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The Merlin Spiral #1
Merlin's Blade
A strange meteorite.
A deadly enchantment.
And only Merlin can destroy it.
A meteorite brings a mysterious black stone whose sinister power ensnares everyone except Merlin, the blind son of a swordsmith. Soon, all of Britain will be under its power, and he must destroy the stone—or die trying.
MERLIN'S BLADE won the 2014 Silver Moonbeam Award in the YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi category, as well as the 2013 Grace Award.
A deadly enchantment.
And only Merlin can destroy it.
A meteorite brings a mysterious black stone whose sinister power ensnares everyone except Merlin, the blind son of a swordsmith. Soon, all of Britain will be under its power, and he must destroy the stone—or die trying.
MERLIN'S BLADE won the 2014 Silver Moonbeam Award in the YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi category, as well as the 2013 Grace Award.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2013
43 people are currently reading
2378 people want to read
About the author
Robert Treskillard
9 books134 followersI am the author of the Merlin Spiral book series based on the legends of King Arthur, published by BLINK YA Books.
Book 1: MERLIN'S BLADE
Book 2: MERLIN'S SHADOW
Book 3: MERLIN'S NIGHTMARE
MERLIN'S BLADE won the 2014 Silver Moonbeam Award in the YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi category, as well as the 2013 Grace Award.
Here is the website for my series:
http://www.EpicTales.org
Book 1: MERLIN'S BLADE
Book 2: MERLIN'S SHADOW
Book 3: MERLIN'S NIGHTMARE
MERLIN'S BLADE won the 2014 Silver Moonbeam Award in the YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi category, as well as the 2013 Grace Award.
Here is the website for my series:
http://www.EpicTales.org
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
October 24, 2023
5⭐️
I had hesitantly high hopes for this one and it DELIVERED!
An interesting from the start; the origin story of Merlin the magician. I felt hints of the King Raven trilogy, the Lord of the Rings, the Realm of the Elderlings and even Biblical events as Robert Treskillard weaves a story of young Merlin and the evil that infiltrate the Druids in their worship of a magical enchanting stone.
I loved the connection between Merlin and Garth and Merlin’s affection for Natalina even though his relationships with his father and sister are more complex as he copes with his own blindness from a wolf attack.
The adventure was great! The representation of Good vs. Evil was evident and powerful and I especially loved Merlin dependence on his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Really well done-I can’t wait to continue the series.
**if you’re listening to the audiobook, take note; there is a first epilogue for Merlin’s Blade but a second ‘epilogue’ which is basically a prologue for the next SERIES, not the next book….i was confused at first
I had hesitantly high hopes for this one and it DELIVERED!
An interesting from the start; the origin story of Merlin the magician. I felt hints of the King Raven trilogy, the Lord of the Rings, the Realm of the Elderlings and even Biblical events as Robert Treskillard weaves a story of young Merlin and the evil that infiltrate the Druids in their worship of a magical enchanting stone.
I loved the connection between Merlin and Garth and Merlin’s affection for Natalina even though his relationships with his father and sister are more complex as he copes with his own blindness from a wolf attack.
The adventure was great! The representation of Good vs. Evil was evident and powerful and I especially loved Merlin dependence on his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Really well done-I can’t wait to continue the series.
**if you’re listening to the audiobook, take note; there is a first epilogue for Merlin’s Blade but a second ‘epilogue’ which is basically a prologue for the next SERIES, not the next book….i was confused at first
November 19, 2013
I was a bit skeptical of this book at first, because Merlin wasn't going to be a wizard and he's one of my favorite wizards in literature.
That said, I was totally blown away. Robert Treskillard manages to bring the character of Merlin to life in a fresh and powerful way that completely won me over by the end of chapter one. He also demonstrates an intimate familiarity with Arthurian Legend while not allowing that knowledge to hinder him from telling his own story in his own way. The committed Arthur enthusiast will be amused by some of the adaptations and amazed by others.
As a story, I can find no faults. The pacing was intense but easy to follow. The characters were engaging and lively. And the morals were clearly communicated without the blatant preachy aftertaste that plagues so much of Christian fantasy.
Overall an excellent twist on a much-beloved character. And if this old cynic can say that, then anyone can enjoy it! :D
That said, I was totally blown away. Robert Treskillard manages to bring the character of Merlin to life in a fresh and powerful way that completely won me over by the end of chapter one. He also demonstrates an intimate familiarity with Arthurian Legend while not allowing that knowledge to hinder him from telling his own story in his own way. The committed Arthur enthusiast will be amused by some of the adaptations and amazed by others.
As a story, I can find no faults. The pacing was intense but easy to follow. The characters were engaging and lively. And the morals were clearly communicated without the blatant preachy aftertaste that plagues so much of Christian fantasy.
Overall an excellent twist on a much-beloved character. And if this old cynic can say that, then anyone can enjoy it! :D
March 2, 2013
Merlin is the blind some of a blacksmith. When his friends and family become interested in the miracle stone that the druids are using to draw people away from King Uthur and his infant son Arthur, Merlin tries to stop them. He can sense that there is something evil about the stone. But can he destroy it before it’s too late?
I’m a big fan of epic fantasy, and there’s a lot in this book that’s praiseworthy. The setting and characters offer a vivid picture of the past. And Merlin is a tremendous protagonist—a half-blind young man whose belief in honor and family make him a figure to cheer for. He will sacrifice his life rather than compromise his word. Treskillard takes the skeletal bones of the Arthurian legend and builds a real person in Merlin. This was an engaging story that I didn’t want to put down. Treskillard can be proud of Merlin’s Blade. It’s a most absorbing and epic adventure. I can’t wait for the next volume in this new series.
I’m a big fan of epic fantasy, and there’s a lot in this book that’s praiseworthy. The setting and characters offer a vivid picture of the past. And Merlin is a tremendous protagonist—a half-blind young man whose belief in honor and family make him a figure to cheer for. He will sacrifice his life rather than compromise his word. Treskillard takes the skeletal bones of the Arthurian legend and builds a real person in Merlin. This was an engaging story that I didn’t want to put down. Treskillard can be proud of Merlin’s Blade. It’s a most absorbing and epic adventure. I can’t wait for the next volume in this new series.
April 30, 2023
This was AMAZING!
Memorable characters (Merlin, Nataleyna, Garth, etc)... a medieval backdrop.... spiritual warfare between evil that corrupts and destroys and the might of God and Jesu... elements alluding to the rise of Merlin and King Arthur... Christian Fantasy at it's finest!
And it's only the beginning1!
On to book 2!
Memorable characters (Merlin, Nataleyna, Garth, etc)... a medieval backdrop.... spiritual warfare between evil that corrupts and destroys and the might of God and Jesu... elements alluding to the rise of Merlin and King Arthur... Christian Fantasy at it's finest!
And it's only the beginning1!
On to book 2!
September 2, 2017
Merlin's blade is a unique take on the Arthurian legends. Told mostly from the perspective of Merlin as a young man on the cusp of adulthood, the story has a decidedly historical feel. One gets the sense that considerable research went into the writing of this book. And yet the characters are what really shine here.
Merlin is the scarred son of a blacksmith in this version of the tale. Though he has trouble seeing as a result of his injuries (he's half blind, really) he is a genuine hero. He struggles, yes. He fails many times as well. But he longs to stand against evil and do what's right. And though the dark influences which threaten his village and really England itself seem far beyond him through most of the novel, we see his perseverance and bravery pay off in the end which is extremely satisfying.
Merlin's romantic aspirations are quite underplayed in the story, but very noble and tender and I appreciated the author's deftness in handling these elements. His relationship with his father has its ups and downs, but ultimately resolves in a very meaningful and moving way.
