feeling that something is missing. Certainly, it does not give you the same feeling as when you finish reading Book One - The Skystone.

For those readers who prefer a more wholesome ending to the Arthur / Merlin story, Mary Stewart and Bernard Cornwell's series are highly recommended.