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The best Arthurian legend book I've read, but still with some frustrations. 3.5 stars.
The story follows Nimue, a teenager, as she tries to run away from her village because everyone fears her. However, when she cannot get on the ship she wants, she returns only to find her village under attack. Her dying mother gives her the Sword and tells her to take it to Merlin. She has to use the sword on her way, developing a reputation as the Wolf Blood Witch. Arthur, a rough and tumble sword for hire, helps her on her way, but he is not a reliable person and spends the book becoming loyal and overcoming his instinct to run when things get bad. Fey Folk refugees assemble and Nimue becomes their mascot/leader of sorts. She finds Merlin, but he's not what he seems. King Uther is not what he seems. Eventually a million plot lines come together for one big battle.
Plenty of clever tie ins. I was very satisfied with how the plot weaved together nicely. Yet there were SO MANY. Honestly too many.
It was fast paced and an easy read.
Everyone seems to have a backstory, even if they don't need one, and some of the backstories leave more questions. Nimue's scar... we learn how she got it, but we don't really learn who the bear was or why it had that access to Nimue's thoughts. It sets the stage that there may be good and bad Hidden, but we don't talk about that again. If no one can hear it but Nimue, how can she ever learn when the feelings are good or bad?
There were also more questions I had about Morgan and Arthur and their upbringing - we hear about Arthur and his dad, but not much about Morgan. We learn a little about some Shadow Lords, but there's a lot to explore there. All in all, there was a lot of backstory, yet not enough. Some left us feeling like we were missing a previous book.
Despite this being more about Nimue and her power with the sword, there was still an annoying amount of romantic will-they-or-won't-they. And it seems like the sword is good to whoever wields it - both Merlin and Nimue have had it. So was it really meant for her? Could no one else use it or did she just not let them?
The dialogue was too modern for my taste, likely to make it more accessible to teens. I totally acknowledge I am not the target audience, so it doesn't lose points there, it just wasn't to my liking.
The story follows Nimue, a teenager, as she tries to run away from her village because everyone fears her. However, when she cannot get on the ship she wants, she returns only to find her village under attack. Her dying mother gives her the Sword and tells her to take it to Merlin. She has to use the sword on her way, developing a reputation as the Wolf Blood Witch. Arthur, a rough and tumble sword for hire, helps her on her way, but he is not a reliable person and spends the book becoming loyal and overcoming his instinct to run when things get bad. Fey Folk refugees assemble and Nimue becomes their mascot/leader of sorts. She finds Merlin, but he's not what he seems. King Uther is not what he seems. Eventually a million plot lines come together for one big battle.
Plenty of clever tie ins. I was very satisfied with how the plot weaved together nicely. Yet there were SO MANY. Honestly too many.
It was fast paced and an easy read.
Everyone seems to have a backstory, even if they don't need one, and some of the backstories leave more questions. Nimue's scar... we learn how she got it, but we don't really learn who the bear was or why it had that access to Nimue's thoughts. It sets the stage that there may be good and bad Hidden, but we don't talk about that again. If no one can hear it but Nimue, how can she ever learn when the feelings are good or bad?
There were also more questions I had about Morgan and Arthur and their upbringing - we hear about Arthur and his dad, but not much about Morgan. We learn a little about some Shadow Lords, but there's a lot to explore there. All in all, there was a lot of backstory, yet not enough. Some left us feeling like we were missing a previous book.
Despite this being more about Nimue and her power with the sword, there was still an annoying amount of romantic will-they-or-won't-they. And it seems like the sword is good to whoever wields it - both Merlin and Nimue have had it. So was it really meant for her? Could no one else use it or did she just not let them?
The dialogue was too modern for my taste, likely to make it more accessible to teens. I totally acknowledge I am not the target audience, so it doesn't lose points there, it just wasn't to my liking.