There are few legends I love better than the ancient tale of King Arthur, Merlin, and the Knights of the Round Table. In fact, I recently finished watching BBC’s Merlin — a show that has fast become one of my favorites — and am still recovering from the ending.
So I was quite excited when I was offered the opportunity to review Merlin’s Blade, by Robert Treskillard.
“In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom will fall on the shoulders of a young boy. His name … Merlin.”
Oh wait. Wrong story.
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 Uther’s kingdom. 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 ordained for him. But when he is surrounded by adversaries, how will he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil … without losing his life?
First off, check out the sword on the cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? The author made it himself. Unbelievable, right? He’s also offering you a chance to win a sword just like it in a contest over at his website.
Anyway, back to the book.
I love the setting that the story is placed in. Ancient Britain has always been … and doubtless always will be near and dear to my heart. It is at once apparent that Robert Treskillard has done his research well.
Likewise, the concept of the stone is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. And the druids, well, they’re not exactly the sort you’d like to have for next door neighbors, if you catch my drift.
I also enjoyed the way that Robert Treskillard reimagined Merlin as well as several other characters, events, and concepts from the original legends. Here Merlin is no skilled warlock or wizard. He is the son of a swordsmith, half-blinded after saving his younger sister from wolves. From the start, Merlin’s compassionate and self-sacrificial nature make him a character for readers to fall in love with.
As Merlin is half-blind and much of the story is written from his perspective, I can only imagine the difficulties Robert Treskillard faced when it came to describing what was happening. At times however, it felt forced. Characters would unnecessarily explain things in dialogue, or take time in the middle of the action to explain exactly what had happened. These conversations felt forced. They didn’t ring true.
Perhaps it was also a result of trying to write from the blind Merlin’s perspective, but the pacing oftentimes felt rushed and disjointed, skipping around from scene to scene.
All in all, I enjoyed reading Merlin’s Blade and I look forward to adding it to my shelf of Arthurian legends, and reading the next book, Merlin’s Shadow, when it is available!
Find the author at his blog or website: Epic Tales or King Arthur
Enter the giveaway to win a free copy of Merlin’s Blade using the Rafflecopter below.
Molly says
Ooh I love any type of medieval stories! Thanks for the review and the giveaway! It sounds so interesting.
Molly says
Oh yes, and my favorite King Author tale would be a series called A Squire's Tale. :)
Galadriel says
Sounds interesting. My favorite is Squire's Tales by Gerald Morris
Robert Treskillard says
Thanks for the review and giveaway, Gillian! I especially appreciate that you put it on Amazon—that really helps!
It was *very* difficult to write from someone perspective who is half-blind. If there are any particular passages that I can improve, I'm all ears.
Thanks again!
-Robert
Hannah says
Fun! While I'm not huge on the King Author tales, I'm interested to see how this book would go. I really liked Mark Twain's 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Author's Court.' It was hilarious…but then it got really depressing. :(
My favorite knight has to be Sir Gaiwain. I enjoy his character, despite his hot-hotheadedness.
T.D. says
Dude, I love any and all reincarnations of the Arthurian story. And muahahah yes, BBC Merlin references ftw :D:D:D
T.D. says
And while I love the show Merlin, I think that the "Squire's Tales" books by Gerald Morris are my favorite Arthurian story to date.
Gillian Adams says
You're at least the third person to mention those. I really must check those out!
Liz Hericks says
Loved the review, Gillian! Giveaway ought to be fun. :-)
Liz Hericks says
I have to say, BBC Merlin is my favorite Merlin so far. I guess The Sword in the Stone is a nice kids movie too. Really funny.
Gillian Adams says
I know. I love BBC's Merlin. So sad it's over. :(
Nightingale says
Ooh! I really want to see Merlin and this book sounds great!
I would probably pick C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy as my favorite King Arthur adaption though it doesn't play a big part in the stories.
Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway, Gillian, and I'm glad you're back in the blogosphere! :)
Gillian Adams says
Yes, the Space Trilogy is awesome. C.S. Lewis is awesome. 'nuff said. ;)
Layla and Josiah says
Favorite????? I HAVE SO MANY! But I loved The Once And future king by T. h. White & B.b.C.'s Merlin.
Layla.
Bookishqueen says
Lol, I love that show too. But I haven't finished it, so don't tell me.
Charley Robson says
Ahahaha, BBC Merlin . . . fun and fluffy, they said, nothing sad here, they said.
THAT ENDING. OUCH.
This book sound interesting in its concept, but what you've said about the execution . . . eh. Not so sure about this one.
Gillian Adams says
I. Know. I expected it, but at the same time, it was really sad!
Now, they need to make the future part of the once and future king, right? Same actors of course.
Mary Ruth Pursselley says
I actually got to hold that sword at the Realm Makers conference. So cool!
Mary Ruth Pursselley says
I have a collection of King Arthur stories in a book that's simply called "King Arthur and His Noble Knights". The stories are in very "original" form (as much as a who-knows-how-many-times reinterpreted story can be) and make a nice foundation for me to start on whenever I want to play with different twists.
Jack says
Speaking as someone who is writing from a blind character's point of view, it can be very hard. It is hard to know how to describe things when you cannot use one of the biggest aids in writing – the sight of the character witnessing it all. (It intrigues me that this author attempted it as well.) Also, I am watching Merlin too, and I am starting to really like the old legends. I am going to try and find this book because I am on the hunt for good books written about the old legends. I'm getting a small collection together 8-D
And the cover, the cover is VERY cool