Merlin [Paperback]

 

 

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Merlin, the advisor of Arthur, considered by some a wizard or sorcerer, is a bard, prophet, and warrior, and possesses power granted by the Christian god. In Merlin, by Stephen R. Lawhead, you discover Merlin's roots, and how he came to know Arthur, who would one day unite Britain. The story can exist by itself, but is much easier to understand if you have read its prequal, Taliesin, which tells of how Merlin's mother and father met. In Merlin, the name most commonly used for Merlin is Myrrdin. He is the offspring of Charis, and Taliesin. Taliesin was the best bard that had ever lived before he was killed and Charis was a princess of Atlantis who managed to escape before the gods reclaimed the land.

The book is wonderfully descriptive and throughout the pages you get a strong sense of emotion, be it joyful or sorrowful. The first part of the book is Myrrdin telling his life until he was driven mad by the mutilation of his wife by Saecson warriors. In his insanity he fled society and live among the hills. The flash-backs are vivid, and make you feel like you are actually experiencing them, not merely being told of them. His life consists of events, all meticulously described, so you can see and hear them in your brain - like the smells the scent of a wolfskin coat, or the roasting of meat, and you can even feel the atmosphere of battle suppressing you. When Myrrdin goes into his "bullet time" battle rage, you can see the battle in slow motion as he effortlessly hacks his way through hundred of Saecson and Picti barbarians, and saves his companions from death by the axes of the Saecsons, or spears of the Picti.

In Myrrdin's charge against the Saecsons that mutilated his wife and unborn child, he cleaves a path to the center of a force of several hundred Saecsons, after entering his battle rage. Because he is in the middle of the Saecson army, he is unable to help his friends, and after seeing several go down, starts seeing all of them die, and after all the Saecsons have been killed flees madly to the hill even with his steward calling his name to come back. The book after the flash backs, is just as descriptive, and even more compelling, The book is a religious novel, but it is not offensive to non-Christians as it doesn't say the extinct Celtic religion is bad, only that it is not the whole truth. The politics of the book are reasonable, the kings and people respond realistically to events. In the second part of the book Myrrdin looses his ability to see battle in slow motion, and respond with super human speed, but the battles are even more amazing.

Uther is the Duke of Britain after Myrrdin establishes his brother as high king. In Uther's first battle against Saecsons he is out numbered by five to one. Yet, by making it appear that he and his horsemen retreated and leaving only footmen behind with Myrrdin and his brother, he managed to come into the rear, where the Saecson leader was and captured him without having to hack their way through several thousand axe wielding Saecsons.

The book, Merlin, is a highly descriptive novel, and is a wonderful addition to the Arthurian saga. It ends with the birth of Arthur, the death of Uther and of the sword of Britain being driven to the hilt into stone. After finishing this novel I immediately got a copy of the next novel of the Pendragon cycle, Arthur. I highly recommend this novel to people who enjoy fantasy novels like Lord of the Rings and any other Arthurian novel.