The one aspect of the story which is somewhat troubling are the pagan elements. They are very dark. Maybe a little too dark at times. And it didn't seem like the evil forces got quite as much as they had coming to them in the end. This of course is because this is only the beginning of Merlin's journey, and there is more to be told. Still, beyond just the inherent tragic elements of the Arthurian legend itself, the level of evil here does go a few degrees past the pale over all, I'd say.
All things considered, this is a frightfully good story and I look forward to reading more from this author about Merlin's further adventures in the future.
Merlin is the scarred son of a blacksmith in this version of the tale. Though he has trouble seeing as a result of his injuries (he's half blind, really) he is a genuine hero. He struggles, yes. He fails many times as well. But he longs to stand against evil and do what's right. And though the dark influences which threaten his village and really England itself seem far beyond him through most of the novel, we see his perseverance and bravery pay off in the end which is extremely satisfying.
Merlin's romantic aspirations are quite underplayed in the story, but very noble and tender and I appreciated the author's deftness in handling these elements. His relationship with his father has its ups and downs, but ultimately resolves in a very meaningful and moving way.
The one aspect of the story which is somewhat troubling are the pagan elements. They are very dark. Maybe a little too dark at times. And it didn't seem like the evil forces got quite as much as they had coming to them in the end. This of course is because this is only the beginning of Merlin's journey, and there is more to be told. Still, beyond just the inherent tragic elements of the Arthurian legend itself, the level of evil here does go a few degrees past the pale over all, I'd say.
All things considered, this is a frightfully good story and I look forward to reading more from this author about Merlin's further adventures in the future.
May 4, 2018
Interesting concept, but I just had some trouble getting into it. Hopefully I'll read the rest of the series soon.
March 31, 2017
I'm so glad I gave this a chance. The cover was quite off putting, for me, and totally doesn't match the tone of the book.
Anyway. It's historical fiction with a fantasy element mixed in, and it's set in Arthurian (or, like, 20 years earlier) Briton. But the great thing is that it's set the the Briton of the real Arthur, if he ever existed. It's Welsh(ish). And it's amazing.
The historical accuracy, more than anything, wowed me from the get-go. Most novels set in the pre-Great Schism West (especially Briton) normally project the Catholic Church of Luther's time onto the monasteries and churches. That or they project some sort of modern Protestantism. But this did neither, or even if the author was projecting, it didn't come across in the story at all.
There were a couple things, like the angels showing up several times, that bugged me. They made it waaaay too easy. And, probably more importantly, the plot felt a little all over the place. I think it focused on too many characters, so I couldn't get into Merlin's head. And
I think I may have possibly gotten more excited over the acknowledgements than I did in any other part of the book (although the book was really enjoyable). IT WAS CRITIQUED BY MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AUTHOR WHO IS STILL LIVING. All the while while reading, I remember thinking it was reminiscent of the Song of Albion, and getting to the acknowledgements at the end and then finding Stephan Lawhead's name there made me so happy.
Anyway. It's historical fiction with a fantasy element mixed in, and it's set in Arthurian (or, like, 20 years earlier) Briton. But the great thing is that it's set the the Briton of the real Arthur, if he ever existed. It's Welsh(ish). And it's amazing.
The historical accuracy, more than anything, wowed me from the get-go. Most novels set in the pre-Great Schism West (especially Briton) normally project the Catholic Church of Luther's time onto the monasteries and churches. That or they project some sort of modern Protestantism. But this did neither, or even if the author was projecting, it didn't come across in the story at all.
There were a couple things, like the angels showing up several times, that bugged me. They made it waaaay too easy. And, probably more importantly, the plot felt a little all over the place. I think it focused on too many characters, so I couldn't get into Merlin's head. And
I think I may have possibly gotten more excited over the acknowledgements than I did in any other part of the book (although the book was really enjoyable). IT WAS CRITIQUED BY MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AUTHOR WHO IS STILL LIVING. All the while while reading, I remember thinking it was reminiscent of the Song of Albion, and getting to the acknowledgements at the end and then finding Stephan Lawhead's name there made me so happy.
November 13, 2013
One word. EPIC.
Where do I even begin?
When I first heard about Merlin's Blade, the cover caught my eye. I started seeing it pop up all over cyberspace, and friends were raving about it. I added it to my to-read list. When the author offered a handful of copies for a read and share contest, I jumped at the chance.
Merlin. Just the name conjures up quite a lot of images. For me, he has been mostly connected to King Arthur. A second hand man, a supporting character. But not in this book. Most of us have some familiarity with the Arthurian legends, stories, movies, so going into a book like this, I'm looking for that connection of familiarity. And this is the first time I've read about the young Merlin, before Arthur was King, before he was even old enough to crawl.
Merlin is a shy, half-blind boy of a swordsmith. He seems like a normal boy with a crush on a girl, trying to do what's right, and helping out the abbey and its priests. But he isn't, and we are left wondering the mystery surrounding him. Why him? Why did the wolves hunt him? Why did he receive the visions? Why was he given the special torc? But his integrity and personality drew me to him. True chivalry. He remained steadfast, despite his weaknesses, his blindness, and all the circumstances, obstacles that stood against him. I love stories that strengthen my resolve to be a better person.
The story, the setting, just came to life. I felt like I stepped back in time to fifth century Britain. It is a time of political upheaval and religious clashes between Christians and the druids. Even with the grounded, historical feel, there's just enough of the fantastical to whet the appetite of fantasy lovers. The power of the stone, the visions Merlin has, the druids' magic, the miracles of God. Everything is shrouded in mystery, and as Merlin learns, we learn. I look to the subsequent novels to reveal it and answer the questions remaining at the end of this book, especially the ones surrounding Merlin.
With a big cast, I sometimes had a hard time remembering who was who at the beginning, but it didn't' hinder my enjoyment. There were several different point of views, and as the action picked up, we switched between them quicker, building the tension. As a reader, I could see what the characters could not, and I could only watch helplessly as the characters made choices and marched off in a direction we know will end badly.
This book has the makings of epic. The layers, subplots, a grand cast of characters, and a map. Politics, religion, kings, bards, and peasants. The poetry, songs, history, visions, and prophecies. It's all there. Oh, and did I mention the secret code??? Awesome!
I'm having a hard time describing how much I liked this book without giving away too much information. It is a story to make you think "What if?" A re-envisioning of Merlin and what that might mean for the future King Arthur, and what these stories will bring to the Arthurian legends.
I'm ready to dive into book two! Highly recommended!
Where do I even begin?
When I first heard about Merlin's Blade, the cover caught my eye. I started seeing it pop up all over cyberspace, and friends were raving about it. I added it to my to-read list. When the author offered a handful of copies for a read and share contest, I jumped at the chance.
Merlin. Just the name conjures up quite a lot of images. For me, he has been mostly connected to King Arthur. A second hand man, a supporting character. But not in this book. Most of us have some familiarity with the Arthurian legends, stories, movies, so going into a book like this, I'm looking for that connection of familiarity. And this is the first time I've read about the young Merlin, before Arthur was King, before he was even old enough to crawl.
Merlin is a shy, half-blind boy of a swordsmith. He seems like a normal boy with a crush on a girl, trying to do what's right, and helping out the abbey and its priests. But he isn't, and we are left wondering the mystery surrounding him. Why him? Why did the wolves hunt him? Why did he receive the visions? Why was he given the special torc? But his integrity and personality drew me to him. True chivalry. He remained steadfast, despite his weaknesses, his blindness, and all the circumstances, obstacles that stood against him. I love stories that strengthen my resolve to be a better person.
The story, the setting, just came to life. I felt like I stepped back in time to fifth century Britain. It is a time of political upheaval and religious clashes between Christians and the druids. Even with the grounded, historical feel, there's just enough of the fantastical to whet the appetite of fantasy lovers. The power of the stone, the visions Merlin has, the druids' magic, the miracles of God. Everything is shrouded in mystery, and as Merlin learns, we learn. I look to the subsequent novels to reveal it and answer the questions remaining at the end of this book, especially the ones surrounding Merlin.
