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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Of all the Arthurian retellings I read, I think Mary Stewart's were the best.
Really excellent Merlin story. I enjoyed the focus on people and their passions instead of just magic.
FINALLY. I FINALLY FREAKING FINISHED THIS BOOK.
I have to give it a 3.5 star rating. It diminished the books awesome factor for me since it took me so long to read and finish.
This book is about Merlin and it is an Arthurian retelling. Honestly, I absolutely loved this book when I was little. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book but I think the fact it took me so long to read is just something that really made me not like the book as much. I felt a lot of the book was also too historical for me, it was a lot of recounting of events and explaining them rather than the events getting to be lived out through Merlin. If that makes sense. The characters were well thought out and the plot and world well developed but I feel like I could have gone for more from the book. I don't know if I'm going to read the series or not or just stick with this one. It's just something I'm not too sure about yet.
I have to give it a 3.5 star rating. It diminished the books awesome factor for me since it took me so long to read and finish.
This book is about Merlin and it is an Arthurian retelling. Honestly, I absolutely loved this book when I was little. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book but I think the fact it took me so long to read is just something that really made me not like the book as much. I felt a lot of the book was also too historical for me, it was a lot of recounting of events and explaining them rather than the events getting to be lived out through Merlin. If that makes sense. The characters were well thought out and the plot and world well developed but I feel like I could have gone for more from the book. I don't know if I'm going to read the series or not or just stick with this one. It's just something I'm not too sure about yet.
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's been a while since a fantasy book has made me physically smile, audibly gasp, and literally put my hand on the lower half of the page because of how much I wanted to read on ahead. The characters are relatable and behave like actual humans, the action is super fast-paced, and it is so engaging I could not put it down. It has been written many decades ago so it is anything but progressive with it's gender roles, but it is still a great read
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Blood, War
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Ever since I found out what a horrible person Marion Zimmer Bradley was, I’ve had a Mists of Avalon shaped hole in my heart. While it’s one of my all time favorite books, I know I’ll never read it again. But after several years, I’ve finally found something that may not quite fill that hole, but comes pretty damn close. I loved every page of this! I also love that it’s the first in a series, which means this didn’t feel rushed at all. Prophecies and magic follow their own schedule, and this book mirrors that dreamy “all in good time” feeling.
A more historical take on the early life of Merlin of Arthurian legend. Merlin's education and the discussion of the various religious beliefs of the time (Druidism, Mithraism, and early Christianity) was fascinating, and I love the character of Merlin. However, the Medieval warfare dragged a bit. Still, as much as I looked forward to the end of this book, I'm also looking forward to the next one!