Merlin

These books sold very, very well for the author in what can only be described as an impossibly crowded genre. It seems every fantasy novelist attempts, at some point, a re-telling and definitive edition of the Arthurian myth. It is the only subject more trampled and copied than Tolkien. It is also the genre that lapses in to the most astonishing absurdities. Lawhead, with these three books (Taliesin, Merlin, and Arthur) has contributed something very relevant and very new to the genre. It gives the myth a burst of idealism and Christianity not seen since Tennyson with the Celtic traditions not seen since the Mabinogion. Sadly, with the publication of the latter three--and far lesser novels (Pendragon, Grail, and Avallon) the series is much damaged and diminished. We believe that Lawhead would've been far better served to let the trilogy stand on its own where it's not so intimidating and probably would've enjoyed subsequent reprinting. As it stands, our rating for this book is slightly tarnished by these later publications and endanger the proud work of a very, very good author. WHO SHOULD READ: Readers who enjoyed Tolkien a great deal and who read Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, and others searching for that same idealism will come closest to finding it here with Lawhead. Readers who enjoyed Marion Zimmerman Bradley's feminized version of the legend in The Mists of Avalon will find this work operating as a kind of opposite: Bradley employing the traditional pagan religious elements and feminism while re-working the French side of the myth while Lawhead invoking Christian theology and masculinity in t the Celtic side of the myth. They are very interesting to read together. These books are excellent choices for teenagers for whom idealism is second nature. Oddly, readers deeply impressed with the idealism of the people living in "The Land" in The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever will find themselves deeply compelled by this work. WHO SHOULD AVOID: Scholars of Arthuriana, those more versed in Malory, Monmouth, Eschenbach, de Troyes, and even Tennyson, will probably be a bit disappointed. They are going to be much less impressed with what they might regard as overly-dramatic prose and much more sensitive to the liberties--particularly the Christian liberties--that Lawhead takes with the story. Certainly those readers who are inclined to much more cynical writing styles of the late 20th and 21st century--people who enjoy the subtle undercurrents and "un-heroism" of more modern irreverent works--will probably become bored and irritable with the constant nobility (just as they would become bored with Tennyson's Idylls of the King). People looking to investigate the actual history and evolution of the mythology would not be well-served by reading this book but should look to the actual source material of Malory and perhaps some of the earlier Celtic works such as Monmouth and The Alliterative Morte d'Arthure. READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW AT I

Merlin is the second book in Stephen R. Lawhead's Pendragon Cycle. Merlin picks up following the events of Taliesin, which saw Atlantean Princess Charis marrying Bard Taliesin, the birth of their son Merlin, and Taliesin's murder by Charis' half-sister Morgan. This book can be diveded into about 3 parts. The first is the story of Merlin's childhood, where is is taught wisdom by both Druids, Priests and former kings of Atlantis. The second deals with Merlin's brief reign as a warrior Celtic prince, story of love and war, ending in tragedy. The final part of the book deals with Merlin as a kingmaker and ends with the birth of Arthur. Set in the time period just after the end of Roman occupation, Lawhead combines history with Celtic mythology to create a very different look at the story of Arthur. Very few writers take their works as far back as Lawhead does, and very, very few are as detailed and interesting. Although there are many elements of magic in this book, it can almost be described as historical fiction as opposed to fantasy, yet enough fantastic elements remain to make this a terrific read.

