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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
3.5 rounded up. This is Merlin’s story. From childhood, Merlin is different. He is the bastard of the princess more suited to cleverness and learning than to swords and knighthood. The first part of the story is engaging and interesting as Merlin comes into himself, finds his teacher, and the identity of his father. After these discoveries, the story loses momentum during wartime preparations and culminations of prophecy. While the ending picks up again, it feels as if it could have been a part of the next novel. Overall, this is a very enjoyable adventurous imagining of fifth century Britain.
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
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.
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
Has no idea what to expect. Found it engaging and easy to follow. Read it in a week which is blistering fast for me.
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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.
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
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes