A review by meredithpraed
Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven by Bella Forrest

3.0

I feel like this book shouldn't be classified as 'Arthurian' on Amazon, because, apart from MC Harley's second name (and, I suppose, heritage), it really isn't. There's hints of a love triangle stirring, the suggestion of a 'chosen one' theme maybe emerging, and though other reviewers have likened this book to Harry Potter I find the magical world of the latter much richer. That's not to say I didn't like Harley Merlin #1, however, because I did enjoy it - though the characters really were all behaving like young teens (the insults and 'banter' really didn't seem natural coming from 20-something year olds). The structure of the magical coven-slash-school felt a little murky, and the author could have painted a clearer picture. I've started the second book which explains love interest Wade Crowley's accent away through his parents, though, if he's grown up in America, his accent would be native to his hometown - maybe there's more backstory to come here. Enjoyable, but I don't know if I'll be able to make it through the whole series (20 books?! I thought it was 10!), but we will see. Definitely one for its genre/target audience, but fun nonetheless!