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Merlin's Crucible: A Legacy of Shadows
In the age of earthly magic, Merlin faces the uncertainty of an unrivaled challenge: destiny itself. After being haunted by elusive visitations from the dreamworld, he answers the summons of his long-estranged master, leaving behind the throne of King Arthur to venture forth. With the aid of his master's steadfast dragon, Faris, Merlin embarks on a perilous odyssey, navigating the tricky boundaries that thread between worlds in pursuit of answers to his enigmatic questions.
As the ancient tale unfolds, Merlin finds himself in a timeless battle between the forces of light and darkness's abyss. With the odds stacked against him, does the formidable mage hold the power to banish this malevolence for good, or does a fate of perpetual shadows await both him and the world he seeks to defend?
As the ancient tale unfolds, Merlin finds himself in a timeless battle between the forces of light and darkness's abyss. With the odds stacked against him, does the formidable mage hold the power to banish this malevolence for good, or does a fate of perpetual shadows await both him and the world he seeks to defend?
48 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2023
6 people want to read
About the author
James G. Robertson
4 books7 followersBorn in 1990, James G. Robertson grew up in the small town of Pratt, Kansas. He has lived across the U.S., including Texas, Missouri, and New York, where he graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in theatre.
James began writing his debut novel Afterworld in 2010. After a long hiatus, he published it in April 2020. He now writes while working in education and plans for his expansive series to span over 30 publications.
James began writing his debut novel Afterworld in 2010. After a long hiatus, he published it in April 2020. He now writes while working in education and plans for his expansive series to span over 30 publications.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 30, 2025
3 25 rounded for GR
A short story following Merlin as he goes on a dark task with the dragon Faris. Leaving Arthur behind, Merlin attempts to battle and conquer his foe and save the world he loves.
Good story!
A short story following Merlin as he goes on a dark task with the dragon Faris. Leaving Arthur behind, Merlin attempts to battle and conquer his foe and save the world he loves.
Good story!
November 30, 2023
(3.75 rounded up)
I quite enjoyed this little novella. I haven't read the series that this novella is a part of yet, but I still thought it was a good time.
In this novella we follow Merlin who receives this message from a Herald, and is preparing to battle his father, Old Nick. We journey with him as he leaves Arthur, picks up his firefly friend Poncho, and goes to the Ladies of the Lake in Avalon.
I really liked the writing in this. It had just the right amount of purple prose to give the story a nice magical flair, without being too overbearing. There was a surprising twist I wasn't expecting and I loved all the supernatural beings we came across.
Overall this was an engaging novella that has me really intrigued to dive into this series.
《Thanks to Book Sirens and the author for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 》
I quite enjoyed this little novella. I haven't read the series that this novella is a part of yet, but I still thought it was a good time.
In this novella we follow Merlin who receives this message from a Herald, and is preparing to battle his father, Old Nick. We journey with him as he leaves Arthur, picks up his firefly friend Poncho, and goes to the Ladies of the Lake in Avalon.
I really liked the writing in this. It had just the right amount of purple prose to give the story a nice magical flair, without being too overbearing. There was a surprising twist I wasn't expecting and I loved all the supernatural beings we came across.
Overall this was an engaging novella that has me really intrigued to dive into this series.
《Thanks to Book Sirens and the author for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 》
November 16, 2023
A unique, imaginative retelling of Merlin's family life and origins whilst battling good over evil to save the universe.
Merlin is a strong paragon of good complete with high morals and a love for both humans and ethereal beings (such as the fae, giants and dragons etc.
He needs to dig deep to escape from his ex disciple turned evil rogue as well as his malevolent father, Lilith and the infamous Morgan Le Fay (evil sister of Arthur Pendragon) in order to retrieve an important ancient historical object to bring order back to the world.
Merlin is a strong paragon of good complete with high morals and a love for both humans and ethereal beings (such as the fae, giants and dragons etc.
He needs to dig deep to escape from his ex disciple turned evil rogue as well as his malevolent father, Lilith and the infamous Morgan Le Fay (evil sister of Arthur Pendragon) in order to retrieve an important ancient historical object to bring order back to the world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2023
Overflowing with purple prose, this was a really fun read!!!
Although I'm not well-versed in the lore of Merlin, King Arthur, and Excalibur, there were moments when I felt a bit lost due to my limited knowledge. The story didn't provide enough context for newcomers like me to fully grasp the backstories of certain characters.
However, this experience has piqued my curiosity. It's ignited a curiosity to dive deeper into the Arthurian legends and has also left me keen to continue exploring this specific retelling of the story.
I want to express my thanks to the publisher and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. My decision to leave this review is entirely voluntary.
Although I'm not well-versed in the lore of Merlin, King Arthur, and Excalibur, there were moments when I felt a bit lost due to my limited knowledge. The story didn't provide enough context for newcomers like me to fully grasp the backstories of certain characters.
However, this experience has piqued my curiosity. It's ignited a curiosity to dive deeper into the Arthurian legends and has also left me keen to continue exploring this specific retelling of the story.
I want to express my thanks to the publisher and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC of this book. My decision to leave this review is entirely voluntary.
January 12, 2024
This novella is a different take on the Arthurian legend concentrating on Merlin as he prepares for a prophetic battle against forces of evil. It's at turns psychedelic, dramatic, and whimsical.