With a big cast, I sometimes had a hard time remembering who was who at the beginning, but it didn't' hinder my enjoyment. There were several different point of views, and as the action picked up, we switched between them quicker, building the tension. As a reader, I could see what the characters could not, and I could only watch helplessly as the characters made choices and marched off in a direction we know will end badly.
This book has the makings of epic. The layers, subplots, a grand cast of characters, and a map. Politics, religion, kings, bards, and peasants. The poetry, songs, history, visions, and prophecies. It's all there. Oh, and did I mention the secret code??? Awesome!
I'm having a hard time describing how much I liked this book without giving away too much information. It is a story to make you think "What if?" A re-envisioning of Merlin and what that might mean for the future King Arthur, and what these stories will bring to the Arthurian legends.
I'm ready to dive into book two! Highly recommended!
November 25, 2013
Merlin’s Blade is a beautifully unique look at the much loved and intriguing character called Merlin. This version focuses on a strong Christian background instead of the usual mystical pagan one that we so often see in the movies and read in books. My love for the Arthurian legend did not fail me even with this curious take. In fact, it has taken on a new level of reverend fascination for me as I walked down this new path of what ifs. I am eager to see what happens and how this fascinating new account of Merlin develops.
Robert Treskillard takes us on a tumultuous yet captivating journey of seeing Merlin with new eyes. We observe him in the light of an extremely humble beginning where his faith in Christ is the only thing that saves him and his small village from spiritual and physical oppression. We watch as he grows from a nearly blind boy into a bold and very capable young man ready to take on the world with faith and love in his heart.
Merlin was forced to endure many trials, but through it all God molded him into the man he was to become. The bad had to be endured in order to receive the beauty and hope that awaited him on the other side. He was being refined through his personal fires, so that the breathtaking creation that God saw could then be seen by everyone. Only then was he ready to move onto the next phase of his life which would require a deeper faith and stronger reliance on his Creator.
Anything is truly possible when we have faith in the Lord of all. No matter what we may deal with physically, mentally, or spiritually, we can turn it over to Him to be used for His glory to the benefit of all. While we are dust incapable of ensuring our next breath, He can sustain us and give us a life full of love, significance, and contentment. Evil will not reign unchallenged as long as there are those among us with the courage and faith to step out and speak up. Our strength comes from Him when we need it the most, so take heart and believe in the promises that He has given to us in His Word. He will not leave us when we need Him the most. He is only a prayer away.
I had been looking forward to reading this book due to my love of the legend of King Author. Those stories never fail to enchant and captivate my heart and my imagination. Their emphasis on the best of human nature is always a huge encouragement and helps to lighten the heavy burden of our dark world. This new twist to those tales endeared me even more to the spirit of that time, the characters, and the underlying virtues taught and lived out. I enjoyed every minute of this epic adventure, and I can’t wait for the next installment of this promising new series.
Robert Treskillard takes us on a tumultuous yet captivating journey of seeing Merlin with new eyes. We observe him in the light of an extremely humble beginning where his faith in Christ is the only thing that saves him and his small village from spiritual and physical oppression. We watch as he grows from a nearly blind boy into a bold and very capable young man ready to take on the world with faith and love in his heart.
Merlin was forced to endure many trials, but through it all God molded him into the man he was to become. The bad had to be endured in order to receive the beauty and hope that awaited him on the other side. He was being refined through his personal fires, so that the breathtaking creation that God saw could then be seen by everyone. Only then was he ready to move onto the next phase of his life which would require a deeper faith and stronger reliance on his Creator.
Anything is truly possible when we have faith in the Lord of all. No matter what we may deal with physically, mentally, or spiritually, we can turn it over to Him to be used for His glory to the benefit of all. While we are dust incapable of ensuring our next breath, He can sustain us and give us a life full of love, significance, and contentment. Evil will not reign unchallenged as long as there are those among us with the courage and faith to step out and speak up. Our strength comes from Him when we need it the most, so take heart and believe in the promises that He has given to us in His Word. He will not leave us when we need Him the most. He is only a prayer away.
I had been looking forward to reading this book due to my love of the legend of King Author. Those stories never fail to enchant and captivate my heart and my imagination. Their emphasis on the best of human nature is always a huge encouragement and helps to lighten the heavy burden of our dark world. This new twist to those tales endeared me even more to the spirit of that time, the characters, and the underlying virtues taught and lived out. I enjoyed every minute of this epic adventure, and I can’t wait for the next installment of this promising new series.
March 18, 2013
In the interest of fairness, I received a free advance reader copy in return for a fair review.
This book tells the story of Merlin, but with an interesting twist. Merlin, the son of a smith and swordmaker, is blind after an attack by wolves. He tries to survive in spite of his shortcomings, but when a band of druids led by his step-grandfather appear in his village, things go badly. The druids have come for a powerful Stone, one that they believe can wrest control of Britain from Christ and return it to the old ways.
The situation should improve when Uther, the high king, arrives with his family (including his young son, Arthur), but thanks to plots and counterplots, Merlin's life is going to be turned upside down in short order. Can he find the strength to resist the Stone? Or will the druids' vision come to pass?
This was a fascinating book. It's obvious that Treskillard did a great deal of research into the time period and characters. Or, if he made up the details, he did so with such commitment that I couldn't tell. Merlin is a heroic character whose faith and devotion are admirable. The plot is constructed in such a way that the reader is left guessing as to what is going to happen next. The only real fly in the ointment is Garth, Merlin's best friend. Did not like the guy and I thought . . . well, spoilers.
All in all, this is the start of a great epic fantasy story and I'll be interested to see what happens next.
This book tells the story of Merlin, but with an interesting twist. Merlin, the son of a smith and swordmaker, is blind after an attack by wolves. He tries to survive in spite of his shortcomings, but when a band of druids led by his step-grandfather appear in his village, things go badly. The druids have come for a powerful Stone, one that they believe can wrest control of Britain from Christ and return it to the old ways.
The situation should improve when Uther, the high king, arrives with his family (including his young son, Arthur), but thanks to plots and counterplots, Merlin's life is going to be turned upside down in short order. Can he find the strength to resist the Stone? Or will the druids' vision come to pass?
This was a fascinating book. It's obvious that Treskillard did a great deal of research into the time period and characters. Or, if he made up the details, he did so with such commitment that I couldn't tell. Merlin is a heroic character whose faith and devotion are admirable. The plot is constructed in such a way that the reader is left guessing as to what is going to happen next. The only real fly in the ointment is Garth, Merlin's best friend. Did not like the guy and I thought . . . well, spoilers.
All in all, this is the start of a great epic fantasy story and I'll be interested to see what happens next.
June 4, 2013
I have found a new favorite fantasy favorite in Merlin's Blade!
I've always enjoyed reading stories or watching movies and TV shows about King Arthur and his knights of the round table, but Merlin has always been my favorite legend. I especially love the Christian re-tellings of his legendary tale, so this book had a lot to live up to, and it definitely exceeded my expectations.
It was a bit slow to start, but by chapter five I knew that this book was totally for me! Merlin was a noble character with an inner strength about him, his past was a fresh, exciting mystery.
This book is definitely setting this series up to be absolutely epic, there is no doubt about that!
There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but I found the guide in the back to be extremely helpful with that, especially because it taught me how to say their names the right way.
Overall, I loved the twists that Mr. Treskillard brought to this legend, in a new adventure. And I really liked how the speech was distinctly different from modern-day conversation, it really added a richness to the storytelling. There was plenty going on in the plot, so the pages turned steadily and I was far from bored! I will definitely be reading the next book in the series :)
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I've always enjoyed reading stories or watching movies and TV shows about King Arthur and his knights of the round table, but Merlin has always been my favorite legend. I especially love the Christian re-tellings of his legendary tale, so this book had a lot to live up to, and it definitely exceeded my expectations.
