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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.
l2intj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
A good book, though not as good as the Merlin trilogy, partly because of the “absurdities” (the author’s term) inherent to the Mordred romance. Stewart does her best to iron out these problems, but is less successful here than in the Merlin trilogy. Merlin’s “magic” can be explained by natural causes as well as his prophetic potential. Certain elements in this story are less easy to resolve, particularly the inconsistent behaviors of some of the main characters, especially Arthur.
That’s not to say the author was unsuccessful with this story. In particular, I appreciate her re-working of the Mordred character. He’s not the Mordred we often see in movies or television who’s evil just because. (His name is Mordred for crying out loud! How could he be anything but? Incidentally, Stewart has an alternative explanation for the name, as well.) He’s ambitious and a bit cold, but he loves his father, and has no desire to be his “curse.”
Furthermore, in the telling of his tale, Stewart examines the workings of fate. What is the role of fate, and what of free will, and how does good and evil affect one’s life course? Morgause, as the “evil” force represents the binding, coercive, and persistent power of fear: "There will come a day, the wicked day of destiny, when all will come to pass..." While Merlin, the never seen and yet ever-present force of "good" whispers, "Live what life brings; die what death comes." Mordred, caught in the midst of all this must choose what philosophy to adopt. Will he choose to see his life as fated, as the cruel machinations of the gods, or will he accept the natural unfolding of his own life and choices? This really becomes the most important question of the novel, because the reader knows only too well, he can’t change what is to come.
That’s not to say the author was unsuccessful with this story. In particular, I appreciate her re-working of the Mordred character. He’s not the Mordred we often see in movies or television who’s evil just because. (His name is Mordred for crying out loud! How could he be anything but? Incidentally, Stewart has an alternative explanation for the name, as well.) He’s ambitious and a bit cold, but he loves his father, and has no desire to be his “curse.”
Furthermore, in the telling of his tale, Stewart examines the workings of fate. What is the role of fate, and what of free will, and how does good and evil affect one’s life course? Morgause, as the “evil” force represents the binding, coercive, and persistent power of fear: "There will come a day, the wicked day of destiny, when all will come to pass..." While Merlin, the never seen and yet ever-present force of "good" whispers, "Live what life brings; die what death comes." Mordred, caught in the midst of all this must choose what philosophy to adopt. Will he choose to see his life as fated, as the cruel machinations of the gods, or will he accept the natural unfolding of his own life and choices? This really becomes the most important question of the novel, because the reader knows only too well, he can’t change what is to come.
murmuration19's review against another edition
4.0
At first this volume was jarring because I was so used to Merlin's first-person voice, and the narrative moved to third-person omniscient with a focus on Mordred's POV. I don't know of many interpretations that cast Mordred as a sympathetic character; this one was feasible and still contained the major elements for which Mordred is known. It had the inexorable feeling of a tragedy in which no one is in control of their fate--depressing, but a good read nonetheless.
deckofkeys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0