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thomas_hense's review
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.
ajaense's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
kh2912's review
4.0
The Arthurian story has been told so many times that it's difficult for any one telling to stand out. However, this story is written from the point of view of Merlin and gives him a back story. The writing is good, and it comes off as plausible, even when speaking about the more magical elements of the story (which are not the main focus). All in all a good read.
kangokaren's review
4.0
Mary Stewart is great at providing detail. She clearly states that this work is not entirely based on historical fact or even the authentic legend. She is just writing a good book that is the exciting and personal life of Merlin and Arthur.