It was a bit slow to start, but by chapter five I knew that this book was totally for me! Merlin was a noble character with an inner strength about him, his past was a fresh, exciting mystery.
This book is definitely setting this series up to be absolutely epic, there is no doubt about that!
There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but I found the guide in the back to be extremely helpful with that, especially because it taught me how to say their names the right way.
Overall, I loved the twists that Mr. Treskillard brought to this legend, in a new adventure. And I really liked how the speech was distinctly different from modern-day conversation, it really added a richness to the storytelling. There was plenty going on in the plot, so the pages turned steadily and I was far from bored! I will definitely be reading the next book in the series :)
In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
August 12, 2013
A solid debut novel from Robert Treskillard. When a group of Druids bent on retaking Britain for the old ways bring a strange and powerful stone that fell from heaven to aid them, it forces th half-blind young Merlin to stand up for his beliefs and set in motion the great Arthurian legends of old. Treskillard is not content to simply rehash the old story, but actively takes his own unique approach to the ancient saga. Interesting characters and some strong prose work sets this one above the standard Arthurian fare we've been subjected to in the last decade or so.
July 28, 2013
I loved Treskillard's voice, and his prose was masterful. I enjoyed his twists on the legend, and am anxious to see how the trilogy will play out.
June 20, 2019
All is not well in the British village of Bosventor. With the appearance of a strange stone that sends forth blue fire, the Druidow have mounted a new offensive against the Christian population of the village. Merlin, the blacksmith’s son, is one of the few who is immune to the Stone’s influence, largely due to his partial blindness. But with so many falling to it, can Merlin save the village before it’s too late?
Set against the backdrop of the waning power of the Roman Empire, Merlin’s Blade is an Arthurian tale that blends historical facts and legends with fantasy, a combination which creates an exciting and satisfying tale. Toward the beginning of the story, it has more of a historical feel, but as it draws near its conclusion, the tale gives off a much stronger fantasy vibe. The shift in genre could rankle some people, as there is a definite Christian element to the story, and it may bother them to see historical Christianity mixed with legend and myth. That being said, the author does a good job of blending the two together without lessening the impact of the Christian element.
One of the strengths of the book lies in its readability; despite a number of strange names of people and places, the author did a good job of spelling them phonetically, allowing the reader to move along smoothly throughout the story without having to pause to figure out how to properly pronounce a word. Indeed, at the end of the book is a pronunciation guide, where the author tells the reader to focus on readability rather than proper pronunciation.
Perhaps an issue with the tale would be a lack of explanation as to why Merlin is being chosen for the task before him, though perhaps his blindness, brought about by a wolf attack, is the sole reason. That being said, it is not really explained why the wolves attacked him when he was a child; the reader may get a sense that there is some conspiracy of the druidow or their gods that is targeting Merlin, but if so, it is not explained in this book.
That leads to the question of sequels; and there are two to this book. The primary antagonist in Merlin’s Blade is a druid known as Morganthu, and the Stone that Morganthu serves. [SPOILER ALERT] Merlin’s Blade ends with Merlin and his love interest, Natalenya, driving Uther’s sword through the Stone, which breaks its power. They then flee with the orphaned child Arthur and a few others, hiding from the murderous usurper Vortigern. The primary conflict seems to have been averted, though Merlin is told that the Stone’s power is still a danger. Apparently the druidow subplot is not complete, and perhaps (hopefully) it will overlap some with the developing Vortigern antagonist plotline as the story continues.
In general, Merlin’s Blade is an intriguing look into the story behind the legends of King Arthur. It is fast-paced, well-written, and has just the right mix of fantasy and history to whet the appetite of fans of both genres and encourage them to keep reading.
Set against the backdrop of the waning power of the Roman Empire, Merlin’s Blade is an Arthurian tale that blends historical facts and legends with fantasy, a combination which creates an exciting and satisfying tale. Toward the beginning of the story, it has more of a historical feel, but as it draws near its conclusion, the tale gives off a much stronger fantasy vibe. The shift in genre could rankle some people, as there is a definite Christian element to the story, and it may bother them to see historical Christianity mixed with legend and myth. That being said, the author does a good job of blending the two together without lessening the impact of the Christian element.
One of the strengths of the book lies in its readability; despite a number of strange names of people and places, the author did a good job of spelling them phonetically, allowing the reader to move along smoothly throughout the story without having to pause to figure out how to properly pronounce a word. Indeed, at the end of the book is a pronunciation guide, where the author tells the reader to focus on readability rather than proper pronunciation.
Perhaps an issue with the tale would be a lack of explanation as to why Merlin is being chosen for the task before him, though perhaps his blindness, brought about by a wolf attack, is the sole reason. That being said, it is not really explained why the wolves attacked him when he was a child; the reader may get a sense that there is some conspiracy of the druidow or their gods that is targeting Merlin, but if so, it is not explained in this book.
That leads to the question of sequels; and there are two to this book. The primary antagonist in Merlin’s Blade is a druid known as Morganthu, and the Stone that Morganthu serves. [SPOILER ALERT] Merlin’s Blade ends with Merlin and his love interest, Natalenya, driving Uther’s sword through the Stone, which breaks its power. They then flee with the orphaned child Arthur and a few others, hiding from the murderous usurper Vortigern. The primary conflict seems to have been averted, though Merlin is told that the Stone’s power is still a danger. Apparently the druidow subplot is not complete, and perhaps (hopefully) it will overlap some with the developing Vortigern antagonist plotline as the story continues.
In general, Merlin’s Blade is an intriguing look into the story behind the legends of King Arthur. It is fast-paced, well-written, and has just the right mix of fantasy and history to whet the appetite of fans of both genres and encourage them to keep reading.
February 6, 2017
A good story about the beginnings of Merlin and the Arthurian tales. I liked how Merlin had struggles and issues he had to deal with, making him a real human instead of just the wise man who advises Arthur. The author also really knew his ancient history so the language in which the characters spoke and the terms they used were authentic and believable but not over done so they were confusing. I also liked the development of all the other characters. Not sure how some people would feel about the clear Christian message and the characters talking a lot about praying to God and turning away from sin but I felt it was well done without being overly preachy. My only complaints would be the story seemed longer than in needed to be and that the dangers and some of the events were too big for the scenes that came after. An example would be when a character was killed and the villagers and the main characters were shocked, they seemed to go back to everyday lives for a little bit before they would all gather again to fight the danger where something big would happen again and then they would still leave and everything would calm down. It just didn't seem believable. I think this back and forth is partially why it felt long. Yet, even with stuff happening that seemed big that should have happened closer to the climax, the ending of the story was action packed and great. One other thing I thought of was *SPOILER* when Merlin started getting visions, they all happened in the beginning and then just stopped sometime before half the book was over. I would have liked to have seen them spread out through the story, have a little more mystery. *END SPOILER* This was the author's first book so I look forward to how his writing changes, or not, as it goes on. I think this series is good and has a fun and adventurous take on the Arthur story and I look forward to reading the next two books.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author.
June 5, 2013
Robert Treskillard
Merlin's Blade overcame my Arthurian Legend weariness.
The Story. Merlin is near-blind, with facial scars-hard circumstances for a teen. What's worse, he becomes the subject of bullying by the Magister's n'er-do-well sons. His one friend, an orphaned boy living with the monks in the abbey, opens the door to trouble when he "borrows" a wagon to help them complete their errands. On the way home, he stops to investigate who might be roasting chicken in the woods. Soon the whole village learns what the two boys encountered--a druid priest and a rock of mysterious power capable of seducing or harming those who look into the glow shining from within.