Merlin, the advisor of Arthur, considered by some a wizard or sorcerer, is a bard, prophet, and warrior, and possesses power granted by the Christian god. In Merlin, by Stephen R. Lawhead, you discover Merlin's roots, and how he came to know Arthur, who would one day unite Britain. The story can exist by itself, but is much easier to understand if you have read its prequal, Taliesin, which tells of how Merlin's mother and father met. In Merlin, the name most commonly used for Merlin is Myrrdin. He is the offspring of Charis, and Taliesin. Taliesin was the best bard that had ever lived before he was killed and Charis was a princess of Atlantis who managed to escape before the gods reclaimed the land. The book is wonderfully descriptive and throughout the pages you get a strong sense of emotion, be it joyful or sorrowful. The first part of the book is Myrrdin telling his life until he was driven mad by the mutilation of his wife by Saecson warriors. In his insanity he fled society and live among the hills. The flash-backs are vivid, and make you feel like you are actually experiencing them, not merely being told of them. His life consists of events, all meticulously described, so you can see and hear them in your brain - like the smells the scent of a wolfskin coat, or the roasting of meat, and you can even feel the atmosphere of battle suppressing you. When Myrrdin goes into his "bullet time" battle rage, you can see the battle in slow motion as he effortlessly hacks his way through hundred of Saecson and Picti barbarians, and saves his companions from death by the axes of the Saecsons, or spears of the Picti. In Myrrdin's charge against the Saecsons that mutilated his wife and unborn child, he cleaves a path to the center of a force of several hundred Saecsons, after entering his battle rage. Because he is in the middle of the Saecson army, he is unable to help his friends, and after seeing several go down, starts seeing all of them die, and after all the Saecsons have been killed flees madly to the hill even with his steward calling his name to come back. The book after the flash backs, is just as descriptive, and even more compelling, The book is a religious novel, but it is not offensive to non-Christians as it doesn't say the extinct Celtic religion is bad, only that it is not the whole truth. The politics of the book are reasonable, the kings and people respond realistically to events. In the second part of the book Myrrdin looses his ability to see battle in slow motion, and respond with super human speed, but the battles are even more amazing. Uther is the Duke of Britain after Myrrdin establishes his brother as high king. In Uther's first battle against Saecsons he is out numbered by five to one. Yet, by making it appear that he and his horsemen retreated and leaving only footmen behind with Myrrdin and his brother, he managed to come into the rear, where the Saecson leader was and captured him without having to hack their way th

I started out the Pendragon Cycle with "Taliesin", as was the chronological thing to do. After that came "Merlin" - and maybe it was the anticipation after reading "Taliesin", or maybe it was only the fascination I've held for Merlin ever since the first time I discovered Arthurian legend...whatever it was, I absolutely fell in love with this book. Now that I've finished reading the cycle, I can say without a doubt that "Merlin" surpasses all others in the series. Arthur is a genius, Llenlleawg a talented warrior, Pelleas a loyal companion...but Merlin is REAL. Merlin has gifts and flaws; he has a distinct personality that makes him come to life as a flesh and bone human (however immortal). For example, I found him to be vain and more snobbish as the story progressed! He is definately one of the most well-written characters I've ever read.After finishing this book in less than four hours, I eagerly acquired the rest of the Pendragon series, thinking that they would live up to the standard of "Merlin", if not surpass it. I should have known that such a perfect book full of plot and characterization is one of a kind. However, to my delight, Merlin's character only develops more in depth as the Pendragon series continued on. After all, Merlin's name is etched in legend...but in Lawhead's writing, he lives.

You know, I could really dig into this book and pull out stuff like the symbolism of the hawk, and color symbolism of the golden eyes. I could give you the signifigance of the choice of diction, tell you about the underlying themes, but you don't want to hear about that. Merlin is the son of Taliesin the bard and Charis the Fair Folk princess. Merlin spends most of the year with his mother on Ynys Avallach and the summers with his grandparents in their caer training with the warriors and the bards. His father's people call him Myrddyn (pronounced Mur- then). The plot details his childhood and how he grows to be a warrior and a bard, and his life as he deals with his immortality. There are plenty of battle scenes for those of you who like that stuff, and also a bit of romance here and there for those of you who like *that* stuff. Lawhead paints realistic and vivid pictures of life in Celtic Britian. The character developement is nothing short of incredible. There are stories that you read, and then there are stories that you experience. This is one of those stories you experience. The story is so concrete, you feel yourself a part of the narrative. Words connot describe the emotions this book conjures. It is an incredible piece of literature. Read. And experience the wonder, the romance, and the battles of...Merlin.