Description :
This is a historical novel set in 296. The Eastern Beacon is the story of two Greek children, Helena and Fabius, who were
shipwrecked onto Sullya (modern day Scilly Isles) where they are forced to become slaves.
Review :
This is an interesting story, but lacks specialness or excitement found in some stories. When it begins, it moves quickly
from the ship voyage to the shipwreck, and then to the island, where much of the action takes place. The story is
realistically told and is very believable, without any silly stretches of imagination.
The book is worth reading, but personally I wouldn't recommend buying it new. If you can borrow it from a library or friend
or get it second hand by all means do, but it lacks that certain something to make it special.
Rating :
Three Stars (Out of Five)
Notes :
Constantius Chlorus' "Picts" really existed and were put into commision in 298 AD.
The Scily Isles were formerly one big island, but the centre sank around twelve feet at some point before written records
started in the Middle Ages. In the story this has not yet happened.
The author based the locations of the villages on what was known from archaeology at the time of writing (the mid 1960s) and
used the oldest known names for places.
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