Strengths. Merlin is the first strength of this story. He is a winsome character, in part because of his selfless qualities. When protecting his little step-sister from a pack of wolves, he ended up with scars that cover his face and with the loss of most of his vision. He's not a whiner though, and works hard to do his share to help his blacksmith father. He's also loyal and sacrificial. When his friend is condemned to be whipped for stealing the wagon, Merlin steps in and takes the punishment for him.
The other characters in the story are well drawn and believable, as is Merlin, but I connected with him right away and therefore cared what happened to him from the start.
The second great strength of the book is that it weaves in a familiar myth without calling attention to it. For most of the book it was easy to think I was simply reading a story about a teen boy set in Medieval England, not a story about the wizard of the Arthurian legend. At the same time, the history and setting seemed so true. I wasn't ever weighed down with facts or description, but I felt as if I was transported to a time in England when political unrest was married to spiritual confusion.
The third great strength in Merlin's Blade is the exciting story. The central conflict is a power struggle between a druidic priest and the followers of Jesu. Each person in Merlin's village must take a stand. And when the high king arrives, it becomes clear that the druids plan to take back all of England for the ancient gods they serve. Merlin, of course, takes a central role in the events.
The fourth great strength arises naturally from who Merlin is and from the conflict driving the story. I'm thinking of the many truths embedded within the story-never preached, but lived out by the characters. One such truth is shown in Merlin's near-blindness which actually protects him from the lure of the stone. His weakness, becomes his strength.
I'll add one more strength. The story is well written. I marveled at how well I could "see" the world despite the fact that for the most part the story was told from half-blind Merlin's point of view. There was the richness of other sensory details, but the author also found ways of including visual description that felt innovative and yet completely true to the character and the circumstances.
That's the long version of my opinion. Here it is in short: Merlin's Blade is a masterful story, well told. The author completely disarmed me of my prejudices against reading another story derived from the Arthurian legend. Fantasy is richer because of this book. Which, I'm happy to say, is the first in a trilogy. Book two, Merlin's Shadow, is due out this fall.
I highly recommend Merlin's Blade to readers who love historic or mythic fiction. It's a must read for fans of the Arthurian legend.
I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 28, 2013
Robert Treskillard in his new book “Merlin’s Blade” Book One in the Merlin Spiral Series published by Zondervan takes us into the life of Merlin.
From the back cover: Merlin’s Greatest Weakness Could Become His Greatest Strength
When a meteorite crashes near a small village in fifth-century Britain, it brings with it a mysterious black stone that bewitches anyone who comes in contact with its glow—a power the druids hope to use to destroy King Uthur’s kingdom, as well as the new Christian faith. The only person who seems immune is a young, shy, half-blind swordsmith’s son named Merlin.
As his family, village, and even the young Arthur, are placed in danger, Merlin must face his fears and his blindness to take hold of the role God ordained for him. But when he is surrounded by adversaries, armed only by a sword he helped forge, how will he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil … without losing his life?
Just say the two words, Merlin and Arthur and, immediately you know you are in for a good time reading the story. Mr. Treskillard knows the legend and he has done an admirable job of bringing Merlin to life. This is not the Merlin we are accustomed to from the books and movies. No, this Merlin is half blind which works out in his favor considering that everyone else, who can see, is under the power of this meteorite that the druids are using to enslave everyone. “Merlin’s Blade” is an epic battle between good and evil. Mr. Treskillard has done an incredible job of bringing his characters to life and we root for them to win against overwhelming forces. “Merlin’s Blade” is a wonderful, interesting story with power and depth that will keep you flipping pages. I am most definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
May Tour Links:
*Merlin’s Blade – http://www.amazon.com/Merlins-Merlin-...
Author blog- http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertb...
Author’s website – http://www.kingarthur.org.uk/
Participants’ links:
Noah Arsenault
Beckie Burnham
Keanan Brand
Jeff Chapman
Laure Covert
Pauline Creeden
Emma or Audrey Engel
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Jojo Sutis
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Merlin’s Greatest Weakness Could Become His Greatest Strength
When a meteorite crashes near a small village in fifth-century Britain, it brings with it a mysterious black stone that bewitches anyone who comes in contact with its glow—a power the druids hope to use to destroy King Uthur’s kingdom, as well as the new Christian faith. The only person who seems immune is a young, shy, half-blind swordsmith’s son named Merlin.
As his family, village, and even the young Arthur, are placed in danger, Merlin must face his fears and his blindness to take hold of the role God ordained for him. But when he is surrounded by adversaries, armed only by a sword he helped forge, how will he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil … without losing his life?
Just say the two words, Merlin and Arthur and, immediately you know you are in for a good time reading the story. Mr. Treskillard knows the legend and he has done an admirable job of bringing Merlin to life. This is not the Merlin we are accustomed to from the books and movies. No, this Merlin is half blind which works out in his favor considering that everyone else, who can see, is under the power of this meteorite that the druids are using to enslave everyone. “Merlin’s Blade” is an epic battle between good and evil. Mr. Treskillard has done an incredible job of bringing his characters to life and we root for them to win against overwhelming forces. “Merlin’s Blade” is a wonderful, interesting story with power and depth that will keep you flipping pages. I am most definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
May Tour Links:
*Merlin’s Blade – http://www.amazon.com/Merlins-Merlin-...
Author blog- http://www.epictales.org/blog/robertb...
Author’s website – http://www.kingarthur.org.uk/
Participants’ links:
Noah Arsenault
Beckie Burnham
Keanan Brand
Jeff Chapman
Laure Covert
Pauline Creeden
Emma or Audrey Engel
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Jojo Sutis
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler
Shane Werlinger
Nicole White
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
March 26, 2014
My Review
Songs of lament from a harp, visions, danger, flashbacks, prophecies, parables that rhyme…..this is what you’ll come across within these pages. I did not understand it all, but I was determined to keep up with Merlin’s story. Merlin is such a courageous young man and easy to like from the beginning. He is responsible, honorable, loyal, and constantly risking his life to save or intervene for the ones he loves. He is constantly judged, bullied, criticized, questioned, and doubted because of his blindness, but that doesn’t discourage him or sway him in the least. The hand of God is upon him throughout the story and he witnesses some crazy things, but never runs away or tries to take short cuts. Once or twice when challenged, he responds with arrogance but this doesn’t diminish his character.
What I really struggled with in this book was the enchanted/demonic stone and the druids who control its power. This stone can cause lightning to explode on its victims, turns coins into gold, demands to be worshipped, promises miracles, and forces the villagers to submit completely to it or face consequences. The stone is not loyal to anyone, but it expects full loyalty or it will unleash disastrous results. Throughout the story it causes chaos, confusion, and destruction.
Can Merlin put an end to this demonic stone once and for all? Can he help save his friend and orphan monk, Garth, from giving in to the dark side (this stone makes Darth Vader seem harmless)? A lot of people die in this story, one man is graphically beheaded (I didn’t require such a detailed horrific telling of this scene), lots of blood gets shed (Merlin alone is injured SEVERAL times), and some arm band on Merlin’s father’s arm does strange things to both him and Merlin’s stepmom. A few people stand up against the stone, including Merlin, proclaiming Christ (named Jesu in the book), but the power of the stone manifests power while the name of God seemingly does nothing. I wasn’t pleased with this at all. There is constant prayer in the story, but it just appeared as if the villains were stronger.
This story is filled with treachery, demonic worship, betrayal, friendship, faith, loyalty, forgiveness, spiritual visions (there are angels in these visions but they still seemed gloomy and violent), deadly wolves that come after Merlin more than once, division (in families, communities, and kingdoms), injustice, bullies, and one really cool sword. Merlin meets Arthur and swears his allegiance, but Arthur is just an infant. I really hoped this book had more adventure, more hope, and more humor than it did, but even though it wasn’t for me I’m sure it will entertain and inspire other YA booklovers.