I like light reads and this novella is short and to the point. I enjoyed it (actually, I hoped it would be longer). It does have a cliffhanger ending, and the worldbuilding is as such that I feel I would want to read the next installment.
I like light reads and this novella is short and to the point. I enjoyed it (actually, I hoped it would be longer). It does have a cliffhanger ending, and the worldbuilding is as such that I feel I would want to read the next installment.
August 24, 2024
I enjoyed this little story, loved the writing style - it suited the story well and really transported me into Merlin's world of magic and mayhem..
August 21, 2024
This was a quick read that at times felt like it was going nowhere special. It felt like it was born to set a strange stage created with pretty words. Other times it felt like the action was too brisk and jumped, disjointedly, about without real depth.
Now, I am a (not so) undercover lover of all things Arthurian... especially tales of Merlin and his ilk. And yes, this book had both characters (kind of), and then some. There was just a teasing of Arthur in the beginning (not a deal breaker though), and the rest was all trippy and Merlin filled. Sounds amazing, right?? Wellll... I'd love to answer that categorically in the affirmative, BUT it just wasn't in depth, Braised Short Ribs Rich and Savory... it was more like Chips (yumm) and slightly expired salsa (also possibly yumm but most likely zappy (in not a great way) + blech)! It did give us some (slightly disturbing and highly implausible) background info on Merlin and his origins, but that too was skimpy skimpy. You might argue that it could've come off that way because it serves as a foundation building book... here to set up the big goings-on in future books, BUT why then did it fail to lay down a cleanly paved, comprehensive & cohesive foundation? The plot had gaping potholes with flinsy character development... it definitively came off like it wanted to be more... much much more... its eyes were bigger than its stomach-- as my mother used to say. It was full of pretty prose and a brief exploration of (a couple of) unique locations BUT what it was not so hefty on was the nitty gritty details. The details were more like a suggestion... boiled chicken strips when I came for the Hibachi Special... weird comparisons? Yes. Am I really hungry? Also YES! BUT, sadly, my analogies are accurate.
Overall:
What this book, about one of my favorite literary Magical peeps, tried to accomplish was impressive in breadth but emaciated in scope. In essence, it bit off more than it could chew. Sounds rough right? I agree! This is primarily a poor review mainly because it tried to tackle a subject I feel extremely passionate about and overprotective of, and it failed to deliver. Its premise promised us a magical multidimensional biblio-buffet but fell victim to its own antagonist... Famine.
I have read an incredible amount of literature centered on (many of) these characters and their plights/trials/successes... so much so they feel like family now AND if you are going to create a whole universe around my favorite magically centered, (multidimentional) trope/ genre/characters/ plot... it kind of has to hit hard in order to wow me... or even satiate me.
I loathe giving poor reviews about someone's brain baby, but at the end of the day, I'm mostly writing this review to alert possible readers about what they are in store for. AND, to that end, I would've skipped this one had I known then what I know now.
Last 2 cents: it saddens me to say it but this one was great in theory but not so great in actuality.
~ Sorry
*** I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
Now, I am a (not so) undercover lover of all things Arthurian... especially tales of Merlin and his ilk. And yes, this book had both characters (kind of), and then some. There was just a teasing of Arthur in the beginning (not a deal breaker though), and the rest was all trippy and Merlin filled. Sounds amazing, right?? Wellll... I'd love to answer that categorically in the affirmative, BUT it just wasn't in depth, Braised Short Ribs Rich and Savory... it was more like Chips (yumm) and slightly expired salsa (also possibly yumm but most likely zappy (in not a great way) + blech)! It did give us some (slightly disturbing and highly implausible) background info on Merlin and his origins, but that too was skimpy skimpy. You might argue that it could've come off that way because it serves as a foundation building book... here to set up the big goings-on in future books, BUT why then did it fail to lay down a cleanly paved, comprehensive & cohesive foundation? The plot had gaping potholes with flinsy character development... it definitively came off like it wanted to be more... much much more... its eyes were bigger than its stomach-- as my mother used to say. It was full of pretty prose and a brief exploration of (a couple of) unique locations BUT what it was not so hefty on was the nitty gritty details. The details were more like a suggestion... boiled chicken strips when I came for the Hibachi Special... weird comparisons? Yes. Am I really hungry? Also YES! BUT, sadly, my analogies are accurate.
Overall:
What this book, about one of my favorite literary Magical peeps, tried to accomplish was impressive in breadth but emaciated in scope. In essence, it bit off more than it could chew. Sounds rough right? I agree! This is primarily a poor review mainly because it tried to tackle a subject I feel extremely passionate about and overprotective of, and it failed to deliver. Its premise promised us a magical multidimensional biblio-buffet but fell victim to its own antagonist... Famine.
I have read an incredible amount of literature centered on (many of) these characters and their plights/trials/successes... so much so they feel like family now AND if you are going to create a whole universe around my favorite magically centered, (multidimentional) trope/ genre/characters/ plot... it kind of has to hit hard in order to wow me... or even satiate me.
I loathe giving poor reviews about someone's brain baby, but at the end of the day, I'm mostly writing this review to alert possible readers about what they are in store for. AND, to that end, I would've skipped this one had I known then what I know now.
Last 2 cents: it saddens me to say it but this one was great in theory but not so great in actuality.
~ Sorry
*** I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews