Interesting take on Merlin. I've always suspected that the most realistic take was Mark Twain's in _Connecticut Yankee_, but Lawhead gives the old wizard a heavy Christian spin, which, I suppose, he had to have to send the knights out after the Grail. There's not much discussion of why Merlin is the way he is, although we know from the first book in the series that he was raised at least partially by Atlanteans; and I'm looking forward to learning who his actual grandfather was as I progress in this series. Characterization never seems to me to be particularly strong in this sort of epic fantasy, but then since many of the characters are familiar to the reasonably literate, maybe that's not a big loss. It's fun having a little bit of the back story in your head, too, so you can see where Lawhead is going when he brings out the Fisher King or the Lady in the Lake. Susan Cooper did something similar in the _Dark Is Rising_ series. Worth reading so you can say you've done it, but I don't think I'd pick it up twice. ( )

Book two of the Pendragon cycle, it is mostly better than Taliesin. Very well written, it reallt did seem like another person was telling the story and that it was the great Merlin. I especially enjoyed how the style of writing changed when he went mad!

It was very sad in places and very gruesome in others. The battle scenes were very graphic along with the telling of how Merlin's wife and unborn child were killed by Barbarians. Again the christian background and Merlin's faith seemed out of place somewhat. It seemed the focus was a little too much on "The True God". Also Charis' rold was diminished greatly which was a shame as I really liked her character. ( )

Merlin goes through a considerable period of Myrddins life. He is the child of Charis of Atlantis and Taliesin the Bard.

From being a kid and showing his tutelage by various luminaries, to life as a young warrior, all the way through to becoming a kingmaker and installing Arthur.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/03... ( )

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6... ( )

I was with it until they mention eating spuds in 3rd century Britain. oops. I do like how they handle the conversion to Christianity. ( )