The Nightmare Begins

The Adventures of Merlin

by Ben Vanstone

When fire erupts in her chamber, Morgana fears that she started the blaze herself - using magic.
Frightened by this new power, Morgana seeks out the Druids who Merlin believes can help her. But Uther, believing she has been abducted, sends and army after her.
Can Merlin find Morgana before innocent lives are lost?

Genres: Arthurian, Fantasy, Tv

176 pages, Hardcover

First published August 27, 2010

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable episodes of the second season of Merlin was The Nightmare Begins, which I was able to find the novelisation of. Unlike the others that I own, I was eager to read this one and I actually ended up enjoying it, perhaps even more so than I was expecting.

The plot of The Nightmare Begins is the same as the third episode of the second season (also titled The Nightmare Begins). After a fire in her chambers, Morgana blames herself believing magic to be its cause. Merlin sends her to the Druids, hoping they can help but Uther sends an army after her, thinking she has been kidnapped. It was interesting to get a story that, essentially, revolves around Morgana. This deviates from the usual plot of Merlin, which made it much more fun to read.

Morgana is incredibly interesting, especially in the early seasons and this particular plot line goes a long way in developing her character, so I really enjoyed reading the events of this story from her side of things. Mordred also makes a reappearance in this story and as he is easily one of my favourites, so I obviously liked it for that reason. Merlin still played an important part in this plot and seeing his point of view on the events was very insightful. Others, such as Arthur and Gwen were only minor characters and they did not do a great deal in this story.

Although the writing style was very similar to the previous Merlin novelisations, I found it much easier to read and I was able to get through it relatively quick too. However, this one was not quite as funny as previous ones and therefore more serious, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I gave this 3 stars the first time I read it and I think I will stick with that rating after rereading it. It has been the Merlin novelisation I have enjoyed the most, as it moved away from its usual plot line and focused on a character that has been overlooked in previous stories. In all honesty, it was a fun and easy read that I really enjoyed.

Rating - 3/5
★★★

There is also a link to this review on my blog here!

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about freaking time I finish this book. It took me entirely TOO LONG to finish reading this. I normally wiz through these Merlin episode tie-in books.
I guess I get a little emotional with this "episode" it seems that this was the start of Morgana's spiral down to evil and it kinda makes me sad and I wanna smack Gauis and Uther and even my baby Merlin.

If they were just honest with her and confirmed what she believed she may not have gone down that path. All those druids didn't have to die during her "rescue"

I thoroughly enjoyed being in Arthur's head when he had to tell his men to "take no prisoners" like you could tell he wasn't happy at seeing them slaughtered.

[Amber Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It makes for good light reading as it's just under 200 pages. I love reading these books when I want fantasy that isn't heavy. I do feel a little bored because I know what's going to happen, but I keep going because I can glimpse into what the characters are feeling in regards to what is happening. Like another user said, it's heartwarming to know that Arthur reallyyyy hadn't wanted to kill all the druids, and was sincerely hoping they'd escape to safety.

[Megan Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, much like all the others like it. I love Merlin & the show. I don’t remember this episode of the show that well so it was cool to see it written. Makes me wonder why Morgana turned so bad in the end of the show after reading this book. You see a lot of her perspective so that’s pretty neat.

[Jay Riot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what I was looking for. It was short, and easy to read. And as a frequent enjoyer of the show, it was a fun experience. I can't give it too high of a rating because, as I said, it was very short and quick. And still, I can't insult it because it was really exactly what I wanted from it. Perfect little stories for when your tired and just want to read something.

[Adam Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelisation of the second series Merlin episode The Nightmare Begins.

It is a direct adaptation of the original episode with nothing added or removed from the plot just a straight retelling from script to prose.

I rather liked this book, as I did the episode that it was based upon but it wasn't really aimed at me and was primarily written for a younger audience.

Having said that I didn't feel that the book did't work as a book in its own right because I would say that this wouldn't have been a bad fantasy novel for young adults even without the link to the television series, as you could have easily read this having never seen the episode and still appreciate it, and understand it, as a story in its own right.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this novelisation, which has been the best of the series so far.

Being able to look into the thoughts and motivations of each character really made the events in the book stand out and also made me wish things had ended differently, even though I knew that it wouldn't.

I'd recommend this to anyone who's a fan of the Merlin series, it really brings the episode on which it's based to life.

[Natascha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the most boring one of the other Merlin books I've read so far. Found it boring, didn't like it at all.

[Jackie Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking book! It's really like watching the Tv, would definitely recommend this book to read as part of the set or even just as a single read.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book.