I want to thank Charleen at Zondervan for the free ARC copy I received. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Songs of lament from a harp, visions, danger, flashbacks, prophecies, parables that rhyme…..this is what you’ll come across within these pages. I did not understand it all, but I was determined to keep up with Merlin’s story. Merlin is such a courageous young man and easy to like from the beginning. He is responsible, honorable, loyal, and constantly risking his life to save or intervene for the ones he loves. He is constantly judged, bullied, criticized, questioned, and doubted because of his blindness, but that doesn’t discourage him or sway him in the least. The hand of God is upon him throughout the story and he witnesses some crazy things, but never runs away or tries to take short cuts. Once or twice when challenged, he responds with arrogance but this doesn’t diminish his character.
What I really struggled with in this book was the enchanted/demonic stone and the druids who control its power. This stone can cause lightning to explode on its victims, turns coins into gold, demands to be worshipped, promises miracles, and forces the villagers to submit completely to it or face consequences. The stone is not loyal to anyone, but it expects full loyalty or it will unleash disastrous results. Throughout the story it causes chaos, confusion, and destruction.
Can Merlin put an end to this demonic stone once and for all? Can he help save his friend and orphan monk, Garth, from giving in to the dark side (this stone makes Darth Vader seem harmless)? A lot of people die in this story, one man is graphically beheaded (I didn’t require such a detailed horrific telling of this scene), lots of blood gets shed (Merlin alone is injured SEVERAL times), and some arm band on Merlin’s father’s arm does strange things to both him and Merlin’s stepmom. A few people stand up against the stone, including Merlin, proclaiming Christ (named Jesu in the book), but the power of the stone manifests power while the name of God seemingly does nothing. I wasn’t pleased with this at all. There is constant prayer in the story, but it just appeared as if the villains were stronger.
This story is filled with treachery, demonic worship, betrayal, friendship, faith, loyalty, forgiveness, spiritual visions (there are angels in these visions but they still seemed gloomy and violent), deadly wolves that come after Merlin more than once, division (in families, communities, and kingdoms), injustice, bullies, and one really cool sword. Merlin meets Arthur and swears his allegiance, but Arthur is just an infant. I really hoped this book had more adventure, more hope, and more humor than it did, but even though it wasn’t for me I’m sure it will entertain and inspire other YA booklovers.
I want to thank Charleen at Zondervan for the free ARC copy I received. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
March 20, 2016
Set during the time of King Uther, when Arthur is but a child, MERLIN'S BLADE follows a young Merlin as he goes through his everyday life, little knowing that a legend is about to begin . . .
Although there have been many retellings of the legends of King Arthur, I never tire of new ones, especially when they are fresh, exciting, believable, and well told. MERLIN'S BLADE is all of those and more. It took awhile for recognizable bits of the old stories to appear, but they were all the more thrilling when they did: I felt like cheering whenever parts of the legend emerged throughout the book. It will be interesting to see where Robert Treskillard takes this story in the later volumes of the Merlin Spiral.
It was very venturesome of the author to attempt a book in which the main character is half-blind, but I was amazed at how well it was done. Focusing more on hearing, smell, and touch than on sight for much of the story, I think it gave me a better feel of the setting than I would have gotten otherwise, allowing me to grasp the scenes more vividly. It was a very new sort of experience for me, making my imagination soar. I really loved that aspect of the book.
Another thing I enjoyed was the use of so many multiple viewpoints. Many authors shy away from this on account of it being difficult to do well, but Treskillard accomplished it to perfection, giving the story a wider scope that better drew out the feeling of the culture of early Britain. It really pulled me into a world that was both realistic and convincing.
The delights of this book include its well-drawn characters, depth of setting, exciting adventure, beautiful description, skillful writing, and the joy of rediscovering an old story told in a new way. What I loved most about it was Merlin himself. He was a wonderful, courageous, kind, and noble character with a strong grasp of right and a faith that he clung to even in the darkest moments. A marvelous hero, I look forward to reading more about him.
MERLIN'S BLADE is a masterful work that I greatly enjoyed; I even bought another copy to give to a friend. I can't wait to read more from this author and continue following along with Merlin's journey in book 2, Merlin's Shadow.
(I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.)
Although there have been many retellings of the legends of King Arthur, I never tire of new ones, especially when they are fresh, exciting, believable, and well told. MERLIN'S BLADE is all of those and more. It took awhile for recognizable bits of the old stories to appear, but they were all the more thrilling when they did: I felt like cheering whenever parts of the legend emerged throughout the book. It will be interesting to see where Robert Treskillard takes this story in the later volumes of the Merlin Spiral.
It was very venturesome of the author to attempt a book in which the main character is half-blind, but I was amazed at how well it was done. Focusing more on hearing, smell, and touch than on sight for much of the story, I think it gave me a better feel of the setting than I would have gotten otherwise, allowing me to grasp the scenes more vividly. It was a very new sort of experience for me, making my imagination soar. I really loved that aspect of the book.
Another thing I enjoyed was the use of so many multiple viewpoints. Many authors shy away from this on account of it being difficult to do well, but Treskillard accomplished it to perfection, giving the story a wider scope that better drew out the feeling of the culture of early Britain. It really pulled me into a world that was both realistic and convincing.
The delights of this book include its well-drawn characters, depth of setting, exciting adventure, beautiful description, skillful writing, and the joy of rediscovering an old story told in a new way. What I loved most about it was Merlin himself. He was a wonderful, courageous, kind, and noble character with a strong grasp of right and a faith that he clung to even in the darkest moments. A marvelous hero, I look forward to reading more about him.
MERLIN'S BLADE is a masterful work that I greatly enjoyed; I even bought another copy to give to a friend. I can't wait to read more from this author and continue following along with Merlin's journey in book 2, Merlin's Shadow.
(I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.)
December 2, 2014
First, I will tell you that I read quite a bit of this book, but not all. This is one of those few books that I have no idea what to rate. After the first few lines, I got so caught up in the story that I didn't want to put it down. I liked Merlin instantly and that feeling only grew as the story went on. He was such a good person. He was kind, nice, humble, a little self-conscious and shy, and just self-sacrificing. He always did the right thing. Nataleyna (I think I spelled that right) was also an amazing character. She is my favorite type of heroine. She was kind, sweet, feminine, and strong. Most "strong" female characters are written as masculine, as in, "I can do everything a guy can do" etc. I absolutely hate that. IT takes away the special part that makes her feminine. By strong, I mean that Nataleyna was strong in spirit and did what she had to do, be it painful or otherwise. Her character is what I consider a strong woman. I could go on and on about how much I loved these two characters. I also was fully intrigued by Merlin's background and the excitement that began to build very quickly. However, I will admit, the further I got into the book, the more I became uncomfortable.
I expected magic. Instead the battle doesn't seem to be the ambiguous good vs. evil, it is instead supposed to be Jesus Christ vs. Satan. I am a Christian and I find it very disturbing that Treskillard used something that is real and tried to make it magic. I am all for magic, I love the stuff. Nevertheless, wizards are not real. Jesus is. I disliked the mixing of the two. I felt as if Treskillard was playing with something that he shouldn't have been. Once I reached a certain point, I skipped through the rest because of how much I was bothered by this. I want so badly to read the others, but I have a feeling that it will consist of the same things. I want to read more of Merlin and Nataleyna. If anyone who reads this review that has read the second and third books will please let me know if they contain more of the same I would sincerely appreciate it.
I expected magic. Instead the battle doesn't seem to be the ambiguous good vs. evil, it is instead supposed to be Jesus Christ vs. Satan. I am a Christian and I find it very disturbing that Treskillard used something that is real and tried to make it magic. I am all for magic, I love the stuff. Nevertheless, wizards are not real. Jesus is. I disliked the mixing of the two. I felt as if Treskillard was playing with something that he shouldn't have been. Once I reached a certain point, I skipped through the rest because of how much I was bothered by this. I want so badly to read the others, but I have a feeling that it will consist of the same things. I want to read more of Merlin and Nataleyna. If anyone who reads this review that has read the second and third books will please let me know if they contain more of the same I would sincerely appreciate it.
