Scan barcode
lgiegerich's review against another edition
5.0
these are my favorite King Arthur, and this was my favorite of the series. mostly b/c it's from Mordred's point of view, and i'm surprisingly ok with Mordred. i like how he isn't just entirely, completely evil in this series. and i probably had a little crush on him with i was 12. what of it!
jonathanfs's review against another edition
4.0
As I have mentioned in previous reviews, Stewart's telling of the Arthurian legend makes it believable, approachable, and compelling. She always impresses me with her humanization of the larger-than-life characters. This might not sound appealing to those looking for epic battles and amazing feats of sorcery, but I urge fans of these tales to give it a try. When you do, be sure to read her notes on the legend at the end.
velocitygirl14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read this ages ago and it still stands the test of time. I think this is one of the most in depth takes of Mordred and doesn't just paint him as someone dark. He is doomed by the narrative, but it is a very good narrative. Well done.
cleheny's review against another edition
5.0
Although some find this final book (I've never read the fifth book in the saga, and don't intend to, as it doesn't seem connected to the first four) less satisfying because Merlin is not in it, I love it. Merlin's voice is absent, but his impact is felt everywhere.
One of Stewart's brilliant devices in this series was to focus on three men, all of whom grow up not knowing at least one of their parents (in fact, Merlin is the only one to know his mother's true identity during his childhood). By placing each of them in very different circumstances, she shows how their childhoods formed their characters. Merlin, the bastard, is marginalized when not outright ostracized because, to his mother's family, he represents her shame (or, perhaps, her liaison with a demon). But his gift of the sight gives him a different perspective and brings him into contact with those who appreciate him. His childhood doesn't scar him because his powers set him apart in ways that both isolate and protect him. And he finds love and affirmation in the relationships with his father, his cousin (Arthur), and, eventually, Niniane.
Arthur also grows up without knowing his parentage, but his life is somewhat different. Although aware that his unknown parentage leaves him in a vulnerable position, he is surrounded by love from the beginning of his life and is raised in an environment that provides him with the education and training he will need and, indeed, wants. He is confident, and surrounded by those who love him (Merlin and Bedwyr, in particular), thus the discovery of his true parentage is more important to him as a way to establish his place as a leader than it is to his emotional well-being.
Mordred has the most difficult path to follow. He's lied to from the beginning of his life and spends his early years in an environment that he knows is not enough scope for his talents and ambitions (even if he doesn't know how he knows that). Even when taken into his mother's house, he is left in the dark as to his relationship with her and his half-brothers, and the lies continue until some time after he meets Arthur. Because Arthur is the first (and only one) to tell him the truth, and because he sees in Arthur a man to be respected, they develop a strong bond. But it's never the loving bond that Merlin and Arthur shared, largely because Mordred is not as open a personality as either of the other two. This doesn't make Mordred a villain; in fact, the tragedy of this telling is that Mordred actively tries to avoid becoming the traitor that he is prophesied to become. This makes the Battle of Camlann more painful to read than any other version of the tale.
One of Stewart's brilliant devices in this series was to focus on three men, all of whom grow up not knowing at least one of their parents (in fact, Merlin is the only one to know his mother's true identity during his childhood). By placing each of them in very different circumstances, she shows how their childhoods formed their characters. Merlin, the bastard, is marginalized when not outright ostracized because, to his mother's family, he represents her shame (or, perhaps, her liaison with a demon). But his gift of the sight gives him a different perspective and brings him into contact with those who appreciate him. His childhood doesn't scar him because his powers set him apart in ways that both isolate and protect him. And he finds love and affirmation in the relationships with his father, his cousin (Arthur), and, eventually, Niniane.
Arthur also grows up without knowing his parentage, but his life is somewhat different. Although aware that his unknown parentage leaves him in a vulnerable position, he is surrounded by love from the beginning of his life and is raised in an environment that provides him with the education and training he will need and, indeed, wants. He is confident, and surrounded by those who love him (Merlin and Bedwyr, in particular), thus the discovery of his true parentage is more important to him as a way to establish his place as a leader than it is to his emotional well-being.
Mordred has the most difficult path to follow. He's lied to from the beginning of his life and spends his early years in an environment that he knows is not enough scope for his talents and ambitions (even if he doesn't know how he knows that). Even when taken into his mother's house, he is left in the dark as to his relationship with her and his half-brothers, and the lies continue until some time after he meets Arthur. Because Arthur is the first (and only one) to tell him the truth, and because he sees in Arthur a man to be respected, they develop a strong bond. But it's never the loving bond that Merlin and Arthur shared, largely because Mordred is not as open a personality as either of the other two. This doesn't make Mordred a villain; in fact, the tragedy of this telling is that Mordred actively tries to avoid becoming the traitor that he is prophesied to become. This makes the Battle of Camlann more painful to read than any other version of the tale.
katymvt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
It was pretty good, but toward the end it kind of dragged on and the ending made not much sense which the author admits.
It was pretty good, but toward the end it kind of dragged on and the ending made not much sense which the author admits.
hpig125's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
let_the_wookie_read's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
quoththegirl's review against another edition
5.0
I am a huge, huge fan of Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, and I lately learned that she wrote two more Arthurian legend books. The Wicked Day is a novel from the point of view of Mordred, and normally I hate the now-cliched twist of seeing things from the villain's perspective (I was mortally bored as a child by that kids' book from the Wolf's perspective of The Three Little Pigs), but I should have known better than to question Mary Stewart. It was exquisite and absolutely terrible in that lovely Arthurian way.
spoon55's review against another edition
4.0
The action in this book is so well written and puts you in the moment! I don't like how the author writes about women (even though that's the "way of the time") or how there feel like there are general plot holes to the climax of Author vs Mordred. It feels like it's just brushed off and explained in a rather loose fashion that doesn't feel very satisfactory.