Merlin

by Martin H. Greenberg (Editor), Various

In the modern-day world where enemies are often nameless, faceless, and all-powerful, many people long for simpler times -- when great heroes and heroines arose to fight battles that could be won by skill and wit and strength.

Now some of the genre's top storytellers take you to such times and places to relive the adventures, the challenges, and the victories...in a brand-new anthology.

Contents include:
Old Merlin Dancing on the Sands of Time by Jane Yolen
Cauldron of Light by Diana L. Paxson
Forest of Stone by Charles de Lint
One Morning at the Stone by Tim Waggoner
Repro Man by Esther M. Friesner and Anne Elizabeth Stutzman
Root and Branch Shall Change by Andre Norton
Touched by Moonlight and Sunshine by Kathleen M. Massie-Ferch
The Final Battle by John Helfers
The Magic Roundabout by Pauline E. Dungate
Other Agendas by Lyn McConchie
The Wild Hunt by Lisanne Norman
Mouse and the Magic Guy by Brian M. THomsen
Merlin and Viviane by Alan Rodgers
Waiting for Tomorrow by Marc Bilgrey
Central Park by Bradley H. Sinor
Last Flight Over the Giant's Dance by Jean Rabe
The Well-Made Knight by Brooks Peck
The Ballad of the Side Street Wizard by Gary A. Braunbeck
The End of Summer by R. Davis
Return of the King by Michelle West

Genres: Fantasy, Anthologies, Arthurian, Short Stories, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Martin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.

For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.

Reviews

[Ramoths Own · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a huge fan of short stories or novellas I like a big book with lots of pages and lots of words that I can get lost in. Saying that I was interested in this book because of some of the authors, but found myself very disappointed. Two of the stories I couldn't even finish. Most of them are set in the present day and that is not where I like to see Merlin or Arthur.

All in all not something that I would recommend or read again.

[Eleni Konstantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had started to read the anthology when it was first published any many years ago but then put it to the side when I'll health interrupted my life. This year I have read short stories in between longer works. A varied collection in style but a cohesive look at the wizard we thought we knew.

[Cliff Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book many years ago and have reread many of the stories. Great read and bedside companion.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merlin as magician, trickster, lover, sage—this mythical creation wore so many hats that he continues to fascinate and enthrall scores of modern-day readers and writers. However, the introduction (should you read such things) indicates surprising news: perhaps there never was a Merlin. Before he was written of by the Middle Ages author Geoffrey of Monmouth, there is no mention in history or myth of this magical sage. While there are tales and historical background to indicate that there was a warrior chieftain that corresponds to the legend of King Arthur, Merlin may have been a complete fabrication.

But what a character was supplied for future generations! In this anthology, various authors spin their own ideas of Merlin in ways rich and bizarre. Grim forebodings, desperate attempts to shape history and men, brimming with restored power, ruination in the dumps or simply wacky flailing stabs at parenthood are all here. Some of the stories give Merlin a human heart; some make him as eldritch as the myths that suggest he had a demon father.

I have to admit I adored almost all of these tales and would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. If you’re an Arthurian fan, pick up this book and sift through its pages. Magic and mischief lie within.

[Arthurianmaiden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories about Merlin. Now, I'm not a Merlin fan, but I love story Arthurian stories because they do require a lot of good timing and some surprise element. This book has only a three star rating because of the 20 stories I only really liked 4:"The final battle ", which had quite a surprising ending, "the magic roundabout", a modern day story which I found quite haunting (in a good way!), "The well made Knight" (quite an interesting Lancelot concept) and "One morning at the stone".
I'm still quite glad I bought the book as the other stories, well , the majority of them, were enjoyable.

[Lee Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read a couple of the stories. It was not what I expected. Tho they may be well-written, I did not care for it

[John Deltuvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great stories, some... not so great.