December 13, 2021
Merlin's Blade took awhile to pull me in, though that could be blamed on the fact I was very busy when I started it. It did take some time for the story to get moving, though looking back I think the setup stage was necessary, and well done. Character tensions did start earlier in the story, and made me hope things would get better by the end. That, and the main character, Merlin, who is awesome, helped me read on. Once the plot started moving faster, and things started to shift more (and boy did they shift--so many parts were in the plot, making it complex and surprising...and rewarding to the reader), I was looking for extra time to read and find out where it would go.
The setting felt real, and true to the era the story is set in. I felt like I was really there, in a small fifth-century village in Britain. You can tell that the author knows what he's writing about.
The writing style is a good fit for the story, descriptive and thoughtful, like in older stories, but not overly old-fashioned sounding or impossible to understand either. It wasn't something I could read just before bedtime though.
The characters are interesting, and deep, and you see development happen in a good few of them as the story progresses.
The worldview was explicitly Christian, but wasn't over-done at all, and never cheapened the story in any way that I could see. I found it to be an excellent balance of being present and influential in the story, but never coming off as fake or forced in any way whatsoever.
Overall, this book is a massive, intricate tale that, if you have the patience and time to read it, is more than worth reading. The ending was more rewarding than I can hope for in most books lately, and that was refreshing to me, as someone who often hates a book if it doesn't have a 'perfect' ending.
The setting felt real, and true to the era the story is set in. I felt like I was really there, in a small fifth-century village in Britain. You can tell that the author knows what he's writing about.
The writing style is a good fit for the story, descriptive and thoughtful, like in older stories, but not overly old-fashioned sounding or impossible to understand either. It wasn't something I could read just before bedtime though.
The characters are interesting, and deep, and you see development happen in a good few of them as the story progresses.
The worldview was explicitly Christian, but wasn't over-done at all, and never cheapened the story in any way that I could see. I found it to be an excellent balance of being present and influential in the story, but never coming off as fake or forced in any way whatsoever.
Overall, this book is a massive, intricate tale that, if you have the patience and time to read it, is more than worth reading. The ending was more rewarding than I can hope for in most books lately, and that was refreshing to me, as someone who often hates a book if it doesn't have a 'perfect' ending.
July 15, 2013
I don't know if you're like me, but as a kid I was totally into Arthurian legend. The movie Excalibur, The Once and Future King by T.H. White, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and my favorite at the time, the series by Mary Stewart (Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, and The Wicked Day). So trust me when I tell you that Merlin's Blade is the best of all of these.
From the moment you begin reading Merlin's Blade, you know that you are in the hands of an expert, so you can relax and let the story unfold. Merlin's Blade is all about Merlin's backstory. Where did he come from? Who were his parents? How did he become legend? How did he get involved with King Arthur? Not all of these questions are answered in the story, but some are and the rest are set up to be answered in the series.
In Merlin's Blade, we find Merlin as a severely sight-challenged son of a local blacksmith, growing up in a remote village that is at the front line in the battle between Christianity and druid paganism. Merlin is an unlikely hero since he's mostly blind, but he must find a way to free the villagers from pagan influence before all of Briton is ensnared. Unfortunately for Merlin, in addition to being kind and Christian, he's also a wolf magnet.
Rating: G
Merlin's Blade does contain fighting scenes and death, but they are not graphically described.
Social Issues:
Political corruption, religious persecution, the danger with religious tolerance, betrayal
The best book I've read so far this year.
***I received a free copy of the book from the publisher for the purposes of review, but above is my honest opinion.***
From the moment you begin reading Merlin's Blade, you know that you are in the hands of an expert, so you can relax and let the story unfold. Merlin's Blade is all about Merlin's backstory. Where did he come from? Who were his parents? How did he become legend? How did he get involved with King Arthur? Not all of these questions are answered in the story, but some are and the rest are set up to be answered in the series.
In Merlin's Blade, we find Merlin as a severely sight-challenged son of a local blacksmith, growing up in a remote village that is at the front line in the battle between Christianity and druid paganism. Merlin is an unlikely hero since he's mostly blind, but he must find a way to free the villagers from pagan influence before all of Briton is ensnared. Unfortunately for Merlin, in addition to being kind and Christian, he's also a wolf magnet.
Rating: G
Merlin's Blade does contain fighting scenes and death, but they are not graphically described.
Social Issues:
Political corruption, religious persecution, the danger with religious tolerance, betrayal
The best book I've read so far this year.
***I received a free copy of the book from the publisher for the purposes of review, but above is my honest opinion.***
August 15, 2013
Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1PJ1971...
Review on my blog (to be posted 8/15): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
I don't think I've ever read a book about the legends of King Arthur (especially not one where he is a young child in the story) and I'm not very familiar with the legends, so I found Merlin's Blade really interesting and enlightening. :)
The characters were great and I definitely felt for Merlin - what with him becoming half-blind at a young age. Garth was an intriguing character and my feelings for him kept changing throughout the story.
The writing was good, but there were a few times the story was a little hard for me to follow - nothing too bad and it was probably just because I'm not familiar with these types of books.
Overall, Merlin's Blade was a great fantasy read! While this isn't my favorite type of book and it was a slower read for me, I did still really enjoy it and recommend it for fans of this genre. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, Merlin's Shadow, which releases next month. :)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
Review on my blog (to be posted 8/15): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
I don't think I've ever read a book about the legends of King Arthur (especially not one where he is a young child in the story) and I'm not very familiar with the legends, so I found Merlin's Blade really interesting and enlightening. :)
The characters were great and I definitely felt for Merlin - what with him becoming half-blind at a young age. Garth was an intriguing character and my feelings for him kept changing throughout the story.
The writing was good, but there were a few times the story was a little hard for me to follow - nothing too bad and it was probably just because I'm not familiar with these types of books.
Overall, Merlin's Blade was a great fantasy read! While this isn't my favorite type of book and it was a slower read for me, I did still really enjoy it and recommend it for fans of this genre. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, Merlin's Shadow, which releases next month. :)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
August 26, 2013
After looking at several other reviews, I guess my perception of this book is different from most everybody else.
I did mostly like the story and I liked Merlin as a character. But this particular approach to the Christianity vs Druidism struggle in 300 AD or so got old for me fast.
The author portrays druidow as mostly filled with rage and vices and does not positively consider their interaction/reverence of nature or their amazing use of medicinal herbs (some of which are being rediscovered now). Their practices were described as "ritualistic nonsense." The druids came across as either ruffians or deceived. I am not commenting on whether druids or Christians are better, but rather that the druidow were portrayed one-dimensionally and they seemed to always be laughing evilly. Ugh. This just got excessive and annoying to me.
Perhaps all this influenced my rating more than it should have because the story itself was interesting, but it was like a sliver in my finger which kept distracting me.
I did mostly like the story and I liked Merlin as a character. But this particular approach to the Christianity vs Druidism struggle in 300 AD or so got old for me fast.
The author portrays druidow as mostly filled with rage and vices and does not positively consider their interaction/reverence of nature or their amazing use of medicinal herbs (some of which are being rediscovered now). Their practices were described as "ritualistic nonsense." The druids came across as either ruffians or deceived. I am not commenting on whether druids or Christians are better, but rather that the druidow were portrayed one-dimensionally and they seemed to always be laughing evilly. Ugh. This just got excessive and annoying to me.
Perhaps all this influenced my rating more than it should have because the story itself was interesting, but it was like a sliver in my finger which kept distracting me.
November 30, 2013
A strange meteorite.
A deadly enchantment.
And only Merlin can destroy it.
