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meganschmegan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rtthalia's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jaelsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
sam_vimes_75's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly, the one element I did not like as much was the sequence most essential to the Arthurian Legend. Stewart creates a fully-realized tale of a young Merlin. His path of growing up and developing his wits as well as his magic is exceptionally well done. I especially enjoyed the scenes of Merlin and his father.
It is too bad that they could not have finished their tale. Just as things reach a pleasant peak, Stewart remembers that this also literally the conception of the Legend. Merlin has no time to mourn because he must ensure Arthur is created. The ending feels tacked on and rushed. It’s all great writing, but it’s as if Merlin’s story is run to ground so Arthur’s can begin.
It is too bad that they could not have finished their tale. Just as things reach a pleasant peak, Stewart remembers that this also literally the conception of the Legend. Merlin has no time to mourn because he must ensure Arthur is created. The ending feels tacked on and rushed. It’s all great writing, but it’s as if Merlin’s story is run to ground so Arthur’s can begin.
thomas_hense's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Has no idea what to expect. Found it engaging and easy to follow. Read it in a week which is blistering fast for me.
knully's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really loved Mary Stewart's telling of the legends of Merlin and subsequently Arthur. There's a deep realism that makes the familiar stories enthralling in a whole new way. If I were now to choose a go-to experience of the Arthurian myths, this series would be it.
ketutar's review against another edition
4.0
I love Mary Stewart.
She tells the story of Merlin from Merlin's POV. I should have read these books when I was young, but, alas, I didn't know about them then.
I also should have read this in "one sitting", now I have been reading it since last summer... I can easily keep the stories separate when I read several books at once, but it's harder when I start a book, have a 4 month pause during which I read several other books, watch movies, etc. and then read the last 100 pages. :-D
Nevertheless, I like this version of Merlin. I like how Mary Stewart explains it all without magic, though I suspect there might be more of that further on in the story.
Uther is an a-hole, though, but that isn't surprising. He's that more or less in every story :-D
She tells the story of Merlin from Merlin's POV. I should have read these books when I was young, but, alas, I didn't know about them then.
I also should have read this in "one sitting", now I have been reading it since last summer... I can easily keep the stories separate when I read several books at once, but it's harder when I start a book, have a 4 month pause during which I read several other books, watch movies, etc. and then read the last 100 pages. :-D
Nevertheless, I like this version of Merlin. I like how Mary Stewart explains it all without magic, though I suspect there might be more of that further on in the story.
Uther is an a-hole, though, but that isn't surprising. He's that more or less in every story :-D
gribkigamayun's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mbs1236's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A beautiful book on the Arthurian legend. Looking forward to the sequel books.