The reading public’s appetite for retellings of the King Arthur legend is apparently limitless, and writers continue to be happy to oblige. With his latest offering, Uther, Scots expatriate Jack Whyte takes a break from his Arthurian Dream of Eagles series to tell the story of Arthur’s father, King Uther Pendragon.

As he grows up, Uther’s defining personal struggle is between his Celtic roots in Cambria (Wales) and his civilized Roman upbringing in Camulod. When the time comes to assume the kingship of Cambria he does so more out of a sense of duty than any innate love of his subjects – if it were up to him he’d stay in Camulod forever, and his guilt over this burdens him throughout his adult life. As well, the celebrated affair between Ygraine, wife of the corrupt King Lot of Cornwall, and Uther that results in Arthur’s birth is portrayed here as a surprise to both of them, born out of a mutual conspiracy to overthrow Lot and unite all of Britain under Uther’s rule.

Those who haven’t read the Dream of Eagles books could easily begin with Uther, but be warned, it’s strictly for readers undaunted by 800-page monsters. The book starts off strong, but as the story progresses, action and character development often get bogged down in page after page of exposition. Uther continues the realistic approach to the Arthurian legends that Whyte developed in his previous books, so those who prefer sorcery over swordplay will be disappointed. But history buffs should enjoy the richly detailed descriptions of military strategy, weaponry, political intrigues, and the day-to-day life of post-Roman Britain. Dream of Eagles fans should also enjoy Uther’s journeys outside Camulod and the expanded perspective they offer on other characters in the Arthur books.