Merlin, the advisor of Arthur, considered by some a wizard or sorcerer, is a bard, prophet, and warrior, and possesses power granted by the Christian god. In Merlin, by Stephen R. Lawhead, you discover Merlin?s roots, and how he came to know Arthur, who would one day unite Britain. The story can exist by itself, but is much easier to understand if you have read its prequal, Taliesin, which tells of how Merlin?s mother and father met. In Merlin, the name most commonly used for Merlin is Myrrdin. He is the offspring of Charis, and Taliesin. Taliesin was the best bard that had ever lived before he was killed and Charis was a princess of Atlantis who managed to escape before the gods reclaimed the land.
The book is wonderfully descriptive and throughout the pages you get a strong sense of emotion, be it joyful or sorrowful. The first part of the book is Myrrdin telling his life until he was driven mad by the mutilation of his wife by Saecson warriors. In his insanity he fled society and live among the hills. The flash-backs are vivid, and make you feel like you are actually experiencing them, not merely being told of them. His life consists of events, all meticulously described, so you can see and hear them in your brain - like the smells the scent of a wolfskin coat, or the roasting of meat, and you can even feel the atmosphere of battle suppressing you. When Myrrdin goes into his "bullet time" battle rage, you can see the battle in slow motion as he effortlessly hacks his way through hundred of Saecson and Picti barbarians, and saves his companions from death by the axes of the Saecsons, or spears of the Picti.
In Myrrdin?s charge against the Saecsons that mutilated his wife and unborn child, he cleaves a path to the center of a force of several hundred Saecsons, after entering his battle rage. Because he is in the middle of the Saecson army, he is unable to help his friends, and after seeing several go down, starts seeing all of them die, and after all the Saecsons have been killed flees madly to the hill even with his steward calling his name to come back.
The book after the flash backs, is just as descriptive, and even more compelling, The book is a religious novel, but it is not offensive to non-Christians as it doesn?t say the extinct Celtic religion is bad, only that it is not the whole truth. The politics of the book are reasonable, the kings and people respond realistically to events. In the second part of the book Myrrdin looses his ability to see battle in slow motion, and respond with super human speed, but the battles are even more amazing.
Uther is the Duke of Britain after Myrrdin establishes his brother as high king. In Uther's first battle against Saecsons he is out numbered by five to one. Yet, by making it appear that he and his horsemen retreated and leaving only footmen behind with Myrrdin and his brother, he managed to come into the rear, where the Saecson leader was and captured him without having to hack their way through several thousand axe wielding Saecsons.
The book, Merlin, is a highly descriptive novel, and is a wonderful addition to the Arthurian saga. It ends with the birth of Arthur, the death of Uther and of the sword of Britain being driven to the hilt into stone. After finishing this novel I immediately got a copy of the next novel of the Pendragon cycle, Arthur. I highly recommend this novel to people who enjoy fantasy novels like Lord of the Rings and any other Arthurian novel.

I loved this book. Merlin is positively amazing! I enjoyed the way the first half of the story is told in flashback form, with little intervals of the present thrown in. Merlin makes a very believable madman. By the time his story is told, the reader will feel so sad for him! The only thing I wished was added was more physical description of Merlin. All that is really said is that he has golden eyes and dark hair. But, it is minor, and will detract nothing from the enjoyment of the second book of the Pendragon Cycle.

For Richard: Perhaps Catholicism was Christianity then because there is no other form of Christianity that goes back that far. What else would it be?

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4.0 out of 5 stars Stimulating, satisfying, rarely superficial. Superb sequel!
In this second volume of his "Pendragon Cycle" series, Stephen Lawhead continues the story begun in "Taliesin" by telling the tale of Merlin, a remarkable... Read more

Published on Feb 21 2001 by Godly Gadfly

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting!!
I enjoyed this book a bit more than Taliesin, which was the first of the Pendragon cycle. This book is told in the first person narrative, which makes it easier to follow. Read more

Published on Sep 25 2000 by Lee F. Bonaldi

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as the first
The second part of the Pendragon cycle is as captivating and enjoyable as the first part (Taliesin). Read more

Published on Aug 16 2000 by baden123

5.0 out of 5 stars Immortal in Lawhead's writing
I started out the Pendragon Cycle with "Taliesin", as was the chronological thing to do. After that came "Merlin" - and maybe it was the anticipation after... Read more

Published on Aug 4 2000 by Lise

1.0 out of 5 stars Where do I start?
This is the second book that I have been unable to finish in my life. I slogged trhough "Taliesan" hoping that the series would get better. It got worse. Read more

Published on Jun 29 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Good Good
I found this book very well written. I enjoyed the adventures that Stephen Lawhead made Merlin go through. This book has a great meaning behind it. It is a Good, Good, Good book.

Published on May 24 2000 by Amy Colburn

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly how awesome Merlin is.
You know, I could really dig into this book and pull out stuff like the symbolism of the hawk, and color symbolism of the golden eyes. Read more

Published on Nov 22 1999 by Jennifer Hutchinson

5.0 out of 5 stars A saga of unparalleled richness
If you've never read Steven R. Lawhead, prepare to be entranced by the breathtaking beauty of the universe which springs from his pen. Read more

Published on Nov 21 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystical, Emotional, and Pleasureable
Wow! I just finished re-reading Merlin for the umpteenth time and am so happy I can sing the book's praises at amazon.com. Read more

Published on Aug 28 1999 by Christopher J. Hagen

5.0 out of 5 stars A viseral adventure, romantic & magical epic!
I was caught up in the epic...It was an easy read since the chapters/breaks were short and the font was average print. Read more

Published on April 18 1999

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