I love books. I love words.

I am doing the 30-day book challenge to get some conversations started about books. Please do join in with a comment on your own books – or a link to your own post!

Day 4 and the next prompt is:

Yesterday was name your favourite series
What book from that series is your favourite and why? What makes that one book stand out.

I choose the Arthurian based series by Jack Whyte – either marketed as the Camulod Chronicles series; or Dream of Eagles series.

The series reframes the legend of Arthur as a historical event at the time of the Roman withdrawal from Britannia. Magic is framed as advanced technology and knowledge.

It is a 9 book series and begins before Arthur or Merlin are even born by planting a number of acorns early on as choices made by others; or as lucky coincidence that opened opportunities.

The first book grabbed me with its strong narrative and fresh view on an old story. And the second book is what kept me going. The second book is “The Singing Sword” and firmly sets the stage for the Arthurian tales we know. I am a bit of a history nerd and in particular Roman history. This book satisfies that obsession and provides strong characters and a well-crafted plotline of intrigue.

Even in chaos there are those that see personal advantage. And sometimes leaders arise not from ability but rather by thirst for power.