Byzantium

Born to rule

Although born to rule, Aidan lives as a scribe in a remote Irish monastery on the far, wild edge of Christendom. Secure in work, contemplation, and dreams of the wider world, a miracle bursts into Aidan's quiet life. He is chosen to accompany a small band of monks on a quest to the farthest eastern reaches of the known world, to the fabled city of Byzantium, where they are to present a beautiful and costly hand-illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, to the Emperor of all Christendom.

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Thus begins an expedition by sea and over land, as Aidan becomes, by turns, a warrior and a sailor, a slave and a spy, a Viking and a Saracen, and finally, a man. He sees more of the world than most men of his time, becoming an ambassador to kings and an intimate of Byzantium's fabled Golden Court. And finally this valiant Irish monk faces the greatest trial that can confront any man in any age: commanding his own Destiny.

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Reviews

The narrative has the excitement of a good fantasy novel, a vivid historical setting and a lengthy, credible and satisfying plot -- just the elements, in fact, that have made Lawhead a commercial success time and again.

--Publishers Weekly

 

Engrossing with plenty of plot twists... Worthwhile for Lawhead regulars and historical-fantasy fans alike.

-- Kirkus Reviews

 

Here, in the story of a great gift and an even greater journey, is summoned all the magic and splendor, the brutality and the innocence of a lost era -- the not-so-Dark Age when faith ruled men's hearts.

--Smash

 

Not merely a gripping yarn -- and it certainly is that -- this is also a novel about faith and the tests life plants in its way. Lawhead, author of the popular Pendragon cycle of fantasies, here makes a sure move into mainstream historical fiction.

--Booklist