Joseph’s Reviews > The Crystal Cave > Status Update
Joseph
is on page 212 of 521
We've never heard anything about Merlin acting this way before, nor gotten any indication that his power frightens him.
Relatedly, I feel like he would work better if he wasn't our viewpoint character. His characterization really isn't very strong, so while he might be intriguingly mysterious from another POV, as is he's almost a blank slate who just acts however the story requires him.
— May 09, 2026 08:27PM
Relatedly, I feel like he would work better if he wasn't our viewpoint character. His characterization really isn't very strong, so while he might be intriguingly mysterious from another POV, as is he's almost a blank slate who just acts however the story requires him.
Like flag
Joseph’s Previous Updates
Joseph
is on page 297 of 521
"If the priests believed my mother, and Vortigern believed the priests, then I could not see where danger could come from."
I mean, now they'll just think you're half-DEMON. Why would they want to hurt you then?
Also, what kind of priests are these? Christian, Mithraist, pagan...?
— 9 hours, 14 min ago
I mean, now they'll just think you're half-DEMON. Why would they want to hurt you then?
Also, what kind of priests are these? Christian, Mithraist, pagan...?
Joseph
is on page 284 of 521
Okay, so Merlin reunited with his mother...off-page? Why does this book keeping setting things up as important and then doing this?
— 12 hours, 50 min ago
Joseph
is on page 281 of 521
Why does anyone believe this "son of a devil" story? Merlin hasn't demonstrated supernatural powers to most people (as far as we know, but the fact that Cadal knew just came out of nowhere). The fact that Niniane won't name the father shouldn't make people jump to demonic explanations.
— 13 hours, 2 min ago
Joseph
is on page 237 of 521
"...and indeed, I believe now that the fear came from the god."
That's this book's explanation for everything you think or do.
— May 09, 2026 08:40PM
That's this book's explanation for everything you think or do.
Joseph
is on page 236 of 521
"I went with Ambrosius to the shrine of Mithras below the farmstead, and with Belasius to the gatherings in the forest."
Are we gonna see these scenes? 'Cause this book is making a big deal about these various pagan sects, it seems like this should get more than a passing mention. Especially since druidism is being framed as evil but we don't know why, except that they killed a guy who did some unknown "sacrilege."
— May 09, 2026 08:39PM
Are we gonna see these scenes? 'Cause this book is making a big deal about these various pagan sects, it seems like this should get more than a passing mention. Especially since druidism is being framed as evil but we don't know why, except that they killed a guy who did some unknown "sacrilege."
Joseph
is on page 234 of 521
I assume "Comes" is a typo and is supposed to be "Comte."
— May 09, 2026 08:35PM
Joseph
is on page 214 of 521
"Men that have god's-sight, I have found, are often human-blind."
Cool quote. Not sure if it's applicable to anything in real life, but cool nonetheless.
— May 09, 2026 08:30PM
Cool quote. Not sure if it's applicable to anything in real life, but cool nonetheless.
Joseph
is on page 209 of 521
"...and made the sign against the evil eye."
Did Stewart forget that that was Cerdic's thing, or has she just given up pretending that they're not functionally the same character?
— May 09, 2026 08:24PM
Did Stewart forget that that was Cerdic's thing, or has she just given up pretending that they're not functionally the same character?
Joseph
is on page 101 of 521
"This was the second time in my life that I wept."
The hell. I'm pretty sure you cried as a baby, kid.
— May 07, 2026 11:59AM
The hell. I'm pretty sure you cried as a baby, kid.
Joseph
is on page 83 of 521
Every time these birds show up, the symbolism is a bit too obvious.
— May 06, 2026 10:00PM