A meteorite brings a mysterious black stone whose sinister power ensnares everyone except Merlin, the blind son of a swordsmith. Soon, all of Britain will be under its power, and he must destroy the stone—or die trying.
This story is so intricate! So elegant! It is really a sophisticated book based off of both fantasy, legend, and history, to create a tale that is beyond fascinating!!
This is one of my favorite books I've read, the style reminds me somewhat of Steven Lawhead but actually much better.
Although considered "teen fiction" I would recommend it to an older audience without hesitation.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
A deadly enchantment.
And only Merlin can destroy it.
A meteorite brings a mysterious black stone whose sinister power ensnares everyone except Merlin, the blind son of a swordsmith. Soon, all of Britain will be under its power, and he must destroy the stone—or die trying.
This story is so intricate! So elegant! It is really a sophisticated book based off of both fantasy, legend, and history, to create a tale that is beyond fascinating!!
This is one of my favorite books I've read, the style reminds me somewhat of Steven Lawhead but actually much better.
Although considered "teen fiction" I would recommend it to an older audience without hesitation.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
January 31, 2016
This book was a really great Merlin/Arthur story. I loved the fact that Merlin is mostly blind and how he's not amazingly powerful or anything, he's just brave and stands up for the things he knows are right and for the people he loves. The romance was perfectly fine, and the whole plot was really cool. I found the ending just a tad weird and *slight spoilers* felt that when Merlin regains his sight it wasn't made important enough *end spoilers*.
I did enjoy the story though, and really want to read the rest of the books.
I did enjoy the story though, and really want to read the rest of the books.
June 21, 2013
This was a little heavy on the battle between paganism and christianity for me. That said, the author does present some intriguing ideas on staples of the Arthurian legend. I would recommend this to other Arthurian lovers.
February 7, 2017
This book is a wonderful retelling of the classic King Arthur tale. Bringing spiritual warfare and God's power against it into the picture adds a magical feel while staying decently true to the real world. I can't wait to start the next one.
April 30, 2024
Excellent. Adventure and action galore. A bit gory at times but that’s par for the course for this time period. Good take on the genesis of Merlin. I liked that the author put in a pronunciation guide and glossary. Nice touch.
May 6, 2017
When it comes to characters, my favorite character is and always will be the sorcerer Merlin. I love how complex and intricate he is as a character and I have a minor obsession where I read every book about Merlin that I can get my hands on. During a recent trip to the library that my mom works at, I found another re-telling of the Arthur legend told through the perspective of my previously mentioned favorite character, Merlin. It is Merlin’s Blade by Robert Treskillard which tells the story of the time leading up to Merlin’s appointment as Arthur’s guardian. It must be mentioned that this is a Christian retelling of the Arthur/Merlin story, but that did not affect my enjoyment of it even though I know that it might affect other’s enjoyment.
First, we need to discuss in detail why I love the character of Merlin in general and in regard to this particular book. Merlin is seen as wise and powerful, and I just find the legends about him and his life very interesting. In the middle Ages, it was very uncharacteristic for someone to have the intelligence level that Merlin had or the skill set that he did. He had extensive knowledge of the natural world, politics, religion, music, medicine, and the ancient myths and lore of the British Isles, all of which he used to guide and train Arthur in his quest to become High King and after he became High King. In some stories, it is stated that he had magic too, but I am more of the opinion that the people of that time were not used to someone having the scope of knowledge that he did so they assumed he must be magical in some way. As someone who, again, values intellect and knowledge above all else, I relate to Merlin’s character pretty much more than any other character in literature for that very reason. When it comes to this book, I loved how Treskillard brought in many of the accepted motifs about Merlin such as his possibly having some form of vision problem and him using a staff to get around because of said problem, him having multiple encounters with wolves and wolves being connected to him in some way, and the Druid practices being associated with him in some way, whether it be because people think he may have been one or whether it was because he was because he, possibly, modernized their practices so more people would understand and be less afraid of them/ more accepting of them. All in all, I loved that this book focused on him as a character and featured many of the aspects from the legends that I know and love.
Bearing in mind that some people will not appreciate the fact that this book is classified as Christian fiction, I would like to discuss the interesting way that the Christian elements were brought into this book. For instance, there is a meteorite that falls in the Britain Isles, which becomes a major source of evil and conflict in the book. I, personally, see this as an analogy to fallen angels because it fell to earth from “heaven” and is spreading negativity and is trying to convince people to do things that would be classified as evil, kind of like what Lucifer and his other fallen angels are said to do according to the text of the Bible. Another allusion that I seen, and this one may not have been the author’s intention, but I did make this connection was that the character of Merlin was kind of portrayed as an allusion to the Biblical character of David, Morganthu was a representation of Goliath, the other Druids and Eirish warriors were representations of the Philistine army, and the other villagers kind of being representations of the greatly outnumbered Hebrew army. I think I came to this realization because Merlin is kind of an underdog who has no idea how to defeat the forces of Morganthu and I just saw a connection to David for some reason. All in all, I really liked the interesting element that the Christian overtures add to the book.
In the end, I enjoyed this book, although it isn’t my favorite re-telling of the Arthur legends. I am rating it a solid 4 stars, and I am planning on reading the rest of the trilogy. I have to wait until I go back to the library my mom works at or get her to get them for me when she is at work, though so I will be moving on to other books on my TBR in the meantime.
First, we need to discuss in detail why I love the character of Merlin in general and in regard to this particular book. Merlin is seen as wise and powerful, and I just find the legends about him and his life very interesting. In the middle Ages, it was very uncharacteristic for someone to have the intelligence level that Merlin had or the skill set that he did. He had extensive knowledge of the natural world, politics, religion, music, medicine, and the ancient myths and lore of the British Isles, all of which he used to guide and train Arthur in his quest to become High King and after he became High King. In some stories, it is stated that he had magic too, but I am more of the opinion that the people of that time were not used to someone having the scope of knowledge that he did so they assumed he must be magical in some way. As someone who, again, values intellect and knowledge above all else, I relate to Merlin’s character pretty much more than any other character in literature for that very reason. When it comes to this book, I loved how Treskillard brought in many of the accepted motifs about Merlin such as his possibly having some form of vision problem and him using a staff to get around because of said problem, him having multiple encounters with wolves and wolves being connected to him in some way, and the Druid practices being associated with him in some way, whether it be because people think he may have been one or whether it was because he was because he, possibly, modernized their practices so more people would understand and be less afraid of them/ more accepting of them. All in all, I loved that this book focused on him as a character and featured many of the aspects from the legends that I know and love.
Bearing in mind that some people will not appreciate the fact that this book is classified as Christian fiction, I would like to discuss the interesting way that the Christian elements were brought into this book. For instance, there is a meteorite that falls in the Britain Isles, which becomes a major source of evil and conflict in the book. I, personally, see this as an analogy to fallen angels because it fell to earth from “heaven” and is spreading negativity and is trying to convince people to do things that would be classified as evil, kind of like what Lucifer and his other fallen angels are said to do according to the text of the Bible. Another allusion that I seen, and this one may not have been the author’s intention, but I did make this connection was that the character of Merlin was kind of portrayed as an allusion to the Biblical character of David, Morganthu was a representation of Goliath, the other Druids and Eirish warriors were representations of the Philistine army, and the other villagers kind of being representations of the greatly outnumbered Hebrew army. I think I came to this realization because Merlin is kind of an underdog who has no idea how to defeat the forces of Morganthu and I just saw a connection to David for some reason. All in all, I really liked the interesting element that the Christian overtures add to the book.
In the end, I enjoyed this book, although it isn’t my favorite re-telling of the Arthur legends. I am rating it a solid 4 stars, and I am planning on reading the rest of the trilogy. I have to wait until I go back to the library my mom works at or get her to get them for me when she is at work, though so I will be moving on to other books on my TBR in the meantime.
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